WMAS Discussion Forum : New here http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:52:23 +0000 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:37:57 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=45763 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[New here : I just wanted to say thank you...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392884&title=new-here#392884 Author: superchud
Subject: 45763
Posted: January 04 2011 at 7:37pm

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for all their input. I am so much more excited and energized about doing a reef tank now then I was before I joined here.

And a special thanks to Lincoln and Will for taking time out of their days to let me and my wife come visit with you and check out your tanks that was awesome. 

I met another great person this weekend, Jerry from Marine Aquatics, he will be moving whatever used tank I end up purchasing in the future.

I am in a fortunate situation my wife wants to create a reef tank almost as much as I do. And if we can find a sitter Thursday night we will be at the frag fest even though we wont be able to purchase anything we still want to come and check out the atmosphere and frags of course (funny a week ago I had no idea what a frag was).
]]> Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:37:57 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392884&title=new-here#392884 <![CDATA[New here : I would not recommend buying new...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392831&title=new-here#392831 Author: Luckedout
Subject: 45763
Posted: January 04 2011 at 3:18pm

I would not recommend buying new or buying big as well unless you are wealthy or have estimated your costs. I was told when I first started my business that you should take what you anticipate in costs and double them and you'll be a lot closer to the actual number. I find that works pretty well in this hobby as well. It's always more expensive than you anticipate.

If you can find a good reef system put together for a good price I would jump on it. You might not be happy with everything it comes with or how it was set up, but you can tweak it and you'll still save money in the long run.
]]> Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:18:10 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392831&title=new-here#392831 <![CDATA[New here : Hi, I entered SW a lot like...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392815&title=new-here#392815 Author: vadryn
Subject: 45763
Posted: January 04 2011 at 2:08pm

Hi,
 
I entered SW a lot like you, after a few years in FW tanks.  I converted a 90g tank to SW about 20 months ago.  I'm a HUGE fan of the 90g tank.  It is an extremely flexible size that will allow you to house most reef-safe fish as well and lots of room for LR and coral.
 
I'm working towards a large SW setup, but some things are concerning.  To quote my wife, "A small percentage of a big number is still a big number."  In a 180 or 210 setup, anything you do will have to be done "big" and the cost really adds up.  Expenses that you just don't see in FW.
 
A 20% water change on a 210 will cost $15 in salt.  You will also need a container to mix that much SW in, a powerhead/pump to mix it, and a way to get it into the tank.  A minimum of 25x flow in a 210 is 5250 gph.  That's a lot of powerheads/pumps.  Reefs require expensive lighting and, oh yeah, all this shows up on the power bill. Censored
 
I'm not trying to talk you out of it.  You just want to move into this with the eyes wide open.
 
Prepare the wife to be patient.  I new SW setup can look ghetto (inside the tank) for months.  It takes 8-12 months for a tank to start to settle in.  My 90g is in my entryway and we had a lot of raised eyebrows and even comments on how poor it looked while the system was getting established.  I loved seeing it, but cyano and bubble algae are an acquired taste. Geek 
 
I guess I'm biased, but I think doing one from the beginning is a worthwhile endeavor.  I would NOT recommend buying new, though.
]]> Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:08:54 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392815&title=new-here#392815 <![CDATA[New here : Whatever you do, take lots of...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392722&title=new-here#392722 Author: Deluxe247
Subject: 45763
Posted: January 03 2011 at 8:48pm

Whatever you do, take lots of pictures and post the whole thing in the tank build section! Those are my favorites to read. I think it's great that you're talking to lots of people before diving in. You will get some great advice, some perhaps contradictory because there's simply more than one "right" way to do things. Take it all in and weigh it against your own needs, wants, and budget.

Since you have experience with freshwater, you probably have a good understanding of the basic biology that makes up an aquatic ecosystem. In my experience, a reef may be more complex, but generally if done well, it is a more complete ecosystem than most freshwater tanks, and therefore can be more self-sustaining and easier to maintain.

Anyway, welcome to "reefers anonymous." We're all a bunch of addicts.]]> Mon, 03 Jan 2011 20:48:05 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392722&title=new-here#392722 <![CDATA[New here : Sweet, I have today off I will...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392620&title=new-here#392620 Author: superchud
Subject: 45763
Posted: January 03 2011 at 11:17am

Sweet, I have today off I will give you a ring!]]> Mon, 03 Jan 2011 11:17:23 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392620&title=new-here#392620 <![CDATA[New here : I started out with my reef by...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392619&title=new-here#392619 Author: Will Spencer
Subject: 45763
Posted: January 03 2011 at 11:04am

I started out with my reef by moving a complete system to my home from the sellers home.  It's not difficult if you make a good plan, but it is a lot of work and takes hours to do it right.  It is totally worth it though if you find the right tank and can save you a ton of money over starting from scratch and buying everything new.  I love to talk about aquariums and I'm out in West Jordan so not too far away.  I'm also home most of the day since I work out of my house.  You are welcome anytime and I can give you a run down of how I moved my 180 gallon reef.  (I've also helped move MANY tanks for other people and learned a few lessons on the way.)]]> Mon, 03 Jan 2011 11:04:22 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392619&title=new-here#392619 <![CDATA[New here : Thanks that would be great! ]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392607&title=new-here#392607 Author: superchud
Subject: 45763
Posted: January 03 2011 at 10:12am

Thanks that would be great!]]> Mon, 03 Jan 2011 10:12:26 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392607&title=new-here#392607 <![CDATA[New here : I would make sure that whatever...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392596&title=new-here#392596 Author: Tresa
Subject: 45763
Posted: January 03 2011 at 8:19am

I would make sure that whatever you get is drilled..... much easier that way. I am also in South Jordan if you want to stop by sometime.....

]]> Mon, 03 Jan 2011 08:19:49 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392596&title=new-here#392596 <![CDATA[New here : I went over to Lincoln&#039;s...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392588&title=new-here#392588 Author: superchud
Subject: 45763
Posted: January 02 2011 at 11:08pm

I went over to Lincoln's house just today to check out his tanks and visit with someone already in the hobby and it was great. So much better then just punching away on a keyboard or talking on the phone. Thanks Lincoln!!

I would love to come visit some of you and see your tanks and chat it up. Thats why I came here on a suggestion from a friend I wanted to meet people that have been in this hobby for some time that I could learn from and interact with.

I am in no means in a hurry, I have been wanting to do this for a few years now and waiting another few months or longer does not bother me. 



]]> Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:08:33 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392588&title=new-here#392588 <![CDATA[New here : Hey, I saw this topic shortly...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392554&title=new-here#392554 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 45763
Posted: January 02 2011 at 7:34pm

Hey, I saw this topic shortly after it was posted, but decided to watch it.

Does anyone think like me; that Chad seems to be putting the cart before the horse?

If he is going to be wise by coming here, introducing himself and asking our opinions, Thumbs Up then he really should go see some of our setups before buying something. He needs to actually see a few of our tanks and talk with us about how and why we did it the way we did before spending any money on something that may be a mistake for him.
We see it all the time. People come here and in just a few posts find out that what they thought was something special turned out to be different than what they wanted.

I commend Chad for asking us which one we would buy, but that's still opinion and without knowing just what kind of tank that person has at their house, I would never buy something based on their forum opinion. But that's just me. Embarrassed
]]> Sun, 02 Jan 2011 19:34:35 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763&PID=392554&title=new-here#392554