Excited and confused!

carldr · 03-05-2008, 05:03 PM

Hi all,

I'm completely new to keeping fish, and I'm in the process of planning a marine aquarium. I've not decided on anything yet, not the size of the aquarium, not what I want to keep in it, nothing - I want to get as much information about it all before I do. Whatever I end up going with, I'm relishing the challenges I'm going to face.

That said, I've spent the last few weeks visiting the various resources on the web, but it seems that the more I learn, the more confused I get!

Anyway, you guys all seem friendly enough, so I thought I'd register and say hello - Be prepared for a barrage of questions over the next few weeks ...

Carl.

Stacef · 03-05-2008, 05:05 PM

Welcome!! We Loooove questions.

Oh and pics too!

msbdiving · 03-05-2008, 05:12 PM

Welcome, and don't worry you will just come up with even more questions once your initial ones are answered. You can spend enough time researching stuff for this hobby to the extent that it would be equivalent to that of a college degree.

Some authors that I have found helpfull have been Fenner, Shimek, Delbeek, Sprung.

boozeman · 03-05-2008, 05:18 PM

kathywithbirds · 03-05-2008, 05:23 PM

hi! Yup, seriously. The more you learn the more you find there is to learn. I've been at this a year almost and I'm still wet behind the ears!

BarbMazz · 03-05-2008, 05:32 PM

Hi, Carl! and WELCOME!

You're SMART... because you're like ME.. researching before setting up. I think it's only a good thing when this happens.

I decided to do a tank back in November... joined RS in December, and have been researching and purchasing since then. My tank is still not set up but I am getting close now!

Looking back on how I did things, if I had to start all over again, I would decide FIRST on what animals I would like to keep.

I knew I wanted a reef tank, and at first I thought I wanted a bit of "everything"... soft corals, large-polyped stoney corals (LPS), small-polyped stoney corals (sps), fish, clams..inverts including anemones. Then, I started to learn that it's not so easy to keep all that together (although people do, with beautiful results). I was VERY confused!

Someone here (I think it was Frankie) suggested that I look around and decide the ONE animal I couldn't live without. That answer was CLAMS. Bingo! I was started on a path of decisions. Clams need high quality lights and good water quality, and good water flow/movement. Okay, so next.. what things live well in that environment? Small-polyped stoney corals!

So, my theme was born. It will be a "biotope" of sorts.... a tank that will have inhabitants that naturally live together in the ocean. That type of tank is easier to care for (in theory) because the animals are used to living together, and work together in harmony. So, I will keep clams, stoney corals (SPS), some feather dusters, a pair of goby fish and a symbiont shrimp, a couple of cardinalfish or anthias, and MAYBE down the road if my tank is right... an anemone and then a pair of clownfish.

All that blather boils down to: The equipment decisions were easier once I knew what type animals I wanted to keep.

There are greats things to read right here on site; they are called "Stickies" and they live at the top of each forum. Ask lots of questions... the people here are WONDERFUL and above all, very nice and understanding, and PATIENT with us new people.

Have fun here! It's the BEST place I've found on the internet for learning about reefkeeping.

goldenmean · 03-05-2008, 05:36 PM

Howdy Hooooo!
Welcome to RS!

djbacon · 03-05-2008, 06:27 PM

welcome aboard - get ready to be hooked

lcstorc · 03-05-2008, 06:34 PM

Welcome to RS!

carldr · 03-05-2008, 06:39 PM

djbacon, I'm already hooked. In fact, it was the chronicle of your nano reef that made me hold off for a little while longer - I was all set to go with a 125 litre tank before I read that!

But I think the best advice I've read yet has been from BarbMazz. I've been going round and round in circles, trying to decide on the size of the aquarium and then working out what equipment I need and then figuring out what animals I would be able to keep. I'm sure I should be doing as BarbMazz suggests, and first decide on the ONE animal I can't do without, and go from there.

So thanks BarbMazz, and to everyone else who has said "Hi" so far!

BarbMazz · 03-05-2008, 09:42 PM

You're welcome, Carl.. I'm glad that long thing I wrote helped! I use too many words lot of times.

I went round and round as you are, and you can see my confusion in writing if you look at my threads in the beginner section!

