Are You a MAASTard? (Contest, Pg 11)

[NaCl_H2O]

Ok folks, I just gotta get something off my chest here! I am sure others won't like this being posted in General Reefkeeping, but I wanted everyone to read it (Web Members, Charter Members, BODs, Sponsors, and even former sponsors)

The other BOD members don’t know I am posting this, so maybe I’ll get lucky and get booted off the BOD ;)

www.maast.org – that’s in my favorites list, actually at the top of my favorites list! It is there because my aquarium and MAAST is where I get a great deal of my enjoyment. I got back into marine aquariums about 3 years ago after a 15 year break and switch to freshwater. I have had some type of aquarium virtually my entire life. About 2 years ago I found MAAST and it was great! Learned lots of new info, started posting questions and got great advice, some I even listened to! Then I went to a meeting and met some real people that had funny login names. Now I have a new set of friends that I value a great deal, why? Because they share their passion for this hobby with me!

Like I said, I learned a bunch, made lots of mistakes, spent lots of money, and became an active member on MAAST passing along all my “experiences” … It was a great experience, why? Because I get to share my passion for this hobby with other folks that enjoy the same things.

So ... MAAST begins to grow A LOT, guess all those Nemo movies really helped! New members show up on-line everyday and they ask the same old newbie questions. But MAAST members keep on answering the same questions, and do it with enthusiasm … why? Because they get to share their passion for this hobby with other folks that enjoy the same things! Oh yea, somewhere along the way I paid my $25 and built a MAAST Cart ;)

So, one day I feel compelled to “contribute” to MAAST, GaryP asks me to be on the Education committee? Hey, that’s what we are all about “Education”, so sure that works. I get to contribute in this area a little, but mostly I still get to spend hours on-line talking to folks and now I am “Supposed” to educate them :) Darn this is fun, why? Because I have been asked to share my passion for this hobby with other folks that enjoy the same things!

Then one Saturday I get a call asking if I am willing to fill a vacancy on the BOD? I say “Sure, heck that will be great” … now I can really contribute to this organization and hopefully I can help make it a place where Everyone can share their passion for this hobby with other folks that enjoy the same things!

This is great … WOW we are growing fast … Jeez, folks are starting to get a little ****y in the forums, what did he say about her :o Darn, this feels more like that Miata forum I quit cuz of all the tension, that wasn’t fun, it was just a place where folks came to bash each other and blow off steam!

So, here is my little suggestion … Do you want to:

1) Share your passion for this hobby with other folks that enjoy the same thing?, or
2) Support folks that have a passion only for their own goals or use this site to vent and blow off steam?

If #1, please pay your dues to support the organization, volunteer to help a fellow member, assist at a meeting, and most of all enjoy MAAST as it is intended and as the BOD tries to keep it running. Also, this is YOUR organization, do something to keep it the way you like it!

If #2, please sign off and delete www.maast.org from your favorites list!

Please answer the pole to indicate if you select 1 or 2, which can also be defined as:
1) A true MAASTard
2) Starts with a “B”, also ends in “stard”

(Note to fellow BODs – I did that WITHOUT the skirt ;))

Steve Rodgers
NaCl_H2O
Education Committee
Board Member
... but mostly, fortunate to know all you #1s ;)

[Gator]

maastard

[Darth-Tater]

A new Maastard :o

And thanks to everyone for their input on lights, fans etc. :roll I guess that I am not too old to learn new tricks. :P

D

[akm]

I'm a maastard thats trying to save up for a Ca. reactor :roll

[NaCl_H2O]

Jeez, come on folks! Get some emotion into it!

WHY are you a MAASTard?

I want this thread to hit 20 pages ... tonight!!!

I'll stay up all night posting additions to it, somebody has got to help me!

Come one MAASTards, show me what you got!

[Gator]

i love maast for helping me to spendall of mymoney and help to keep local fishtore owners eating steak,,, yippey

[Gator]

hows that

[NaCl_H2O]

That's better ... three members have posted, only 1297 to go ... I've got all night!

[Gator]

if i had not been turned on to maast i would ahve gotton out along time ago, if it was not for someplace that actually gave you good advice instead of what you hear at the fishstore

[Gator]

ive got to go to bed so youa re on your own

[NaCl_H2O]

Gator can't hang, must be all that RedBug medicine he has been sniffing!

[::pete::]

That was me ... The BIG MASTARD!!!! I keep getting knocked off another issue we are working on besides the wining!!!!

[jaded]

I'm definately a maastard... I spend most of my day checking for updated threads on this site as well as my own kayaking site. Truth be told I check MAAST more than I check my kayaking site but hopefully the rain will change that... at least for awhile.

There have obviously been tensions between a few posters but I think a great deal of the poeple on this site are here to share their passion for this hobby with other folks that enjoy the same things. I for one wouldn't have a tank, which is also a great source of happiness in my life, if it weren't for MAAST. Several members have been huge helps in making a money sucking, free time demanding obsession of this hobby and I owe a big thank you to each one

just to name a few
Daniel (salty)
Pete
GaryP
Alex
Dan
Polkster13
Seamonkey2
the list goes on and on... These people have become my friends. I appriciate the help i've gotten from ALL my fishhead friends.

Lets be honest... there's more than one person on this site, which means there's going to be drama. I personally think the drama is usually made out to look like its much bigger than it actually is by a minority of posters. Let's get back to talking about DSB vs. BB or how to figure out why I'm losing purple mushrooms at an alarming rate.

[NaCl_H2O]

Hey, that was a nice soapbox from Pete, bt then again, he IS a carpenter!

NEXT ...

Everybody's got one you know ... an opinion that is ;)

[jaded]

and they all stink

[Henry]

I am a Maastard and proud of it.

I had know idea that maast was around until I went into Aquarium sale and service and Chris asked I wanted join a mailing list that somehow turned into maast. I am sure glad it did. I would never have met the ppl that I have and learned so much. I was also honored to be a BOD a one time. I was a great learning experience and would love to do it all over again.

A big thanks to maast.

Henry

[::pete::]

and they all stink

What stinks? You tryin' to say something there :lol

Its all roses here !!! ;)

[NaCl_H2O]

wow - you folks are pitiful

116 views, 17 posts (6 are mine), and 9 poll votes

Gator, move over, I'm climbing into bed with you :skeezy

[::pete::]

so that makes me a super maastard

What powers do you have!!! :D

[::pete::]

Gator, move over, I'm climbing into bed with you

Hahahahaha ....

Stepford wives .... Maastard wifes!!

AS the tank turns!!!!

[NaCl_H2O]

Gator, move over, I'm climbing into bed with you :skeezy

:unsure He might bite so watch out.. :lol

I'll just wrap electrical tape aroung his jaw, I saw them do that on the Discovery channel :P

Now, this is starting to get "FUN" - y'all remember fun? That's why we are here, remember!

[::pete::]

I am laffin' my *** off!!!!

[Sherri]

Clap*Clap* Great Steve! ROFL Wonderful!!

Sounds like me....Was a freshwater junkie for almost 17 yrs. (Africian Cichlids) - even breeding & selling to LFS's! Always wanted a saltwater tank, but was always afraid of the "chemical" word. HaHa At 21, (BTW - only a few yrs back...cough*cough*), my boss bought a saltwater tank for us "secretaries" that had done such a wonderful job in his office. I was in charge of it! Ken & Mike from Aquarium Sales & Service (but back then they were just starting their own little company) set it up and serviced it. I fell in love with it. I would go on weekends when the office was closed and stare at it for hours. Never forgot how it mesmerized me back then.

