If You Are New to Reef Central, Introduce Yourself Here!
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
Looks like I put this in the wrong area. Let me put it here. Sorry for the mixup.
Hey all,
I figure I make a post to introduce myself. I am new to running a Reef aquarium. In fact it isn't even up yet. It is a work in progress. I am currently a Flight Instructor in Houston. I have been flying in the angry skies for the past year and a half. This fall, if I am lucky, I will be flying with the regionals. I am 32, married, and have two little ones ages 3 and 4.
I have had a 55 gallon cichlid tank for the past year. I have enjoyed it, but I am really fascinated with saltwater. My children are still in their nemo phase in toddlerhood which makes the switch even more exciting.
I have started to put together and organize my thoughts and plans for the tank. I am moving in a couple of weeks, so everything is on hold until then. I wish I had the money for a bigger tank, but I figure 55g with a 30g sump is big enough to get started, but not to big to make it feel like work.
Coming from a fish only cichlid tank I have a lot to do. I am going to drill some hole in my tank for the overflow, which will drain into the 30g sump I am going to have. I am also building a new custom stand to hold the tank and sump. I am overbuilding the stand so in the future I can upgrade the tank and keep it relatively the same. My goal is to one day have a 125g tank.
I am a big DIY kind of guy, so I am debating about building my own protein skimmer, however I think the cost is a wash. If decide to skip, I will go for a reef octopus skimmer. Nothing too fancy.
My current lighting is not the greatest, your basic fishtank hood lights. I have tossed the idea around of buying some nice LED, but since I am into DIY, and I am a computer/tinkerer I am going to build three 18" LED panels, all connected a custom arduino based aquarium controller. For the 55g tank I am just building two panels, and the third when I upgrade. But I am designing them to be expandable.
Due to funds, I am holding off on a lot of it until the fall. And it will be a gradual buildup. But it gives me time to perfect my system a little better from failure down the road. Working on a roadmap of construction from now until the first fish.
Anyways, I just wanted to say hello. Glad to be here. Have a safe summer.
Crazyjeep
Hey all,
I figure I make a post to introduce myself. I am new to running a Reef aquarium. In fact it isn't even up yet. It is a work in progress. I am currently a Flight Instructor in Houston. I have been flying in the angry skies for the past year and a half. This fall, if I am lucky, I will be flying with the regionals. I am 32, married, and have two little ones ages 3 and 4.
I have had a 55 gallon cichlid tank for the past year. I have enjoyed it, but I am really fascinated with saltwater. My children are still in their nemo phase in toddlerhood which makes the switch even more exciting.
I have started to put together and organize my thoughts and plans for the tank. I am moving in a couple of weeks, so everything is on hold until then. I wish I had the money for a bigger tank, but I figure 55g with a 30g sump is big enough to get started, but not to big to make it feel like work.
Coming from a fish only cichlid tank I have a lot to do. I am going to drill some hole in my tank for the overflow, which will drain into the 30g sump I am going to have. I am also building a new custom stand to hold the tank and sump. I am overbuilding the stand so in the future I can upgrade the tank and keep it relatively the same. My goal is to one day have a 125g tank.
I am a big DIY kind of guy, so I am debating about building my own protein skimmer, however I think the cost is a wash. If decide to skip, I will go for a reef octopus skimmer. Nothing too fancy.
My current lighting is not the greatest, your basic fishtank hood lights. I have tossed the idea around of buying some nice LED, but since I am into DIY, and I am a computer/tinkerer I am going to build three 18" LED panels, all connected a custom arduino based aquarium controller. For the 55g tank I am just building two panels, and the third when I upgrade. But I am designing them to be expandable.
Due to funds, I am holding off on a lot of it until the fall. And it will be a gradual buildup. But it gives me time to perfect my system a little better from failure down the road. Working on a roadmap of construction from now until the first fish.
Anyways, I just wanted to say hello. Glad to be here. Have a safe summer.
Crazyjeep
Spongebob20
Member
Hey everyone! I'm new to saltwater tanks, but have loved marine life since I was a child. I have had freshwater tanks for the past 10 years but never saltwater. I recently set up my first ever saltwater tank and spend many hours staring at it each day hahaha. It's a 75 gallon, just added my first fish to it. If you'd like to read about my experience setting it up, see some pics, and give me some feedback, here's the link to my thread about it! Hoping to continue my learning on this site and get some feedback on what I'm doing right and wrong.
