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

[Photofish]

Hello everyone! My name is Bill and i am very new to this hobby and to this forum. So any help would be greatly appreciated. I am married with 5 children. Yes I did say 5. Taylor 12, Kate 9, Bailey 8, Connor 5, and Cole 3. It's never a dull moment. Also, I am married to an awesome woman, Jaclyn. We are both photographers who work out of our home so i have lots of time to make this work. I have a 55 gallon in wall tank that I am just getting started. I have my base sand, 2 Sicce powerheads(1-800gph and 2-1200gph), hang on the back filtration system(300 gph), and about 10 pounds of live rock. As you can imagine with 5 children I have to do a little at a time. I am very excited about this endeavor. I have tried saltwater before but with no success. Doing it "right" this time. Oh.... I have regular florescent lights right now but will be upgrading. Please any helpful tips and recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Bill

[nichollecaren]

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

To Reef Central

don't worry, we're patient and ready to give as advice as possible.

thanks!

[Jstadler]

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen

My name is John, from the Grand Rapids Michigan area, This is my first SW tank. I've had numerous FW systems in the past, but have always been intigued by SW. Always wanted one, but could never afford one.

Funny story when my wife was in labor with our newborn daughter we were in the hospital for a few days, I bought the TapFish app for my iPhone, and that was the start of the addiction.

I just fired my tank about a week and a half ago, and am currently cycling it (and getting excited to get some life in there-- but don't worry I'll take it slow). I've already seen a spike and drop off of ammonia, and my nitrites are rising now, so it looks like it's well on it's way. Anyways I'll be mostly trolling for now, but I'm sure I'll have some questions for you. Here are my setups specs

120 breeder (48x24x24) 100lb live rock-160lb live sand
50 gal sump/fuge 25lb live rock-75lb
Aquaticlife G12 HID,T5,LED combo fixture
24" PC 10,000k fuge lighting
ASM G1x skimmer
Pondsmaster Mag18 return pump
CPR overflow
2x Tunze 6025 nanostreams
ALOT OF HOPES AND DREAMS

If you see anything that looks off with my setup, please let me know

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by Caton

Hi. I am new here.

To Reef Central
Be sure to read through the sticky's.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by Photofish

Hello everyone! My name is Bill and i am very new to this hobby and to this forum. So any help would be greatly appreciated. I am married with 5 children. Yes I did say 5. Taylor 12, Kate 9, Bailey 8, Connor 5, and Cole 3. It's never a dull moment. Also, I am married to an awesome woman, Jaclyn. We are both photographers who work out of our home so i have lots of time to make this work. I have a 55 gallon in wall tank that I am just getting started. I have my base sand, 2 Sicce powerheads(1-800gph and 2-1200gph), hang on the back filtration system(300 gph), and about 10 pounds of live rock. As you can imagine with 5 children I have to do a little at a time. I am very excited about this endeavor. I have tried saltwater before but with no success. Doing it "right" this time. Oh.... I have regular florescent lights right now but will be upgrading. Please any helpful tips and recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Bill

To Reef Central

That's a plus that you're a photographer, once you get you tang going be sure to start a new thread, but also please take some great photos to go along with it.

And don't forget to read through this thread for great information.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by Jstadler

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen

My name is John, from the Grand Rapids Michigan area, This is my first SW tank. I've had numerous FW systems in the past, but have always been intigued by SW. Always wanted one, but could never afford one.

Funny story when my wife was in labor with our newborn daughter we were in the hospital for a few days, I bought the TapFish app for my iPhone, and that was the start of the addiction.

I just fired my tank about a week and a half ago, and am currently cycling it (and getting excited to get some life in there-- but don't worry I'll take it slow). I've already seen a spike and drop off of ammonia, and my nitrites are rising now, so it looks like it's well on it's way. Anyways I'll be mostly trolling for now, but I'm sure I'll have some questions for you. Here are my setups specs

120 breeder (48x24x24) 100lb live rock-160lb live sand
50 gal sump/fuge 25lb live rock-75lb
Aquaticlife G12 HID,T5,LED combo fixture
24" PC 10,000k fuge lighting
ASM G1x skimmer
Pondsmaster Mag18 return pump
CPR overflow
2x Tunze 6025 nanostreams
ALOT OF HOPES AND DREAMS

If you see anything that looks off with my setup, please let me know

To Reef Central
seems like you have a handle on things. be sure to start a thread documenting your build, I have that same skimmer and I would recommend modding it with a gate valve, you'll have better control of it that way.

[Chet.84]

hello reef central. been doing this for about 7mo now and i love it, my gf cant stand it says i spend to much time and money on the hobby lol. doing pretty well so far cant wait till all my little frags grow out into nice colorful colonies. got most of my stuff from pro corals (sonny and jim) for those of you that havent bought from them yet look them up procorals.com very generous sized frags at great prices. lucky i live localy to them get first pick on there stuff.

