Saltwater tank gurus in area??

[Yesevil123]

Hello!! So, honestly, I need some aquarium guros who live in like the RI/MA area that would be willing to become acquaintances with me. I know SOME saltwater stuff, but not that much and all my friends that are into fish, are into freshwater so we can't really relate. I need someone I can talk tanks with, and knows what I'm asking or talking about. I can just google stuff but id rather talk to someone one on one. I also don't have social media so it's even harder for me to find my "kind"

 

[Uncle99]

In October 2024 you had a 3 year old saltwater tank.
To complete 3 years in this hobby means you have good knowledge.

But, you do need to “know” your water chemistry at least in the first year. In your post history, I didn’t get the feeling you had a solid grasp on that.

That means regular testing and adjusting processes where required.

When your water is “on point” stable and a bit more mature than now, everything becomes much easier.

 

[X-37B]

Hello!! So, honestly, I need some aquarium guros who live in like the RI/MA area that would be willing to become acquaintances with me. I know SOME saltwater stuff, but not that much and all my friends that are into fish, are into freshwater so we can't really relate. I need someone I can talk tanks with, and knows what I'm asking or talking about. I can just google stuff but id rather talk to someone one on one. I also don't have social media so it's even harder for me to find my "kind"

You can dm me anytime. I have been at this 30+ and am retired. Whomever you chose check their build threads before going further. It's best to stick with one person instead of listening to 10 so you don't get overwhelmed with sugestions.

 

[Yesevil123]

So like i think I'm autistic or something, i have a hard time understanding math and chemistry, i did awful in and was far from my strong subject during my schooling. So I just can't grasp what anything means. Like I still have no idea what supplements and additives i should be using. Or what brands are the best. I can't even figure out how to set up my jebao wavemaker or my nicrew HyperReef 200w light. I'm far from being handy LOL

 

[Yesevil123]

In October 2024 you had a 3 year old saltwater tank.
To complete 3 years in this hobby means you have good knowledge.

But, you do need to “know” your water chemistry at least in the first year. In your post history, I didn’t get the feeling you had a solid grasp on that.

That means regular testing and adjusting processes where required.

When your water is “on point” stable and a bit more mature than now, everything becomes much easier.

Also, i did really well with my 13 gallon tank, but each time I upgraded it got harder and harder to keep it stable, so I'm trying again

 

[KrisReef]

So like i think I'm autistic or something, i have a hard time understanding math and chemistry, i did awful in and was far from my strong subject during my schooling. So I just can't grasp what anything means. Like I still have no idea what supplements and additives i should be using. Or what brands are the best. I can't even figure out how to set up my jebao wavemaker or my nicrew HyperReef 200w light. I'm far from being handy LOL

I appreciate your honesty and transparency with this situation. I’m a long way away but I hope you get a good mentor to help you grasp the basics and succeed with the challenge of reefing.

 

[Uncle99]

Also, i did really well with my 13 gallon tank, but each time I upgraded it got harder and harder to keep it stable, so I'm trying again

It should be the opposite, bigger water volume, easier to keep things on point.

Do you test all parameters weekly?
Do you use an ATO?
What frequency and amount do you do water changes?
I seen at one point, not using RODI. It’s way worth it.

If you can do 13.5g, you should be able to do anything bigger.

But without knowing your water chemistry, going to be both harder and slower to mature.

Testing is not hard, boring maybe, but you can do that.

It’s not math. It’s putting some water in a test tube, adding reagent, and either reading colour change or drop. If you like, Hanna checkers can make that a bit easier.

Certainly a mentor will help, some (like myself) are more geared to visual learning and demonstration.

At the end of the day, if you got light and solid water chemistry, it’s going to work every time.

 

[Yesevil123]

It should be the opposite, bigger water volume, easier to keep things on point.

Do you test all parameters weekly?
Do you use an ATO?
What frequency and amount do you do water changes?
I seen at one point, not using RODI. It’s way worth it.

If you can do 13.5g, you should be able to do anything bigger.

But without knowing your water chemistry, going to be both harder and slower to mature.

Testing is not hard, boring maybe, but you can do that.

It’s not math. It’s putting some water in a test tube, adding reagent, and either reading colour change or drop. If you like, Hanna checkers can make that a bit easier.

Certainly a mentor will help, some (like myself) are more geared to visual learning and demonstration.

At the end of the day, if you got light and solid water chemistry, it’s going to work every time.

That's the thing too, I also don't know if I'm using the right equipment/ media or what the best salt, lighting, food, additives etc would be. I just like know basics i feel. Testing takes me a while to do manually, so if I can test ALL my parameters at once that would be great. Hanna's are just expensive. And I'm going to make my 55 gallon a reef and fish tank

I use too, but i haven't tested my new tank set up yet because all I have in there right now is live sand, heater, internal filter, and wave maker. I also don't even have my light up yet because I need to hang it from the ceiling and figure it out to use it

I do not use ATO. I'm in a room in the basement at my boyfriends parents house, i dont know if i have the room for anything like that. Its also cold. But not cold enough to freeze, but I'm paranoid about things.

 

[Uncle99]

That's the thing too, I also don't know if I'm using the right equipment/ media or what the best salt, lighting, food, additives etc would be. I just like know basics i feel. Testing takes me a while to do manually, so if I can test ALL my parameters at once that would be great. Hanna's are just expensive. And I'm going to make my 55 gallon a reef and fish tank

I use too, but i haven't tested my new tank set up yet because all I have in there right now is live sand, heater, internal filter, and wave maker. I also don't even have my light up yet because I need to hang it from the ceiling and figure it out to use it

I do not use ATO. I'm in a room in the basement at my boyfriends parents house, i dont know if i have the room for anything like that. It’s also cold. But not cold enough to freeze, but I'm paranoid about things.

