*Newbie*

[christie<3]

Hi there.. I just wanted to introduce myself as a Newbie.

My name is Christie, I love in Florida, and I just got my saltwater tank a week ago. I've read lots of books and articles on the internet to familiarize myself with saltwater tanks and fish. I know there is so much more to learn along the way so I'm glad to be part of this wonderful board.

 

[oceana]

hey there.
Welcome to the boards. there are LOADS or great people here with lots of great information. read read and read some more. Ask all the questions you can. We are all here to try and help make this hobby as enjoyable as possible. I know that i learn somthing new just about everyday.
where about in florida. there are quite a few people here in florida including myself

 

[scotts]

First off WELCOME!!!! Now for my standard advice...always research EVERYTHING before you buy it. On impulse I bought a beautiful 3" fish. Then found this board and learned about the research thing. Found out the fish completely changed colors and grew to about 18" long. Learn from our mistakes.
Also never have your 5 year old daughter help you with a water change, plug in the heater and realize you forgot to put it back in the tank, thereby melting the carptet, then do not take the red hot heater and put it directly into the water, where it then explodes right in front of your 5 yeard old daughters face. Because then you will have a screaming child in one hand and a live electrical circuit in the other. Like I said learn from our mistakes.
Scott

 

[oceana]

note to self!! (never ask scott to help me with my tank) lol

geez man that must have been a crapy day

 

[christie<3]

Originally Posted by oceana
hey there.
Welcome to the boards. there are LOADS or great people here with lots of great information. read read and read some more. Ask all the questions you can. We are all here to try and help make this hobby as enjoyable as possible. I know that i learn somthing new just about everyday.
where about in florida. there are quite a few people here in florida including myself
I live in Citrus Springs... Central west coast. I'm scared but excited about starting my aquarium. I'm still in the early stages but I'm glad I have all of you to ask questions and help. :happyfish

 

[it's_fishy]

Welcome and happy fishing?
What size tank do you have and what are you planning on putting in it?

 

[nasotanker]

welcome to the board!!! there are many great people here and lots of great info!! hope you enjoy the site!! :happyfish
p.s. i live in florida too!!

 

[lionfish99]

welcome!! what kind of fish do you have in mind?
:happyfish :happyfish :happyfish

 

[kaotik]

:jumping:

WELCOME!!

:jumping:
This is an EXCELLENT place for you to start with the hobby. I wish I had known about this forum when I first started!
Good Luck and have Fun!!
Give us some info on what you are starting with and what you are planning... :happy:

 

[christie<3]

I have a 45 gallon tank and within the next few days I'm going to get my first live rock. I want to eventually have corals, an anenome, a few other inverts, definitely a clown fish.. then once the tank get established a few more temperamental fish.

 

[oceana]

The anemone part of that paragraph needs to be placed AFTER the sentence about being well established.
Like said above a few times and will be said MANY MANY more times. Be sure to read read and read some more. NEVER and I mean NEVER go into a store for livestock without know exactly what your going there for. If you see something in the store you think you want, do not buy on impulse. Go home read up on it and then if you still feel its appropriate for your reef go back and make your purchase. You will make this hobby 100 times more enjoyable if you follow this advice

Not to mention a lot cheaper

 

[christie<3]

^Thanks for the advice. That list wasn't meant to be in any kind of order. I have TONS to learn still, but I have been doing my "homework" so far. I read "Saltwater Aquariums for Dummies" lol which actually taught me alot. I will definitely read up on everything before I actually purchase it. It's hard for me though because I really am an impulse shopper, but I definitely know that I want this tank to work out and it won't if I don't go by the "book".

 

[wax32]

Hehe. I read that book too before I started and it got me all started wrong! Ask questions here before you make any leaps.
Here are a few good books that set me right:
The Conscientious Marine Aquarist - Fenner
Aquarium Corals - Borneman
The New Marine Aquarium - Paletta
Reef Invertebrates - Calfo & Fenner
Marine Invertebrates - Shimek
Marine Fishes - Michael
Welcome to your new addiction!

 

[christie<3]

^If you don't mind, in what wrong directions did it send you?
All I need is ANOTHER addiction although I know this is already one. Why can't any of my addictions ever be CHEAP?!

 

[wax32]

Well, I started off Fish Only with a junky Eclipse system from marineland for one... The dummies book made it sound WAY too easy and gave me a false sense of confidence. Now I realise how little clue I had when I started! Since that initial investment of maybe 200 dollars I've spent 2 grand fixing up this little 29 gallon. And now I am about to move to a 70 gallon 6 months later!
And I know what you mean, none of my addictions are cheap either!

 

[christie<3]

wOw! Yeah that is definitely why I want to start off on the right foot. I know this is a huge investment and I want it to go as smooth as possible.

 

[monalisa]

Christie,
Welcome, welcome!!! I'm really new to this too, my tank is only about 2 months old, and I'm still adding livestock. I know that when I started out, I felt a little overwhelmed with every step, but with learning, and practice what I learned, things have gotten much easier and more routine. I know that at first some things felt awkward, like top offs, water changes, water testing, but that's gotten to be so routine and easy. The more you do things, the easier they get.
Another thing, as your tank progresses, be sure to do a LOT of observing. There is something that is typically known as the "flashlight dance" after lights out and after your LR is in. I was skeptical, but definitely do it, well worth the look!!!
Again, welcome, and ask lots and lots of questions!!
Lisa :happyfish