If You Are New to Reef Central, Introduce Yourself Here!

[Sisterlimonpot]

hi all, Im new to the forums. I've had freshwater and brackish forever, just recently have gotten into marine.

We currently have a 48 FW community tank (lightly planted)
20 H Brackish tank with 2 green spotted puffers
12 gallon mini reef <3
and we are getting a nice 90 gallon soon, which will be awesome
oh, and a 10 gallon QT tank if that counts.

besides fish, I love video games, art, comics, reading, and taking care of all our pets. Nice to meetcha!!

Ahh, I see a slow progression from fresh to salt. glad to have you here, a 90 gallon is a great size for salt, be sure to start a thread documenting your progress.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

My name is Tommy and I just got into this hobby about 2 weeks ago.
I have a 90 gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump.
I am in turbo learning mode right now trying to learn all I can to avoid expensive mistakes.

[welcome]
I couldn't view your picture, but be sure to start a thread with tons more pictures.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hello Everyone,
I'm new to the forum and returning to the hobby aftera 10 year hiatus, (raising five daughters). I started with aquariums in the 6th grade, back in the 60's, when a girl in my class gave me a jar full of guppies. All of my experience is with freshwater tanks, especially Oscars. I also worked at a popular fish & bird store called 'The House of Tropicals' here in Maryland. I want to give saltwater a go this time around, so wish me luck.
A big thanks goes out T-Boner for pointing me to this forum and for all his input.
Best Regards,
Gobby/Buddy

[welcome]

5 girls??? wow, I have only 2 and they're a hand full. You wont regret having a salt water, it's many many times better than fresh water, good luck with your'e new adventure, (after raising 5 girls, I'm confident that you will have no problem )

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Thanks for the Welcome Sisterlimonpot. I do have a question. Sand sifting stars are not reef compatible ?? He's one of my favorites. Do they eat corals ?? Cause once I get enough live rock in the tank, and I don't kill anything, I'd love to try some easy corals. And of course I'll need more light.

right, and they tend to eat everything in the sand quicker that it can repopulate and eventually starve to death. however you can repopulate the sand with critters on a weekly, monthly basis by purchasing live copepods and keeping a flourishing refugium.

 

[Gobby]

Thank you Sisterlimonpot. I'm sure I will have a good time with it. I have been reading the newbie corner articles all afternoon. I think I can get up to speed pretty quick with the help I've found so far. I'm sure it is easier than raising kids...lol.

 

[ItsET]

Thanks, that's good news. but what do I need to have a flourishing refugium ?? And it's only about 5 gal. I've got some algae growing in 1/3 of it with crushed oysters on the bottom. I also keep a 60 watt light on over it for the algae 24/7. Sorry bout all the questions. Should I go to another forum ??

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Thanks, that's good news. but what do I need to have a flourishing refugium ?? And it's only about 5 gal. I've got some algae growing in 1/3 of it with crushed oysters on the bottom. I also keep a 60 watt light on over it for the algae 24/7. Sorry bout all the questions. Should I go to another forum ??

The answer is time. You have to allow for a pod population to start multiplying in a predator free environment. It takes about a good 6 months to get to that point. just seed your fuge with live copepods and maybe mysis shrimp and sit back and wait. they work their way up to the main tank and become food for the other tankmates. they live inside cheatomorpha as well as live rock so make sure you have plenty of those in the fuge and time will reward your tank. HTH

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Thank you Sisterlimonpot. I'm sure I will have a good time with it. I have been reading the newbie corner articles all afternoon. I think I can get up to speed pretty quick with the help I've found so far. I'm sure it is easier than raising kids...lol.

No problem, that "newbie corner" and "first time on rc look here" threads are a great place for tons of info.

 

[Giglamesh]

g'day my name is travis. I'm new to reef central, although i have been on another marine forum for some time.
little bit about me
im currently on my third marine tank a 48cm cube. has been wet for 2 days with lr in for one so far.
my first tank was an all in one 35litre and my second was a 5 foot fowler with a couple corals.
this time im doing it properly.
so my current tanks specs are 48cm cube, 3 foot sump, 150watt halide with lumen ark copy reflector and solarmax dimmable ballast, display water circulation is a vortech mp10es (worth every cent), return pump is a aquamedic oceanrunner 3500. still need to get a decent skimmer, sump is 3 compartment soon to be four. (filtersock and lrr, skimmer, macro and semi dsb, return. lol i've rambled on enough so far.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

[welcome]

Glad to have you aboard Giglamesh! We'd love to see pictures of your new set up!

 

[bruno87]

hello everybody

 

[Willy's]

Hello everyone, I'm Will and I write from Caracas Venezuela. I'm putting together a small project of 35 Gal total of 25 in the display and 10 in the Sump. This accompanied by a 1000 Skimmer Stand Alone Aquamedic Turboflotor and 4 65 Watt PC in addition to three seio (1100, 520 and 320) and Rio return pump 5200. Now my tank is cycling with some live rock I have thought only soft corals and fish. Any advice is welcome!

Que tal escribo desde Caracas Venezuela. Estoy armando un pequeño proyecto de 35 Gal en total, 25 en el display y 10 en el Sump. Esto acompañado de un Skimmer Aquamedic Turboflotor 1000 Stand Alone y 4 PC de 65 Watt ademas de 3 Seio (1100, 520 y 320) y una bomba de retorno Río 5200. Ya mi tanque esta ciclando con algo de roca viva tengo pensado solo corales blandos y peces. Cualquier consejo será bienvenido!

