ReedersReefer
New Member
Hi all! My name is Anthony and I'm a reef addict. :angel:
I'm new to R2R, and kind of new to reefing. I got into the hobby in February of 2011. I had just left the Army and had some spare change when I found a little LFS down the street from my house that was going in. I stopped by and found myself absolutely in love with the fish and corals, and the owner was happy to answer all of my questions. I didn't have a job and didn't have much else to do, so I spent the next 2 weeks in the shop with the owner asking questions, and learning everything I could in exchange for help with helping around the store. Then, he asked me why I hadn't bought anything (not being rude, just joking around) and I realized that I wanted a tank, but didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a new tank. That's when he showed me one of the many reefing forums available and helped me find an inexpensive tank. Over the next two weeks, we got the equipment needed to start my first system -- a 37g DT with an 18g sump made from a Rubbermaid tote. I put it together on my own and by the end of February, my tank was cycled and I was ready for a few fish. I took care of my tank well, and learned that I didn't need to do much maintenance on it. The small size of the system only needed a single 5 gallon water change every month to keep Ca/Alk/Mg levels in check, and my top off system only used 5 gallons of RO/DI per week.
Fast forward to 18 months later, and I have a nearly 250 gallon system plumbed through the floor in my dining room. I haven't fully stocked the DT, but I have 6 fish and a few corals in a 135g DT. The system requires daily dosing (which I don't trust to automated technologies) and bi-weekly water changes to keep everything in check. I find myself more fully invested in my tank than I did with the small tank, though, mostly because my toils are rewarding me with fat, happy fish and growing corals. It adds routine to my life, and gives me a way to level out my stress. The only day that is truly work to me is Saturday, which is my maintenance day. I also tear apart my skimmer once a month and clean it thoroughly.
I will eventually go into a more in-depth explanation of my system. For now, thanks for reading. I know it's a lot for an introduction.
I'm new to R2R, and kind of new to reefing. I got into the hobby in February of 2011. I had just left the Army and had some spare change when I found a little LFS down the street from my house that was going in. I stopped by and found myself absolutely in love with the fish and corals, and the owner was happy to answer all of my questions. I didn't have a job and didn't have much else to do, so I spent the next 2 weeks in the shop with the owner asking questions, and learning everything I could in exchange for help with helping around the store. Then, he asked me why I hadn't bought anything (not being rude, just joking around) and I realized that I wanted a tank, but didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a new tank. That's when he showed me one of the many reefing forums available and helped me find an inexpensive tank. Over the next two weeks, we got the equipment needed to start my first system -- a 37g DT with an 18g sump made from a Rubbermaid tote. I put it together on my own and by the end of February, my tank was cycled and I was ready for a few fish. I took care of my tank well, and learned that I didn't need to do much maintenance on it. The small size of the system only needed a single 5 gallon water change every month to keep Ca/Alk/Mg levels in check, and my top off system only used 5 gallons of RO/DI per week.
Fast forward to 18 months later, and I have a nearly 250 gallon system plumbed through the floor in my dining room. I haven't fully stocked the DT, but I have 6 fish and a few corals in a 135g DT. The system requires daily dosing (which I don't trust to automated technologies) and bi-weekly water changes to keep everything in check. I find myself more fully invested in my tank than I did with the small tank, though, mostly because my toils are rewarding me with fat, happy fish and growing corals. It adds routine to my life, and gives me a way to level out my stress. The only day that is truly work to me is Saturday, which is my maintenance day. I also tear apart my skimmer once a month and clean it thoroughly.
I will eventually go into a more in-depth explanation of my system. For now, thanks for reading. I know it's a lot for an introduction.