Back to the present....4 Years ago I bought my 100 gal with the intent to upgrade from one of my 55's. It sat in my livingroom for months cause I just didn't have the heart for freshwater anymore & wanted to check into salt. Found Ken & Mike at Aquarium Sales & Service & had a long talk after all those years. My 100 gal tank visited their store & was drilled....the rest is history. They closed within a month of the drilling & I didn't know what to do. LOL I had bought some LR from their showtanks which had some hijacker crabs (one HUGH). Thought I was pretty cool. :roll (Look honey, and we didn't even have to buy them!!) I didn't know what to do next, so I let my tank "cycle" from August to January enjoying my hijacker crabs! ROFL One day in January I received an email invitation to check out www.maast.org - I did and boy did I ask the newbie questions. They were ALL answered and most if not all worked. Those that helped me so much are still a major part of this group also. They have become my friends. I (so far) have become very sucessful in my venture into saltwater - Only 2 deaths (fish)have happened in 3 1/2 yrs and proud to say that my 1st fish was a mandarin....apparently a good choice (didn't know that at the time - oh, look honey, isn't that a beautiful fish? I must have him! :P ) Little did I know that I had so many copepods that I thought something had hatched in our "established" tank. Well...the Mandarin went to town eating and still is doing great.

My first meeting was at Troy Valentine's. Austin people showed up with frag tanks and stuff & invaded Troy's backporch - and poof....frags everywhere. Troy got his blender out and poof....made fishfood! It was great...and everyone was very nice...small group but the club was young.

I have learned everything I know about my reef from this club. I used to sit and just read posts - so many answers to questions I hadn't even gotten around to! That was my start with MAAST. Because I love this hobby, I've wanted to get more involved. Well...running for Secretary would accomplish that. Or so I thought. :P Now a BOD and experiencing our fast growth rate of 1300+, it always brings a smile to my face when I see those same Members step in and still help someone who just may have experienced the same good first impression of MAAST as I did 3 1/2 years ago. :D

Didn't mean to write a book....but I guess that makes me a Maastard too.

[::pete::]

Picture it .... Steve climbing in bed with Gator!!!!!

[::pete::]

With the skirt on !!!!

[::pete::]

I think Gator is going to wake in the morning wondering why hes chewing on his arm!!!

[NaCl_H2O]

Great story Sherri! I think we all have one that sounds a lot like that.

Two pages now, only 18 to go!

Duct tape ... that's for birds, I need "Gator Tape", and I doubt anyone has ever climbed into his bed with a skirt and left with it :P

[NaCl_H2O]

I think Gator is going to wake in the morning wondering why hes chewing on his arm!!!

Yea, once he peels off all the gator tape :D

[::pete::]

Hahahahaa ... I baet him there!!!

[::pete::]

Im laffin' so hard my kids are lookin' at me funny!!!

[NaCl_H2O]

Where did Pete go, is he trying to get to Gator's before you do Steve??? :mellow

Hey, wait a minute ... somebody stole my skirt, and where is that role of tape :o

[::pete::]

OK ... Im not one to knock on women .... but Sherri (love you to death), but I thought y'all hid you age? 21 and 3-1/2 yrs later. C'mon I can do the math !!!!

[NaCl_H2O]

Hell, I'm laughing so hard Gator can't sleep ;)

How about another MAASTard story? Where are some of the old farts?

[::pete::]

Hell, I'm laughing so hard Gator can't sleep



The kids cant sleep!!

[NaCl_H2O]

OK ... Im not one to knock on women .... but Sherri (love you to death), but I thought y'all hid you age? 21 and 3-1/2 yrs later. C'mon I can do the math !!!!

I think you are confused ... I think that was the age of her hitchiker crabs ;)

If she is 24-1/2, I'm 30 and Gilbert should be in jail!

[scuba_steveo]

Hi, my name is Steve, and I am a MAASTARD!

If it were not for maast I would have my own home by now. If it were not for maast I would have never remolded the garage of the home I am in (my grandparent’s old home) and built a fish room just so I could learn what not to do the next time. If it were not for maast I would still have a 37 gallon eclipse tank with power compact retro fit without a skimmer or a refugium. Man that tank was always crashing on me. It it were not for maast I would not have such great fish friends. If it were not for maast I might have a happier wife. Just kidding. She loves the hobby too. If it were not for maast I would definitely be more productive at work.

I am in charge of getting new sponsors. I try very hard to get good items donated. I am always on the phone with a store trying to get them to donate nice stuff. And our inventory is getting to be quite nice. And as we grow we will be able to entice more big name sponsors to the club. I love this hobby and I love this site. I work hard to keep it running smooth. That’s why it hurts me so very much when I see fights breaking out in the threads. I for one can tell you that not all of the board of directors agree on everything as we are each different individuals but we respect each other’s opinions and we do not fight with one another (most of the time). Every action we take is carefully thought out in several pages of threads, phone calls, and research. We have had some very rough months lately and we have come together to be stronger than ever before. We always try to represent you, the members, the best we can. This site is about you, not the board. I though of resigning from the board a few times a while back when this site was no longer fun for me. Maast has given me many headaches. But with all the negative that has happened lately I am able to hold my head high for one main reason. I think the future is going to be great. We have more opportunity now than we ever had before. Until recently, we did not think that we had the funds to bring in some top name speakers. But now this is in the works. As I said before, more big sponsors are starting to look our way. My dream for the future is that we have a great speaker for all our meetings (not that you are not great Gary) and we have multiple large items for each raffle. We have some more work to do but it is very achievable. I am confident we can obtain this goal with the members we have and the board we have. Help us obtain that goal and secure the future of maast. Be kind to one another and help one another. Do not take sides and post for someone else when asked unless you know all the facts. I did that in the past. It made me feel bad in the long run and I think I still owe some people an apology. If you have an issue about how thing are run please let me know. If you think you have the time and energy to help maast please do. There are several committees that need help. There is a ton of things to do to keep this organization running.

I truly love this site.

[::pete::]

Ahhh ... now it is clear you love gary!!

[scuba_steveo]

Who doesn't?
He is a big teddy bear

[::pete::]

Yes he is ... and the thongs help !!!!

[GaryP]

I was trying to stay out of this. I was just waiting for my name to be dragged through the fuge mud.

[NaCl_H2O]

Yes he is ... and the thongs help !!!! :o

4 pages and growing, and my sides hurt!


Registered Users: akm, brieman, CD, darkman0011, don-n-sa, GaryP, gjuarez, greenmako, hedgehog01, Henry, NaCl_H2O, Poet2dagger27689, satx-94integraLS, scuba_steveo, technomex, TruonkQ, ~pete~
This data is based on users active over the past five minutes

CD, Gary, Don - give me a page each!

[NaCl_H2O]

I think that was the thong that was drug through the fuge mud ... you're gonna wash that before the BOD meeting, right? :sick

[::pete::]

Garys ... grub!!!!!

[::pete::]

Why would you want to stay out of it ... this is fun!!! and what the site about so what if it isnt reef related its a slow night!!!

[::pete::]

So ... in this short thred we ahve learned alot and let me sum it up !!!

SteveR like Gator (but Gator doesnt know) :D
Brian likes to watch and has duct tape handy
Sherri is 24-1/4
SteveK thinks Gary is a teddy bear (whats that all abnout!!!)
and who says you cant learn anything here!!!

[NaCl_H2O]

and who says you cant learn anything here!!!
And the night is still young ... who will be next to bear their MAASTard soul ;)

[::pete::]

LOL....and Pete stole Steve's skirt and is trying to steal Gator away from him!!


It fits me better!!!

[NaCl_H2O]

LOL....and Pete stole Steve's skirt and is trying to steal Gator away from him!!

Stop .... oh jeez, now I gotta go wash these too ... Hey, Gary!

