New Nano 'tanker' in Lake City

[evelester]

Hi all, I live in Lake City (about an hour from Jax where I10 and 75 meet) tiny town. Anyway, I am a very new nano tanker, almost, I am in the process of researching and ordering the basics, should be ready to set up in a week or so.

We only have 2 pet stores here in town with a small selection of saltwater items, enough to get by, they seem to have everything I need, but I do end up ordering online due to their higher prices, everything is about 2x more expensive in these stores.

Is anyone else in the Lake City area, I would love to meet some others that are into salt water, as I am getting very addicted. We would love to set up a larger tank but $$ constraints are keeping it at 10 gallons right now.

I am loving the forums so far and cant wait to get to know everyone, maybe I will even try to dirve to Jax for a meeting one day.

[Bennihanna]

Welcome to the forum, what kind of coral are you planning to keep?

[patharm]

Welcome to the forum, come in to Jacksonville and attend a meeting. We would love to have you come. Also, I know the Gainesville is not to far from you and there is two good LFSs in Gainesville. Have you been to any of them.

Patrick

[hannam11]

Welcome to the forum. This is a great site.

[evelester]

thanks for the welcome everyone!

as for coral... I am not sure, I will have to see what is available and at what cost before I decide that, what do you reccommend for a beginner to SW?

I had forgotten all about gainsville, I will have to drive down sometime, what store do you reccommend most there? Thanks!

I will keep an eye on the upcoming meetings, I would love to come to one when I am able! Thanks again youguys for making me feel so welcome! I have some questions here- http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95241- that do not seem to be getting much traffic, any advice there? :-)

Thanks again!!

[raycityboy1]

Originally Posted by patharm

Welcome to the forum, come in to Jacksonville and attend a meeting. We would love to have you come. Also, I know the Gainesville is not to far from you and there is two good LFSs in Gainesville. Have you been to any of them.

Patrick

I agree, given your location, Gville will be your best bet. Both the SW stores there are awesome and I can vouch for decent prices there including but not limited to clearance and sale corals (stuff that has been rehabbed since shipping or other event that may have hurt them but will be worth a lot more in a few months.

I am finding the same problem in Ga with the prices. The market is tough here b/c there is no competition keeping prices or inventory in check. I have pretty much left my LFS's alone for this as well as many many other reasons.

The prices in Gville were less than S. GA despite fl. higher cost of living and fl cost of running a business. And with these lower prices came a spectacular inventory and terrific knowledge. Tuesday is the best day to go. I think both of these places hand pick most of their stock from Tampa weekly and go get it themselves.

Both stores have amazing display tanks that put anyone in S. GA to shame.

Welcom to TRT and an advanced welcome to reef keeping.



Both places also sell their own phyto for dirt cheap.

[evelester]

thanks all! I am on my way to gainsville tomorrow to pick up the last needed things for the set up, mainly sand and live rock, I have a 10 gallon, so I am planning on getting something like 12 pounds or so of rock, and probably going with regualr tank sand instead of live sand, will just take longer to cycle.

I also just found out that even after buying a 28 dollar 50/50 coral life 18" bulb that I am doing N.O. lighting right now, and looks like upgrading is financially not possible for at least a few months, I am trying to research what type of corals will do good under 50/50 NO lighting with a powerhead, bio-wheel filter, and no skimmer yet, by searching and reading, anyone have any tips or pointers on where to look (what search terms would be best- I am drawing a blank right now.)

I am so exited about this, I also wanted to share my inspiration-- http://youtube.com/watch?v=ssGkOkEUgbg - this video was what made my decision, I would love to have this tank!!

[marineduud]

Originally Posted by evelester

thanks all! I am on my way to gainsville tomorrow to pick up the last needed things for the set up, mainly sand and live rock, I have a 10 gallon, so I am planning on getting something like 12 pounds or so of rock, and probably going with regualr tank sand instead of live sand, will just take longer to cycle.

I also just found out that even after buying a 28 dollar 50/50 coral life 18" bulb that I am doing N.O. lighting right now, and looks like upgrading is financially not possible for at least a few months, I am trying to research what type of corals will do good under 50/50 NO lighting with a powerhead, bio-wheel filter, and no skimmer yet, by searching and reading, anyone have any tips or pointers on where to look (what search terms would be best- I am drawing a blank right now.)

I am so exited about this, I also wanted to share my inspiration-- http://youtube.com/watch?v=ssGkOkEUgbg - this video was what made my decision, I would love to have this tank!!

Ask them for a Lbs. or 2 of sand from there live rock tank to go along with the dry sand you buy and the tank will be fine in a week or two and cut down on the cycle time and get you going sooner..!

[nikonosis]

btw, no corals are going to do good with a bio-wheel filter because your nitrates are going to get high from it. Your best bet would be to stick with a fish only tank right now since you don't have the money for the lights.

[Bennihanna]

Skimmer not neccesary if you do frequent water changes. My 10gal is going on 5 years with no skimmer to speak of. Lights are important, but I think you could get by with 2 20 watt screw in PC's if you want to do it W/T style. BTW I have a 2x65 Watt CL Aqualight on my 10.