Newest Newbie of Them All

[MeatWithGravy]

Hello Manhattan Reefers!

My name is Dave, and I live in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. I'm so new to the hobby, I haven't even purchased a tank yet! :p I've just been doing a lot of reading, and watching videos on YouTube, trying to learn all I can. I want to have a good idea of what I'm doing before I buy anything. I'm just a simple bartender. I don't make a ton of money. So I need to take it slow and do it right the first time.

Today, I made my first trip to a place called Manhattan Aquariums. Have any of you been? If so, what do you think of the place? It was my first trip to an aquarium supply store, unless you count Petland. I went there just to look around and ask a few questions. A friendly salesgirl told me about Manhattan Reefs, so here I am.

I probably won't post much at first. I'll mostly be reading and learning from you guys. But I wanted to introduce myself and say hello. If any of you kind folks have any advice you'd care to share straight out the gate, or if you'd like to point me in the direction of a particularly good beginner's thread here on MR, I'd very much appreciate it. Thanks so much. I'll see you on the boards!

 

[Rob&Gab]

just a tip on a store location you might wanna check out that you might fall in love with the second you step into there called maximum reef aquatics, you can find them on the vendor forums, im not sure if you drive but its in Yonkers about 35 minutes from where you are. if and when you are looking for good quality corals or fish for really good prices and great costumer service this is the place to go. Hey you never no they can probably order you your first tank for you. The owners name is Ralph hes awesome he will help you out with allot you need to no.

also here is a few links below-

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/reefs-beginners/23046-new-reefkeeping.html

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/reefs-beginners/8799-beginners-please-read.html


Here is a place where you can see peoples tanks and what type of equipment they are running and get some ideas on how to play with things.-

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/tank-threads/


Also MOST of all welcome to MR. hope this helps out alittle.

 

[duromega]

Welcome to M.R.

here you are gonna have some fun and will learn really fast
trust me

 

[cmantis]

Welcome. My advice is buy used if just starting out. That way you can save a bit of money and in case it doesn't work out for any reason you won't take a huge hit. Many people here, including myself, would be more than happy to help you out and answer any questions you might have. Also keep in mind it takes a while (like 6-8 weeks) to cycle a tank. Patience is key in this hobby. If you want to get a jump start you can either buy 'live' rock or you can start bringing 'dead' rock to life in a rubbermaid with some saltwater, heater, and circulation pump. Also a RODI filter is going to be one of the first things you will need unless you plan to purchase large amounts of water.

 

[MeatWithGravy]

Thanks, fellas. I'm going to start by reading all those threads Rob posted links to.

 

[duromega]

yo cmantis he's a bartender and he's in brooklyn we should come down to that bar have a few drinks and have a little talk

 

[MeatWithGravy]

yo cmantis he's a bartender and he's in brooklyn we should come down to that bar have a few drinks and have a little talk

That'd be great! The place is called Rye. It's in Williamsburg. Nice room, good cocktails, great food. :beer:

 

[Waleedwale1]

I've been to manhattan aquariums, they have good stuff but their prices are a bit high, especially for some corals.

 

[duromega]

That'd be great! The place is called Rye. It's in Williamsburg. Nice room, good cocktails, great food. :beer:

I'm down up to you cmantis

 

[Klewis]

Don't be discourage if you don't understand what your reading regarding cycling the tank and the chemistry of the water, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, beneficial Bacteria, live rock etc... Just accept it as magic at first and the fact you have to have patience. One day you will have an "ahhhh!!! Now I get it" moment.

+1 on buying used in the beginning. I bet if you wait a month or two until after storm season, if there is another power loss there will be some great deals to be had. It's a sad fact about this hobby, but crashes happen.

Welcome, good luck and Enjoy!!!

 

[edd]

welcome,
+1 on buying used, you can find some good deals here on mr market place.

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

By the way, there is a shop called coral theory I'm Williamsburg on broadway near the bridge !!! Bus or bike ride to a good shop !! And welcome

 

[reefer4eva]

Welcome to the Manhattan reefs!!not sure if you know of coral theory there not too far from you..personally I never been there but I heard they have nice stuff and its local for you..here's a link
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/coral-theory/152481-whats-stock-09-03-13-a.html

 

[peteyboyny]

Welcome to MR.
_+1 on buying used

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Lets not forget about the freebie thread , plenty of good people offloading good equipment and supply they don't want hanging around for free!!!from skimmers that need a little tlc, to sumps ,and free sand and frags ! Check it out!

 

[Rob&Gab]

Don't be discourage if you don't understand what your reading regarding cycling the tank and the chemistry of the water, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, beneficial Bacteria, live rock etc... Just accept it as magic at first and the fact you have to have patience. One day you will have an "ahhhh!!! Now I get it" moment.

+1 on buying used in the beginning. I bet if you wait a month or two until after storm season, if there is another power loss there will be some great deals to be had. It's a sad fact about this hobby, but crashes happen.

Welcome, good luck and Enjoy!!!

well lets hope that does not happen.

 

[MeatWithGravy]

Holy Smokes! I didn't know about Coral Theory! That place is about a six-minute bike ride from me! I'm going to head over there today to check 'em out.

And I will definitely shop for used here in the forum.

Thanks, everybody!

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Anytime brotha , feel free to let us know how each step goes and if u need any help.

 

[egriesner]

Ato system help

SO I put together my JBJ ATO system and it just doesnt seem to work. Anyone in Queens know how to use one of these things. I could really use some assistance. Thanks!

 

[MeatWithGravy]

By the way, there is a shop called coral theory I'm Williamsburg on broadway near the bridge !!! Bus or bike ride to a good shop !! And welcome

Thanks for the tip! Stopped by Coral Theory on my way to work yesterday. Nice little shop. There was a friendly guy working there named Vince. Their prices were lower than Manhattan Aquariums. Anybody know how prices are set? Maybe Manhattan Aquariums has higher rent, so their livestock is marked up accordingly?