[NaCl_H2O]

It fits me better!!!

You know what they say, if the skirt fits ...

[::pete::]

C'mon web members charter members jump in we are all alike ... I know y'all are laffin' and want to type something!!!! Its in fun ... ;) as its supposed to be so join in!!

[::pete::]

Just dont say something about me!!!

[::pete::]

;)

[NaCl_H2O]

We need somebody new to pick on ... where is Blake?

[NaCl_H2O]

Just dont say something about me!!!

It has all been said already ;)

[::pete::]

I wish the little boy was on!!!

[::pete::]

who?

[brieman]

I,ve done freshwater for years, finally got the nerve to try saltwater. Started with fish only and did that for years so as any mistakes made wouldn't be to costly. This Jan. I decided to jump into the reef.Several $$$ later I got the bug bad. Love the hobby. So I am a newbie to reef and have a lot to learn. So far so good but I know I will make mistakes, that is why I check the forums daily to find out as much info as I possibly can. Have not met many people in Maast, but the first time was helping John move his 300g. Met Gary P and a few others but the thing I remember most about that day was listening to Gary. I was impressed, he really seemed to know his stuff. Now I find myself saving up for a 300g. I continue to read the forums everday to soak in as much info as I can. Many thanks to people who post here as it helps me to learn the hobby all the more. Yes I am a Maastard

Thanks Brian

[scuba_steveo]

I got the bug bad
That's better than the bad bug! I got the bad bugs and the treatment sucked! I was lucky that a few other maastard helped me out with the treatment.

[scuba_steveo]

Hey Mikeyboy. Do you have a story???

[NaCl_H2O]

Yes I am a Maastard

Converted from FW to FO to Reef
Admits to $$ volume
Saving for a 300g
Reads MAAST constantly
Thinks Gary is smart

... well, you had me going there until that last one :D

Thanks for the story - glad you are with us Brian :)

[::pete::]

but the thing I remember most about that day was listening to Gary. I was impressed, he really seemed to know his stuff.

and I think he wanted your stuff ... remember the thong comment!! :lol

[brieman]

Married, wife gets very jealous

[scuba_steveo]

the fish will not tell

[::pete::]

All in fun .... all in fun ...

[akm]

Am I the little boy you're talkin about Pete?

[NaCl_H2O]

Am I the little boy you're talkin about Pete?

:innocent Ok, let's not get this thread locked or anything!

[akm]

LOL... shees, I'm not that little. :P

[::pete::]

Akm ... nice to see you join in ... I talk badly about no one ...


little one :lol

[NaCl_H2O]

We need another MAAST story, only 6 pages and I'm get'in tired :zzz

COme on, I see Donny, CD, Chris, Sean ... heck, even Matt could tell us about the good ole days when MAAST was an itty-bitty mailgroup!

And where the heck is Joshua?

[akm]

I am little compared to you guys :lol

[::pete::]

Its not about the post count!!!! ;)

[akm]

I'm not callin anyone fat... maybe old but not fat.

[::pete::]

C'mon y'all are reading!! Lets hear it!!

[::pete::]

29 people on and only like 5 responded!!

[::pete::]

I have a great idea!!!!

[NaCl_H2O]

I have a great idea!!!!
You gonna share it?

[akm]

I want to hear too.

[don-n-sa]

Mine is simple...as a kid I had the life that we dream about. I lived in Ft Lauderdale, took trips to the keys, bahamas whenever we ( my family felt like it ) . I had a Padi open water divers license at age 11. I lived in the ocean ^_^ ...then one day my parents ripped me out of there and took me here and I was lost until a few years ago when I finally stopped pouting. I started with a 29g freshwater tank and it got boring real quick...went to texas tropical one day and met Yves...yes great guy, he is missed. I upgraded to a 100g RR and needed a ton of help getting started with the plumbing and lighting and everything else so after bugging Yves so much he told me about MAAST. I got a hold of Dan to make my fuge /sump and I was all set up in no time. I stocked my 100g withing 8 months and I realized that I needed a bigger tank...you should of seen my wifes expression when I said that the 100g was to small. :o

Well I am now a complete and total MAASTARD!!!!

I have a 240g tank with 2 fuges and a huge sump...I took over a hallway closet for pumps and one fuge and a skimmer, and just recently I plumbed another fuge into my laundry room...wow I have an understanding wife don't I :wub

My next project is to plumb a clam tank into my system and take over another hallway....I wont know what to call myself after that... :lol

[JimD]

I am unable to vote in the poll as there is no option for re-

[don-n-sa]

C'mon y'all are reading!! Lets hear it!!

It takes a little while to state your MAASTARD story :D give peple time...this will end up as the longest post, I predict of having to split it up by september!!!!!!

[NaCl_H2O]

I wont know what to call myself after that... :lol
A lucky guy, with a VERY understanding wife :)

Thanks Donny!

KEEP THE THREAD ALIVE!!!!!

[akm]

I am unable to vote in the poll as there is no option for re-

:lol

[NaCl_H2O]

... there is no option for re-

LMAO - I was going to add that, but I thought we got rid of ... ;)

[don-n-sa]

Thanks Donny!
KEEP THE THREAD ALIVE!!!!!

no thank you Steve...we needed a thread like this to remind us all what MAAST is all about. :)

[NaCl_H2O]

no thank you Steve...we needed a thread like this to remind us all what MAAST is all about. :)

That was the idea - thanks for helping, come back often ;)

For all you newbies out there reading this - this is what MAAST was like every night, like clockwork! No bashing, no hurt feelings, no accusations! Just a bunch of friends enjoying a common hobby and having a little fun at each other's expense - but it is never meant, or taken personally.

You notice that this thread is going on (where the fun is happening), and several other threads of a serious nature (Yellow Tang, Polyps, etc.) are going on in parallel.

Education & Entertainment - FOR FREE!

[::pete::]

Where do I sign up? !!!

[::pete::]

I have duct tape and can borrow a thong!!!

[NaCl_H2O]

Thongs "CANNOT" be borrowed :sick and I thought Brian took the duct tape with him to Gator's?

[::pete::]

Does Gator snore?

[akm]

Well I though I'd tell my story since I have been posting on this thread.

Ever since I was really little I've always loved fish. I began planning my first tank a couple years ago when I saw my neighbors tank. I had a year to plan since I couldnt get it untill I moved to San Antonio. Last July I bought a 30 gallon and all to go with it and set it up. It wasnt much but was alright for my first tank. I few months after I set it up I got a call from my neghbors with the tank saying they were getting rid of the tank and that they would be willing to give it away to me. I almost choked. I talked my mom into it since this wasnt going to happen again. A week later I got another call saying there tank broke and were going to have to bring all the livestock with in the next 2 days. We went to AW and bought a 90 gallon oceanic for a measly 800 dollars :roll . So I got about 3000 dollars worth of rock, sand, fish, corals, lights and so on. It has slowly grown into my pride and joy.

Since then I've become addicted to this site and owe alot of thanks to it and its helpful members.
Thanks guys and girls.

[NaCl_H2O]

What?, I can't hear you over all the snoring

[::pete::]

You actually like the site? :angry

[akm]

Apart from the bashing lately, yeah I do.

[::pete::]

Me too!!! No actually I love it and the people on it as well!!! :P

[::pete::]

Gary ... that tongue wasnt aimed at you ....

[CD]

Guys - I broke for supper and tank maint. four+ hours ago, and this thread was here when I got back...I have been laughing so hard reading all of this, there are tears rolling down my face - I haven't laughed so hard in ages - thank you.

