Reef Builders - The Source for Reef Keeping Information

Lady G · #1 (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 03:13 AM

Well, I am just getting started in the saltwater aquariums, I have 5 freshwater tanks and have had brackish..but this is my first try at Saltie. I am going for a Reef (mixed) tank. I purchased a 55g, from a guy. It had minimal supplies, 2 power heads...one didn't work, a HOB filter, a heater (that gave out shortly after I purchased the tank), 2 standard 55 lights (the small ones) they are not t5s or halagin just regular flouresents. 2 big rocks and a coral skeleton I (I think), there was a blue damsel and a clownfish in it. Well the clown died a few days after I got the tank, the damsel hid constantly barely coming out to eat. I have had the tank for about 3 weeks now.

Anyway, since I purchased it. I bought a new power head to replace the broken one, cleaned the other one completely (as it was barely working) and now it works great, bought a new heater, the tank is at 80 now. I have added a new 3 1/2lbs piece of live rock, and took my light fixture from an old 55 I had which is 48" with two bulbs, so it is brighter...not good enough for reef by all means but much brighter. The Damsel seems MUCH happier at least, he is out all the time swimming around and even stays out when I'm in the room now. All the guy had for food was tetras tropical fishfood. I have been feeding him my frozen mysis shrimp, frozen krill and blood worms instead.

I visit a site and have for quite a long time now called "Aquaria Central", they have a Saltwater section also, but advised me to join a "local reef club" when I searched on line for one I found this one it said "Decatur-Springfield IL"

dfurbee · #2 (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 07:58 AM

Welcome Lady G, this is a very good site; if not for this site, I would have thrown in the towel. Welcome

lynnvangsnes · #3 (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 08:58 AM

Welcome to RB! Sounds like you have a good handle on your equipment. You may consider getting rid of the damsel after a while. They are very territorial and will bother other fish and corals added to your tank. You could rearrange your rock just before adding any new specimens if you decided to keep your damsel; it may deter him from being such a pain. I didn't notice if you had a protein skimmer...probably a good idea to get one, or at least plan on it in the future.

Lowej82 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 09:06 AM

Hi, Welcome to RB & Springfield Decatur Illinios Reef Builders. We are a new group based out of spfld & decatur il, we will be hosting the clubs first meeting on Feb 02, for more info scroll down to the clubs forum. Hope you like it here.

John

Lady G · #5 (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 11:16 AM

Thank you for the welcome everyone!!!

To answer a couple questions asked, the Damsel...at first it was my plan to get rid of him because I had read about their aggression, now I find myself going back and forth with the little guy...I love his personality (now that he shows it). Most likely in the end I will give him up though, as I will be spending more on fish with the Salt water then I have in the past on FW and I'm not sure I want to take the chance of loosing a fish I paid a good price for.

As far as a protein skimmer, no at this point I do not have one...but it IS something I have been looking at. I have been going back and forth as to what type I want. I was planning to build a refuguim so I was going to get one I could put in there, but that is going to be a while in the making, so I have been looking at the "Octopus HOB" skimmer, they were on back order though so I have to wait. Although, in the end I may end up getting one that is not HOB. Since I am not sure when I am going to be able to get the refuguim made.

I am looking forward to the "meeting" hope I can make it.

Lowej82 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 11:26 AM

Have you been up to johnnys in Normal IL? He has some nice livestock and an really nice setup. Its definalty worth the drive.

Lady G · #7 (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 12:53 PM

No, I haven't made it up to Normal yet. The only places I have been is The fish guy up in Springfield, it is a smaller place..but very friendly employees, and quite a bit of stuff, good selection of frozen foods. Actually, I am going to be going up there tomorrow, to pick up some more LR, and start on my clean up crew. The only other place I have been is Kens Aquarium in Decatur, was a bigger place and had a nice variety of fish..but trying to get information out of the guy was like pulling teeth, he was not very helpful to me, in the end I just picked up one piece of LR and left...had planned on much more but his lack of help made me a little uncomfortable. It really surprised me too, cause I know the place has been there for years. I had to laugh though, here I drove about 45miles and came home with ONE rock

Lowej82 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 01:14 PM

I havent been over to decatur as far as LFS go. I heard one had good selection at high prices, I foget what the other was. Fish man is improving on there reef tanks, they have been using cheato the last 6 weeks or longer I would give credit to that alone. If your driving 45 miles north to go to decatur trygoing 45 min other direction (south) Ive heard there are great salt water stores in southern il.

Lady G · #9 (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 02:33 PM

Hmm, guess I could look and see what is around. I just know Decatur and Springfield so those are the places I have gone to.

I just spoke with the most wonderful guy today, from a place called Aquatic Life in Springfield. He apparently sets up Reef tanks in business's and stuff, he said he set up the one in St. Johns on the 3rd floor. Anyway, he isn't a shop persay...he is appointment only, but he answered soooo many questions for me and said if I need any help with anything to call him. He was so nice, and so helpful!! He also said that he and some other shops in the area are in the process of creating a club.

thelastmucci · #10 (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 02:46 PM

Hello Lady G....I hope this site is everything that your looking for and your one stop source for reefing. Plus you got Lowe in your area and will be able to go to meeting a HUGE benefit as he's one of our more experienced members.

Lowej82 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady G

Hmm, guess I could look and see what is around. I just know Decatur and Springfield so those are the places I have gone to.

I just spoke with the most wonderful guy today, from a place called Aquatic Life in Springfield. He apparently sets up Reef tanks in business's and stuff, he said he set up the one in St. Johns on the 3rd floor. Anyway, he isn't a shop persay...he is appointment only, but he answered soooo many questions for me and said if I need any help with anything to call him. He was so nice, and so helpful!! He also said that he and some other shops in the area are in the process of creating a club.

That would be mike "theaquaticlife" thats the host of our FEB meeting he is a real nice guy.

Lady G · #12 (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowej82

That would be mike "theaquaticlife" thats the host of our FEB meeting he is a real nice guy.

Really, LOL!!! Boy do I know who to call or what!!! He seemed like a very nice and knowledgeable guy! That is just to funny...I think maybe it was fate that brought me here