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

[zKRYt]

Hello!

Hello!

Hey all,

So I effed up on my very first post and made a new thread, and realized after the fact I was supposed to post here...my bad, I blame the scotch! Anyway I copied my original post here. Regardless it's great to be a part of your community and hope to learn from you all and hopefully give back!

I'm brand new to the hobby and to this forum. I've been interested in doing a reefer tank for quite some time. My wife gave me a rule that if after six months of research I was still interested, I could move forward...well six month later and after purchasing a reefer 170; she was less than pleased :lolspin: anyway looking forward to learning from you all as knowledge is the only way to grow in this hobby and get better. Below are some shots of the aquascape I just put together. Pukani dry rock came in today and got some awesome pieces; planning on curing them in the tank for a couple weeks. As for the rest of the setup:

1x Ecotech Vortech MP10
1x Ecotech Radion xr15w Pro
1x Hydor Koralia nano 565gph
1x EHEIM COMPACT+ 3000 PUMP for the return
2x COBALT AQUATICS NEO-THERM 100 WATT HEATER (one for tank, one for new batches of saltwater or backup just incase)
1x Reefdreams Baffle Kit for the 170
30 lbs of pukani dry rock, another couple pounds in sump for refugium

my ro-di system is on the opposite side of the wall in the garage and plan on plumbing through tomorrow to fill the tank and for water changes.

Now for the pictures

Great to meet you!

Zach

 

[Jos1965]

Hello my name is Jos

 

[Sinn Sage]

Hello, Im Sinn and I am a alcho......oh wait, wrong forum.

Just signed up today.

I use to have a 35g hex tank which had a few fish and shrimp but no inverts. The tank was old school with a underground filter setup. Sump tanks were just making its appearance on the tank scene.

I have gotten rid of all my gear and equipment since then but I am now ready to take the financial....err.....enjoyable plunge back into saltwater tanks.

No tank/sump yet but I am considering the tried and trusted 40g breeder/20L sump combo......I live in an apartment so I need to be considerate of what size tank I set up.

Thanks and see you all on the boards.

 

[mjstech]

Welcome Sinn, Petsmart is having $1 per gallon sale, 10g, 20g, 40g. There is also 10% off. So your 40g would be $36 plus tax. Order online for store pickup. Here is the thread I started for it... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2598726

 

[Sinn Sage]

Welcome Sinn, Petsmart is having $1 per gallon sale, 10g, 20g, 40g. There is also 10% off. So your 40g would be $36 plus tax. Order online for store pickup. Here is the thread I started for it... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2598726

I went to Petco just a second ago (closer to my house) to get a idea of how big the tanks are.

I think I am going to go with a 55g instead and the 20L for a sump.

 

[NickHowe]

Morning,

Long time lurker, but joined and saying hello.

Had freshwater set ups decades ago, and eventually got a marine, FO tank. Then we moved, had kids, moved again, stored everything, lost everything in a garage fire and so on.

Have recently bought a RSM 130D, second hand, and got it up and running over the last 2-3 months. All seems fairly stable, and I'm keen to get my first corals.

I've a couple of questions first, and there's probably a better place for them, so I'll hunt, and ask, but just wanted to wave the hello flag before becoming the annoying newb who takes a lot, and offers nothing.

Cheers
Nick

 

[pattyhubbs24]

New

New

Hello all I am new here, been watching BRS TV and they have referenced this forum a bit. Thought to join, been lurking and reading, glad I could join. No tank as of yet, waiting for the wife's ok and go ahead.

 

[GilroyC]

NanoFusion 20

NanoFusion 20

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=14751514#post14751514

Hi...my name is Gilroy Collaco am am new to reef central...Am new to the aquaria hobby and curently have a 3 week old Nuvo Fusion 20 with live rock...ghost protein skimmer and the regular sponge filters that comes with the tank...Skye LED 18 Watts

My tank seemed cycled about a week ago...just cycled with adding LR and dosing with Stability and prime...Have done 2 weekly water changes of around 25%...issue I have is a mini cycle commenced after the 2nd water change...causing ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to go up by 1 ppm...prior to the water change, all parameters were at 0...I have had a constant ph of 7.6 or 7.8...Can a water change trigger a mini cycle? I did also clean the sponge filters...Also, there seems to be a lot of dust type particles in the DT...the tank looks pristine clear with the LED off, however, when on and I go within a foot away from the tank, are the dust like particles visible...how do I clear the same as would like the water to look absolutely clear.

