New To Forum, would love to learn.

[Mommy2Julianna]

Hi, I'm Cassie. Ive been interested in saltwater aquariums since i was little. I finally took the plunge about 2 years ago without really any knowledge. I had a oceanic 55 Gal aquarium with fish and LR only. I used a canister filter and some blue lights (called marine glow). I bought the tank off of ebay actually including everything. We drove up to St Paul, MN and picked it up bringing back 55gal on cycled saltwater in totes.

well i just pretty much tore that tank down, gave away all my fish, because i was going to start over in that tank. well i got a deal for a 75 and a stand from a guy i work with so i'm now going to use that for my reef tank and the 55 is going to be my boyfriends fish only semi aggressive tank.

anyways. i always used tap water to do water changes, etc. and always had alge that need constant scraping. so this time i am going to use water from OTP. or from my work. I was planning on sending a sample from my work in to see if it was reef quality. can anyone around here test it for me instead of me sending it in?. It should be really good water. we make pepsi with it. the water is treated with lime, chlorine, and ferric acid. and then is skimmed of the top after all the stuff settles, goes through 2 more filters, a sand and a carbon and then is finally UV sterilized. We are going to be getting a HUGE RO DI unit in the next year or two because we are going to be bottling water.

Anyways i was wondering what a good size sump work be, I was originally planning on a 30 gal or so sump but now im kinda leaning toward a 55. i could pick up a tank for cheap at wallyworld or something. I know bigger is better.

What kind of lighting should i use. I dont really understand all the watts stuff. I just need someone to tell me, BUY THIS... lol.... I was thinking about this ... usa Nova extreme T5 aquarium lighting fixture, 8 x 54 watts 48 inches. with moonlights. its about $400. Any other suggestions, maybe something that would same me some $$...

I am planning on having soft corals, and lps. I'm not really interested in getting sps. i would like to get an anenome if my lighting is ok.
probably just a bubble tip, or something similar.

I would also like to know what kind of skimmer would be good for in sump use. I keep reading people suggest the octopus brand. Could i please get the pros and cons of various kinds?..

What fish i have planned... i really want a maroon clown fish, maybe a scopas tang or yellow, some gobies (cute little buggers) and i dont know what else.

thanks...

Cassie

[depitch]

Welcome to TRT !

Here is a link for sump size: http://reefcentral.com/calc/sump.php

Try to purchase an RO/DI water filter for your tanks and the algae problem will be greatly reduced.

I use the same fixture for lighting and it will be fine for a 75 Gallon, many people prefer MH lighting but T5's will be OK.

Purchase a good skimmer such as Octopus, ASM, or Deltec to name a few.

Last but not least, read as much as you can about reef-keeping.

Good luck

Doug

[hansmatt]

Hi Cassie, Welcome!
FYI, we have a meeting next week (June 8th) in Holmen at a members house. This would be a great opportunity to meet some of us, see a BIG tank, and pick our collective brains. We regularly have 15-20 people at meetings, sometimes up to 30 from around the region. Very informal, no presentations etc, but lots of experience. We have people with 220g displays and 55g displays, and everywhere in between. Lots of us sell frags of corals for very reasonable prices, $10-20, a good way to get started. We often have used gear for sale for cheap too.
Quickly on your gear...I have VHO lights, but am leaning towards t5 setups because of power, amount of light etc. Most people here have halides, which are great but are a bit warmer/power hungry...big debate here. I like the all in one setups, but with t5 lights you must have individual reflectors to gain the benefit.
I have a Euroreef skimmer, works great on my 90g mixed reef, quiet, energy efficient etc, though I'm considering upgrading to a larger one. Many here have Aqua C skimmers they swear by.
H20...I spent a year getting OTP/festival water before getting my own RODI system, best thing I could have done...worth every penny. Lugging jugs gets to be a real pain, esp for regular water changes. You could bring a sample to the meeting, I believe Brian has a TDS meter that can give you a general idea of the stuff in the water, but you would have to run a mess of tests to determine specific levels of the various dissolved materials.
Hope to meet you Sunday!
Matt

oh, here is a used lamp on a different forum...pretty good quality I understand
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1402705

[Mommy2Julianna]

Trust me i have been reading, for like 2 years now. I've been a member since march and this is my first post... yeah.... I love reading all the builds expecially because then i can see what equipment people choose. and pretty much everything else!! hehe

I was planning on going to the meeting but i thought it would be wierd if i just showed up without posting a introduction..
"::knock, knock::
well hi who are you?
im cassie, mommy2Julianna on TRT.
oh I havnt seen any of your posts.
umm... well there arent any"

awkward..............

anyways thanks for the info. im not setting anything up until we move, which will be after out lease is up in october, but i want to get all the equip so i can set it up the moment we get a place and start cycling..

oh yea, would anyone here help me drill my tank.. i want overflow, out the back and maybe a return line hole if i decide not to just go over the top.

