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

[jrdonnellyjr]

hi,i'm jrdonnellyjr

 

[Rahmahb]

Hello Reef Central!

Hello Reef Central!

Hey there! My name is Rahma, and I am a newbie that has leaped into Saltwater ownership! After having a 125 freshwater cichlid tank for 3 years we realized we were missing out on an even greater experience, so we leaped into a 360 gallon 8x2x3 tank, with a 125 gallon sump....
it was a massive project to undertake as we repaired a crack in the base of the tank, sanded and buffed a massively scratched up surface, and custom built our own stand and canopy when the contractor we hired bailed out on us! anywho, we have a great team of saltwater enthusiasts who have coached us along the way and setup our beauty! Soft corals, schools of various tangs, foxface, clownfish, and a banded cat shark/bamboo shark are on our wish list!
Right now we are in the cycling process and ive pretty much bought every book known to Amazon about the hobby so im eager to learn more and read from everyone elses experience!
anyhow - thats about it in a nutshell!!

Have a great night everyone!

 

[asrcav8r]

Returning Reefer

Returning Reefer

So I decided to start with a ~35 gallon Sea Clear system 2 tank from Craigslist, gave it a half a$$ed polish, put it on a 2x6 stand with an new Aqueon sump shoe-horned underneath. A free Remora HOB skimmer on the sump finishes off the system. Lighting is handled by the 12 year old fixture from the old tank (actinic and 10K white that might need replacement). The "œbuilt in wet-dry filter chamber" behind the false back of the tank hides the overflow/intake, return, circ pumps and heaters, I was going to use the original set up, but like I said, do it "œright-er" this time.

It ain't pretty, but the critters are for the most part happy. Speaking of critters, one rock I picked up from the LFS that I thought looked "œkinda cool" like a skull, contained 2 pistol shrimp and a brittle star (the arms are about 4 to 6 inches each). I have added only some turbo snails and about 1 dozen red and green legged hermits.
As soon as I feel comfortable with the tanks stability I'll start adding some more interesting life.

I'm getting back in to the hobby after 8 years out.
I do have to keep things on a tight budget, so I'm re-using/re-building used equipment, lots of questions will come up I'm sure, like should I not only re-polish a used Plexiglas tank, but should I go over the joints with adhesive (acetone) and treat it as a "œground up" rebuild?
I'd like to do it right the first time and if I need to wait a few days / week for the solvent to cure, ok, no problem.
I plan on running a sump like last time, but this time I'll have the skimmer in the sump.
I hope to have some progress in the next few weeks.

A

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

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.

[welcome]
I would definitely look into keeping the wet/dry sump off line and replace it with a sump or refugium. as for everything else you seem lime you're on the right track.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

hi,i'm jrdonnellyjr

[welcome]

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hey there! My name is Rahma, and I am a newbie that has leaped into Saltwater ownership! After having a 125 freshwater cichlid tank for 3 years we realized we were missing out on an even greater experience, so we leaped into a 360 gallon 8x2x3 tank, with a 125 gallon sump....
it was a massive project to undertake as we repaired a crack in the base of the tank, sanded and buffed a massively scratched up surface, and custom built our own stand and canopy when the contractor we hired bailed out on us! anywho, we have a great team of saltwater enthusiasts who have coached us along the way and setup our beauty! Soft corals, schools of various tangs, foxface, clownfish, and a banded cat shark/bamboo shark are on our wish list!
Right now we are in the cycling process and ive pretty much bought every book known to Amazon about the hobby so im eager to learn more and read from everyone elses experience!
anyhow - thats about it in a nutshell!!

Have a great night everyone!

[welcome]

that is a great platform to start with. sounds lime you are already witnessing the road blocks that may be put in place for us to overcome. You can read as much as you want but until you put it to practice you wont start truly enjoying this hobby.

good luck!!

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

So I decided to start with a ~35 gallon Sea Clear system 2 tank from Craigslist, gave it a half a$$ed polish, put it on a 2x6 stand with an new Aqueon sump shoe-horned underneath. A free Remora HOB skimmer on the sump finishes off the system. Lighting is handled by the 12 year old fixture from the old tank (actinic and 10K white that might need replacement). The "œbuilt in wet-dry filter chamber" behind the false back of the tank hides the overflow/intake, return, circ pumps and heaters, I was going to use the original set up, but like I said, do it "œright-er" this time.

It ain't pretty, but the critters are for the most part happy. Speaking of critters, one rock I picked up from the LFS that I thought looked "œkinda cool" like a skull, contained 2 pistol shrimp and a brittle star (the arms are about 4 to 6 inches each). I have added only some turbo snails and about 1 dozen red and green legged hermits.
As soon as I feel comfortable with the tanks stability I'll start adding some more interesting life.

