Moving to Tampa

D

Dv8Rngr

New member
Hey everyone. I just accepted a new job in the Tampa area and will be moving down there from Charleston, SC. When I get there, I'd like to check out some of the LFS's to get a tank cycling with some live rock. The LFSs up here dont really carry much LR. Anyhow, I will be down there Wednesday to get a place to live, and I'll be there for 10 days before I have to come back to get my stuff. I figure if I get a temp tank set up, I can minimize any stress from traveling, by getting them back into a tank ASAP.

Any help in ways of traveling tips, good LFS, cheap tank, (maybe even a "loaner tank" from the trusting folks), something to help me get setup quickly, etc... would be greatly appreciated.

I've got a 75 gal with a few small corals and about 15lbs of LR, and 60lbs of base rock that is starting to grow out. I originally started out as a fish only tank, but got overwhelmed with the reef tanks, so thats where I am headed now, slowly...

Fish: 3" Sailfin Tang, 3" Orange Shoulder Tang, HiFin Cardinal, Purple Firefish.

I think the apartment is in the Town N Country area...

I am interested in attending your next meeting, if I can make it. Has a date/location been set?

Thanks,
Jim
 
Welcome!
Date/time of mtg haven't been set yet. See club forum for vote on 14th or 21st.
For LFS, see this same forum board, 4th topic down titled "Tampa Bay Area LFS".
All of those shops carry LR. There are also several members here selling whole or partial setups, including LR.
The club here is great. I just moved here last year myself and have found them to be extremely helpful, open, and supportive.
Again, welcome to Tampa!
-Trevis
 
The top of the forum has the LFS listing. Recommended are Faois, coral corral, rock n reef, marinewarehouse. In that order.
You will find tons of stuff here for sale, great price and good stuff.

Welcome.
 
Last year I had to move a 120 gal reef for a client from Riverview to Biloxi Mississippi. I went to Wal-Mart and bought 2 power inverters to plug into my dashboard power ports. I put the rock in buckets with tank water to keep them wet and to allow any critters to survive, they went in the pick up bed. I did the same for the corals 3 buckets worth, and the fish were grouped by size and aggression / species. That turned out to be 4 buckets with 3-4 fish in each bucket. my truck has a folding rear seat so they went into the truck to be able to regulate temperature. I drilled a hole the size of airline in each fish and coral bucket lid and put in the hose with an air stone near the bottom. I added "Tank Buddy" pills to the fish buckets to calm down the livestock. I used some airline tubing manifolds and utilized 2 air pumps plugged into the power inverters. When I got to Mississippi, I set the system up with 50% new salt water which I brought with me. I then added the water that held the live rock. Acclimated the corals and fish in the buckets. After adding the livestock and some additional new water it was done. Bottom line zero livestock loss! and the tank looked like new.
John
 
Good info John, thats about what I was planning on doing. I wasnt sure about the air pumps or not, but if you think it helped, its worth the investment. I can always use the inverter for something else.

What is "Tank Buddy", what does it do?

Do you think the LR will do fine in this temp weather? Its been pretty cold up here. Hows the weather down there?
 
They are a blue pill you add to the bucket or bag. Now that I have looked at the jar, they are called "Bag Buddies" from Jungle Labs. They are a water conditioner. They help detoxify ammonia, as well as calm down the fish with some type of harmless narcotic. Most of the chain stores like Petco should have them. Since you say you have no good Reef stores, you must have some chain stores. The rock will be just fine outside. If you have enough room to stack some more buckets inside the truck then by all means do that. The small amount of die-off from weather related issues is not enough to cause you grief when you set back up here. It's been cold here for a few days but it will be warm next week.
 
Great advice John. That's pretty much how I moved two 125 gallon systems from south La to north Al. The blue pills are a must.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14219219#post14219219 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
Great advice John. That's pretty much how I moved two 125 gallon systems from south La to north Al. The blue pills are a must.
Click to expand...

so does LA stand for Lower Alabama :)
 
welcome.gif

To the TAMPA BAY REEF CLUB ! ! !

Tampa Bay Reef Club ("TBRC") Meetings are "USUALLY" on the second Saturday of each month, the meetings are free and a good chance to meet may of the people you may chat with here on RC everyday. It's a great monthly social event and very informative, you'll learn much about your hobby and see what others are doing with their reef tanks.
<BR>
Non-members are also invited and encouraged to attend our meetings. More information for each meeting can be found on the TBRC site at: http://www.TampaBayReefClub.ORG/
<BR>
How Do I Join?

Becoming a member of TBRC is a quick and easy process. You only have to print the membership form, fill it out and mail it as directed on the application or bring it to a meeting and give it to a club officer.
<BR>
Membership fee to join the TBRC is only $20 per year. <BR>

More detailed club information can be found at our main website:

Official Website
 
Just another helpful thought. When you come down here next week and you stop off to see all the great livestock and hardware at Fish and Other Ichthy Stuff, in Oldsmar. Ask John or Jennifer for a bottle of "Bag Buddies" That's where I bought mine!
John
 
Hi Jim,
You didn't like Tideline Aquatics? They got me started in saltwater fish. Awesome place and staff.
Regards,
Doug
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14219115#post14219115 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tampa Aquarium Service
They are a blue pill you add to the bucket or bag.
Click to expand...

In a deep voice, tell your fish "You take the blue pill and the story ends. You wake up in your tank and believe whatever you want to believe."


Oh yeah, welcome to Tampa!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14222294#post14222294 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Doug864
Hi Jim,
You didn't like Tideline Aquatics? They got me started in saltwater fish. Awesome place and staff.
Regards,
Doug
Click to expand...


Quite the opposite Doug... I love :inlove: the guys at Tideline, they have been my backbone getting me this far. I wish I could take them with me. However, they very rarely have any LR in the store for sale.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14222451#post14222451 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by schudini
In a deep voice, tell your fish "You take the blue pill and the story ends. You wake up in your tank and believe whatever you want to believe."


Oh yeah, welcome to Tampa!
Click to expand...


:lol: That's funny right there, I dont care who you are!:lol:
 
I dont know where I will be living yet. I will be down on Wednesday to hopefully find a temporary place while I look for a house.

Any suggestions on a good area? I will be working on or near MacDill AFB.
 
If you don't want to live "in town", check out the Brandon, Valrico, Bloomingdale, Fishhawk areas. The Crosstown Expressway makes for a short trip to the AFB.
 
I found a place in Brandon. It seems pretty nice here so far. I am going to try and check out some of the LFS on this side of town. Dont really feel like messing with the superbowl crowds if i dont have to.
 
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