New to WAMAS

[djcerna]

I just joined wamas after getting a recommendation from a wamas member (cbashaw) at aquarium one in Rockville. I

[dhoch]

First of all welcome...

 

You will get lots of opinions on equipment and setup... one thing I have found is that you should really think about what you want to keep (reefs tanks can be all different kinds) and plan you system around that. Don't skimp because of cost, typically you will upgrade later and it will cost you more in the long run.

 

Read lots, and go slow are the best pieces of advice anyone can give you...

 

So other than a reef, any thoughts on what you want to keep? (fish/critters/corals?)

 

Dave

[djcerna]

First of all welcome...

 

You will get lots of opinions on equipment and setup... one thing I have found is that you should really think about what you want to keep (reefs tanks can be all different kinds) and plan you system around that. Don't skimp because of cost, typically you will upgrade later and it will cost you more in the long run.

 

Read lots, and go slow are the best pieces of advice anyone can give you...

 

So other than a reef, any thoughts on what you want to keep? (fish/critters/corals?)

 

Dave

 

For right now thinking about a couple of clowns and a yellow tang, but mainly reef safe fish. I would like to get live sand with lots of critters to help with cleaning the sand. Corals on the other hand I have no experience and that's why I am I joined WAMAS. What are some hardy corals to start off with?

[dhoch]

I would consider thinking about, and probably looking at some different tanks... The TOTM (both current and historical) is a good place to start..

 

Tank tours (hey I'm having one on sunday ) are also a good resource.

 

Get a sense of what's out there...

 

Reason is many people start with the easy corals only to find out later on as they start really growing they are nusciences...

 

Really you want to think about softies vs zoos vs LPS vs SPS vs clams vs anemeones (as they all have varying degrees of dificulty, even within the main categories

 

Dave

[Jenny]

WELCOME

 

Are you up in MD? Like Dhoch said he is having a tank tour Sunday and I'm sure other MDers would be happy to have you come over. Sometimes its easier to decide what you'd like to keep if you see it in people's tanks.

 

We are in Alexandria and you are more than welcome to come over and see our setup.

[Gadgets]

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[djcerna]

I'm in Rockville Maryland.

 

Dave, Thanks for the input about hardy corals, I need to really think about what I really want to see in my tank. Maybe tank tours is a good idea. I tired to see the 19th schedule but I get an error message. Will check back later

Edited November 15, 2006 by djcerna

[Sugar Magnolia]

Welcome to the club!

[ctreptow]

Welcome to the Fun...

 

and I agree with dhoch I have a ton of nusciences.... they are hard to keep in control after a while...

 

Chris

[dhoch]

djcerna... you should be able to follow that link now... I updated you and made you a WAMAS member...

 

Dave

[rmoyer001]

Hey - I am new too -- Learning one lesson the hard way. Make sure you quarantine all your new fish. My tank has ich and its a royal pain. the only way I can get rid of it is to do 50% water changes daily. I have done a lot of research and this seems to be the best way without killing everything in my tank.

 

 

Good Luck - Even with the ich - I am having a blast.

[emissary]

Hey - I am new too -- Learning one lesson the hard way. Make sure you quarantine all your new fish. My tank has ich and its a royal pain. the only way I can get rid of it is to do 50% water changes daily. I have done a lot of research and this seems to be the best way without killing everything in my tank.

Good Luck - Even with the ich - I am having a blast.

 

You may want to set up a separate thread for this topic, or search the board for "ich." Big water changes won't really get rid of ich .... but keeping the water quality high is generally a good thing regardless.

[djcerna]

Thanks, as always, everyone's input is welcomed.

[Brian Ward]

Do some research about those tangs you want to keep. Not sure about the dimensions of your tank, but they like long tanks to swim the length of - 4' is generally considered the minimum. I don't have any personal experience with it, but I read a ton of forums and thats what most people seem to recommend.

~Brian