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

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hello, my name is Foster White and I am just getting back into salt water tanks after an almost 20 year absence. I have all but forgot what I know about the hobby and from what I hear many things have changed.

I am currently setting up a 72 gallon bow front reef tank. This will be a major endeavor for me because of the space the tank is located on ( Wife mandated 100 year old sideboard ) will not accommodate a trickle filter. I am working with Gordon at Wet Pets in Montgomery Al to get me a hang on filter/skimmer combo that should do the job I need. I am open to any and all recommendations. Thanks and I'm looking forward to learning all I can from you guys.

[welcome]
I assume that when you say, "trickle filter" you're talking about a "wet/dry"??? If that's the case you don't want one of those anyway, they are more for fresh water tanks and really shouldn't have a place in salt water (they trap detritus)

But at the same time, the ideal set up would have to be a sump/refugium under the tank. I have a 72 bow and was able to fit a 20 gallon sump in the stand (that way I was able to hide all the equipment under the tank and not have it all hanging off the back of the tank).

However, I can understand your predicament, if you can't get a tank under the display then your other option is a hang on back.

I suggest you do some research, because if you're really going to get into this hobby you're going to want to have a sump/fuge now, I just don't want you to regret it later.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hello everyone, my name is joe from San Francisco CA. Im have a 65 gallon salt water tank. I ijust got a new 180 gallon that Im just aboout to start to install once the lighting arrive. Im very excited I know I will have questions i hope the reef comunity will guide me to the process.

[welcome]

Be sure to start a thread documenting your build. When you do, send me your link through PM (private message) and I will subscribe to it and try to help you along the way. 180 gallon is a great size to upgrade to. Good luck.

 

[TAB Studio]

Hi I am Tracy and reside in west central Fl.
Daughter and I have a 18 gal salt set up now that is going well and my son has a 55 salt for years now and loves it. We are finishing up building his canopy and retro fit for the lights so he can get better coral diversity. My daughter has a 55 fresh and wants to create a filter-less planted tank.

We are all addicted to say the least so when I found a great deal in Craig's list well ....we now have a 150 family salt tank and are starting the refurbishing process today.

I have been reading for a couple of years now and had a salt in the 70's (yes I am older) so the reading has helped me catch up on the changes. I am disabled so getting into this tank for set up will be a challenge but I love a challenge and of course I have a great back up of the kids to help.

We figure we will split the new tank up in thirds so we all get a say in the contents
Thank you for having such a great community we are happy to finally have something large to share as a family and with you all.
Cheers
Tracy

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hi I am Tracy and reside in west central Fl.
Daughter and I have a 18 gal salt set up now that is going well and my son has a 55 salt for years now and loves it. We are finishing up building his canopy and retro fit for the lights so he can get better coral diversity. My daughter has a 55 fresh and wants to create a filter-less planted tank.

We are all addicted to say the least so when I found a great deal in Craig's list well ....we now have a 150 family salt tank and are starting the refurbishing process today.

I have been reading for a couple of years now and had a salt in the 70's (yes I am older) so the reading has helped me catch up on the changes. I am disabled so getting into this tank for set up will be a challenge but I love a challenge and of course I have a great back up of the kids to help.

We figure we will split the new tank up in thirds so we all get a say in the contents
Thank you for having such a great community we are happy to finally have something large to share as a family and with you all.
Cheers
Tracy

[welcome]
It's always great to have the entire family involved in the hobby. My wife and I share the hobby and it makes it that much funner. And the children really love helping out with it as well.

Make sure you start a thread with lots of pictures documenting the 150 build.
Good luck

 

[donyjoe]

hey guys im donyjoe have a 10 gallon nano reef just started and doing this with a very low budget less then $100 i have invested all my stuff is used

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

hey guys im donyjoe have a 10 gallon nano reef just started and doing this with a very low budget less then $100 i have invested all my stuff is used

[welcome]
$100 is a good start, you can definitely do it on a budget but you have 0 room to mess up. make sure you read the stickies and learn all the :not to do's)

Good Luck

 

[Koa Mali]

Introduction

Introduction

Congratulate me, lads and lasses: This post is my first on the forum! I have only a few more weeks experience with my first tank than I have on this board.

I'd also like to introduce my tank: I'm starting with a RedSeaMax 250.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Congratulate me, lads and lasses: This post is my first on the forum! I have only a few more weeks experience with my first tank than I have on this board.

I'd also like to introduce my tank: I'm starting with a RedSeaMax 250.

