New Member from Waverly

Hello,
I am a new to the saltwater world and am excited about my new set-up. I was also excited to hear there is a local group like this and am looking forward to learning from nearby people and participatng in upcoming events.
While setting up my account on here, I included a complete story on my experience and how I came to start into the saltwater world. I welcome you to look up by bio if you are interested. I will recap in short here however:
I have over 20 years of small-tank freshwater experience. I aquired a 135 gal tank a few years ago with the intention to set-up a salt system but didn't have the space of money for what I needed. Recently, a friend tore his system down had gave me his water, fish, live sand, live rock, and equipment. So, I set the system up and it is running beautifully.
I have designed some very intricite (yet simple) plans for a worry-free 55 gal sump box that will house most of my equipment to keep it out of sight, have denitrifying plant-life, more live sand and live rock, filters, charcoal, and more in the sump. Read my bio if you want to know more about my plans for the sump. I am excited about it!
For those of you who are curious, my system is as follows:
- 135 gal tank (72x18x24)
- Cascade 1200 canister filter
- Emp 400 hang-on filter
- Seaclone 100 protein skimmer
- 2 power heads
- 300w heater
- air pump with one large bubble stone
- both blue and white lighting in 4-tube fixtures (marine-glo and aqua-glo I think?)
- UV sterilizer that is not yet attached to my system
- 150lbs of live sand
- 150lbs of live rock
- 20lbs of coral (large and intact)
Life:
- Lionfish
- Tomato clown
- Coral beauty
- Yellow tang
- Bi-color angel
- 12 margarita snails
- 1 turbo snail
- 10 pacific nassarius snails
- 10 carribean nassarius snails
- Spotted gobie (deceased)
- Lawnmower blennie (lost in the transfer and presumed dead)
My future plans include adding the 55 gal sump, adding coral, anenomies, sponges, urchants, and more fish and inverts.
Although I feel I have jumped into this quickly, it is a large system and it did come from an established system too. I have also done a lot of research and continue to do so in order to learn. I also have a degree in biology and chemistry that should help in my success with the tank. Additionally, I am hoping to have help from all of you and am looking forward to the day I can help others in return.
Hope to get to know some of you and wish you all success with your own systems!
Will

 

Thank you for all of the welcomes. I am glad to have support for this new and expanding hobby/lifestyle so close. I can really see the benefit to all for this type of a group.
Hopefully, I will be able to post a few pictures in the next few days. There are just a few finishing touches I need to make on my set-up before I publicize it. However, it will continue to be a work in progress at all times.
Adam, I am planning on becoming a full member within the next few days and thank you for the invite to the Christmas party. I would love to come to it in order to meet some of you and introduce myself as well. I have a couple of set-backs regarding the party. First, I don't have any frags yet and I am not yet comfortable adding any to my system without knowing more and ensuring my system is ready. Second, I travel to Minnesota every other weekend to bring my kids to thier mom's house. I can probably work out an earlier meeting time with her but think making it by 7:00 would be the earliest I could make it. However, if coming a bit late is ok and not having a frag to share is ok, then count me in!
Adam, I was also a bit concerned about the Seaclone size. Contrary to what seems to be a lot of reports about it, the skimmer is working excellent. I get about an inch of green stuff every few days. When I add my sump (which I am planning on constructing over the Holiday week) I am thinking about building a larger and more effective skimmer for use on the sump. I like designing, calculating, and building things...so it should be a fun challange. I am even thinking of building a reactor at some point...but that addition is a ways off.
Paul, I would love seeing another newer system. All of the pictures and examples I have seen seem to be so well established and running for a long time. I would love to see earlier examples. Just let me know.
Iamaxxer, this has been a long-time coming for me and I hope you are getting closer to setting your system up. When it comes time, I would love giving you a hand. You are welcome to come see mine if would like too. Gathering all of the necessary equipment can be very expensive. I have noticed that sometimes you can find some really good deals on Craigslist or eBay...or from friends too. Good luck on your venture!