Brand new to RF

[vlangel]

Hi all, just stumbled on to your forum accidently but always looking to learn more about reef keeping. I recently scaled down from a 90 gallon reef to a 36 bow front. I care full time for my bedridden mom in law and needed smaller water changes. I have softies, (finger leather, mushrooms, cabbage leather,and mini carpet anemone) and LPS (frogspawn, hammer, bubble coral, achans, a war coral and a turbinaria) and recently purchased my 1st clam, a blue crocea. I kept all my small fish which include a yellow watchman goby, a purple fire fish, kupang damsel, blue chromis, a pair of lyretail anthias and a juvenile tomato clown that I raised from eggs my former clownfish laid. I have some feather dusters, snails, peppermint shrimp and serpent stars too.
My 90 had VHO's but I bought an AquqticLife HO for the 36. That's why I'm excited about the clam.
I built my sump and plumbed this tank by myself and being a middle aged woman is an accomplishment!
I had my 90 for about 5yrs without any major incidents but I know the 36 will be less forgiving plus the clam is the most delicate animal I've ever had. I'm sure I will benefit from RF so thank you in advance.

 

[DTECH07]

Wow nice setup! Well WELCOME TO RF:clap2:, would love to pictures.

 

[vlangel]

I'm not the best with computer technical skills but I will try to get pics of my tank.

 

[pandora32]

Welcome to the site. Sorry to hear bout your mom in law. Sounds like a very nice setup.

 

[user 26995]

Hey great to have another, as you stated, middle aged woman on the forums doing it herself! Yea! There are a number of us here. Glad you found us.
There is a post requirement before you can post pics, but we would still love to hear more. So you raised your clown? Thats a big job in itself.
Hope your mom-in-law is doing well.
Just remember to take care of yourself too! I don't do enough of that myself.
Again welcome to RF!

 

[vlangel]

Thank you all for welcoming me. My mom in law is 91 and has congestive heart failure. She's in good spirits and still has a good mind and has no pain. My husband is a big help too. He's the one who wouldn't let me exit reef keeping. I was overwhelmed with Mom's care and was afraid I would let my fish tank go. I did 10 gallon a week water changes and it was getting to be a lot. The smaller tank only needs to be 3 gallons so that is much easier. Anyway I'm really happy to still have a tank and now to have people to talk with about it!

 

[vlangel]

O yeah, raising the clowns was a lot of work. Keeping the rotifer culture going was half of it! I read Joyce Wilkerson's book cover to cover before I attempted it and I'd recommend her book to anyone interested in giving it a try. Still, even with good info there was the constant vacuuming and water changes. Its intense for about 3 weeks to a month until the baby larvae fish morph and eat pulverized flake food. Tomato clown are one of the easiest to raise though.

 

[NC2WA]

welcome to RF..

good people with lots of knowledge..and yes, we lovvvve pics..pls post some when you have enough posts..

glad to see someone from Pittsburgh...I lived in Mt. Lebanon in the 70s and a die-hard Steelers fan....

if you have time and want a great fish/reefkeeping book to read, I highly recommend this one:

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists (Microcosm/T.F.H. Professional): Robert M. Fenner, Matthew L. Wittenrich, Scott W. Michael, Alf Jacob Nilsen, Christopher Turk: 9781890087999: Amazon.com: Bo

 

[vlangel]

NC2WA, the 70's was an awesome time to be a Steeper fan with Terry Bradshaw, Franco and Jack Lambert! I still like them but the 70's team was special.

I have The Conscientious Aquarist and yes its a great book. I too have recommended it, especially to friends who are new to the hobby.

How many posts are necessary to post pics or how will I know when I've reached the required amount?

 

[NC2WA]

my "gut" says 5 but I could be wrong...I know you need 50 posts AND 30 day membership to post in the Classified section..

 

[ReefGeeker]

Welcome! I think you can post them right away, I copy the IMG code from photobucket and have had no problems. Oh and tough luck on not makin it to the Playoffs, Ben just wasn't the same after he came back should've let Batch play out the reg season lol. Seahawks Fan here but Steelers have always been my No. 2 even after the super bowl hahaha:frusty:

 

[vlangel]

O, I know. It was a tough year on us Steeler fans but Ben will bounce back and so will we. After all, we can't win every year, gotta give the other teams a turn, right?
I'm operating from a mini tablet so not sure how that works with photobucket? I might have to go on the MAC and try to post pics but I'm even more inept on that! LOL

 

[ReefGeeker]

Yeah the tablet throws a little learning curve in there just got one and i'm not even sure how to highlight text... They are cool though!

 

[tat2z_21]

Lets go Steelers, I lived in WA, during that Super Bowl, not to many people liked me afterwards. Now I live in Phoenix, and not to many like my jersey down here either.

 

[ReefGeeker]

Ooo AZ got the worst of the Seahawks this year 58-0 lol!

 

[user 26995]

:focus: Please
no hijacking threads with trivial fb talk!
LOL
just kidding about the trivial part. Dont shoot me!

 

[ReefGeeker]

Back on topic, I'd love to see pics of your setup!

 

[Naso2]

welcome would love to see some pics

 

[vlangel]

I'm sorry, even on the Mac when I try to upload a photo from iphotos, I get a window that says I exceed the file size, even when its only 1 photo. I'll have to keep working at it.

 

[NC2WA]

vlangel,

if you are having trouble posting pics, then post the pics to a flickr or shutterfly account. Then copy and paste the link here.

for example. Under my signature is a link to my flickr account where you will see my pics and entire build of my 375gallon tank...even see the wall being destroyed..