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

[Dave Thebrewguy]

I've been reading for a few months now and even registered a while ago, so I guess it's about time I got around to introducing myself. I'm Dave, and I'm one of those "in and out of the hobby over the past XX years" types. In my case XX= almost 25, I started with a 20H FW tank in the late 80's and by 1990 I had a dedicated "fish room" with 12-15 tanks at any given time (including several FW, brackish, Rift lake and a couple SW). The focal point at the time was a 55 gal reef (or, what passed for a reef in 1990).
When I moved to a new home in '94 I kept only the 20h FW tank and the 55 gal, The wet-dry was a casualty during the move so the tank was set up as FOWLR this time.
I got married and moved again 5 years later and the tanks ended up in storage until I took my son to see "Nemo." Within a few weeks, the 55 is a FOWLR again with a couple of clowns, a few damsels and a few snails and hermits.
Fast Forward a few years and the last fish has gone MIA, tank is still running just to keep the LR alive. I've changed bulbs every now and then (VHO gave way to PC during the Nemo days) and done the occasional water change, but I haven't come close to keeping up with it the way I should.
A couple months ago it dawned on me that "I bet I could get that tank back to it's former glory with a bit of work and maybe $200-300 in replacement parts and upgrades. It was time for new bulbs so I decided to start over with T5s, I started searching ebay and craigslist for lighting, sump and a stand (the old one doesn't look so strong after we had a few inches of water during Hurricane Irene). One thing leads to another and now I'm building a 90 gal to replace the 55 (and have more than doubled the original budget).

[8performance]

Hello all,

New to RC for the 2nd time. Was a new member about 8yrs ago as I was starting with 100g reef tank. Just as I had begun to introduce organisms to my tank, we had a house fire, (was not aquarium related ) This is first time I have visited RC since then.

Looking at starting another tank, mainly because my kids have been asking for one.


At this point I have nothing aquarium wise. I have begun looking at a 50 to 90gal setup and plan on going from there. I hope to plan for several months and maybe be ready to start our new tank around Christmas.

Good to be back!

[WWingfield]

I have wanted a reef tank for years and last weekend finally took the plung.

I have a 38g tank. Live rock, sand and salt water are working their magic

There is so much to learn and so many wonderful things to chose from. It is overwhelming and exciting all at the same time.

Thank you for creating this wonderful resource where I am sure to be spending many hours in the future.

Wendy

[reefbrock]

I am new this site and am starting my first reef tank. I had a 40g fresh tank and have been dying to get back into the hobby. I recently purchased a 100g reef from a local guy getting out of the hobby. I have started the tank and am currently cycling the tank. I will try to get some pics up soon.

[deebs]

Hey guys, Ive been lurking around here for quite some time checking out peoples builds and researching fish/equipment stuff. I thought it was about time to introduce myself.So here i am =) Ive been in this labor of love hobby for a little over a year now. My first and current tank is a 24 gallon AP mixed reef. I'm already getting ready to upgrade to a 40b in the next couple months, which I'm very looking forward to. To everyone here likes pictures/videos here's a short video I made the other day on my phone of my tank. Hope your enjoy, I'm glad to be apart of the RC community. HAPPY REEFING!

http://youtu.be/uzroEWfhKQg

[deebs]

Hey guys, Ive been lurking around here for quite some time checking out peoples builds and researching fish/equipment stuff. I thought it was about time to introduce myself.So here i am =) Ive been in this labor of love hobby for a little over a year now. My first and current tank is a 24 gallon AP mixed reef. I'm already getting ready to upgrade to a 40b in the next couple months, which I'm very looking forward to. To everyone here who likes pictures/videos here's a short video I made the other day on my phone of my tank. Hope your enjoy, I'm glad to be apart of the RC community. HAPPY REEFING!

http://youtu.be/uzroEWfhKQg

[Caronte]

I'm new to the saltwater tanks but I have more than 40 years experience in freshwater. Currently I have 2 reef tanks

[SpentAllMyMoney]

Cool website lots of good information. Been away from SW for about 15 years but have been spending past few months researching on what it takes to maintain a reef tank. 20 years experience Freshwater.

[greydmv]

Hello Reef Central, I am some what new to Reef Keeping, I initially tried a 20 gallon reef years ago back when power compacts were the new rage in lighting. Now there are T5s and LED options which I am still trying to understand fully.

Anyway, I am going with a 56 Gallon 30x18x24 mainly due to lack of space and this unique design gives me the most gallons in my restricted space. I have plans for a 24 gallon sump/refugium which will house a protein skimmer as well.

I am a bit lost on the lighting end, I am planning on housing LPS', softies and eventually when the tank has been long established an anemones. Any recommendations on lighting would be much appreciated.

So next question, would 300 gph sump pump and an MP10 provide enough water flow to keep my new friends happy? Secondly is the Hydor SELTZ L30 a good QUIET pump?

And now my Protein Skimmer question. I am eye balling a Super Reef Octopus XP1000 Space Saver, does anyone have any feedback on this skimmer? I feel a little like this just because I want to make sure that I do this right and I am able to keep a decent bioload. So I can and observe my own little piece of the reef.

