Hello from Baahston!

Did a bunch if searching for a good reef forum, and think I've settled in here for a while. There was a great backlog of info and a lot of helpful peeps here, so hello 3reef!

My name is Steve, from Topsfield Massachusetts. Just north of Baahston (stupid Patriots!). I'm getting back into the hobby after a decade or so away from it. I'm re-starting my 29 gallon aquarium I started with before. I want to go big someday, 70+ but working on a budget at the moment. It's been so exciting and fun getting going again. I wanted to do things right, and nothing good happens fast in a saltwater tank, and between YouTube and reading multiple forums on multiple sites I believe I am off to a great start and working well towards a beautiful reef aquarium.

Here's my current setup. I started my cycle 10 days ago with:

29 gallon 30" wide undrilled glass tank
New basic metal stand
Smart life 65watt power compact two color lamp
Hang on back protein skimmer
Basic hang on back filter
150 watt heater
Small 120 power head for circulation

Started cycle with:
20 lbs live rock from my LFS Unique Aquaria Saltwater Fish | Welcome to UniqueAquaria.com Home page
40lbs natures ocean live sand
Mixed water from LFS 23 gallons topped it off
Dr. Tims One and Only bacteria

Brought a sample of water down to unique aquaria and my ammonia was all gone, very slight nitrate but basically they said my cycling is done. Hoping to get my first fish soon. 10 years ago I had to s of issues because of bad advice. Check this out:

In my 29 gallon I had at one point, before inevitable die off,
Snowflake moray eel 12"
Hippo tang 3.5" or so
3 blue/green chromis all at least an inch
Humu Picasso triggerfish
Dwarf lion fish
Tomato clown
Ocellaris clown
Some shrimp, good size (snowflake never ate it)
Royal gramma
And a few more I can't remember

Seriously, they were just selling me way too much fish for that tank. Then they started dying. I know my mistakes and I don't plan on repeating them.

Anyways looking forward to great advice and fun with people enjoying this hobby along with me.

 

Welcome to 3reef and it sounds like you've got things off to a good start! Looking forward to seeing the build as it progresses.

BTW, we love pics here.

 

Hi Steve, welcome to 3reef.

Sounds like a good plan.

 

Ill try to post my first series of pics. I mostly surf on my iPhone so it's a process to send to my Mac then upload from there but soon. Ill start a new build thread too with all my plans. My main plan is to slowly upgrade my equipment. I figure if I keep a weekly tank allowance, save up a bunch of weeks worth to get the good equipment I want, and the wait will make me go slowly and safetly.

 

Welcome to 3 reef. I'm excited for you! Sounds like you have a good plan. What do you eventually want to keep? fish only, some coral, certain corals? As others have said, pics are always great!!

 

Welcome to 3reef! I'm going to have to check out that LFS you mentioned

also got recommendations for a good LFS in Auburn, MA and I personally know (and don't dislike) tropical Isle Aquarium store in Framingham, MA

 

Welcome to 3reef Steve! I am from the Worcester area.

Those are the only 2 LFS I use, Krystal Clear Aquatics in Auburn and Tropic Isle Aquarium. KCA is easily 1/3 the size of TIA, but I still like it. I have picked up some nice small cheap frags at KCA (they start at $10). But the frag tanks at TIA are definitely "better" (more tanks, so more selection) and corals look better in general IMO. But you do pay for it, as frags start at $20 (usually just small Zoa colonies) and go up from there. I have spent thousands at TIA and probably close to $1k at KCA, so recommend both either way

 

Thanks for the new stores guys. Worth a drive sometime even if just to look.