Former hobbyist thinking of getting back on the horse...

[theclemsonkid]

About ten years ago, I had a 55, and then upgraded to a 75 gallon saltwater reef tank. I absolutely loved it back then, but unfortunately a stray current from a bad thermometer killed 80% of that tank, and left a real sour taste in my mouth. After that much time, money, and love... to lose almost all of it over something small like that really upset me, and I basically gave away what lived, and put the rest of the stuff on Craigslist for free.

Fast forward to 2014, and I am really missing the hobby. Every time I go anywhere with a tank, I think how much I miss it and want to start all over again. Here's the thing... back when I did it, I was never "aquarium guy". I had a small working knowledge, but never knew a ton about things. Like, I had a basic hang on the back filter, thermometer, two power heads and some T5 lighting. That was it. Never had a refugium, protein skimmer, overflow, etc.

So here is my question. In the ten years since I have been in the hobby, have things progressed to where there is a fairly easy "out of the box" type system? Somewhere in the 55-75 gallon range. I'd like to keep a few zoos, some other lower light corals, etc. Livestock doesn't really matter. Also, does anyone know of a way to automatically top off water levels? That was the only thing I remember specifically hating about the tank.

So yeah, anyone who can get me pointed in the right direction, I would appreciate it

 

[flower]

Hi,

Well I always try and warn a person...you can never leave. It's best to keep your equipment for when the bug hits you again. Welcome back...

I feel your pain, I lost $1500.00 in corals, and every invert in and around the sand and rocks (threw everything in a tailspin) when my heater broke and shocked the whole tank...nothing lived but the fish and after a week, a few pieces of the hardier corals I noticed had survived.

It's cheaper to purchase what you want as you need it, they do sell "all in one sale" kind of kits at many LFSs, most are geared for freshwater. When you get deals like that, you usually get the cheapest stuff that's on the market.

You can always scan Craig's list and find someone also getting out of the hobby, or if you're lucky, you can even get yourself a full established system already up and running, then it's just a matter of moving it from point A to point B.

 

[socalnano24]

Hey Clemson, depending on what size you're going for a nano cube can be a good off the shelf option. At least in Southern California you can get one for like $500 for a 24 and they will throw in live rock, sand and water. This is how I started my tank. Even if you had to buy the live rock and components individually you could probably get started again for under $750.