If You Are New to Reef Central, Introduce Yourself Here!

[Phars]

Hey everyone! New member here, just got my first saltwater setup. Purchased a 50 gal cube that replaced my 55g planted tank. I've been keeping fish for about 10 years now but it was always a freshwater tank. Friend of mine finally convinced me to make the jump so I'm here.

I just got the tank and stand today along with sump, plumbing, light, skimmer etc... so I'm still a ways off on getting it fully setup. I've been looking online at different ways to hard plumb it all so I can setup a reverse durso and have things mounted in place where they will stay while being able to take it apart for easier cleaning. I live on the US west coast near Sacramento so I'm going to be posting in the MARS section some as well. I've read a lot here already and I'm looking forward to picking some brains on the best way to do this from the start!

[Clowning_Around]

Originally Posted by Harley_Lvr

Hello all. My wife and I are extremely new to aquariums and we just started our first saltwater tank today. It's a 55 gallon and We originally wanted a fish only tank. We currently have decorations and fake plants in there right now. But as we research more and more we are thinking live rock and coral. Hope to learn a lot here.



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Hi there and welcome. One quick comment regarding your posts, specifically decor and plants. There are many items out there that are safe for aquariums but not necessarily safe for saltwalter and to take it a step further for marine fish. For example you wouldnt want a plastic fake plant in a tank with an aggressive marine fish, they will likely think its coral and eat at it. Needless to say plastic doesn't digest and you could loose some expensive livestock this way. Granted I don't know what you have, I just wanted too extend some caution - be sure to check before dropping your hard earned cash. Gluck

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[JVilllavicencio]

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[OSanchez20]

Hi, I'm a student and I'm designing a Reef Tank for my school. I'm asking if a calcium reactor is necessary for a Biocube 32 LED tank

[yromero]

Which filteration method is better for a tank; the bio-balls or a skimmer?which is more effective?

[mendel]

bs"d

hey what up!!
im not relay new to the forum but....

i'v been in the hobby officialy since i was 13 - 7 years ago but i was very naive and bought cheap stuff..... and then i went off to boarding school letting my folks "care" for the tank, and ya know how that goes, spent hundreds on equipment and much more then that on live stock that always died.

so now im 20, make (some) money of my own and want to do it right!

i have a 55 gl tank

so i bought a reefoctopus classic 90 skimmer (as of now i dont have a sump) i still have my ebay (sunsun) canister filter (rated for 150 gl), i bought the ebay dimmable lights (though i cant figure out how to dim them), as of now i have about 70 lb of live rock that i bought from a lfs about 5 years ago and i just took out 40 lb crushed coral that i think was just adding the the problem!

WHAT I WANT TO DO!....
is to make it a fully captive bred tank, with captive bred clown fish (maybe a few types), cardnals, and what ever else i can find captive bred, and by the time i'm redy i hope that captive bred tangs will be available! even though this might be the expensive route, i think it will pay off in the long run - and i feel better about leaving our ocians alone, that doesn't mean im closed to other routes, this is just what i'v been thinking!


so i want to hear your opinions - what do i need? what should i change? should put in a sand bed or leave it bare?

my rock is very dense, im thinking of just keeping the big pieces (for the base of the aquascape and to keep the bacteria in the tank) and to get the rest brs saver rock.

what do you think??

please post as i have limited time to get this system running before i start school!

[JVilllavicencio]

I have a question on what type of salts do we use for our new tank and how do we mix it? our teacher had just started to try to set up the tank and we are trying to find out what salt we need to use and how we mix it? If anyone does know what to do can you please respond?

[jphayes921]

Hello all. I have spent many years in Freshwater growing up and wanted to start a salt water tank. I recently got a free 55 gallon and a 29 gallon for a sump. The 55 gal is an older tank so water tested (check) and a polarization test (check) and I have been able to drill the tank for an overflow.

