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

[Acid Rain]

Hello I am from Minnesota Have been in reefing 4 about 8 years i am 24years old . I currently have a 210 gal system all acrylic! Highly diverse sps reef ! I am still after this long completely addicted LOL! I have 2 kids a fiance and am an automotive mechanic/Reefer well thanks for reading and look forward to being on forum !

[arekusu725]

Hey from Richmond, VA!

Currently I have an empty 29 gallon which I plan on converting to saltwater. I've been lurking for a bit and decided to join. This site has lots of great info!

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by IShark

Hello everyone. I have just decided to start my first fish tank. I have a 95 gal. tank that i plan on making into a saltwater tank. Any tips/ ideas would help me greatly.

To Reef Central
You can start right here. it's jammed pack with great info.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by Pomac Sterling

Hello! My name is Sterling, I'm a 26 year old ex-Navy, full-time college student majoring in Marine Biology at Hawaii Pacific University on Oahu. I work part time as a Trop-diver and help run an ornamental fish wholesale business. Fairly new to serious aquarium-ing. My roommate left his 180 gallon empty tank at my house so I adopted it and made it into a fresh water tank. Then I bought a 55 gallon tank after catching a Dragon Eel and now Im going to be converting my 180 into salt. The dimensions on the tank are 96"x26"x18 with a 8"x7.5"26" overflow in each corner, roughly 180 gallons like I said before. Down below I have 48"x21"x12 sump, roughly 55 gallon. Currently my tank, for filtration, has the overflow into bio-ball waterfall then through a sock filter in the sump. When I switch to salt I'm going to install a Red Sea Berlin protein skimmer and a UV filter (although I haven't picked one out yet).

I've learned a lot about fish and their habits and habitat in the wild and now I'd like to learn about their lives in the home aquarium. I have a shopping list of fish I'd like to start out with based on diet and temperament but I'm not sure what the rules are for amount of fish I'll be able to house. Unfortunately, living in Hawaii, I will be only able to have fish and inverts because it is illegal to have coral in a home aquarium here. Lame, I know.

I've learned a lot from this site and it has definitely made me look forward to moving back to the mainland to start my own reef tank. Any advice and criticism is always appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post!

To Reef Central

a 180 is a great tank to start off with.
It must be nice to be there in Hawaii, I never knew that you couldn't keep coral there. It's hard to believe, have you checked the local clubs to see what they have?

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by Acid Rain

Hello I am from Minnesota Have been in reefing 4 about 8 years i am 24years old . I currently have a 210 gal system all acrylic! Highly diverse sps reef ! I am still after this long completely addicted LOL! I have 2 kids a fiance and am an automotive mechanic/Reefer well thanks for reading and look forward to being on forum !

To Reef Central

Be sure to start a thread with lots of pictures of you 210.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by arekusu725

Hey from Richmond, VA!

Currently I have an empty 29 gallon which I plan on converting to saltwater. I've been lurking for a bit and decided to join. This site has lots of great info!

To Reef Central
You'll be amazed on how much knowledge is passed out freely on this site. Good luck with your 29.

[Pomac Sterling]

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

It must be nice to be there in Hawaii, I never knew that you couldn't keep coral there. It's hard to believe, have you checked the local clubs to see what they have?

Yeah it is nice except the fact the aquarium industry here is stuck in the '70s of rock stacking to try and make it look cool. There are reef clubs here but mostly its about going out in the ocean, snorkeling and scuba.

[TRENT_G]

New guy From Redmond Oregon. Awesome site you guys have here.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by TRENT_G

New guy From Redmond Oregon. Awesome site you guys have here.

To Reef Central
Glad to have you with us.

[pap500]

Hello all, I'm new to RC, as well as the hobby. I have some good guidance and have recently started setting up a 30L reef tank. I have a question about lighting for SPS...I know they require more lighting. What is the general wattage per gallon rule of thumb for clams or SPS? I know MH is likely the preferred lighting. My tank is 36x18x12, and is currently running approx. 6.5 watts per gallon. What can I support with this? Any advice and input is greatly appreciated.

I look forward to contributing to the RC community and getting to know you.

-Priyal

[Crow2]

Hi RC! My name is Geoff and I have recently began my first marine aquarium (12.5g AquaEuroUSA) with the assistance of my LFS and the RC forums. So far I have been absolutely amazed with the abundance of info and spectacular tank pics posted by members (i.e. Treg's 240g??? Incredible!!). Thanks in advance for any advice/assistance, as I will surely need it!

[4GvnSnr]

Hello Everyone! My girlfriend introduced me to the wonderful world of aquariums and all they can contain. Very interested in learning about all aspects of owning and maintaining a tank. Seems to be a wonderful forum..time to get to reading.

[Mldukes]

Hello. My name is Matt. I am addicted to glass boxes filled with water.

Kept FW tanks for years but saltwater always seemed like more of a dream than a reality. Along with this site and others i quickly learned that keeping SW didnt necessarily mean throwing $500+ in the water at set up. So i embarked on my nano journey. Converted a Fluval Edge to SW to give it a try. Assuming all goes well i hope to convert my 46g or 55g to SW down the line.

Great site!

