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

[lkoechle]

I have no tank yet. I am new to the hobby. Hubby thought horseback riding was too dangerous, too time consuming and too expensive. Luckily for him, our current living area doesn't support my lifestyle of equitation.
I've decided to attempt keeping a nano system (which I know is difficult but I will try anyways). We're planning on moving in about two years and didn't want to sink a lot of money in to a larger system that I would one day love to have and not leave behind.

I'm also keeping a blog regarding all of my research and progress. It's at http://sinkorswimfish.blogspot.com
I would love to one day have guest bloggers as well and explain their set ups and advice to newbies. I really want it to be of value to other new aquarists and see what I did right or wrong and ideas for them to start and see it from start (with research) to finish. I'm really looking forward to reading, learning, gaining inspiration from everyone here!

 

[Mark33563]

Greetings, folks.

I have had freshwater tanks over the years, even have a 55 gal set up now. However, my wife has finally talked me into setting up a saltwater tank. So much so she ordered a 125 gal (+/-) tank.

So, bear with me as I stumble through the saltwater conversion. She is making me get rid of my freshwater setup though....something about not having enough room....

 

[Torkey]

Hello All,

I have been lurking around the forums reading (not enough apparently) for a while and figured it was time to join. Ive had a 20 gallon Saltwater tank set up and running succesfully (so far) for a bout a year or so. Still have a ton to learn and i'm here to gain some knowledge to enjoy the hobby a bit more. See you all on the boards!

 

[USA203]

Having been pouring over forums for weeks now-glad to find this one that seems newbie friendly. Have had fresh tanks for several years. New salt tank, FOWLR, cycling, 40 Gallon.

 

[Smallfish1]

Newbie

Newbie

Just bought a 90 Gallon tank. It came with a pump and t5 lights. I would like to get a refugium but not really sure where to start. Would welcome any comments.

 

[HeadlessRoland]

Still in the planning stages, been researching heavily since Spring. Taking all inputs on initial setup advice, planning on do-it-myself sump, stand, fuge, lighting (leaning toward T5/MH, ~5wpg), and plumbing. Glad to finally have found a place like this; as a child I longed to discuss my lifelong love of marine life, but through my childhood and now adulthood, I've yet to find anyone in my area who enjoys or desires a reef tank. Very glad to be here, hopefully over time I learn enough to be helpful to others.

And as a final bit of insight, my mind is just diseased enough to very greatly desire a man-made aquifer large enough to house a pair of G. cuvier. Cheers.

- Roland

 

[roons2]

whats up rc my names mike and im seting up a 12 gal nano with 5 gal fuge once i get the rest of the equpment i need and when i do i will start a thred to keep people updated and to tell whats working, and not for me. thanks for having me in this fourm. if any one wants to put there input on my nano im open for sugestions ill start a thred for it now:wave::bum::beer:

 

[SOULMANS_PLACE]

Hello RC, I Am New!

Hello RC, I Am New!

Hello RC,

Well I started my tank project summer of 2011 so that really makes me a Newbie. I have a 120 gallon FOWLR system now with 65-70 lbs of LR,RODI small system,custom built 2 chamber overflow box, 30 gallon sump with Cheeto and LR. My tank is currently running pretty bare with (Closed Yellow Polyps,NEED HELP ON CORAL), 1 Scopus Tang,4 False clowns, 2 Green Chromis, 1 Red Crab Emerald and 2 Blue Hermit, 2 Black Mollies, and 1 Engineer Blenny. My goal is to have a basic soft coral/reef fish system and I need to know how to get to that point. Obviously I want to save alittle greenback doing so. I will consider offers sent to me through Ebay or local pick up.

Breakdown of tank so far.

Lighting is really bad (standard T8 bulbs)
Salinity 1.25-1.26
PH 8.4
Calcium is 450 PPM
Amonia-0.25(Working on it by water changes)
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-20ppm (Trying to bring it down by water changes)
Weak protein skimmer(make me an offer)

Live in Uniontown OH by Akron. Looking for advice,deals on lights,easy corals to maintain,etc.

Thanks,

David

 

[david_mac]

My name is David, and I got into keeping fish about two or three months ago. I had a freshwater tank that started with a crayfish, then grew into the FW that I have now. I decided about three weeks ago that I wanted to have a saltwater tank, and that is what I'm doing. I have a 35 gal tank, approx. 3-4 in sandbed, and currently one live rock. I had originally wanted to do a reef tank, but several things have changed my mind. I don't think I have the money or the time of the day to keep up with a tank of coral. My lighting is fine (maybe), but I just don't think I can cram anything more into my day. I also don't have the money to have more equipment to maintain a coral reef. In addition, I am leaving for school in about a year and a half and I don't think that anyone else in my family will or even can maintain it. I will probably just have some attractive rocks and do a marine tank, with just some pretty fish swimming around. If I can just figure out how to post pictures...

