The Salt Water Experience So Far...

[Kiel'thalin]

After 2 months of a learning experience I think I finally got a tank put together. Consider from what I started with I am quite pleased at what I have done so far. The tank is a 46 Gallon Bowfront with 55lbs Live Rock (1/2 to include Fiji Totoka). I can say I didn't have a clue for about the 1st month then read some books and did a little research to help along my progress. I do have to say you can't take stuff said on here to heart, there are a lot of self proclaimed experts roaming around just waiting to throw your groove off. Luckily I have done the right research to get to the bottom of things and still have a stable tank with nothing that has seriously gone wrong. On with the pictures:

This is during the 1st week (can you see the in-experience?):

Followed by the more up to date look it has now:

My experience so far is to get as much knowledge as you can and make the judgement for yourself. Every setup is different and everyones taste is not the same. Also, do not rely on what someone just tells you, as you can see I started out with a pretty pathedic looking tank because of this, not to mention all the mistakes I made during this 2 month process. If I could go back I think I would a lot happier than I am now. I would like to thank you all for the help and take my short lived experience and learn from it.

 

[meco65]

The tank is looking great, Just remember we all had to begin somewhere and looks like you have done a great job so far.

 

[theatrus]

Looks nice! The Chromis even look happier

As you've discovered, always get many opinions from as many sources as you can and then decide for yourself. It is your tank after all

 

[MelloYellow]

I'm in the beginning stages still and know exactly how you feel...I'm just glad I didn't have the funds nor means to start a tank up yet (moving in a month and didnt wanna deal with that) If I had started it I would have run into lots of issues and caused myself a LOT of unnecissary grief! Granted, i'm sure i'm still going to make some mistakes once I start my tank but not nearly as many if I hadn't done hours and hours of research....tank is looking much better now! Good Luck with it and keep up the good work.

And I agree with you about the site, but it's still a good resource; just gotta take everything you read with a grain of salt and use what they say to formulate your own solution.....still can't beat good ole book learnin though

 

[D-Rod]

Just be careful, they HUNT in packs and try to put you down every chance they get.

 

[Kiel'thalin]

Oh yeah, this is probably one of the better resources next to a good reference book(s). But, watch out on some books, they are total crap. Thanks for the compliments. Trust me on the chromis, I tried to take them back only to have my wife argue with me, when they have names, they do not go back, at least not easily. Remember there is that other factor that you don't think about.

 

[techreef]

I tried to take them back only to have my wife argue with me, when they have names, they do not go back, at least not easily.

:lol:

 

[theatrus]

Reminds me of my two osc. clowns. The girlfriend named them when purchased based on their size (bigger = female), but it now turns out the male has the female name :-/ Oh well, they don't notice as long as the turkey baster full of formula one comes their way on a regular basis.

 

[antdog]

I dont wanna jack this thread, but theatrus?? On your avatar you have clowns that look like their hosting a xenia??? Do they really host in the xenia????? I was considering the same thing, I just got some xenia and saw somewhere that clowns sometimes host in them. Is this true or no?? If so, any ill affects to the xenia??

 

[sbgreen]

My osc clown hosts my xenia. it's very cool.

 

[jprince58]

Re: The Salt Water Experience So Far...

My experience so far is to get as much knowledge as you can and make the judgement for yourself. Every setup is different and everyones taste is not the same. Also, do not rely on what someone just tells you, as you can see I started out with a pretty pathedic looking tank because of this, not to mention all the mistakes I made during this 2 month process. If I could go back I think I would a lot happier than I am now. I would like to thank you all for the help and take my short lived experience and learn from it. [/B]

Ask ten people how to do something with your reef tank and you'll get ten different opinions (see my tag line...). My son and I recently set up a 72gal bow front. He's been researching reef keeping for two or three years and my experience is based on FO tanks about 30 years ago. We had a couple of stumbles, but feel exceptionally fortunate that we actually have reputable LFSs here in the Tulsa area. We have yet to be led astray by their advice. I can't say the same for some of the claptrap dished out here, though. Thankfully, there are plenty of folks here that step in and raise the BS flag when it starts getting too deep.

Good luck and keep researching...knowledge is power!!