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

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hi, I've been peeking around in the forums for about a week so far and haven't formally introduced myself. My name is Lynn, I'm 25 years old and have been doing freshwater for years now. Right now all I have is a measly 30 gallon tank with 2 FW angelfish in it lol. I was going to go into cichlids but decided that saltwater is so much more exciting. I worked at Petco as the aquatic specialist for about 7 months when they cut back my hours drastically and I quit. I don't have a tank yet but I will be getting my sister's 125 gallon tank to have fun with :rollface: I have been researching as much information as possible through books and the internet and feel that I am ready to start. I will have to paint the room before setting up a large fishtank as it will stay put when it's up lol.

I am going to start with FOWLR first and see how things go and eventually I want to add some nice corals.

The only thing I can't decide for my setup is whether I should go canister filter or wet/dry, and T5 or compact flourescent lights. I realize I need about 380 watts for the size tank I'll have for now, but the fixtures are sooo expensive!!

I can't wait to get my tank here and start working on it slowly! I will post progress when I start, but for now I will be creeping in the shadows of this forum reading others opinions and such. nice to meet you all!! :wavehand:

ps my favorite fish is the jawfish, LOVE how he digs himself in a hole and peeks out, soooo awesome!

[welcome]

As for the canister or the wet/dry.... I would suggest that you read up on sumps and refugiums with a protien skimmer. the canister isn't going to cut it for a 125 and the wet/dry is for fresh water. If you want to be successful with corals IMHO I would go with a refugium and skimmer.

As for the lights.... If you're planning on keeping corals you'll want to stay away from compact flourescents, they are great for fish only tanks and fish only with live rock, however, again, if you want to go for a reef tank you'll want at least T5 or better (like the MH)

Good luck. Once you get that 125 ready make sure you start a thread documenting your progress.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hi all. Thanks for providing such a great resource to reefers. Despite joining 4+ years ago, I just made my first post today! :eek2:

My children are big enough to trust with a tank in the living room, and the wife and landlord have both given their approval. So the planning begins and the build will hopefully start in the next few days. Follow if you wish here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1898338

We're going to have a 20g nano with a 10g sump/fuge.

Chris

[welcome]
I will check out your thread. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Just joined up! I've had many smaller FW aquariums in the past, but just dove into the saltwater realm head-first with a 90 gal FOWLR (or so it will be soon, I'm taking my time setting it up for the sake of money and caution).
If anyone has starting advice, it would be much appreciated! I've found that the hardest part is figuring out my sump and protein skimmer, as most info out there is for people who know nothing or know lots; if anyone can direct me to a good place for explain how it all fits together for someone less experienced, I'd be eternally grateful.
Thanks!
Lindsey
Stamford, CT

[welcome]

here's a great site explaining sumps. Marc does a great job breaking it down for everyone to understand.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hey I figured I might as well post something and get the newness worn off.
Well anyway my names Jake I'm a 23 year old construction worker and been wanting a s.w. tank for quit some time now and finally was able to get a oceanic biocube 29 hqi for a birthday present and I've had it up and running for about three weeks now with 22 pounds of live rock and 20 pounds of live sand anyway glad to find this place and look forward to talking about this awesome hobby

[welcome]
Glad to have you here. Be sure to explore the site, there's a lot of good information out there in the nano forums. Check it out.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hi everyone! I'm Andy and I've been maintaining a small reef tank for about a year. I love all the information and advice on RC, and will hopefully soon be using that knowledge to upgrade to a 180 gallon reef tank. I just wanted to say hello and thank you in advance

[welcome]
on behalf of RC, "you're welcome" Please start a new thread documenting your upgrade to the 180.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hi,

If you thought other people before had asked silly questions, prepare to be shocked and amazed at my level of ignorance.

I am now the proud owner of a medium (?) sized saltwater tank due to my flatmate leaving. Yep, that's about all I know.
It's been running for around 6 months, and apparently is rather healthy, though I'm no judge of that. All I know is that it's covered with green and black gunky stuff across most it's surfaces.