OK - I am definitely a MAAStard!! I love this site! I love my tank - and I'm saying "mine" because I do most of the maint. on it these days...LOL. I started out with freshwater tanks when I was in my early teens. I'd always been a water freak, and to this day, get STRONG urges to be near big bodies of water - swimming, snorkling, wading - whatever - on a regular basis. SO having a tank in near proximity was always a big deal to me. Hey if I can't live on a tropical island, the tank keeps me happy in between "fixes". I didn't graduate to SW tanks until Chris and I had been together for a few years. We always wanted one, but we didn't have our own house until we moved to Austin, and that's what we were waiting for. In anticipation of the SW tank we bought and read every book we could get our hands on. Finallly feeling we were "ready for bear", we got a 135G FOWLR tank - very basic - no sump, just wet/dry and other mechanical filtration. We had that tank for about three years - THEN we got to looking at corals in the LFS we visited. We were hooked. Decided to start out "smaller" with the reef tank (in case we made any BIG booboos), sold the 135G and got a 75G. LOL...we saved pics of our very first corals. Two lonely little corals and one fish in that big of a tank. Chris met Tim Marvin on a quest for LR with the FOWLR tank, and decided to get back in touch with him for stuff needed in our 75G...Tim told us about MAAST, and we went to our first meeting almost a year ago at StephenA's house. I felt very shy, as I am generally uncomfortable in a room full of people we didn't know. However - I remember JimD, and several others jumped right in and made us feel at home. Here we are now with a 210G tank, and I couldn't be happier. Chris and I BOTH spend hours staring into the tank, cleaning equipment, staring into the fuge once the moonlights have kicked in on the display...LOL...can you tell I'm hooked? So now we have a very small freshwater tank in the living room, plus a 55G that Chris is cycling for a trigger of some type, a 20G clown tank AND the 210G in our bedroom (sleeping in our bed room is like sleeping in the ocean with the moonlight on at night - I love it). I think now all we need is a tank to stare at in the bathroom while sitting on the throne....LMAO.

The rest is pretty much history. Chris and I have met SO many new friends and quality folks from this club - people that share the same passion as ourselves, and are some of the coolest people I've ever met.
Why do I love MAAST so much? I love the people, I love the hobby, and I actually enjoy helping others. I've spent hours upon hours upon days and weeks looking up stuff for other people...I still learn a lot from the research, and on top of that, the "warm fuzzies" I get from actually being able to help somebody on occasion just can't be beat. To me the coolest thing in the world is getting somebody started on their very first tank and helping them through the set up. The look of joy on a person's face when they get their "very first" coral or fish is just priceless to me.

I'm hooked - total MAAStard through and through!!

Love you guys and gals - I feel like giving somebody a hug right now, and everybody's asleep except me in this house...DARN IT!

W. :D

[NaCl_H2O]

Wow, thanks Wendy, I knew we had a good one coming from you :)

Just slap Chris and give him a big hug - tell him I told you it was OK :D

Gotta be another MAASTard insomniac out there somewhere - Joshua?

[::pete::]

Help .... Im being dragged away !!!! My wife says she wants to see what "Maast" is all abo

[brieman]

The look of joy on a person's face when they get their "very first" coral or fish is just priceless to me.

I still get that expression with every new addition, then find myself staring at it for hours :D

[NaCl_H2O]

Help .... Im being dragged away !!!! My wife says she wants to see what "Maast" is all abo
Boy ... are you in trouble now!

[CD]

Wow, thanks Wendy, I knew we had a good one coming from you


LOL...I just read all this stuff and felt like pouring my heart out. I know there's been some problems lately, but these things pass, and will only serve to bring us closer once things are worked out. We are growing...stuff happens. This thread is proof of how much we all care about each other!



Just slap Chris and give him a big hug - tell I told you it was OK


OHHHH no! Chris is NOT one of those people that will wake up all cuddly and happy without a full 7-8 hours sleep. I'm not so sure I feel like getting my head ripped off at 1:15 in the morning. Heheh...it'll just have to wait until he wakes up.

Oh - BTW if anybody needs any duct tape, thongs, hand cuffs or....OOPS....I better stop there LOL. Anyway - LMK....ROTFLMAO

So does Gator wear just a skirt to bed, or is he wearing panty hose too? Inquiring minds need to know...LOL.

W.

[CD]

Help .... Im being dragged away !!!! My wife says she wants to see what "Maast" is all abo


MAN! She must have REALLY dragged him away...he didn't even get to finish his sentence! :o :lol

W. :)

[NaCl_H2O]

Ok, for all you quiters out there that will look at this again tomorrow. This thread started at 9:30pm, it is now 1:30am (I lied about staying with this all night, but 1:30 ain't bad for an old man)

121 posts, 9 pages, and 689 hits

MAAST is alive and well!

Let's start having some fun again and quit all the *****'in & whining

KEEP THIS THREAD ALIVE - AND START YOUR OWN!

g'night!

[bigdscobra]

Let's start having some fun again and quit all the b-word'in & whining





Very well said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

[bigdscobra]

Iam tired of seeing those post were people are *****ing about each other and what they did this is suppose to be a fun and relaxing hobby.

[bigdscobra]

Oh yeah Iam a MAASTard

I have learned a great deal from this site and visit 20 times a day. The great deals from the forsale forum and the retailer corner has saved me alot of money. And I have ended up with a nice saltwater tank system that I enjoy just staring at and forgeting about everything else.

Thanks
MAAST

[CD]

I lied about staying with this all night, but 1:30 ain't bad for an old man)


Hey Steve - if YOU are an old man, then that would mean I'M an old woman. "30" isn't "old" is it? :innocent :P :lol

W.

[NaCl_H2O]

"30" isn't "old" is it?

No, but it is the second 30 years that gets you ;)

[TexasTodd]

"Hi, my name is Steve, and I am a MAASTARD!"--Scuba S.

Why does Steve always put things so well?

Ditto for me.

YOU'ALL ARE CRAZY NUTTY PEOPLE STAYING UP WAY TOO LATE ON LINE WHEN YOU SHOULD BE CALAPSED IN YOUR BED AFTER TREATING A 300G SYSTEM FOR RED BUGS AND HAVING A BUNCH OF PROBLEMS DURING THE PROCESS!

Maast members have helped me out many times already. I also know where good things are being stocked at the LFS's without driving all over town like I use to. I would say I'm spending about 80% locally now and 20% mail order. A year ago it was the reverse.

I save freight, get to split expensive corals with new friends, and have tried to give extra good deals on my used items to new reefers.

Both Reef Central and MAAST save me 20 times their yearly membership dues just from good advice.

I've used my contacts to try and line up some good speakers and I believe this will help our club grow even that much more. I would LOVE to see MACNA in San Antonio in a few years. If that wouldn't be good for the LFS I'm not sure what would. Think of the contacts made and the attendees that would want to check out the local area.

People will always *****. Ever heard someone that never *****es about their job? Hell I do and I work for ME!---And that B..rd doesn't pay enough!

If not for MAAST I would not know of several of the LFS's in our area. I have been in other interest clubs in the past while I worked at a local supporting shop. (flyfishing) I can tell you from first hand experience that the club brought in an amazing amount of NEW people in to the hobby/sport and it directly boosted sales for us. Yes, it blew the doors wide open with people knowing every where they could get product; but it still made our sales go up and up and up. It's an addiction (sorry Jade :) ) just like flyfishing. People get in and they are going to spend money........a lot of it and the majority will be within the local economy.

A year ago you couldn't get squat for good corals in SA. Now I'm seeing better items locally than on line. I FIRMLY believe that a HUGE part of this is due to MAAST.


Oh, Pete and Brian........side note as I know you'll see this. The blue coral is changing :(. It's polyps are MUCH longer now after the treatment. I now think it may be a robusta. Maybe we could keep the bugs just on it?

