Introduction

LTCDMJ · Feb 3, 2021

So, I’ve been reading without posting for several months now and the post about the sea cucumber disaster prompted me to finally introduce myself. I’m a retired Army Officer who has been keeping Marine Fish on and off for about 40 years. I’ve had several disasters including having two tanks break and put large portions of the house under water (50 to 75 gallons doesn’t seem like much until it is all over your floor), and a number of die offs. Having moved 17 times in 25 years I’ve never been able to even think about corals until I retired five years ago, and my “reef” consists of some LPS green polyps, a Kenyan stag horn, some soft green polyps, and some umbrella looking soft corals that I don’t remember the name of. I need better lights to raise some SPS corals, maybe for Christmas next year. It’s nothing to brag about, but I love it. For me the hobby consists of small triumphs - I have always loved watching clown fish in an anemone and after trying unsuccessfully many times I now have a bonded pair of Tomatoes in my Reef Tank and another smaller tank with a Maroon clown and bubble tip anemones - started with one and it has turned into six. They divide and I raise them and then take them to my LFS which is 50 miles away and trade them for store credit. The challenge every year is to see how big I can get them so they’re worth more at trade in. My current goal is to raise a juvenile Emperor Angel through the change and into adult hood in my FOWLER tank. Several failures to date but I’m determined to make it. That actually sums up my entire my entire fish keeping/reefing experience - several failures to date, but I’m determined to make it.

Peace River · Feb 3, 2021

Welcome to Reef2Reef and thank you for your service!!!

Gernader · Feb 3, 2021

Welcome to R2R!!

BranchingHammer · Feb 3, 2021

Welcome to reef2reef! Like @Peace River said, Thank you for your service!

DiefsReef · Feb 3, 2021

Welcome to R2R. I'm sure your many years of experiance can be a great help to the community!

NeonRabbit221B · Feb 3, 2021

Welcome to R2R! I love makin a little store credit on the side. Feels good

Fred2482 · Feb 3, 2021

Welcome, thank you for your service!

Dom · Feb 3, 2021

LTCDMJ said:
So, I’ve been reading without posting for several months now and the post about the sea cucumber disaster prompted me to finally introduce myself. I’m a retired Army Officer who has been keeping Marine Fish on and off for about 40 years. I’ve had several disasters including having two tanks break and put large portions of the house under water (50 to 75 gallons doesn’t seem like much until it is all over your floor), and a number of die offs. Having moved 17 times in 25 years I’ve never been able to even think about corals until I retired five years ago, and my “reef” consists of some LPS green polyps, a Kenyan stag horn, some soft green polyps, and some umbrella looking soft corals that I don’t remember the name of. I need better lights to raise some SPS corals, maybe for Christmas next year. It’s nothing to brag about, but I love it. For me the hobby consists of small triumphs - I have always loved watching clown fish in an anemone and after trying unsuccessfully many times I now have a bonded pair of Tomatoes in my Reef Tank and another smaller tank with a Maroon clown and bubble tip anemones - started with one and it has turned into six. They divide and I raise them and then take them to my LFS which is 50 miles away and trade them for store credit. The challenge every year is to see how big I can get them so they’re worth more at trade in. My current goal is to raise a juvenile Emperor Angel through the change and into adult hood in my FOWLER tank. Several failures to date but I’m determined to make it. That actually sums up my entire my entire fish keeping/reefing experience - several failures to date, but I’m determined to make it.

Hello and Welcome

Yes, this isn't the kind of hobby one can have when traveling/moving is a frequent occurrence in their lives. In this hobby, stability is our friend. And while most people think this refers to the stability of water chemistry, it is stability in your lifestyle that is important too.

Now that you are retired, you will be able to settle into a stable routine with you tank husbandry. That stable routine will be reflected in the stability of your water conditions which will lead to success.

Yes, proper lighting is also critical to your success. Whatever lighting you choose, be sure that it is powerful enough to penetrate the depth of the tank to provide ample lighting at the deepest part of your tank.

When you are ready to buy, post and we can provide guidance on things such as light spread and intensity.

Welcome aboard! Lots of good information here on R2R...

Dom