Inside at the moment are 2 star fish, one for cleaning the windows and another that cleans the sand.
There are 2 shrimp with bright red stripes down their backs that are some kind of cleaner shrimp, but all they are interested in cleaning is their little caves. They shed their shells at least once a month, which I've been told is a sign of happy healthy shrimp.
And a fish of some sort. Doctor fish maybe? Blue and yellow and skinny.
(EDIT: Googled for a bit and discovered it's a Blue Streak Cleaner Wrasse)
There were a few more fish, but it seems they didn't make it through the summer under the attentions of our house sitter.
No corals, just live-rock and some sandy gravel stuff.

Oh, and a ton of potions, tubes, and other random esoteric fish-keeping equipment.

So I'm gonna read through various FAQ's and what have you, now that I'm here, but my most pressing need is to top up the tank with more water without killing the inhabitants then buying some sort of hardy little critter that'll clean the gunk off the rocks.

If you want to point a useless idiot like me toward the Kindergarten-level guide to saltwater tanking, please pm me.

[welcome]

That's a great first post, You're reading in the right places Make sure you read trough this thread, and this thread to get you started. I would get in the tank and start cleaning that algae off a little at a time. then start testing the water to see if you have an excess of nitrates and phosphates. if you do, the first step is to start reducing those by being more careful to what you add to the tank wether it be too much food, poor quality water or just lack of water changes. It sounds like you have a challange in front of you but it seems like you're up for it. So read and read, and before you know it you'll have a pristine looking tank. Good Luck.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hi everyone

newbe here on RC at the moment have a 75L nano set up and running since April this year - just received my new upgrade a beautiful Elos Midi System :love2:

Hope to set up in the next two weeks and transfer all my stock in to the new tank ( have to wait until then as having some DIY done on the house)

[welcome]
Be sure to start a new thread documenting your transfer, you'll be amazed as to how many people would follow along on something like that.

 

[jbthompson2]

Hello RC! My wife and I are new to the saltwater tanks. We have had fresh for some time but just miss the beauty and the flow of a saltwater tank. We researched for a couple months and talked to many people and stores. We are starting with just a 36G bow front tank. We are not trying to overload anything since it is our first saltwater tank. We know that a bigger tank is more ideal but space is limited. Just wanted to say hello and will be talking again soon.

Thanks

 

[tvotaw]

WELCOME to rc. I think you will love the 36 bow. i just set up a 36 bow in my brthers apt. they are so excited to get inverts and little fish that they are going nuts. :rollface:. it just finished the cycle about 3 days ago i told them to wait another week and i would go with them to get a shrimp and mabye a chromis or so. well gl and i think you will be happy with that starter tank.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hello RC! My wife and I are new to the saltwater tanks. We have had fresh for some time but just miss the beauty and the flow of a saltwater tank. We researched for a couple months and talked to many people and stores. We are starting with just a 36G bow front tank. We are not trying to overload anything since it is our first saltwater tank. We know that a bigger tank is more ideal but space is limited. Just wanted to say hello and will be talking again soon.

Thanks

Hello:wavehand:

and

[welcome]

 

[Icedout20]

Hello RC! I have recently jumped into saltwater systems after 15 years off and on of having freshwater. The current setup is.
Marine planted 37 gallon with 130w PC 30lb LR, 2" LS bed
29 gallon with 2x 150w 10k metal halide, 4x 14w t5 actinic, 2x Koralia evo 750gph, 50lb LR, 3-3.5" LS bed.
15 gallon custom sump, Quiet One 3000 return pump, bakpak protein skimmer, Teco CA200 Chiller with Quiet One 1200((Up for sale) Not realy the right size for the system), Cutom ATO with 29 gallon tank.
Both tanks are connected with a PVC overflow and return feeds both tanks.
I spent one year planning and obtaining all the equipment for this setup. I planned it out to eventualy house seahorses in the 37 gallon.