[welcome]

Congrats. Looks like a great start. Be sure to start a new thread documenting your progress and experience.

 

[bobpiker]

[welcome]
Make sure you start testing for ammonia right away, you'll never know if your cycle has started or completed if you don't watch it rise and fall. As for being voracious with set up, I would advise to take things slow, remember that salt water is nothing like fresh water, you're now in charge of a mini ecosystem, not just a tank full of fish.

Be sure to read through here to get the basics.

Good Luck

Thank you so much for the advice. I'm reading now!

 

[tiburone9162003]

sup guys

sup guys

sup guys,im back again to this wonderfull forum lol..
i used to have a reef tank but i stop with that hoobie like a year ago cuz i had to move out where i was living,but now im back and ready to start all over again lol... hopefully u guys would help me with info n problems like u guys had before...

 

[mccorry]

Hello everyone. My name is Steve. I live in Columbus, Ohio where I pursue many hobbies including automobiles and home electronics. I and am just getting ready to set up my first salt water reef tank. A friend of mine, who has been in the hobby for many years decided to get out... and he gave me all of his equipment.

My tank is a 55 gallon unit with a 20 gallon sump. I've got a protein skimmer, two power heads, a main pump, a very nice florescent & metal halide lighting fixture. I just purchased a base last night, so hopefully, I'll start reassembing very soon.

Glad to have found this forum. Seems like there are many friendly, knowledgable, and helpful people on here. I hope to learn a lot and be able to contribute in the future.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

sup guys,im back again to this wonderfull forum lol..
i used to have a reef tank but i stop with that hoobie like a year ago cuz i had to move out where i was living,but now im back and ready to start all over again lol... hopefully u guys would help me with info n problems like u guys had before...

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>Back To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

There are plenty of people that are willing to help. When you have questions just start a new thread and ask away. Good luck with your new set up

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hello everyone. My name is Steve. I live in Columbus, Ohio where I pursue many hobbies including automobiles and home electronics. I and am just getting ready to set up my first salt water reef tank. A friend of mine, who has been in the hobby for many years decided to get out... and he gave me all of his equipment.

My tank is a 55 gallon unit with a 20 gallon sump. I've got a protein skimmer, two power heads, a main pump, a very nice florescent & metal halide lighting fixture. I just purchased a base last night, so hopefully, I'll start reassembing very soon.

Glad to have found this forum. Seems like there are many friendly, knowledgable, and helpful people on here. I hope to learn a lot and be able to contribute in the future.

[welcome]

be sure to read the stickies to get as much info as you can

 

[Perculilar]

Longtime Lurker becomes a member!

Longtime Lurker becomes a member!

Hello everyone! My name is Lisa, I live in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, USA. I have had FOWLR tanks for over 20 years combined. My main tank is a 90 AGA DSB with red sea skimmer, internal overflow, power compacts, 20 gallon sump, etc. I also have a 30 gallon tank with external overflow-maintained by air lift pump, DSB of 10", which houses additional live rock, a huge collection of ampiphods- and the like.This tank has been used in the past to house my destructive 12 year old, not ready for reef, chocolate chip starfish, who recently died of old age! (Not sure how old he was when I got him, but he was a treat in a separate tank!) Currently in the process of adding a 50 gallon pentagon with LED lighting, digital aquatics controllers, new RO/DI with guages and monitors-because I want to start over with the latest technology and provide a better home for my mated true perculas who have been with me for, wait for it... ten years. The female I have had for 11 years, and was bought from a local store, wild caught. The male was an addition from ORA a year later, (after I removed all parasites from my tank!) Now, I'm not kidding here, I have had these guys this long! Not sure how long they're supposed to live? They do regularly produce offspring, but I have not yet, tried to save any due to other issues in life, which makes me feel terrible...but what would I do with all those little clownfish? I do not want any other fish than these little guys-but will start getting into corals/mushrooms, etc., after everything else is in check, and I've done my homework. I am also an avid nature/wild bird photographer, with over 500 pictures on a popular web photo sharing site, have two african red bellied parrots, a 2500 gallon koi pond, being newly rebuilt this year with 4 DIY 55 gallon filters, and love DIY projects when my back/neck injuries allow me the time. (I just wish my husband did!:strange Thanks for listening, be seeing ya around!:wavehand:

 

[akmartinez1]

Hello

Hello

I guess I'll introduce myself and say Hello.. so Hello...

I'm fairly new to the hobby but I do have a little under 10 years experience with a freshwater tank.

