all of you brand new people who got tanks/gear for the holidays! This is for you.

Sk8r · #1 12/31/2007, 05:56 PM

First of all, be welcome, don't be shy, never fear to ask your questions. If they're basic, ask here.
If they're about merits of particular brands of equipment, ask in the Lighting and Equipment forum.

But first of all, even before water goes into your new tank---please look at the top of this forum, where two threads have a * in front of them.

You can save yourselves huge amounts of sweat and money if you will just read those thoroughly and ask questions about the parts that don't come clear to you. These * threads are collections of the best of the best information that has appeared in this forum.

In short, set up your tank and run water tests long BEFORE you buy any fish. You're going to need live rock, and if you don't know what that is---read those threads and then ask. And marine fish grow HUGE, fast. The old bit about "aggressive/community" you learned in freshwater tanks is a little different here. Aggression goes all the way down to very tiny fishes...depending on the community. So let us help you research what you call a "Stocking list," meaning what kind/size of a community you want.

We're about everybody having a healthy, thriving tank. SOme of us who post here have been at this a long time. Some have just arrived. Ask what you need to ask and somebody will try to help.

Again, welcome, those of you with a box of hoses, a dream, a tank, and no instruction book! We've all been there.

Deb91 · #2 12/31/2007, 09:51 PM

Happy New Year Sk8r and thanks for all your wonderful and informanitive posts, much appreciated!!!!

rwblues · #3 12/31/2007, 10:04 PM

I have learned a lot from this site

thanks

kev apsley · #4 12/31/2007, 10:15 PM

yes, one day in the near future you will be dishing out advice to somebody that's new to the hobby...Thanks Goodness for the information highway, back in the day we had to guesstimate and wait for monthly magazines to provide us with new information, now it's at our fingertips, there are many gracious hobbyist out there like Sk8r on this site who can provide you with valuable knowledge and have an open mind to share what they have learned themselves!

snorvich · #5 12/31/2007, 10:32 PM

Yes, it is always better to learn from the mistakes of others and share your own mistakes so others will not make them. I know that I find nuggets of wisdom on this site and try to share what I have learned with others.

Zestay · #6 12/31/2007, 10:57 PM

yeah one day a newbie like you could be the next melev or the next travis l stevens. or bertoni or waterkeeper..

cpl40475 · #7 01/01/2008, 02:39 AM

or sk8r

Sk8r · #8 01/01/2008, 02:39 PM

Blush.

THank you. I hope all the new guys are out reading those two huge threads.

rickofco · #9 01/01/2008, 03:16 PM

I have only been a member for a few weeks and cant beleve how much I have learned from all the threads at RC and I know that I have only scrached the surface of what there is to know and am very thankful to those in the different forums for the advice and different opinions that are given

WaterKeeper · #10 01/02/2008, 02:30 PM

My New Year's resolution was the swear off Newbies.