[smokefn]

Hey all just wanted to say HI! I am just joining this site to learn as much as possible. I am in the planning stages of everything trying to figure out exactly what i want. I have not ever had an aquarium, but i look forward to learning as much as possible so i can have my very fist one.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by pap500

Hello all, I'm new to RC, as well as the hobby. I have some good guidance and have recently started setting up a 30L reef tank. I have a question about lighting for SPS...I know they require more lighting. What is the general wattage per gallon rule of thumb for clams or SPS? I know MH is likely the preferred lighting. My tank is 36x18x12, and is currently running approx. 6.5 watts per gallon. What can I support with this? Any advice and input is greatly appreciated.

I look forward to contributing to the RC community and getting to know you.

-Priyal

To Reef Central
As for the watts per gallon rule of thumb. I'd toss it out the window. You're right about MH being the preferred however they create a lot of heat and use a lot of electricity. There are a few other alternatives to MH like T5's which offer great temp control and plenty of color variations. VHO bulbs are a good for SPS as also (as far as color) their super actinics are hard to match as for the last 2 you're limited to certain brands because of the 36" tank, and the new craze these days are the LED's.

For the size of your tank Any of those choices would be fine for SPS and/or clams.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by Crow2

Hi RC! My name is Geoff and I have recently began my first marine aquarium (12.5g AquaEuroUSA) with the assistance of my LFS and the RC forums. So far I have been absolutely amazed with the abundance of info and spectacular tank pics posted by members (i.e. Treg's 240g??? Incredible!!). Thanks in advance for any advice/assistance, as I will surely need it!

To Reef Central

Someday I hope to see pictures of your tank.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by 4GvnSnr

Hello Everyone! My girlfriend introduced me to the wonderful world of aquariums and all they can contain. Very interested in learning about all aspects of owning and maintaining a tank. Seems to be a wonderful forum..time to get to reading.

To Reef Central

Reading is a great way to start. When you're ready to start your tank be sure to take lots of pictures and document your progress here on RC.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by Mldukes

Hello. My name is Matt. I am addicted to glass boxes filled with water.

Kept FW tanks for years but saltwater always seemed like more of a dream than a reality. Along with this site and others i quickly learned that keeping SW didnt necessarily mean throwing $500+ in the water at set up. So i embarked on my nano journey. Converted a Fluval Edge to SW to give it a try. Assuming all goes well i hope to convert my 46g or 55g to SW down the line.

Great site!

To Reef Central
If you're as addicted to glass boxes as you say you are, you're going to have a full blown 200+ gallon reef tank within a years time.....

55 is going to be a jumping off point... trust me. Quit now!! while you still have a chance.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by smokefn

Hey all just wanted to say HI! I am just joining this site to learn as much as possible. I am in the planning stages of everything trying to figure out exactly what i want. I have not ever had an aquarium, but i look forward to learning as much as possible so i can have my very fist one.

To Reef Central
If you research and ask all the right questions, you won't end up spending money on things you don't need and equipment that is worthless. Word of advice: buy the right equipment the first time that way you're not upgrading down the road. Trust me... it'll save you in the long run.

[pap500]

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

To Reef Central
As for the watts per gallon rule of thumb. I'd toss it out the window. You're right about MH being the preferred however they create a lot of heat and use a lot of electricity. There are a few other alternatives to MH like T5's which offer great temp control and plenty of color variations. VHO bulbs are a good for SPS as also (as far as color) their super actinics are hard to match as for the last 2 you're limited to certain brands because of the 36" tank, and the new craze these days are the LED's.

For the size of your tank Any of those choices would be fine for SPS and/or clams.

Thanks so much for the response...it is encouraging to know that I can get good growth with a variety of options...thanks again!

[joemelo]

Hey Everyone.
I'm Joe from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Just across the border from Detroit MI. I've been watching this site for a few years now. I guess I was a little too lazy to register haah. I'm here now though.
A lot of brains on this site. Great for helping me learn 5 years ago when I started out. Thanks for having me Reef Central.

90g tank
35gallon sump
2 ati super blue plus, 1 icecap midwater 12000k, 1 giesmann pure actinic
deltec mrc skimmer
anything else you want to know just ask...

[RBoulier]

Hey
My name is Ray, I'm from Rolling Meadows, Illinois. I've been involved in the hobby for a couple months now but am finally in the process of getting my tank together now.

50 Gal Display
40 Gal Frag
40 Gal Sump
Lighting and Skimmer to be decided soon

[Steve Wright2]

welcome to Reef Central - everyone
its great to have you all here

Steve Wright2

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by joemelo

Hey Everyone.
I'm Joe from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Just across the border from Detroit MI. I've been watching this site for a few years now. I guess I was a little too lazy to register haah. I'm here now though.
A lot of brains on this site. Great for helping me learn 5 years ago when I started out. Thanks for having me Reef Central.

90g tank
35gallon sump
2 ati super blue plus, 1 icecap midwater 12000k, 1 giesmann pure actinic
deltec mrc skimmer
anything else you want to know just ask...

To Reef Central

Good to have you, be sure to get in there and share some experience with the new group of people wanted to participate in the hobby.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by RBoulier

Hey
My name is Ray, I'm from Rolling Meadows, Illinois. I've been involved in the hobby for a couple months now but am finally in the process of getting my tank together now.

50 Gal Display
40 Gal Frag
40 Gal Sump
Lighting and Skimmer to be decided soon

To Reef Central

Looks like you have a plan to jump in with both feet, good luck, make sure you check out the coral forums to get a good understanding of all that is coral. Sometimes they can be a bit tricky.