[Streaker00]

Hello everyone!

My name is Jim from Wolcott,CT, recently married. New to the SW scene. I currently have two African cichlid tanks but want to shut one down and start up a reef tank. Just don't know exactly where to begin....that's why I'm here.

We were looking at the red sea 250, but know if I should get something smaller or something off Craigslist. Maybe turn my 46g bowfront into a SW tank? Any and all help is appreciated!
Thanks!
Jim

[Jstadler]

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

To Reef Central
seems like you have a handle on things. be sure to start a thread documenting your build, I have that same skimmer and I would recommend modding it with a gate valve, you'll have better control of it that way.

Do you have a link to this mod, as I do have some issues keeping it adjusted properly.

Thanks in advance.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by Chet.84

hello reef central. been doing this for about 7mo now and i love it, my gf cant stand it says i spend to much time and money on the hobby lol. doing pretty well so far cant wait till all my little frags grow out into nice colorful colonies. got most of my stuff from pro corals (sonny and jim) for those of you that havent bought from them yet look them up procorals.com very generous sized frags at great prices. lucky i live localy to them get first pick on there stuff.

To Reef Central
glad to hear you have a local vendor to get your corals from. be sure to start a thread packed with pics of your tank.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by Streaker00

Hello everyone!

My name is Jim from Wolcott,CT, recently married. New to the SW scene. I currently have two African cichlid tanks but want to shut one down and start up a reef tank. Just don't know exactly where to begin....that's why I'm here.

We were looking at the red sea 250, but know if I should get something smaller or something off Craigslist. Maybe turn my 46g bowfront into a SW tank? Any and all help is appreciated!
Thanks!
Jim

To Reef Central

it's all about what you want. sounds like you have a couple good choices. using the 46 won't be bad idea, just make sure that if you want to have corals or inverts in the tank that you never dosed the tank with copper when it was full of fresh water.

the idea of a new tank to start off with, sounds like a good start to a new hobby, what ever you decide be sure to read through this thread to get a lot of your questions answered.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by Jstadler

Do you have a link to this mod, as I do have some issues keeping it adjusted properly.

Thanks in advance.

Here you go.... hope that helps

[Buffalo bill]

Hello all...I'm a newbie in the saltwater world, converted my 55 gal freshwater over to saltwater about 4 months ago and everything is going well (clean up crew and one clown with 50 lbs of live rock) currently running a HOB protein skimmer and a canister filter (which gets torn down and cleaned every two weeks) along with a 10 gallon water change.
I'm currently changing out my lighting from a 260 watt coralife PC sys to a Hamilton 2X 175 watt MH with 4X 65 Watt PC . I'm interested in corals and which ones would be good to start with and when I should introduce em. Thanxs.

[Cooksmack]

Good afternoon everyone,

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who adds so much to this site. It has helped a tremendous amount now and in the past. Hopefully I will be able to add something in the future.

[paulo cezario]

Hi my name is Paulo Cezario i'm from São Paulo Brasil.
I'm here for make great friendship
Please sorry my english is very bad i'm here for training english with you, i like fishkeeping and make very FRIENDS truth.

best regards

Paulo Cezario

Lord bless my friends, how the lord have blessing me.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by Buffalo bill

Hello all...I'm a newbie in the saltwater world, converted my 55 gal freshwater over to saltwater about 4 months ago and everything is going well (clean up crew and one clown with 50 lbs of live rock) currently running a HOB protein skimmer and a canister filter (which gets torn down and cleaned every two weeks) along with a 10 gallon water change.
I'm currently changing out my lighting from a 260 watt coralife PC sys to a Hamilton 2X 175 watt MH with 4X 65 Watt PC . I'm interested in corals and which ones would be good to start with and when I should introduce em. Thanxs.

To Reef Central

Instead of using those 4 pc's use T5's. they are going to yield better par for the corals.

As for what corals, my advice is to start off with something easy like frogspawn, trumpet coral or some other easy LPS. Once you get some experience then you can jump to harder ones. And in the mean time read up on what corals need to thrive in a tank.

Good Luck.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by Cooksmack

Good afternoon everyone,

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who adds so much to this site. It has helped a tremendous amount now and in the past. Hopefully I will be able to add something in the future.

To Reef Central

[SharkLVR09]

Well, I'm new to the forum. Not to aquariums though. I've only been doing the aquarium thing for about 4-5yrs. I'm 21 now so thats a little bit of my life so far. I live in Tampa FL. Anyway, I have 1 180G Shark tank with a Banded Cat shark and a Volitan Lionfish, Than I also have a 17G Custom built Reef tank. Its got a Blue Sapphire Damselfish and 1 Clown & 2 emerald Crabs. I have some frogspawn, Trumpet coral, and some zoanthids. thats about all. I will try and get some pics posted for ya. Its nice to be on here. My Name is Kyle By the way.