[welcome]

I can see a new tank in your near future.

 

[aperry2728]

Hello

Hello

Starting my 37!gallon again. Just new to the forum.

It's been a year since I had my tank up and running and when I did I just knew the basics. This time I am upgrading my lights, just ordered an ati sun power system which should be a lot better than by 80 dollar lice of crap I has last time. It broke while in storage. I bought then6bulb version. I got a lot of help when posting my thread and I really appreciate it. Although I am new to joining the forum I have been reading it for a few years now. Just finally signed up.

I feel I picked the right lights and am about to read the thread on starting your own tank. Should be pretty helpful. I already cycled my tank have some live rock and 40 lbs live sand. I have a red sea protein skimmer and a marine life canister hang on the back filter. Also a heater. Just need to get a jet now and I think I'm good.

My goal is to have a reef tank with a few fish and critters.

A perry

My goal is to have a reef tank

 

[cynthiamc]

Our Tank

Our Tank

We have had this tank set up now for about 3-4 months and this is how it looks.

 

[SlitherinSister]

New member! I know we (my fiance and I) have already made a couple mistakes by reading through the stickied threads, but I'm glad to find a great site with lots of info. I kept hearing about the site and was told by many people to join!

It has taken us 3 weeks to get to this point, but here we are today, I know we need a ton more rocks!

 

[blackdog76]

Newbie

Newbie

Been lurking here for quite a while and it's finally time for me to join. Love the hobby and will be asking plenty of questions. Thanks for letting be a part of this forum, I've already learned a lot from it.

 

[october_rust]

Hallo. My name is Thomas and i come from Poland. I`m beginner reefkeeper. I`m going to have 135l reef tank with some species for beginners. greetz

 

[cjk76]

New to reefing. Been reading the site for a few months in preperation for my 45g. Have 2 chomis and a black Clown. Also have some LPS and a couple Ricordea mushrooms. Plan is an LPS/Softie tank.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Starting my 37!gallon again. Just new to the forum.

It's been a year since I had my tank up and running and when I did I just knew the basics. This time I am upgrading my lights, just ordered an ati sun power system which should be a lot better than by 80 dollar lice of crap I has last time. It broke while in storage. I bought then6bulb version. I got a lot of help when posting my thread and I really appreciate it. Although I am new to joining the forum I have been reading it for a few years now. Just finally signed up.

I feel I picked the right lights and am about to read the thread on starting your own tank. Should be pretty helpful. I already cycled my tank have some live rock and 40 lbs live sand. I have a red sea protein skimmer and a marine life canister hang on the back filter. Also a heater. Just need to get a jet now and I think I'm good.

My goal is to have a reef tank with a few fish and critters.

A perry

My goal is to have a reef tank

[welcome]

After reading through that thread you may have more questions, be sure to start a thread and ask away, and please start a thread documenting your progress.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

We have had this tank set up now for about 3-4 months and this is how it looks.

[welcome]
Looks like you're off to a good start, I would relocate that heater, and possibly look into adding a sump/refugium so you can hide all that unsightly equipment.

Otherwise keep up the good work.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

New member! I know we (my fiance and I) have already made a couple mistakes by reading through the stickied threads, but I'm glad to find a great site with lots of info. I kept hearing about the site and was told by many people to join!

It has taken us 3 weeks to get to this point, but here we are today, I know we need a ton more rocks!

[welcome]

I would imagine that you are midway through your cycle and the time seems to be slowly ticking away. Trust me when I say that it as all worth the wait. Keep reading and be sure to ask whenever you have questions.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Been lurking here for quite a while and it's finally time for me to join. Love the hobby and will be asking plenty of questions. Thanks for letting be a part of this forum, I've already learned a lot from it.

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
Glad to have you with us, Ask as many questions as you like.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hallo. My name is Thomas and i come from Poland. I`m beginner reefkeeper. I`m going to have 135l reef tank with some species for beginners. greetz

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

It's great to have people from other countries join in and offer their unique perspective to the hobby, glad to have you with us.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

New to reefing. Been reading the site for a few months in preperation for my 45g. Have 2 chomis and a black Clown. Also have some LPS and a couple Ricordea mushrooms. Plan is an LPS/Softie tank.

[welcome]

that sounds like a great plan, have you checked out the secial forums related to softies and
LPS keepers? if not click on them to cheack them out.

 

[omartinez]

i''ve lurked for sometime but now i decided to go for it and setup my first salty. I'm just collecting equipment and reading like mad.

I'm live on the caribbean and my main concern is temperature but i know here i can find the solution.


but anyway i do have my patience....great site, lot of info.