R2R Member Testimonials

revhtree · Sep 12, 2016

We appreciate each and every one of our members and are constantly looking to build our community and teach others about this beautiful hobby that we all love so much.

Would you mind adding a R2R Member Testimonial here in this thread? We will be sharing these from time to time and it would be greatly appreciated.

ksfulk · Sep 12, 2016

I wrote this in a similar post a year or so ago, but I feel that it still remains relevant:

Honestly... I joined initially because one of the vendors here (@CherryCorals) was having a live sale and mentioned it when I was in visiting their shop one day. From there, I started lurking quite a bit, reading about all of the problem that other people were having that were the same as those I was struggling through. Since then Ive found that the vast breadth of knowledge, opinions and experience that Reef2Reef offers made it my one stop shop for questions, shopping (through the forum sponsors) and reference. I love that there are not only hobbyists on this site that are active (because face it, without a big participant base, forums are boring), but also sponsors that will field questiosn and make suggestions here (not only to their own threads, but they are active in the community too!), scientists that will offer an explanation as to WHY something is happening, not just a quick fix, and the sheer experience of others and stories of why and how they are successful. I feel like my interest in the hobby has gone from the initial frustration and shock of trying to run a small salt tank with no real knowledge, to a point where now I feel like I have something to offer other people as they are starting out. And I feel like I can attempt somethings that I normally wouldnt have (like feeding live foods for example, or starting a calcium reactor) because I can read about others experience, formulate an idea, ask questions and experiment - all with support if I need it.

As a direct result of this forum; I have corals with no pests (from quality vendors and dipping routines), Fish that are thriving, getting along with one another and are without disease (again quality vendors and quarantining processes), a big tank that is in process of becoming something wonderful, and an appreciation for all of the things that are being done in the hobby that were unthinkable even ten years ago. Learning about how we're in the process of being able to captively breed tangs and anthias is amazing, watching live coral spawn in someone's tank, or just seeing sea creatures that we've never had the opportunity to see before. This forum lets me participate, even if I dont live anywhere near Florida or New York or California. I get to indulge my nerdy scientist side (outside of the work lab) but I also get to kick back and relax and look at gorgeous reefs from all over the world. This is truely a special place - I think thats evident by the love and support that the community puts out on this forums - from sponsors to adminstrators to simply those lurking and reading from the quiet of their armchair.

This may have gotten a little sappy, but its honest. I'm happy to be a part of this community and enjoy the benefits of it nearly everyday. I'm truly grateful for an opportunity and am happy to support the site as well!

stevo01 · Sep 12, 2016

I love R2R! Anyone that wants to get into this hobby should come here. The support is amazing, talent oozing out from every board on here. Everything from traditional information to new edgy crazy stuff. Everyone is respectful of eachother, and the morale is always high!

Salty1962 · Sep 12, 2016

I have been a member here for less than a year but have learned more in the last 9 months on here than I ever have in the last 15 years of saltwater. Everyone here is above board in helping out with constructive, positive and well educated responses. I do not feel hesitant to ask any questions I might have here and I always know I'll get an answer that will help me further my knowledge in this wonderful hobby. I never feel awkward in giving advise and know if it's not correct, I will be corrected in a positive manner. The people of R2R are always top notch and I'm grateful to be able to be a part of it. The staff of R2R are always on top of things and assure a family friendly environment for all to enjoy and learn from. That's a very hard thing to find these days!! Thx everyone!!

Breakthecycle2 · Sep 12, 2016

I like this place, but some of the policies are a little absurd.

ReeferMaddness843 · Sep 12, 2016

I joined this as my first, last, and only forum. It has helped me understand the actual chemistry of my saltwater obsession since I started and allowed me to share such experiences and knowledge obtained to others. I searched a few other forums in the beginning but did not see the cooperation and intelligible debates I saw here. Very proud to be a part of the extended family here. Thanks everyone for their support and encouragement. My happy little slice of the ocean wouldn't be the same without you guys!!

revhtree · Sep 13, 2016

Thanks and please keep them coming!

revhtree · Sep 14, 2016

Bump!

