Salted
NJRC Member
Losers eat Case or store brand....
...and have goldfish tanks with a treasure chest.
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New-Any and all advice!
- Thread starter Sybil.crescenzo
- Start date
...and have goldfish tanks with a treasure chest.
Salted
NJRC Member
If she’s hung in this far she’s a keeper.We've hijacked this gal's thread- to op I'm sorry, we really do want to help and are all friends, and like to have fun- some of us are just a bit.......
Hi Sybil and welcome aboard!
Best of luck with starting. There's a few basics you'll need to pick up, keep in mind this is an expensive hobby. Its best to start out properly with decent equipment. If you buy cheap you're going to be replacing it within a year. We've all been there, we've all tried to beat the system, we've all ended up spending more in the long run when we realize you cant really skimp.
Saying that, you're in a place where theres lots of folks willing to help new folks, and we all have garages full of stuff.
Another piece of advice is read, but don't get carried away, theres no test, just basic concepts that will help you in the future.
Know the basics of the nitrogen cycle.
Know the basic requirements of whats in the tank (live rock, salt levels, chemical parameters (basics - dont get lost in this, people go nuts over adjustments, its not that crazy - they are
)).Know the importance of curing rock and cycling the tank (and have patience to complete the cycle - anything rushed in this hobby dies).
Know the basics of the equipment, all is optional depending how you want to approach your tank build (sump, refugium/fuge, lights (LED/T5), overflow, surface skimming, protein skimmer, powerheads, wavemakers, heaters, etc). Again, a base knowledge.
Then, trial by fire, and we're here to help at every step.
Buy a tank, get adequate lights, good sand, good rock, a form of mechanical filtration, a skimmer, an Auto Top Off (invaluable), and a way to make or source water (making water is cheaper in the long run, as a starter an Aquatic Life RO Buddy is economical and works great).
Clean/cure rock, put rock and sand in tank, add salt water, start cycle, wait 4-6 weeks for cycle to complete (we're 'prepping water with bacteria to support fish here).
Add a fish, do some maintenance, add a coral, do some maintenance, add a fish, etc...
Post any and every question along the way.
DangerDave
NJRC Member
OP, I have to agree with the good Dr, but this is America and he can’t make us take good sensible advice. Ever try vodka dosing?
Hahaha tbh I’m not native nj so i off pretty lost in the sauce hahaWe've hijacked this gal's thread- to op I'm sorry, we really do want to help and are all friends, and like to have fun- some of us are just a bit.......
DYIguy
NJRC Member
When I got back into the hobby over a year ago- I joined a few facebook groups along with reading/ watching videos- it took me a while before I realized how much bad information is out there- and how much people like to be 'liked'- and how some are just nasty- then I found this group- no judgements- a lot of info- you just have to ask ( not all things are true- like pork roll vs Taylor ham lol)- and very supportive and giving- you can find freebies, get better deals on frags here than any LFS- and some fun ( some between the lines ) Keep asking questions and sharing your 'adventure' - I'm looking forward to hear what you're planning- btw- I started with a 13g, moved up and quickly out of a 29 hex, then a 30L ( got for free here with stand and hood )- bought a 40B new- and a 29cube used with stand here- all are still up and running, and I just purchased a 75g which is in the planning stage/ sitting on a bench right now
Salted
NJRC Member
Where did you you come the the land of high taxes from?
Delaware! Lol
welcome to jersey !!!!! few things. maybe mark touched on them already, but just my main points.
tank size/type (sump or no sump)
reef or fish only
budget?
time frame?
definitely watch RELIABLE videos on YouTube. any questions about anything you see on there, feel free to ask here.
patience, time, and money is what's needed to succeed in this hobby.
welcome to the NJ reef family!!
Yeah!! I’d love to!!
DYIguy
NJRC Member
So you do have a tank already, and @MaximusReef got you started/ set up- So, what size tank do you have, lighting, filtration. Did you cycle or use one and only- love to see pics of the whole tank
Can you pm me? I actually have a few questions haha
DYIguy
NJRC Member
I'm not the guy for answers- still learning from my mistakes- I'm sure some of the other's with more experience will be able to help you out
You could just ask them here if you feel comfortable. Everyone here is super knowledgeable and it's not like fb pages where everyone is always super rude instead of helpful
ericrodriguez
NJRC Member
I thought the same lol
Looks like it’s not even a new system as I see some mushrooms and other stuff .
DYIguy
NJRC Member