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

Hello,

Just making myself known in here. I just signed up this month. I'm looking forward to learning a lot about the marine hobby.

Mike
 
New to Hobby

New to Hobby

Hi All.

I'm Ted and i'm brand new to the hobby - at 40 years old. Just recently moved to near clearwater florida.

I'm in my buying stage at the moment after doing tons of research over the last month. Shopping list is at the bottom of the thread - welcome any suggestions / critiques.

Ive found trying to start the hobby in my section of Florida is a daunting task. After doing my research - i decided on an initial size of 120 gallon Acrylic - based on what I could fit in my house. I sent out requests to probably ten shops - asking for quotes. The replies I got: Doug Drysdale - very helpful and convinced me I probably wanted glass instead - but couldn't take my job (but provided a great recommendation to Fish and Other Ichthy Things in Oldsmar). Heard from Kenji at Aquarium Illusions - but when I told him I had already purchased a tank - communication broke down. One other shining star is Michael at Fin-n-Gills (former shop of Countryside Aquariums). Very helpful - very nice - and seems very reasonable.

So I now have a 120 gallon sitting on my dining room table - waiting for a custom stand, plumbing, sump and all the other neat things that go into this hobby.

I'm undecided on a few items - like the chiller - As I don't yet know how the temperature will fluctuate in the aquarium in my environment. Only thing I can do is set up the system and test it and see if I need one.

Purchased:

120 gallon acrylic aquarium 4'x2'x2' - $321 (Done - Fish and Other Ichthy Things)

Refractometer "“ Ebay - $48.98

RO/DI - 150GPD 5-stage system with Booster Pump HM2 In-Line TDS meter and pressure gauge- $338 (from Melev's reef)

Holes (all measurements are exact center of holes) - $100 + $20 tip Fish and Other Ichthy Things:

3 Drains - 3" from left edge/ 6" from top, 3" from right edge/ 6" from top, 24" from left and right edge, 6" from top
2 Returns "“ 13.5" from left edge/3" from top, 13.5" from right edge/3" from top

Bulkheads "“ 5 x 1 ¾" = $30 Fish and Other Ichthy Things

On Order:

Stand 52" x 31" x 36" (lxwxh)

ToDo:

Sump "“ 48x24x16 95 gallon glass

Sand
Display - 240# Live sand (12 20# bags) ~ $25 / bag = $300 (CaribSea Arag-Alive Bahama Oolite Sand)

Sump "“ 48# (@ 12"x24") ~ 1 40# + 2 5# = $76 (Caribsea Ocean Direct Live Sand Oolite)

Live Rock
Display "“ 150# - 3x52# ($480) = $480 (Fiji`s Best Saltwater Aquarium Live Rock)

Sump "“ 38# - 1x52# = $160 (Fiji`s Best Saltwater Aquarium Live Rock)

Salt - Red Sea Coral Pro Salt Mix 175gal "“ Bucket "“ $69.95

Skimmer "“ Reef Dynamics - INS180 Protein Skimmer w/ Ehiem Pump (13.5x11x24) - $649.95

Return Pump (min 600 gal/hr @ 4') - Eheim Model 1262,898 gph "“ $179.99

Wavemaker - EcoTech Marine VorTech Propeller Pumps w/ Wireless EcoSmart Drivers (2xMP40W Units) + Battery Backup $1100

Heater - Eheim Jager TruTemp 300 Watt $28

Controller "“ Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper Lite Net - $379

Main Lights "“ Maxspect 27 Inch Razor R420R 10,000K LED Light Fixture = $489.99

Refugium Light LED?

Calcium Reactor?

Chiller ? JBJ Arctica Titanium Chiller DBE-200 1/4HP $780

Pump For Chiller - Eheim Model 1262,898 gph "“ $179.99
 
Hey everyone. New to RC and the hobby. Just picked up a Deep Blue rimless 60 cube. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Thanks to all the posters in this forum. It's a great resource.
 
Newbie Signing In...

Newbie Signing In...

So new I still don't have my tank yet. :headwally: I actually pick it up tomorrow. I'm doing a 180 gallon reef tank and luckily between the knowledgable folks on this site and a few close friends who have been there and doing that, I feel confident in my new hobby.

I look forward to reading most posts on here to learn and hopefully one day might be able to offer some assistance myself.
 
