Back at after 16 years

[5c0073r]

It's been so long I don't even know what my old user name was here on RC! Well after 16 years and 4 kids later I am picking the hobby up again. Just purchased a 195 tank locally from someone exiting the hobby. It seems like so much has changed I'm not even sure where to start.

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[Oldreeferman]

Welcome back, its not only changed but for the better & its so much easier now for success in whatever you do long term,.............. id start with rocks, water & a CC myself!

 

[rfgonzo]

Oh boy, have things changed. Good size tank for a new start.

 

[ThatGuy961]

Good luck brotha! A lot of folks here that would be willing to help


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[5c0073r]

Thank you!


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[cbourg]

If interested I have
a skimmer (asm with gate mod),
In-line return pump (Poseidon ps2)
Reef keeper elite



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[cbourg]

If interested I have
a skimmer (asm with gate mod),
In-line return pump (Poseidon ps2)
Reef keeper elite



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2 buckets of sand as well


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[JWClark]

Yep, been a ton of changes in the hobby since you left. Can't get real liverock anymore but there are some good aqua-cultured varieties.

One new trend is to start with dry rock but this has caused more issues for me than any it solved so I'd recommend a live aqua-cultured version. Just QT and learn to spot things like colonial hydroids so you can chip off before they become pervasive.

I, too, have another handle here that I can't remember. Back then, instant information access was in it's infancy.

 

[5c0073r]

Yep, been a ton of changes in the hobby since you left. Can't get real liverock anymore but there are some good aqua-cultured varieties.

One new trend is to start with dry rock but this has caused more issues for me than any it solved so I'd recommend a live aqua-cultured version. Just QT and learn to spot things like colonial hydroids so you can chip off before they become pervasive.

I, too, have another handle here that I can't remember. Back then, instant information access was in it's infancy.

How come you can no longer buy live rock? It was fortunate to also pick up two what I consider massive pieces of dry rock. I'll post pics when I pick it all up on Sunday. The seller offered to give me some of his live rock for seeding when I got everything operational.

My previous tanks all had life reef hardware so I reached out to Jeff this afternoon to start planning out everything. I really enjoyed working with him on previous projects and his work/craftsmanship was always excellent


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[hhaase]

How come you can no longer buy live rock? It was fortunate to also pick up two what I consider massive pieces of dry rock. I'll post pics when I pick it all up on Sunday. The seller offered to give me some of his live rock for seeding when I got everything operational.

My previous tanks all had life reef hardware so I reached out to Jeff this afternoon to start planning out everything. I really enjoyed working with him on previous projects and his work/craftsmanship was always excellent


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A lot of people consider the dry rock to have some advantages over live rock, particularly how most tanks have a much larger volume of rock these days. It's cheaper, doesn't contain any hitchhikers, and is safe to add at any point without affecting water parameters (theoretically).

It really depends though. Some people say they still get a lot of locked-in phosphates in dry rock, and silicates, and depending on the source you still need to prepare it before adding to the tank. It also gives you a very barren looking tank for a while until the coraline algae starts to grow on it, and you are best served by having a 'seed colony' of some live rock to get it going quicker.

-Hans

 

[JWClark]

There have been import/export laws put into place and various national regs not renewed in all the various countries/territories associated with this industry--so it no longer functions.

Can't even buy dry pukani or Fiji anymore. The only dry you can get commercially is the mined fossilized stuff. I have some of that and am not a fan. The density is such that bacterial activities really are limited to just the surface to a few mm in. Whereas, actual dead liverock at least still had this natural porosity to lessor or greater extents depending on the type.

From other hobbyists really is the only source now for any liverock from the ocean now--live or dead. Even the aquacultured stuff is usually the mined dry rock dumped in the ocean for varying amounts of time. There are a few things like Walt Smith rock that are striving to overcome this. Not sure if you can still get the Walt Smith man made rock as liverock aquacultured anymore.

How come you can no longer buy live rock? It was fortunate to also pick up two what I consider massive pieces of dry rock. I'll post pics when I pick it all up on Sunday. The seller offered to give me some of his live rock for seeding when I got everything operational.

My previous tanks all had life reef hardware so I reached out to Jeff this afternoon to start planning out everything. I really enjoyed working with him on previous projects and his work/craftsmanship was always excellent


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[hhaase]

Yeah, I think that's the biggest thing that changed while I was away also, a LOT of limitations on available stocking. I'm not really a fan of the current cult of the tiny frags. But at the same time I can understand the necessity. I just miss seeing all the big grown out colonies like people used to show all the time.

-Hans