New guy here

josh_tn · 02/11/2009, 07:30 PM

Been reading for several weeks but finally registered a few days ago and thought I'd introduce myself here. I currently have a 55g FO tank but I'm about to start putting together my first reef. I have pretty much decided on a 180g but haven't bought anything yet. Still in the research phase as I want to learn as much as possible before getting started. Seems like a nice group of people here in the area. Anyway, thanks for all the good info that's on here to read and learn from.

commonstranger · 02/11/2009, 07:48 PM

Welcome Josh and if you have any questions or need suggestions just ask. There is alot of knowledge around here and I say use it to your advantage. I use to work the Tullahoma area some years ago hopefully I never wrote you a ticket. Laugh Anyway if I can ever help you let me know and I wish you the best on your reef.

fallinapart · 02/11/2009, 08:47 PM

Welcome Josh. Glad to hear you are getting ready for a reef tank, you will really get hooked now

But that is a good thing. and just ask anytime you want some advice, as there is plenty of knowledge here that can be shared.

crumbletop · 02/11/2009, 09:11 PM

To MTRC and Reef Central!

platax88 · 02/11/2009, 10:17 PM

Welcome Josh! Sounds like you are doing it right. Take your time, research and plan all the details. I am also in the process of upgrading to a 180gal tank. Here is the thread, if you care to follow along:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1558312

josh_tn · 02/11/2009, 11:40 PM

Thanks everyone. I'm sure I will have many questions along the way but right now I'm just trying to make some choices on equipment which leads me to my first question. I've asked around several sites for some quotes and so far oceaaquariums.com out of AL seems to look like the best price. Anyone have any experience with them? I got quoted for a 180g with starphire on 3 sides, dual overflows, black silicone, and euro-bracing for less than $1k. I just can't find much information about them and that has me a little skeptical.

NeveSSL · 02/12/2009, 12:08 AM

Welcome, Josh! I studied for about 6 months before I bought anything for my tank and I highly recommend others do the same.

There are a couple of people in the club who have had recent experience with Ocea and it seems to be really positive so far!

Brandon

Mikeyjer · 02/12/2009, 01:46 AM

Welcome to the group Josh, your not anyone I know right??? I see that your from Tullahoma and that's where I used to live..... The only Josh I know from have have Jet black hair the last I saw him for misfit Christmas..... By the way, watch out for that guy close by downtown, he'll rip you off....lol

waynesworld · 02/12/2009, 07:48 AM

Hay welcome to the club you are close to us in the boro if you want to come up and look at some of our tanks for Ideas I have a 180 and 240 set up different so you can get some Ideas. I would look at what you want with other equipment before you jump in and buy a new tank so you can get what you will want down the line. I also have a tank and stand I got from them at the frag swap that you could see.

josh_tn · 02/12/2009, 08:18 AM

NeveSSL - Thanks for that info about Ocea. Makes me feel a little better about them. I'd love to hear more if anyone else has had experience.

Mikeyjer - I don't think so. I'm originally from west TN and I've only been in Tullahoma for around 2 years.

waynesworld - That is a very generous offer. I actually go to the boro quite a bit and I would love to stop by and check out your setup sometime. I have several ideas in mind but I can only get so much information from pics online. Seeing things set up in person would really be beneficial.

commonstranger - LOL, I don't think I've had a ticket since I've been here(knock on wood).

Thanks for all the welcomes and the help.

