New to RC and OKC

[Casey101]

Hello All!

I just thought I would drop in and post a greeting to all the folks here. I don't currently own a tank, but have wanted one for quite some time!

I plan on coming to the meetings (I read somewhere that the next one will be coming up the second Saturday in April), and look forward to learning all I can.

My name is Casey, I'm 26 years old, and I live in the North part of OKC. My wife and I just moved to this area a couple of months ago, so we are still learning our way around. I am a teaching assistant in the science department at a local online school.

I am a bit of DIY type, and enjoy spending time around other 'maker' types. I hope to be able to bring a bit of this to the hobby when I finally decide to tank (!) the plunge, and I think it should be pretty useful-- from what I have seen so far, aquarists need to be able to wear many hats; often simultaneously.
I am doing all I can to learn and get a good foundation before tackling a tank, and am about half-way through Calfo's Book of Coral Propagation. I should be done with it by the time the meeting rolls around so I can at least have a clue about the makeup of a system and be able to at least listen (if not speak) intelligently.


Anyway, that's about it for now! Like I said; I'm new and just thought I would introduce myself!

-Casey M.

 

[cjilge]

Welcome! The club and meetings are a great way to learn and meet many people with the same interests that are more than willing to help out when you make a mistake or just need a hand. Ask lots of questions! Then ask more. There are decades of knowledge on the forum and in the club. We all have flooded the living room or cought something on fire at some point, so dont be afraid to ask. The next meeting is on the 21st of April and will be the frag swap so a little different from normal meetings but you should be able to meet a lot of people and be able to see a many corals that may interest you or influence your decisions as you set up your system. Again Welcome, and hope to see you in April.

 

[Casey101]

Thanks for the quick reply and welcome! Where does the group usually meet? ...Or is that determined when we get closer to the date?

 

[ghellin]

Welcome! We will meet at UCO at 7:30.

 

[OKCchief]

Casey,
You've deferentially picked the right hobby for DIY. You'll find that most of us are the same.

James

 

[lauremf2002]

Kudos on doing your research! Many people just dive in and learn as they go (guilty), so good for you for being patient! You will find patience is required in this hobby and will save you alot of money and grief.

 

[Casey101]

Thanks for everyone's replies and all the encouragement! I have a lot to learn, and I kind of feel like Alice and that pesky rabbit hole :eek1:
It seems there is still a lot of opportunity for discovery in the hobby, actually. There are so many differing opinions on things! I am really surprised when I read because when I first came in, I assumed that things would be pretty "cut-n-dried", but most things seem to boil down to good old fashioned trial and error with a dash of educated guesswork!
I think it would be really cool to integrate some Arduino automation once I get a tank established-- THAT would be pretty neat!

What are everyone's experiences with how much a 100 gal tank would cost me in power, assuming the tank will be new, and SPS will be pretty much out of the question for a while (from what I have read).