Jumping into the reef

[Auquanut]

Welcome to the salty side. I'm a FW guy too. I still have 4 FW tanks and love them. Now I have 2 reefs too. You are going to really enjoy the contrast between fresh and salt water. The fact that you've been lurking for so long before diving into the reef world is great! It means you are doing your research. One thing I've found is that reef tanks are not nearly as forgiving, but as an avid aquarist I'm sure you'll find the challenge as fulfilling as I do.

 

[Squirrellyman]

Welcome to the salty side. I'm a FW guy too. I still have 4 FW tanks and love them. Now I have 2 reefs too. You are going to really enjoy the contrast between fresh and salt water. The fact that you've been lurking for so long before diving into the reef world is great! It means you are doing your research. One thing I've found is that reef tanks are not nearly as forgiving, but as an avid aquarist I'm sure you'll find the challenge as fulfilling as I do.

Lol.. strangely, it seems like our cichlid tank, despite the aggression and overcrowding (intentional for cichlids) is the most forgiving tank we have. I would swear the tropical tank, despite being our first tank, is the hardest! I’m looking forward to the challenge of a reef.

Btw, we checked out your build thread and loved it. I only scanned it... what are the lights you ended up using? It looked like it changed from the original setup

 

[Mastiffsrule]

 

[Auquanut]

what are the lights you ended up using? It looked like it changed from the original setup

I started out with a metal halide/T5 fixture that I got with the tank. It was great, but with the height of the tank and the drop ceiling in the room, I couldn't beat the heat issues it caused. Now I'm using cheap Chinese black boxes (LED). I wouldn't recommend them, but my corals really seem to be doing well. Even my acros are growing well and I can manage a fairly consistent temperature.

 

[LiveWire]

Welcome to the REEF!!

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[jaxredsoxfan]

Lol, yes a lot of tanks, Welcome and look forwarding to see build thread!

 

[southerntnreefer]

Welcome to Reef To Reef. i tried to jump in my reef once. My wife was mad from the splashing water, and my tang tried to attack me.

 

[Kj2186]

Welcome to R2R can’t wait for the finished build.

Hi all - i’ve been a lurker here for at least a year, and I’m finally joining, because we are finally taking the plunge and adding a reef tank to our nature preserve... a tropical tank, a goldfish tank, cichlid tank, piranha tank, shrimp (feeder) tank, green iguana, and two dogs! (And of course a quarantine tank... I guess I’ll have to add a second QT for saltwater)

Thanks for all the helpful advice you have already given. I’ll post a build thread in the coming weeks!