howaboutme

Just want to give a quick thanks to fellow member Tracy G for hooking this newbie member up with a nice skimmer today! I am one step closer to cycling! Membership has already paid dividends. Thanks!

Wow, 90 is 3 x's the size of my starter. Thankfully in this day and age of the internet, even a newbie like me would know that if I went 90, it's either a sump or nothing. Luckily, my tank is small enough that a lot would say would not even require a skimmer. A consistent water change routine, a couple of good powerheads and a good amount of live rock would work. I fully believe that too. However, a skimmer does help. But yes, I do understand going into this the pros and cons, which is why I am here talking to you folks. Thanks for the warm welcome!

Thanks for the advice. I do get what you're saying and I understand why. I've read a lot the past few months including posts by future doc on TFT. He basically says the same thing. For me, it opens up a can of worms when going down the path of having a sump. First, I don't have much room. Besides that, I feel this is an more reasonable path for a first timer. With my planned set up, I can learn slowly about the biology of a marine system, understand how to take of it and develop a nice routine, amongst other things. As another member has said, the 29 will turn into something bigger and that's the goal down the road. I understand that a HOB skimmer is not as efficient as an in-sump one but having one is better than not. And this is not to exchange good husbandry either. Once I have this set up running, I will have time to research and design a bigger system, this time w/ a sump. But that's years down the line. So keep it simple is my motto at this time. By the way, if you know who doesn't QT, please PM me so I can be aware of it and make my own judgment. Thank you!

Thanks for all of the love everyone! Sorry if I didn't make it clear but I did get a new tank so I'm all set. I will either sell the old one as a reptile or just make sure the buyer is aware of the silicone issue. Alternatively, I can use it as a HT, which is probably what I will be doing. Thanks for the offer. Is this the newer version w/ the Accela pump? May I ask why you're not using it anymore? (It's okay to say you got something better. There is always something better.) Thank you all!

Hello all! I am very new to the marine aquarium world and knew that joining this club would be extremely beneficial in many ways. I am glad I found it and to be here. I live in Centreville w/ my wife, daughter and cat Oreo. I look forward to interacting with you all. I thought I'd share what I'm about to get into with you all as an introduction. I am just starting to set up my "starter" tank. I'm only devoting a small area of the house to begin with so it'll be a 29G. I wanted to keep this on a tight budget but it doesn't look like it'll work out that way...I bought a used stand and tank from craigslist, both in good condition. While cleaning the tank w/ a razor, I accidentally striped some of the silicone at the corner. After a long discussion w/ myself and my wife I decided to not cut corners and buy a new one. I've been picking up things here and there and am probably a good 3 weeks away from starting my cycle. I plan to start out w/ a FOWLR and eventually get into corals. I have decided to buy things as I need such as good lights for example. I plan to do a SSB for aesthetic reasons and have picked up aragonite substrate and a couple of power heads. I just bought a RO/DI from Pure H20 and am waiting on that. My current research involves a skimmer. I don't have a sump so I'll either need an in-tank or a HOB. I'd rather not give up tank room but I am not sure about a HOB as well. Kind of stuck on this research between a Reef Octopus BH100 or a Tunze 9002. The problem w/ the Tunze is that it won't fit within my tank hood and light (which is the cheap one's that come w/ a standard 29). Any suggestions? Once the RODI is installed, skimmer is bought, then it's rock time. I can't wait for this to take shape but know that patience is important in this hobby. It's extremely addicting (as I sit here and type on Valentine's Day). Another thing I've been doing is visiting all (or almost all) of the LFS in my area. Luckily, there's a good number. I'm going to try BRK this weekend. I hear good things about them from this forum so I am looking forward to checking them out and to talking to them. I am doing this so I know which one's I can go to for whatever I need. I think I can type forever so I will leave it at that and will try to keep everyone up to date. Thanks to everyone in advance for any help that may be forthcoming. Jack (howaboutme) PS. I am also on TFT under the same name. They've been extremely helpful. I do, however, read any forum that comes up on Google.....thankfully we have the internet or I'd be spending way to much in unneeded equipment.