Hello!

Hi all, I've been a member of the site for awhile now ever since I discovered it on Reef Central, but I haven't spent much time on here until now! I just realized that I've yet to introduce myself! My name is Colin and I'm a high school senior from Cedar Falls, Iowa. I love to play golf, read, watch movies, play videogames, and listen to good music! I had freshwater tanks growing up, and started my first saltwater tank in August of 2008. It was a 29 gallon that really turned out quite nicely even with my high schoolers budget, then in January of 2011 I upgraded to the 55 gallon that I have today. However I will soon be forced to downgrade again because I'll be moving to Ames in August to major in biology at ISU. I don't consider myself very experienced but I hope to be a positive addition to the site. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif A couple initial questions: Where do people in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area buy fish/corals? With emporium pets now gone the closest place is Petco and it seems low quality! And do you think it would be too hard to keep a 20ish gallon reef in the dorms where I would be forced to move it each summer? Thank you and hello again/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/biggrin.gif
This was the 29, first tank ever! Got me hooked!

And this is my 55 as of yesterday: I've fragged it quite a bit, and the corals just don't seem to be growing as much as before! I've been struggling with algae as of late and have yet to see any corraline!

 

Thanks for the welcome! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif I just did a search on Anemone's Clowns and Corals and I cannot believe I've never heard of this place before, I am truly angry at myself for ordering online and such when I am so close to a good fish shop!! But I'm very happy to hear about it and will be checking it out as soon as I possibly can!

Not too much different between the two tanks! I started the 29 and it ran on only tap water for a majority of the time, I got an RO unit a few months before I upgraded to the 55. Lighting on the 29 was 2xpowercompact flourescents I think 96 watts but im not positive, and on the 55 I have a Current Sundial fixture which is 4x48inch T5's I don't remember how many watts this one has either! I do run a coralife superskimmer which I've used on both tanks. This skimmer is starting to give me trouble though so I would like to replace it soon! I don't test for CA, Alk, and Mag should I? and I do test for nitrates and phosphates every once in awhile, my nitrates are usually under 20 and phosphates always comes up 0 but I I've been told that this is only because the algae in the tank uses it up. I did have 2 clowns and a bicolor blenny in the 29, one clown and the blenny both jumped out of the tank unfortunately. The six line wrasse, yellow watchman goby, and yellow tang have all been added since I got my 55.

I did use the same rock from the 29 when I upgraded to the 55. This rock was covered in corraline which stopped spreading and lost color when added to the 55, I don't know why maybe the stronger light or transfer somehow killed it. I also added some dry rock from marcorocks to the 55 which became covered in green algae as well. And no i'm not running a sump but I really would like to! I've just been too scared to try and build one and set it up even after hours of reading! I even bought an Eshopps overflow box, but decided against setting up a sump! When I downgrade it would be great to start running a sump with chaeto and keep things out of sight. I've read all about them I just get nervous when I think about setting them up!

I will absolutely be paying AC & C a visit in the near future! Might even start setting up a new 20 gallon! Do you have any idea if they might take my Yellow Tang? It's the only thing I have that I wouldn't put into a 20 gallon. Thanks so much!

 

Thanks Terri, I'll have to buy test kits for CA, Alk, and Mag then, I didn't know they were so important if I didn't keep stony corals! I use Reef Crystals salt, and I try to do water changes every other weekend, but I admit when school and scholarships and work and all kinds of business gets to me I can be a bit lazy! I use a hydrometer to test my water which I know isn't the best option, but I test both the main tank and the saltwater multiple times so I can be reasonably sure that they are at least close. And no the rock didn't dry or have a chance to die, I bet the calcium is too low because I know my lights are capable! I don't remember the exact wattage but it's a 4xT5 HO fixture that I bought from Drs. Foster and Smith so it should have sufficient lighting. My issue with a sump is having to do all the plumbing and stuff which sounds difficult! and yeah the weather isn't so wonderful is it!? /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/tongue.gif I have a busy weekend though, I just got home from a college visit to ISU, I'm going back to Ames tomorrow for a track meet, and I work Sunday night! But I really would like to try and go check out the store i'm quite excited to check it out!! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

Sounds good Tholton, I hope my little tank will thrive in my dorm room! (I made sure fish were okay to have today on my visit! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

Yes I did see that ruggerkc, but do you guys really want a high school kid running around with ya? /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/wink.gif

It is pretty large Mike! By far my favorite coral, I got it from a friend in Sioux City acouple months after starting the 29. It's grown since then, and I even fragged it (little white coral left of my gsp in the 55 picture above)

And thanks shuey! I can't believe the kind of welcome I'm getting on here!
I think I'm doing alright! I've been reading on Reef Central for almost 6 years now, but hopefully I keep getting better!

 

That sounds like a plan! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif
I've always wanted one, just haven't had the courage to put a sump together!
And I did find time to run out to AC&C today! Very cool I didn't want to leave! Bought a few things for my RO/DI unit, and told em I'd be back soon! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/w00t.gif
Got myself a 20 gallon Long, and some sand! Just need my skimmer to get here and I can start to set up my downgraded tank, bittersweet!

 

I decided on an AquaC Remora! It seemed to be one of the better HOB skimmers so I thought I would give it a go!