Hello

[Clownfish2]

Hello, I just wanted to say hi to all of you people here in the great state of Illinois. This is my first thread here on R.C.. I am currently gathering parts for my first saltwater aquarium. Just to let you know I am going to start with a 75gal. tank just as soon as I find one reasonable. I will be seeking advise from from some of you on this board if that is ok. Just to let you know this setup will be all used equipment because the last time that I was in Peoria was for 5 heart bypasses. That is the reason that I will be looking for good quality used equipment. When you go from a full time job to disability the budget gets pretty tight. Well anyway a great big hello to everybody.:D :D

[skippy2]

Hello!!!! Sorry noone else has responded till now. Maybe with this bump you will get the genuine RC WELCOME. I too am on disability and am working on my 2nd tank. I always say if there is a will, there is a way.:D

[Eric Boerner]

Heres a genuine RC WELCOME!

[welcome]

[pubily]

Hi Clownfish...
I haven't responded up to now to your posting basically because I'm also so new that I felt that I had little to provide in the way of support, etc. BUT, I can welcome you and say I'm looking forward to meeting you at upcoming CIMA meetings.

I'm also retired...from Caterpillar. Live between Pekin and Tremont on some acreage and enjoy the peace and quiet of this home where I've been for nearly 30 years. Prior to that I lived in S. America and Europe where I was a sales rep for Cat. My primary interest is gardening and creating really comfortable and pretty garden areas around my house. I also enjoy remodeling, woodworking and the company of my dogs. I do some contract marketing consulting for Cat...generally a couple days a month.

I've had fish over the years starting as a teen but never saltwater...so this endeavor is new for me. I built a stand last month, have a new birthday present 120 gal. aquarium and am slowly acquiring other paraphernalia...MH lights, sump, protein skimmer, generator, RO/DI set up, sand, etc. I'm finding that saltwater tanks are incredibly more expensive than I had anticipated which is why it's going slowly. I also get pressed for time.

I think you'll find the others in CIMA to be very helpful when you get to specific questions on setup, fish, etc. They certainly have helped me. There will be no CIMA meetings until this fall so I haven't actually met anyone yet...probably like you.

I hope you find the used equipment for your setup and that your tank gets going soon. I should have RO/DI equipment soon so can begin to put everything together.

Welcome to RC...I've found it a tremendous source of information and some chuckles as well. It's a good community.

Terry (Pubily)

[Clownfish2]

Wow, Not much response from the members here. I do wish to thank you 3 for replying to my thread. I was really hoping to here more from the people up around Peoria and Pekin. I am all by myself here in Hamilton and it gets pretty hard to get good advise around here when nobody knows just what is going on. Well I guess that I will just keep plugging along and see what happens from here. Once again thank you for welcoming me here. God bless and the best of luck with your tanks. Robbie:)

[David MC Lee]

Welcome!

If your looking for low cost starter frags I have tons, Some really arn't frags anymore. Send me your e-mail sometime and I will send you some pics of my grow out tanks.

David

[Clownfish2]

David, Thank you so very much for your offer. However at this point and time I am looking to find a tank to house my new endevore in(1st. saltwater tank). I will keep you in mind though when I get ready to purchase frags. Just FYI my email is geodehunter@hotmail.com. If you would send me yours I will retain it and when I get ready I will email you and let you know. It will be sometime until I get the tank up and running. Once again thank you for your offer. Robbie:rollface:

[Clownfish2]

pubily(Terry), If you get this I need you to do a favor for me if you would. Will you take a look around up there and see if anyone has a 75gal. RR(predrilled) tank laying around that they would sell reasonable? Also could you email me at geodehunter@hotmail.com when you find out when the meetings start again up there. I would like to become a member of CIMA if they will have me. Any help would be greatly appreciated.:D

[pubily]

Hi Robbie...not sure if you've seen the tanks for sale in the forum for Central Illinois Marine Aquarists. There's a 75 gallon tank in Springfield for sale. Not sure but Epon indicated he was interested but don't know if he bought it. Also a couple weeks ago there was a similar listing in CIMA forum from someone in Champaign/Urbana.

