SquishyDuck
11-15-2008, 09:43 AM
Hi, All!
I recently joined and thought I would pop in and introduce myself. My name is Drew. I live in Vancouver. I have been thinking about setting up a reef system (again) for some time now. I found a used system that seemed like a good deal, so I picked it up: 70 gal display tank, 30 gal sump, nice cabinet and hood, 400W MH light, and a return pump of unknown origin. I am now in my planning phase.
You may have noticed that I used the work "again" in the above paragraph. I will tell you that sad story now. About 5-6 years ago I wanted to set up a reef tank. I made the all too common noob mistake of rushing it. I didn't do any prior research and grabbed what I thought I needed and could afford on that day and set it up. It ran well for about 4 months or so, then crashed. Fast and hard. I struggled for about a month trying to fix it, but to no avail. Everything died. I was devastated. So I tore it all down. I have been reading and learning on and off since with the thought that someday I would try again. That day has come.
Right now I am researching the various marine animals and deciding what it is I want to keep, what it is a can keep, and what would be responsible for me to keep. It's a difficult task as I am trying to look into the future and envision how I want it to be 1, 2, & even 3 years down the road. I am going to design the system around that.
My mantra is "patience". I decided that even if I have to let the tank sit dry for 3 months while I figure out what I want to do and gather the needed equipment, so be it. I also read the article by Eric Borneman called "Mything the Point" that was linked in another thread in this section. I plan to follow the schedule outlined in Myth #15. I expect a long, and hopefully rewarding, journey.
Anyway, glad to be here, thanks for having me, etc. Look forward to meeting some of you in person sometime.
I recently joined and thought I would pop in and introduce myself. My name is Drew. I live in Vancouver. I have been thinking about setting up a reef system (again) for some time now. I found a used system that seemed like a good deal, so I picked it up: 70 gal display tank, 30 gal sump, nice cabinet and hood, 400W MH light, and a return pump of unknown origin. I am now in my planning phase.
You may have noticed that I used the work "again" in the above paragraph. I will tell you that sad story now. About 5-6 years ago I wanted to set up a reef tank. I made the all too common noob mistake of rushing it. I didn't do any prior research and grabbed what I thought I needed and could afford on that day and set it up. It ran well for about 4 months or so, then crashed. Fast and hard. I struggled for about a month trying to fix it, but to no avail. Everything died. I was devastated. So I tore it all down. I have been reading and learning on and off since with the thought that someday I would try again. That day has come.
Right now I am researching the various marine animals and deciding what it is I want to keep, what it is a can keep, and what would be responsible for me to keep. It's a difficult task as I am trying to look into the future and envision how I want it to be 1, 2, & even 3 years down the road. I am going to design the system around that.
My mantra is "patience". I decided that even if I have to let the tank sit dry for 3 months while I figure out what I want to do and gather the needed equipment, so be it. I also read the article by Eric Borneman called "Mything the Point" that was linked in another thread in this section. I plan to follow the schedule outlined in Myth #15. I expect a long, and hopefully rewarding, journey.
Anyway, glad to be here, thanks for having me, etc. Look forward to meeting some of you in person sometime.