 

[cbrogdon]

Hello everyone. New to Reef Central. I have had a 125 in wall with a hand full of corals and a few fish for around 16 years now. I have always had most everything done to it by my LFS who just basically maintained it. Never really did anything to make it spectacular. There guy that took care of it quit and they didn't replace him so let it run down for some time. Decided to get it cleaned up and try to improve it.

Added new custom sump, chiller, Curve 7 skimmer, 3 Hydra 52's and had everything starting to look really good. That is until I put a brass fitting in when replacing the chiller which put copper in and wiped out what few corals and all invertebrates that I had. Fish survived. Tank and live rock are filled with copper so I'm starting over with a new setup.

I now have a 262 Gallon tank on order and I'm starting my new build on it.

 

[Viking_Reefer]

Newb...Looking for guidance with already purchased equipment

Newb...Looking for guidance with already purchased equipment

Hey Guys, somewhat of a Newbie here...green anyway :bounce3:

So, I have been running the same ole Biocube 14 for a while now, with a Sumatran/Maroon Clown, various reb/blue legged crabs and snails. I tried anemones over the years for the clown...some lasted a while, but they have all now perished...lighting :uzi: All dead. Even anemones that I brought up from reefer/coral clubs from Florida to Kentucky. Anyway, I was tired of not being able to keep anything under the low-powered CF lighting (standard Biocube lighting, not the HO new lighting).

So, for lack of better judgement, I had an impulse buy, and purchased the following (which I need help knowing what to keep/use, and what to get rid of):

-PICTURES ATTACHED-

- AquaticLife 24" T5 HO 700 / 420/460 LED light
- Marineland 18" LED "Reef-Ready" light
- 37 gallon Marineland Cube/Column tank with clear lid
- Aqua-Crylic Sump (12" deep by 18" wide by 16" tall) with rotating spray bar over Bio-Ball chamber (small gathering section below, through baffle/mechanical foam/sponge to skimmer/return chamber)
- HOB acrylic overflow with siphon (I know...horrible piece of S*** equipment)
- DIY (not me) acrylic skimmer-attempt
- MaxiJet 1200 (that has seen better days...definitely looking for input on a RELIABLE (don't care about cost too much) return pump to yield proper flow for universal reef/fish tank))
- Marineland 20" x 20" black stand with tinted glass door, open back.

SO, critics...here's what I am thinking, or know:

- Buying a tank with only HOB (non-drilled) overflow was stupid...the worst. I should probably just sell all of it, which I am not opposed to doing. I like the size of the tank. Although a triangular/bow-front tank may work better, but the column fits the custom stand I built ok.
- The skimmer is S*** I was thinking an In-Sump Reed Octopus
- Sump is likely too small, at only 10 gallons max
- The lights are okay

Thoughts?

My questions:

1) Do I scrap/sell/trade it all?
2) What do I keep, if not?
3) What is a good tank for the triangular custom-built stand? (picture attached) The "useable" dimensions are 24" wide by 24" deep by 32" height (TRIANGLE SHAPE)
4) Bio-Balls from a fresh start, when selecting a new setup/equipment, is a NO-NO, right? LR instead, or nothing...?
5) Return Pump? Eheim 1250/1260/1262 (larger tank)? What about the Rio Plus pumps? Not reliable?
6) I was thinking of trying my luck with the Jebao wavemaker powerheads, are they still hit, or miss? I am considering most wavemaker powerhead options because I like the natural and variable flow, but Vortech's are a little out of my budget...maybe a future xmas present to myself :xlbirthday:

I appreciate all criticism and direction! Let me have it!

Thanks people.

Dave

 

[tmnigat]

New to reefcentral and reefing in general. Purchased and set up a Red Sea Max 250 about 2 months ago and am just getting started on stocking my tank. Bad luck struck and I already have ich in the tank so now i'm learning about QT'ing and trying the TTM to help cure the 3 fish i got. Not the way I wanted to start off but only one way to learn.

 

[Marcus@71]

Not new

Not new

Hi all. I been MIA for about 7/8 years. Just stopping in to say hi. Thinking on starting another set.

 

[Manojit]

Hi All, Actually Im new to this, after keeping a 50o gl fresh water tank, I wanted get in to a Salt water tank with LR or DR, live sand. Before I started I want you all to plz advice what are the steps I should follow.

Also to inform you that I lives in India (West Bengal) where temperature always high (35 to 40 degree C ), as we all know that this fish & LR like cold water.

