Welcome to the Salty Blues Forum! This is a place to connect with other saltwater hobbyists in Iowa and beyond. You can get answers to questions, tell stories, share photos, and discuss anything reef related here.
Introduce yourself in this thread!
First name, or whatever username you want to go by online.
What is your current tank set up(s), or what would you like to set up in the future?
Why do you love reef keeping?
Do you have any major goals for your aquarium?
Share any photos you'd like of your aquarium.
Chloe
I designed and maintain all of the saltwater aquarium systems at Salty Blues in Des Moines, Iowa. I would love to have a 1000+ gallon reef aquarium someday.
I love reef keeping because it's a unique opportunity to observe ocean life 24/7. Even if you go diving or to a public aquarium, you don't get to see the creatures inches from your eyes like you can when you build a marine ecosystem in your living room.
I would like to expand the selection of livestock available at Salty Blues as much as possible.
Shawn
55 gallon tall, Hamilton Cebu Sun T5/MH, 30 gallon sump with fuge, MP40 power heads, Arctica chiller, Octo Skimmer
I like the challenge
Will upgrade to 250 in a new house
Tank is looking really good, Shawn! Welcome to the forum.
Mark_Ames
50G SCA cube, Kessil A360X LED/Aquatic Life T5 Hybrid
Reminds me of where I grew up in the Pacific
Upgrade to a 200G+ SPS dominant, larger fish
Very nice, Mark! There's never enough room, huh. Even Joe Yaiullo, the designer and caretaker behind the 20,000 gallon reef tank at the Long Island Aquarium has to trim back huge chunks of coral constantly! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pxTBHtnl-s
SCA Starfire PNP 60 gallon. 16 gallon refugium.
When I had a small pet shop, I had a gentleman bring me live rock and got me intersted in the salt water. When my store closed, I purchased a 29 gallon all in one for marine. I LOVED it. I wanted MORE. So, I got the bigger tank and have truly enjoyed.
Mushrooms are prolific little things. And, though I love mine, I would like more variety in my tank. My goal is to frag comfortably and have an outlet for my "excess". Right now, my refuge is filling up with them :( . Also, to get more than the 4 hardy fish I have that will live longer. (Neon Goby is doing well, Chloe!)
How do you guys get these gorgeous photos? Mine never come out clear nor with the colors anywhere near as vibrant as everyone else's. Or as bright as the real thing!
Hi Shari! Thanks for joining the forum! Your tank is stunning.
I'm glad to hear the goby is doing well!
For photos, I use the IceCap filter lens. It clips on your phone and gives a wide angle effect, as well as color correcting with the orange and yellow lenses. You can try mine next time you stop in the store.
Jerad
My current tank is an IM all in one 20 gallon.
I'm new to the hobby but I've always wanted a saltwater tank. I started thinking about it more seriously when I started learning how to scuba dive. Now I can't wait to get my tank stocked and watch it grow!
Right now my only goal is to keep stocking it and learn more about the hobby. I guess you can call this my newbie tank and hopefully I can keep it going in the right direction.
Hi Jerad! Thanks for posting on the forum. Your tank looks very nice - the rock work is nicely done.
Have you been SCUBA diving on a reef yet? If not, where would be your ideal place to go diving?
Jared, I started my first 29 gallon all in one when I closed my pet store. I grew from fish only to fascination. And, worked up to a 60 gallon with sump. Watch out...it truly is addictive! Lots of great people in the area to help you out!
Hey Shari, thanks for the warning! I think I'm already starting to feel the addiction because I can't wait to add more coral and fish to my tank lol. It's great to know there are more local people around who are into the hobby. I have a feeling I'm going to need a lot of advice for a while!
New to the hobby. have always wanted a Clown Fish and salt water tank. After researching local fish stores, hands down my choice was Salty Blues. Bought the AquaTop 40 gallon tank. Have live rock & sand. Checked my water levels today and appears the tank has cycled. Nitrites and Ammonia both at Zero. But Nitrates over 50. Just did a 10% water change. Will test water again. But I’m going to pull out my live rock and create an aqua scape with fake corals. Only want a FOWLR tank. Tank has been running 3 weeks.
Hi Susan, thanks for joining the forum. The tank looks great and sounds like you're very close to adding your first fish.
You can use the rock with fake corals - that is how my 40 gallon Fish-Only is set up. The rock will give you plenty of surface area for nitrifying bacteria to live. But you can also use just the fake coral alone if you wish!
Thanks Chloe, I’m super excited to get my first fish! I finished my aqua scaping using your ideas. My water readings look ready. I will be stopping in this weekend.
That turned out great!