Oh and yes I'm 35 so I guess I'm 5 years past "old". :) I also originally found out about MAAST from Yves at Texas Tropical.

Todd

[Darth-Tater]

Ok, I was the second post on this thread. I had no idea there were such strange people here ( I guess I will fit in well). It is now 8:15 am Wed and the thread is still going. I am an old fart (51) so I went to sleep early. All of the dogs and my wife said it was time to sleep. Well I got started back in March after deciding 27 yrs agao it would be cheaper to have kids than to restock the salt tank that cratered for the second time. So, the kids are grown and gone. I went to AA and told Jason that I wanted to convert my 55 to salt. He told me what to buy and then suggested MAAST. 55 g lasted only 4 months and then switched tanks. I had a 100 g in my classroom( yes I teach 8th grade Science) brought it home Pete built a stand and canopy for it. Thanks Pete. Now I am off and limping. I have learned so much from everyone here. I read all I can but many times experience is better than books. I have meet a few people in person Steve and his wife, Carl, Pete, Greenmako, Falcondob,Alex, Chris and I look forward to making this meeting. My wife has a saying(it probably came from some sappy movie) it goes something like this " Laugh loud & Laugh often" :lol . So yes I am a MAASTard and I do spend too much time checking to board. Gawd I can just see it now Northside School will block the site from my school computer. Oh no :(

Thanks for everything
David

[Gator]

thanks to all my so caled fellow mastards i just finally gotout of the ducttape, and i am late for work

[falcondob]

Iam tired of seeing those post were people are *****ing about each other and what they did this is suppose to be a fun and relaxing hobby.

I am tired of being tired of seeing people tired of posting about being tired about all the tiring *****ing that are tir..e....d... :zzz

Sorry, fell asleep. Who are we trashing now? Me? Cool! Remember, "Never wrestle with a pig, you both get dirty and the pig loves it!!!" :w00t Oink,Oink!

[NaCl_H2O]

thanks to all my so caled fellow mastards i just finally gotout of the ducttape, and i am late for work

LMAO - How did you sleep ;)

[NaCl_H2O]

Ok, 134 replies, 1019 hits, and 21 poll responses (BTW we have a b...tard among us :ph34r)

Time to get those MAASTard stories rolling again ... anybody?

[NaCl_H2O]

Correction, two ...stards :ph34r :ph34r

I know one of them, but who is the other one :unsure

[NaCl_H2O]

bump ... I'm gonna have to do something important if y'all don't distract me soon!

[Reef69]

Am I a MAASTard?..havent been these past few days, reason why is because MAAST hasnt been MAAST lately. I guess I/We need to really go back to what MAAST was..and that is helping newbies out, making sure fish and corals are given a decent tank to grow and be happy and support our LFS's (dont know if thats what MAAST is all about, but thats what I did when i first started). So from now on im just going to find the meaning of MAAST once again and do what i did, help. With that said, i feel like a MAASTard again...

[kimber]

Well, the baby is asleep and now that I've FINALLY finished reading through this thread, I thought I would throw in the the Maastard Wives perspective (not to be confused with Stepford Wives)...

Before I met my husband my only experience with an aquarium of any sort was my brothers feeble attempt at the age of 12. Dozens of goldfish later, the tank was abandoned for a turtle (which got passed down to us some 10 years later which is now living happily with another MAAST family).

Being a transplanted fish himself, my husband started with a freshwater aquarium for a short time until we finished building the house we are in. Then it started....
The obsession.
The insanity.
The significant decrease in growth of my shoe collection.
And our whole family LOVES every minute of it!!!

I actually got involved with the first 100 gallon tank and conditioned, stained and varnished it myself to surprise Donny one day. I surprised myself with a massive headache from spending 8 hours in a garage with those fumes...(mental note to self...don't do that again) But I was proud of myself for getting involved to support something that my husband is so passionate about.

Next thing we know, I'm pregnant and my belly isn't the only thing growing...then comes the 240 (glad I didn't have to give birth to THAT). :wacko And all of these amazing people show up at out house on a weekend morning and move this monstrous thing into our house (and a fellow MAASTARD wife comes to keep me from having a meltdown as I watch)!!! Actually, many of them showed up TWO TIMES, after the first one shattered in shipment. I was amazed.

I couldn't stain that stand (fumes+ pregnancy= BAD) but i would hold my breath and run out into the garage to offer my 2 cents every once in a while when Donny did it so I was still part of it.

I can now tell you the difference between all of the corals we have.
I actually know how the fuge works!!!
I feed all of the fish every weeknight...(which isn't easy since eels suck at eating nicely and Fluffy spits!!!)
I no longer freak out at the cost of ROCK.
I no longer freak out at floods. (don't mistake that for not getting annoyed)
I let my husband take over our two hall closets and have currently offered the laundry room as well. And what have I gotten out of it, you might ask???
ANSWERS:
Tons of new friends that are like family to us!
A six year old who can list every type of fish in our tank correctly and amazes his friends and family with his knowledge (and will correct you if you only call the Regal Tang "Dory")
A six month old who can zone out in front of the tank with the best of them. I am convinced that he is such a calm baby because he is surrounded by fish.
Best of all...a little bit of the ocean for my husband. :wub

And yes...I'll even admit it. My name is Kimber and I like to stare at the tank. :ph34r
So thanks Steve for starting this thread <3 ...except the Gary in a thong part and the sleeping with Gator part...which are going to give me nightmares now!!!

[NaCl_H2O]

im just going to find the meaning of MAAST once again ... i feel like a MAASTard again...

Sounds like a MAASTard to me :D

The healing has begun - must be that Iodine dip you been drink'in :P

Welcome back Reef69 ;)

[NaCl_H2O]

Way to **** long to quote, but you get the idea ;)
WOW, all that from a MAASTard Wife! Neat story Kimber, I really like the part about the six month old zoning out in front of the tank :blink

Now, let's see what you think about all of us come August 1st :unsure

I love this site, people, organization ^_^ ^_^ ^_^

[Reef69]

Well, I knew I was a MAASTard when I was in edinburgh and I had to walk 6 miles to get to a computer and check MAAST...lol

[CD]

I had to walk 6 miles to get to a computer and check MAAST...lol


That is true dedication! :D

W.

[GaryP]

...except the Gary in a thong part

And just where did that come from anyway? Its been months since I showed up at a meeting wearing a thong. Besides, CD made me do it.

[CD]

Its been months since I showed up at a meeting wearing a thong. Besides, CD made me do it.


But you look so GOOD in those thongs...especially the black leather one :shades

W. :)

[kimber]

riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight ;)
I'm still looking for an explaination about the "skirt."
As for how I'll feel on August 1st...that remains to be seen, but i'm sure it will be fine. :)

[CD]

I'm still looking for an explaination about the "skirt."


Wasn't it a skirt AND panty hose? :w00t

W.

[Thunderkat]

I have taken care of fish for most of my life (most of the time was freshwater) and I hate being stationed somewhere for short periods of time because then I cannot have an aquarium. Maybe the military life is not good for me :lol

I think that qualifies me ^_^

[don-n-sa]

Best of all...a little bit of the ocean for my husband. :wub
And yes...I'll even admit it. My name is Kimber and I like to stare at the tank. :ph34r



Man...I am a lucky guy <3 <3 <3 :blush <3 <3 <3

[JimD]

...except the Gary in a thong part

And just where did that come from anyway? Its been months since I showed up at a meeting wearing a thong. Besides, CD made me do it.

uhhggg,,, I think Im gonna hurl, chuck, blow lunch, gag, spew chunks, puke,,,, please stop, the mental image is destroying valuable brain cells.... I dont have many left and I could really use the few that remain.... Thank you.