 

[uscleo]

Hello Everyone,

I just thought I would introduce myself and my tank to you all, I'm leo and I've been running my 24g JBJ nanocube for a year now... I have 2 clownfish that have been with me since the beginning and a orange mandarin goby. I've kinda been really obsessive with the tank to try and get it looking as established as possible. So far, the most important things that I've learned are: Cyanobacteria:- It will happen to you its in the water even if you can't see it (maybe less chance if you are using RO/DI water). Clear it up with Maracyn 2, after siphoning it as much as possible (don't forget to take out the carbon). Then when you add new critters or corals always quarantine them with a mild mild dose of maracyn 2. been cyano free now for 3 months (a record). Invest in a phosban reactor. its well worth it and the drop in algae and phosphates is very noticeable. Other than that, make sure you recalibrate your PH meter often if you have one, as mine was off by a whole level of PH (ie, it was showing 7.0 when it was actually 8.0), which solved alot of problems after recalibrating, and also test for calcium and dkh weekly, or bi weekly to ensure proper coral and shell growth. Don't let the relationship between pH, calcium and alkalinity scare you... cause its simple once you understand it. Lastly, don't get lazy with water changes... it will be an extremely lengthy process to get your tank stable again if neglected for too long.

Also, really consider getting the Indo Pacific Sea Farms (IPSF) live sand activator plus package. Its a bargain: you get 6 hermits 6 snails (at least) bunch of pods, mud, live denitrifying bacteria, macro algae etc) Tank's been amazingly vibrant and forgiving with mistakes ever since.

Hope this helps someone out there!

-l

 

[Bigez]

Hello everyone,

I've been lurking for a while getting ideas for a future 75 gallon mixed sps and softie tank. Decided to join for the learning experience and for the great wealth of knowledge in the community. My only experience outside of articles, studies and books on reef keeping was a long time ago helping my dad with his 55 gallon dwarf angel tank. My wife and I have a planted 55 gallon african cichlid tank, from what i've read over the years the reef tank will be a whole different ballgame. Here's to spending ridiculous amounts of time and money. :beer:

-EZ

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

hello everybody

:wavehand:

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hello everyone, I'm Will and I write from Caracas Venezuela. I'm putting together a small project of 35 Gal total of 25 in the display and 10 in the Sump. This accompanied by a 1000 Skimmer Stand Alone Aquamedic Turboflotor and 4 65 Watt PC in addition to three seio (1100, 520 and 320) and Rio return pump 5200. Now my tank is cycling with some live rock I have thought only soft corals and fish. Any advice is welcome!

[welcome]

Sounds like you're off to a good start, with the PC's you'll be limited to what you can have in the tank, but softies are just fine for that set up.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hello Everyone,

I just thought I would introduce myself and my tank to you all, I'm leo and I've been running my 24g JBJ nanocube for a year now... I have 2 clownfish that have been with me since the beginning and a orange mandarin goby. I've kinda been really obsessive with the tank to try and get it looking as established as possible. So far, the most important things that I've learned are: Cyanobacteria:- It will happen to you its in the water even if you can't see it (maybe less chance if you are using RO/DI water). Clear it up with Maracyn 2, after siphoning it as much as possible (don't forget to take out the carbon). Then when you add new critters or corals always quarantine them with a mild mild dose of maracyn 2. been cyano free now for 3 months (a record). Invest in a phosban reactor. its well worth it and the drop in algae and phosphates is very noticeable. Other than that, make sure you recalibrate your PH meter often if you have one, as mine was off by a whole level of PH (ie, it was showing 7.0 when it was actually 8.0), which solved alot of problems after recalibrating, and also test for calcium and dkh weekly, or bi weekly to ensure proper coral and shell growth. Don't let the relationship between pH, calcium and alkalinity scare you... cause its simple once you understand it. Lastly, don't get lazy with water changes... it will be an extremely lengthy process to get your tank stable again if neglected for too long.

Also, really consider getting the Indo Pacific Sea Farms (IPSF) live sand activator plus package. Its a bargain: you get 6 hermits 6 snails (at least) bunch of pods, mud, live denitrifying bacteria, macro algae etc) Tank's been amazingly vibrant and forgiving with mistakes ever since.

Hope this helps someone out there!

-l

[welcome]
thanks for imparting your wisdom.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hello everyone,

I've been lurking for a while getting ideas for a future 75 gallon mixed sps and softie tank. Decided to join for the learning experience and for the great wealth of knowledge in the community. My only experience outside of articles, studies and books on reef keeping was a long time ago helping my dad with his 55 gallon dwarf angel tank. My wife and I have a planted 55 gallon african cichlid tank, from what i've read over the years the reef tank will be a whole different ballgame. Here's to spending ridiculous amounts of time and money. :beer:

-EZ

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

I agree with the time but things can be done on a budget. But here, here :beer:

 

[carne]

New Member

New Member

Hi All,

Just a new member to your forums from Johannesburg, South Africa
I currently have a 180g peninsula style mixed reef, Will start a thread later in the day and show you all whats going on.

Chat to you all later in the forum

Carne

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

[welcome]

How is South Africa this time of year? Please link your thread when you get it started.