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

[AUChief]

Hello! I'm new here, and new to saltwater, but not to the aquarium hobby!

I've been keeping fish off and on since I was 5 years old. Started with a goldfish (that lived till I was in college), graduated to tropical, then Cichlids (which I still have 160+ gallons of) and now want to try my hand at saltwater. I always thought it too prohibitive for me to get into it, but recent research has changed my mind.


I know that all advice says to start off big, but I feel comfortable that if I take it slow, my extensive experience with water chemistry and fish keeping in general will make a smaller tank a successful starting point.

I bought a 20H tank to try and step up my volume, but in the end decided to go with my original plan to go with a 10 gallon. I have ordered an LED solderless kit from rapidled, but for now I'm using some CFL lighting for my LR. I had planned to keep the LR in buckets with heater and powerhead till I was has 100% ready to set up the tank, but I lucked out on some really nice LR at the grand opening of a LFS, and decided I needed to get the tank up.

The LR came with so many critters (including a mantis shrimp now residing in a bucket till I can decide what to do with him) that I need some help. I'm pretty sure I even lucked out with some coral!

A full tank shot. I've got a little filter running without media for flow, and I used it to polish the water when I first added in the live sand. As you can see I got some nice sponge, and really great algae (I think)

I'm not at all sure what this guy could be. Looks like a clump of debris, but he's got tons of little feelers that flail all over the rock.

Close-up

Was afraid this was aptasia at first but I don't think so. Seems more like some sort of polyp (I think that's right) I fed it some brine shrimp tonight and it is way less shy now. There are quite of few of them, more popping up all the time out of holes, some look a little different.

As you can see here!

There a pretty large on under the arch there.

I also have some sort of snails, a tiny little crab, a hermit crab I can't seem to find now, and a host of other critters. I wasn't prepared to have this kind of life already and I really hope my main lighting gets here soon!

 

[Mastoney]

Hello!

Hello!

Hello!
I have been in the hobby for a year. I have a 75 gallon FOWLR with a 20 gallon sump which holds a coralife 125 superskimmer, remote deep sand bed,and a DIY ATS that I set up a week ago. I am hoping to keep coral one day. As much as I have learned, I know I still have a long way to go. I have been reading the forums here for a while, and finally decided to sign up and get in on the discussions. I believe that although I still have a lot to learn, I have gained some wisdom through my experience thus far that I will gladly share. I have to admit that I am fully addicted to the hobby!!!
Mark

 

[chrisv256]

My name's Chris. I've been into aquariums for about 15 years. Up to now it's been all freshwater but I just started a saltwater aquarium about a month ago. I hope to have it finished in another month.

 

[EL.TIBURON]

Helloooo

Helloooo

Hi , My Name Is El- Tiburon....

Fairly New To SaltWater ....

I Started With A 30 Gallon, Started Having Big Problems Lost Lots Of Money On It So I Moved On To A 120 Gallon...

Just To Have More Space to Do What I Dream Of Doing And Fulling My Visions.

I Am Still In the New Born Stage, So I Need Help And Advice....

As I Am Full Of Questions....

Glad To Be Here And I hope I Make Some Friends
:spin1:

 

[Commtech1]

Hello everyone

Hello everyone

My name is Clay, and i have lusted after a reef tank since the first time i saw one.
I have done FW off and on since i was a boy, but never got into salt.
I have been studying about keeping a saltwater tank for a couple of years and have bought
some books and mags over the years.
My MO is to learn as much as possible befor jumping into something.
I am hoping to get my post count up so i can take advantage of the clasified listings and pick up equipment used.

