My introduction

[Mark75]

Hello I have made a couple of post but would like to introduce myself and tell you a little about me and my tank in progress. I am from Mascot (east Knoxville) I have kept a reef tank a few years back. It was my first reef tank and I made all the rookie mistakes. I learned a lot and enjoyed it for a couple of years. The tank was a constant struggle because of the mistakes I was making and had made in the beggining. The tank was finally maturing and looking good when i came home one day to find my BTA had gave in to temptation and crawled into one of my powerheads!!! I came home to an aquarium that looked like it was filled with lemonade. The tank never recovered and some after I dumped the contents and converted it to freshwater. I always planned on revisting reefing often stopping at reef shops and dreaming. So here I am, a rookie again, reefing has changed some in the last few years. I think with the help of the internet (which I did not have with my first tank) and joining ETRC I will be more succesful in my current tank. My wife and I had planned on joining ETRC at the last meeting but something came up and we were unable to attend. I spoke with Randy via PM today and if he is any indication of the club you guys are great. Now to let you guys know where I am and what I have so far here is my setup.

30 gal. long
HOB with Rio 600 powered skimmer and refuge with 5lbs. lr and carbon bag (the HOB is 18"x24"x4")
I have 32lbs. Fiji lr that has been in the tank for a few weeks
4" of Caribsea argonite mixed with Este's reef sand
I plan on purchasing a Nova Extreme 4 bulb 36"HO and two Hydrilla 2's for flow
The tank has a Rio 600 in it for flow and a twin bulb 36" no light, these will be replaced shortly.
I have a Spectrapure 4 stage RO/DI for all my water .
As soon as I get my light and pumps and my parameters check out I need live stock, I would love to buy local. I still do not have a direction as far as livestock I want for the tank, I love Zoa's so I may build around that. I also would like some big Monti caps but will probable wait until the tank is settled. O.K. guys I am open to questions and suggestion!!

 

[ct_vol]

Whoo hoo!!!!!!!! Glad you found your way over here Mark... The folks on here are great... So don't you worry about that...

[welcome]

 

[fishdoc11]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To The East Tennessee Reef Club Forum</b></i></big></big>

Sounds like you are off to a good start. JMO but I would look at replacing the Rio's when you can.....too many horror stories associated with those guys. A good selection of Zoas and Plating Montis shouldn't be hard to find around here

Chris

 

[Mark75]

Thanks for the welcome guys! Chris I am planning on replacing the Rio in the tank with two Hydrilla 2's. As far as the Rio's in the HOB for the skimmer and return I was thinking about trying MJ1200's. I am pretty sure the MJ1200 would make a better return pump but I have heard people say the Rio is a better venturi pump than the MJ. (smaller bubbles) Anyone have any thoughts on the MJ as a venturi pump? How hard are the Montis to care for?

 

[acrodave]

if theres a sps that can be called easy it would be montis