Hello All,
I am back into the hobby after a few years. I used to have an account on here however I can't remember the log in. Anyways long story short I used to have a beautiful 35 gallon reef. It cost me a fortune to get up and runnning and once it leaked and crashed I gave up on the hobby. A few years have passed and I would like to get back into it, but with something that is a little bit less work, and much less cost. I have posted a similar thread in the salt section as well so I can make a decision, but I was hoping you guys could help me out with a few questions I have and put in your own two cents! I loved being part of this community ten years ago, and I can't wait to get back into the hobby!
So to the details. Currently in my possession I have a 120gallon tank, with stand, a few powerheads and about 80 pounds of dead live rock. I am on the fence between doing a FOWLR salt tank, a Cichlid tank, or a planted tank. I am looking for something that is low cost once set up, less maintenance than the reef and visually appealing.
A few questions:
1. At the back of my house I have a 3 season sun room. It is mostly windows, but I will be insulating it this year. I would like to put the tank against the window. If necessary I will even cut out the window and put in something to make it look built in. On the opposite side of the window is our BBQ, patio and hot tub area. I think it would be really awesome to be able to sit out in the backyard and enjoy the fish tank. Does anybody have any ideas on how this could be done? I don't think sunlight will be an issue, because the window is covered by an awning so it should be too much of a problem, but I am worried about the temperature swings. I line in Ontario, Canada, where in the winter we get down to 0 degrees and in the summer in the 90s often.
2. Does anybody here have experience with reef, fowlr AND cichlid tanks? I am naive to think that a Cichlid tank will be much less work and cost effective than a FOWLR and reef tank? Do you find that Cichlid tanks are just as enjoyable to watch? What I loved about my reef was I could sit and see something new happening all the time. It was wonderful to sit with my kids. Do you guys find this with a Cichlid tank or a planted tank?
Thank you all for your time in reading this! I am very excited to be back!
I am back into the hobby after a few years. I used to have an account on here however I can't remember the log in. Anyways long story short I used to have a beautiful 35 gallon reef. It cost me a fortune to get up and runnning and once it leaked and crashed I gave up on the hobby. A few years have passed and I would like to get back into it, but with something that is a little bit less work, and much less cost. I have posted a similar thread in the salt section as well so I can make a decision, but I was hoping you guys could help me out with a few questions I have and put in your own two cents! I loved being part of this community ten years ago, and I can't wait to get back into the hobby!
So to the details. Currently in my possession I have a 120gallon tank, with stand, a few powerheads and about 80 pounds of dead live rock. I am on the fence between doing a FOWLR salt tank, a Cichlid tank, or a planted tank. I am looking for something that is low cost once set up, less maintenance than the reef and visually appealing.
A few questions:
1. At the back of my house I have a 3 season sun room. It is mostly windows, but I will be insulating it this year. I would like to put the tank against the window. If necessary I will even cut out the window and put in something to make it look built in. On the opposite side of the window is our BBQ, patio and hot tub area. I think it would be really awesome to be able to sit out in the backyard and enjoy the fish tank. Does anybody have any ideas on how this could be done? I don't think sunlight will be an issue, because the window is covered by an awning so it should be too much of a problem, but I am worried about the temperature swings. I line in Ontario, Canada, where in the winter we get down to 0 degrees and in the summer in the 90s often.
2. Does anybody here have experience with reef, fowlr AND cichlid tanks? I am naive to think that a Cichlid tank will be much less work and cost effective than a FOWLR and reef tank? Do you find that Cichlid tanks are just as enjoyable to watch? What I loved about my reef was I could sit and see something new happening all the time. It was wonderful to sit with my kids. Do you guys find this with a Cichlid tank or a planted tank?
Thank you all for your time in reading this! I am very excited to be back!