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I really have a problem

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Netofficer3710, Apr 18, 2011.

  1. Netofficer3710

    Netofficer3710 Inactive User

    86
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    in the past 3 months I have started my first aquariums. 
    these include a 5 gallon betta tank, a 15 gallon freshwater community tank, and a 60 gallon reef.
    Today the mother and I wandered into a Fishshack in Manchester just to check the place out.  We walked out with 3 new corals, a red leg hermit in the coolest shell I have ever seen, and a couple cardinal tetras...  oh yeah, and an unplanned 90 gallon tank and stand!
    On top of this I am currently pending a deal on a 55 gal and stand I would like to set up for freshwater.
    my girlfriend things I'm crazy!
    oh well, time to check out those cool looking reef octopus sumps and overflow boxes.  I'm excited about trying out a refugium with this one too.
    this will be a FOWLR tank. now I can look into that dwarf lionfish I was wanting.
     
  2. adampottebaum

    adampottebaum Experienced Reefkeeper

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    +19 / 0 / -0
    You're not crazy, you've just been bit with the reef bug! I have the same problem of keep buying more and more corals even though I have NO room for them! haha
     
  3. jtesdall

    jtesdall Expert Reefkeeper

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    Yup its a true addiction. One of the most expensive out there except maybe heroin and racing.
    Please take it slow though. I also do both freshwater and reef and they are both VERY time consuming. If you don't keep up with it you will get very frustrated as things will go bad. There is a lot to learn in both hobbies, although very similar they are also different.
    I just hate to see people get too excited and go too fast. Tanks crash, things die and they quit the hobby(s). This happens very often. As you are doing use us as a resource. Most of us have freshwater experience as well including myself with over 20+ years.
    Have fun and remember your water changes.
     
  4. a12ptbk

    a12ptbk

    211
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    +1 
    I know the addiction. I have a reef and a fish only a freshwater tank  plus a couple tanks setup on my kitchen counter I use as experiments and now working on setting up a sump in the basement and getting my other tanks setup down there.
    But I do a little at a time especially when it comes to the diplay tanks so I disrupt the chemistry in them.  If you add to much at once especially on new tanks you may end up crashing it and having allot of die off from ammonia spikes.  As was said earlier take it slow with reefs and be patient and you should have allot less headaches.
     
  5. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    As JB said it is easy to get caught up in it. i think it is safe to say we all do. 1 thing to consider is water and how much you will be using on a constant basis between top offs and water changes. And dont forget food and addiditves
     
  6. Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

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    Dude.....welcome to the club
     
  7. Netofficer3710

    Netofficer3710 Inactive User

    86
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    I forgot to add that we picked up a 3250 watt generator the other day so we can be ready in case we loose power
     
  8. ninjazx777 Experienced Reefkeeper

    Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 1 / -0
    Personally I don't spend any time or money on my small fish bowl system and I don't have any problems NOT
    Be forwarned if u dont have extra time and money then this hobby is not for you and it can be very frustrating
    Good luck and welcome to my nightmare LOL
     
  9. Netofficer3710

    Netofficer3710 Inactive User

    86
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    I got started into freshwater and loved it
    after this my mother stated that she had always wanted to try saltwater but neverwanted to spend the time on it.
    she later offered to pay for it if I did the work...
    now I have a 60 gal reef in my bedroom and we're putting a 90 gal FOWLR tank in the basement...
    we knew it would be expensive but we never dreamed how much we had underestimated the expense
    but she has the cash as we can see from her haggling on a 90 gal tank in the other room yesterday when I was picking out corals lol
    how do you know how many corals is too many anyway...  we have at least 15 diffirent corals in the 60 gal reef
     
  10. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    when you dont have room to fit anymore.
     
  11. Netofficer3710

    Netofficer3710 Inactive User

    86
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    I'm just getting tired of looking at these plugs...
     
  12. ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

    919
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    I remember these days. Start with a 10 gallon then to a 30 and now have 2 - 55 gallon tanks in the process of being sold so my 125 gallon I got a few weeks ago can see water and the reef 55 be moved over to the 125 gallon which is as big as I am allowed to go unless we build a new house and have the tank built into the wall at the time the house is built which I am already looking into lol. I welcome you to the club and the nightmare of maintaining a billion tanks. Every day on my salt tank I have to add 3 gallons of RO until I get the new tank setup with the ATO. Invest in an ATO if you have room. They save some heads with daily maintenance.
     
  13. Netofficer3710

    Netofficer3710 Inactive User

    86
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    I almost never top my 60 gal tank off, I mostly just do water changes when it looks low and my salt level is still at 1.025 SG where I want it

    my water level fluctuates alot because I am constantly introducing new livestock
     
  14. Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    West Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,821 / 14 / -0
    Welcome, fellow MTSer!

    With respect to the reef tank, I would take whatever you have now and just leave it be - don't add anything else, let the tank set in. It takes a good 6 months for all the unmeasurable chemicals and life reactions to stabilize. Do you have any fish in the reef?
     
  15. Netofficer3710

    Netofficer3710 Inactive User

    86
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    well we went to pick the tank up today... and ended up upgrading to a 125 gallon

    why you might ask? because it fit in the minivan
     
  16. Shayna

    Shayna Well-Known ReefKeeper

    425
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    LOL too funny.  Yes, I have 3 - 125 gallons.  Why? Well, because that's the maximum size tank that fits in my minivan!  I'm glad I don't have access to a semi.[​IMG]
     
  17. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    well.  I do have access to a 24 ft flat bed  one with a crane and the other with a forklift. And iam really good with poking things through upper story windows with the crane if the need ever arises
     
  18. Netofficer3710

    Netofficer3710 Inactive User

    86
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    [​IMG]well here it is!
     
  19. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    wait you didnt get a reefready tank?
     
  20. xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    Ya, Now I have to talk him into bringing it in to get drilled.
     

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