Nokinja
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Well, not yet. I guess i'll take the time to introduce myself to everyone as well as get a few questions out of the way, all at the same time, for convenience sake. I'm Jake. Hi everyone.
Good, now that's out of the way.
I've seriously been keeping fish now for a couple of years. I got into the hobby when I got a job at one of those dreaded chain pet stores, and was hired into the fishroom with absolutely no experience in fish. I mean, I thought goldfish liked bowls. Anyway, that experience set me out on a long and rewarding road.
I eventually started learning quite a bit about the hobby after spending some time in the store, and understanding that there was a lot more to it that water, feed, and enjoy. I read the books we sold, watched the fish we kept and talked to real enthusiasts that came in to look at the stock. I really got into it. So much that I started missing the fish when I was away, and wanted to go back to work.
I often found myself standing in front of our 100g salt display tank in complete awe, wanting one of my own. But I knew that that takes skill, money and patience. Why not start small and build myself up?
I ended up buying a 33 Gallon and stocked it with Tiger Barbs. They were great, but never really had the personality I wanted. So after a year of those I started researching Cichlids. We had a number of cichlid keepers in our store to help me, along with all the books so I ended up with a stock of Yellow Labs and an 80 Gallon tank. Love them to death.
So here I am, no longer at the fishstore and still reading and extending my knowledge of fish. But I never did get that saltreef I originally wanted. But now that I know my share of chemistry, parameters, health and husbandry I think it's time to start (being the keyword) getting myself geared up for a salttank.
When I say start, I wont even be considering cycling the tank for probably a year or two. (which goes by faster than you think) But I plan to get everything prepared and ready for when that day comes. I'd like to have a reef tank with LS and LR and some inverts as well as fish.
My main concern is time. Next September i'm going back to school to take a Primary Care Paramedicine course that will put me into a very time demanding medical career. 8-12 Hour days average. When I used to talk to salt keepers they'd say be prepared for an hour or so a day for maintenance. Is that true or false? What's an average schedule for maintenance?
Secondly, my equipment I have now is geared towards freshwater.
I'm running an 80g all-glass frameless tank, on a cheap storebrand stand. Not much room for sumps underneath, a 10g just fits in one side. Also, I have a twin strip fluorescent canopy rated at 40w a piece. Obviously that would have to go. Should I just have a stand made with room underneath and a canopy that would have better lighting?
I have a Fluval 404 and 204 (which I despise). Would a fair sized sump system be enough to filter the tank so I can do away with the canister filters? I dont plan to drill the tank, so i'll use an HOB prefilter.
I guess that's it for now. Sorry it's so long. I'm just one of those people.
Good, now that's out of the way.
I've seriously been keeping fish now for a couple of years. I got into the hobby when I got a job at one of those dreaded chain pet stores, and was hired into the fishroom with absolutely no experience in fish. I mean, I thought goldfish liked bowls. Anyway, that experience set me out on a long and rewarding road.I eventually started learning quite a bit about the hobby after spending some time in the store, and understanding that there was a lot more to it that water, feed, and enjoy. I read the books we sold, watched the fish we kept and talked to real enthusiasts that came in to look at the stock. I really got into it. So much that I started missing the fish when I was away, and wanted to go back to work.
I often found myself standing in front of our 100g salt display tank in complete awe, wanting one of my own. But I knew that that takes skill, money and patience. Why not start small and build myself up?
I ended up buying a 33 Gallon and stocked it with Tiger Barbs. They were great, but never really had the personality I wanted. So after a year of those I started researching Cichlids. We had a number of cichlid keepers in our store to help me, along with all the books so I ended up with a stock of Yellow Labs and an 80 Gallon tank. Love them to death.
So here I am, no longer at the fishstore and still reading and extending my knowledge of fish. But I never did get that saltreef I originally wanted. But now that I know my share of chemistry, parameters, health and husbandry I think it's time to start (being the keyword) getting myself geared up for a salttank.
When I say start, I wont even be considering cycling the tank for probably a year or two. (which goes by faster than you think) But I plan to get everything prepared and ready for when that day comes. I'd like to have a reef tank with LS and LR and some inverts as well as fish.
My main concern is time. Next September i'm going back to school to take a Primary Care Paramedicine course that will put me into a very time demanding medical career. 8-12 Hour days average. When I used to talk to salt keepers they'd say be prepared for an hour or so a day for maintenance. Is that true or false? What's an average schedule for maintenance?
Secondly, my equipment I have now is geared towards freshwater.
I'm running an 80g all-glass frameless tank, on a cheap storebrand stand. Not much room for sumps underneath, a 10g just fits in one side. Also, I have a twin strip fluorescent canopy rated at 40w a piece. Obviously that would have to go. Should I just have a stand made with room underneath and a canopy that would have better lighting?
I have a Fluval 404 and 204 (which I despise). Would a fair sized sump system be enough to filter the tank so I can do away with the canister filters? I dont plan to drill the tank, so i'll use an HOB prefilter.
I guess that's it for now. Sorry it's so long. I'm just one of those people.
