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

[bamf25]

Ok, another newbe tanking the plung into saltwater fish. I have done fresh water many years ago, but due to frequent moving had not set up any kind of tank recently. Now I am in a house I plan to be in for years, and I am finally doing a study that just looks like it wants a tank.

I was just at my LFS (1st time there) and it seemed very clean, the staff was helpful, and it has a good variety of fish, corals, and supplies availible. I had originally intended to go with a FOWLR setup, but after talking for about 30 minute, I agreed that going with a reef ready setup would be best as many people eventually branch out into the corals, etc. He also made it clear that they would do their best to be familiar with my setup, as well as what i have it stocked with (kinda a running tab), so any future additions etc would be both healthy and compatable.

So my tentative plan..... A 90 g reef tank, with sump, protien skimmer, live rock, and a good lighting system. The pricetag (yeah there is always that) was what i expected. I did inquire on Craigslist about a few setups, one of which matches that description exactly. Wish me luck.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by bamf25

Ok, another newbe tanking the plung into saltwater fish. I have done fresh water many years ago, but due to frequent moving had not set up any kind of tank recently. Now I am in a house I plan to be in for years, and I am finally doing a study that just looks like it wants a tank.

I was just at my LFS (1st time there) and it seemed very clean, the staff was helpful, and it has a good variety of fish, corals, and supplies availible. I had originally intended to go with a FOWLR setup, but after talking for about 30 minute, I agreed that going with a reef ready setup would be best as many people eventually branch out into the corals, etc. He also made it clear that they would do their best to be familiar with my setup, as well as what i have it stocked with (kinda a running tab), so any future additions etc would be both healthy and compatable.

So my tentative plan..... A 90 g reef tank, with sump, protien skimmer, live rock, and a good lighting system. The pricetag (yeah there is always that) was what i expected. I did inquire on Craigslist about a few setups, one of which matches that description exactly. Wish me luck.

To Reef Central
If you haven't already be sure to read the sticky's to get a good idea of what you're getting into. Don't forget to take advantage of the other forums RC has to offer.

ohh, and good luck!

[Phastroh]

Hello

[bshock]

Hello all

My name is Brian and I'm new to the world of salt water tanks. I had some experience with freshwater tanks about 9 years ago and got bored with the lack of color from freshwater fish and sold everything. Well now im getting into saltwater aquariums and have no clue of what im doing. I bought a couple of books but they havent arrived yet. Other then some brief research on the net I'm kind of in the dark but learning everyday. I know there is a huge learing curve and I gonna take my time and do it right. I have a 135 gallon glass tank without the built in overflow (wife bought for xmas without knowing what kind of tank i needed and got a super non-refundable deal so im stuck with it) My first question of about a million is what is the best external overflow system out there that i should buy for size of tank i have (most efficent dependable and silent) and is there a sump system that goes best with this type of external overflow system? and as far as sumps go should i get one with a refugium? lastly, (for this post) i was told that i need at least a 30 gallon sump tank is this true or should i go bigger.
My plan is to get my tank up and running and then in 2 years (once i get smart on all this) start a reef tank. So thats all for now. Thanks in advance for any advice that anyone may post

[ReefWhoDat]

Hi. I'm Dominic, and I'm addicted to fish tanks. ("Hi Dominic")

I've had a small 29-gallon freshwater tank for YEARS, done various projects with it. Latest was a Diana Walstad-inspired "au naturale" tank, with no filtration or water changes, only a small powerhead and lots of plants. It was fun to make it work (and it's beautiful IMO), but it's running with minimal effort from me and now I'm bored.

So, I bought a 120-gallon pre-drilled tank and set up for a reef (my first saltwater). No reef yet, but I've got live rock and a couple small damsels, and going good so far. Needless to say, it's an adjustment going from a single powerhead and no filtration to the amount of technology necessary for a reef tank, but I'm adjusting better than my checkbook is

Hope to find lots of good advice here...

EDIT: I'm also a lifelong Saints fan, if anybody didn't already know

[hennas]

Hi i am Henning Solberg and i live in Norway. My tank are 720 liters with a 390 liter sump. here is a video of my tank.
http://www.youtube.com/user/henas71#p/a/u/0/LyvxHmDBgBE

[~JSG~]

welcome to reef central

[javisaman]

Hi all. I'm Javed; long time lurker, newbie to posting. I started reefing two years ago with a 20 gallon long nano mixed reef. Sadly, I had a major crash last summer and have been rebuilding since. However, I'm sure I'll be able to get it back up to shape using the valuable information from this community

[dallasg]

Hi,

I am from Johannesburg South Africa and been reefing since '92. I have been lurking here for months and reading how things are abroad which makes me jealous since we are so limited here by cost and choice.

