Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
[welcome]
talk about jumping in with both feet, be sure to post any questions that you may have with your grandmothers tank. If you put a little effort into it you will have great success!!
If You Are New to Reef Central, Introduce Yourself Here!
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
talk about jumping in with both feet, be sure to post any questions that you may have with your grandmothers tank. If you put a little effort into it you will have great success!!
Teaching an Old Dog some New Tricks
Teaching an Old Dog some New Tricks
Been getting info from site as a guest for a couple of months now, but wanted to make it official, :thumbsup:.
Old Dog: I have had a 240 gallon acrylic tank for over 26 yrs and its been a love, hate experience since day one. The tank was originally setup with a DIY under gravel filter and four power heads. Over the years I've purchased everything thing from sharks and sting rays to mermaids it seems. But they would all seem to die too quickly, and I would get discouraged and let the tank roaches (damsels) run the tank for several months until I got my interest back and buy expensive fish again. Recently I purchased a canister filter and a UV sterilizer to augment the filtration system, but I was still not happy with it the way it was.
New Tricks: A couple of months ago a I purchased a 34 gallon hex tank to make it into a nano reef tank after seeing some very beautiful reef tanks at a LFS. Once I was able to convince the wife that it was not going to be that much money:lol2:, I set it up with a 30lbs of LR, then eventually a Xenia, green mushroom, 2 more that of something that I forgot the names, a couple of clowns and a 6 line wrasse. So I came to the conclusion that this would be even better on a larger scale and this is what I really wanted for my 240, since it needs to be redone with new filtration anyways. After I convinced the wife again:worried2:, and she gave me permission:spin1:, I started planning and spending on the 240! I modified the 3 openings from 7 inches wide to 12 inches wide to accommodate better lighting and I drilled 3 holes for drainage and return. I got a AquaC EV-400 Protein Skimmer, made my own sump out of a 50gal glass tank, a 18 gal rubbermaid tub for ATO, changed my stand from 22 inches high(26 yrs ago it was perfect), to 36 inches high, a 4 pump wave maker, XP4 canister filter (mainly to run the UV Sterilizer), over 200lbs of sand and another 200lbs of live rock and lights soon.
No matter how much I've been planning, to the questions I ask and the forums I read, I always find new stuff! But I love it! This is my main hobby now, and I now believe that I have the maturity and time, and hopefully money to make it the most enjoyable experience possible. I will be looking at Reef Central for much more info in the months and years to come!
Teaching an Old Dog some New Tricks
Been getting info from site as a guest for a couple of months now, but wanted to make it official, :thumbsup:.
Old Dog: I have had a 240 gallon acrylic tank for over 26 yrs and its been a love, hate experience since day one. The tank was originally setup with a DIY under gravel filter and four power heads. Over the years I've purchased everything thing from sharks and sting rays to mermaids it seems. But they would all seem to die too quickly, and I would get discouraged and let the tank roaches (damsels) run the tank for several months until I got my interest back and buy expensive fish again. Recently I purchased a canister filter and a UV sterilizer to augment the filtration system, but I was still not happy with it the way it was.
New Tricks: A couple of months ago a I purchased a 34 gallon hex tank to make it into a nano reef tank after seeing some very beautiful reef tanks at a LFS. Once I was able to convince the wife that it was not going to be that much money:lol2:, I set it up with a 30lbs of LR, then eventually a Xenia, green mushroom, 2 more that of something that I forgot the names, a couple of clowns and a 6 line wrasse. So I came to the conclusion that this would be even better on a larger scale and this is what I really wanted for my 240, since it needs to be redone with new filtration anyways. After I convinced the wife again:worried2:, and she gave me permission:spin1:, I started planning and spending on the 240! I modified the 3 openings from 7 inches wide to 12 inches wide to accommodate better lighting and I drilled 3 holes for drainage and return. I got a AquaC EV-400 Protein Skimmer, made my own sump out of a 50gal glass tank, a 18 gal rubbermaid tub for ATO, changed my stand from 22 inches high(26 yrs ago it was perfect), to 36 inches high, a 4 pump wave maker, XP4 canister filter (mainly to run the UV Sterilizer), over 200lbs of sand and another 200lbs of live rock and lights soon.
