I keep getting the reminder notification to introduce myself, so here it is. I was out of the hobby for 13 years and decided to get back in last July. I bought a used Red Sea Reefer 450 and I've had it setup since last July/August. I completely ignored the tank till this June, basically just topping off the water and only a few water changes since last summer. I am the prime example of how not to maintain a saltwater tank. Usually, people get into the hobby and are in such a rush, they don't wait for the tank to cycle because they just want to put fish and/or corals in the tank; apparently, I'm the complete opposite. Prior to Reefapalooza (NY) this June, I had my water tested by my LFS, and everything was ok, except for the nitrates which were 200ppm. Wow! How does that even happen? Fast forward to the writing of this post, and everything is still mostly in check, with my nitrates right around 50ppm. I do have some small coral frags in the tank, but no fish just yet. The hobby has changed a lot in the 13 years of my absence, but I've learned a lot, especially in the last 6 weeks. I'm excited to be back in the hobby, and I look forward to the day my tank is stable and full of beautiful corals and fish.