My tank:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2302964
My tank:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2302964
Hello, my name is Richard and I live just North of Atlanta, Georgia. Due to my job and the time constraints I have been away from the hobby for 2-3 years. I now have the time again and finally the finances to resume my saltwater addiction and my wife gave me the go ahead to buy 2 new matching tanks, one for the library and one for a basement family room. Each has the same setup and footprint 72*24*30*, EO reef sump 300 with fuge, octopus 250g skimmer, koralia smartwave, 2 magnum 5 pumps(1650gph/ea), 3 LED Radion G2's and various other odd and ends...refractometer..etc. Needless to say, I'm excited to get started again and have plans for one to become a mixed reef and the other a FOWLR. I have spent a lot of time reading up and cruising through your awesome forums. Thank you for this invaluable resource and I look forward to everyone's imput as I progress along. I have had saltwater aquariums in the past and kept my old setups and equipment for future use.....best thing is that I kept up with my 600+ pounds of LR that I've been nursing in a storage room in the basement since breaking down my old tanks 2 years ago! Wish me and my kids luck as we get started gain!
Airtex
New member
Hello,
I have finally setup the 180 and filled it with Marco's dry rock / dry sand and ro/di.... let the system run for a week and then threw in a couple of big cocktail shrimp and started the cycle. Tank has been cycling about 2 weeks....just starting to kick
I was looking last night and saw what looks like a cobweb between 2 rocks....rocks that I joined together and that have been underwater for about 30days.....so I ruled out a spider.
Any ideas what is making the web ?
Thanks
I have finally setup the 180 and filled it with Marco's dry rock / dry sand and ro/di.... let the system run for a week and then threw in a couple of big cocktail shrimp and started the cycle. Tank has been cycling about 2 weeks....just starting to kick
I was looking last night and saw what looks like a cobweb between 2 rocks....rocks that I joined together and that have been underwater for about 30days.....so I ruled out a spider.
Any ideas what is making the web ?
Thanks
Attachments
Cashda
New member
Hello Everyone!
My name is Dustin and I live in Gainesville FL. I've been interested in building a reef tank for about five years now but have always lived in an apartment and moved once a year. BUT my wife and I are closing on our first home Aug 1st and I am ready to fulfill my dream of building a salt water tank. (I even had them install two GFI outlets each on their own breaker for my fish tank)
I'm currently looking at purchasing the redsea max 650. My hope that this will make life easier for my first tank since it is designed for reef tanks and already designed for success with the appropriate equipment installed. Now I just need to continue to save up money.
I've been reading the forums for a few weeks and already feel like I have learned a lot and feel a bit more comfortable diving into the wonderful world of saltwater.
Thank you everyone who has spent hours writing beginner articles and answering the simple questions that seem world ending to us noobs.
My name is Dustin and I live in Gainesville FL. I've been interested in building a reef tank for about five years now but have always lived in an apartment and moved once a year. BUT my wife and I are closing on our first home Aug 1st and I am ready to fulfill my dream of building a salt water tank. (I even had them install two GFI outlets each on their own breaker for my fish tank)
I'm currently looking at purchasing the redsea max 650. My hope that this will make life easier for my first tank since it is designed for reef tanks and already designed for success with the appropriate equipment installed. Now I just need to continue to save up money.
I've been reading the forums for a few weeks and already feel like I have learned a lot and feel a bit more comfortable diving into the wonderful world of saltwater.
Thank you everyone who has spent hours writing beginner articles and answering the simple questions that seem world ending to us noobs.
Hello everyone! My name is Debbie and I am new to the Saltwater hobby. I have just purchased a 75 gallon tank. I am planning on fish, rock, corals, mushrooms etc.
I have everything to set things up just haven't gotten that far yet and then I will go and get my live rock. Looking at different ways to set up the rock so that it just doesn't look like a mound of rock. Any help would be appreciated. I've been going through the different threads to get ideas on corals, mushrooms, etc. Being a beginner I do not want to get the wrong thing, I want to get something that is beginner and not something that a seasoned saltwater hobbyist would be getting. Looking at the different fish also and making sure everyone is compatible. Trying to do as much research as I can. I have the lighting that came with the tank but I will upgrade the bulbs until I can get the LEDs.