Mikeyjer · 02/12/2009, 09:26 AM

Josh, the school zone starts early near Jackson....A friend of mine got a ticket there....lol I still go through Tullahoma every month or so. I go there to visit my best friend, she's a hairstylist in Manchester...

undertcontrolj · 02/12/2009, 10:36 AM

Welcome Josh!! There is a wealth of information in this club that is fairly readily available from the guys. So pick brains is would I would suggest. Like you i had several freshwater tanks before i mad the switch to salt. Best switch ever. I started small,with a nano, wishing i had went big in the beginning. So take it slow and research EVERYTHING. And again i saw welcome

josh_tn · 02/12/2009, 04:22 PM

Ok, so I think I'm about ready to order the aquarium. I'm probably going to have oceaaquariums build it. Just wanted to see if anyone had any feedback and/or input on the tank.
I am going to order a 180 gallon reef ready (72" x 24" x 24")
Starphire glass on the front and sides
Dual corner overflows
Black silicone
Eurobraced

I was thinking about 1.5" drain bulkheads and 1" return bulkheads. Does that sound about right? Do you specify exactly where the holes are drilled? If so, where should they be?
Are the overflows generally all the same size or is this something I need to specify as well?

I would appreciate any input. Sorry for so many questions but I thought I'd see if there was anything that some of you might have done differently or wish was different about yours that I might could avoid or change up front.

I don't have the whole thing planned out yet but I will be building the stand myself if that makes any difference.

Thanks for all your help.

02/11/2009, 07:30 PM	#1
josh_tn Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tullahoma, TN Posts: 231	New guy here Been reading for several weeks but finally registered a few days ago and thought I'd introduce myself here. I currently have a 55g FO tank but I'm about to start putting together my first reef. I have pretty much decided on a 180g but haven't bought anything yet. Still in the research phase as I want to learn as much as possible before getting started. Seems like a nice group of people here in the area. Anyway, thanks for all the good info that's on here to read and learn from.

02/11/2009, 07:48 PM	#2
commonstranger Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Franklin, TN Posts: 1,331	Welcome Josh and if you have any questions or need suggestions just ask. There is alot of knowledge around here and I say use it to your advantage. I use to work the Tullahoma area some years ago hopefully I never wrote you a ticket. Laugh Anyway if I can ever help you let me know and I wish you the best on your reef. __________________ My drug dog is smarter than your honor student. I'll keep my Guns,Money and Freedom. You can keep the "Change". Current Tank Info: 125 tank and 125 sump

02/11/2009, 08:47 PM	#3
fallinapart Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Murfreesboro, Tn Posts: 1,233	Welcome Josh. Glad to hear you are getting ready for a reef tank, you will really get hooked now But that is a good thing. and just ask anytime you want some advice, as there is plenty of knowledge here that can be shared. __________________ Norman A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey and a rod for the back of the fool! Current Tank Info: 90g Reef Tank;" Lights T5 4Ft - 8 Lamp 54 Watts; ATO; 40 Gallon Custom Sump w/ Refugium, ASM G3 Skimmer, Pacific Coast Chiller, Aqua Controller Jr; HammerHead Closed Loop Pump

02/11/2009, 09:11 PM	#4
crumbletop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 4,718	*To MTRC and Reef Central!* __________________ "Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr.

02/11/2009, 11:40 PM	#6
josh_tn Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tullahoma, TN Posts: 231	Thanks everyone. I'm sure I will have many questions along the way but right now I'm just trying to make some choices on equipment which leads me to my first question. I've asked around several sites for some quotes and so far oceaaquariums.com out of AL seems to look like the best price. Anyone have any experience with them? I got quoted for a 180g with starphire on 3 sides, dual overflows, black silicone, and euro-bracing for less than $1k. I just can't find much information about them and that has me a little skeptical. __________________ Current Tank info - 180 gallon mixed reef with custom ~90 gallon DIY acrylic sump, SRO XP Cone 3000 skimmer, 3 x 250W radiums on Icecap ballasts + 2 60" VHO URI super actinics, marco rock, Apex controller, 2 x MP40W Vortechs, Panworld 100 PX-X return pump. Currently running 1000mL WM ecobak pellets in Nextreef SMR1 reactor + GFO/carbon in BRS Dual reactor.

