im such a dumbo

[JustReefIt14]

hey everyone, my name's Brandon and I come to this site everyday to read the posts but for the longest I've tried to figure out how to put up posts and I just clicked on the new topic button and well here I am. I have been intrested in keepin a reef tank but I have no money so right now I'm just doin my research for that special day when I can start my cycle. But ne way I have a local fishstore thats really great and they have a really nice reef setup and thats what got me hooked. I have lots of questions but I really need to know about lighting I just dont understand some of the termonology and I was wonderin if ne one could give some advice for a newbie and I just wanna give you all a heads up about me, cause if I have a question Ill ask. I cant believe it took soooooooooo long to see what that button meant. But like I said before Im Brandon. Its great to be here. 8) :wink:

 

[bhanson]

Having a reef tank is definately a fun and expensive. In my opinion it is definately worth the money that I have shelled out. You can check out the link below for info on setting up a reef tank.

As far as lighting goes you will hear all kinds of opinions on what kind to use, but that will also depend on what you want to keep.
In general the lighting terminology is basically:
NO (normal output) - basic flourescents up to 40W
VHO (Very High Output) - high output flourescents
PC (power compact) - very high output flourescent type bulbs
MH (Metal Halide) - Almost any animal can be kept under this type of light with wattage typically found from 70 - 1000 watt bulbs.

MH used with certain spectrums of PC bulbs are my favorite, but you will find many opinions and can find lighting to meet your own needs.

Good Luck!

http://www.reefs.org/library/newbieguide.htm

 

[Mikef1]

Brandon, Welcome to Reefs.Org!!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

Welcome Brandon. Just take it real slow and easy. I am glad to hear you are interested in Marine Aquaria. I am impressed that you are doing your research and not afraid to ask questions. Read and read more. All of us have had to start just like you........well except some lucky people have loads of cash. I am not one of them. I even decided to go with just fish and inverts that did not need any special lighting. It is still fun but way less expensive. There are a lot of experience people here that can help you get on the right track to success. Just don't rush into anything. I would start a Fish Ony tank to get started. My first marine tank was a 10 gallon that I kept a pair of Damsels in. This will help you get aquainted with the water chemistry,algae,and other aspects of the hobby before you have the money to keep that "Dream Tank". I simply can not afford my Dream Tank.......better yet....I am to lazy to keep up that Dream Tank so I will never set that up. :lol: My favorite is my new Picasso Trigger that comes to me, lets me "pet" him and eats out of my hand. Hav Fun! Oh.....one more thing. I would avoid the Sump. It will suck you in and steal your life away. :lol: DON"T GO THERE! .........or FUZZ BUTT will eat you alive!

 

[WannaBeReefer]

You can also check out the local paper for used tanks and equipment. Some screaming deals from people that just do not want to be in the hobby any longer.

 

[Johnsteph10]

You know -- I've been trying to decide how to decribe this fun and expensive hobby that we're all hopelessy addicted to...it can be the most rewarding fun experience...or it can suck the big fat mojo. I don't think anything else I've ever been involved in can attest to such extremes!!

Brandon -- these folks got it right. Take your time, don't impulse buy, and read. It's actually a lot of fun reading. I've been in fish for a long time and I have learned more from these forums than any other source (in fact, all other sources combined).

Welcome!

John

 

[Anonymous]

bangbang, my cat's name is Fuzz Butt; do you know her?

Anyway, yeah; take it from me. Impulse-bought things that in the end screwed me backwards and forwards, and costed me enough to seriously set me back time-wise... Any crusty, old, sea-dog will tell you that the sea is an unforgiving mistress; any aquarium hobbyist knows that its worse when you put it in glass box, along with your hopes and dreams, and your wallet...
But then again, a good sense of biological logic and educational backround (high school advanced bio, or elective/summer courses in marine bio, for example, is a really great starting and even midway place to be) can go a long way in saving fish, cash, and grief... Wish I had that a few days ago... ...
Anywho, enjoy!

 

[rwoolley]

Yeah, check out the paper for deals. A few years ago I had a 40 gallon tank I put in my neighbors garage sale and told him not to sell it for anything less than $50. When I got back he said great news, I sold your tank and handed me the $10 he sold it for! Not that I'm bitter or anything :evil: .

 

[Anonymous]

bangbang, my cat's name is Fuzz Butt; do you know her?

:lol: No.....not your cat but I know where that avatar came from. :lol:

Well anyway.....I had a pool table once that was almost new and I was moving somwhere I could not take it. I may as well gave it away for what I accepted for it. Yep! Great bargains are out there for aquariam supplies.

 

[fredso2003]

Welcome brandon,I dove right into my tank,pardon the punn.That was 9 months ago and about $2000 dollars later I WISH I WOULD HAVE DONE A LITTLE,OK ALOT MORE PLANNING!your a wise lad by reading and asking questions and investigating.This site is the best by far that i have found for all the answers to all my questions my only regret is that i didnt find reefs.org 9 months ago!Good Luck!

 

[Anonymous]

..... heh heh... right, avatar.... knows where it came from..... heh.... *runs for it*

*comes running back*

...Hey! I have one of those guys in my tank, and hes pretty freakin cool!!! Doesnt that entitle me to paste his portrate every time I post!?!?... I sure hope so!

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Brandon- If you want to talk some more in this thread, it's the "Post Reply" button!

 

[Anonymous]

And anyway, my avatar fits, cause my name means "brave blue", in Gaelic! Brave Blue, the hermit crab! Fear ye all he who bears a fearsome banded blue visage and scuttles about with a snail's shell positioned in lofty glory! Aarrrrgghhh!

By the way, Brandon; maybe your inability to ask questions was our saving grace, and yours as well, since you probably learned enough in the mean time to not need to ask about. Call it cosmic law... :wink: Together, and coupled with certain amounts of mundane ignorance, we can all fight typing cramps!

 

[bhanson]

Right.

 

[Anonymous]

oh sure, bhanson; tout yourself a smug minimalist :roll:
Im sure your next witty comeback will involve even fewer characters

 

[Anonymous]

There are lots of ways of doing everything. YOu can start of with used equip. A good site for finding used anything is
www.recycler.com

It works with area codes so you can find stuff in your area

 

[JustReefIt14]

Hey you guys thanx for all of you great info and references, I can not tell yall how much I needed that. So far I've read a few books from the library. The one by Moe was really informative and the one I loved the most is the Marine Aquarium Handbook, now thats a great book. I also read a few others and everytime I want a new one from my lfs I get upset because they cost so much and this may be a little off the path here but if anyone has ne books that they could mail to me I would them even more. More or less I have been doing my research and reading for months now thats all I can do with no money. lol :wink: So you guys keep givin out that info and make alot of other people happy and alot of reefs prosper.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :wink: :lol: