Hello, Here's my story...

Hi everybody.


Like many, I'm new to this hobby. I have spent the past two months preparing to take on this project. So here's my story.


For the past 8 yrs my business has had a 175g FOWLR aquarium. For 6 out of the 8 yrs everything was running great with the maintenance personnel up-keeping it. But then I had to find a new fish guy, and from the looks of my recent research, he was doing a lack luster job at best. So I've decided to jump right in and save the fishes myself. I greatly appreciate all the fantastic advice I've found on the internet so far, especially from all of the knowledgeable people on 3reef.com. And in advance, I apologize for all the noob questions. I plan on updating the progress here, so looking forward to the future.....In fact, I spend more time at work dorking with my aquarium than running a business; what an interesting hobby we have.

Thanks in advance, here's a pic and some stats:

175g fowlr
1 Royal Gramma
1 Bicolor Dottyback
1 Yellow tail Damsel
1 Tomato Clownfish
1 Ocellaris Clownfish
2 Pacific blue tangs
1 yellow tang
4 turbo snails
12 margarita snails
1 branded coral shrimp

Sump with bio balls, skimmer, and media. Soon DIY addition (hopefully successful) of a refugium.

After everything gets in tip top order hopefully finding the path to a reef aquarium.

Thanks!
JR

 

Welcome to the 3reef family! Nice tank!

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef

 

Welcome to 3reef

 

welcome to 3reef nice tank

 

Hello, Schecky and welcome to 3reef!

You have a nice setup and your fish selection is a good one too. I know you have been reading and researching a lot, this hobby sucks you right into it and it doesn't let go!

What type of light fixture do you have? T5's, Metal Haladies or combination?
The reason I'm asking is because if you make a move into a reef tank, light is the last thing on which you want to save a buck or two on. In my opinion, a very good light fixture with a combination of Actinic bulbs and metal halides gives the most versatility and color definition options. I made the mistake when I was newer (I consider myself new at this) of buying the lowest priced T5 lighting system and I've regretted this decision on every step I took after that one.

Here are some features you want to look for in a good light fixture:
- The more PAR rating the better! Corals like lots of light and grow better and faster with it.
- Moon lights or Lunar lights are nice to have. At nights when lights go off, the moonlight shows your corals in a whole different specter.
- Make sure that it has timers included and that you can control and time things like Metal halides, actinics and moonlights independently. This way you can have Dawn/dusk effect and then moon lights at night to imitate nature's cycle.
- Heat dissipation!! Light fixtures tend to get very hot, specially metal halides. Make sure the fixture is well ventilated and/or has fans to dissipate the heat. Otherwise your water temperature will raise.
- If you're going to keep only soft corals, then a super nice fixture is not a requirement, in fact, there are a lot of people that keep successful reef tanks with T5's, for example, but again, the PAR value of your bulbs is what really counts. Soft corals do not require as much as SPS or hard corals.
I'm sure more people can give also a lot of useful advice on this subject.

As far as the refugium, I think it is the way to go! Not only you'll be increasing the net water volume of your system, which helps dissolve your bio-load, letting you add more fish or corals in the long run, but it is an excellent added filtration. Add a good nitrate eating macro algae in it, like chaetomorpha. This is one of the safest algaes to have since it does not go sexual like caluerpa, for example.

Last, but not least, do not hesitate to ask questions here. We're here because we love this hobby just like you and I can guarantee there are no other reef forums that compare to 3reef.com as far as the attention and personalized response you get with every question you post and the friends you will make along the road.

It is a wonderful and very fulfilling hobby when you take the time to research to make the right moves. Research, research and research!! And don't forget our motto: Go slow, Let it grow!!
There are many, MANY threads that will prove to you that rushing things won't get you anywhere. There is a very good reason for such a good forum to choose this motto.

Again, welcome to 3reef. Have fun! We'll enjoy your company.


- Mag.

 

Hello Magnus!


Thanks for the great advice. To answer some of your questions, the first thing I did when taking over this project was upgrade the lights. They look like long florescent bulbs (that was the previous ballast setup), but I replaced them with 3 3ft bulbs recommended by my lfs for my fowlr tank, and he also said it would be acceptable for the starter corals (anemone being the first addition after the refugium project is stable). If I still had the box from the lights, I'd be able to tell you (this actually was my very first, of many, noob mistakes, I didn't write down what kind of bulbs I have in my tank). Ultimately I will replace them when it comes coral/reef time. But I will save your information because it was exactly what I needed to know.

Thanks for the warm welcome. It is a big project to try and balance with work, but seems to be paying off. This tank is finally getting the tlc is deserves. I'll keep you posted

JR

 

Welcome to 3 reef JR

Steve

 

For those of you joining us that are new to the hobby - the best piece of advice you'll get around here as a saltwater newbie is 3Reef's slogan
"Go slow, let it grow."
And for those experianced hobbyists joining us - it's still good advice
good luck and post pics soon



read these and then come back and ask about anything you still don't understand. we'll get you squared away and on the right path

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/how-setup-saltwater-aquarium-89044.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/ultimate-newbie-guide-86462.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/protein-skimmers/all-about-skimmers-skimmers-skimmer-85389.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/handy-research-links-89299.html

 

great looking tank all kinds of room in there, BTW welcome.