02/11/2009, 10:17 PM	#5
platax88 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,961	Welcome Josh! Sounds like you are doing it right. Take your time, research and plan all the details. I am also in the process of upgrading to a 180gal tank. Here is the thread, if you care to follow along: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1558312

02/12/2009, 12:08 AM	#7
NeveSSL Got tubes? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 6,759	Welcome, Josh! I studied for about 6 months before I bought anything for my tank and I highly recommend others do the same. There are a couple of people in the club who have had recent experience with Ocea and it seems to be really positive so far! Brandon __________________ I am proof that post count is not directly proportional to "reef IQ". Zip Ties = Reef Duck Tape Geek it till it MHz!!! Current Tank Info: 180g Build in Process

02/12/2009, 01:46 AM	#8
Mikeyjer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Antioch, TN Posts: 2,038	Welcome to the group Josh, your not anyone I know right??? I see that your from Tullahoma and that's where I used to live..... The only Josh I know from have have Jet black hair the last I saw him for misfit Christmas..... By the way, watch out for that guy close by downtown, he'll rip you off....lol __________________ Michael Current Tank Info: I have a 75g FW, 55g Reef, 90g RR bowfront Reef. Also shopping for a bigger tank for upgrades....

02/12/2009, 07:48 AM	#9
waynesworld Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 2,013	Hay welcome to the club you are close to us in the boro if you want to come up and look at some of our tanks for Ideas I have a 180 and 240 set up different so you can get some Ideas. I would look at what you want with other equipment before you jump in and buy a new tank so you can get what you will want down the line. I also have a tank and stand I got from them at the frag swap that you could see. __________________ The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

02/12/2009, 08:18 AM	#10
josh_tn Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tullahoma, TN Posts: 231	NeveSSL - Thanks for that info about Ocea. Makes me feel a little better about them. I'd love to hear more if anyone else has had experience. Mikeyjer - I don't think so. I'm originally from west TN and I've only been in Tullahoma for around 2 years. waynesworld - That is a very generous offer. I actually go to the boro quite a bit and I would love to stop by and check out your setup sometime. I have several ideas in mind but I can only get so much information from pics online. Seeing things set up in person would really be beneficial. commonstranger - LOL, I don't think I've had a ticket since I've been here(knock on wood). Thanks for all the welcomes and the help.

02/12/2009, 09:26 AM	#11
Mikeyjer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Antioch, TN Posts: 2,038	Josh, the school zone starts early near Jackson....A friend of mine got a ticket there....lol I still go through Tullahoma every month or so. I go there to visit my best friend, she's a hairstylist in Manchester... __________________ Michael Current Tank Info: I have a 75g FW, 55g Reef, 90g RR bowfront Reef. Also shopping for a bigger tank for upgrades....

02/12/2009, 10:36 AM	#12
undertcontrolj Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: hendersonville, tn Posts: 678	Welcome Josh!! There is a wealth of information in this club that is fairly readily available from the guys. So pick brains is would I would suggest. Like you i had several freshwater tanks before i mad the switch to salt. Best switch ever. I started small,with a nano, wishing i had went big in the beginning. So take it slow and research EVERYTHING. And again i saw welcome __________________ Justin Fairy tales don't tell children that dragons excist they already know that. Fairy tales tell children that dragons can be killed. Current Tank Info: 65 gallon , 20 gallon sump, 2*ushio 175watt MH mixed reef.

02/12/2009, 04:22 PM	#13
josh_tn Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tullahoma, TN Posts: 231	Ok, so I think I'm about ready to order the aquarium. I'm probably going to have oceaaquariums build it. Just wanted to see if anyone had any feedback and/or input on the tank. I am going to order a 180 gallon reef ready (72" x 24" x 24") Starphire glass on the front and sides Dual corner overflows Black silicone Eurobraced I was thinking about 1.5" drain bulkheads and 1" return bulkheads. Does that sound about right? Do you specify exactly where the holes are drilled? If so, where should they be? Are the overflows generally all the same size or is this something I need to specify as well? I would appreciate any input. Sorry for so many questions but I thought I'd see if there was anything that some of you might have done differently or wish was different about yours that I might could avoid or change up front. I don't have the whole thing planned out yet but I will be building the stand myself if that makes any difference. Thanks for all your help.