New member introduction

[rickm45]

Hi, this is Rick. I (and wife, kids and dog) live on the south side of La Crosse. Before we moved a few years ago, I had a nice 45 gallon planted freshwater tank for a number of years. That is still packed away along with a 10 gallon setup (the obligatory kid's goldfish tank).

I've been thinking about starting another tank (now that the goldfish are gone, one at a time for me). I'm stuck between a cichlid tank and a reef tank. The cichlid fish and tanks can be pretty but a little stark and not very interesting to the kids. I think the reef would really draw the kids in. Right now this is "dad's hobby" and I would like to share.

I'll start a separate post on what I have and what I could do with it later. Right now I just wanted to introduce myself.

Rick (M45, aka the Pleiades, a star cluster, from my other hobby - astronomy)

[Timmy]

Hi Rick welcome to TRT and Lark.

[OLDETOWNENORTHPETS]

Hi Rick, welcome.
Matthew

[firsthesitation]

Yes welcome to TRT and LARK, You will definitely find the help both online and offline here to help make the transition to saltwater easy and fun. I had ciclids for a few years before taking the plunge to saltwater but I'll never look back again now. Hopefully we'll keep you involved and interested!!

[hansmatt]

Welcome Rick,
We are a pretty active group of people interested in the hobby, at all levels. We have people with fish only tanks under 50 gallons, people with 300 gallon full blown reefs, and everwhere inbetween. Most of this group is made up of guys, though there are a few very lively women involved too. Most of our spouses/significant others support us by letting us do our thing...or maybe that's just me
We do have a good number of dads, myself included, who enjoy getting our kids involved. There are a huge number of frags that we trade and sell amongst ourselves, helping keep our money output local. We have meetings every few months at members houses, trade frags, learn from others. There is no formal membership or fee, just your positive attitude.
Matt

[firsthesitation]

Who's got a 300 gallon reef and how come I've never seen it???

You're not alone Matt my wife is the same way. She wants to look at it, help name the fish and help her colorblind husband do water tests but aside from that her involvement is limited.

[schneijt]

I've been hiding it in my attic, dummy.

Welcome to the party, Rick!

-Joe

[sandyk]

Welcome, I to am new to reef hobby/addiction. I don't have any young kids at home mine are both teens and enjoys the tanks a lot, but the young ones in the neighbor hood show up at my door once or twice a week wanting a peek. I think you would be making a wise choice going with a reef tank since it is forever changing. Everyday I look at mine I see something new. I have in the past had everything from guppies to cichlids and I enjoy my reef tank much more. Hope this makes your decission easier. We are always looking for more fellow reefers.

Again welcome

[hansmatt]

300g = tank plus fuge/sump/growout...Brian, Dave F both fall under this 220g, Jason is around that volume with his tank-opollis, and Josh is not far behind...I'm sure I'm missing some other more recent builds, or those I've not seen in person (sorry)

[firsthesitation]

OH here I thought someone actually had a 300 TANK. Just wanna make sure I'm not missing out here.

[carym]

Welcome to LARK and TRT Rick, just make sure you use the wealth of knowledge everyone here has

[Kyuss]

Welcome aboard!!!! The reef tank is an awesome resource and the people here are very friendly. I live on the South side also, (Cass Street) two kids and a wife that somehow puts up with my addiction. I love astronomy also, I have a Meade ETX but I have not had the time that I once had . Reefing has been very therapeutic for me, very relaxing and far better than tv. My kids love it also. Elsa, my almost three year old daughter loves helping me with the tanks and blowing kisses to the snowflake eel, "your cute". I don't think you will be sorry of you goto a reef

[rickm45]

My kids are 13 & 11 and both really like science. I can understand why the freshwater fish were just "ok" and how the reef could be "wow". We watched a video last night of someone's Biocube with shrimp walking around and they thought that was cool. There is such variety in a reef aquarium.

Rick

[reefer.madness]

Welcome Rick. Hope you go with reef. My kid has FW and likes the reef the best.

And I as well am into astronomy. Kinda partial to Spiral Galaxy M101. I even have framed photos from the Hubble in my livingroom.

Funny how it's the 2 most unknown areas of science the we are interested in...

[tangmang23]

welcome to LARK and TRT. Great website and great friends/fellow hobbiest. Ask any questions you have and your guaranteed and answer