[bigdoug]

Doug here aka "BigDoug" new to the salt! 15yrs freshwater fish keeping/breeding, divorce took care of that, lol! Now remarried and moving on up to sw/reef, i have been reading and thanks to all, i have a lot to learn. My current project is a 125g long w/ built in overflows. I modified a tidepool 2 wet/dry, built a custom stand and canopy, lights are 12x39 t5 ho, 2 150w MH, 48lunar. protein skimmer, and dual 800gph return pumps. Water test later this week to see if i need both pumps. Great site!

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by SharkLVR09

Well, I'm new to the forum. Not to aquariums though. I've only been doing the aquarium thing for about 4-5yrs. I'm 21 now so thats a little bit of my life so far. I live in Tampa FL. Anyway, I have 1 180G Shark tank with a Banded Cat shark and a Volitan Lionfish, Than I also have a 17G Custom built Reef tank. Its got a Blue Sapphire Damselfish and 1 Clown & 2 emerald Crabs. I have some frogspawn, Trumpet coral, and some zoanthids. thats about all. I will try and get some pics posted for ya. Its nice to be on here. My Name is Kyle By the way.

To Reef Central
Kyle,
Be sure to start a thread and show off your tanks. be sure to take lots of pictures...

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by bigdoug

Doug here aka "BigDoug" new to the salt! 15yrs freshwater fish keeping/breeding, divorce took care of that, lol! Now remarried and moving on up to sw/reef, i have been reading and thanks to all, i have a lot to learn. My current project is a 125g long w/ built in overflows. I modified a tidepool 2 wet/dry, built a custom stand and canopy, lights are 12x39 t5 ho, 2 150w MH, 48lunar. protein skimmer, and dual 800gph return pumps. Water test later this week to see if i need both pumps. Great site!

To Reef Central
Bigdoug,
Now you should convert that wet/dry into a sump/refugium. wet/dry systems have no place in salt water systems. The only exception to that rule is if you're planning on just a fish only tank and not going to have a reef tank.

Let me explain: those bioballs trap detritus and eventually break down to become nitrates, with a reef tank your goal is to keep the nitrates down as low as you can, so instead of using bioballs for the biological filtration we use live rock in its place.

Fish don't care about the nitrate level and that's why I say if it's just a fish only tank; by all means use a wet/dry.

And once you get your tank up and running be sure to start a thread with your set-up. It sounds a lot like mine.

good luck.

[godspeed]

well im new to the aquarium work being shy of a month and i have a 55 gal freash water tank, im already wanting at least a 100 gal salt water tank now but i guess i better see how well i keep this tank up.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by godspeed

well im new to the aquarium work being shy of a month and i have a 55 gal freash water tank, im already wanting at least a 100 gal salt water tank now but i guess i better see how well i keep this tank up.

To Reef Central
the best thing to do is get rid of the freshwater mentality and start off right with a salt water. 55 is a perfect size to get you started.

[titomarley]

Hi ... my name is Tito and in my 60 gallon Saltwater tank I have 2 maroon clownfish and 3 anemone (pink tipped, long armed and some sort of purple condylactis). The levels are great in my tank, but I seem to be growing some sort of algea along the bottom of the tank (on the gravel) and also on my live rocks. Also on my live rocks, I started seeing like a clear'ish / white sticks growing one one corner. AND ... i also noticed that on all my rocks there are little pompom looking things (they look like micro feather dusters and instead of feathers they are long clear arm looking things). I just want to know if the things that I am seeing are ok... and if not ... what do I do?!? If pics are needed, let me know and I will try my best to capture what I am talking about....

Tito...

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by titomarley

Hi ... my name is Tito and in my 60 gallon Saltwater tank I have 2 maroon clownfish and 3 anemone (pink tipped, long armed and some sort of purple condylactis). The levels are great in my tank, but I seem to be growing some sort of algea along the bottom of the tank (on the gravel) and also on my live rocks. Also on my live rocks, I started seeing like a clear'ish / white sticks growing one one corner. AND ... i also noticed that on all my rocks there are little pompom looking things (they look like micro feather dusters and instead of feathers they are long clear arm looking things). I just want to know if the things that I am seeing are ok... and if not ... what do I do?!? If pics are needed, let me know and I will try my best to capture what I am talking about....

Tito...

To Reef Central

Sounds like you have some cool hitchhikers, it sounds like some can be good and others might be pest like aiptasia or majano anemone's. The best thing to do is to start a new thread with pictures that way we can identify it. In the meantime you can do a google search on those and see if they resemble what you have in your tank.