New to forum and saltwater reef tanks

[Thaumas]

Hi,
I'm new to saltwater aquariums and am in the process of getting a 180 gallon reef tank. I've been lurking on boards for few days trying to get more info on reef tank setups to go along with books/online resources. From reading posts here on boards everyone seems friendly and willing to offer advice when asked. Hopefully, I won't make too much of a nuisance of myself in coming weeks/months with questions for you all . Anyway, I look forward to getting to know you all!
BTW, I'll start aking questins tomorrow;)

[charlie]

First off, welcome to Reefland!!!

Secondly, welcome to our little piece of the reef here at Reefland. This is a pretty small club with a whole bunch of knowledge and a bunch of good people. Feel free to jump right in our threads, we have been known, to have a little bit of fun!!!!!

We have a meeting coming up at my house on April 3rd:
Meeting???

As that date gets closer more info will be posted, along with directions and a phone number or 2 that you can get in touch with me.

Hope you enjoy your stay, don't feel bad if we don't answer right away, it is like building a reef tank, patience is required

I am usually here just about everyday at some time or another, feel free to shoot me a private message if need be, OK

[DevonM]

Welcome! Where are you located? What kind of tank are you going to set up? FOWLR, corals, inverts, etc.?

[Thaumas]

Hi all,
I live in Kalispell and right now I'm waiting for my 180 gal glass tank to come in. I've been filling my time with reading/research on saltwater reef aquariums. My hope is to try and have the whole shibang (eventually)....soft/hard corals, fish, and some inverts. Just got my new Aqualight Pro delivered and I'm hoping everything else will be in soon....

[charlie]

Sounds good!!!!

Are you thinking about coming up for the meeting on the 3rd??

[DevonM]

What kind of Aqualight Pro light did you get?

[Thaumas]

Well after looking through articles etc I went with a 72" AQUALIGHT PRO HQI + 4/96W
ACTINIC + LUNAR. It's the one with 3x150w mh lights so my hope is that the 450 watts of mh lighting will be enough for the 2ft depth of my tank, yet still allow me to have corals with differing light preferences. Think it'll allow me to grow some hard and soft corals if I place them at different depths and either in direct or more indirect lighting? I'm sure hoping it will lol.

[charlie]

In my opinion, you may have problems with sps corals, with only the 150W lites, but I think you nmay be able to make a go of everything else. Like I said, just my opinion.

[CutthroatKid]

In my opinion, you may have problems with sps corals, with only the 150W lites, but I think you nmay be able to make a go of everything else. Like I said, just my opinion.

That being said, you can always try some of the easier (less expensive) sps and see how it goes.

I would put some serious thought into which corals you put in your tank. For example, I know there are plenty of us that would have never put Xenia in our tank, given another chance. ;)

[Thaumas]

Well opinions are definitely what I need being such a newb myself. I was worried bout going with the 150's vs the 250's because of reading bout the lighting needs for the sps coral, but because I wanted to have as much diversity in my reef as possible, hoped the 150's would give me the best chances. The idea bout trying the cheaper sps starting out sounds great too. When my tank is at that point my best bet would be to put them up high on the reef, right? Cut, about the xenia's, is that because they grow so fast? Can't say I have strong feeling bout having them or not as this point, but if they have a downside I'd definiely be ok not having them... Oh, I had heard they could help as a visual indiicator of water quality?

Thanks all for the input!

[charlie]

Diversity is nice, but I think you need to do some research as to what gets along with what before you go throwing a bunch of leathers and lps into the same tank. There is alot of wars that go on between different species of coral that cannot be seen, at least until it is to late.

Every coral you have is a visual indicator of what your water quality is like. In my experience, the Euphyllia species is the best indicator of water quality. Xenia has a tendency to just crash for no apparent reason, has happened to me twice in different tanks.

[Thaumas]

Definitely been doing lots and lots of research;0 Nothing else to do till I get my tank lol.

[charlie]

Being that you want a garden tank, you need to do as much as is humanly possible. They can be accomplished. If you can look in my gallery, try to get to some pics of my old 80 gallon, they would be on some of the first pages.

