Hi everyone! I am so excited to find this forum. I started reading yesterday and the next thing I knew, I had been here for 5 hours. I look forward to sharing information, and I hope someone can learn from my mistakes (I've had a few).
I started with a 30 gallon as my first leap into saltwater (I already had this one from past freshwater) in June 04. I must admit, I was afraid of saltwater in the beginning. I read books, online, and consulted with 3 different privately owned LFS (pet superstores are ok for dog food but not marine fish, in my opinion). I chose a LFS owner who specialized in marine and proceeded to cycle my first tank. In went the instant ocean salt and two days later, the live sand. Unfortunately, I purchased a "slightly used" Millenium 3000 filter system from him that had a leak. Four weeks after the setup, I realized my hardwood floor was buckling around the tank. I first thought the tank was leaking (panic!), but found a very small drip coming from the back of the filter.
Unfortunately, his store went out of business before I could return it. Two weeks after this incident, the Lionfish that he assured me would be fine in a cycling tank (yeah right), died. The two damsels lived, which were supposed to be food for the Lionfish. Again, lesson learned. Apparently, this owner was looking for quick bucks from a newbie.
So, now I'm working on a 55 gallon. I've found a marine professional, who's been in business 15 years and came with referrals. He came out to the house, setup the tank, and now I'm watching beautiful water with 35 lbs of live rock. I've been cycling since 11/10. This one will cycle for awhile before I add any fish. Interesting, tiny creatures are swimming around in the tank, and purple stuff (I'm sure it has a scientific name I'll learn later) has almost completely covered the rock. The 30 gallon has been tested and a new filter system installed.
I'm learning alot by reading everything I can find on marine setups. I've also learned to shop around and get referrals.
Angela
Forty-something mom of 3
Computer Engineer
30 gallon
lace rock
one mean Dascyllus albisella Damselfish
one dwarf lionfish
one tiny snowflake eel (temporary)
50 gallon
ProClear 75 pump with skimmer
live rock
building a hood with 2 MH, flourescent, actinic
I started with a 30 gallon as my first leap into saltwater (I already had this one from past freshwater) in June 04. I must admit, I was afraid of saltwater in the beginning. I read books, online, and consulted with 3 different privately owned LFS (pet superstores are ok for dog food but not marine fish, in my opinion). I chose a LFS owner who specialized in marine and proceeded to cycle my first tank. In went the instant ocean salt and two days later, the live sand. Unfortunately, I purchased a "slightly used" Millenium 3000 filter system from him that had a leak. Four weeks after the setup, I realized my hardwood floor was buckling around the tank. I first thought the tank was leaking (panic!), but found a very small drip coming from the back of the filter.
Unfortunately, his store went out of business before I could return it. Two weeks after this incident, the Lionfish that he assured me would be fine in a cycling tank (yeah right), died. The two damsels lived, which were supposed to be food for the Lionfish. Again, lesson learned. Apparently, this owner was looking for quick bucks from a newbie.So, now I'm working on a 55 gallon. I've found a marine professional, who's been in business 15 years and came with referrals. He came out to the house, setup the tank, and now I'm watching beautiful water with 35 lbs of live rock. I've been cycling since 11/10. This one will cycle for awhile before I add any fish. Interesting, tiny creatures are swimming around in the tank, and purple stuff (I'm sure it has a scientific name I'll learn later) has almost completely covered the rock. The 30 gallon has been tested and a new filter system installed.
I'm learning alot by reading everything I can find on marine setups. I've also learned to shop around and get referrals.
Angela
Forty-something mom of 3
Computer Engineer
30 gallon
lace rock
one mean Dascyllus albisella Damselfish
one dwarf lionfish
one tiny snowflake eel (temporary)
50 gallon
ProClear 75 pump with skimmer
live rock
building a hood with 2 MH, flourescent, actinic
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