New Member New to the Hobby

[carlitosreef]

I am from NY currently live in Marietta, GA. I just started to get in to this hobby and I got to tell you I got convince in to this in less than a week by my cousin in NY. :yay:

I was able to get a good deal when I was looking for a tank. For $150 I got a 55g tank, black oak wood stand, gravel vacc, 2 cartridge filters, extra filters, some water maintain fluid, water heater and a couple of other things. It use to be a fresh water set up by having Japanese coy fish.


My set up I am going for is SW Reef Aquarium. I still have a lot of equipment to buy so most of the stuff it came with I wont be using IDK what to do with them.

Meanwhile I been re searching and learning what I must know.

Yes one of the most important thing is not to rush the process. :up:

BTW I been thinking in doing my set up flat wall build in, but I am still thinking about it since I am completely new to this. I dont want to mess up real bad and if I do it my mother wont know about it until i do it. lol Because if I let her know first she wont let me do it without knowing how beautiful it can look in my room lol

 

[lilrobb]

Not that it matters a whole lot - but how old are you?

 

[carlitosreef]

LilRobb;649292 wrote: Not that it matters a whole lot - but how old are you?

20 and you?

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[ichthyoid]

Welcome.

 

[lilrobb]

30 something
Your post just sounded "younger" - welcome to the club - lotso good folks here!

 

[carlitosreef]

Is ok lol I just got too excited and didn't give a **** and just post something. At least I'm not a 2 year old lol

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[gnashty]

Welcome to ATL and to the ARC!

Do you know if the previous tank owner had used any copper or other harsh medications on that tank? Its always a good questtion to ask when converting a fresh water system to salt water as it can impact your ability to keep corals and other inverts.

Tons of good ppl here that can help you along the way, and Marietta is a great spot to live as it is central to many, many reefers in the club. Not to mention the bevy of sponsors at an arms length from you.

 

[carlitosreef]

gnashty;649330 wrote: Welcome to ATL and to the ARC!

Do you know if the previous tank owner had used any copper or other harsh medications on that tank? Its always a good questtion to ask when converting a fresh water system to salt water as it can impact your ability to keep corals and other inverts.

Tons of good ppl here that can help you along the way, and Marietta is a great spot to live as it is central to many, many reefers in the club. Not to mention the bevy of sponsors at an arms length from you.

Thanks man I guess I'm just starting to like atl lol. To your question I'm not really sure but I still have his #. Another thing I been learning from a good reefer in ny is that you can use white vinegar and clorox to clean and rinse very well my set up before doing anything else knowing it was bought used. Even if it was new it must still be fully cleaned.

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[gnashty]

I would at least find out.....Others that have made the transition from a FW to SW tank will likely chime in to to give thier perspective as I have not had direct experience with it. I wouldnt mix bleach and vinegar though...at the same time anyway

You should be able to clean it out really well and run some tests to find out.

 

[carlitosreef]

I do remember he used to have small Japanese coy fish. They don't actually mix together at the same time. I have to use vinegar first then clorox last.

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[dasugaman]

Welcome and Good Luck, Bro!! Happy Reefing!!!!

 

[acroholic]

Personally, I think that the silicone absorbing concern is one of those reef myths that refuse to die. If you read threads on the other Reef Forums about it, folks that have used copper treated tanks as reefs have not reported issues.

Get some safety razor blades, vinegar, and a clean spray bottle. Spray the glass and seals of the tank, then use the razor to clean any scale from the glass, but be careful not to get the blade under the silicone seal. The vinegar will help loosen/dissolve the scale because it is mildly acidic. If the silicone is dirty, take a rag and dampen it with bleach, and you can just apply it to the silicone in the corners and it will oxidize any organic staining on the silicone. Rinse/drain the inside with water and you should be good to go.

 

[carlitosreef]

Acroholic;649352 wrote: Personally, I think that the silicone absorbing concern is one of those reef myths that refuse to die. If you read threads on the other Reef Forums about it, folks that have used copper treated tanks as reefs have not reported issues.

Get some safety razor blades, vinegar, and a clean spray bottle. Spray the glass and seals of the tank, then use the razor to clean any scale from the glass, but be careful not to get the blade under the silicone seal. The vinegar will help loosen/dissolve the scale because it is mildly acidic. If the silicone is dirty, take a rag and dampen it with bleach, and you can just apply it to the silicone in the corners and it will oxidize any organic staining on the silicone. Rinse/drain the inside with water and you should be good to go.

Yes sir exactly what I'm going to do just haven't had time. Been pulling in as many Benjamins as I can and absorbing as much info as I can

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[acroholic]

CarlitosReef;649358 wrote: Yes sir exactly what I'm going to do just haven't had time. Been pulling in as many Benjamins as I can and absorbing as much info as I can.

Patience and money, two basic requirements of the reef hobby.

 

[gnashty]

:yay: I knew the experts would come to the rescue!! Thanks Dave...

 

[KrisDeitz]

Glad you made it to Arc man. I saw your post on Rc and figured I'd invite ya

 

[carlitosreef]

Acroholic;649360 wrote: Patience and money, two basic requirements of the reef hobby.

I'm getting better at being patience. Usually when I want something I want it right away but I have to understand it doesn't work like that in life.

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[cr500_af]

Acroholic;649360 wrote: Patience and money, two basic requirements of the reef hobby.

And I have too much of one and not enough of the other. :sad:

Welcome, CarlitosReef!

 

[carlitosreef]

PFCDeitz;649364 wrote: Glad you made it to Arc man. I saw your post on Rc and figured I'd invite ya

Once again thanks for the invitation. Great forum here and the best of all is only Atl members.

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[redstang]

Acroholic;649360 wrote: Patience and money, two basic requirements of the reef hobby.

I am finding this to be the absolute truth.