 

[Maksimsf]

Hey there, my name is Max. I had a FW tank for couple of years, but decided to switch to SW. So far i just use my old 28g bow front tank to learn things before I spend big buck for descent set up. Glad i found this place, a lot of good info here.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hello RC! I have recently jumped into saltwater systems after 15 years off and on of having freshwater. The current setup is.
Marine planted 37 gallon with 130w PC 30lb LR, 2" LS bed
29 gallon with 2x 150w 10k metal halide, 4x 14w t5 actinic, 2x Koralia evo 750gph, 50lb LR, 3-3.5" LS bed.
15 gallon custom sump, Quiet One 3000 return pump, bakpak protein skimmer, Teco CA200 Chiller with Quiet One 1200((Up for sale) Not realy the right size for the system), Cutom ATO with 29 gallon tank.
Both tanks are connected with a PVC overflow and return feeds both tanks.
I spent one year planning and obtaining all the equipment for this setup. I planned it out to eventualy house seahorses in the 37 gallon.

[welcome]

Be sure to start a thread documenting your tank. I rarely see many people share their seahorse tanks.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hey there, my name is Max. I had a FW tank for couple of years, but decided to switch to SW. So far i just use my old 28g bow front tank to learn things before I spend big buck for descent set up. Glad i found this place, a lot of good info here.

[welcome]

Good idea with starting out small. It does become addicting really quick.

 

[IRfish]

hi, we are new to marine fish an love every thing about them they are Awesom

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

hi, we are new to marine fish an love every thing about them they are Awesom

[welcome]
glad to have you with us

 

[deftonesmat]

Help with a clown trigger

Help with a clown trigger

hello my name is matt. i have a 110 gallon tank with a few fish that i have had for quite a while. i just bought a clown trigger today and it seems to be acting really weird. breathing really heavy swimming weird and just kind seems delirious. any suggestions?

 

[gilpi]

New to Reef Central but not new to marine fish, on and off for the last 25 years and I see things have come a long way since the "must have" undergravel filter.

Nothing to add, just wanted to introduce myself and having a couple of empty tanks, Im contemplating salt water again, so for now just doing lots of reading and checking out the forums. Great web site!

Gil in central NJ

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

hello my name is matt. i have a 110 gallon tank with a few fish that i have had for quite a while. i just bought a clown trigger today and it seems to be acting really weird. breathing really heavy swimming weird and just kind seems delirious. any suggestions?

[welcome]
Matt, without knowing what your water parameters are and how you acclimated the trigger, I really can't give any sound advice, I would suggest you start a new thread in the New to the Hobby Forum with how you acclimated, what the ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, ph, temp, salinity of your tank compared to the salinity of the water from the tank it came from and anything else you test for and we will be able to help.

I would venture to say that it was acclimation, (I'm only speculating) if you got it from an fish store, they usually keep the salinity in their tanks fairly low (1.015-1.020) to save on cost of salt as well as when a fish is in low salinity it tends to be less stressful so to make the fish seem happy they'll do this. Which is no big deal, except you have to acclimate the fish to what ever your salinity is at. Fish don't do to well going from a low salinity to a high salinity, it has to be done in the course of hours (depending on the difference it may even take days). But again I'm just guessing. start a thread and explain the situation, we'll be able to help a lot better.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

New to Reef Central but not new to marine fish, on and off for the last 25 years and I see things have come a long way since the "must have" undergravel filter.

Nothing to add, just wanted to introduce myself and having a couple of empty tanks, Im contemplating salt water again, so for now just doing lots of reading and checking out the forums. Great web site!

Gil in central NJ

[welcome]
You know, there's a guy here on reef central that swears by a reverse undergreavel filter, and his tank is the oldest known successfully running tank (30+ years) His name is PaulB, you should look him up. But other then him, yes the hobby has come a long way so many new innovations, it makes it easy for any person to successfully have a reef tank.