[gjuarez]

Hey, why are you guys being so mean to Gary. But really gary, what with the thong.

I joined maast a long time ago, except that I lost my password and had to start a new account that is why it says I barely joined this year.

Back when I first began, I had a 55g tank. I had 2 damsels, a yellow tang, a 14 inch banded cat shark and a puffer cramped up in there. I didnt know I was making a mistake when I was buying all this fish, but lfs was very happy and always welcomed me with their arms open. One day, I decided I wanted an anemone and my lfs told me it would do fine under my N.O. fluorescent lights, just as long as I fed it. I went ahead and bought it and placed it in my tank. A week later, the anemone dissapeared and no matter how hard I kept looking for I just couldnt find it. It turned out that the anemone had died and disintegrated and released all its toxins in my water. Everything died over night and I was crushed. I gave up on the hobby for a while and just left my tank sitting their for a while with no livestock. WIth no water changes or maintanence, my tank was full of hair algae.

It was then when I got curious as to why my tank had crashed and posted my problem here on Maast. Everyone jumped in with eagerness to explain my situation and it was when I realized my mistake. Maast gave me the courage to start all over again, and with time I started keeping corals. I made little mistakes here and there but maast was always there to help me and answer my questions. To this day, I have been very active in Maast and I now can say I am knowledgeable and experienced to keep SPS.

I have to admit, I thought about giving up after I would only see people fighting and getting out of the subject most of the time. IT has been getting better and I have become more active. I sure needed a thread like this to lift my spirits and continue believing in this great organization. I have met wonderful people like Pete and Gary and I sure wished I could live in San Antonio to make it to every meeting, theyre fun and educating. You guys inspired to start a mini club in deep south texas, and although its been slow, it will start to pickup soon. thanks for all the help and keep rocking.
Jerry

[gjuarez]

By the way, I am a huge MMAAAASSTTAARRDD. I pay my fees too. jaja

[NaCl_H2O]

I'm still looking for an explaination about the "skirt."
That is a BOD secret :ph34r

Here is a hint ... "MAAST Mafia Uniforms" :unsure


Wasn't it a skirt AND panty hose?
NO!!! ... Gary's Thong looks really bad with panty hose :sick

[SBreef]

Hi! My name is Roy. I am an addicted MAASTard!! :D :D
I also voted in the Poll.
It all started in my early years. Growing up I had a tank with freshwater fish. Then one day, I came home from school and all of my fish except a cory cat, had been boiled by a defective heater. Well, that was a very traumatic time and I quit!!
Fast forward to Thanksgiving 2003. I just meet my Stepson's mother and father in law. And he was showing us his fish tanks. He had 2 saltwater and 2 freshwater tanks. He was showing us his saltwater tanks and of course I said that someday!!! I will have a saltwater tank. Then he showed us his 2 freashwater tanks, and he had a couple of Cichlids in them. Then he proceded to tell us that he was giving away the two freshwater tanks to make more room in his office. But one person backed out and if we wanted it, we could have it. Well, Linda looked at me, and with out blinking said, YES!! So, it is late November and we are coming back from Wisconson with a fish tank with about 8 inches of gravel and water in it. It Froze twice. I was suprised when we made it back home with no leaks in the tank.
Then, I was doing research on fish, and I went shopping. I walked into Aquatics Warehouse and Tamer said, sure you could set up a saltwater tank with a small 38 gallon tank.
And so it began. Then I found MAAST and everything really went downhill from that point on. The 38 gallon has Cichlids and I bought Blakes old 100 gallon tank, never even put water in it! Now I have sold that tank and I have a new Oceanic 125 on order. :w00t
My wife Linda, Mrs.SB, has enjoyed watching me get excited about the life that is in the little 10 gallon Nano that I set up in Dec. And at the last meeting that the club had, at RobertG's, she joined the club also!! :D
And I do go through withdrawls when the site is down!! :cry
I have meet some very wonderful people, and I have learned a lot from this site!
I would again like to Thank the Officers and the BOD of this club. I think that they are doing a wonderful job.
And most of all, I would like to thank my wife Linda, Mrs. SB, for putting up with me and my new addiction!!

Roy

[Mrs.SB]

Well, as SBreef said above, I recently joined. I have gone to several meetings with Roy because he enjoyed them & I wanted to show my support for him. I found that at each meeting I am learning more and more (I even understand quite a bit of it). I enjoy the comradarie (sp?) and meeting many of you. So, yes, I guess I am a MAASTard, also. :o Linda

[Pacman]

I'm a MAASTard too, but unfortunately I don't get to visit the site very often. Just too busy, but when I'm surfing for fun, MAAST is the first place I go to!

And I am a full paying dues member, but there was a computer mixup and it only has me as a web member. I don't really mind though - I've got my membership card which gets me discounts at the LFS! I really think it is important to support organizations like this.

Matt

[NaCl_H2O]

MAASTardization (hey, I made a new word) was reconfirmed today! A few pumps didn't restart after a power glitch at 4:00, so I left work a little early and have been taking apart pumps a cleaning them since then :wacko

That's not why I am posting ... been trying to keep up with this thread and thank all the contributing MAASTards ... but I fell behind :blush

Thanks: Thunderkat, Jerry, Mr. & Mrs. SB, & pacman :)

Hey, somebody with some authority update Pacman's status <_<

[gjuarez]

No problem nacl h20, you guys just keep doing a maastupendous job and we all will continue to be happy. Once I finish my turkey sandwich with mayo and maastard I will repost. COmmon guys, it slowed down, at this rate we are never going to get to 20 pages.

[NaCl_H2O]

COmmon guys, it slowed down, at this rate we are never going to get to 20 pages.

There's that MAASTard spirit! :)

Ok, new challenge! Whoever posts (before 7/31) a story of their MAASTardness using the most MAAST-phrases (made up words that have MAAST in them, and make some sense), wins a free frag of The Blue Acro (http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=13160) :)

Ready ... Set ... GO MAASTARDS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[akm]

What if we already told our story? <_<

[NaCl_H2O]

What if we already told our story? <_<

I didn't say it was a fair contest :P

Ok, tell a story about Gary & his thong using MAAST-phrases :huh :sick

[akm]

Once upon a maastim, maaster Gary came to a maastard party. And to this maast party Gary wore his wifes(I hope) maasterful skirt. To go with this outfit he chose to wear his signimaast thong. Now when all his fello maastards saw Gary they all wanted to throwmaast, and some of them did :sick. All throughout the party his fellow board of maastards made fun of his sickly maastire. Throughout the years this certian maast dig has become a maasterful story to tell around the maastarium.

:D

[gjuarez]

hey akm your cheating, I think maaster was good and so is maasterful, but what is maastire and maastim. Stop cheating, its a race for the blue acro.

This is so mine, but I will make up my story tomorrow.

[gjuarez]

I am the king of maastupidity, I will win

[NaCl_H2O]

Once upon a maastim ...
Oh stop please ... my sides hurt ... tears are running down my checks ... I can barely see to type this :lol

ROFLMAO :lol :lol :lol :lol

That's gonna be tough to beat :D Thanks Aaron!!

[akm]

Maastire is attire and maastim is supposed to be maastime.

He even said it wasnt a fair contest! Besides, you just want it all for your self! But I dont blame ya.

[akm]

Did he acctually wear a thong and skirt?

[NaCl_H2O]

Did he acctually wear a thong and skirt?

Here is the proof :pics Darn, I can't get this picture to post ;)

[::pete::]

Did he acctually wear a thong and skirt?

