Top Ten Most Important Concepts For A New Reefer To Grasp

[mhhauser321]

Hello, Let Me start by introducing myself, My name is Matt, okay now that we got out of the way.

If You Are A beginner to this and you are looking to get deep into the hobby, and not just graze the surface than this will help you.

I know from experience without any direction, things can be very difficult so I have proposed a List Of Areas, You should start out learning about. I most certainly don't want to make anyone mad I just want to Present A Helpful list for New Hobbyist to start With.

Before I start if there are any terms in this you are not familiar with visit this website its full of Acronyms and Abbreviations http://www.megapathdsl.net/~fmariani/abbreviations.htm

Here it Is(This List is only the tip of the Ice Burg For Each Topic)

10. Determine Your Desired Setup (FO=Fish Only, FOWLR= Fish Only With Live Rock, REEF=Corals & Maybe Fish)

9. Tank Cycling(Nitrogen Cycle)- Find Out What Goes Under the Surface of the Tank.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/dw/index.php
How To Cycle
http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?s...e&pid=1&page=7

8.Water Quality(Water Analysis)-Learn What RO/DI means and What Normal Tank Parameters are.Also Natural Sea Water Parameters is important.

7.Live Rock, Deep Sand Beds, And Bare Bottom- Something All Mature Reefers Had To Tackle.(Sand Beds=Substrate Choice)
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=803688

6. Equipment-No its not Going To Get easier-Find Out the Basics About Protein Skimmers, Calcium Reactors, Water Pumps And Power Heads, and The Big One Sumps.
I Love These Links
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-0...ture/index.php
http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

5.Supplements& Additives-Maybe One Of the Hardest Things I ever Tried to Tackle These Articles Helped Me Greatly.Learn How To Use Additives.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm
This Is Only Part 1!!!
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php

4.Don't Get into this Hobby without knowing this. Our Aquariums Are a Extension of the Ocean and because we take from them to make are little Reef, We owe it to Mother?/Father? ocean to not abuse this and try our Hardest to Help the perpetual extension of all Corals& Fish. Wow that's a mouth full hope you guys understand that.

Basically What I am saying is be a Conscientious Reefer Take It Seriously

3.Water Movement-This Maybe One of things that if you study a lot and learn about you will be happy you did. Terms such as GPH, Bulkheads, Closed Loops, Wave makers. All These will help make you a better Reefer.
Here is Your Light Saber My Young Padawan
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/beg...a/aa081399.htm

2.Lighting-WOW I have got to say Don't Start Your Tank without Knowing the Proper Facts Of Light. I Won't sugar Coat it ,so just do the work and for starters Read this Life Changing Article.

Greatest Newbie Lighting Article

1.Most of All Have A Attitude OF ALWAYS WANTING TO LEARN.
I Hope I hit this one right on the money, I believe so much of this hobby is evolving and its so important for us hobbyist to be on the ball and know exactly whats out there. Whether its reading books or online articles whatever it takes to know what the best options are for having a successful aquarium. I have been in this hobby for 2-3 years now and I still don't know everything and I don't think I ever will. Just Stick it through ask plenty of questions and you will surly end up with your little slice of ocean.


I Realize that this information is only one little piece of the entire spectrum of this entire Hobby, But I hope this helps.

Matt

[Andrew]

Nice Post!

[mhhauser321]

Thank You I just hope other read it to.

[drummereef]

Very nice indeed. Just thought I'd add one.

Reef Chemistry Articles - Main Page
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=102605

[mhhauser321]

Thanks I Appreciate The support.

[swreefers]

Great threads like this is what keeps me tuned into RC being 6 months into SWRT. I feel like a sponge soaking up all the info searching links and the good advice from reefers who care.

Thank you

[mhhauser321]

Good I am Glad I helped

[mhhauser321]

Bump^

[sabodish]

i think we need to add "patience" and "money management" to the list!

[mhhauser321]

Yeah those are a real life saver along with

A load of cash and a excepting family

[EBOLII]

the powers that be should stick this

[mhhauser321]

I wish they would, This would of really helped me When I started out.

matt

[Shooter7]

There is a stickied thread that has a TON of stuff in it titled....

"New-First time on RC-Look here for answers"

[Andrew]

You May be able to get a link in the New-First Time on RC-Look Here for Answers thread at the top of this forum. I'll see what the mods think.

[Shooter7]

ooooo....beatcha by a few seconds

[Andrew]

I'm slow at posting.

[mhhauser321]

hey as long as it helps someone. I am not arguing

[Shooter7]

Originally posted by Andrew
I'm slow at posting.

Well, you did take the time to use the bold for the thread title and all.....

[mhhauser321]

He Must be a real reefer

[Andrew]

A link to your thread is going to be added to the pinned one.

[mhhauser321]

Cool Thanks

matt

I still hope a lot of people read this.

[Ishmael's Dad]

Great thread, Wish I had seen this when I started. NO worries, because IMHO the most important of your top 10 is #1 - Keep learning.

[Sk8r]

Nice work. Really helpful to have a branching tree of info.

[Criminal#58369]

Good info for a new reefer to know.

[mhhauser321]

Thank You all, I just wanted others to have a good start, So they would be better off in the long run.