One more happy TBS customer....

[RussM]

It's been about 2 months since getting part one of the TBS package, which was shipped almost immediately after ordering. When I was ready, part 2 was delayed a bit by weather conditions precluding diving, but that's quite understandable. Overall, my experience w/ Richard & TBS has been unbelievably satisfying! IMHO, great service is just as important as great product, and Richard delivered on both counts.

The LS was (and still is) teaming with small life; the LR is beautiful and all of the encrusting sponges, small corals, and such that I wouldn't have gotten w/ typical LR from the LFS are wonderful and add much beauty to my tank.

Even the hitchhiking mantis shrimp has been a delightful surprise... the little guy's got quite a personality! He's become my wife's favorite critter and now has his own BioCube.

I traded the lovely flower anemone and condylactus that came in Part 2 to a local experienced reefkeeper (they were beautiful, but didn't fit into my plans)... when he saw my tank, he couldn't believe that it is only a couple of months old! That in itself says a lot about the benefits of starting up a new system using TBS LS/LR.

My only "complaint" is that the TBS LS & LR is so full of fascinating and diversified life, that my wife and I spend hours on end looking at my reef-in-progress to the detriment of our work, family, sleep, eyesight, and diet!!! We're still discovering new critters almost every day.

In a nutshell... TBS is a true winner!

 

[wickedfood]

Hi. I totally agree as I've had the same great experience with TBS.

On another note, would you share what kind of 55g setup you have? Are you using a sump, cannisters? Did you go predrilled/reef-ready? Do you have a backup power source? I'm looking to upgrade to a 55g very soon, and it's hard not to feel overwhelmed!

Thanks!

 

[RussM]

55g FOWLR is converted from FW; 55g Tall, 2x65w 50/50 PC, Rena Filstar2 canister filter (old habits are hard to break!), AquaC Remora Pro skimmer /w Mag3 pump & surface skimmer box, no sump, one Aqua-Sweep powerhead (gonna change to two Seio 650 units though... the AquaSweeps are crappy!). It has about 30# LR, DSB of a mixture of GARF Grunge, fine aragonite & sugar-fine Tahitian Moon (black) sand. No backup power on the FOWLER (yet).

30g reef is a 30G Oceanic cube w/ 40# TBS LR; 3-3.5" mix of GARF grunge, TBS LS, and some fine aragonite. I designed and made a 20g sump to fit inside the stand... normal water volume is about 13g). AquaC Urchim Pro skimmer upgraded to Mag3 pump. Lighting is a Current USA 20" 150w 14k; MH w/ blue & white LEDs. I bought "el cheapo" diamond hold saws on the 'Net, drilled it myself... (2) 1" overflow bulkheads, (4) 1/2" returns to display tank w/ Loc-Lines and flares. Rio 2600+ return pump. Right now the 4 return nozzles get about equal constant flow, but I designed it to be readily modified to use a 4-way Oceans Motions Squirt unit when I can afford it (will need a larger return pump then too.) Sump has 200w heater and about 10# LR rubble and coarse crushed coral. Going to add another baffle into the sump,and load it w/ chaeto. This one has 1400VA APC UPS for the return pump only (this tank is right next to my desk, so the UPS is shared with my 'puter). On an interesting note... I was going to paint the back of the tank midnight blue to hide the plumbing behind the tank, but my wife suggested an different approach... we sprayed the back with blue & green glitter spray, let it dry, then brushed on a bright yet fairly dark blue custom mix paint... came out great... the background has a subtle twinkling effect w/ the HM lighting.

 

[liverock]

this helps!

this helps!

Thanks Ya'll for such nice feedback...reading this makes it all worthwhile....being a one man show, comments like this really help the old 'get on the boat and dive energy'!

Weather here, like most everywhere else is the pits....and will be for at least a week, then it takes a few days for the water to clear up enough to see..that is, if another front does not come banging us....but we have had a pretty good winter weather wise, and I have been able to dive, when usually winter weather prevents diving for months..


Sooooo I may zoom down to the Keys to see what is left of the rock site there after hurricane Wilma put the big hurts on it last year....

so if I disappear for a few days, you know where I am...

Margaritaville!

Richard TBS:rollface: :rollface: :rollface:

 

[figuerres]

Re: this helps!

Re: this helps!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9258501#post9258501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by liverock
Thanks Ya'll for such nice feedback...reading this makes it all worthwhile....being a one man show, comments like this really help the old 'get on the boat and dive energy'!

Weather here, like most everywhere else is the pits....and will be for at least a week, then it takes a few days for the water to clear up enough to see..that is, if another front does not come banging us....but we have had a pretty good winter weather wise, and I have been able to dive, when usually winter weather prevents diving for months..


Sooooo I may zoom down to the Keys to see what is left of the rock site there after hurricane Wilma put the big hurts on it last year....

so if I disappear for a few days, you know where I am...

Margaritaville!

Richard TBS:rollface: :rollface: :rollface:

Enjoy the fun stuff... and I hope you see some good stuff down there on the site

 

[wickedfood]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9257948#post9257948 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RussM
55g FOWLR is converted from FW; 55g Tall, 2x65w 50/50 PC, Rena Filstar2 canister filter (old habits are hard to break!), AquaC Remora Pro skimmer /w Mag3 pump & surface skimmer box, no sump, one Aqua-Sweep powerhead (gonna change to two Seio 650 units though... the AquaSweeps are crappy!). It has about 30# LR, DSB of a mixture of GARF Grunge, fine aragonite & sugar-fine Tahitian Moon (black) sand. No backup power on the FOWLER (yet).

30g reef is a 30G Oceanic cube w/ 40# TBS LR; 3-3.5" mix of GARF grunge, TBS LS, and some fine aragonite. I designed and made a 20g sump to fit inside the stand... normal water volume is about 13g). AquaC Urchim Pro skimmer upgraded to Mag3 pump. Lighting is a Current USA 20" 150w 14k; MH w/ blue & white LEDs. I bought "el cheapo" diamond hold saws on the 'Net, drilled it myself... (2) 1" overflow bulkheads, (4) 1/2" returns to display tank w/ Loc-Lines and flares. Rio 2600+ return pump. Right now the 4 return nozzles get about equal constant flow, but I designed it to be readily modified to use a 4-way Oceans Motions Squirt unit when I can afford it (will need a larger return pump then too.) Sump has 200w heater and about 10# LR rubble and coarse crushed coral. Going to add another baffle into the sump,and load it w/ chaeto. This one has 1400VA APC UPS for the return pump only (this tank is right next to my desk, so the UPS is shared with my 'puter). On an interesting note... I was going to paint the back of the tank midnight blue to hide the plumbing behind the tank, but my wife suggested an different approach... we sprayed the back with blue & green glitter spray, let it dry, then brushed on a bright yet fairly dark blue custom mix paint... came out great... the background has a subtle twinkling effect w/ the HM lighting.

thanks for the info, russ...