Hello from Melbourne, Australia :)

Hello from Melbourne, Australia :)

Hi Everyone,
I am a newebie to this site. I am back into fishkeeping again after a 10yr pause (due to moving interstate and children). I live in Melbourne, Australia :) Over this time many things have changed, so I am trying to keep up with the times, as much as I can! I have just returned to the hobby with a semi-circle tank 1000mm dia x 1000mm highx 600mm deep. I have a set it up with a Refigum, Deltec skimmer, Chiller, UPS, and I have a Calcium reactor to add (has a faulty Red sea reg).
I am having some issues with phosphate although the readings are low 0.5. I am also getting lots of cyno about 2hrs after I turn on the light which seems to dissapear overnight once the lights are turned off?? Really annoying!! Anyway I guess I'll be posting some q's over the next few months asking for some much appreciated advice. Thanks for reading, Linda
 
My name is Shane I have had many fresh water tanks in the past still have three.I have recently got into saltwater.I purchased a 55 gallon about three months ago and have been dropping money like crazy.It's a community tank with a yellow tang(temp) two clowns five reef chromis scooter Bleeny bicolor Bleeny.I also have my clean up crew snails,hermits,star fish.As far as coral I have a couple different zoas hammer coral star polpys,hydroporida devils hand.Great to be part of reef central.I look forward to all the knowledge from seasoned vets.Thank everyone in advance.
 
Hi, new to reef central still a newb to saltwater as-well but have kept freshwater for 10 years.
I have a biocube 14 that is approx 7 months old and and in the process of setting up a biocube 29.
I can't go bigger as i live on the third floor of my condo and am limitied to 35g of standing water. I may sump the biocube but I'm not sure if I want to drill or do some sort of HOB overflow.
 
Hey RC!

Hey RC!

Hey yall! :wave:
My boyfriend of the past year got me addicted to his tank and a week ago now we got an Innovative Marine Nuvo 16 for my apartment. As of now I only have live rock and sand, but am getting my water tested this weekend so we can move his clown down with me. However, there is something we found on one of the rocks that we've been told is a mushroom, a sponge and a tunicate. I'm super excited and cant wait to get some new life in there! Have a great weekend everybody!
 
Hello Everyone,
I am just starting off on my quest for having a Saltwater marine tank system. So i was referred to this site to expand my knowledge base and get me moving in the right direction.

So far I have found that there are a lot of useful posts here on this site, however i do not know what all of the abbreviations mean yet! Well, thanks in advance. I am looking forward to get a tank and getting up and running!
 
Hope I'm posting in the right spot for an "Introduction".

Well hey everyone I go by the name Reef_Knight here and on southfloridareefers.com, I also belong to 3reef but haven't been in a while.

Been in the hobby 2+ yrs & still learning everyday. More details in my sig. I'm interested in meets, friends, clubs ect.. p.m if anything
 
Hey everyone, been lurking for awhile and decided to finally join up. Currently have a RSM250 reef going. Have been in and out of the hobby for around 10 years, and glad to be back in. Look forward to being a part of RC.
 
Hello

Hello

Hello everyone I am new to reef central. I am trying to learn anything I can about starting my new 55 gal saltwater fish tank, I understand it could take a long process but I am ready for it. Any direction and suggestion would be appreciated. I am currently working on my material/equipment list that I would need to set up a safe tank for my anticipated new saltwater fish tank . Thank you
 
I was asked by a friend to join this forum so I could share me experience in maintaining aquariums. I have over 20 years dealing with fish tanks and I'm also a licensed aircraft mechanic. I have a large knowledge of electricity , hydraulics and pnematics. Building , plumbing ,and wiring fish tanks comes easy to me and hope to help others achieve their dream tanks.
 
Hi,

I, as well, am so new to this adventure that I don't even have my tank yet but plan on getting it very, very soon. Just trying to educate myself and absorb as much information as I can before jumping into it (even though I am very impulsive). Haha :) Can't wait to get started!

KK
 
hello all im new to the hobby i have a 125 ,and this forum so far has help me out i cant wait to read more about saltwater tanks
 
Hello all.... Not new to the forums as i have been in and out of here and have enjoyed reading many of the posts by members. I AM new to posting and have decided to finally take the plunge and get a reef tank. I have a 75g that i wish to get set up and will be looking for lots of advice in the future....thx in advance.
 
Hello my name is Jaime

I am 23 years old and this will be my first tank

I have been doing lots of research and finally purchased my tank. I have a 46 bow and just bought a fluval canister filter. I need advice on lighting and things like that. Any tips would be appreciated. One quick question, how rare is it for a tank to burst and the water to end up all over your home? This is a little bit of a concern for me so please inform.

Jaime

Almost forgot, I want to start a reef tank
 
welcome to the hobby everyone.
i am also a noob i have had my 20 tall running for about 3 weeks now with about 20lbs of LR and 20-25lbs of sand. i am new to the world of SW i have had tanks for about 4 years but have all been FW. i have been cruising the forums for about a year and recently signed up.

55gal FW with platys tetras 2 plecos 2 gold fish and 4 sun perch
20gal tall with 10gal diy sump 5 gal fuge aquaclear 30 and whisper 5-15 for movement 100watt heater 260 gph return pump and 2 164gph mini pumps using as powerheads till i can get some more $$ saved up 1 blue damsel 15 mixed red leg and blue legged hermits large cerith snail and an asteria star hitchhiker
nitrite and ammonia 0 nitrate .05ppm ph 7.9 spg 1.025 last weeks test results
 
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