New from Florida - Working on a New Build

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CMMorgan said:
Hi,
I am new to the forum, not totally wet behind the ears as a reefer. I have been on an escalating fish journey for many years ... starting with the cliche ping pong ball state fair gold fish to reefing (with a detour through brackish along the way.) I've made a lot of mistakes... lost a bit of coral and fish. (Seriously, if anyone sees my Anthia Frodo, please send him home...)

I've learned some very important lessons:
1- Never trust a tube anemone named Ursula.
2- Do not plumb through the wall to a sump in your garage ... in Florida ... under your brand new AC handler.
3- Check the expiration dates on test kits before you buy them ... don't trust old test kits.
4- If you think your tank just shocked you, it probably wasn't salt water in a paper cut. Unplug everything and check every wire.
5- Water changes make all things better... unless it floods your floor. Be wary of ATO's and ACO's.

Since moving to Florida, I have had two tanks... a 45 gallon bow front. I traded up to a 90 gallon and I am in the process of a new build for a 127 gallon custom acrylic on order from American Aquariums. I know that is not a big jump in gallons... they actually advertised it as 143 but they calculated from outside dimensions, not inside. I was looking more for size than gallons. My 90 gallon is very tall, making maintenance difficult. I had a very specific tank in mind... 72" long x 19" high x 24" deep. Short enough to reach the bottom, deep enough to keep macroalgae in the display tank and long enough for the fish to truly swim.

I will find the place to create a build thread and get that started. Our ETA is December - sometime. Once we have some information on the overflow locations (dual) ironed out, we'll begin the stand build. I look forward to learning from the wisdom of those who have sailed before me and perhaps helping some land lubbers along the way.

Regards,
Michelle
Click to expand...
Hey Michelle,
I like the acrylic and dimensions.
All reachable and long.
Good luck and look forward to seeing the tank
 
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Deltec
ReeferBlaine said:
Michelle!

Great write up! Looking forward to seeing more updates.. also the list had me giggling!

If you get bored come over and check out my channel would appreciate the support! Thanks, and welcome!!
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Just hit follow on the gram.... looking forward to the forum.
 
ReeferBlaine said:
Appreciate you!! Hope you got a chance to check out the YouTube channel too!!

Your support means the world!
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So very rarely on YouTube but I do gram. Your Gorgonians are stunning.
 
Deltec
Shanel said:
Always Glad to Welcome another Florida. I'm in Lake Worth. Work in Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Riviera Beach, Ft Pierce and Ft Myers. Do a lot of traveling for work.

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I'm out and about for work myself... but I primarily cover Sarasota south on the west coast to Naples - ish. I'm in Ft. Myers about once a week. #road warriors! It has it's blessings though. Charlotte County only has two dinky fish stores (NIC Petco). One is only open two days a week. At least traveling affords me the opportunity to meet great people at LFS that are not in my back yard.
 
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CMMorgan said:
I'm out and about for work myself... but I primarily cover Sarasota south on the west coast to Naples - ish. I'm in Ft. Myers about once a week. #road warriors! It has it's blessings though. Charlotte County only has two dinky fish stores (NIC Petco). One is only open two days a week. At least traveling affords me the opportunity to meet great people at LFS that are not in my back yard.
Click to expand...


I'm usually in Ft Myers on Mondays. Was just there today, Edison Ave.
 
Deltec
Orphek OR3 reef aquarium LED bar
MPCReefer said:
Will have to make my way to Boardroom soon. Have a WB Marine X 110.4 on order. Looking for good LFS.
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There is a guy in Sarasota that just lost his storefront due to Covid. He is still doing set ups, maintenance and orders... he is a fountain of knowledge. It is called After The Ocean. If you want a big store, fair pricing and no pressure, definitely head to Ft Myers to see Mark and Chris at Boardroom. Mark actually lives off Peachland here in CC. He has had that shop for a long time and it shows. Talking to those guys is like talking to an encyclopedia of reefing. They have never tried to sell me anything I did not need or should not have. Oh.... and his fish are stunning. Such nice fish.
A LFS here in Pt Charlotte sold me a bunch of things that were really bad for a new reefer without any warnings, advise or background... hence how I got Ursula. I have found that shop owners that are arrogant and talk down to you only want to make themselves feel better.
The guys at Boardroom want to have a conversation, exchange ideas and create a relationship with you for as long as you own your tank. Best of luck on your new build. When does yours arrive? This will be my holiday build.
 
CMMorgan said:
There is a guy in Sarasota that just lost his storefront due to Covid. He is still doing set ups, maintenance and orders... he is a fountain of knowledge. It is called After The Ocean. If you want a big store, fair pricing and no pressure, definitely head to Ft Myers to see Mark and Chris at Boardroom. Mark actually lives off Peachland here in CC. He has had that shop for a long time and it shows. Talking to those guys is like talking to an encyclopedia of reefing. They have never tried to sell me anything I did not need or should not have. Oh.... and his fish are stunning. Such nice fish.
A LFS here in Pt Charlotte sold me a bunch of things that were really bad for a new reefer without any warnings, advise or background... hence how I got Ursula. I have found that shop owners that are arrogant and talk down to you only want to make themselves feel better.
The guys at Boardroom want to have a conversation, exchange ideas and create a relationship with you for as long as you own your tank. Best of luck on your new build. When does yours arrive? This will be my holiday build.
Click to expand...

Ordered it a week ago, hoping for delivery by end of month. This is my first saltwater tank and first tank in many years. This site has been a godsend in helping plan my build. Currently working on a mixing station using ideas gained here and hope to have it completed this week. I have learned a ton from R2R over the past 3 months while researching.
 
Ecoscape Reef Rock
MPCReefer said:
Ordered it a week ago, hoping for delivery by end of month. This is my first saltwater tank and first tank in many years. This site has been a godsend in helping plan my build. Currently working on a mixing station using ideas gained here and hope to have it completed this week. I have learned a ton from R2R over the past 3 months while researching.
Click to expand...
Well hold on tight... it's a bumpy ride. I made so many mistakes... reference my original list above. LOL That is the tip of it. I was blessed to have a sounding board with some friends that have some monster tanks off of Harbor. If I can be of any help whatsoever in helping you avoid those errors or you just want a local sounding board... just give a yell. I can't even tell you how many calls I made to my friends that first year. You jumped into the deep end with a beautiful tank. I look forward to seeing what you do with it.
 
Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D
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Dinkin's Aquatic Gardens

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