Anyone's input would be muchly appreciated. I can't wait to watch my reef grown, but as I have said to others, the Reef wasn't created in a month.
Thank you!
I have everything to set things up just haven't gotten that far yet and then I will go and get my live rock. Looking at different ways to set up the rock so that it just doesn't look like a mound of rock. Any help would be appreciated. I've been going through the different threads to get ideas on corals, mushrooms, etc. Being a beginner I do not want to get the wrong thing, I want to get something that is beginner and not something that a seasoned saltwater hobbyist would be getting. Looking at the different fish also and making sure everyone is compatible. Trying to do as much research as I can. I have the lighting that came with the tank but I will upgrade the bulbs until I can get the LEDs.
Anyone's input would be muchly appreciated. I can't wait to watch my reef grown, but as I have said to others, the Reef wasn't created in a month.
Thank you!
raybyrne67
New member
New reefer in Albuquerque
New reefer in Albuquerque
Hello to everyone in RC. My name is Ray and I started my first saltwater tank back in Aug of 2012. It is a 20L with 25lbs of base rock. I just started adding corals in Apr. My tank parameters are ammonia, nitrite, nitrates 0, Cal 410,Alk 9, Mag 1360 all tests using Red Sea test kits. Salinity 1.025, temp 79.5. Equipment, Kessil A350w, AquaC nano, 2x AC HOB filters for carbon and phos guard only. Dosing Sea Chem fusion part 1&2 3mL per day. Planning a 90 - 150 in the near future. Here are a few pics.View attachment 234798
New reefer in Albuquerque
Hello to everyone in RC. My name is Ray and I started my first saltwater tank back in Aug of 2012. It is a 20L with 25lbs of base rock. I just started adding corals in Apr. My tank parameters are ammonia, nitrite, nitrates 0, Cal 410,Alk 9, Mag 1360 all tests using Red Sea test kits. Salinity 1.025, temp 79.5. Equipment, Kessil A350w, AquaC nano, 2x AC HOB filters for carbon and phos guard only. Dosing Sea Chem fusion part 1&2 3mL per day. Planning a 90 - 150 in the near future. Here are a few pics.View attachment 234798
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Hi, everyone! My name is Bill, and I am just starting out in fishkeeping.
I am putting together a 75gal display with 40gal sump. Everything has been accumulated and hopefully will be up and running soon, as soon as I finish building the stand for it.
There is a lot to learn, but hopefully everything will work out!
I am putting together a 75gal display with 40gal sump. Everything has been accumulated and hopefully will be up and running soon, as soon as I finish building the stand for it.
There is a lot to learn, but hopefully everything will work out!
Fishypapa
New member
Taking everything slow is the key here. Make sure to cycle everything completely before adding fish or coral then do so slowly. Let the good stuff in the rock adjust to the bioload first, then add another.
Have fun! :thumbsup:
Machpoint89
New member
I know this thread is HUGE, but I will say hello nonetheless
waiting for a shop to replace the bottom of my L75xW45xH60 CM tank (old bottom cracked due to standpipe being too tight and uneven stand)
Brand new in the SW scheme, but years ago had FW tanks for a while. Very excited to be back in "the game"
waiting for a shop to replace the bottom of my L75xW45xH60 CM tank (old bottom cracked due to standpipe being too tight and uneven stand)
Brand new in the SW scheme, but years ago had FW tanks for a while. Very excited to be back in "the game"
1000rrstunna
Member
Just bought a jbj 29 gal setup with the compact fluorescents and wave maker looking forward to getting involved in salt. I have been doing freshwater for years time to try something new! I'm sure ill be addicted in no time 
Hello Mitch,
I have had my aquarium up for almost two years and still feel like an idiot when I read what the experienced people say. Feel free to ask me anything and I will try to help you. Perhaps the first thing I would say to you is to learn to be PATIENT in setting up your new tank. I remember I was so eager to have "stuff" to look at that I wasted a lot of money. It takes a while to get the water right and not just start filling it up. I have a fish and coral tank which I like because both have their attributes. I would probably recommend a 100 gallon tank (although I have seen some fabulous small tanks). My tank is 200 gallons and that is certainly enough for me. Good luck, Lee
I have had my aquarium up for almost two years and still feel like an idiot when I read what the experienced people say. Feel free to ask me anything and I will try to help you. Perhaps the first thing I would say to you is to learn to be PATIENT in setting up your new tank. I remember I was so eager to have "stuff" to look at that I wasted a lot of money. It takes a while to get the water right and not just start filling it up. I have a fish and coral tank which I like because both have their attributes. I would probably recommend a 100 gallon tank (although I have seen some fabulous small tanks). My tank is 200 gallons and that is certainly enough for me. Good luck, Lee
xrayjeeper83
New member
Hey y'all, my name is Drew.
