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russianmd

Advanced Reefer
Location
Brooklyn
Rating - 100%
18   0   0
Hello, reefers

After 16 years of keeping freshwater and pond fish, I?ve decided to venture into reefkeeping.

I?ve been reading obsessively, giving good business to Amazon and some LFS stores on books. It?s also been an eye-opening experience about the differences in the LFS expertise in the area.

Due to space considerations, the 120 G I plan to start will have to be custom-built. The only LFS keeper who inspired some confidence was Robert from World Class on Flatbush in Brooklyn.

The only consensus I seem to find among the multiple forums is that RO/DI is a must ? everything else is either optional or a matter of preference.

I would greatly appreciate any recommendations for improving success rates and minimizing livestock loss.

It also seems that some of the members here are also vendors ? and I would gladly speak with you about my system. I am not very handy ? and will need most help with the initial set-up. Please PM me or post any suggestions.

Many thanks! -Sloper
 

russianmd

Advanced Reefer
Location
Brooklyn
Rating - 100%
18   0   0
The dream tank

The dimensions of the tank are going to be:

48"x32"x20" - this comes out to about 130 gallons, but there is a corner that needs to be 'cut out' for the tank to fit into the space, bringing the actual volume to just about 120 gallons.

Ultimately, I'd like to have a mixed reef tank with inverts (I really love those Tridacna), with some soft and hard corals, and a few fish for a little extra motion.

The recommendations I would like are for suppliers/vendors/dealers. The equipment part seems fairly easy (as long as I don't run out of cash!). I think I have a reasonable budget to afford most necessary things - sump, skimmer, lots of pumps, good lights (MH), eventually chiller (if needed). But beyond the basic dry goods, getting LR, some soft corals to begin with - even stuff like Caulerpa seems pretty intimidating - so somebody local would be great.

I really don't want one of those services that comes in, sets everything up and does 'maintenance.' I want to get my hands wet, I want to be eventually trade frags, and be able to blurt out the species names without looking them up.

On the other hand, some things I know will not be done, eg. drilling the floor to get the huge sump in the basement, modifying house plumbing, etc (my partner would kill me).

After endless hours of surfing, I've seen some sites that have had great information with lots of useful articles, some that seem to be oriented towards the advanced hobbyists with minimal info but great prices.

I am sorry my first email was so skimpy on details - my computer died twice before I could finally post - and I was just beginning to run late.

Thanks again!

Also, since this is a thread for beginners, should I crosspost to the general discussion forum?
 
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masterswimmer

Old School Reefer
Vendor
Location
NY
Rating - 99.6%
450   2   0
Welcome to MR. You're on the road to success already. Nice to hear someone doing all the research and asking questions prior to purchasing any equipment.

Dean summed it up very eloquently, " Before we can give any suggestions, we need to know what your ultimate goals for the tank are." Are you looking to have a mixed reef, softies, sps, lps, clams, anemones, inverts, etc? You did mention reef in your first post, that's why I didn't mention FO or FOWLR.

Good luck with your new venture.

Russ
 

Blue02celi

Wannabe reefer
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
there are suppliers and vendors here that can help you out, most will help you get what you want even if they dont carry it, for equipment the FS/FT threads are great, I've been stalking them ever since I got here and we are all in the same general area so you know you dont have to go that far.
 

House of Laughter

Super Moderator
Staff member
Vendor
Location
Ossining, NY
Rating - 100%
310   0   0
RMd,

I would recommend you work on getting your system plans comepleted before making any purchase :duh: and do so by creating an ultimate reef list - you have already said hard and soft corals as well as clams (I believe you said tridacna) BUT, there are so many species withing those categories who's lighting, flow, compatible inhabitants depend on. That being said, there are so many corals in each category that you'd need to narrow it down to at least 1000 choices then prune it from there. Even within the Tridacna species (giant clams) there are Gigas, Squamosa, Maxima, Derasa and Croceas to choose from all having similar but often very different needs. For example, a squamosa and crocea clam are some of the easiest to keep in a reef tank, BUT the crocea has very differnt lighting needs.

Once you have your system up and running and a general choice list - you can attand your very first frag swap and fill your tank from there - even though you won't have anything to "Swap" persay, you can buy from people (Members and Vendors) alike.

If you'd like advice on what to choose where to get it, how much is a good choice etc, feel free to reach out to us (House of Fish) and the membership here on MR. You'll find good conflicting infromation which will require you to do a thorough investigation and then make an informed decision - like swimmer said, yo're already on that road.

Good luck and let us know if you have any additional questions.

House
 
Location
Brooklyn, NY
Rating - 97.4%
74   2   0
Welcome to Manhattan Reefs. As Russ has already indicated, you are on the right path by doing extensive research and asking questions. I would suggest that you try to see as many hobbyist tanks as you can to try to figure out what you want to do and how you want to do it.

Since you are in Brooklyn, I'll start. You are more than welcome to stop by Pratt and see the 3 very different reef systems I keep here on campus.
Let me know. Randy
 

russianmd

Advanced Reefer
Location
Brooklyn
Rating - 100%
18   0   0
Since you are in Brooklyn, I'll start. You are more than welcome to stop by Pratt and see the 3 very different reef systems I keep here on campus.
Let me know. Randy

That would be awesome!! I drive by Pratt almost every day in the early afternoon (back from work from Bushwick to Park Slope) and would love to see your systems. Thank you for the generous offer! -Arkady
 

nanoreefer22

Live Sale Pioneer
Staff member
Location
11756
Rating - 100%
347   0   0
That would be awesome!! I drive by Pratt almost every day in the early afternoon (back from work from Bushwick to Park Slope) and would love to see your systems. Thank you for the generous offer! -Arkady


Another Park Sloper huh? Mind me asking where exactly in the slope you are?

Welcome to bored and it looks like you're on the right track like countless others mentioned above.

The dimensions of the tank you posted are custom right? Who will you be making the tank for you??
-Kris
 

masterswimmer

Old School Reefer
Vendor
Location
NY
Rating - 99.6%
450   2   0
Arkady, you'll be visiting one of the all time greats in our hobby ;)
Beautiful tanks, exquisite specimens, spectacular husbandry. Time for you to act like a sea sponge and soak it all up :biggrin:

Randy is always a fantastic host.

Russ
 

leoskee

Senior Member
Rating - 100%
11   0   0
At 16 you should be saving your money for the dates you should be going on. :bunnies: :D

My advice: start small and work your way up as you learn the ropes. Remember, you'll probably be going to college in less than two years.
 

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