helen ann · Sep 14, 2016

revhtree · Sep 15, 2016

helen ann said:
Flashback to November 2015, my lil' was doing out his list to Santa and on that list was saltwater fish:eek:. I said to him, D we already have 3 freshwater tanks and saltwater water tanks are much harder than freshwater! His response to me was ... 'Mommy, this is my list and this is between me and Santa'!!! (Yes, he has a feisty & smart mouth just like his mommy). So, of course the next time Santa went to her LFS to pick up things needed for freshwater tank, she spoke to them about upgrading to a saltwater tank and the guys seemed helpful enough and told me that they would be having some deals on black Friday. Black Friday comes around and Santa makes her way over to the LFS, next thing I know I have a BC29, live sand, live rock and water in my car and about 10 minutes of knowledge that was passed to me by the guys from the shop:rolleyes:. Later that night I set up the tank and put a note on it that of course was signed by Santa himself, he explained to lil' one that he heard he water saltwater fish for Christmas but in order for that to happen he needed to bring the tank early and just maybe it would be ready for a fish at Christmas.

Flash forward to January 2016, I joined R2R - Newbie Obsessed ... so excited as now I had a BC29 tank that was cycled and some of the cutest fish ever and I was completely obsessed with it (Yes, you read that correctly .... 'I', this had become my baby ... shhhhh don't tell lil' one) with in weeks of starting that 1st thread, I had the crash and lost everything!!! @Humblefish, @Diesel, @melypr1985, @Chrisfish and @cameronh (I am sure I forgot someone here but I haven't been back to that 1st thread as it makes me sad, so If I forgot you I am sorry) were amazing trying to help me figure out whether I had ich/velvet and how to help my lil' fish friends ... as soon as I would make a post asking a question about what to do there was an immediate response even though I know they were thinking geeeezeeeee another newbie who didn't do any research:confused:!!! I remember thinking my stupidity of the hobby had killed these lil' fish and I was so upset about it but @Chrisfish reached out via PM, she was sweet and encouraged me to continue! Yep, we FBFF's now ;):p:D!!! So, at this point I decided to just take a little break, I spent that time reading every thread I could and even a few books that were recommended! I also decided to find a local member who might want to mentor me, so I reached out to a couple members via PM, @ReeferEric (who is famously know in my threads as the 'Fish BF') responded on a Thursday and on Friday I was at his house, he showed me his amazing tanks :eek:, we talked about what happened to my tank and he said he would help me start again! I am sure that sometimes he wishes he wouldn't have responded to that initial PM because I am a major PITA with a mild case of OCD ;) and that is ok that he thinks I am a lil' crazy because I think he is amazing!

Late February 2016 ... So the journey started again with Newbie Obsessed II with the Fish BF's help and the amazing support of the members of R2R! If you followed that thread you know while I still have tons to learn and that I have a hard time keeping fish alive except for Mr. Cutie and Nibbles (I think he alive just because he sooooo darn mean, bites me at every chance he gets), I can grow certain corals like weeds ... makes you wonder huh?!??!

Summer 2016 ... the beginning of the summer brought with it the excitement that this newbie wanted a 'big girl' tank (copyrighting 'Big Girl'© as I plan on using that in the new build title :p)and she found out that Fish BF was tearing down his 56g and of course it was to be mine;):p:D!!! But once again life struck and we found out that my FIL was losing his battle with bone cancer, he passed away about 4 weeks ago, my SIL was diagnosed with acute leukemia (we'll leave this like that for now) So, in a brief moment of insanity the newbie went and posted her baby up in the sale thread and got a hit immediately! I also posted in my thread that I was done and needed a break ... once again the R2R community was simply amazing, I received thread messages and PM messages asking if everything was ok and if there was anything anyone could do!!! I want to especially thank @dbl for his messages even though he knew nothing about what was going on with my SIL and FIL only that I was selling the BC29 ... he was so sweet and for that I am thankful!

For those wondering ... the BC29 is still here, I was unable to let it go ... the guy who wanted it was wonderful about me changing my mind!!!:rolleyes::oops:

Without the R2R community, I would have given up a long time ago! I continue to learn something new every single day, I continue to txt the Fish BF when the slightest thing happens in my tank (even though he now ignores those 4am txt;):oops::p) I continue meeting new people and most importantly I continue building some special relationships with a few others!!!

Wow thank you so much!

helen ann · Sep 15, 2016

revhtree said:
Wow thank you so much!