I am have been on here for a few months just getting info and ordering some goodies. Still a ways off, but I have started my build which I will share in a build thread for enjoyment.

[boxerdoglover]

Glad to be a part of this group! I am new to the hobby. Just started two months ago. 65 gallon tank with 70lbs live rock, live sand, etc. Just now adding a few more fishies after my "cycle" in the tank completed. (started with three green chromis to start my cycle and they are still going strong)! I am looking forward to learning a LOT here from all of you. Boy- this saltwater tank thing is addictive, isn't it?! I am hooked! Thanks again for letting me be part of this great group!

Jen

[Robjrussell]

Robert here.

Just getting back into the hobby after being out for 12 years or so. About to start at 30ish gallon build to do with my 3 year old.

Chicago born and bread. Cubs. Bears. Bulls. Hawks. Portillos. Giordanos.


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[MarauderMike]

Hi

Starting a new tank. Will be reading a lot here in the future. Thanks in advance for all of the knowledge!

[Clowning_Around]

Originally Posted by mendel

bs"d

hey what up!!
im not relay new to the forum but....

i'v been in the hobby officialy since i was 13 - 7 years ago but i was very naive and bought cheap stuff..... and then i went off to boarding school letting my folks "care" for the tank, and ya know how that goes, spent hundreds on equipment and much more then that on live stock that always died.

so now im 20, make (some) money of my own and want to do it right!

i have a 55 gl tank

so i bought a reefoctopus classic 90 skimmer (as of now i dont have a sump) i still have my ebay (sunsun) canister filter (rated for 150 gl), i bought the ebay dimmable lights (though i cant figure out how to dim them), as of now i have about 70 lb of live rock that i bought from a lfs about 5 years ago and i just took out 40 lb crushed coral that i think was just adding the the problem!

WHAT I WANT TO DO!....
is to make it a fully captive bred tank, with captive bred clown fish (maybe a few types), cardnals, and what ever else i can find captive bred, and by the time i'm redy i hope that captive bred tangs will be available! even though this might be the expensive route, i think it will pay off in the long run - and i feel better about leaving our ocians alone, that doesn't mean im closed to other routes, this is just what i'v been thinking!


so i want to hear your opinions - what do i need? what should i change? should put in a sand bed or leave it bare?

my rock is very dense, im thinking of just keeping the big pieces (for the base of the aquascape and to keep the bacteria in the tank) and to get the rest brs saver rock.

what do you think??

please post as i have limited time to get this system running before i start school!

If you are concerned about the space the rock takes up but still want the benefits of it as a home for bacteria you can just do a larger sump and put rock down there. But if your going to do that / another option would be too use ceramic media it takes up much less space, one small plank would handle your entire 55g n say a 20g sump. Speaking of which you can make fairly easily and somewhat inexpensively with a 20g tank, a good pump may run you a few bucks but I wouldnt skip on this - danner mag drives are a good bang for the buck. Gluck.

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[Clowning_Around]

Originally Posted by JVilllavicencio

I have a question on what type of salts do we use for our new tank and how do we mix it? our teacher had just started to try to set up the tank and we are trying to find out what salt we need to use and how we mix it? If anyone does know what to do can you please respond?

Vendors sell our salts readily. Most have consistent properties but I would try not to mix brands if you can help it. You will likely notice two common types depending on branding a marine and a reef type. Selection between the two comes down to what livestock you intend to keep. If you intend on some coral then go with the reef salt. If you are doing fish only, then you can use either but you may find the marine is a little cheaper.