I also had a bit of trouble with the husband re; tank size, but he's come around now. While the tank I have is a bit small for my taste (65 US gallons), it will do for now. I know a bigger tank is in my future.

I see you live in Manchester... I spent a bit of time there several years ago on my way through England. I love England.. one of the best places I've visited. The little town of Castle Combe in the Cotswolds was one of my favorites.

vdituri · 03-05-2008, 09:48 PM

Welcome aboard!

I think Barbs suggestion is one of THE very best I've ever read for someone just getting into the hobby. Way to go Barb!
After buying a setup 30 gallon then upgrading to a 55 gallon, all the really cool fish I love need a 100+ tank. (angels) I have learned alot in the process and this will make the eventual tank all that much better.

Dentoid · 03-05-2008, 09:50 PM

BarbMazz · 03-05-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vdituri

Welcome aboard!

I think Barbs suggestion is one of THE very best I've ever read for someone just getting into the hobby. Way to go Barb!
After buying a setup 30 gallon then upgrading to a 55 gallon, all the really cool fish I love need a 100+ tank. (angels) I have learned alot in the process and this will make the eventual tank all that much better.

Thanks, Mr Clammy! I think I can credit Frankie for giving me that hint.

p.s. did you notice my designation?!

SJS · 03-05-2008, 09:54 PM

Wow Barb - fantastic answer!!!
Welcome to the worl of never ending questions. The more you learn the more you realize how much you haven't got a clue!! Follow Barb's advice and keep reading, soon you will have lots of

.

03-05-2008, 05:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
carldr Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manchester, England Posts: 2 View Gallery Karma Komment	Excited and confused! Hi all, I'm completely new to keeping fish, and I'm in the process of planning a marine aquarium. I've not decided on anything yet, not the size of the aquarium, not what I want to keep in it, nothing - I want to get as much information about it all before I do. Whatever I end up going with, I'm relishing the challenges I'm going to face. That said, I've spent the last few weeks visiting the various resources on the web, but it seems that the more I learn, the more confused I get! Anyway, you guys all seem friendly enough, so I thought I'd register and say hello - Be prepared for a barrage of questions over the next few weeks ... Carl.

03-05-2008, 05:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Stacef Reef Lobster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dubuque Posts: 1,302 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Excited and confused! Welcome!! We Loooove questions. Oh and pics too! __________________ Stace My 20g Build Live Sand or Crused Coral, vote here!

03-05-2008, 05:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
msbdiving Ricordea Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 180 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Excited and confused! Welcome, and don't worry you will just come up with even more questions once your initial ones are answered. You can spend enough time researching stuff for this hobby to the extent that it would be equivalent to that of a college degree. Some authors that I have found helpfull have been Fenner, Shimek, Delbeek, Sprung.

03-05-2008, 05:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,800 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Excited and confused! __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

03-05-2008, 05:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
kathywithbirds Social Darwinism victim Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Hood, NJ Posts: 5,695 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Excited and confused! hi! Yup, seriously. The more you learn the more you find there is to learn. I've been at this a year almost and I'm still wet behind the ears! __________________ (\ /) This is Bunny crying. ( ; ; ) He thinks Brainy and Bunnina . ' ' ...are having an affair. "Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials." ~Lin Yutang Start: 163.5 Current: I'm not looking at the scale, I'm not looking at the scale, I'm not looking at the scale...