I've got a 75g mixed reef, and to break down a 37 to cover it to a boa cage. Going to set up a 20L for the few fish I can't part with.
Along with fish I've got a bull mastiff, a ball python, 3 tarantulas, and will be getting a rainbow boa shortly. Oh also have 55g with some marbled crays
I've got a 75g mixed reef, and to break down a 37 to cover it to a boa cage. Going to set up a 20L for the few fish I can't part with.
Along with fish I've got a bull mastiff, a ball python, 3 tarantulas, and will be getting a rainbow boa shortly. Oh also have 55g with some marbled crays
BioVader
New member
Hello, My name is BioVader and I am your father... errr ok my name is Dennis and no you can't borrow the car. Ok I sware I'm done..
Anyhow I got into aquariums about a year ago with a small group of needy goldfish in a 5 gallon aquarium. I convinced myself about a month later that they were to crammed and that they needed a bigger home. So I set out and picked up a nice 29 gallon tank that they would never set their fins in.
The 29 gallon tank became the home to new group of recruits from the tropicana aquariaris family.. Yeah I made that up. So then not to long after screwing over the goldfish, I purchased them a new 20 gallon home.
Since day one my goal was to have a Nemo and Dory. Endless hours of standing in front of the saltwater section in the fish store has paid off and I finally found a good deal on a 90 gallon reef tank with sump, pump and all that cool plumbing stuff.
I'm about as patient as a puppy with bag of balls. Day one I had my first couple of pieces of live rock and 3 yellowtail blue damsels. Still not happy about a week later I picked up more live rock and the fish store guy, against his better judgement, let me buy Nemo and his dad to take home. (I'm not so sure that's his dad though.) Even though it still being a little early in the cycle, I would not be denied.
Now I'm up to about 75lbs of live rock. Ricky Fins hooked me up with some live rock at a good price, with a bonus piece of coral attached to one of them. Thanks Rick.
Anyhow I think I'm done licking the glass where I can actually sit back for a bit and be a little more patient. (I actually need to google patient and make sure I'm doing it right..) Ricky also let me use his Kati Ani, which I'm tasked with the job of recharging. Next on the list is building a custom LED reef light setup.
So I'm here.. HI! :frog: <--- Glass licker.
Anyhow I got into aquariums about a year ago with a small group of needy goldfish in a 5 gallon aquarium. I convinced myself about a month later that they were to crammed and that they needed a bigger home. So I set out and picked up a nice 29 gallon tank that they would never set their fins in.
The 29 gallon tank became the home to new group of recruits from the tropicana aquariaris family.. Yeah I made that up. So then not to long after screwing over the goldfish, I purchased them a new 20 gallon home.
Since day one my goal was to have a Nemo and Dory. Endless hours of standing in front of the saltwater section in the fish store has paid off and I finally found a good deal on a 90 gallon reef tank with sump, pump and all that cool plumbing stuff.
I'm about as patient as a puppy with bag of balls. Day one I had my first couple of pieces of live rock and 3 yellowtail blue damsels. Still not happy about a week later I picked up more live rock and the fish store guy, against his better judgement, let me buy Nemo and his dad to take home. (I'm not so sure that's his dad though.) Even though it still being a little early in the cycle, I would not be denied.
Now I'm up to about 75lbs of live rock. Ricky Fins hooked me up with some live rock at a good price, with a bonus piece of coral attached to one of them. Thanks Rick.
Anyhow I think I'm done licking the glass where I can actually sit back for a bit and be a little more patient. (I actually need to google patient and make sure I'm doing it right..) Ricky also let me use his Kati Ani, which I'm tasked with the job of recharging. Next on the list is building a custom LED reef light setup.
So I'm here.. HI! :frog: <--- Glass licker.
