Daniel@R2R
Living the Reef Life
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My Tank Thread
I consider myself to be a relatively knowledgeable hobbyist. I wouldn’t classify myself as an expert, but at this point I can answer more questions than I’m asking, and I am confident in my abilities to develop, maintain, and cultivate a living and healthy reef tank. I’m also not looking at starting any new builds anytime soon (with 3 tanks going currently, my wife would kill me…or worse…).
However, when I heard about the Virtual Build Program being offered by Mark Callahan (Mr. Saltwater Tank), I was excited about the possibility of learning from one of the most recognized experts in the hobby. I (like many reef hobbyists) have watched many episodes of Mark’s popular YouTube video series, and so I am very familiar with his no-nonsense commonsensical approach to reefing and his expertise as a professional in this industry. I decided to enroll in Mark's program, with the hope to learn some skills from one of the best that might benefit me and my reef. …and I am SO glad that I did!
The Virtual Build Program surpassed my expectations! In the very first session on “Choosing a Tank” (a session about which, I freely admit I was skeptical about how much I would actual learn), Mark thoroughly explains the different options available to reefers and walks you through the many variables necessary to consider in choosing a tank (many of which I had honestly never considered). I was blown away by how much I learned (and now know why my next tank will be much different than the one I currently have running). In each of the subsequent sessions, Mark deals with everything from filtration and sump design to substrate and equipment choices (lighting, flow, etc.) to the development and maturation of your tank. Each of these sessions lasts roughly an hour and thoroughly explores each of the different aspects of building and developing a tank. Mark’s facilitation is engaging and interesting, and above all thorough—dealing with many aspects of the reef tank that I’d honestly never thought through!
During the program, we as participants were invited to take part in the Q&A that followed each session or to email Mark with questions that came up before or after each session. This was invaluable since there were multiple times that I would think of a question after the session that had not occurred to me during the video conference.
This 10 weeks has been one of the best investments in this hobby that I’ve ever made (and I’ve invested a lot…)! I’ve learned a great many tools that will be helpful not only in the building and development of my next tank (…ok…maybe I am thinking about another one…), but also have added many skills and ideas to my proverbial “tool belt” that I can use on the tank I am currently running.
One of the most beneficial aspects of the program is that Mark is all about walking with you in designing your tank around your own reefing philosophy, needs, situation, and Tank Personality, rather than just telling you what you “must” do. While there are certainly some solid recommendations and “do’s and don’ts” given (solid help that takes a lot of the complication out of the hobby and makes decision making a simple task), one of the things that comes clear is that the development of your tank and the choices you make are ultimately determined by your own specific situation, and Mark gives you the tools you need to make the best decision about each of those things with no-nonsense guidance.
What’s more is that these weeks haven’t been knowledge gained that I leave behind, because I have access to the videos and will continue to go back and consult them for refreshing my skills or to get ideas I may have missed the first time around. That means that when I do finally get around to that next upgrade, I'll be able to review the videos to be sure I don't miss ANY details!
Whether you’re considering starting a new tank, or if your tank is already running, and you’d just like to learn some new skills and ideas, I can solidly recommend the Virtual Tank Build program to you! Whether you’re just starting out, or if (like me) you consider yourself an experienced reefer, this program is an investment you should definitely make! It’s an enjoyable and enlightening journey that you’ll be glad you made!
EDIT: The VTB program is now closed. Mark is now running a program about Chemistry and Tank Automation which you can find via this link.
However, when I heard about the Virtual Build Program being offered by Mark Callahan (Mr. Saltwater Tank), I was excited about the possibility of learning from one of the most recognized experts in the hobby. I (like many reef hobbyists) have watched many episodes of Mark’s popular YouTube video series, and so I am very familiar with his no-nonsense commonsensical approach to reefing and his expertise as a professional in this industry. I decided to enroll in Mark's program, with the hope to learn some skills from one of the best that might benefit me and my reef. …and I am SO glad that I did!
The Virtual Build Program surpassed my expectations! In the very first session on “Choosing a Tank” (a session about which, I freely admit I was skeptical about how much I would actual learn), Mark thoroughly explains the different options available to reefers and walks you through the many variables necessary to consider in choosing a tank (many of which I had honestly never considered). I was blown away by how much I learned (and now know why my next tank will be much different than the one I currently have running). In each of the subsequent sessions, Mark deals with everything from filtration and sump design to substrate and equipment choices (lighting, flow, etc.) to the development and maturation of your tank. Each of these sessions lasts roughly an hour and thoroughly explores each of the different aspects of building and developing a tank. Mark’s facilitation is engaging and interesting, and above all thorough—dealing with many aspects of the reef tank that I’d honestly never thought through!
During the program, we as participants were invited to take part in the Q&A that followed each session or to email Mark with questions that came up before or after each session. This was invaluable since there were multiple times that I would think of a question after the session that had not occurred to me during the video conference.
This 10 weeks has been one of the best investments in this hobby that I’ve ever made (and I’ve invested a lot…)! I’ve learned a great many tools that will be helpful not only in the building and development of my next tank (…ok…maybe I am thinking about another one…), but also have added many skills and ideas to my proverbial “tool belt” that I can use on the tank I am currently running.
One of the most beneficial aspects of the program is that Mark is all about walking with you in designing your tank around your own reefing philosophy, needs, situation, and Tank Personality, rather than just telling you what you “must” do. While there are certainly some solid recommendations and “do’s and don’ts” given (solid help that takes a lot of the complication out of the hobby and makes decision making a simple task), one of the things that comes clear is that the development of your tank and the choices you make are ultimately determined by your own specific situation, and Mark gives you the tools you need to make the best decision about each of those things with no-nonsense guidance.
What’s more is that these weeks haven’t been knowledge gained that I leave behind, because I have access to the videos and will continue to go back and consult them for refreshing my skills or to get ideas I may have missed the first time around. That means that when I do finally get around to that next upgrade, I'll be able to review the videos to be sure I don't miss ANY details!
Whether you’re considering starting a new tank, or if your tank is already running, and you’d just like to learn some new skills and ideas, I can solidly recommend the Virtual Tank Build program to you! Whether you’re just starting out, or if (like me) you consider yourself an experienced reefer, this program is an investment you should definitely make! It’s an enjoyable and enlightening journey that you’ll be glad you made!
EDIT: The VTB program is now closed. Mark is now running a program about Chemistry and Tank Automation which you can find via this link.
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