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Welcome To NJRC! Take a minute to introduce yourself

Hello all. My name is Sherif, I'm new here and glad I came across this community.

Not sure where or when my fascination with glass rectangles filled with water started, really. When my family moved to Bridgewater (from Somerville) about 17 years ago we had a freshwater 40 gallon breeder. I would say thats how it started but I was too young to know what was going on - I couldn't even see into it if I was on my tippy toes. The tank was then taken down a few years later and given to a family friend. I wanted a tank of my own since

At the age of 15 I got my first job at the Somerset County Library System - Bridgewater branch. I found myself with what seemed to be too much money in my pocket - boy, was I wrong. I had always wanted a saltwater tank and I spent hours doing research online on the hobby. I thought I knew everything I needed to know, but once again - boy, was I wrong. I had my mom drive me to PetCo to pick up what I (thought I) needed. I walked in, pockets full of newly acquired cash I didn't know how to handle, and my mom by my side telling me not to be an idiot. Nonetheless, I spent a good two pay checks on a 40 breeder, salt, sand, a heater, a HOB filter, and some extra stuff the employee suggested. Horrible idea. I soon came to my senses and returned everything I had bought. Instead, I decided to do more research before starting my tank. But in the mean time, I bought a used 10 gallon off Craigslist and started a freshwater planted tank to occupy some of my time and fulfill my aquatic needs.

About a year ago I got my current job, a waiter at a local Dine-In-Theater. That was my cue. This time I came as close as I could to being ready for this tank. I had what I wanted in mind and took my time getting everything I needed. I decided on a three foot long 12 gallon nano with a 20 gallon sump/fugue. I wont get too far into this tank here because I do plan on making a tank build about it, here, on NJRC.

I am extremely excited to have finally found a local community. I built this setup alone with only the advice online and some from the employees at Ocean Gallery II. I think this community will help me greatly on my journey and I hope I can help in return someday in the future.

Thanks for your time!
 

mnat

Officer Emeritus
Staff member
Moderator
Welcome to the forums and I am looking foward to your build. My first tank was a 12g AIO system.
 
Hi Everybody!

Just found this forum a short while ago, though it's managed to already help me out greatly, as I wanted a Peacock Mantis and all it took was one post and about 5 mins before I had found one.

First, I'll explain how I got into, out of and back into the hobby. My first tank was an X-Mas gift from my parents when I was about 5-6 years old. It was a FW tank I kept for about 10 years after that, continuously running. About this time I moved around a bit, so having a tank was difficult, though I managed to keep a small 10G planted aquarium for a couple years in high school and had a 40G planted tank for a short while as well.

Skip forward a couple years and I read a bit about nano-reef tanks and it piqued my interest, especially since I still had my 20H. After seeing the prices of everything, I was a bit disappointed with my lack of funds, but luckily a friend of mine read the oatmeal cartoon about the Peacock Mantis Shrimp and decided that was the coolest thing ever(because it is). I convinced him to split the cost and here I am, now about to set up my old 40g again so I can move the Mantis when the time comes.

Glad to be back enjoying an aquarium and my first foray into reef keeping.
 

mnat

Officer Emeritus
Staff member
Moderator
Hi Everybody!

Just found this forum a short while ago, though it's managed to already help me out greatly, as I wanted a Peacock Mantis and all it took was one post and about 5 mins before I had found one.

First, I'll explain how I got into, out of and back into the hobby. My first tank was an X-Mas gift from my parents when I was about 5-6 years old. It was a FW tank I kept for about 10 years after that, continuously running. About this time I moved around a bit, so having a tank was difficult, though I managed to keep a small 10G planted aquarium for a couple years in high school and had a 40G planted tank for a short while as well.

Skip forward a couple years and I read a bit about nano-reef tanks and it piqued my interest, especially since I still had my 20H. After seeing the prices of everything, I was a bit disappointed with my lack of funds, but luckily a friend of mine read the oatmeal cartoon about the Peacock Mantis Shrimp and decided that was the coolest thing ever(because it is). I convinced him to split the cost and here I am, now about to set up my old 40g again so I can move the Mantis when the time comes.

Glad to be back enjoying an aquarium and my first foray into reef keeping.

Glad Elos was able to help you out and welcome to the forum.
 
Hello everyone, my name is Hector and I have been in the SW hobby for many years but just recently started reefing. My tanks have always been aggressive FOWLRs and Triggers are my favorite.

I currently have a 75g FOWLR and a 75g Reef.

The FOWLR is an aggressive tank with a Lionfish, Gold Banded Eel, Picasso Trigger, Porcupine Puffer, a Tomato Clown and a Foxface that is out of place but I can't catch him. The lionfish absolutely dominates the tank but I am hoping to add a final trigger to the mix.

The 75g Reef is my first attempt to keeping corals. It started as a 55g which failed twice after hard lessons (changing the RODI filters often and managing water flow in the tank). It has been pretty stable for the last 6 months and some of my earlier corals have grown very nicely (GSP, Green Torch, Dragon Eyes, Anthelias). I am currently running a 4 bulb T5 that I hope to upgrade soon to either a 6 bulb or LED.

I just added some basic SPS to the tank, Green Montipora Cap and a couple of Monti Digitata frags that are keeping their color and polyps out. First time for me :)

I also have a Snowflake Clown paired up with a Percula Clown that host a Watermelon BTA.

I am looking forward to getting more involved and learning.

Hector
 
Hello :)
My name is Jing, im brand new to saltwater/reef/aquarium/coral/everything in this lifestyle. I was introduced into the hobby by my boyfriend, Kyle (classklown90) whos own beautiful tank was so eyecatching and definitely a dinner topic ;). He took me to the NJ swap and I bought my first coral for his tank.

Then he introduced me to zoas and I ended up getting my own tank cause you know, you cant just keep stocking up the boyfriends tank with pretty things (albeit this could be argued). im really excited to learn and hes been the best resource in the world. I owe him alot to be introducing me to you guys, too.

I have a 29g biocube that is currently cycling. Once I get my first fishie then ill start taking pictures cause I finished my first aquascape too !
 
Welcome to the fold Jing. I'm sure Kyle is gonna point you in the right direction. I see no reason to wait for the fish, lets see a tank shot now.
 
Hello :)
My name is Jing, im brand new to saltwater/reef/aquarium/coral/everything in this lifestyle. I was introduced into the hobby by my boyfriend, Kyle (classklown90) whos own beautiful tank was so eyecatching and definitely a dinner topic ;). He took me to the NJ swap and I bought my first coral for his tank.

Then he introduced me to zoas and I ended up getting my own tank cause you know, you cant just keep stocking up the boyfriends tank with pretty things (albeit this could be argued). im really excited to learn and hes been the best resource in the world. I owe him alot to be introducing me to you guys, too.

I have a 29g biocube that is currently cycling. Once I get my first fishie then ill start taking pictures cause I finished my first aquascape too !

Welcome ;) start a build.thread in the tale of tank. And shoot some pics of what we got done.so far.

Sent from my galaxy s4
 
Your right there is so much dimension in sps but I am literally enthralled at zoas/palys I just cant get enough.

And the krakatoa paly is so pretty ! Is it sinful to say theyre not my favorite? My favorites are Kyles candy apple reds.
 
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