Hello Everyone!

ggowin · Jul 11, 2014

Hello everyone I just joined the Reef2Reef forums but have had a Saltwater aquarium for over 12 years. I have been consistently downgrading my aquariums as the prices of the hobby have either seemed to rise or my disposal income has been lowered. I am currently sitting with a 29 gallon that I have had for over a year now. I am pretty pleased with my little setup I have 2 clownfish 1 watchman goby, 1 flame Hawkfish, and a Starry Blenny and couple quarter sized tiger brittle starfish. My clownfish like to stay in within one of my 2 frogspawn colonies that have at least quadupled in size since I first purchased it around 4 years ago. I have tons Zoas, mushrooms, green star polyps, and about 8 head of candycane coral. I haven't really done much with my aquarium lately except buy snails when it looks like my snail population maybe getting a little low. I have kind of lost touch with Birmingham Fish stores and was wondering what is out there besides Aquarium Imports (seem too pricey on my last visit clownfish for 30.00 give me a break) and Aquarium Fantasies (wasn't much selection about yr ago) are there any new ones around or any good places to buy your aquarium cleaners without having to order online? Also does anyone have any micro brittle stars they would like to sale I would be interested in purchasing some? Sorry about the long post I just wanted to introduce myself. Thanks

fishroomlady · Jul 11, 2014

welcome to the forum! where is alabaster? would love to see pictures of your setup.

revhtree · Jul 11, 2014

Welcome to REEF2REEF! We're very glad you joined and hope that you will enjoy the forums, enter contest, start a tank thread, and just be a part of our family friendly community!

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hawkinsrgk · Jul 11, 2014

Welcome to the group. I live in Hoover, so not that far away. I can only think of two stores besides Aquarium Imports. Reef Revolution and Reef Life Aquariums.

Thanks
Randy

ggowin · Jul 11, 2014

I will have to check out Reef Revolution and Reef Life Aquariums I have never been to those. How are prices and/or stock?

Tphill · Jul 11, 2014

Hello and welcome. In my opinion, Reef Revolution has better livestock (much better) but no supplies, Reef Life has some supplies in stock.

Fieryfrog · Jul 11, 2014

Welcome to R2R. I am a fan of Reef Revolution. Chris and Mark are both great guys and have offereda ton of advice in my journey.

ggowin · Jul 12, 2014

That sounds great I am planning on visiting those new places in the coming week. I will get some pictures of my little tank for you fishroomlady.

fishroomlady · Jul 12, 2014

sounds good! I think I also figured out alabaster is in alabama?

ggowin · Jul 12, 2014

Yes Alabaster, Alabama ha! Here are some images of my 29 Gallon Setup

Chameleon · Jul 12, 2014

Nice tank! Welcome to the forum.
I'm in Hoover

saltyphish · Jul 12, 2014

ggowin · Jul 12, 2014

Thanks! I have kind of just let the corals go with where everything grows. The frog spawn probably needs to be frag again the smaller piece was a fragged piece of the bigger piece after it broke off about 3 years ago. Last year I had a huge algae outbreak that almost took me out of the hobby I ended up getting a starry blenny and quite a few snails and it really knocked it.

sprinklerdudes · Jul 13, 2014

welcome to R2R

ggowin · Jul 14, 2014

I went to Reef Land really enjoyed the store really nice fish and corals. The owner seemed like a really nice guy. I did not make to Reef Revolution it is a little further from me and ran out I time because I did not want to drive home in 5:00 pm traffic. I will try to go by there sometime soon though.

Mark_Lide · Aug 4, 2014

I live in alabaster and I'm about to start my tank. I may get with you and pick you're brain sometime.

EzCheez · Aug 4, 2014

Welcome to R2R. I myself just joined also. Ive got an african cichlid and parrot tank, but am going to get in the saltwater hobby once i close on a house. You have a beautiful tank. Im learning a lot from these posts, because saltwater is a whole different monster. Thanks everyone for helping new guys out

reef_fanatic_Lisa · Aug 4, 2014

Im actually new to the forum as well . I'm from vestavia. Been in the hobby for coming on a year now. Ive gone to imports and fantasies. I wouldnt waste your time with imports and fantasies is shutting down. I just started going to Reef Life in Birmingham. They have everything you need (material wise) to maintain your tank. Their fish and and coral tanks look heathly, they will actually refuse to sell a fish unless they forsure have seen it eat (unlike many stores0. I've checked out Revolution but its too far of a drive from where Im located. Good variety of corals, only downside is their a bit pricey. Fish tanks look very dirty, but no aquarium supplies to speak of. Im a huge reef life fan. I can get my aquarium supplies and livestock all in one trip. I would deff check out both just to see whats out there!!! also, when you decide to frag that gorgeous frogspawn let me know!!!

LISA

ggowin · Aug 4, 2014

Hey Mark I would love to help you out on your new aquarium and tell you what I know. Welcome to forum EzCheez congrats on getting a new house

I love the saltwater aquarium the fish just seem so much more colorful than freshwater. I have also gotten more attached to having corals and just them grow. Lisa I really need to frag that frogspawn it is running out of space. I just afraid to frag it ha. The last time I fragged it a couple of years ago was by accident it broke off. I really enjoyed Reef Life too when I went. The hardest thing is finding his business I had to call him for directions because the building is located behind a strip mall. I have not made it to Revolution either and like you it is a long drive for me to go all the way out to Trussville. I am just glad we got some new local stores. I had quit going to Aquarium Imports a few years when they always seemed to give you different prices. Aquarium Fanatasies I went over there a couple of times but stock always seemed low.