I have 3 systems running/being built at the mo of which i will start threads on:
1. My 310L corner tank, mixed reef
2. My new custom made 75L SPS nano
3. My 2500L prop system

I would like to make some good reef friends abroad and bring some fresh knowledge back home.

[SAYD]

Hi All!

I have been in the saltwater hobby for the last 7 years I had to shut down my 200 gallon when I went to college, but I am in the process of setting it back up. I also have been running a 72 gallon reef.

S

[Hsimpson]

Hello people,
I'm Aren and I'm new to the hobby.I have read one book(complete idiots guide to saltwater aquariums)seemed fitting for me.I just got a LeeMar rimless tank 100g 48x24x20.I only have the tank and stand so far.I got them used(2 yo).I'll pick it up in 2 days.

[athick2]

My name is Aaron and I currently starting a 55 gallon FOWLR tank. I am 24 years old and I live in Robinson, IL. I have had aquariums for about 8 years, keeping mostly cichlids. My tank has been set up for about a month and half but it only contains a mixture of live and dead rocks (about 100 lbs). Once the dead rock has "cured" I intend to start out slowly to get the hang of it and potentially have some corals. My lateset project is trying to fix up some Odyssea lights someone gave me. There are two 20" units and both are 150W MH, 2x24W CF and 2 moonlights. They were missing one CF ballast and none of the cooling fans work (unless I dont know how to turn them on). I am also trying to make them look a little better because they seem to sit really high and because there are two units there are lots of brackets in the way. My wife does not like the way they look at all. Any suggesions would help.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by Phastroh

Hello

Hello, Be sure to read the sticky's, and let us know if you have any questions.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by bshock

Hello all

My name is Brian and I'm new to the world of salt water tanks. I had some experience with freshwater tanks about 9 years ago and got bored with the lack of color from freshwater fish and sold everything. Well now im getting into saltwater aquariums and have no clue of what im doing. I bought a couple of books but they havent arrived yet. Other then some brief research on the net I'm kind of in the dark but learning everyday. I know there is a huge learing curve and I gonna take my time and do it right. I have a 135 gallon glass tank without the built in overflow (wife bought for xmas without knowing what kind of tank i needed and got a super non-refundable deal so im stuck with it) My first question of about a million is what is the best external overflow system out there that i should buy for size of tank i have (most efficent dependable and silent) and is there a sump system that goes best with this type of external overflow system? and as far as sumps go should i get one with a refugium? lastly, (for this post) i was told that i need at least a 30 gallon sump tank is this true or should i go bigger.
My plan is to get my tank up and running and then in 2 years (once i get smart on all this) start a reef tank. So thats all for now. Thanks in advance for any advice that anyone may post

To Reef Central
be sure to read through these sticky's.

[jaschall]

Well after a year of coming to reefcentral its time to say Hi. My name is Jason and I have a 120 gallon reef that has been set up for a little over a year.

[tjsmk8]

I've been lurking here forever, so I figured it's about time for my first official post. I currently have a 12g NC thats been running for about a year, but I'm looking to go bigger very soon. I also had a 46 bowfront reef years ago so I'm not a complete newb, but I still learn something everyday thanks to these forums!

[dalebSFO]

Hi All - Just thought I would quickly introduce myself. I live in Oakland, California and am just about to re-enter the world of marine aquariums. I kept a tank 20 years ago (FO) for several years but have not been involved in the hobby since. Wow, a lot has changed in 20 years.

I've spent the last several months researching all the new developments in the hobby. Finally settled on building a reef setup in a 72 gallon bow-front glass tank with 2 AI Sol units on rails for lighting. I'm intending on using a fairly large protein skimmer in a sump and live rock for filtration. Once I've recovered from the sticker shock of all that I intend on adding a refugium to the mix.

The tank should be here in a week, so I expect I'll be trolling what appears to be extremely informative forums here on Reef Central. Looking forward to this new adventure!

[Swolek]

I've been lurking long enough, time to make an introduction post .

