Newbie

[coultkr]

Hello East Tennesse Reefers! I'm new to this hobby and have quickly lost my heart and wallet to my tank. I've been lurking on several forums over the past 6 months while getting up to speed in the fundamentals of reefkeeping. I decided to "cut my teeth" on a nano tank, 24G AquaPod, with 150W MH SunPod for lighting. I just added an AquaC Remora skimmer this week.

I've learned alot over the past 6 months and have found the greatest learning experience is by trial and error. Unfortunately, this has been costly at times . I realize now that I still have a LONG way to go and that one never truely "masters" the art of reefkeeping. If so, then the challenge would be over and the passion would quickly fade.

One thing I've realized is that sharing of experience is necessary to grow in this hobby. I would like to join your group and learn from the local veterns. I assume I'll be more of a pest in the beginning as I will probably ask more questions than offer contributions to various discussions - but I am a quick learner!

If anyone is interested in mentoring and in the west Knoxville area, just send me a message. I'd love to have someone look at my tank and offer advise. One thing I have learned is that I don't like SPS even though they appear to do well in my tank. I have a few frags I would like to trade for some colorful zoas, mushrooms, softies, etc.

I look forward to any advice you can offer!

Karen

 

[ct_vol]

Welcome Karen... Haven't been on here long myself... Maybe a month or so... But everyone I've met so far has been more than helpfull and nice... Also, you can pick up frags here and there a lot more reasonable than in stores... I started with a 125g... You want to talk about spending some $$$... Eh, savings accounts are overrated anyways... lol Good luck!!!!!! Holler if you need anything...

 

[Sk8r]

One never, indeed, 'masters' the art---because there's always something you've never kept before beckoning you into craziness.

 

[Runner]

Welcome, Karen. Be sure to come to our next meeting in May. Just watch this board for time and location.

-Scott

 

[cee]

Karen:

Welcome! It's ashamed you don't like SPS, but everyone has their favorites. Regardless of the type of corals you like to keep, you'll find something here for everyone and learn a lot from everyone!

Dave

 

[imsqueak]

[welcome]

I believe everyone in the club truly enjoys helping newbies by sharing their knowledge and experience. A Nano has different needs than a bigger tank just as a really big tank has different needs than a smaller tank.

Although we're a 'small' club, I think we cover the spectrum and people like Mel, Art, Dave, Matt and others! have a wealth of knowledge we new/average folks benefit from. hawkeye31657 is new to the club but my short conversations with him at Matt's meeting left me with the impression that this guy is a techno fanatic. Dave and Scott are electrical/mechanical diy wizards. Everyone has their little piece of the pie that they can confidently advise on.

I think most of us have a mix of sps/lps/softies.

You'll save $$$ by buying used goods from members who are upgrading, moving, etc. btw, I have a Remora Pro that I'd have sold to you for $100 so if you bought a new one for your nano you now know how much money can be saved.

Best of luck to you. Seems like you have the right mentality by researching for months before making the leap. Hope to meet you at a future meeting.

 

[coultkr]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! I'll watch for the May meeting place/time and will, hopefully, be able to attend. I'm already looking at 75G tanks but so far all I have done is small nano tanks and I'm unsure where to begin or what products to consider. I am interested in local frags for purchase/trade - are they usually posted here or some other site?

 

[imsqueak]

hehe, I beat you to it Matt
[welcome]

Oh yea, we are known to hijack threads.

 

[Fishboy42]

Welcome Karen -- I have to agree that some of the "soft" and "LPS" are sometimes just as nice, if not nicer, than some of the "sticks," although I know the Daves will be all over me for that one Actually now that some of mine are growing, I may be turning over to the dark (light!?) side. As my name implies, I'm more interested in fish myself, but as Don says, we all have our specific interests and knowledge that we can share and enjoy around the club. If you are able to attend a meeting, I'm sure people would be interested in trading frags with you.

I noticed squeak...I'm in Chicago and have limited net connections/time here...I won't let it happen again

-Matt

 

[Chris_Campbell]

crap only been in this club since December myself... Welcome aboard!

 

[Chris_Campbell]

roflmao Mat, thats an understatment about your interest in fish! Whats the inventory up too.. 2, 3 thousand?

 

[EvilMel]

I've been away from the computer for the weekend, but welcome to the club! Nice to have more new people around because it helps breathe life into our club!

 

[salt newbie01]

Hey Karen, I am also new to the club. These folks are great - I drive up from cleveland to attend the meetings! Everyone is nice and makes you feel welcome. Ans as don said everyone has some niche they have cornered. Hope to see you at the next meeting.

 

[Angela Short]

Gflat over in Middle TN reef club has a compleat 75 set up for sell. Short drive to nashville to save tons of money.ANd he always has nice frags to sell as many other local reefers. Make a big tank and frag run! ETRC and MTRC do a lot of trading among each other. Welcome to the hobby!

 

[coultkr]

Thanks everyone - I look forward to the next meeting and to meeting everyone in person. Angela, I'll look up that 75G in middle TN - thanks for the heads up!