Hi, my name is Hridoy Hasan I'm 23 years old. Before 3 month ago I am planning to set up a aquarium. For this just 7 days ago I bought a Tank. I am totally new on this Hobby. I haven't enough knowledge on Aquarium. How can I setup tank and which think will be helpful for to guide me more about aquarium?
robertsbrad_1
New member
4 months new
4 months new
Hello all,
As the title says I have only just begun this hobby. I have as my first tank a 125 gal with wet/dry sump? I think that's right. I bought this tank used. I have two 3200 gph powerheads with 780 gph sump. Has a hood with 3-150w metal halides and 4-96w actinics. Thinking of switching to LEDs. Has 300lbs of live rock and 200lbs live sand. Has a overflow box with a pump for suction. I just recently built some plugs for the underneath so that I have a plug and switch for each piece of equipment eliminating power strips. worked out very nicely. In my tank, I received a 4 line damsel and pink skunk clown fish. Since then, I have added a panther grouper, Picasso trigger, lattice butterfly, chocolate chip star fish, 5 turbo snails, Antennata Lionfish, sandsifting starfish, and a green bubble tip anemone. Everything is doing great. Just bought a refractometer and test kit. Really enjoying everything. Also purchased a RO/DI system. Thanks for your time and I look forward to any advice I can get.
Sincerely
Brad Roberts
4 months new
Hello all,
As the title says I have only just begun this hobby. I have as my first tank a 125 gal with wet/dry sump? I think that's right. I bought this tank used. I have two 3200 gph powerheads with 780 gph sump. Has a hood with 3-150w metal halides and 4-96w actinics. Thinking of switching to LEDs. Has 300lbs of live rock and 200lbs live sand. Has a overflow box with a pump for suction. I just recently built some plugs for the underneath so that I have a plug and switch for each piece of equipment eliminating power strips. worked out very nicely. In my tank, I received a 4 line damsel and pink skunk clown fish. Since then, I have added a panther grouper, Picasso trigger, lattice butterfly, chocolate chip star fish, 5 turbo snails, Antennata Lionfish, sandsifting starfish, and a green bubble tip anemone. Everything is doing great. Just bought a refractometer and test kit. Really enjoying everything. Also purchased a RO/DI system. Thanks for your time and I look forward to any advice I can get.
Sincerely
Brad Roberts
joaopaulobrazil
New member
8 months NEW
8 months NEW
Hello everyone!!:jester:
I'm joão Paulo, i'm foram Brazil and started in this wonderfull world some months ago.
I would like to show some pics of my nano!
I'm very happy to be here on reefcentral!!!!:dance:
8 months NEW
Hello everyone!!:jester:
I'm joão Paulo, i'm foram Brazil and started in this wonderfull world some months ago.
I would like to show some pics of my nano!
I'm very happy to be here on reefcentral!!!!:dance:
Hello everyone
I'm a little more then two weeks into my first saltwater tank. I've been lucky so far and gotten steals of deals for most of my equipment. As of right now I have just about 150 into my setup:
55 gallon long tank and stand
Rena xp3 canister filter (am eventually upgrading to a 20 gallon sump)
Eshopps 100 protein skimmer
Not quite sure how much dead rock the setup came with, but it was a lot and it also came with dead crushed looking rock for the bottem.
I've purchased lots of live rock frags from my lfs for dirt cheap and have just let my tank cycle for around three weeks now.
One bag of live sand to give my dead rock a nice kick start
And just today after finishing my first cycle two days ago I purchased to green chromis's.
Would like to say that lurking through these forums has given me huge amounts of info to start my tank, and that I probably couldn't have done it without reefcentral.
Thanks guys you are awesome!
I'm a little more then two weeks into my first saltwater tank. I've been lucky so far and gotten steals of deals for most of my equipment. As of right now I have just about 150 into my setup:
55 gallon long tank and stand
Rena xp3 canister filter (am eventually upgrading to a 20 gallon sump)
Eshopps 100 protein skimmer
Not quite sure how much dead rock the setup came with, but it was a lot and it also came with dead crushed looking rock for the bottem.
I've purchased lots of live rock frags from my lfs for dirt cheap and have just let my tank cycle for around three weeks now.
One bag of live sand to give my dead rock a nice kick start
And just today after finishing my first cycle two days ago I purchased to green chromis's.
Would like to say that lurking through these forums has given me huge amounts of info to start my tank, and that I probably couldn't have done it without reefcentral.
Thanks guys you are awesome!
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