1. Do you have an old account but can't access it?


    See Accessing your GIRS Account or Contact Us - We are here to help!

new to saltwater

Discussion in 'Introductions' started by Strong, Jan 12, 2010.

  1. Strong

    Strong

    280
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Hi all.  I am new to this website (suggested by Jay).  I have had freshwater tanks since I was 6 and curently run a small 20 gallon tall that I am looking at replacing with a saltwater tank later this winter/early spring.  I am trying to bring up my saltwater knowledge by joining the site and talking with experienced people.  Hope to learn a lot.
    -Strong
    P.S.  If anyone is looking for a 20 gal. tall or 10 gal. with everything they would need for freshwater, or want the tanks for their saltwater uses, let me know, I may be getting rid of them soon.
     
  2. xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    Hey welcome to the site.

    Saltwater is very addicting & fun. Alot of people have been making the switch over from fresh lately.

    Craig
     
  3. Firefish

    Firefish Inactive User

    42
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Welcome and good luck with your set up.
     
  4. Strong

    Strong

    280
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Looking at getting a BioCube 29 gal. later this spring after I do some research on corals and fish. To please the wife, I will likely end up with as she calls them "Nemos!" along with some clean up crew guys. Will be paying attention to some posts and be working with some people I know with tanks for advice.

    Forgot to add I am a Reliability Engineer and live in Marion Iowa (Next to Cedar Rapids).

    -Strong
     
  5. B-Rad

    B-Rad Inactive User

    999
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Welcome! there are a lot of great members in that area to pull from, so don't be afraid to ask any questions.
     
  6. vikubz Well-Known ReefKeeper

    734
    Cedar Falls
    Ratings:
    +8 / 0 / -0
    You may want to hang on to that 20, as one SW tank may not be enough.
     
  7. AJ

    AJ Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Hey Justin,
    Good luck on your BioCube. They are probably the easiest way to get started in this hobby. I've run a JBJ Nanocube for probably the last 18 months and it's really been a lot of fun. It gave me a platform where I could learn the fundamentals of the hobby, and move on to larger tanks. With your background, it should be a fun learning experience. As B-Rad mentioned, read and ask questions. It's not likely t this stage in the game, you will have many questions that will stump some of the regular readers/posters on this site.

    BTW, do you happen to know Julie Strong? Strong is one of those last names that I've not heard very often so I thought I would ask.

    --AJ

     
  8. Strong

    Strong

    280
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I do not know her. There are a lot of Strong's in the area, but none I am related to. My family comes from Wisconsin (Lacrosse) area.

    Thanks for the reply, I will keep reading stuff on this site. I may keep the 10 or 20 gal. tank for other purposes like suggested. I may keep the 20 going as I get the BioCube up and running...depends on how much time I get.

    I am also looking at pictures on here for ideas on stands. I can definately build an Oak stand for less than u buy the ones online fo, so it has been interesting looking at ideas and things others have done.

    -Strong
     
  9. AJ

    AJ Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Lots of people build their own tank stands. I don't have the talent to make a really nice one, but I have seen lots of plans online for them. I've also seen a trend toward taller stands that get the tank higher off the ground. This puts the tank closer to eye level and gives you more room in the stand. Also, before you build your stand and canopy, know what kind of lighting you're going to put in it as that will be a design consideration to the height needed in the canopy. If you go with MH, you will need more height than if you go with T5's or LEDs. And don't forget to take your cooling into consideration (fans in the canopy, basement sump, chiller, maybe multiple methods, etc.) Take your time, research things, then plan it out and build. If you find someone that has a design that you like, ask them what they like and dislike about it and you can use those ideas as a base for your design. If you plan on doing an in stand sump, accessibility will be very important. Also, plan three of four years down the road so that you can accommodate things that you would like to have, not just what you can afford at the time you build. Take your time. Do it right. You'll be glad you did.

    --AJ
     
  10. JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    Another advantage to building your own stand is a sense of "safety". The stand I had for my first 125 was store bought and it never gave me a sense of security. In fact, I was amazed that it could hold up all of that weight with relatively flimsy construction. When I made my own stand, I made sure to do it in a way where I new that it was never going to come crashing down.

    BTW, welcome to GIRS. I'm in Marion as well.

    -JB
     
  11. Strong

    Strong

    280
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I will be building a new vanity for my bathroom this weekend, and should draw up some stuff for the fish stand when I am done with that. I'll have to run the stuff by everyone for inputs when I get a plan drawn out (storage, etc). First take will be a biocube, so not much as far as complextiy for sumps, etc, but I want it to look good and be functional as well.

    -Strong
     
  12. Strong

    Strong

    280
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    so I picked up a 29 biocube today....now to sweat talk the wife into letting me keep it before we did our tax return! hard to pass up $250 with tax. Now to design a stand and paint it...good thing I am already making some other cabinets for the bathroom right now.

    -Strong
     
  13. B-Rad

    B-Rad Inactive User

    999
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Keep us posted on the progress.
     
  14. Jay Well-Known ReefKeeper

    333
    Marion
    Ratings:
    +2 / 0 / -0
    Once she gets a glimpse of some of the corals and what not you can put in there, she is gonna love it.
     
  15. Strong

    Strong

    280
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    So negotiations went well and we are full steam ahead. I am going to try and get the tank set up this week with Jay's help.

    I am going to tryr and get a frame built for the stand this week as well, then worry about making the outer and inner cabinet parts later. Will update with pictures when there is something to see.

    -Strong
     
  16. JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    Until she figures out how much time her husband will be spending with his "new mistress", then she will be pissed!   Believe me, we've all been there!
     
  17. Strong

    Strong

    280
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    JB: Thanks for the notice of impending doom. I will make sure I try to duck when I see the incoming round. I showed her some pictures on here and she thought the tanks looked pretty cool compared to my fish swimming around in my tropical tank right now (20 gal. tall). I also told her I would not be doing much for it since the water and rocks have to go through their cycles (have been told takes a while, even with a smaller tank).

    First thing first is I have the stand designed and will try to get it built tomorrow night (go go more cabinet making). I am just goign through last design reviews on it to make sure I have enough structural support. Going to 2x4 frame it and then sheath it in 1/2 or 3/4" birch hardwood ply. Likely paint it black to match the tank when it is all done.

    When I get the stand done I'll start thinking of how I want to structure the rock.

    Any other advice for the structure or anything I should design in?

    -Strong
     
  18. Matt

    Matt Inactive User

    867
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    All in one are awesome, I've had my 12gal for a couple months and love it. Id really like to get a 29 biocube right now since the price is good, but we will have to see. Also you be surprised about the JBJ Nano stands. Me and Gered drilled a hole in my to run all the wiring into the cabinet and hide everything, but we figured it was just plyboard all the way through. Nope there solid as a rock!
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.