New guy from NC

zheka757 · Dec 7, 2023

Welcome to R2R!

SPR1968 · Dec 8, 2023

Hi and welcome to Reef2Reef!

FrugalReefer · Dec 8, 2023

Fishy Guy · Dec 8, 2023

FrugalReefer said:

Love the username! Any tips for living up to it ha?

FrugalReefer · Dec 8, 2023

Fishy Guy said:
Love the username! Any tips for living up to it ha?

Keep it simple and don’t think that you need the most expensive gear out there to have success in this hobby. I have a Waterbox nano with the only filtration being a ridiculously cheap protein skimmer (using Eheim airstone and pump and has been running over a year and picks up gunk as well as any other average protein skimmer out there), a Xenia/GSP refugium, the rocks and daily carbon dosing. I don’t run GFO, carbon or any type of mechanical filtration like socks. I use an inexpensive 150W Nicrew light which grows all types of coral well. I’m fortunate to have access to a quality source of natural seawater which I’ve been using for a while now. I don’t use any fancy Apex controller but rather a simple smart plug strip to control things. The only things I feed my corals are fish food/poop, ESV 2 part, Brightwell trace elements and Brightwell CoralAmino. I’m a big believer in the power of bacteria to not only control nutrients but to feed the corals as well, hence the carbon dosing. I don’t have any set water change schedule but rather go by how the tank is doing and how it looks. It sounds crazy and like a lazy approach but it’s been working for me.

rasthavis · Dec 8, 2023

Hello from Chapel Hill, NC. Working on my first saltwater tank, Florida Grass Flats themed.

CoralB · Dec 8, 2023

Welcome !!

tharbin · Dec 10, 2023

Welcome to R2R!

chipster · Dec 10, 2023

I’ve had a tank now for 4 years and has been successful the entire time..But because of that I haven’t had to do much research..So now in the process of trying to learn and understand..

Rusty_L_Shackleford · Dec 10, 2023

Fishy Guy said:
Hello everyone!

New member here from the Wilmington, NC area. I'm new to reefing but have been a long time freshwater planted guy. I will be working on setting up my first reef tank over the next month or so with the help of a buddy who has been at it a while. I've been lurking for a while trying to learn as much as I can and thought I ought to finally introduce myself.

Welcome! I live in north myrtle beach myself. We make the drive up to coastal reef in wilmington regularly. Hands down my favorite sps. Drop me a line when you get your tank up and I'll give you a few frags to get you started.

Buckster · Dec 10, 2023

Hello and Welcome to R2R!

Fishy Guy · Dec 10, 2023

Rusty_L_Shackleford said:
Welcome! I live in north myrtle beach myself. We make the drive up to coastal reef in wilmington regularly. Hands down my favorite sps. Drop me a line when you get your tank up and I'll give you a few frags to get you started.

Thank you very much, that's very generous! I'll let you know.

I've been to Coastal Reef once just to check things out in the very beginning stages of my research.

Rusty_L_Shackleford · Dec 10, 2023

Fishy Guy said:
Thank you very much, that's very generous! I'll let you know.

I've been to Coastal Reef once just to check things out in the very beginning stages of my research.

I'm an old school reefer. When I started out I had more experienced reefers to guide me and help me out, and I try to pay it forward. This can be a tough hobby and a little support goes a long way. Plus, I just like to frag and grow stuff and experiment so usually have a few more than I really have room for. Feel free to hit me up if you've got any questions or anything.

They're good people at coastal reef, great selection, fair prices, and solid advice. My wife and I drive 90 minutes to go there a couple of times a month.