how do u no who is giving the best advice form shops. u go to one place and they say something, u go to onther place and they say something different. and books are the same. i have been told the following.... ph 8.3, salt 1.024, temperature 25c. lighting about 12h a day. is this right and what ellts do i need to have?
shop
- Thread starter mfishy
- Start date
BurntOutReefer
New member
IMO/IME.
1) : Decide what part of the Marine enviroment you want to emulate. If its reef, then which part?
2) Learn everything and anything about the life you want to keep.
Sources: WWW is full of them.
3) Then you can go about starting......
Just my opnion...but your photoperiod is kinda long....Fish Only?
1) : Decide what part of the Marine enviroment you want to emulate. If its reef, then which part?
2) Learn everything and anything about the life you want to keep.
Sources: WWW is full of them.
3) Then you can go about starting......
Just my opnion...but your photoperiod is kinda long....Fish Only?
For water parameters, this article might be useful:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
The reasoning behind the choices is given, plus links for further information.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
The reasoning behind the choices is given, plus links for further information.
divecj5
New member
As the others have said, do some reading, then read a little more, read some more and then it's a matter of judging for yourself what you feel will work the best in your situation.
I have found out so much more information just by reading and asking occasionally here on RC that I couldn't find anywhere else. Research as much as you can and ask questions on here and you will get a lot of great advice. Once you're on here for a while (there are some incredible experts on these forums) that once you go to a store and listen to what people tell you, you'll be amazed and what you've learned. Just the other day when I was in my LFS, I was told that my salinity was WAY TOO HIGH as 1.025. I was like, I guess I need to take this guys' suggestion with a grain of salt.
Like bertoni said above, there are some great articles in the Chemisty Forum as well as on Reefkeeping.com and AdvancedAquarist.com
ReefOn
Adam
I have found out so much more information just by reading and asking occasionally here on RC that I couldn't find anywhere else. Research as much as you can and ask questions on here and you will get a lot of great advice. Once you're on here for a while (there are some incredible experts on these forums) that once you go to a store and listen to what people tell you, you'll be amazed and what you've learned. Just the other day when I was in my LFS, I was told that my salinity was WAY TOO HIGH as 1.025. I was like, I guess I need to take this guys' suggestion with a grain of salt.
Like bertoni said above, there are some great articles in the Chemisty Forum as well as on Reefkeeping.com and AdvancedAquarist.com
ReefOn
Adam
Kind of beating a dead horse but I have to agree with well ^^^All the Above^^^
I had one LFS freak out when I told him my calcium levels were at 420ppm when the ocean is around 380-400. Another store freaked when I had my salinity at 1.026. One of the same stores swore that I couldn't have 2x250 halides in a canopy without a chiller. Well everything is the same as when I started and everything is going GREAT. The LFS are no better than here on RC. Ask 10 people and get 11 answers. You just have to make an edjumacated decision on others experiences and see what works for you. Cheers
I had one LFS freak out when I told him my calcium levels were at 420ppm when the ocean is around 380-400. Another store freaked when I had my salinity at 1.026. One of the same stores swore that I couldn't have 2x250 halides in a canopy without a chiller. Well everything is the same as when I started and everything is going GREAT. The LFS are no better than here on RC. Ask 10 people and get 11 answers. You just have to make an edjumacated decision on others experiences and see what works for you. Cheers
Meisen
Premium Member
Yeah its tough to pick out good LFS folks....they do exist but often they arent the ones running up to you to sell you some line or another. I have worked in a couple stores and its probably a fairly low # of folks who actually have a clue.
Try finding someone who will say "I dont know" occasionally (not all the time...he/she is just a plain idiot then) as it suggests someone who knows enough to know what they dont know too.
I also judge an employee on what they suggest for basic reef husbandry. If they immediately start off with you have to do this, you cant do that, look elsewhere. Experienced folks know that there are many ways to get the job done. On the other hand, ditch them if they are way off on the basics ie salinity, temperature, lights, water flow or calc/alk/mag/pH.
Be wary of store owners and commissioned salespeople....many of them are great folks and very honest however many are also out to make money and little more. The money-grubbers will do anything to move inventory. You will recognize them immediately as all they do is push push push. If you look like you arent going to buy, they desert you in a second. Good owners should be able to make their money while creating lifetime and well-informed customers and they typically show a genuine interest in the hobby itself.
Try finding someone who will say "I dont know" occasionally (not all the time...he/she is just a plain idiot then) as it suggests someone who knows enough to know what they dont know too.
I also judge an employee on what they suggest for basic reef husbandry. If they immediately start off with you have to do this, you cant do that, look elsewhere. Experienced folks know that there are many ways to get the job done. On the other hand, ditch them if they are way off on the basics ie salinity, temperature, lights, water flow or calc/alk/mag/pH.
Be wary of store owners and commissioned salespeople....many of them are great folks and very honest however many are also out to make money and little more. The money-grubbers will do anything to move inventory. You will recognize them immediately as all they do is push push push. If you look like you arent going to buy, they desert you in a second. Good owners should be able to make their money while creating lifetime and well-informed customers and they typically show a genuine interest in the hobby itself.
