Hi, my name is Caitrina, most call me Cat. I am originally from PA., but have lived in Fl since forever, it seems. I'm really not new to this hobby, but I've been away for awhile. I got into this hobby right after my husband and I had been in a motorcycle accident and I was partially paralyzed. I was bored, depressed and needed something to entertain myself and I said to him one day, know what I want, he asked what and I said I want a small aquarium and a few fish, ya know maybe just a 10 gallon tank. He looked at me and snickered and said, now what do you really want? lol I said, well what I really want is a salt water tank, maybe 55 g, but I know nothing about salt water. He said, well I don't either so we'll learn together. That we did, we began our journey later that day hitting every LFS we could find. 2 weeks later we were bringing home our 65 g tank, stand, salt, sand, sump, lights, every thing we needed to begin. I only got to watch unless it was something I could do with my good side and each day we would go out looking at stuff, bringing home live rock that we liked and I'd sit for hours just watching things come to life. Things were popping out everywhere! Finally the tank cycled and the journey began. Unfortunately, a month later my husband passed (may 31, ) and I had to continue on with the adventure we began. Soon my hands began working better and with help I was able to do more. I watched it grow and mature and knew that it would always be a special for me. Well, the 65 turned into a biocube and the biocube turned into a 90 g, all but the 90g was up and running when I decided I needed to move from the area and relieve the stress of moving the tanks from myself but also the stress on the tanks making a 100+ mile move. So the tanks found good homes and I left behind a wonderful adventure with loving memories. As the years went by I knew I needed to get another tank,but having been quite ill over the years and dealing with my not really visible disabilities I didn't see it happening, but a friend decided I needed a tank in my life and she blessed (or maybe cursed,lol) me with a 75 g reef tank with t5 lights, skimmer, stand, sump, pumps and lots of other goodies and another friend blessed me with a 200.00 Amazon gift card to get started. Now here I am again. I have only gotten as far as cleaning the tank, still cleaning, but I have salt and live sand and other goodies I will need and a big excited grin, with lots of memories flitting by and a huge tremendous amount of "fear" or maybe just awareness of not really sure where to start or how to start. Or maybe it's too many of those memories that are keeping me in this "still starting" mode. Kind of like the many launches that get scrubbed. Anyway, I'm sure I'll be asking a lot of questions, because although I've done this and was quite successful it's been 8 years since I've been away from it and with only 6 years of experience. The cool thing is I will be able to get babies from the original corals I had, but what will be even cooler is getting this thing up and running. And so it begins...........
A fresh start
- Thread starter catmonaco
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Reefer Deez
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Hello and welcome to R2R 
it's a pleasure to have you here with us 
welcome back and I wish you the best of luck on your new journey!
it's a pleasure to have you here with us welcome back and I wish you the best of luck on your new journey!
Crabs McJones
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Welcome to R2R Cat!
#WelcometoR2R
Sorry to hear about your troubles and the passing of your husband. But glad you're getting back into the hobby Good luck and please don't be afraid to ask anything, that's what were all here for
Sorry to hear about your troubles and the passing of your husband. But glad you're getting back into the hobby
Good luck and please don't be afraid to ask anything, that's what were all here for 
Welcome to R2R! Can't wait to watch your tank get rolling and to be able to watch it grow!
Welcome to R2R, thank you for sharing your story with us and I’m sorry for your loss but really looking forward to following your new journey .
.
NY_Caveman
likes words, fish and arbitrary statistics
You sound like an unstoppable person who has weathered many challenges. A perfect mentality for keeping a saltwater aquarium. I am very glad you joined us on R2R!
WWIII
2500 Club Member
Thank You for coming on and sharing your story and hobby experience, today especially! I know this community will have your back as you dig in again with this hobby and share your journey.
Welcome to R2R!
Welcome to R2R!
reef lover
It's a reef thing....
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Welcome to r2r!!
GoVols
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That is so deep, @catmonaco
Your in our thoughts and prayers.
Welcome to Reef 2 Reef, and hope you feel at home.
Your in our thoughts and prayers.
Welcome to Reef 2 Reef, and hope you feel at home.
Flippers4pups
Fins up since 1993
Your in our prayers! Welcome to reef2reef! If you ever need advice just #reefsquad and we'll come running!
Glad you joined us! It's a great community!
Glad you joined us! It's a great community!
OP
OP
catmonaco
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Thank you, I'm sure the questions will be flying"!Welcome to R2R Cat!#WelcometoR2R
Sorry to hear about your troubles and the passing of your husband. But glad you're getting back into the hobby
Flippers4pups
Fins up since 1993