I'm new here but not new to the hobby. I've been keeping aquariums since I was a kid (and I'm still mostly a kid, I guess, haha, I'm a third year college student) along with various other pets. I kept freshwater tanks only until high school and my main focuses at the time were bettas (that's how I got addicted to fish tanks in the first place), newts, and planted "Walstad" style aquariums (I still have one of those). I had always thought marine aquariums were way too expensive and difficult but I really loved the colorful fish. It got to the point where I posted on a fish forum asking if there were any marine fish that could tolerate brackish conditions (since I did have brackish aquarium experience) and someone asked "Why not just set up a small marine aquarium? They're not as hard as everyone says". That person also linked me to LiveAquaria's website and, well, I was hooked.

I researched for a while, slowly saving up the money for the equipment I would need. At one point (late 2006/early 2007) I got impatient and converted one of my freshwater 10-gallon tanks into a marine FOWLR set-up to keep me occupied while I set up a larger tank. I was pretty meticulous with water changes (and terrified of killing my "fragile" marine fish...which was a clownfish, lol) and the tank did well. It's still set up today, although now it's a nanoreef (mainly mushrooms and feather dusters) with a firefish. I also have a 37-gallon mixed reef that's been set up for 3 years now (it was set up around New Year's since I recall getting the last thing I needed, a light fixture, for Christmas).

I have too many coral in the 37-gallon to list (probably too many, I really need a larger tank!) but my favorites are my gorgonians (I have a few species, all photosynthetic), my colony of Alveopora, and my huge fox coral. I started off with mostly softies but now focus more on LPS. My only SPS are Porites and Stylophora, I'm too nervous to try anything more sensitive since I have to keep a nutrient-rich set-up for the feather dusters, cocoworm, and gorgonians. I also have a feeling that my Alveopora only does well because of the extra food.

I have four fish in the 37-gallon: an ocellaris clownfish, a black sailfin molly, a Springer's damselfish, and a lawnmower blenny.

Non-coral invertebrates include two peppermint shrimp, a cleaner shrimp, three blue-leg hermit crabs, five nerite snails, a bumblebee snail, and horrible hitchhiker crabs (I had 30+ and am down to a few I can't catch--I'll have to post about it sometime).

This is getting way too long so I should probably stop rambling! It's nice to meet everyone .

[m758b033]

Hello all,

My name is Matt and I am a herpetology major at KU. I have kept FW for many years and just recently took the plunge into SW. As of now I have a 50 gal. tall with 10 lbs of LR and 20 lbs of base rock. I have one clownfish as of now and am looking to start adding fish in Feb. or so. As of now I don't have a protein skimmer, however, I have been looking at the Octopus line and am starting to narrow it down.

[ATinPGH]

I guess its time for me to post in here. I've lurked for several weeks searching the old posts and gaining as much knowledge as possible. I'm about to set up a 40 gallon breeder with a 20 gallon qt.

Thanks in advance for all of the expertise which this site can obviously share.

Aaron

[Digitata]

Hi, I'm Dan. I started with a 35 hex I received as a gift. Went straight for saltwater, very little about fresh seemed interesting to me. I quickly upgraded to a 55g and got clearance from the mrs to drill holes in our floor. In the basement I have a 20g refuge, 40g sump, chiller, return, uv and skimmer. In the display tank I have a mixed reef. In the refuge I keep a mantis.

[lanlesnee]

Hello,

My name is Louie. I've had a 150g reef tank for over a year and recently gotten a 90g reef tank.

I live in Indiana.

[Michelle S]

My son got me a a 28 gal nano cube for xmas. It arrived shattered. The replacement came and the lid hinges were broken. I am awaiting another shipment and hope I can finally get going. My son (now 24) has had a marine aquarium for years and I took care of his for a few weeks this summer and loved it.

[m00rishIdol]

Greetings ! I've been fiddlin' with Marine fish off and on since 1993. A lot has changed since then (thankfully). Just set up a 40g long with the intention of creating my first reef. Glad to have a resource such as this to find helpful advice. Rob

[timistim]

Originally Posted by Michelle S

My son got me a a 28 gal nano cube for xmas. It arrived shattered. The replacement came and the lid hinges were broken. I am awaiting another shipment and hope I can finally get going. My son (now 24) has had a marine aquarium for years and I took care of his for a few weeks this summer and loved it.

I know the feeling when you get broken stuff. Hope it turns out okay.