Saying hi

[Chris_Campbell]

I just wanted to poke my head in and say Hi. I'm generally new to SW but have kept FW tanks my whole life. I have a 130g SW that has been set up a short time. a Coralife MH Fixture, CPR HOB refugium, 150 lbs rock (base, seeded with garf grunge), and roughly a 5" DSB.


I may add that I am new to TN ( Claiborne County )as well. Moved down here from Michigan (Much nicer weather here!).

I am currently on a mission to better 'seed' my tank. Since the grunge is looking like a waste of cash (only see a few TINY sponges and a couple spots of corralline). Any aid in this would be appreciated.

hmm.. I will also mention I've been researching online and reading books on the subject for a few years. The more I read, the more antsy I got. So when I had an opporunity to dive in, I did! My goal is to establish a system as biodiverse as possible. SLOWLY building it up as I go.

Again, any advice or assistance is greatly appreciated!

[cee]

Welcome to RC and east Tennessee, Chris. The ETRC is a good way to meet fellow hobbyists. Check with EvilMel on specifics. Also, there's a frag swap coming up in January in Nashville where you can meet and mingle with people from all over the region. I encourage you to attend if you can.

Dave

[EvilMel]

There's also a frag swap in April in Chattanooga. It's a bit closer but both will be good, I am sure.

Welcome to the club and to TN. Hope to see you at a meeting.

How did you find out about us?

[Chris_Campbell]

Ran across this forum on RC.com, and i've been looking for a club relatively close for awhile. I think I hit the jackpot on this one! I'll try to make it on the 17th!

[imsqueak]

Hi Cris, Welcome!

This coming meeting is our most informal. It's our Christmas party so there wont be any "topic of discussion" but when you get a dozen reefers together there's bound to be many conversations about our prized possessions.

If you find that you can come to the meeting let us know and a few of us can give a baggy of sand from our fuge to help seed your tank. You cant really see the most beneficial aspect of this with your bare eye, it's the diverse bacteria that you want to build up to start the chain towards a healthy tank - so the grunge probably did that to some degree for you.

[Fishboy42]

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

Hope to meet you at the Christmas "informal." I'm sure we can all chip in to help you in your biodiversity quest.

[Angela Short]

I was disapointed with my grundge also. I know it has bacteria but from the web sight you are expecting a magic bag of pods and worms I guess! :) And for what it cost with shipping.....ouch! That was before I met the Middle TN reefers and found out I could get a dab of sand from guys locally for free! Ouch again. Hope to see you in Nashville at the meet and welcome!

[llpoolej]

The Christmas party is always alot of fun and a good way to meet everyone. Hope to see you there :)

[easttn]

Welcome and glad to meet another reefer. I have a bit of southdown sand I never got around to giving away from my old fuge; your welcome to it. I never cared for it other than the wonderful white bottom. I'm in Washington County, Jonesborough, post a note if you'd like to make a road trip.

Charles

[Runner]

Welcome, Chris. Hopefully I'll be able to make the December gathering and meet you then.

@Charles: Can I have about 5 lbs of that old sand? I need it for a 10G brackish tank at work. :)

[easttn]

Its been in a rubbermaid container covered with saltwater for over a year. I'm sure there is no life in it but its good for a sandbed. There is prolly 60lbs.

[Chris_Campbell]

Thanks for all the warm welcomes guys... I will try to make the X-mas party but doubtful now. My dad has been sick from a brain tumor, and passed thursday night. So much I have to get done its not funny. Although my 130g has been a dream of mine for a LOOOONG time.. it won't get that much attention for the next few weeks. yay for the holiday spirit huh

[Angela Short]

Very sorry to hear about your dad :(