Thong no skirt!! :o

[CD]

NO!!! ... Gary's Thong looks really bad with panty hose


LOL...no no no...Gary was wearing the black leather thong, but it was GATOR that was supposed to be wearing the panty hose, right? And the duct tape? LOL...gotta get your kinky straight here, Steve! Tsk Tsk!! :P



Whoever posts (before 7/31) a story of their MAASTardness using the most MAAST-phrases (made up words that have MAAST in them, and make some sense), wins a free frag of The Blue Acro


ARRRG! OK, I'm going to have to put on my MAAStard thinking cap for this one....sleep first, come up with a good MAASTard story tommorow (LOL it's 3am). What can I say? I'm a MAAStard owl :lol

W. :)

[Chris]

This thread is long enough that I think it deserves a little of my attention with trying to bring back some detailed memories of MAAST from the early beginnings. ^_^


Where to begin... Yahoo! email lists! :lol


I've been in the hobby since, oh maybe early to mid '01 and my passion has always been nano reefs. My first tank, a 10G did surprisingly well and I even managed to keep a Goniopora (shouldn't have bought it) alive for nearly over a year. <_<


Some time in early '02 I discovered Austin had their own little email list (Austin Reefers) abound with activity. I didn't know the history of their club, but a few active members made it worth taking an interest in. Eventually San Antonio residents were overtaking their list with our massive userbase of maybe 10-15 of us. :P


This is where a guy named Mike Liesman stepped up and created our own little Yahoo! list, and thus San Antonio Reefers was born. It started with most of our members actually being from the Austin list, and very slowly growing from there. At times conversation died in both groups, but a few firestarters like Tim Marvin helped keep things alive simply by getting the group into active discussions over certain aspects of the hobby. :) Other names that stand out in my mind are of course Joshua K., Ray Rendon, John Moffet and later Minh Nguyen.


It wasn't until the late summer of '02 that we had our very first meeting - a whole 10 people showed up at Tom's Rib's off NW Loop 410. This chance encounter happened to be the first of many more to come, and who would have thought we'd be where we are today. 8)


It was after that meeting that a lot of interest was growing into getting away from Yahoo! and their advertisements on our email list. After much deliberation regarding a name - some of the ideas were: to stick with San Antonio Reefkeepers (SAR), San Antonio Marine & Reefkeeping Society(SAMRC), South Texas Area Reefkeepers (STAR), Reefkeepers Association of San Antonio (RASA), Alamo Aquarists (AA- glug glug :lol) & South Texas Area Reefkeepers For Improvement of our Seas and Hobby (STARFISH). Marine Aquarists Association of South Texas (MAAST) was chosen, as it didn't shun our Austin or other area members from feeling included. :wub


October '02 - Progress! With the tiny costs of a domain and hosting ($9 for the domain, $27/year for the hosting :D ) we had an online forum! In either December or the following January, the site changed a little bit with the addition of our current PostNuke software. Funny enough, what we paid for in yearly hosting dues is less than what it now costs us in our monthly fee's. This site has grown so much!


At some point around this time one of San Antonio's most loved fish stores was closing down. Aquarium Sales & Service sent out a mass email informing their customers. It was either Ken or Mike, but they included the ENTIRE customer base with an inspirational message that San Antonio lacked it's own local aquaria society. We were of course little known, but I managed to email everyone back on that list to let them know about MAAST and to attract new members, it worked!


It wasn't until February that the ball was rolling again and we had our next meeting. This took place at the home of one of our members, Tina - Some Pictures! (http://www.maast.org/modules.php?set_albumName=album02&op=modload&name= gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php&page=1). What an exciting meeting to finally meet some of the faces and we even had our first fragging lessons from Minh Nguyen who drove all the way up from Corpus Christi.


Our next meeting took place at my dear friend Troy Valentine's house - More Pictures! (http://www.maast.org/modules.php?set_albumName=album03&op=modload&name= gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php) This was another great meeting and we focused on how to make our own fish food. On a side note, to this day I remember Sherri's face when I stuck my finger in the fish food and gave it a taste. :P :lol


Many great meetings took place since then... SeaWorld, Jim Norris', Misti Thuesons and every where else.


In the summer of '03 with a bit of urging we started talk of making MAAST a real organization. After 3 meetings we finally had our by-laws hashed out, and on the road to non-profit status. The mold was set to create a Board of Directors to oversee the clubs future - and oh what a trip this has been!


We've had our up's and our down's, but this club has grown by so much it's sometimes hard to remember where we started. A lot of fond memories... I only hope others continue to find their own fun here and enjoy the ride as much as I have. :w00t

[brewercm]

Wow, this has been one long thread.

It's interesting to see how this thing has grown in the last year or so. I know that Yves from TX Tropical initally told me about it back in 03 when I was switching over from FOWLR to Reef. I know I've seen several posts on here about him sending new members here from time to time.

Love to see all the new people that have and keep joining.
BTW, does anyone have growth statistics of the club?

[Magneto]

So if we use the best term we get some "MAASTer Bait"?

[Am]

Im married to a fish nerd who is soo crazy about the hobby that the craziness has trickled onto me! >_< I believe that puts me into the MAASTARD wife category! I really don’t remember how Alex heard about MAAST, but I do know that two months after joining MAAST we opened up our home to 80 something strangers all crammed into our little house and we were hosting our first official “fish nerd” meeting!( Alex hates when I call it that) On that hectic day in 2003 I met tons of intelligent, witty, nerdy, and funny people! Alex and I gained a massive amount of quality friends from that one meeting.

The addiction started a few years back when we would get home late at night and Alex would run to the computer. After being in his office checking MAAST he would hop into bed with the frickin laptop and once again he would have that blue MAAST glow beaming off his face! :wacko Little did he know that I was reading over his shoulder! He would come home from a bad day at work because his MAAST access was blocked, poor baby :cry . It gets better….. He paid cruise internet fees, like $5 a minute, maybe more to check maast on our honeymoon. Some things are unforgivable :angry .

The greatest thing about MAAST is the community of people that come together to share a common hobby. It is so great to see people always offering to lend a helping hand asking for nothing in return. Many days and nights I missed my husband because he was always offering to help people with their tanks, setting up, cleaning, or whatever was needed. I was o.k with it because after all I knew I married that guy who would do anything to lend a helping hand :wub , from rescuing an old lady with a broken car to helping a fish geek with a broken sump!LOL Not expected but luckily those super nice people offered us their assistance when we needed a favor! There was ALWAYS someone who would offer their help.
Fast forward ..after two Maast meetings at our house , 4 differnt tank upgrades, a million differnt tank moves later, we are now proud owners of a LFS! This was the ultimate test of finding out who your true friends are..Those who were Godsend friends were there to lean on then there were those few "friends" who hated to see others succeed. Because of MAAST Alex and I have some amazing people in our lives who we can truly call friends, they have stood by us every step of the way!
There are soo many reasons why we are MAASTards but this is the #1.

[gjuarez]

wow, nice stories. Its good to know about the history of maast, thanks chris.

[Darth-Tater]

Very well said Amy. I guess I am becoming a fish nerd. :lol I have always been a science nerd. <_<

Darth

[::pete::]

After being in his office checking MAAST he would hop into bed with the frickin laptop and once again he would have that blue MAAST glow beaming off his face! Little did he know that I was reading over his shoulder! He would come home from a bad day at work because his MAAST access was blocked, poor baby . It gets better….. He paid cruise internet fees, like $5 a minute, maybe more to check maast on our honeymoon. Some things are unforgivable .