 

[Jawbone flats]

Hello to all..
just thought I would play by the rules and introduce myself.. I have been messing with saltwater for over 25 years... really not much has changed in the field except the LED lights to be honest. Designs have gotten better but the basics are still the same for me. my first refugium 20+ years ago was no different than what I believe I will build for my 180... although now I will probably have a 55 gallon sump instead of a 20.
anywhooo see ya in the forums :wavehand:

 

[ASJenness]

Hey Everyone,

I'm currently in Tucson AZ and just joined RC. I've had my 55g reef tank set up since Jan 2012 but still at a very basic level. I just started getting into SPS and want them to flourish. My tank does great with softies and LPS. I have had a few plateing monti that have had hardly any growth over the past 6 months or so. I just got a red and green digi, red acro, and encrusting monti.

I want to know what some dirt cheap things I can do to get my alk and calc higher. Any ideas? I'm still new to everything so I'll need in depth explanations lol. Thanks

 

[jlymner]

Hi all

I have several fresh water tanks and now two salt water (a 24 gal aqua-pod and a 46 gal bow front-with a sump!)

Have two clowns, about a doz soft corals, snails, crabs, shrimp, pods etc...)

 

[ReeferRogers]

Hello

Hello

My name is Taylor. I've had a freshwater tank for 2 years, now I'm gonna try my hand at marine. I have a 55 gallon and a 30 gallon I'm going to build into a sump/refugium. I tried to start a blog on here about my build, but I'm not allowed to apparently =\ I've been getting my equipment a little bit at a time, lights are next. So, hello and thanks to everyone who's posting all of this invaluable information!

 

[telijah]

Hi all. Brand new to tanks. I have a few friends well versed in reef tanks that got me into this thing. So I took advantage of PetCo's $1 per gallon tank sale. Got a 40g breeder with a 20 gallon for the sump. Got it up and running with only a little sand and a handful of live and base rock. Sump is only running a sock and skimmer for now.

The stand is one I had made from 1 inch steel square bar (yes, there are extra braces under the edges of the tank, hard to see in that photo). And for now, only have a blue damsel and striped damsel. My immediate next steps are gonna be some lighting for fish only for now (may get into the coral stuff next year) and some more rock.

 

[imongo]

bad marineland bad

bad marineland bad

hello all just I joined and i am looking to see if anyone else has had the same problem i have with Marineland tanks. Here is a sad fish tale for all to hear. in april i bought a 72X24X36 the tank of my dreams. i installed correct supports and bracing before install. the tank filled up without trouble and we started to cylce the tank and about 2 weeks of running time the frount bottom seal failed! water water everwhere and not a drop for my fish. Marineland replaced the tank and stand in a few weeks but it took 5 months for them to refund my other losses. so as the story goes into chapter 2 about 2 weeks of running the secound tank it failed too. this time i had my prize loches 6" plus in the tank. My fish guy came right over to help the cleanup and reset my 55 for the clowns.
So now I am wornding if their is anyone else has had any trouble with their tank failing? please contact me
Imongo

 

[MrShroomy]

Hello everyone, my name is Dan and I live in Wisconsin. After some time with freshwater I have started planning a 120g reef tank. This will be my first saltwater tank so I want to do everything right the first time. But as we all know this rarely happens, expect countless noob posts from me. I have been researching for the past few months and feel I have enough knowledge to start. Haven't bought anything yet still need to the right tank. Looking for a 5ft one like the one from Marineland 60x18x26 as I don't have room for a 6ft tank any help on with that would be great. I look forward to being part of such an great community, thank you!

 

[Pmac2272]

Hi there my name is Patricia and I live in Sydney Australia. In my search for information I came across your amazing site - the wealth of knowledge is mind blowing - I hope it is ok for me to join?
I have had cichlids for over 10 years and then after renting and moving several times gave it all up. We have finally bought a house and now I can finally get my marine tank I have always dreamed of.
I have well and truly taken the plunge and ordered an ELOS system 120 with aqua top lighting - 350L/93gallons - about 4x2x2. It arrives in the next month after 5 months of waiting for it to come from Italy. I am hoping this is the one and only tank that I will need (other than a QT). You are probably laughing right now!!!! Still I thought I would go as big as I could so I didn't need to upgrade after a short period.
I have absolutely no idea about anything marine and have been reading through your amazing setting up a new tank thread - it is so helpful.
Hope its ok for me to be part of your community