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

[itsfreakingmatt]

Hi im Matt. I am fairly new to the hobby. I have a 40 gallon breeder with, 6 fish, i have a 20 gallon sump/fuge. I have 10 pounds of live rock rubble in tank/fuge and 30 pounds of dead rock in my tank that has pecies of live rock rubble all over it. I want to get into soft coral and lps. I have no idea how much flow i a going to need and i would really appreciate any input.
Thanks, Matt

[Renaisancexx]

Hi all!

I've been lurking in the forums and just wanted to introduce myself. I have always been interested in reef aquariums but never set one up. I come from a freshwater background and currently have 2 planted tanks. I'm still researching and planning my first saltwater build.

-Josh

[Coffinstuffer]

Greetings all.

I have found great info through the forums and after sometime I decided to join. I have been in the hobby for about a year and have a 120g reef tank with 55g sump. I have learned lots and continue to learn- Thanks

Todd

[calduk]

Hi

Just registered today. Been in the hobby 2 years and just ordered my second custom tank.

Rob

[m.mirceas]

Hello everyone, my name is Mircea and I'm from Romania. I am new member of Reef Central and relatively new salt water aquarium, but with more than 20 years experience in aquarium freshwater. Currently I have a nano-reef of 20 gallons but in future I want to do an upgrade. Until then getting down to study for because I have a lot to learn ...
Mircea

[Dreid]

HEY ALL! This is my first post! I'm FRESH into this hobby, never had a (salt) tank! I have just been doing my best to do my research prior to getting my hands wet (pun intended). I've had freshwater tanks since I was a kid (I would also still like to consider myself a kid - in college), and I have had a planted tank now for almost a year, and the beauty of reefs and saltwater tanks is pulling me in! I will be setting up my FIRST saltwater tank in August. A 55 gallon tank. It will have to be in my room, so I will have plenty of questions to ask (many of which have been answered thanks to this awesome website and the people on it!) in regards to opinions about what setups are quieter and whatnot. I'm excited for what RC has to offer!

[Windirmere]

Hello everyone! finally decided its time to stop missing out and grow a part of the reef in my room :P Im sure ill have loads of questions and hopefully learn enough and document my mistakes to contribute to this forum :P

cheers

[Brian225]

New here

[Brian225]

Just upgraded from a 45 to 75

[Lhevinn]

Hi all! How y'all doin? I'm new here and I have 2 months old 55 gal.

-Lhevinn

[Rbmead]

Hi, Im an old new member. about 6month ago, set up a 75 rr

[fireanthodge]

Hi all I'm gonna be getting back into the hobby after about an 8 year hiatus and I'm really stoked about starting up my new reef tank. I put up a thread asking for recommendations about using a standard or custom aquarium. Please read and give me some input...Thanks

[Envieddesigns]

Hello to all. Introducing myself here. I've been doing a little research on saltwater & always wanted one so I'm about to start a fish only tank with some rock. I have a 55g 40 LBS live Arg. Sand a marineland 400 filter & another filter I dont remember the brand name but its 30-60g. Also have a 50lbs bag of instant ocean salt, & a heater. I'm kind of stuck & not sure where to start off but I'm looking at sk8r's post on the fastest way to cycle a tank.

[HBPat]

Hey everyone!

I am obviously new to RC and wanted to introduce myself.

I am also new to the SW hobby, purchased a 12 gallon AIO tank on craigslist a few months ago and am already upgrading to a 50. The 12G was already established and am starting with a new 50 G cube so it feels as if I am starting all over needing to learn about the cycle and all.

[Ekloss]

How's it going people? I'm 29 tomorrow and new to the site! I've been into saltwater tanks for quite some time now. My first set-up was fish only, due to lack of funds and knowledge to the reef side of things. Anyways, that 30 Gal Hex... did not last but more then a couple years. I just recently got back it the game, December of "10". My Wife bought me 46gal Bow front aquarium, untill just two months ago I had a yellow tang, a few damsels and a lion. Turned them into the LFS for credit, and now going completely reef! Within the last month, I've added the appropriate amount of sand bed, New T5 HO lighting setup, skimmer, and awaiting the sump build. I have just added a few frags, all my pictures are viewable through my instagram at the moment @ekloss.

[fredy free]

Fredy from KC I have a 75 gallon that has been a fish with a few polyps tank no live rock 50 pounds crushed coral and under gravel filter, HOB filter and several power heads 48” t 12 x 2 light had a yellow tang for years lost a year ago now only have two clowns that are 6+ years old maybe as old as 10 I know that is longer then they say they will live. In the last year I have up graded and plan to keep some of the harder saltwater. I now have same tank 40 lbs live rock same under gravel with crushed coral 48” t5 x 4 with moon LED lights on timers, 10 gallon sump and 10 gal refugium all under tank w/ protein skimmer and turf scrubber 7” sock filter and plan on a wave maker. Overflow and return pump 800 GPh or 500 GPH actual w/head and I purchased water testing kits, 2 Part pH/Alkalinity and Calcium that I have not needed as of now. I purchased the contents of an old saltwater tank you could not see the rock for the green I have everything cleaned up and fish from this tank are breathing a lot slower hope to put the 60 lbs live rock in my tank and give away fish. Any ideas on what to do or not do with live rock that was in a tank the PH had to be very low and no maintenance for a long tine. I have added new water very slow for the last few weeks in an old 55 gal tank and brushing rocks a little at a time.