No matter how much I've been planning, to the questions I ask and the forums I read, I always find new stuff! But I love it! This is my main hobby now, and I now believe that I have the maturity and time, and hopefully money to make it the most enjoyable experience possible. I will be looking at Reef Central for much more info in the months and years to come!
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Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
[welcome]
it all depends on how you cycled your tank, usually what people do, is start with a small amount of ammonia (in the form of a dead shrimp decaying) and once they see ammonia start to rise they remove it, which promotes the growth of bacteria to convert it to nitrite and that in turn promotes the growth of the bacteria that convert nitrite to nitrate. However the amount of bacteria that was cultivated was only enough to sustain a small bioload (a couple fish)
Another way is to allow that ammonia to really take off and cultivate more bacteria to sustain a bigger bioload right from the start.
Depending on how you cycled your tank is going to determine what course you can take, if you did the first example, then you will have to slowly add fish to the tank, giving at minimum 3-4 weeks in between adding new fish so that the tank can adapt to the new fish.
If you did the second example then you have a more robust bacteria that will support more fish all at once.
So to answer your question, it all depends. Most newcomers are bound to adding fish slowly so that the bacteria can catch up.
If you want more answers on the subject or clarification you can either PM me or start a thread in the New to the Hobby forum and we'll be more than happy to help.
Good luck.
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>Tony To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
For some reason there isn't a tank description below. However you have made a great choice to start the hobby and to have your wife involved is going to be great. Be sure to take things slow and do things right. If you have any questions that you can't find on the site be sure to post them in the New to the Hobby forum and we will be happy to help out in any way we can.
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>Charlie To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>Hi to all,
My name is Charlie. I'm 42 yrs old. I have been keeping fish since I was around 10 or so. I got into saltwater around 10-11 years ago and have not kept a freshie since.
I currently have a 55g fowlr tank, about 9 yrs old. I just purchased a 125g two weeks ago and I am currently in the planning stages for it. It will be a fowlr tank also and I will use the 55g as a sump/fuge for the display. I still have to build me a stand before I can get things started, but hopefully by the end of the month the 125 will starting its cycle.
Absolutely amazing forum I must say! So much information and people willing to help.
Be sure to start a thread documenting your upgrade, I would be interested in following it.
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
[welcome]
You have a tank that I would drool over, I wish I had something that big, I have to be content with my tiny 125g. You have so much room underneath it makes me jealous... It seems like you're on the right track keep reading and getting a good understanding of what you want. Planning is the best thing, of course doing is even better. Keep it up.
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>Matthias To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
You have made a big jump from an 8 gallon to a 55 gallon. Sounds like you're excited to get things going. Be sure to ask questions and posts pics of your progress.
Good luck with your new tank.
Balletomane
New member
I'm wet at last!
I've been here awhile, close to two years. If anyone can top my delay from tank purchase to up&runnin' I'd love to hear it.
I've got a 65gal (36w x 24deep) with a Sealife/Berlin sump, Eheim 1260 pump, Reef Dynamics INS80 skimmer. I bought two Koralia 2's but will probably augment/replace/upgrade, und so weiter. I have a canopy to cat-proof as much as humanly possible. I bought two 2-bulb T5 HO retro kits and am yet to assemble and buy bulbs. My LFS folks are pressing for LEDs but they mistakenlly believe my pockets are deep. I have 40lbs of base rock and just dropped in 15lbs of cured rock. I'm trying to create a somewhat open aqua scape...tough to make sufficient vertical givwn the tank dimensions. I wanna a central channel of sorts and enough vertical for at least a couple of sps corals.
An avalanche of events put my build on hold for more than a year. I had planned on a slow ramp-up but yeeesh! I finally got my rock and water and started loading over the week. I'm terrifically impressed how quickly the milkwater has cleared up. Still a bit noisy. I have a valve on my return line and am tuning slowly. The overflow still gurgles a bit, and the hum of the return pump is pronounced.
Still not a friggin' clue what kind of invert garden I want. Given my dimensions I'm leaning toward LPS, rics and handful of easier sps corals. Plus 16 tangs, a bluefin tuna and at least one Leatherback turtle. I spent a few hours in The Lounge and have complete confidence I can pull off the latter.
