Coming Back

Mtnfish · Dec 30, 2017

From '88 to '95, I was owned and operated an aquarium shop in Durham, NC. I did fresh, outdoor pond, marine and reef tanks. While there we were experimenting with a new item called a protein skimmer. We drove it with wooden air stones. A refugium had never been discussed (or heard of) although we did keep macro algae in some of our sumps for reasons that were better understood only much later. I've not enjoyed salt since then although I did have my 125 set up as a heavily planted fresh tank a couple years ago. I used a 20 lb. CO2 cylinder with 3 diffusers and literally harvested plants by the fist full. We've just finished building a new home and now I'm ready to get back into a reef tank. I've only been a member here a few days but have learned so much. I'm amazed at how far the hobby has come in such a short time. I'll be using the 125 with a hang on the back skimmer box feeding a 40 long aquarium I'll be using for my refugium. The center two feet will be used for the actual refugium with the first 12 inches used for a prefilter and protein skimmer and the last 12 inches for the return pump, as a start. Oh, and btw, my shop was named Carabensaras. Cara was my wife, Ben, my son, and Sara, my daughter. Thanks for having me. rog

Crabs McJones · Dec 30, 2017

Mtnfish said:
From '88 to '95, I was owned and operated an aquarium shop in Durham, NC. I did fresh, outdoor pond, marine and reef tanks. While there we were experimenting with a new item called a protein skimmer. We drove it with wooden air stones. A refugium had never been discussed (or heard of) although we did keep macro algae in some of our sumps for reasons that were better understood only much later. I've not enjoyed salt since then although I did have my 125 set up as a heavily planted fresh tank a couple years ago. I used a 20 lb. CO2 cylinder with 3 diffusers and literally harvested plants by the fist full. We've just finished building a new home and now I'm ready to get back into a reef tank. I've only been a member here a few days but have learned so much. I'm amazed at how far the hobby has come in such a short time. I'll be using the 125 with a hang on the back skimmer box feeding a 40 long aquarium I'll be using for my refugium. The center two feet will be used for the actual refugium with the first 12 inches used for a prefilter and protein skimmer and the last 12 inches for the return pump, as a start. Oh, and btw, my shop was named Carabensaras. Cara was my wife, Ben, my son, and Sara, my daughter. Thanks for having me. rog

Welcome to R2R!!

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Idoc · Dec 30, 2017

Welcone back! Tons of great information on here.

Mtnfish · Dec 30, 2017

crabs_mcjones said:
Welcome to R2R!!

That scared the crap out of me, I wasn't ready for that, but thanks.

4FordFamily · Dec 30, 2017

Welcome home, you will love it here!

Please keep us posted with your build with lots of photos!

Mtnfish · Dec 30, 2017

Idoc said:
Welcone back! Tons of great information on here.

You're right, there is, and with the knowledge I've gained here, I've ordered a Bubble Magus Curve 7 and am now researching lighting. I've already got enough T-5's to put four tubes from end to end but I'd like to add an LED assembly also. I'll be looking and listening. Thanks again.

Idoc · Dec 31, 2017

Are you planning to open another store this time?

Mtnfish · Dec 31, 2017

Idoc said:
Are you planning to open another store this time?

NO!

Flippers4pups · Dec 31, 2017

Welcome to reef2reef? Old salt here, been at it all this time!

Glad to have you with us!

Old saying: " Once salt gets in your blood, it never leaves"!

Welcome back!

Idoc · Dec 31, 2017

Mtnfish said:
NO!

Lol... had enough of the business side, huh? Well, I've always heard that if you turn your hobby into a job, it's no longer fun!

Mtnfish · Dec 31, 2017

Idoc said:
Lol... had enough of the business side, huh? Well, I've always heard that if you turn your hobby into a job, it's no longer fun!

It was fun but it was probably the most labor intensive job I've ever had. If I'd had a corner store, I would not have come in to Corn Flakes that had ich, pork and beans that had died or potato chips that needed some kind of treatment. I didn't have to advertise to have a good business. It didn't take long to get peoples trust when they would buy a combo, take it home and set it up and come back the same or the next day and want to fill it with fish and I'd talk them out of buying but just a few fish to get it cycled. That part was fun. But I was open 7 days and week and was truly married to the place. After seven years wife gave me a choice, the store or her. I closed the store and went to Respiratory Therapy school. It was at UNC hospitals that I met my next wife. That'll teach her.