Taking the Plunge Again

My wife and I both have strong backgrounds in Biology and Chemistry. Way back in 1992 we made our first foray into SaltWater tanks. I started with a 70 gal fish only and after about 6 months mved this tank to my future wife's place and I got another 70 gal tank. By that time we both had evolved to reefs and had good success for 5 years. When we moved to NC we got a bigger place and setup a 125 gal peninsula which we kept going for 3 more years before we moved back to VA. Unfortunately, a variety of factors worked against us and our reef did not survive the move. When we finally were able to move into our permanent accomodations (18 months later) we didn't have a suitable place to set up our tank and it has spent the last 6 years sitting in my garage. Thankfully, all that is about to change. This summer we are turning our garage into living space and we will finally have the room to set up a reef again. The plan is for a 265 gal reef. Thankfully my budget is a bit more flexible now that I am gainfully employed rather than a student.
I'm not a full fledged newby since I've got 8+ years of experience but I also recognize that there has been a lot of advancement in the 7 years that my tank has been torn down. Also my previous experience was limited by my budget. Our 125 had 4 VHO lights a wet/dry filter and a small skimmer. I'm looking forward learning some new techniques and gaining experience with some aspects that were previously out of reach. I started reading Otty's extremely well done thread about his 265 and aspire to something similar. Any and all thoughts would be appreciated. It also helps that I've got a great LFS in my area.

 

Congrats on getting back into hobby and in planning new tank...

Sounds like you have plenty of experience.

Have been major technological improvements in both lighting and skimmers over past few years.

With a very large tank like one you are planning, you need to make sure right choices are made from start.

Otty (and others here) should be able to help with that.

Good luck.

Make sure to keep us posted on progress. We love seeing a new tank going up, esp a large one.

Have fun.

;D

 

Hello ,Hello welcome .
You say you and the wife have backgrounds in Biology and Chemistry ?

 

Welcome! post pictures if you've got em! ask away we will be more than happy to help with all of your questions!

 

Welcome to 3reef and to the never ending addictive hobby. Hopefully this time you will be able to grow some roots in your current residence and set up your(mine) dream set up. Pics of your step by step build will help us to see the dream come true.;D Luna

 

WoooHoooo!!!! Welcome to 3reef! I'm excited for you both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! can't wait to see some pics!

 

Oh a new playmate welcome to the sand box look out for the lumps don't play with them ;D Dang old sneaky Cat's Welcome aboard and good luck with your new tank . Oh and what LFS are you close to ? I helped set up several in the area around Richmond , And still connected with about the largest one out in Midlothian near where my House is .

Oh I no we always had pretty cheap electricity in Va. But I saw where they just got a huge rate increase its being challenged as all of them in the past have been But since you are going to be using the Garage and designing the thing ? You may want to look into these for help with lighting
http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/solar-tubes-action-39352.html
And if you need any good contractors since you are new to the area ? ask away I have lots of contacts for the whole deal ,

 

Tangster, are you in CT or still in Midlothian? I grew up in Chesterfield Co.

My LFS is Fish World. I've know Joe Genaro for over 20 years, from back in the days when he had birds and fresh water fish as well as SW in a little pet shop in Old Towne Shopping Center in Broad Street. I was working for Cargo Furniture 2or 3 doors down from him. I've been in a few other shops around town but haven't found anyone else who comes close to Fish World's dedication and knowledge base.

Re the Solar Tubes, I considered these early in my romodel planning but the room above the garage is already finished as my wifes craft room and office. I don't think she would take kindly to my running Tubes through her domain even if it was to keep the clams happy.

 

LOL Old Joe he is a hell of a nice guy , I did the A/C in his little room a few yrs ago where he had that 280 set up ? then he went crazy with remolding we did his work at hie home also , Richard and Scott over at Richmond aquariums have realy been building up also . Is the idiot still out on patterson av ? The guy who was going to take over LOL Yes I was in there last Oct and It told Joe you leave main ad come to Chesterfiled and I leave chesterfiled and go to Ct. he laughed and saidfd he had the better deal LOL Danny used to come here but I have not seen him in a good while I heard he had some trouble.
Then Joe hired That Luck Boy ?? he family ran Luck stone out in Goochland co. Can;t recall his name now ? Did you know Delbert that used to work for Joe then snaked him and opened his own shop out at ?? Coalfield Rd and rt 60 ? Fishy Business ? You are near the best shops in the area Rick at Fin and Feather is ftill trying to keep a DSB alive last I heard and Melvin could not either LOL. Keith at Azelia still run U/G's . I grew up in the Fan of Richmond but My step fatheres people allcame from chesterfiled I lived out on Gogbill rd for all of the mid to late 50's and then as an adult . Richmond went to hell in a hand basket When I left the Army in 69 I never went back to the city..