I don't think you answered my question of before, you think you may be able to make it up to the meeting on the 3rd?

[CutthroatKid]

For me the Xenia thing is because it either grows very well and takes over, or like Charlie said, just dies off for some reason. Some people really love it though.

The chemical warfare is a big deal. Keep up with all that research though and you should be alright. Most of the answers are out there, and for the few unanswered questions, someone here will have the answer.

[Thaumas]

Yeah I've got books everywhere at the moment so definitely trying to learn as much as I can. Charlie, as to the meeting, it'll kinda depend. Pretty sure that night works, but need to know if you have steps into your house? I'm in electric wheelchair and let me tell you, it's heavy;0 I do have couple portable ramps I use, but if more than 1-2 steps it's probably not going to happen If it doesn't work out for upcoming meeting though maybe you all would come over to my place sometime in the future and give me suggestions for my tank once I get it up and going

[charlie]

Damn, I have more steps than carters has pills. We can just get Cynthia to take some good notes for you my friend!!!!

Let me know when you get your tank, and sure, we could probably come down and make a few suggestions.

[DevonM]

I ended up with a 72" Current HQI (3 - 150 Watts) + Power compacts and now kind of wish I had 250s but my SPS are growing well toward the top of the 30" tank. I will say that light intensity dramatically changes the colors of the SPS corals.

Because we like pictures...

Also, I tried three different leathers in the tank and they began to war, so I took them all out. There are lots of other corals that will give you that flowing effect if that's what you are looking for.

I would like to eventually add one leather, a Fiji yellow, which is both colorful and not hard on its other tank mates. Charlie's has one in his SPS tank in the lower left corner (check out his pictures).

Oh and wait at least a year before you decide on the Xenia .
Glad that you are doing your research, many find out the hard way by not. This site and www.Wetwebmedia.com have been a wealth of information for me.

[lostcreekreefer]

So Thaumas, any word on the arrival of your tank yet?

[Thaumas]

Hi all,
I've been away for few weeks with death in family. Back now though, and yes as of last evening I am now proud owner of a 180 gal reef tank ;) As i mentioned to Charlie in an earlier post about my being disabled, it's fortunate for me in that it's taught me tremdous patience ;0 That said, I've been continually looking at my tank today to see if i can tell diff in the cloudiness lol. No hurry on my part though it's giving me time to contemplate live rock. I thought I had it somewhat worked out, but plans change and now I'm considering trying to buy some online and curing it myself.....I've read few brief "how to's" regarding this, but wanted to ask if it's harder than it sounds? My reasons fot considering this are 1) I'd like the rock to be from one area (possible same lot) for asthetic reasons and 2) it seems like if it's not harder than it sounds I could save at least 1/3 of total costs I'd pay buying at fish store.....

Thanks for checking back in with me lost

[charlie]

Hi all,
I've been away for few weeks with death in family. Back now though, and yes as of last evening I am now proud owner of a 180 gal reef tank ;) As i mentioned to Charlie in an earlier post about my being disabled, it's fortunate for me in that it's taught me tremdous patience ;0 That said, I've been continually looking at my tank today to see if i can tell diff in the cloudiness lol. No hurry on my part though it's giving me time to contemplate live rock. I thought I had it somewhat worked out, but plans change and now I'm considering trying to buy some online and curing it myself.....I've read few brief "how to's" regarding this, but wanted to ask if it's harder than it sounds? My reasons fot considering this are 1) I'd like the rock to be from one area (possible same lot) for asthetic reasons and 2) it seems like if it's not harder than it sounds I could save at least 1/3 of total costs I'd pay buying at fish store.....

Thanks for checking back in with me lost

Welcome back!!!!! Sorry to hear about your family, hope all is well.

The live rock is probably going to cycle either way, so you are into at least a 4-6 week cycle. why don't you try calling either Reef Missoula or Aquatic Dreams in Spokane and see what they can do for you on rock $$$$. I am gonna be in Spokane in 2 weeks, I would gladly pick it up for you, for about a 12 pack of Kokanee Gold.