You are welcome Sir!!! I have a ball here on R2R and if anyone ever ask you to figure out how much time I spend here, I am going to need you to tell a small lie about that;)

Diesel · Sep 16, 2016

That's a amazing story.
It's often taken for granted for what ppl do here but at the end it can be life changing.
I'm glad you hanging in there and if you upgrade to the 56 let me send you some Diesel corals as some ppl know Diesel is often playing for Santa and we just around the corner............ 14 Saturdays till Christmas @d2mini

Pruett-nc · Sep 16, 2016

I have had saltwater tanks for about 15 years now . I was searching for something one day ( an answer to my question ) . And I happened onto R2R and found all kinds of information . I have been on several reef / saltwater forums . R2R by far is the friendliest and most knowledgeable forum I have ever seen . One thing I have noticed on here is the very minimum of negativity and that is a big plus in my book . People of all stages from newbies to long time reefers can ask discuss or give advice without the critisism or negative remarks that run new people out of the hobby.

Thanks to the creators of R2R and all of the people who are members and make this site happen .

G8trBait16 · Sep 16, 2016

I have been a member since Nov 2013 and I must say when I started out with my first 55g reef tank, I was rather excited and nervous with the amount of information. Even with all of the videos and things on the internet, people on R2R were the most knowledgeable and anything I asked they answered even if it was a stupid question or they have heard it 100 times. Now I come home to my 75g after work and sit there and it is a huge stress relief for me. Then the past week when I became a partner member my fiancée asked me why I would spend $100 to do so. I told her if it wasn't for the members on here the tank that I have no wouldn't be what is it without them. The family oriented environment, everyone is wanting to help out a fellow member to make their tanks better than ever before is the most amazing quality on this site. Unlike many other sites, where people look down on you or are mean to you for asking dumb question or if you accidentally make a mistake and dose something too much or not enough and something happens, the people here will have your back and help out as much as they can. I try to share my knowledge as much as I can (even as small as it might be for the past 3 years), but I consider everyone here a family. Thank you @revhtree for making R2R what it is today, you have helped me share this amazing hobby with the love of my life and her kids, it has helped to bring us all together as a family.

helen ann · Sep 16, 2016

Diesel said:
That's a amazing story.
It's often taken for granted for what ppl do here but at the end it can be life changing.
I'm glad you hanging in there and if you upgrade to the 56 let me send you some Diesel corals as some ppl know Diesel is often playing for Santa and we just around the corner............ 14 Saturdays till Christmas @d2mini

Yet, just another reason why this forum and it's people are amazing!
Thanks for the amazing offer Sir! However, there are far more deserving people than myself to have one of those prized 'Diesel Corals' in their tank, my lil' 56g tank is not worthy but Thank YOU for the offer.

Duke4Life · Sep 16, 2016

Reef2Reef:

I joined almost a year and a half ago and came from 1 of the other sites. Ventured over here because I saw some others I highly respect in this hobby expressing their views and helping others more without backlash.

Within a few weeks of being active on here I had meet even more individuals and even made some friends. But it wasn't until I stepped out of the box to help a fellow reefer who I only know by his screen name that I realized what this site is all about.

I can get and give advice all day but the feeling of knowing I helped a total stranger in a time of need is priceless, especially when 1 of 2 eels were saved. My down days in this hobby and even life now I reflect back 2 this and often visit the thread as it gives me hope.
(@Humblefish you've done a ton of good but I'll never forget this 1 my friend)

I'm very grateful that we have sites like this 2 grow and help each other in this hobby and look forward 2 continue doing whatever I can 2 help this site and others. Eels 4 Life :)

