BigRedNole
New Member
Hi all. just found this site through searching random things about corals. This is my "Take 2" at a reef aquarium. I started out in saltwater aquariums back in the late 70s when there was not much info. If you wanted inhabitants, we had to go to our beach and catch them. For water, you filled up from the ocean as well back then. I started back up about 2 years ago on a whim and no real plan. That was a mistake. The cost was a lot more than I had planned for. However, the tank was awesome after I worked through newb issues. Unfortunately, I go to ta point where it was not what I wanted and poor planning was the reason. I wound up selling it all off.
Then, my daughter wanted her fish back. I had purchased a Current Cardiff system because our LFS had them for $150. It had been sitting idle for a long time. So, we decided to hop back in. Still a little unprepared, we set it up at the end of 2012. The only issue is the skimmer. It is too loud and we are working on getting the right one at this point that is not an eye sore. The tank has finally cycled.
I met with my trusted local supplier this past weekend (The Reef Farm, I hope I can put the name in without problems). The good news is that she had several experts there helping her run her business. They were all familiar with my setup through our state reef site. They tested the water, looked at pictures, and made a few recommendations on initial purchases.
The key to the tank were a pair of clowns for my daughter. After that, everything else was secondary. As much as I wanted them, it was well out of what I was going to pay. They had a beautiful pair of SA Fancy Snowflake clowns. We opted instead for a pair for SA Mocha Clowns. These are completely tank bred. I could not be happier. These two clowns have taken well so far. I love the color, although slightly less red/orange than I thought. These clowns are not sedate. They swim every inch of the tank and are very active. I love that. I was also steered towards some easy soft corals. I was recommended a Magician paly and Tubbs Blue zoa (might be a paly). I was urged to get a piece of Flame Macroalgae to help with fish waste and the clowns may host it.
Hello for Raleigh, NC.
Then, my daughter wanted her fish back. I had purchased a Current Cardiff system because our LFS had them for $150. It had been sitting idle for a long time. So, we decided to hop back in. Still a little unprepared, we set it up at the end of 2012. The only issue is the skimmer. It is too loud and we are working on getting the right one at this point that is not an eye sore. The tank has finally cycled.
I met with my trusted local supplier this past weekend (The Reef Farm, I hope I can put the name in without problems). The good news is that she had several experts there helping her run her business. They were all familiar with my setup through our state reef site. They tested the water, looked at pictures, and made a few recommendations on initial purchases.
The key to the tank were a pair of clowns for my daughter. After that, everything else was secondary. As much as I wanted them, it was well out of what I was going to pay. They had a beautiful pair of SA Fancy Snowflake clowns. We opted instead for a pair for SA Mocha Clowns. These are completely tank bred. I could not be happier. These two clowns have taken well so far. I love the color, although slightly less red/orange than I thought. These clowns are not sedate. They swim every inch of the tank and are very active. I love that. I was also steered towards some easy soft corals. I was recommended a Magician paly and Tubbs Blue zoa (might be a paly). I was urged to get a piece of Flame Macroalgae to help with fish waste and the clowns may host it.
Hello for Raleigh, NC.
