| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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08-30-2004, 10:58 PM
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#1
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rrrrrrreefo...suave.....
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Morro Bay CA
Posts: 414
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Out Of Money!
Now that I have bought my LR, instant ocean salt, 6 stage R/O filter, 32 gallon brute trashcan, and I still need to get a hydrometer, calcium buffer, test kit,buckets, and gloves. I have to wait for my next meager paycheck to purchase these items. Does any body know a good test kit set, and which ones do I need? This hobby has taken over my life. I have become a recluse....A madman.....A hermit....and empty shell of a man. I have sacrificed many nights of movies, fun and fastfood to purchase my reef tank items, but I swear to you all....by the deep currents of the sea...by mountains high in the himalayas........My reef tank will live.........oh yes it will............it will thrive....oh yes...
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08-30-2004, 11:03 PM
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#2
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The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 12,583
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Yes, this can be a minor distraction from what was your previous life!
Robert
__________________
If you feel so empty, so used up, so let down,
If you feel so angry, so ripped off, so stepped on,
You're not the only one refusing to back down
You're not the only one
So get up
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08-30-2004, 11:20 PM
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#3
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 65
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Well, I am not a big fan of constant water testing, if you have a well running system. That being said, I WOULD recommend testing more frequently after you have the tank "up and running", but before you do I would buy the test kit last. Why? You will be tempted to test ALL the time, several times a day waiting for "something to happen" and you will stress yourself out! A new reef WILL be unstable to a point no matter what. So get your goodies first, the test kit last.
This is an expensive hobby and you better be prepared to spend ALOT. You will constantly want to upgrade this and that. It is a sickness! I almost cant sleep because I dont have MH lighting, even though my tank has been healthy for YEARS with the current 4x96 pc set-up. I call these upgrades "just because" upgrades. Just because you can!
Example: within the last few months I have dropped 200 on new filtration sytem, 400 on a chiller, 200 on new critters which I added after "adding by subtraction" (read:removed all damsels/a-hole fish), 200 on coral...thats a THOUSAND DOLLARS! That's a pretty nice vacation, let alone fast fod! lol.
Keep it up, dont get discouraged and spen alot of time reading the archives here, they are without question an invaluable resource.
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08-30-2004, 11:26 PM
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#4
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The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 12,583
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Yup, Hi Rise is right, the down time between checks is the best time to research and read. Youll be surprised the changes and fine tuning that will develope in these "down" times its forced me to be patient. Thats a good thing!
Robert
__________________
If you feel so empty, so used up, so let down,
If you feel so angry, so ripped off, so stepped on,
You're not the only one refusing to back down
You're not the only one
So get up
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08-30-2004, 11:28 PM
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#5
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rrrrrrreefo...suave.....
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Morro Bay CA
Posts: 414
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Thanks guys!
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08-30-2004, 11:29 PM
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#6
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rrrrrrreefo...suave.....
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Morro Bay CA
Posts: 414
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Hey, what is this thing under my name that says "squid"?
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08-30-2004, 11:31 PM
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#7
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Overthinks Everything
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Crystal, MN
Posts: 867
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by reefworried124
Does any body know a good test kit set
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Not a set per se, but folks seem to like Salifert & Lamotte. They are more expensive than some other options though.
Also, I could be wrong but I don't think you need to get calcium buffer right away. At least not while the tank cycles.
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08-30-2004, 11:55 PM
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#8
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Little Fishy
Join Date: May 2004
Location: In my own little world
Posts: 56
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by reefworried124
Hey, what is this thing under my name that says "squid"?
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A USN conspiracy meant to demean all the real Service Men on the Board 
Semper FI!
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08-31-2004, 12:17 AM
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#9
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Jr. Reef Tank Engineer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,081
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From One Newbie to Another
....Hello, my name is Michael, and I'm a reef tank addict  
Welcome to the club! Yes, it is a very expensive hobby, but I would like to give you the following advice.
Research everything you buy, (equipment, fish, and corals) before you commit your hard-earned dollars to anything.
Budget yourself. Think about how much you are willing to spend per month in regards to upgrades and stocking, and write down the goals and the timeline for those upgrades that you plan for your tank. Don't neglect any of your other financial priorties 
Pace yourself and be patient. Many of the beautiful tanks that you see in the picture gallery have taken many years to become what they are. In a sense, every tank is a work in progress.
Good luck! I agree with the previous responders in that you should not become obsessed with testing your parameters. However, I would advise you to keep a close eye on them, so that you can get a "feel" for what your tank does. In time, you should be able to look at your tank and tell that everything is OK within reason.
HTH,
Michael
__________________
58g Oceanic Reef Ready Tank - Est. June '04
12g JBJ Nanocube - Est. April '05
38g FW Planted - Est. July '06
55g L. Malawi - In Progress
Last edited by goodfortune; 08-31-2004 at 12:19 AM.
Reason: Title, typos
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