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[Mythlium]

New to the aquarium life. We got one at work, then I discovered aquascaping and wanted to give it a shot. Did a small freshwater aquascape and had fun doing it. Discovered used stuff for sale, then ended up haveing 4 nano... Then I found a small 18G tank and stand for $20 and started a saltwater setup. Been pretty thrifty with everything and have heaps of stuff that I got for extremely cheap. About to only cut down to 2 freshwater tanks, then my small saltwater tank. If I end up getting approved for my extension where I am living now I plan on setting up my 50G tank for saltwater and doing a DYI sump or refugium for it once I learn some more. Still figuring out how everything works. I do water changes weekly, the ocean is across the street so I just get water from there and sometimes I buy live water from a local place. I'll post pictures some time Mostly here to just learn about DIY stuff because I want to build cool things and its alot of fun! I lost a bunch of fish the on my first tank from ICK, its pretty common where I live. Haven't had an issue since the one instance. Lost my mandarin to my anemone; I think it ate my shrimp to as he's been missing too

[DynamicDad]

Hello, I'm Mat. I am very new to this hobby and have a 275 gallon main display mixed reef tank. Hoping this forum can add To my understanding of how to properly care for it and it's residents.


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[Clowning_Around]

Originally Posted by DynamicDad

Hello, I'm Mat. I am very new to this hobby and have a 275 gallon main display mixed reef tank. Hoping this forum can add To my understanding of how to properly care for it and it's residents.


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Wow thats a nice size start, I gotta say Im a bit jealous. At any rate welcome to the forum.

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[DynamicDad]

Had I realized in the beginning that it would be
(1) as expensive as it has been (2) very large learning curve, I might have started with something far smaller. I have enjoyed it and really looking forward to being better at it.


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[andrew_m0903]

if someone would kindly be my tour guide on this website that would be greatly appreciated. I just joined and was wondering how everything works here. also I am new to the hobby. I've been in it for a little over a year now

[vickim]

Hi Everybody. I am not new to keeping saltwater reef tank but I am new to RC. I took about a 3 year break from the hobby to care for my ill mother.

I used to have a 265 gallon reef but in the time I was caring for my mom my husband and I slowly switched over the reef tank to a cichlid tank. Which is now considered his tank. I am getting the ich again and just setting up a fowl tank. Its a 55 gallon. ( I know my husband already told me he gives me less than a year and I will be upgrading lol )

I had my reef tank for almost 15 years before I had to let it go. I am currently reading post and seeing how much the hobby has changed in 3 years.

Again, Hello to all and I will probably be seeing you around.

[Corey212J]

Hi all!

So I am new to the marine tank hobby, I have kept fresh water tropical for many years, and still have a very successful planted aquarium.
I have always wanted a marine tank, so have decided to take the plunge, and have done many months of reading before picking up a tank and just finishing up the cycling!

Corey
UK

[LRomero]

Hello everyone.

New member from New Iberia, LA (South of Lafayette, LA). A whole 2 days in Saltwater aquaria, but about 9 years in Freshwater/Freshwater Planted. Hoping to learn a lot and honestly, wish I would have made the jump to Saltwater sooner.

Anyone else on here from South LA?

[Cajunreefer92]

Hey y'all! The name is Josh! I just recently started in the Reefing hobby in about August of 16. Started out with my GFs 75 that was shutdown for a year! Running a 75 gal with overflow into my 30 gal sump, reef octopus skimmer and vortex power heads. Didn't realize how addictive this hobby is! I'm currently a novice but I'm absorbing every ounce of knowledge I can get! It's been about a year now and I'm finally moving up! Buying my new 125 gal tank Saturday

[Ramiro.OK]

Hi, Ramiro here.

I will be setting up my first salt water tank soon and am excited to be part of this community!

[Zephyre3]

This hobby has been on my bucket list. I'm almost ready to scratch it off! I am a true beginner. I just received my first 28 gal reef aquarium. Added medium aragonite sand and was instructed to also add crushed coral at the aquarium store. I eventually want blemmies and shrimp. Should I hold off on the crushed coral? Also, I am going to get my live rock. This is an EMPTY tank right now. Should I start out with uncured or cured rock?

[Knightowl43]

Hey everyone I'm new to this forum and am still trying to figure out how to post and start a new thread or topic any help would be awesome ....thnx ...