I'm hoping for enough LFS gift certificates to buy my test kits and food for my phantom fish.
Wish me well.
I consider myself blessed to have had the time to immerse myself in the juices of some awesome sources of infoknowledge here. And I am rushing headlong into my very own special f'ups and brainfarts.
I've been here awhile, close to two years. If anyone can top my delay from tank purchase to up&runnin' I'd love to hear it.
I've got a 65gal (36w x 24deep) with a Sealife/Berlin sump, Eheim 1260 pump, Reef Dynamics INS80 skimmer. I bought two Koralia 2's but will probably augment/replace/upgrade, und so weiter. I have a canopy to cat-proof as much as humanly possible. I bought two 2-bulb T5 HO retro kits and am yet to assemble and buy bulbs. My LFS folks are pressing for LEDs but they mistakenlly believe my pockets are deep. I have 40lbs of base rock and just dropped in 15lbs of cured rock. I'm trying to create a somewhat open aqua scape...tough to make sufficient vertical givwn the tank dimensions. I wanna a central channel of sorts and enough vertical for at least a couple of sps corals.
An avalanche of events put my build on hold for more than a year. I had planned on a slow ramp-up but yeeesh! I finally got my rock and water and started loading over the week. I'm terrifically impressed how quickly the milkwater has cleared up. Still a bit noisy. I have a valve on my return line and am tuning slowly. The overflow still gurgles a bit, and the hum of the return pump is pronounced.
Still not a friggin' clue what kind of invert garden I want. Given my dimensions I'm leaning toward LPS, rics and handful of easier sps corals. Plus 16 tangs, a bluefin tuna and at least one Leatherback turtle. I spent a few hours in The Lounge and have complete confidence I can pull off the latter.
I'm hoping for enough LFS gift certificates to buy my test kits and food for my phantom fish.
Wish me well.
I consider myself blessed to have had the time to immerse myself in the juices of some awesome sources of infoknowledge here. And I am rushing headlong into my very own special f'ups and brainfarts.
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
[welcome]
That's a very interesting last quote
.in an effort not to discredit LFS's but have you checked locally for other hobbyist for equipment and live rock? you can definitely do things a lot cheaper going that route. There are many people from
Look through this list and see if there are any local clubs near you that you can get involved in.
Crimsonraptor
New member
Greetings from Jersey...
To be honest, I'm a total newcomer to saltwater aquaria. I have the most experience with herpetoculture---reptiles and amphibians. At the moment I only have two green anoles, a bearded dragon, and an African clawed frog, but I'm in a local herpetology club. So from that, I have experience with a lot of other amazing and challenging species.
But aquariums are a new challenge for me. And I'm not into fish, either---instead, mantis shrimp are what interest me. I know they're infamous among most aquarists for decimating tanks, but they are also fascinating animals with amazing abilities, unique behavior, and and a BLAMMO! claw strike to boot. I know we have a dedicated community of mantis shrimp enthusiasts here at the forum, so that's where I'll be spending most of my time.
Hello everyone and Merry Christmas!
To be honest, I'm a total newcomer to saltwater aquaria. I have the most experience with herpetoculture---reptiles and amphibians. At the moment I only have two green anoles, a bearded dragon, and an African clawed frog, but I'm in a local herpetology club. So from that, I have experience with a lot of other amazing and challenging species.
But aquariums are a new challenge for me. And I'm not into fish, either---instead, mantis shrimp are what interest me. I know they're infamous among most aquarists for decimating tanks, but they are also fascinating animals with amazing abilities, unique behavior, and and a BLAMMO! claw strike to boot. I know we have a dedicated community of mantis shrimp enthusiasts here at the forum, so that's where I'll be spending most of my time.
Hello everyone and Merry Christmas!
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
Greetings from Jersey...
To be honest, I'm a total newcomer to saltwater aquaria. I have the most experience with herpetoculture---reptiles and amphibians. At the moment I only have two green anoles, a bearded dragon, and an African clawed frog, but I'm in a local herpetology club. So from that, I have experience with a lot of other amazing and challenging species.
But aquariums are a new challenge for me. And I'm not into fish, either---instead, mantis shrimp are what interest me. I know they're infamous among most aquarists for decimating tanks, but they are also fascinating animals with amazing abilities, unique behavior, and and a BLAMMO! claw strike to boot. I know we have a dedicated community of mantis shrimp enthusiasts here at the forum, so that's where I'll be spending most of my time.
