Feeling like a newbie again after 30 years

[agiacosa]

Hi everyone,

I'm feeling like a newbie again.

I thought I would introduce myself before I start asking for all sorts of help and frustrating you with a bunch of newbie questions. At least you know who is asking them and may be a little patient with me.

My parents bought me my first aquarium when I was about 13. I'm now 47. It was a freshwater tank, like I'm sure many of you had. I've been very involved with aquariums ever since. Except for a brief stint with a saltwater tank in the early 2000s, I've been focused on freshwater planted aquariums that some of you may have seen. Attached is an example of the freshwater side tanks now-a-days.

I started a site called Aquatic Plant Central and was even involved on the commercial side a few times. Recently, I ran a blog and podcast called ScapeFu focused on growing the planted aquarium hobby.

Now, due to a change in work and life balance, I have a lot less time to devote to a hobby. I was putting in about 30 hours a week with the blog/podcast. And, in keeping with a complete change, I've decided to once again focus on an SPS tank.

I've secretly had a crush on SPS tanks and have long wanted to act on it. Well, now's the time.

Unfortunately, I know feel like a complete newbie again. I've had all sorts of problems even mixing the salt correctly to maintain proper water parameters and am even learning to properly calibrate my refractometer. :twitch::face palm:

Well, that's it. Sorry for the wall-o-post. It's nice to meet you and hope to see you at one of the FMAS meetings.

Best regards,

Art

P.S. If you ever want to try your hand at a freshwater tank, let me know.

 

[nismo_32]

Sick freshwater tank. Good luck.

 

[ANFPO]

You should try a Saltwater Macro Algae Tank !!!!

 

[baxinabox]

Heyyy nice car nismo.

glad to see other people share my same hobbies.. cars and reef tanks.

 

[Ludwigia73]

Lol, I've been looking for some Seiryu rock (almost all black with a few white marbling lines), having a really hard time finding them... any ideas?

And you being a planted tank guy, if you have any, I'd be glad to trade for an sps frag or two... I am breaking down my 2 tanks, a 125 and a 40, and I do have some acros, a mille, and a huge monti undata colony (dark purple) for sale. I've been doing this a long time, so people do tend to seek out my advice, although I'm sure others here are a little more knowledgeable than I.

Feel free to drop me a line

 

[agiacosa]

Hi,

Thanks all.

Can't help you with seiryu rock other than suggesting to look on eBay where it pops up from time to time.

I've also taken down my freshwater tank so I don't have anything to trade.

Thanks for offering to help. I appreciate and will drop you a line if I have a question.

 

[Yonp11]

Lol, I've been looking for some Seiryu rock (almost all black with a few white marbling lines), having a really hard time finding them... any ideas?

And you being a planted tank guy, if you have any, I'd be glad to trade for an sps frag or two... I am breaking down my 2 tanks, a 125 and a 40, and I do have some acros, a mille, and a huge monti undata colony (dark purple) for sale. I've been doing this a long time, so people do tend to seek out my advice, although I'm sure others here are a little more knowledgeable than I.

Feel free to drop me a line

Try Green Leaf Aquariums. When I went to school at UF years ago I dropped by his shop for some supplies and he sold me some Seiryu stones and driftwood he had lying around. Maybe he has some or knows where you can get them.

 

[Ludwigia73]

Thanks for the idea Yon, but they're in Gainesville... I'll remember this thread, my sister actually lives in Gainesville... maybe she could pop in.

 

[dadummy]

welcome to the dark side, the sps bug has bitten once again lol. That planted tank is amazing, can't wait to see what you can do with an sps tank. Yea, it's frustrating at first but in time it will all come together. Read up on water chemistry, alkalinity, calcium magnesium, that was the hardest learning curve for me coming from FW. Any questions post in the forums for an answer. I spent a lot of money and time back and forth to the LFS following bad advice.
After a break from keeping a tank I came home with a 36g that was going to house dwarf African cichlids. My wife said you should do saltwater!!. Not knowing anything about marine aquariums other than I needed salt, live rock and refractometer. We took a ride to a LFS and the journey began. I still think back 30+ years ago seeing an arrow crab in a cubicle and how cool it would be to have one. I would have sold myself short if I settled for the crab. This hobby has been amazing.
How is your hand at building C02 regs? Can trade in your diffuser for a calcium reactor in no time.

good luck

 

[Lacy]

Welcome to the sps bug. That freshwater tank is beautiful.

 

[Jgoal55]

That FW tank is gorgeous. I've heard though that planted aquariums can almost be as hard as reef tanks!

On the bright side, you have experience with CO2 reactors if you ever go that route. My only bit of advice: By the biggest tank and the best equipment you can possibly afford right from the start; it'll save you a lot of money in the long run!