New to the forum.. introduction

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danielll

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Hey guys,

Just wanted to introduce myself to the forum as I began posting here recently. I had been reading here a while, but I didn't want to post until I felt I had a tank and a little experience under my belt to have a good conversation.

Me: I am a field service technician for an RF testing equipment company, and prior US Navy.

My Gear:
I fell in love with Optimum Aquarium from the second I walked into the store. I have been to a five or six fish stores in Atlanta and Chatanooga and by far Optimum is the cleanest, and more reliable store I have been to. Great advice, and extremely willing to help.
I say this because I purchased my entire new setup through them.

90 gallon reef tank with stand and hood (which I can't really use due to lighting)
30 gallon Sump
4x HO T5 Solar extreme with led moonlighting
Reef octopus Protein Skimmer
probably 80-100 lbs of rock, atleast 70% is live rock.

Livestock:
2 clowns (b/w, o/w)
1 yellow tang
1 striped blenny
1 basslet
1 damsel (hard to catch, caught his brother, but he's smarter, he hasnt been a big issue yet)
One rock (in pics) with GSP, and mushrooms
2 emerald crabs
about 5 snails, and a strange shell-less snail I didnt put in (live rock hitchhiker i guess)

Future additions:
Looking for probably 3-4 more small fish, varying colors, still deciding.
Corals are my main goal right now, I am eyeing a pretty amazing rock for 200 at optimum with orangish coral (forgot name) and mushrooms. good sized coral

Here is a couple pics to view if you want.
Great to be here!

Edit:

Edit:
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Welcome Daniel. If there is anything you need, just ask. You may be surprised at how generous the responses can be! I hope you enjoy this hobby for many years to come.

FWIW- I was a Navy ET, many moons ago, between high school and college. One of the best things I have ever done in my life.
 
cr500_af;627516 wrote: Welcome! Another Westsider is always nice to have. :)
Click to expand...

Yes it is :)

Edit:
ichthyoid;627517 wrote: Welcome Daniel. If there is anything you need, just ask. You may be surprised at how generous the responses can be! I hope you enjoy this hobby for many years to come.

FWIW- I was a Navy ET, many moons ago, between high school and college. One of the best things I have ever done in my life.
Click to expand...

I have known a few ET's and they have all been good guys, so good on ya. I was a gunnersmate, technically still am (reservist) with a VLS back ground (missile launchers from destroyers, just like the ones currently giving Gadhafi hell.
 
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome to the dark side. You've got to some great neighbors too. Looks like a great start, what did you have in mind for the others? Just curious...watch out for the tang police though.
 
If the tang gets too big for the tank, I have no issue returning him.

Here are some of my other possibilities for the tank:
Really want this one -&gt; Catalina Goby link: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2124+155&pcatid=155">http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2124+155&pcatid=155</a>
Red Striped Goby Link: [IMG]http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2124+1728&pcatid=1728">http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2124+1728&pcatid=1728</a>
Purple Urchin link: [IMG]http://www.saltwaterfish.com/Purple-Urchin--Group-of-2_p_393.html">http://www.saltwaterfish.com/Purple-Urchin--Group-of-2_p_393.html</a>
Star Blenny: [IMG]http://www.saltwaterfish.com/Starry-Blenny_p_4188.html">http://www.saltwaterfish.com/Starry-Blenny_p_4188.html</a>

Edit: Oh I absolutely adore the flame angel as well, but I killed one by adding it too early I think, and I have been scared to get another one :(
 
Danielll;627527 wrote: If the tang gets too big for the tank, I have no issue returning him.

Here are some of my other possibilities for the tank:
Really want this one -&gt; Catalina Goby link: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2124+155&pcatid=155">http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2124+155&pcatid=155</a>
Red Striped Goby Link: [IMG]http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2124+1728&pcatid=1728">http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2124+1728&pcatid=1728</a>
Purple Urchin link: [IMG]http://www.saltwaterfish.com/Purple-Urchin--Group-of-2_p_393.html">http://www.saltwaterfish.com/Purple-Urchin--Group-of-2_p_393.html</a>
Star Blenny: [IMG]http://www.saltwaterfish.com/Starry-Blenny_p_4188.html">http://www.saltwaterfish.com/Starry-Blenny_p_4188.html</a>

Edit: Oh I absolutely adore the flame angel as well, but I killed one by adding it too early I think, and I have been scared to get another one :([/QUOTE]


The Catalina Goby does better with cooler temps, like around 70 deg.