Cassie

[Jrmass]

First off I would like to welcome you (not really much of a welcome seeing you've been a member to the site for as many months as you have but, the idea is still there) and say that there are a few of us that have drilled our own tanks. John (Cruiser) and myself I know for a fact have. I've never drilled one over 55 gallons but, it wouldn't be any different as long as the glass isn't tempered. As Hansmatt already said coming to next weeks meeting would be beneficial for you as you can ask many of us questions face to face as well as listen in on things that have and haven't been working for us. I'm not sure what kind of plumbing scheme you plan on doing but, it seems as far as going to extremes I seem to have the most extreme plumbing job in the club (tank on main level of the house sump in the basement) lol. As far as equipment goes there are some things you can skimp on some things you will kick yourself for doing so. Skimmer (DO NOT SKIMP) and when you buy one buy bigger than you need as if you are like the rest of us you WILL GROW INTO IT lol.

I would talk longer but, I'll post more later.

Jason

[pogodzib]

Originally Posted by Jrmass

I would talk longer but, I'll post more later.

I'm sure that we could all write a small book for you (if we had time) with everyting that we have learned from our experiences within the hobby and all of us would write totally different recommendations. There is no one right way. Just many "less that ideal" ways.

Come to the meeting at my place next weekend and we you'll learn more in a couple hours than you be able to learn though countless posts. And don't worry about feeling akward. We often have at least one or two people that show up for the first time at a meeting without knowing anyone. We have all been their.

[Afish4u]

Yes Welcome. I may suggest although its Eairly Fosters and Smith has a coral conference coming up june 20 weekend. I know your not ready for corals but they do have live rock there that will be a great deal if your looking to cure your own and start on that. I got some great color from mine last year and shapes. I picked it up my self there so I saved 50 or so on shipping and then about another 75+ due to the sale. i think I was at 2.25lb or 2.60 somewhere around there, and I bought 90lbs

Yes you have been reading thats good but listen to the suggestions of others. Don't just do what they say. In this hobby everyone gets different results. No two tanks are ever the same. When people ask me I suggest a Book. Yep something to read. "The New Marine Aquaqrium" by Michael S. Paletta You don't have to read it page by page. I still use it for reference but it helps get a good idea of things to look for and set up. My only other suggestion is TAKE YOUR TIME. Up by me latley I have seen a few people rush into this. we warn them to take there time or they will have problems. Well needless to say 2 out of the 3 that I know of are gone already in the last year. They always called about problems I reference the book and none of them ever got it. The book is on Amazon for cheap. With that said again this is only my view and suggestion. Hopefully I'll meet you at the meeting.

Btw Brian are you going to be posting Directions? I'll talk to chuck and see if he is coming down also.

[Mommy2Julianna]

i will be at the meeting!.. i am getting my tank this friday, the painting and deciding whether to build a new stand or keep the one im getting with it either way i have to build a canopy, will begin!!

im excited!!

Cassie

[Afish4u]

I was going to ask about lights but see it was further up...

[Jrmass]

Glad to hear that you will be attending the meeting. And do not worry about feeling awkward about being there. Just jump into the conversation and you'll fit right in. I remember my first meeting (Chris Blazek's meeting last July) and no one knew me just a few had heard OF me from my posts. As others have already said don't take someone's advice as the only way to do something. Because that couldn't be further from the truth. Each person could have exactly the same tank setup but, due to differences in water, chemical make-up, fish, corals, rock, ect. will make it so their tanks will not run the same way. Some people corals will grow faster than others, some peoples levels will remain level with a greater ease, there are so many different things that can be affected by such small things. The jist of my rant is that the only way you will be able to keep control of your tank is to do just that "keep control of YOUR tank" by keeping up with the maintainance it requires.

Jason

[carym]

Welcome to the club, sorry I didn't welcome you earlier, been really busy here, glad you will be at the meeting on Sunday, we are planning on attending as well.

Cary

[Mommy2Julianna]

this this on the 20th, where is it at? The lacrosse center? I really want to go just to check everything out. I wont have everything set up by then but i LOVE looking!!!

Cassie

oh and do we need to bring anything to the meeting?? a dish to pass or anything??.. i dont know.. i feel silly not knowing anything.. lol

[pogodzib]

On June 20th-22nd, Drs. Fosters & Smith is having their anual conference and frag swap in Rhinlander. It is a big event with really good deals if you can make it. Jason and others can talk to you about it as the meeting this weekend if you're interested in going.

As far as what to bring to the meeting, just yourself and whomever you want to drag along with you. I'll be providing snacks and beverages.

[Kyuss]

welcome aboard! AS far as drilling goes, I drilled my 75, I purchased a kit from glass-holes.com and drilled the left hand back side. It worked great, if you go that route I will fillyou in at the meeting on what not to do. It took about 1/2 hour per hole on my 75. slow slow slow, let the drill bit do all the work.

[Mommy2Julianna]

OK.. I'm really excited to go. I am bringing my daughter do to the fact that i dont have a babysitter, but... shes only 4 months old and is very good. and she will give everyone something else to google at when the front of your tank is packed!!.. lol

anyways, how often does that thinging come around. I may go to rhinlander but with gas prices i try to drive as little as possible. so i dont know for sure.

thanks for all the help everyone!

Cassie