Hello everyone and Merry Christmas!
[welcome]
I guess you have found the invert forum already.
Hi my name is Cynthia and I am new to reef central. I am also new to reef tanks. I was introduced to it by my boyfriend and I fell in love with it. We have a 75 gal. tank, with a various mushrooms, button polyps, a toad stool, green nepthea, two bangaii cardinals, 1 yellow tang, 1 perculas clown, another clown and various other stoney corals.
reefingtangman
New member
hi im josh ...i have been into marine fish for about 3 yrs heavy ..fo or fowlr never a reef .
i am in the process of the finising stages for a 55 gallon reef ( i know iknow the aquascape)
i will give a quick run down on equip ..55 tank stand combo ,20 long sump 3 chambers ,2 koralia 1050 s and a mag 7 ..75 -80 lbs live rocks ,barebottom tank with dsb in fuge
and in the process of a reef octo with bubble blaster or swc 1000 sss for a skimmer ,4x54 watt t5 individual reflectors ,working on the ati bulbs ,two heater ranco controller ..im in the boston ma area and glad to be here
i am in the process of the finising stages for a 55 gallon reef ( i know iknow the aquascape)
i will give a quick run down on equip ..55 tank stand combo ,20 long sump 3 chambers ,2 koralia 1050 s and a mag 7 ..75 -80 lbs live rocks ,barebottom tank with dsb in fuge
and in the process of a reef octo with bubble blaster or swc 1000 sss for a skimmer ,4x54 watt t5 individual reflectors ,working on the ati bulbs ,two heater ranco controller ..im in the boston ma area and glad to be here
strongrich
New member
Hello everybody
I am a new user for RC but I 've been addicted to reef keeping for 5 years. I tried sometimes to register a new user but failed until today. I currently living in Hanoi, Vietnam and I have a 400 liter LPS and soft coral tank with about over 60 pieces of them and 6 fishes. Besides I have a small FOWRL of 150 liter with only 3 fishes
Here is my tank:
I am a new user for RC but I 've been addicted to reef keeping for 5 years. I tried sometimes to register a new user but failed until today. I currently living in Hanoi, Vietnam and I have a 400 liter LPS and soft coral tank with about over 60 pieces of them and 6 fishes. Besides I have a small FOWRL of 150 liter with only 3 fishes
Here is my tank:
strongrich
New member
In Hanoi, number of reefkeeper established a Hanoi Saltwater Aquarium Society, which have only about 15 members. Some of them advanced to SPS, but it's a long way to go as it not so easy to find a good supply of aquarium equipment, material and event coral for a healthy reef tank.
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Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>Cynthia To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
This is a fun hobby to share with your significant other, sounds like you have a thriving tank full of livestock. Be sure to start a thread in the New to the Hobby forum and showcase your tank.
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>Josh To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
I love the final stages of building a tank, you're almost there, be sure to start a thread documenting your progress and success.
Take a look at this section of RC, you may find others in your area that are in the hobby as well.
Good Luck
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
[welcome]
Nice setup, imo the tank is over crowded, there's not much room to grow for those guys, once they start to spread out onto the rock you will have coral warfare and when that happens corals start to die.
Hi all! Matthew here coming to you from sunny South Florida. I've been interested in the hobby for several years now when an old roommate brought home a 65 gallon tank and set up a beautiful reef. About 4 months ago I made the decision that I'm gonna "take the plunge" (lame pun totally intended), and I've been in hard-core research mode since. I plan on starting small, but big enough to help make it easier to maintain. I'm looking at a 55 gallon tank pre-drilled for a wet/dry. A protein skimmer, blower, heater, uv sterilizer, pump, and lights (looking at either the trinity t5 HO or the marineland reef capable LED's, but would love suggestions). :rollface: It'll initially be live rock, live sand and a couple of fish until i ensure i am doing everything correctly. After, I plan to add some softies, sps and we'll see how adventurous I get after that. Any suggestions to on the equipment i mentioned would be appreciated. Lastly, thanks to all, as this sight was recommended by a friend and has helped with the gathering some info.
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