03-05-2008, 05:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
BarbMazz Madame Klanganator Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Near Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 3,104 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Excited and confused! Hi, Carl! and WELCOME! You're SMART... because you're like ME.. researching before setting up. I think it's only a good thing when this happens. I decided to do a tank back in November... joined RS in December, and have been researching and purchasing since then. My tank is still not set up but I am getting close now! Looking back on how I did things, if I had to start all over again, I would decide FIRST on what animals I would like to keep. I knew I wanted a reef tank, and at first I thought I wanted a bit of "everything"... soft corals, large-polyped stoney corals (LPS), small-polyped stoney corals (sps), fish, clams..inverts including anemones. Then, I started to learn that it's not so easy to keep all that together (although people do, with beautiful results). I was VERY confused! Someone here (I think it was Frankie) suggested that I look around and decide the ONE animal I couldn't live without. That answer was CLAMS. Bingo! I was started on a path of decisions. Clams need high quality lights and good water quality, and good water flow/movement. Okay, so next.. what things live well in that environment? Small-polyped stoney corals! So, my theme was born. It will be a "biotope" of sorts.... a tank that will have inhabitants that naturally live together in the ocean. That type of tank is easier to care for (in theory) because the animals are used to living together, and work together in harmony. So, I will keep clams, stoney corals (SPS), some feather dusters, a pair of goby fish and a symbiont shrimp, a couple of cardinalfish or anthias, and MAYBE down the road if my tank is right... an anemone and then a pair of clownfish. All that blather boils down to: The equipment decisions were easier once I knew what type animals I wanted to keep. There are greats things to read right here on site; they are called "Stickies" and they live at the top of each forum. Ask lots of questions... the people here are WONDERFUL and above all, very nice and understanding, and PATIENT with us new people. Have fun here! It's the BEST place I've found on the internet for learning about reefkeeping. __________________ A Snail's Pace Beginning: an old lady's first reef http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...tml#post366161 ~not knowing how near the truth is we seek it far away~ "when we were created, the world already had a Reef Central. what it lacked was a Reef Sanctuary" ~travis~ Sorry Bunny. I just couldn't do it any longer.

03-05-2008, 05:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,024 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Excited and confused! Howdy Hooooo! Welcome to RS! __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My First Quarantine Tank. 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

03-05-2008, 06:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
djbacon Torch coral Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 542 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Excited and confused! welcome aboard - get ready to be hooked __________________ Check out my awesome 14g nanoreef in progress - http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ater-tank.html The Nano Club - It's not the size of the reef. It's what's in it that counts

03-05-2008, 06:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 17,965 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Excited and confused! Welcome to RS! __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

03-05-2008, 06:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
carldr Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manchester, England Posts: 2 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Excited and confused! djbacon, I'm already hooked. In fact, it was the chronicle of your nano reef that made me hold off for a little while longer - I was all set to go with a 125 litre tank before I read that! But I think the best advice I've read yet has been from BarbMazz. I've been going round and round in circles, trying to decide on the size of the aquarium and then working out what equipment I need and then figuring out what animals I would be able to keep. I'm sure I should be doing as BarbMazz suggests, and first decide on the ONE animal I can't do without, and go from there. So thanks BarbMazz, and to everyone else who has said "Hi" so far!

03-05-2008, 09:42 PM	#11 (permalink)
BarbMazz Madame Klanganator Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Near Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 3,104 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Excited and confused! You're welcome, Carl.. I'm glad that long thing I wrote helped! I use too many words lot of times. I went round and round as you are, and you can see my confusion in writing if you look at my threads in the beginner section! I also had a bit of trouble with the husband re; tank size, but he's come around now. While the tank I have is a bit small for my taste (65 US gallons), it will do for now. I know a bigger tank is in my future. I see you live in Manchester... I spent a bit of time there several years ago on my way through England. I love England.. one of the best places I've visited. The little town of Castle Combe in the Cotswolds was one of my favorites. __________________ A Snail's Pace Beginning: an old lady's first reef http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...tml#post366161 ~not knowing how near the truth is we seek it far away~ "when we were created, the world already had a Reef Central. what it lacked was a Reef Sanctuary" ~travis~ Sorry Bunny. I just couldn't do it any longer.

03-05-2008, 09:48 PM	#12 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,641 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Excited and confused! Welcome aboard! I think Barbs suggestion is one of THE very best I've ever read for someone just getting into the hobby. Way to go Barb! After buying a setup 30 gallon then upgrading to a 55 gallon, all the really cool fish I love need a 100+ tank. (angels) I have learned alot in the process and this will make the eventual tank all that much better. __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

03-05-2008, 09:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,239 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Excited and confused! __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

03-05-2008, 09:54 PM	#15 (permalink)
SJS Achilles Tang Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SO CAL - Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 821 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Excited and confused! Wow Barb - fantastic answer!!! Welcome to the worl of never ending questions. The more you learn the more you realize how much you haven't got a clue!! Follow Barb's advice and keep reading, soon you will have lots of . __________________ Steph 300 gallon dt, 90 gallon fuge, 35 gallon fuge, 35 gallon sump, 4 Ecotech Vortechs, T-5 lights

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