steve&mari · Sep 16, 2016

Well hopefully you guys don't mind a long one lol. I have almost always had a fw tank or 5 lol. First actual aquarium I remember having was about 7 years old. Always enjoyed aquatic life as I grew so did my desire for a sw tank. Tried at 21 and grew red cyanobacteria very well was darn good at it lol. Kept clowns and damsels alive but looked ugly. Gave up as work was busy and being 22 was fun lol.
FFW a bit and in 04 get told I've weeks at best left with family I have kidney cancer and it's throughout my body already. Well I fought to go to U of M because they watched it grow here for 5 more months. Finally Dr here said well you haven't died yet so you get your wish I'm sending you to U of M. Lost a kidney had IL2 immunotherapy almost died few times from that. Kept working. Lost part of right lung. Kept working 80 hours or so weekly. Started chemotherapy pill working till work said I'm a liability because of the cancer and cost extra to keep insurance for the shop so let me go. Keep on chemotherapy pill 28 days on 2weeks off then restart the cycle. Outta work and treatment getting me down I spent time at lfs to escape a few. This leads to a fw tank to 3 fw tanks to 3 fw tanks and a reef tank lol. As many people I found R2R looking for answers and hot corals lol. Instead I found a home full of friends some are like family. When first starting out I was reached out to by @revhtree about my cancer and knowing God loves me. We had few talks about life and faith with little reefing tossed in lol. I knew this was a place to be right there. As busy as Rev is my eternal life was important to him and he has never wavered from that. There's many people have helped me with reefing and as I learned I've also try to return that now to others. I've seen so much good from this community support of kids in need the toy drives the outreach to other reefers in a time of need being lifted from this community. It's so much more than fish and corals ect. It's a home it's a place to relax and enjoy others success and share yours. It's the most friendly site on the web full of knowledge and friends who respect each other and enjoy helping and sharing. We have had ups and downs and recently down been pretty low. But as I saw again the family here rallied and still support us through this rough time. I'm thankful for Rev and everyone here. Sorry it's long but still short of how important R2R is and the impact of its members. Thank you for allowing me to be a very small part of the greatest site for reefing.

helen ann · Sep 16, 2016

steve&mari said:
Well hopefully you guys don't mind a long one lol. I have almost always had a fw tank or 5 lol. First actual aquarium I remember having was about 7 years old. Always enjoyed aquatic life as I grew so did my desire for a sw tank. Tried at 21 and grew red cyanobacteria very well was darn good at it lol. Kept clowns and damsels alive but looked ugly. Gave up as work was busy and being 22 was fun lol.
FFW a bit and in 04 get told I've weeks at best left with family I have kidney cancer and it's throughout my body already. Well I fought to go to U of M because they watched it grow here for 5 more months. Finally Dr here said well you haven't died yet so you get your wish I'm sending you to U of M. Lost a kidney had IL2 immunotherapy almost died few times from that. Kept working. Lost part of right lung. Kept working 80 hours or so weekly. Started chemotherapy pill working till work said I'm a liability because of the cancer and cost extra to keep insurance for the shop so let me go. Keep on chemotherapy pill 28 days on 2weeks off then restart the cycle. Outta work and treatment getting me down I spent time at lfs to escape a few. This leads to a fw tank to 3 fw tanks to 3 fw tanks and a reef tank lol. As many people I found R2R looking for answers and hot corals lol. Instead I found a home full of friends some are like family. When first starting out I was reached out to by @revhtree about my cancer and knowing God loves me. We had few talks about life and faith with little reefing tossed in lol. I knew this was a place to be right there. As busy as Rev is my eternal life was important to him and he has never wavered from that. There's many people have helped me with reefing and as I learned I've also try to return that now to others. I've seen so much good from this community support of kids in need the toy drives the outreach to other reefers in a time of need being lifted from this community. It's so much more than fish and corals ect. It's a home it's a place to relax and enjoy others success and share yours. It's the most friendly site on the web full of knowledge and friends who respect each other and enjoy helping and sharing. We have had ups and downs and recently down been pretty low. But as I saw again the family here rallied and still support us through this rough time. I'm thankful for Rev and everyone here. Sorry it's long but still short of how important R2R is and the impact of its members. Thank you for allowing me to be a very small part of the greatest site for reefing.

Beautiful!!! ;)

steve&mari · Sep 16, 2016

Also the prayer thread is amazing to have a reef community to have it is beautiful. Just another loving touch from having @revhtree as our leadership showing the kinda man he is and community he's building. Bless you Rev for giving us that as well.

themcnertney · Sep 16, 2016

I have only belonged to one forum and only one the almost decade I've been in this hobby. Lately that forum I was on, has been going down hill. I had sent my good friend @Tahoe61 a message about it and she had suggest trying R2R. I, with everything else she suggests, decided to try it out. Instantly, I had known this is the site to belong to. I still visit the other one every so often but prefer R2R.