 

[SOULMANS_PLACE]

David, I hear what your saying with time. Maybe just use this time to do a really long cycle of tank and start some small soft corals?

 

[RLS1286]

My Name is Ross, I'm a Master Plumber that also keeps and breeds Green Tree Pythons, I have been lurking on this site for a few months trying to soak up as much information as possible. I should be starting my first build very soon, I can't wait!

 

[StonyCoral]

Hello everyone,
My name is Gennady. I'm setting up a new 90 gallon Oceanic tech series tank. I'm relatively new to salt water systems. However, I do have fresh water experience. I'm glad to join reef central and to begin a journey of reef keeping, it is much more exiting.

 

[JordanRivington]

Hello Everyone

Hello Everyone

My name is Jordan Rivington....and I am a reef newby. I have been doing alot of reading for the last few weeks, and must say that I think I am hooked already. I am very excited to have my first tank setup, but I am not going to rush it.

I have acquired a 30 gallon which I plan to use as a sump for a 55 gallon which I don't have yet. Piece by piece I will slowly get everything I need. Once the tank and equipment has been purchased I will start collecting live rock in the tank and getting a nice habitat setup. Finally, I will look into the fish I would like and buy them one by one. Hopefully within a year I will have some fish swimming around in there.

Patience is not my strong suite, but I am not going to rush this. I want to make sure it is done right.

If you have any tips or pointers you can share to help me avoid doing things the hard way, I welcome them.

 

[MarineSniper]

Hello All

My name is Jerry and I just reentered the hobby after 30+ years away. HUGE changes from back then!

Bought a 75 gal reef setup from a guy, water and all and have had it up for about 6 weeks. Came with a 25 gallon(est) refugium and a 2 bulb T5 to which I've added another 2 bulb. Replaced all 4 bulbs with 3 Superblue and 1 Aquablue ATI bulbs. Read some pretty good things about them and they'll arrive this week. Hoping they live up to their hype...anyone familiar with them?

The tank came with 2 medium colonies of brown button polyps and some mushrooms on 1 rock. Things were going great until I made a newb mistake, bought an anemone for my maroon clowns from Aquatics Connection(should have googled their reviews first) and it died. Somehow, a day later, the tank cycled and I spent a week changing water and dealing with the nitrites while watching my polyps die a slow death.

After a lot of online research, given that my fish were fine; I tested my phosphates and they were north of .5, even after all the water changes. Got that under control a few weeks ago and am replacing some zoas and polyps this week; nothing big though

I'll let you know how it goes and post some pics. I've learned a lot here already! Going to the lfs to buy some dip now based on everything I've read here

 

[Than23]

I've been a member of the foums since 06, but havent posted much. I've had a 30 gallon cube for 5 years now. Lots of softies and shrooms (and the occasional algae outburst.

 

[ErnestoC]

Hello All!

My name is Ernesto and I am new to this amazing hobby.

I got a used Red Sea Max 250 and I love it! Many people have told me it is better to do your own aquarium but for me as starter I think this plug and play Aquarium was great.

As it was used and in use the cycle was very fast. I purchased it on July 28th and today I have a nice ecosystem, from cleaners to fish, from invertebrates to corals

I will be asking many questions and reading many post from you as I want to learn lots.

Have a good day

Ernesto

 

[njwater]

Hey all, Rob from Smithville, NJ here...

I am *brand spanking new* to this hobby and scared out of my wits.

Just setting up what I hope will be a native (as in Native NJ) tank, but that will no doubt morph over time.

Reading like crazy as my tank sits with water in it...but no salt mix yet.

Like I said, you folks and every other online source has me scared to death but but but I'm still going to give it a go

So far, have a
55 with a penguin 350 hang on that is likely going to be replaced as its too noisy.
a seapro 100 protein skimmer, which apparently a lot of folks hate, while others like
some arogonite sand (and some live sand for the top... which do I really need? guess I'll find out)

and that's it.

Looking for a local source of coral, and perhaps live rock... though I'm still reading up on live rock. Hopefully the local (and probably temporary) native residents will be hardy enough to sustain my early machinations.

-- Rob

 

[njwater]

(dup post deleted)

 

[Darsh85]

Hi all!
Ive been keeping freshwater tanks, mainly cichlids for over 6 years now and finally decided to go for the marine tank i've wanted for so long!
I havent got the new tank yet but planning on a 75G FOWLR to get started.
Anyway I'll be needing some advice in the near future so will post soon my plan for my new adventure!
Thanks.

 

[L_Spec]

My name is Lucky and I've been keeping fish for a while, but never a marine tank until now. I've always dreamed of a marine tank, but was really afraid since it was a new world to me. I ended up finding out some of my friends had marine tanks themselves and I found a 30 gallon long tank for $25, so I figured why not!

I'm keeping a log on my site for the progress of my tank, but so far, it's still in the early stages. I can't wait to look through all of the good information on this site