The ATO is a critical piece of hardware which creates stability in salinity. Changing salinity will affect everything.

Best $100 bucks you’ll ever spend. You’ll love it, and your corals will super love the stability.

Stability, allows your system to mature, populate and diversify faster, meaning less ugly stage.

You just need enough RODI to last a week, so in a 55g, maybe 5g plastic garbage can is all ya need, then, you just fill that, once per week.

The only Hanna you need is for phosphate.
All others can be the less expensive salifert, Aquaforest or Nyos, there easy to use.

Getting the ATO will help you immensely.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Hello!! So, honestly, I need some aquarium guros who live in like the RI/MA area that would be willing to become acquaintances with me. I know SOME saltwater stuff, but not that much and all my friends that are into fish, are into freshwater so we can't really relate. I need someone I can talk tanks with, and knows what I'm asking or talking about. I can just google stuff but id rather talk to someone one on one. I also don't have social media so it's even harder for me to find my "kind"

I am sure there are few reef clubs close by, Boston for sure. I would start there. Go to a few meeting -- thtat is your best chance of finding people like you

 

[Yesevil123]

I am sure there are few reef clubs close by, Boston for sure. I would start there. Go to a few meeting -- thtat is your best chance of finding people like you

I don't even know how to find meetings or clubs to be honest lol

 

[BeanAnimal]

I don't even know how to find meetings or clubs to be honest lol

Boston Reefers Society

Web site of the Boston Reefers Society

bostonreefers.org

 

[theMeat]

In the past, before the internet, your local fish store was the meeting place to share info and knowledge. Just like on the internet a lot of the info was bad. And books…
The hobby has come a long way and there’s many options these days. Talk to one person and what works for them is this or that. Talk to someone else and it’s completely different. Can be confusing. Find someone with a healthy mature tank and do what they do
Good luck
Post up some pics

 

[BeanAnimal]

And I would ask at the LFS about local clubs, events, etc.

 

[Yesevil123]

I

The ATO is a critical piece of hardware which creates stability in salinity. Changing salinity will affect everything.

Best $100 bucks you’ll ever spend. You’ll love it, and your corals will super love the stability.

Stability, allows your system to mature, populate and diversify faster, meaning less ugly stage.

You just need enough RODI to last a week, so in a 55g, maybe 5g plastic garbage can is all ya need, then, you just fill that, once per week.

The only Hanna you need is for phosphate.
All others can be the less expensive salifert, Aquaforest or Nyos, there easy to use.

Getting the ATO will help you immensely.

I have an RODI system. It's just not close by to my tank does that make a difference? And I just invested into the redsea test kits. I haven't used it yet. Should I be testing the water even if nothing is in it? Any that are an easy set up that you would recommend?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I

I have an RODI system. It's just not close by to my tank does that make a difference? And I just invested into the redsea test kits. I haven't used it yet. Should I be testing the water even if nothing is in it? Any that are an easy set up that you would recommend?

The TUNZE osmolator is very easy to set up and has been an amazing addition for my tank.

 

[Uncle99]

I

I have an RODI system. It's just not close by to my tank does that make a difference? And I just invested into the redsea test kits. I haven't used it yet. Should I be testing the water even if nothing is in it? Any that are an easy set up that you would recommend?

No, the RODI system can be anywhere.
The reservoir for RODI (say 10g) is usually next to the tank, or underneath the cabinet (if any).

IMO, you really need to get the ATO going first so you can keep salinity stable at 1.025-1.026. Without salinity being stable, everything is out and testing mostly useless.

So get salinity in check first, then test, at the same time of day each time. Record the results. It should never fluctuate if the ATO is in place and working.

Many ATOs are the same. You need to have one with an IR sensor (which controls the fill) and either a second IR sensor, or mechanical sensor to stop an overfill if something goes wrong. Should come with a pump, some tubing, and a power source. Lots on Amazon, see which you like.

Without the ATO, it makes it harder and depending on when you fill by hand, causes fluctuations in water chemistry.

As to the question of should I test with nothing in the tank, I’d say sure. Your goal is to create an environment in which your animals will thrive.

Focus on salinity, temperature, and Alk to start, let’s get the big ones done first before we tackle nutrients, Calcium and Magnesium.

There’s a ton of videos on different ATOs and their setup, it’s not to hard at all.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Why are we have her test an unstocked tank every day to just blow through reagent?

To that end, in the short term, she really doesn't need to test anything more than once a week or so once coral start growing... and even then really just keeping an eye on alk and maybe phosphate.


While An ATO is nice to have, if she tops off a few times a week, the salinity will be fine, as long as evaporation is reasonable. Even a simple gravity ATO for $15 bucks will work if there is really a short term concern about not getting to it.

@Yesevil123 - the very best thing that you can do is use your LFSs to find local clubs and other local reek keepers. Ask them when and where the frags swaps are and tell them directly that you are looking for local reef keepers to interact with.

Personal hands on interaction with others will be the most valuable use of time. Stalk the place if you need to just find some local fish friends -- old or young, it doesn't matter.

This is a great resource, but it does not take the place of personal interaction, especially when learning. There are TONS of reek keepers in the Boston areas and surrounding communities.

Here is a swap, maybe 2 hours from you

I am sure there are others coming up close to you.

Post a thread here with RI/MA Boston areas (or whatever) in the title--- directly asking for local friends and help.

 

[Yesevil123]

Thank you!! It's not that far from me at all!! I'll definitely be going! Should I be adding corals to my tank first? Or wait

 

[BeanAnimal]

I would take it slow. Get your lights setup and ready, maybe hit the LFS a few times to window shop and see if you can meet anybody. Pick one or two easy corals that are also NOT invasive. No more than that. Get your questions answered and just plan on moving slow.