 

[DMX512]

New to saltwater ..... Again

New to saltwater ..... Again

Greeting to all,
I have had saltwater FOWLR(aggressive) and a reef tank in the past, around 18 years ago and am wanting to get back into the hobby. Things have changed a lot since then.
I have been lurking/reading for quite a while and decided to join the site. What a wealth of knowledge and experience there is here.
I am thinking about a 120g because I think that those dimensions are nice (4x2x2). Also thinking about a DYI LED set-up.
Just wanted to say "hello" and thanks for the friendly knowledge that I have already seen here.

 

[ftwreefer]

New to hobby

New to hobby

Hey all,

My name is Matt and I am new to the reef hobby. I had freshwater for some time now (African Cichlid currently) and that is still a success. My wife gave me the green light to bring the ocean into the living room so my first step was to read forums.

I been researching for some time now and have done quite a bit. I purchased a 75gal acrylic tank w/stand on craigslist and since then, I refurbished the tank looking like new and built a new stand. The stand I built is made out of 2x4 and birch plywood. I even provided a separate electrical section for all the plugs.

Anyway, before I continue, I will most likely start a new thread showing my entire build in process. I just ordered new plumbing stuff today just to let you know where I am currently at. There will be pictures too.

One last note...I will be attending the DFW MACNA this weekend, since I do live in the area.

Talk to you all in the threads...
Matt

 

[cica]

Hi all,
My name is Joe. I had freshwater tank since the lathe 70's. 3 month ago I switched to reef tank. My tank is 40g with a 20g sump. I have 4 yellow tale Damsels, 2 Clowns and 1 yellow Tang, 7 soft corals, about 55 lb live rock. Some small snails and hermits. In the sump I have a Coralife skimmer. For now I read a lot. Hard corals, well I'll wait a few more month with those.
Thank you for all the information that you have on your site.
Joe

 

[tekjunkie28]

Hey. My name is Shae. I have a 75 gallon tank with a 30 gallon long for a sump that I'm still trying to find out how to set it up. I have a black clown and a yellow watchman goby, hermits and 2 snails. I just upgraded from a 55 to this so I could fit a skimmer under it and aquascape easier.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[batman0924]

New

New

Hello, I want to introduce myself to the forums. My name is Mike Greenlief from Ashtabula Ohio. I am currently getting an 125 gallon salt water tank filled with coral and fish. I am so excited, However, I am new to this all. I have had fresh water my whole life. I would accept any information if one is willing to give. Thanks :hmm5:

 

[nking2b3jamesa]

ok im new here but figured id start a post. i have a30 gl bow saltwater tank. simple tank only 1 damsel 10 hermits bio cube protein skimmmer 2 powerheads ones 450gph and a 250gph plus an hob filter to add little more flow. iv had it set up for about a mth(as 30gl tank but 4mths total)but i bought it allready set up(as a 15gl) even though the guy was haven a ton of probloms.1st question sumone just told me my crushed coral bed needs to be vacumed once a week? 1st time iv heard that so wondering if i should be doing that? 2nd is this enough flow? i plan to get ride of the damsel get a small school of chromis and mybe a clown so should i add more flow? i have 2 more powerheads a korolia 850 and a 1050 if i need to add more. 3rd when i set up my new tank, well upgraded it my test levels nvr spiked. ppl told me that it whould and had a fit when i added my fish the next day. my test have nvr been high. i even toke off for a mth and my gma nvr did anything to it just added distilled water 1time and they only slitly went up. test kit was brand new when i bought it and i know im doing it right. cant wait to upgrade at the begining of next summer. 75 gl with 75 gl sump. just need to collect a couple more things and hope my diy rock will be good to go by then

 

[Capttully]

Hi all, I am new to this hobby and in the process of getting a 75 gal. reef tank up and running soon. That is if i can wear my wife down! I am almost there!