If You Are New to Reef Central, Introduce Yourself Here! - Page 5

Aquarist007 · 04/15/2009, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PRDubois
Welcome Kevin

Paul if you are going to welcome officially--do it right

its the word welcome inside these brackets [ ]

nanonubey · 04/16/2009, 09:21 AM

Thanks Capn I'll do that.

aborrero4u · 04/17/2009, 06:58 AM

Hey, my name is Alex and i am new to reef central.i came across this site after someone mentioned it to me on ratemyfishtank.com. im 23 years old and am getting back into fish tanks.i have a 72 gallon bow bront tank with a fluval 405, whisper 100 and an aqua clear 70 so far. as i i said im just getting back into it. the tank has yet to be established. i used to have a freshwater set up but my dad did alot of the maintenance, but i picked up on what he was doing and have a general knowledge of how to run a tank.after long and extensive contemplating, i have decided to do a fowlr tank, saltwater setup.i understand that it is alot of maintenance and time consuming, but it is well worth it. Have you ever seen a fishtank when your drunk, let alone sobe, its beautiful i tell you, forget about it.anyways ive never done a saltwater,but i have some questions and concerns that i would like to add, which i will post in the appropriate thread.if there is anyone who is willing to talk over email or the phone, please let me know.i have been reading for about a month now, and am a novice in a saltwater setup.any insight and insight will be greatly appreciated.i know this site has a lot to offer and there are alot more knowledgeable people then I am with respect to maintaining a saltwater tank.just wanted to introduce myself, there.This site rocks

jrg345 · 04/17/2009, 09:15 AM

Hi.

I used to have marine community tanks. I started with a 35 and found that way too hard to keep stable. I then set up a 125 which was far easier to care for. I had to move and the tanks could not move with me.

That was over 15 years ago. I am really interested in getting back into the hobby. Not only that, but I have always wanted to set up a reef tank. Yes, I know that is not for the faint of heart, but we all have our dreams.

Since I have been away for such a long time, I am out of touch with the state of the art. I asked at Tampa Bay Saltwater for some advise on setting up and was referred here. Seems like an active community. I will try to find the proper forum to post my equipment questions.

Hope to fine a friendly helpful community where I can get some information and eventually contribute back.

WaterKeeper · 04/17/2009, 09:31 AM

Hi Alex & JRG

To Reef Central

Alex,

I hate it when I'm drunk as I usually see the tank from the inside and scare the fish.

JRG,

Take a look at Look Here for Answers and [rk] to help get up to speed on modern methods.

jrg345 · 04/17/2009, 11:18 AM

Thanks WaterKeeper.

Adv4Justice · 04/17/2009, 12:55 PM

Hello Everyone,

Adv4Justice aka Christy here my DH and I are new to owning a reef tank ( 75g w/ refugium to be completed ) and never had a saltwater tank I had fresh as a kiddo. I do live in Jacksonville and grew up fishing saltwater, using shrimp and finger mullet as live bait along with fiddler crabs, sand fleas. I have Snorkeled the Keys and Caribbean. I know its like jumping in the deep end to learn how to swim but I'm smart, Patient and darnit people like me..LOL

WaterKeeper · 04/17/2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Adv4Justice
I'm smart, Patient and darnit people like me..LOL

You are smart to come to RC and patience is a must with reef tanks. We'll see about you last argument counselor.

Hi Christy

To Reef Central

v13tfolife · 04/17/2009, 10:10 PM

So should i add some live sand in there as well and mixes it up?, and is a 65 watt power compact light enough for soft corals and anemonie?thank you for helping me out. -KEvin

v13tfolife · 04/17/2009, 10:12 PM

Also wut is the most important thing u need to test for reef aquariums. i have nitrate, nitrite, anmonia, high range ph, calcium. what else do i need?, my nitrite nitrate anmonia are all 0, ph is 8.4.

Aquarist007 · 04/17/2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by v13tfolife
Also wut is the most important thing u need to test for reef aquariums. i have nitrate, nitrite, anmonia, high range ph, calcium. what else do i need?, my nitrite nitrate anmonia are all 0, ph is 8.4.

Here are some ranges for tests you should be making:
calcium 400 or more ppm
alkalinity 8-11 dKh
magnesium 1300 ppm
salinity 1.026

you should not consider an anemone for at least six months of tank operation. The light you have would be challenging for keeping an anemone happy. You would be alright for some low level lps and softies.

v13tfolife · 04/17/2009, 10:55 PM

thanks alot. but wut if i get 2 24inch or 36 inch t5 in there plus a power compact. will that be ok for anemonie and other corals>?. should i also add some live sand to my cruch coral to mix it up ?. thanks alot for giving me a lot of help

dreminon · 04/18/2009, 07:28 AM

Hello reef central My name is Tommy. been interested in doing a reef tank for a long time now. I have to fresh water tanks right now. doing my research on the equipment and stuff i am going to get for my first reef tank.

