Hello!

BanjoBandito · Jul 24, 2018

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum...so here's my background -

My real name is Ryan, but I'm an avid banjo/guitar player and I love bluegrass music. I am 36 and own a small furniture store chain in western PA. I've kept FRESHWATER cichlids for over 10 years and currently am raising flowerhorn. So why am I here? Well, beyond a desire to be broke - I have an empty 29 gallon and 55 gallon tank that I'd like to possibly use as a start into the salt water hobby over the coarse of the next couple months. I'm pretty green to salt, every time I think about it I just get terrified of the cost of equipment and the inability to not have daily maintenance. Hopefully you guys can help! Thanks. Nice to meet everyone.

Ryan.

jsker · Jul 24, 2018

Ryan, Welcome to R2R and the community

Crabs McJones · Jul 24, 2018

Welcome to R2R Ryan, bass player here

I'm more hard rock though

Welcome to the community and thanks for introducing yourself

#WelcometoR2R

mike werner · Jul 24, 2018

welcome to r2r ryan.

kschweer · Jul 24, 2018

Welcome!!!

HairyGary · Jul 24, 2018

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Turbo's Aquatics · Jul 24, 2018

Welcome to R2R!

Here's a pic from one of my favorite articles on reefkeeping, applicable to new hobbyists and old as well:

The nitrogen cycle is only the startup of a SW tank cycle. The next 6-12 months is a maturing phase, and it's typically in this time frame where algae outbreaks occur and things can sort of roller-coaster, and if you stock the tank up too quickly, you might see corals randomly dying & fish getting sick, etc...hobbyists can very easily fall into the trap of chasing problems = making more problems => giving up and selling everything off. We don't want that to happen to anyone!

Long-term stability and balance are the keys, and you just can't shortcut the process significantly. That's always the #1 thing to keep in mind!

HotRocks · Jul 24, 2018

Welcome to R2R!!!

Great place, great people, and TONS of great info!!!

BestMomEver · Jul 24, 2018

Welcome! And if I had to make a suggestion... set the 55 up. The larger the volume the more forgiving of mistakes. You can even use the smaller tank as a sump, space permitting.

PDR · Jul 24, 2018

Welcome to R2R!

hdsoftail1065 · Jul 24, 2018

Welcome to R2R Ryan! Glad you have you on board.

You could always be proactive and start your build thread here! It's never to early to start! We love pics!

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks.52/