New Member Intro

[dasher]

Hello -

My name is Dan and I'm an experienced FW fish keeper that is about to take the plunge into SW. I have a deal on a 75 gallon tank scheduled for this weekend and I've been thinking a LOT about trying my hand at salt water. I see plenty of threads to read here, so let me get to reading!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions regarding setting up this 75 gallon tank.

Dan Asher
Brookhaven GA

 

[jbdreefs]

Welcome! You are headed in the right direction. There is so much information to be found in our threads. Be sure to check out our selling forum for other possible deals.

 

[ringo®]

Welcome aboard, Dan.

 

[rdnelson]

Welcome Dan. Do lots of reading before you buy much or start setting up. It will save you heartache and money.

 

[picoreefguy]

welcome Dan you'll love it here. the best advise has already been said twice. do lots of reading id also recommend asking questions that you cant find the answers to. there are plenty of knowledgeable people here willing to help.

 

[dasher]

rdnelson99;1046816 wrote: Welcome Dan. Do lots of reading before you buy much or start setting up. It will save you heartache and money.

Ha! Ain't that the truth?? I've been poking around Drs. Foster and Smith website looking at protein skimmers, RODI units, Maxi-jets, Refugiums, and UV sterilizers.

I feel a small headache coming on.....


LOL! A lot to learn. Fortunately I am a STRONG advocate for the fishless cycle and am in zero hurry to get some fish in there and swimming away.

Thank you all for the welcome!

D.

 

[nancymatthews]

Welcome Dan. I haven't been in the hobby long but it's fun and yes, sometimes you get headaches but worth it. Lol.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[dasher]

The thing that keeps drawing me to SW is the beautiful fish and the beautiful (and varied) corals. All the equipment & startup costs are pretty much in line with any venture one wishes to undertake.

I remember when I first started out making beer at home - I was aghast at the costs. Now, not so much!

Thinking about placing an order with Fosters & Smith. Right now I have my eyes on:

Sea Clone Protein Skimmer - SCPS 100 - $71.99

Marineland Maxi Jet PRO 600 - $14.39

Lifegard UV Sterilizer 15W - $79.99

I have a coupon for 15% off as well as free shipping. I've been trying to cross-reference these items (as I can) on eBay and other sites to see if I can get the best deal possible.

Believe it or not, so far Drs. Foster & Smith have everyone beat.

Dan

 

[ringo®]

Stay away from the sea clones. You'll be able to find a used skimmer here that performs way better (i.e. actually works) for around the same price.

 

[dasher]

Ringo®;1046829 wrote: Stay away from the sea clones. You'll be able to find a used skimmer here that performs way better (i.e. actually works) for around the same price.

Noted! Thanks.

 

[nancymatthews]

Oddly for my tank (28g Nano cube), my protein skimmer died in May and I haven't replaced it and my tank has never looked better and my green hair algae problem (dealt with for over a year!!!) has gone away!! No corals have died and everything is growing beautifully.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[mikesmith34]

Do not skimp on skimmer or lights. You will be unhappy and will repurchase. Ask me how I know this. Welcome to the arc

 

[dball711]

Welcome!

+1 on Mike Smiths advice.

 

[rodriguez]

Welcome

 

[raz0945]

Ringo®;1046829 wrote: Stay away from the sea clones. You'll be able to find a used skimmer here that performs way better (i.e. actually works) for around the same price.

+1 don't do a sea clones, if at all possible do a RR tank and a sump. I have regretted not doing mine (for 7 years)!

 

[butch]

Welcome Dan.

 

[picoreefguy]

dasher;1046825 wrote: The thing that keeps drawing me to SW is the beautiful fish and the beautiful (and varied) corals. All the equipment & startup costs are pretty much in line with any venture one wishes to undertake.

I remember when I first started out making beer at home - I was aghast at the costs. Now, not so much!

Thinking about placing an order with Fosters & Smith. Right now I have my eyes on:

Sea Clone Protein Skimmer - SCPS 100 - $71.99

Marineland Maxi Jet PRO 600 - $14.39

Lifegard UV Sterilizer 15W - $79.99

I have a coupon for 15% off as well as free shipping. I've been trying to cross-reference these items (as I can) on eBay and other sites to see if I can get the best deal possible.

Believe it or not, so far Drs. Foster & Smith have everyone beat.

Dan

hey dan are you planning on using that maxijet as a return pump? if so you might want to reconsider. they are great little pumps but they dont push enough water for a 75 gallon tank look into getting a jebao dc or dct pump they are good pumps for a good price. and to be honest a uv sterilizer is a nice piece of equipment to have but not necessary so you could take that of the list if you are on the fence about it.

 

[john_shay]

You should see who is on here that would let you come look at what they run and talk through stuff with you, people love to show off their tanks to someone other than their husbands and wives, so I'm sure you could get a good idea of what you need

 

[dasher]

Good Morning everyone!

Let me see if I can catch everyone up to speed on the budding reef tank mania that is over taking Dan (me!):

I got the 75, stand and assorted things this weekend. I need to clean it up first (why do they always look so good in the photos and then, when empty, they look awful? LOL!)

I had a good chat with an ARC member Friday and he was a wonderful help in making lots of decisions. I'll be purchasing some live rock from him as soon as possible.

I bought a RO/DI unit this weekend. eBay, $99.99. Clear tubes too! The only issue is the seller is shipping it slow boat from CA and I've sent the seller a message asking to bump up the shipping and I'll pay the shipping. The wait will be the hardest part!

I've decided to go fish and live rock only for now. I think I need to temper my expectations and shoot for the small victories first. Setting up the tank and cycling it with the live rock will be one victory, stocking some fish and maybe a crab or two will be the next victory.

With all that said:

Picoreefguy - I was going to use the Maxi Jet as water movement in the tank. I don't quite have it all figured out yet regarding sumps & whatnot, hence the fish and live rock approach first.

John Shay - excellent advice. I've been poking around on some of the threads here "Member Tanks" and whatnot. I'm also going to go up to Petland Dunwoody. I know those guys well and they have a lot of SW stuff going on up there. I better plan to spend a few hours! Ha!

Have a wonderful day all, see you on the surf!

D.

 

[john_shay]

dasher;1047329 wrote:
John Shay - excellent advice. I've been poking around on some of the threads here "Member Tanks" and whatnot. I'm also going to go up to Petland Dunwoody. I know those guys well and they have a lot of SW stuff going on up there. I better plan to spend a few hours! Ha!


D.

I was there yesterday for something else. I have to say its lacking right now.