Guest jcwordslinger March 3, 2005 March 3, 2005 First of all, this forum is great. Everyone here is very knowledgeable and I value your experiences. I have been slowly collecting the pieces necessary for a set up. Now I'm getting close... so close. I have a 50g, cpr skimmer, two powerheads, a cannister filter and a heater. I know I plan on getting live rock from The Reef Tank. My questions: 1. Sand/ substrate: what should I use? I like the appearance of a whiter looking sand. I bought a few bags of crushed coral (pink fiji), but I've been hearing a lot about something people are buying from Home Depot. 2. Lighting: I want to have a small number of corals and I know I need the correct lighting for this. I hear you people talk about halides. What is the perfect lighting set up for my needs? And where can I go buy it? Please excuse my lack of knowledge as far as terminology goes. Also, I keep hearing about meetings you have for members... what happens at these meetings? Where do you meet? The whole idea of frag swapping fascinates me. How exciting is that! JC
Guest tgallo March 3, 2005 March 3, 2005 welcome to the club JC. you should list your location when you get a chance,md,va,dc?, this way you mite get a invatation by one of our members who live in your area to check out there tank and talk about what a great club we have and also on what to and not to spend your money on when it comes to setting up a reef tank.
Guest jcwordslinger March 3, 2005 March 3, 2005 welcome to the club JC. you should list your location when you get a chance,md,va,dc?, this way you mite get a invatation by one of our members who live in your area to check out there tank and talk about what a great club we have and also on what to and not to spend your money on when it comes to setting up a reef tank. 27106[/snapback] Yes, of course... I live in Alexandria. I am familiar with all the area stores, too. I plan on going to a few this Saturday. Trying to get a concensus from everyone on the faves. I've been to The Reef Tank once. I was impressed with the personal help. Exotic Aquatics seemed great. I'm going to check out Roozens, I've never been there. Last weekend I visited Aquatic World and Pets, etc (which is going out of business and I was able to get much stuff 30% off). I'd love to see peoples' tanks. I know very little, but am very eager to learn. JC
Lee Stearns March 3, 2005 March 3, 2005 Welcome aboard JC, Feel free to PM me and I will send you my address and phone number here in Burke not far from the Reef Tank- You are welcome to drop by and see my tanks in action - I have three and they are all run very differently which shows there are more than one way to have a beautiful tank in this hobby. Just a few minutes in person can cover a lot of ground. Regards, Lee Stearns
HowardofNOVA March 3, 2005 March 3, 2005 JC, Welcome aboard, I second Lee's offer, though I'm in the midst of a move, Lee's tanks are absolutely beautiful! If your in the area, feel free to stop by as well. I'm just off Rt 50 E off the Beltway near Falls Church. The sand is Southdown, TRT (The Reef Tank) carries it, great store to deal with! They also have a good price on LS - Live Sand as well! On lighting, it depends on your goal as a Reefer? VHO bulbs, PC - Power Compacts, MH all work just depends on #1 Your budget and #2 Your final result you are looking at. MH are the best for Hard Corals for the most part and getting a DIY -Do it Yourself route is not hard at all with the right coaching and can save you a ton of money along the way! Trust me, hanging around this group will save you a ton of money! ....and tempt you to turn around and spends some more! :P Howard
Guest tgallo March 3, 2005 March 3, 2005 Trust me, hanging around this group will save you a ton of money! ....and tempt you to turn around and spends some more! how true this is :D
Guest mikesroth March 3, 2005 March 3, 2005 The sand also goes by the name of Yardright and OldCastle. You can sometimes find it at Ace Hardware and I believe Southern States for a bit less than The Reef Tank.
OUsnakebyte March 3, 2005 March 3, 2005 Let us know when you are adding sand. Many of us in the area have established sand beds teaming with life and are more than happy to give you a small ziplock bag full to seed your tank - and, when you are ready, some coral frags to get you started. It sounds like you are taking the right steps - research, research, research first and joining an online club. I wish I had been a member of a club like this when I first started - ohhhh the information, money, etc. I would have received/saved! Cheers Mike
Guest jcwordslinger March 3, 2005 March 3, 2005 Let us know when you are adding sand. Many of us in the area have established sand beds teaming with life and are more than happy to give you a small ziplock bag full to seed your tank - and, when you are ready, some coral frags to get you started. It sounds like you are taking the right steps - research, research, research first and joining an online club. I wish I had been a member of a club like this when I first started - ohhhh the information, money, etc. I would have received/saved! Cheers Mike 27120[/snapback] You guys rock. Thank you so much for the encouragement. At this point I'm quite nervous. I want to make sure I do everything right. I will definitely take you up on the sand and frag offer when the tank is ready. Again, thank you. JC
Grav March 4, 2005 March 4, 2005 If you go see lee, swing by. I'm in fairfax, and I'm almost as cool as he is. I got more SD (South Down is the original name of this magic cheap sand) than I needed for my new 150g I paid $5 / bag and must have 3 or 4 for anyone that needs it.
Lee Stearns March 4, 2005 March 4, 2005 Crazy how we think- Before i read this I answered the other thread- Do not get rid of all that Southdown I will buy one off you on Saturday if JC wants to swing by there. I am anxious to see what you have done with that new 150- Would you like me to bring a piece of bright green pavona? PM me with a time slot Grav.
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