Michael · 04/18/2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dreminon
Hello reef central My name is Tommy. been interested in doing a reef tank for a long time now. I have to fresh water tanks right now. doing my research on the equipment and stuff i am going to get for my first reef tank.

hello-tommy, thanks for introducing yourself here, its great to see you, have a look at waterkeepers stickys under this thread here on the new to the hobby forum for a great starting point and any particular questions please just ask, some great guys regually browse this thread and your sure to get some help, welcome to the forum and to reef central

To Reef Central

WaterKeeper · 04/18/2009, 02:56 PM

Tommy can ou hear me? Can you hear me calling?

Use your FW tank experience but remember that a SW tank demand a different degree of husbandry. Stocking levels are far below what you are using in a FW tank and water quality is paramount. Take it slow and do that research before you start the tank.

v13tfolife · 04/18/2009, 10:46 PM

Please help, i have one slight problem, i brought a red sea alkalinity test kit. and it only measures 0-1.6 as low, 1.7-2.8 sd normal, and 2.9-3.6 as high it measures milli equaivalents per liter. mine is as high but capn_hylinur told me my alkilinty should be alkalinity 8-11 dKh, so i dont really get it. is this a wrong test kit.

Michael · 04/18/2009, 11:57 PM

the kit is fine, basically dkh is a scale or measurement we use, the kit you have still measures the hardness (kh) but in a different scale, you need to convert the reading to dkh so we understand the reading, however if you post up your result and what its in then we could confirm if the reading is satisfactory or high/low etc, not everyone uses dkh for measurements, your reading is probably in meq/l and a good result would be anything between 2.86 and 4.3, this is approx 8-12 dkh

v13tfolife · 04/19/2009, 01:19 AM

mine is around 3.0- 4.0, but thanxz alot.

Temptress · 04/19/2009, 06:57 PM

Hey folks! VERY new to reef keeping here.. like a week? I have a 14g oceanic biocube with 12lbs of live rock and 20lbs of live sand.. 3 tiny frags of coral.. I have kept LOTS of freshwater aquariums.. I have a 20xtra high set up and a 5gal set up right now.. a 75g is bought waiting for the DIY stand to be completed and a 55g empty in the garage.. likely to become a SW tank one day =) I hope to find lots of good information here.. certainly looking forward to running a successful reef tank

Also, looking for other reefers in the area.. Southern Minnesota

WaterKeeper · 04/19/2009, 06:59 PM

1meq/L = 2.8dKH= 50ppm

PolandSpring · 04/20/2009, 04:46 PM

hi, im Polandspring, i am new to the hobby.. just buying a 90gal tank MH 2x175w/VHO 2x110w, RR, i've had brackish, african ciclids, for 6 years now, in a 65gal and now upgrading to salt.. im excited to learn and start up a greeat tankkk

;D; D; D: D xD

WaterKeeper · 04/20/2009, 04:51 PM

Hi Poland

To Reef Central

Watch out for that Spring water. It is often just carbon filtered tap water. Insist on RO/DI.

Bluemermaidgirl · 04/20/2009, 06:46 PM

Hi Everyone

I'm a newbie to the aquarium setting, although I did have a freshwater fish when I was younger this is obviously a very different game. I bought a 50 gallon tank ( I bought around 2-3 months) I have bought the following items.

Magnum 350 Filter with Biowheel
Seaclone Protein Skimmer
Megaflow Sump
CPS Siphon Overflow system ( I didn't have a predrilled system)
Elite heater
T5 Lighting System

Today I have put in the salt water and tested out all the equipment everything works beautifully, except the filter which I will look at it carefully. I am planning to buy live rock later this week and then maybe a couple of days later the sand substrate.. after that HOPEFULLY some fishes!! I still also have to buy my test kit and thermometer. If anyone has some tips for me let me know.

Shweta
P.S. How much live rock should I buy?

WaterKeeper · 04/20/2009, 06:50 PM

Hi Shweta

To Reef Central

You'll need about 50lb of LR and someone to lecture you on the biowheel, and need I say it, Seaclone.

jamescnz · 04/21/2009, 04:20 AM

Hi all new to the forum and the hobby!

I'm actually an internet marketer and have been making a little money from selling tanks online. as I've been going along I've become fascinated with the hobby!

I really like the idea of starting a reef tank, and would love some info on how I should go about getting started, and what tank would be good to start with.

