Overwhelmed newbie intro.

JoshuaC · Nov 2, 2022

Good afternoon all. I’m new to the boards and consider myself new to the hobby, though I had a successful, but challenging, 75gal Fowler tank 20 years ago. I got lured back in by the prominence of nano reef tanks. After months of reading I decided to jump back in and bought a Cobalt C-Vue26 AIO. Added an Eshops skimmer and a nice ato. Couple clowns, fire fish and a six line wrasse. Then started down the research rabbit hole of drilling the tank for a sump, refugiums, stands, aquascape (that was a deep hole) and within a month, went big. I’m deeply hooked back into the joy, relaxation of the tiny environment chemisty set so I bought a display model RedSea Reefer 350 90gal system on sale from my LFS. Not the G2 so it has the old diaphragm valve and over ordered the parts to replace the line with a proper gate valve. I went big early and got a Core 20 return pump, the RedSea skimmer, two (for now) ReefLED 50s, two reefwave 25s, a ReefMat (I have to modify the sump so it’s probably going to sit a few weeks while I use the media baskets in the cycle) and a way over my head, Apex3Pro. Spent a ton but I did my homework and my LFS gave me a solid deal. Long intro to say Hello! I’ll have some questions and I have a problem to deal with but wanted to introduce myself first.

Peace River · Nov 2, 2022

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

Sean Clark · Nov 2, 2022

Welcome to the party.

Dune Movie Love GIF by Warner Bros. Deutschland

Jonify · Nov 2, 2022

Welcome to R2R!

Kristopher Conlin · Nov 2, 2022

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!

vetteguy53081 · Nov 2, 2022

ebushrow · Nov 2, 2022

Welcome to reef2reef….great place to learn and ask questions!

strawberryfish · Nov 2, 2022

exnisstech · Nov 2, 2022

Welcome aboard.
I've read that quite a few people still find the down flow on redsea tanks finicky even after installing a gate valve. It's the main reason I haven't swapped. Hopefully you'll have better luck. Mine is a reefer 170 so I not as big but I really like it. The layout and plumbing are much nicer than than I would have been able to do.

KJ · Nov 2, 2022

Welcome to R2R!!!

Mschmidt · Nov 2, 2022

welcome

Fruity Reefer · Nov 2, 2022

Welcome to R2R!

I am in the exact same boat, but I will say this forum is seriously amazing. I can pretty much always get a quick answer whenever it is needed. This Hobby can be overwhelming as hell, especially in the beginning (still going through that) But using this forum make it soooo much easier!

Fish Think Pink · Nov 2, 2022

JoshuaC said:
Good afternoon all. I’m new to the boards and consider myself new to the hobby, though I had a successful, but challenging, 75gal Fowler tank 20 years ago. I got lured back in by the prominence of nano reef tanks. After months of reading I decided to jump back in and bought a Cobalt C-Vue26 AIO. Added an Eshops skimmer and a nice ato. Couple clowns, fire fish and a six line wrasse. Then started down the research rabbit hole of drilling the tank for a sump, refugiums, stands, aquascape (that was a deep hole) and within a month, went big. I’m deeply hooked back into the joy, relaxation of the tiny environment chemisty set so I bought a display model RedSea Reefer 350 90gal system on sale from my LFS. Not the G2 so it has the old diaphragm valve and over ordered the parts to replace the line with a proper gate valve. I went big early and got a Core 20 return pump, the RedSea skimmer, two (for now) ReefLED 50s, two reefwave 25s, a ReefMat (I have to modify the sump so it’s probably going to sit a few weeks while I use the media baskets in the cycle) and a way over my head, Apex3Pro. Spent a ton but I did my homework and my LFS gave me a solid deal. Long intro to say Hello! I’ll have some questions and I have a problem to deal with but wanted to introduce myself first.

Welcome! Glad you joined. I'm not native Texan, but since we are neighbors, here is a big Grand Prairie "HOWDY" to you!

Perhaps you'll come out this weekend to the local club's event Saturday in Arlington - free to public, free to be member, and even though it is $25/annual to be Premium member, with 180 foods being given away, odds are high still some available even at noon entry time:

180 getting FREE FISH FOOD - PISCINE ENERGETICS ROCKS WAHOO

Did you just see the announcement on website homepage? Or Forum? So you don't miss out on this AMAZING offer, also putting it here. THANK YOU PISCINE ENERGETICS for their tremendous donations!! They want to help Texas *Bounce Back* from that horrible Ice Storm, and what a wonderful way to wrap...

forum.dfwmas.org

and general Frag Swap this weekend info:

Frag Swap Fall 2022 - Nov 5th Arlington - Volunteer Signup

SAVE THE DATE - DFWMAS Fall Frag Swap Date: Saturday November 5th, 2022 Time: Noon to 3:00 PM (11 AM Premium Member Early Bird Entry) Where: Bob Duncan Center - 2800 S. Center St, Arlington, TX 76014 FREE admission Schedule: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Setup 11:00 AM - Noon - DFWMAS PREMIUM Members...

forum.dfwmas.org

Have you considered starting your build thread? I found its a great place to document my tank's evolution for myself. I started tank first then joined, so I'm still finding myself going back collecting pictures & updating historically as well as current state. Once you create your first post in your thread and link it to your account, they will give you build badge (look left, under my ID)

This might help you find people local to you:

Local Reef Club Discussion

Looking for some locals to share frags and info with? This is the place! Find a local club that meets in your area! If you want to add your club just contact us.

www.reef2reef.com

This might help you find people local to you:

Global Local Reef Club Discussion

Looking for some locals to share frags and info with? This is the place! Find a local club that meets in your area! If you want to add your club just contact us.

www.reef2reef.com

This is a good reference book type online article I still review:

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is no...

www.reef2reef.com

Jimbhoy13 · Nov 2, 2022

Welcome to R2R and the salty world joshu. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

OldRed1 · Nov 2, 2022

JoshuaC said:
Good afternoon all. I’m new to the boards and consider myself new to the hobby, though I had a successful, but challenging, 75gal Fowler tank 20 years ago. I got lured back in by the prominence of nano reef tanks. After months of reading I decided to jump back in and bought a Cobalt C-Vue26 AIO. Added an Eshops skimmer and a nice ato. Couple clowns, fire fish and a six line wrasse. Then started down the research rabbit hole of drilling the tank for a sump, refugiums, stands, aquascape (that was a deep hole) and within a month, went big. I’m deeply hooked back into the joy, relaxation of the tiny environment chemisty set so I bought a display model RedSea Reefer 350 90gal system on sale from my LFS. Not the G2 so it has the old diaphragm valve and over ordered the parts to replace the line with a proper gate valve. I went big early and got a Core 20 return pump, the RedSea skimmer, two (for now) ReefLED 50s, two reefwave 25s, a ReefMat (I have to modify the sump so it’s probably going to sit a few weeks while I use the media baskets in the cycle) and a way over my head, Apex3Pro. Spent a ton but I did my homework and my LFS gave me a solid deal. Long intro to say Hello! I’ll have some questions and I have a problem to deal with but wanted to introduce myself first.

Hope you start a build thread!!