I don't know if any are predrilled. The only lfs in this area that has some used equipment is Fishin' Times in N. Pekin. My experience is that his prices are high...some items were more expensive than if they were new!

I don't know anyone personally around Peoria/Pekin that has saltwater tanks. I've had messages from individuals in CIMA but don't really know what they have. I'm absolutely new to all this. I began reading about saltwater tanks about a year ago and only now am venturing into the hobby.

I got my metal halide and actinic lights today...2 250w. m.h.'s and 2 actinic 65w. They're in a fixture and I had to test them out. They're great...am excited about getting things rolling. Also talking to Air, Water and Ice or something close to that name about RO/DI unit. Should have it next week.

I'll keep my eyes open for used equipment for you but to date only info I have is what's already posted in CIMA forum. I'm also sure that CIMA members have seen your posting and will let both of us know when next meeting is. When I inquired last I was told it will be later in the year and they'd let me know. I've gotten great help and advice from CIMA members whenever I've posted questions.

Good luck with your tank hunting.

Terry

[DKKA]

Hey Clownfish,

Welcome to RC and CIMA.

Sorry for the slow response, but I think you'll find there are some really experienced reef keepers here ready to help when you need it. There's only a few of us Peoria area reefers, but the number seems to be growing.

As far as joining CIMA....all you have to do is show up at a meeting and you're in. I assume we'll start having meetings again in the fall, once summer fun is over. You can check this bulletin board periodically to find out when the meetings will be held. You can also check out the CIMA website at http://cimaquarists.homestead.com/index.html

good luck,

Dan

[epon]

welcome to the area and to CIMA :D

The 75g in springfield was nonRR and is sold (not to me).

What type of animals are you wanting to keep with your new setup?

[Clownfish2]

epon, I will be keeping for sure one pair of the clownfish species. The rest is still up for grabs. The biggest issue is compatability. I am just playing it by ear until I find a tank. Thanks a bunch for your response. Robbie:D

[epon]

sounds good, IMO the best thing to do is plan the flow and light for the higest light/flow critters. If you dont want to keep clams or sps , I'd go for VHO. Just a suggestion - P

[Clownfish2]

epon, Thanks for your input. I am going to take everything one step at a time. I only want to build this setup once if you know what I meen. I will be looking foward to coming up to one of the meetings this fall and meeting some of you folks up in the Peoria-Pekin area. Until then I will keep looking for a 75gal RR tank. thank you & God bless Robbie :rollface:

[jeyes1]

hey clownfish, where is hamilton? i've never heard of it..i'm from peoria along with dan. glad you found the cima page. the meeting should start in either sept. or oct. hope you can make them, you will learn alot..according to our founder hcsIII, you can never have to many fish. keep in touch

[epon]

Originally posted by jeyes1
..according to our founder hcsIII, you can never have to many fish.

lol :rollface:

[Clownfish2]

jeyes1, I am right across the river from Keokuk, Ia. Also about a 2 hour drive from Peoria-Pekin. I am looking foward to coming to one of the meetings up there this fall. I am always looking to learn more about this hobby and I think meeting with all of you folks up there will sure help. Until next time take care. :D

[hcs3]

Clownfish2,

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big> and CIMA

meetings will start in the fall. the website posted above will list the last 2 years worth of activities. this site will be non-existant within days. i hope to have a new website up within 2 months, or just prior to our first meeting of the fall 2003 session. shoot me an email (hcs3@reefcentral.com) with your personal information and i'll get oyu added to our email list so you won't miss out on any updates.

jeyes1

:uzi:

hugs and kisses,

henry

[larryp]

hello clownfish. again another slow responce!alot going on. hey so much for the excuses! im from spfld and planning a trip to inland aquatics on the 8th. if anyones interested let me know! larryp.

[oncampus1]

Clownfish,

I am also new to CIMA, and haven't checked in for awhile. I'm in the Champaign area, and I've recently upgraded from my 75g to a 120g. The 75 is RR and I've got quite a bit of other equipment that can go with it (sump, skimmer, etc.). I haven't really determined an asking price yet, and it would depend on what all you wanted. PM me and we can talk.

Ryan

[epon]

oncampus1 , welcome to cima , I pm'd you on the 75g.