Regards

James

04/16/2009, 09:21 AM	#102
nanonubey Shogun Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Illinois, Montgomery Posts: 2,048	Thanks Capn I'll do that. __________________ 250 DD, Nanoseascreations custom sump and reactor with Seaslug bio pellets , (2) 400w MH Lumen max2 (20k Radium) and (2) 80w ATI aqua blue plus t-5's ,(2) Tunze 6105's w Tunze 7095, (2) Vortech mp40w es,ReefKeeper Elite, JBJ ATO, Reef octopus extreme 200, and Arctica 1/5 chiller. RR 20l frag tank, Nova Extreme light with ATI bulbs, (12) bulb d.i.y. reefledlights.com , (1)Vortech MP10es. " My girlfriend hates when I use the F word in any of it's various forms, fish, fish tank, fish store...." " Ninja fish trips weekly"

04/17/2009, 09:31 AM	#105
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Hi Alex & JRG *To Reef Central* Alex, I hate it when I'm drunk as I usually see the tank from the inside and scare the fish. JRG, Take a look at Look Here for Answers and [rk] to help get up to speed on modern methods. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

04/17/2009, 12:55 PM	#107
Adv4Justice Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Jacksonville,FL Posts: 13	Hello Everyone, Adv4Justice aka Christy here my DH and I are new to owning a reef tank ( 75g w/ refugium to be completed ) and never had a saltwater tank I had fresh as a kiddo. I do live in Jacksonville and grew up fishing saltwater, using shrimp and finger mullet as live bait along with fiddler crabs, sand fleas. I have Snorkeled the Keys and Caribbean. I know its like jumping in the deep end to learn how to swim but I'm smart, Patient and darnit people like me..LOL __________________ Christy Adv4Justice Reef ipsa loquitor. ---The reef speaks for itself Current Tank Info: 90g reef ready w/ SeaLife Sys Rfmstr Pro Refug & Ca2200 pump w/Skmmr, return pump Magum 9.5, Aqualite Pro 250w MH, Actinic, Moon integrated

04/17/2009, 10:10 PM	#109
v13tfolife Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 17	So should i add some live sand in there as well and mixes it up?, and is a 65 watt power compact light enough for soft corals and anemonie?thank you for helping me out. -KEvin __________________ kevin tran

04/17/2009, 10:12 PM	#110
v13tfolife Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 17	Also wut is the most important thing u need to test for reef aquariums. i have nitrate, nitrite, anmonia, high range ph, calcium. what else do i need?, my nitrite nitrate anmonia are all 0, ph is 8.4. __________________ kevin tran

04/17/2009, 06:58 AM	#103
aborrero4u Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: bronx, new york Posts: 7	Hey, my name is Alex and i am new to reef central.i came across this site after someone mentioned it to me on ratemyfishtank.com. im 23 years old and am getting back into fish tanks.i have a 72 gallon bow bront tank with a fluval 405, whisper 100 and an aqua clear 70 so far. as i i said im just getting back into it. the tank has yet to be established. i used to have a freshwater set up but my dad did alot of the maintenance, but i picked up on what he was doing and have a general knowledge of how to run a tank.after long and extensive contemplating, i have decided to do a fowlr tank, saltwater setup.i understand that it is alot of maintenance and time consuming, but it is well worth it. Have you ever seen a fishtank when your drunk, let alone sobe, its beautiful i tell you, forget about it.anyways ive never done a saltwater,but i have some questions and concerns that i would like to add, which i will post in the appropriate thread.if there is anyone who is willing to talk over email or the phone, please let me know.i have been reading for about a month now, and am a novice in a saltwater setup.any insight and insight will be greatly appreciated.i know this site has a lot to offer and there are alot more knowledgeable people then I am with respect to maintaining a saltwater tank.just wanted to introduce myself, there.This site rocks

04/17/2009, 09:15 AM	#104
jrg345 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 4	Hi. I used to have marine community tanks. I started with a 35 and found that way too hard to keep stable. I then set up a 125 which was far easier to care for. I had to move and the tanks could not move with me. That was over 15 years ago. I am really interested in getting back into the hobby. Not only that, but I have always wanted to set up a reef tank. Yes, I know that is not for the faint of heart, but we all have our dreams. Since I have been away for such a long time, I am out of touch with the state of the art. I asked at Tampa Bay Saltwater for some advise on setting up and was referred here. Seems like an active community. I will try to find the proper forum to post my equipment questions. Hope to fine a friendly helpful community where I can get some information and eventually contribute back.

04/17/2009, 11:18 AM	#106
jrg345 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 4	Thanks WaterKeeper.