I did have a small 5gal tank with a live rock that contained an anemone and I also had a horseshoe crab in it and both lived over 2 years before I got married and had to move. But I don't count that as experience because I really didn't know what I was doing then and attribute luck to the long survival of the tank.

I just setup a 12gal JBJ NanoCube last week and so far so good in its early stages. I'll probably go into more detail and ask for tips in the Nano forum.

I hope to sponge as much info to help keep my tank going.

I still have my 55gal freshwater tank and equipment and might set it up for a salt tank if all goes well...

 

[Ourfish]

Researching!!

Researching!!

Hi, my boyfriend and I are planning on starting a 20 gal nano reef in the near future. Right now we're just researching researching researching!!

We've visited our local pet store and were really disappointed with their selection of coral. There were about 9 different small corals and all of them looked half dead. :hmm2: They were also like $30-$40 each.

Are there good online dealers for buying corals? How much should we expect to pay for good quality coral?

Thanks

 

[chadnc]

New to the hobby

New to the hobby

Hello all my name is Chad, I am new to the hobby and very excited about it. I do not have a tank up yet but I will very soon so be prepared to see me asking lots questions :lmao: I have been reading tons of info from the internet and books about reef tanks so im not just diving into it head first without knowing what I am getting into.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hello everyone! My name is Lisa, I live in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, USA. I have had FOWLR tanks for over 20 years combined. My main tank is a 90 AGA DSB with red sea skimmer, internal overflow, power compacts, 20 gallon sump, etc. I also have a 30 gallon tank with external overflow-maintained by air lift pump, DSB of 10", which houses additional live rock, a huge collection of ampiphods- and the like.This tank has been used in the past to house my destructive 12 year old, not ready for reef, chocolate chip starfish, who recently died of old age! (Not sure how old he was when I got him, but he was a treat in a separate tank!) Currently in the process of adding a 50 gallon pentagon with LED lighting, digital aquatics controllers, new RO/DI with guages and monitors-because I want to start over with the latest technology and provide a better home for my mated true perculas who have been with me for, wait for it... ten years. The female I have had for 11 years, and was bought from a local store, wild caught. The male was an addition from ORA a year later, (after I removed all parasites from my tank!) Now, I'm not kidding here, I have had these guys this long! Not sure how long they're supposed to live? They do regularly produce offspring, but I have not yet, tried to save any due to other issues in life, which makes me feel terrible...but what would I do with all those little clownfish? I do not want any other fish than these little guys-but will start getting into corals/mushrooms, etc., after everything else is in check, and I've done my homework. I am also an avid nature/wild bird photographer, with over 500 pictures on a popular web photo sharing site, have two african red bellied parrots, a 2500 gallon koi pond, being newly rebuilt this year with 4 DIY 55 gallon filters, and love DIY projects when my back/neck injuries allow me the time. (I just wish my husband did!:strange Thanks for listening, be seeing ya around!:wavehand:

[welcome]
Those are some old percs. If at some point you get interested in raising those clown eggs check out this forum there are plenty of guys that are successful in raising clowns.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I guess I'll introduce myself and say Hello.. so Hello...

I'm fairly new to the hobby but I do have a little under 10 years experience with a freshwater tank.

I did have a small 5gal tank with a live rock that contained an anemone and I also had a horseshoe crab in it and both lived over 2 years before I got married and had to move. But I don't count that as experience because I really didn't know what I was doing then and attribute luck to the long survival of the tank.

I just setup a 12gal JBJ NanoCube last week and so far so good in its early stages. I'll probably go into more detail and ask for tips in the Nano forum.

I hope to sponge as much info to help keep my tank going.

I still have my 55gal freshwater tank and equipment and might set it up for a salt tank if all goes well...

[welcome]
that nano forum is packed with great info centering around your size tank. Good Luck.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hi, my boyfriend and I are planning on starting a 20 gal nano reef in the near future. Right now we're just researching researching researching!!

We've visited our local pet store and were really disappointed with their selection of coral. There were about 9 different small corals and all of them looked half dead. :hmm2: They were also like $30-$40 each.

Are there good online dealers for buying corals? How much should we expect to pay for good quality coral?

Thanks

[welcome]
You're in luck, Reef Central has a lot of sponsors and a lot of them specialize in corals. Check out their section. You'll probably get to the point of information overload, but they're there.

As well as there are Local reef clubs here on RC, just look for a club near your location and maybe you'll get the hook-ups on someone local to you.
Good Luck