After reading all the postings and stories from other newbies I am compelled to contribute.
I have wanted a SW setup for over 2 years and never got the ok from the homefront (my track record for maintaining things is spotty!). I finally set up a 54 corner tank in my office - I found the tank on craigslist drilled w/ bioballs, a real good deal. I had been surfing and stumbled onto TBS and ordered 'the package'. In worry of sounding unbelievable I will only say (as I told Richard) this is truly a bargain and a person can get something for nothing.
Part 1 arrived on the particular flight I had requested, TBS takes customer satisfaction seriously, the flight was on time and the boxes leaked. I picked 'em up, raced to the office, followed the instructions (exactly) and worried that I had spent alot of money on what looked like a boat's propwash at low tide!
fast-forward to 10 days, ammonia at 0 (got all the way up to .6), new light, everything growing and looking great - how can part 2 improve on this?
Part 2 arrived exactly 9 days after Pt.1 and was outstanding. I do not know all the names of the particular animals Richard sent in addition to the 'stuff' I paid for but it seemed it would never end - anemonies, sponges, lawnmower blennie and more. I must have acclimated over 20 bags that night - very exciting and tiring. I am a marathon runner and triathlon'er I was wiped out after setting all this up! Whew. No ammonia run up, within another 10 days I introduced another coral, 2 clowns, a sweetlips (I know it gets big - keep reading!) and a yellow & black looking fish - I also have a damsel but it is afraid of its shadow.
The family came up to 'check out Daddy's fish tank' and I immediately got the ok for a 75 at home - so Richard if you are reading, you'll certainly hear from me in may/june 08.
This segment of the story wraps up with now I have about 15 minutes of maintenance a day (anything more is not necessary but relaxing) and while my partners have their TV's and watch news or reruns I have a small piece of the caribbean - I almost want to jump in!.
This was all made successful and simple because of the components - thanks TBS!
I will send pics when I figure it out
I have wanted a SW setup for over 2 years and never got the ok from the homefront (my track record for maintaining things is spotty!). I finally set up a 54 corner tank in my office - I found the tank on craigslist drilled w/ bioballs, a real good deal. I had been surfing and stumbled onto TBS and ordered 'the package'. In worry of sounding unbelievable I will only say (as I told Richard) this is truly a bargain and a person can get something for nothing.
Part 1 arrived on the particular flight I had requested, TBS takes customer satisfaction seriously, the flight was on time and the boxes leaked. I picked 'em up, raced to the office, followed the instructions (exactly) and worried that I had spent alot of money on what looked like a boat's propwash at low tide!
fast-forward to 10 days, ammonia at 0 (got all the way up to .6), new light, everything growing and looking great - how can part 2 improve on this?
Part 2 arrived exactly 9 days after Pt.1 and was outstanding. I do not know all the names of the particular animals Richard sent in addition to the 'stuff' I paid for but it seemed it would never end - anemonies, sponges, lawnmower blennie and more. I must have acclimated over 20 bags that night - very exciting and tiring. I am a marathon runner and triathlon'er I was wiped out after setting all this up! Whew. No ammonia run up, within another 10 days I introduced another coral, 2 clowns, a sweetlips (I know it gets big - keep reading!) and a yellow & black looking fish - I also have a damsel but it is afraid of its shadow.
The family came up to 'check out Daddy's fish tank' and I immediately got the ok for a 75 at home - so Richard if you are reading, you'll certainly hear from me in may/june 08.
This segment of the story wraps up with now I have about 15 minutes of maintenance a day (anything more is not necessary but relaxing) and while my partners have their TV's and watch news or reruns I have a small piece of the caribbean - I almost want to jump in!.
This was all made successful and simple because of the components - thanks TBS!
I will send pics when I figure it out