04/17/2009, 10:55 PM	#112
v13tfolife Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 17	thanks alot. but wut if i get 2 24inch or 36 inch t5 in there plus a power compact. will that be ok for anemonie and other corals>?. should i also add some live sand to my cruch coral to mix it up ?. thanks alot for giving me a lot of help __________________ kevin tran

04/18/2009, 07:28 AM	#113
dreminon Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: tri state area Posts: 81	Hello reef central My name is Tommy. been interested in doing a reef tank for a long time now. I have to fresh water tanks right now. doing my research on the equipment and stuff i am going to get for my first reef tank.

04/18/2009, 02:56 PM	#115
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Tommy can ou hear me? Can you hear me calling? Use your FW tank experience but remember that a SW tank demand a different degree of husbandry. Stocking levels are far below what you are using in a FW tank and water quality is paramount. Take it slow and do that research before you start the tank. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

04/18/2009, 10:46 PM	#116
v13tfolife Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 17	Please help, i have one slight problem, i brought a red sea alkalinity test kit. and it only measures 0-1.6 as low, 1.7-2.8 sd normal, and 2.9-3.6 as high it measures milli equaivalents per liter. mine is as high but capn_hylinur told me my alkilinty should be alkalinity 8-11 dKh, so i dont really get it. is this a wrong test kit. __________________ kevin tran

04/18/2009, 11:57 PM	#117
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	the kit is fine, basically dkh is a scale or measurement we use, the kit you have still measures the hardness (kh) but in a different scale, you need to convert the reading to dkh so we understand the reading, however if you post up your result and what its in then we could confirm if the reading is satisfactory or high/low etc, not everyone uses dkh for measurements, your reading is probably in meq/l and a good result would be anything between 2.86 and 4.3, this is approx 8-12 dkh __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

04/19/2009, 01:19 AM	#118
v13tfolife Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 17	mine is around 3.0- 4.0, but thanxz alot. __________________ kevin tran

04/19/2009, 06:57 PM	#119
Temptress Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1	Hey folks! VERY new to reef keeping here.. like a week? I have a 14g oceanic biocube with 12lbs of live rock and 20lbs of live sand.. 3 tiny frags of coral.. I have kept LOTS of freshwater aquariums.. I have a 20xtra high set up and a 5gal set up right now.. a 75g is bought waiting for the DIY stand to be completed and a 55g empty in the garage.. likely to become a SW tank one day =) I hope to find lots of good information here.. certainly looking forward to running a successful reef tank Also, looking for other reefers in the area.. Southern Minnesota

04/19/2009, 06:59 PM	#120
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	1meq/L = 2.8dKH= 50ppm __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

04/20/2009, 04:46 PM	#121
PolandSpring Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York, Long Island Posts: 68	hi, im Polandspring, i am new to the hobby.. just buying a 90gal tank MH 2x175w/VHO 2x110w, RR, i've had brackish, african ciclids, for 6 years now, in a 65gal and now upgrading to salt.. im excited to learn and start up a greeat tankkk ;D; D; D: D xD

04/20/2009, 04:51 PM	#122
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Hi Poland *To Reef Central* Watch out for that Spring water. It is often just carbon filtered tap water. Insist on RO/DI. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

04/20/2009, 06:46 PM	#123
Bluemermaidgirl Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Naperville Posts: 31	Hello! Hi Everyone I'm a newbie to the aquarium setting, although I did have a freshwater fish when I was younger this is obviously a very different game. I bought a 50 gallon tank ( I bought around 2-3 months) I have bought the following items. Magnum 350 Filter with Biowheel Seaclone Protein Skimmer Megaflow Sump CPS Siphon Overflow system ( I didn't have a predrilled system) Elite heater T5 Lighting System Today I have put in the salt water and tested out all the equipment everything works beautifully, except the filter which I will look at it carefully. I am planning to buy live rock later this week and then maybe a couple of days later the sand substrate.. after that HOPEFULLY some fishes!! I still also have to buy my test kit and thermometer. If anyone has some tips for me let me know. Shweta P.S. How much live rock should I buy?

04/20/2009, 06:50 PM	#124
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Hi Shweta *To Reef Central* You'll need about 50lb of LR and someone to lecture you on the biowheel, and need I say it, Seaclone. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

04/21/2009, 04:20 AM	#125
jamescnz Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2	New to reefcentral Hi all new to the forum and the hobby! I'm actually an internet marketer and have been making a little money from selling tanks online. as I've been going along I've become fascinated with the hobby! I really like the idea of starting a reef tank, and would love some info on how I should go about getting started, and what tank would be good to start with. Regards James