Request you all plz share your valuable advice to make a beginner successful.

 

[Waylah]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and new to the hobby. I posted a description of our set up separately
here

We've been freshwater aquirists for several years now, but there are so many cool creatures to keep in marine that we are excited to learn about.

 

[KingOfAll_Tyrants]

Long time lurker here. I kept FW and a marine tank when I was a teenager, but going to college meant that I was in a pet unfriendly situation. That continued for many years. But, even so, I’ve always been interested in a reef aquarium, and have bought some excellent books during that interim, slowlyreading them and RC. I also picked up a few books about “natural” “biotope” freshwater aquaria.

Anyway, I’m now in a pet-friendly situation, and my wife wants a tank. I spent several weeks thinking not starting out with a reef, and planning out an Amazon biotope. The Mrs. (who has not aquarium experience whatsoever) goes to a certain local store, and falls in love with the reef tank and wants that (she wasn’t interested in the discus ☹ ). I tell her a little bit about how much it will cost (WAG: $2000 for a 50G-ish system) and that it will be a lot of work, she says its fine, she loves how the tank looks.

So, I’ve suddenly found myself in a “we will soon buy my first reef” situation. I’m rereading all the “how to start a reef” literature and threads I’ve saved up over the years.

 

[That New Guy]

Long time listener, first time caller (Join date 2011; first post 2016). I started a tank thread in nano reef last night. Added progression pictures (lots of them) and cannot find my thread today. Any reason my thread would be gone with no notice as to why?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pedal Damnit]

Hello again

Hello again

Not new to the Forum, but returning from a very long hiatus: 10 years or more? So long I guess my account is no longer active or maybe I had a different email address back then. Had a 120G reef for a couple years but sold because we were renting back then. Now that we own our home I may get back into it.

Funny, I was at Pestmart the other day and found out about the $1 a gallon sale. It fired off the lightbulb in my head. However the sale is limited to in stock and only up to a 55G. but still for only $55. what a deal for a new tank.

Welcome Sinn, Petsmart is having $1 per gallon sale, 10g, 20g, 40g. There is also 10% off. So your 40g would be $36 plus tax. Order online for store pickup. Here is the thread I started for it... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2598726

If I do another one, I will probably place it as a wall divider with ends drilled. However, still just dreams and thoughts.

But I am here again lurking and reading. Spending time in the builds threads. So much new stuff. and what the heck is beananimal overflow? man, I need to get caught up.

-Carl

Some pics of my old tank:

 

[Sorro]

Hey all new here

Hey all new here

I have just added water and real rock to my new purchase.

Second hand tank I got

5x2.5x2.5 tank with heavy galvanised frame and 4 foot long dump.
2x waveline dc6000 pumps
Rlss8 protein skimmer
2 x ecotech radios pro lights
Ecotech mp60 wave maker
Ecotech mp40 wave maker
Chiller
2 little fishes reactors and pumps

I have re plumbed the entire tank painted the back black. Sand added and salt added to tank. I decided to go with real reef rock rather than live to be friendly to the environment. I would like to know if I have reef scaped it well enough whilst waiting for it to cycle. I have been added bacteria to the tank myself to kick off the cycle

.

Did my photo work? This is my cycling tank at present opinions appreciated

 

[ambar]

New set up for soft coral tank but already in fowlr tank

New set up for soft coral tank but already in fowlr tank

Hello guys,

I am new to the hobby as i am converting my fowlr tank to soft coral tank, as i am waiting for the cycle how long should i wait for the tank to cycle?

Thanks.

_________________________________________________________________
4ft tank
led
OCTO Classic Protein Skimmers INT
2 1/2 sump tank
1/4 chiller hailea 16a
14kg life rock
2 nems
2 chromis
anemone
carpet

 

[That New Guy]

Hello guys,

I am new to the hobby as i am converting my fowlr tank to soft coral tank, as i am waiting for the cycle how long should i wait for the tank to cycle?

Thanks.

_________________________________________________________________
4ft tank
led
OCTO Classic Protein Skimmers INT
2 1/2 sump tank
1/4 chiller hailea 16a
14kg life rock
2 nems
2 chromis
anemone
carpet

Easy answer is until it's done. When nitrites and ammonia are 0, add an external ammonia source and wait a day. Test again and if it's back to 0 your cycle is complete.

Also remember that the nitrogen cycle is only one part of the tank cycle. It'll continue to evolve and have algae blooms, etc for a few months.