I have a Wheelers Goby, and they are beautiful, IMO.
[IMG]http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2124+226&pcatid=226">http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2124+226&pcatid=226</a>
Click to expand...
 
That is a pretty nice goby.

It figures after i just wrote that my damsel wasnt causing a problem, I just fed them, and he was chasing my basslet off. Going to have to figure out a way to catch him.

Edit: BTW I didn't mention, the tank is about two months old, maybe two and a half at this point. I watch my parameters like a hawk and its pretty solid.
 
This picture does the Wheeler's Goby more justice, IMO. The irreidescent colors in their fins is subtle, yet beautiful.

goby_wheelersWatchman2.jpg
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ichthyoid;627537 wrote: This picture does the Wheeler's Goby more justice, IMO. The irreidescent colors in their fins is subtle, yet beautiful.
Click to expand...
Very nice, I don't think I've seen one of those before.

Aurora and Tangora(sp?) are very nice too. Normal temps etc.
 
oh hey your right, thats much nicer. And a great price on them too!

On a side note, I just realized the kroger down the street offers RO/DI water, so I am going to start mixing my own, is instant ocean reef crystals good to use?
 
Danielll;627540 wrote: I just realized the kroger down the street offers RO/DI water, so I am going to start mixing my own, is instant ocean reef crystals good to use?
Click to expand...
Kroger usually sells just R/O but whatever. Reef crystals is great for the money, IMO.
 
its a dispenser at the front, I thought it said deionized, I will try to get more details, i know it said it was charcoal filtered etc, will that be okay, or am I asking for issues? Maybe I should just invest in a RO/DI unit.
 
Danielll;627568 wrote: its a dispenser at the front, I thought it said deionized, I will try to get more details, i know it said it was charcoal filtered etc, will that be okay, or am I asking for issues? Maybe I should just invest in a RO/DI unit.
Click to expand...
IMO, unless you want to "dose" your tank, go with it. I do!!!! I have had a couple minor problems with algae from time to time but only when I'm slack on my changes. I always check the date and try to go a less populated store seeing how it's the same distance to 3 others and check the maintenance date located on the side. I know some guys won't recommend just R/O but...
 
I use water from publix and have no problems at all cause it has a filter change and service chart on it.If you want I can get you started off with some great mushrooms of all different colors for very cheap,and if you join the club I can give you some for FREE!
 
sprinklerman500;627585 wrote: I use water from publix and have no problems at all cause it has a filter change and service chart on it.If you want I can get you started off with some great mushrooms of all different colors for very cheap,and if you join the club I can give you some for FREE!
Click to expand...

That'd be really nice, I have spent over two thousand so far on this hobby in the last couple months, finally at a stable point and the wife is none so thrilled about me dropping more right now :P

I will look into joining the club soon, I want to attend the meets anyways.

Edit:
 
Danielll;627597 wrote: That'd be really nice, I have spent over two thousand so far on this hobby in the last couple months, finally at a stable point and the wife is none so thrilled about me dropping more right now :P

I will look into joining the club soon, I want to attend the meets anyways.
Click to expand...

With the membership 10% discount, you would have saved over $200 and would have over $170 left (after $30 ARC dues) for you AND your wife to go shopping! :D

FYI- everyone is welcome to come to the meetings, they are not just for members.
 
Oh yeah, I'm sure, I know optimum is a sponsor here.
I actually have a pic of that next coral I want to get from them, (snagged one to show the wife)

It's the orange one, would look awesome in my tank :)
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ichthyoid;627605 wrote: With the membership 10% discount, you would have saved over $200 and would have over $170 left (after $30 ARC dues) for you AND your wife to go shopping! :D

FYI- everyone is welcome to come to the meetings, they are not just for members.
Click to expand...

signed up this morning as a paying member. :)
 
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