I knew there was something wrong with him!!!! :D

[gjuarez]

yup i agree with you guys, I was a sports' jock turned reef geek. A very extreme change

[Reef69]

That whole "turning other people into MAASTards" thing, as vampiristic as it sounds, its true. Some of us are lucky to have a MAAStard wife/girlfriend (or in Brian's case, a fiance ;) ) that love fish just as much as we do. Its an awesome phenomenon, because sometimes when im broke, or simply had the worst day ever, K takes me to the store and buys me something neat, like a coral or some rock. Sometimes we sit and stare at the tank and plan what else to add, maybe a new fish or some zoos..whatever, and that brings us closer. I remember when she didnt like the tank at all, she would see me struggle with the skimmer ( i had no clue what i was doing back then), she would see how frustrated i would get, but then she saw the tank getting better, more colorful, fish wouldnt die anymore..she started to like it, but she would only look. Then we started to take fishstore trips ( she hated them!!!)..it was either to hot, or too crowded, but she would always stay because she knew it was important for me. Now we just love going over to Alex and Am's store, we've made some great friends and all because of fish. We like going over to see Louis at AW (he actually got us hooked on SW back in the day). it was cool doing this SW deal by myself, but now its just so much better knowing that K enjoys it just like i do. Who knows, maybe in the near future she will set up a tank by herself. We'll have to see ;)

[Am]

Hey brian at least I dont read Harry POtter! :innocent

Pete..shh I think im in the dog house tonight! :( Maybe this post will get buried and he wont see it!

[brieman]

[quote]
Some of us are lucky to have a MAAStard wife/girlfriend (or in Brian's case, a fiance ) that love fish just as much as we do.

I'll agree, I mentioned to my wife that was toying with the idea of upgrading to a 240g. She said go for broke and do a 300g. At first thought it was sarcasm and said are you sure? Yes get the 300! Yippie :wub

[Reef69]

Uh...Am...Yes you do... :skeezy. I dont know if yall know this but...Am is quitting her day job to coach quidditch now.. :innocent

[Reef69]

Brian, why are you laughing????...Im just gonna tell the truth!! cant take this s**t no mo!!! Brian here is a beater on Am's team, he has to protect Alex against bludgers. Alex is a chaser, he has to find the snitch before the other teams seeker and catch it. Sorry, had to come clean....LOL

[gjuarez]

why is gary everybody's giunea pig?

[don-n-sa]

why is gary everybody's giunea pig?

Because he is such a good sport... ;)

[gjuarez]

oh ok, yeah I noticed that gary was a good sport. HE is quite the comedian himself, I have noticed to hte couple of meetings that I have gone to.

[Sherri]

Our next meeting took place at my dear friend Troy Valentine's house - More Pictures! (http://www.maast.org/modules.php?set_albumName=album03&op=modload&name= gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php) This was another great meeting and we focused on how to make our own fish food. On a side note, to this day I remember Sherri's face when I stuck my finger in the fish food and gave it a taste. :P :lol

I still remember too... :sick :P The beginning of it all for me. It was the email you sent out that brought me to MAAST. Thank you. :)

[OldSalty]

Well folks, here go's, Ive been in this hobby 45 years, YES 45, been doing reefs only 15 of that. but the point is that it's a hobby that teaches us. Hey, these are living beings we are in charge of. Yes it's sad to say that most people (mainly fresh ) don't have any buisness keeping fish or an aquarium at all! they don't care if the thing dies or not, just buy another one. Just go by wallmart and see the horror of the poor oscar that will be kept in a 10 gallon tank : Education? I think not. however, here at MAAAST I havent seen anyone that feels or thinks that way. Id bet if I go look at any members house i'll find books on this hobby. point, the majority of us CARE greatly about our animals we have be put in charge of. We need MAAST. questions about the hobby, just ask, there will ALWAYS be someone here who can answer your questions. yea, I may not post much but I am here because I love this hobby and being in a club that shares the love makes all the diffrence.

A dedicated MAASTARD
Kelly

[Krys]

Well, that makes me feel special from what Diego (Reef69) wrote. I do enjoy buying him little things here and there from time to time. I'll agree...I hated it when he first started...That is ALL he would do, and I was like...hmmm...either I need to enjoy this or just learn to deal with it.....He starting showing me how things were done and what certain things were...and when he left for London, I had the tanks all to myself...I had to learn to like it, and now I can honestly say that we have grown into this hobby together. Dont get me wrong...I still dont know everything and every now and then a comment like...this will come out...."man...if I was a fish, I would get tired of swimming!" or "Well isnt a xenia called a pom-pom??"
But hey, we learn new things EVERY day and that is what makes this so awesome...not to mention...we met some really AWESOME friends out of this whole hobby....and I thought all this would be about was...hmmm....fish... :roll

[NaCl_H2O]

Gary was frolicking in Maastopia.

Ya know, that's not far from the truth :D

WOW, this thread is going great!

Chris, thanks for the history - that's neat!
Am, Reef69, Reef69grl, & OldSalty - thanks for keeping it going
(and thanks for the little secrets about Alex :skeezy)

196 posts, 2097 hits, 14 pages (We need 20 pages MAASTards)

Please note in the poll, looks like we are only 85% MAASTards :angry Somebody forgot to vote!

************************************************** ***
So far we have two contenders for the frag: akm/Aaron and GreenMako/Brian :lol

Pay special attention to the contestants, on Friday 7/29 I'll copy & paste all the contenders into a new thread and setup a poll so everyone can vote on the wiener :P

... keep 'em coming :lol

[gjuarez]

I still got 1 week, that frag is mine

[gjuarez]

6 more pages to go

[LoneStar]

had to do it... #200

[NaCl_H2O]

Well, well ... this thread is going kinda stale :angry

Pete wanted his Blue Acro frag early, so maybe he will post a picture to get this thing going again?

Come on MAASTards, if have to I can get this to 20 pages by myself just by posting smileys, but the Mods might lock me out at page 18 - I need your help ... PLEASE, with MAASTardarys on top :D

[CD]

PLEASE, with MAASTardarys on top


LOL...I gotta ask - what are MAASTardarys? :blink :lol

W. :)

[NaCl_H2O]

PLEASE, with MAASTardarys on top


LOL...I gotta ask - what are MAASTardarys? :blink :lol

W. :)

I dunno,
but I got two more posts out of it,
and I'm quoting you,
so the thread is getting close to 20 pages
and spacing stuff like this helps too
what's that?
No, it couldn't be
I think it is!
It's a MAASTerator thinking about locking this thread
Shhhh, be vewy, vewy quiet
MAASTerators can't find you when you are quiet ;)

[edit, after I looked up proper spelling of 'vewy' in my Elmer Fuud MAASTardary ^_^ ]

[CD]

<laughing quietly> I'll be vewy vewy quiet...
BTW - I'm still trying to come up with a good MAASTard fairy tale...it's not as easy as one would think - especially since the "Once upon a time" thing has been done already...<giggling vewy quietly>

W. :)

[gjuarez]

This is my story, I hope you like it.

The adventures of Dr Chemistry and Prototype Man

It was a typical day for Dr. Chemistry and Prototype Man, they were lying down in their thongs, soaking the sun, waiting for a call to fight marine crime. “Hey Dr, how’s your lemonade?”, asked Prototype Man. “It’s chlorine free as always, 100% ro/di with real lemon juice mixed at 4 parts water and one part lemon juice.”, replied Dr. Chemistry. They were both having a very nice day until they get an emergency call from Maasterville. Maaster Disaster, Masterville’s number one villain, threatened to dump amonia into Maasterville’s water supply. Dr. Chemistry and Prototype Man jumped off their seats and grabbed their test kits and their construction tools and off they went to fight crime.
They arrived at the scene. Maaster Disaster was already waiting for them. “By tomorrow, I will be dumping amonia into the water supply and everything is going to die faster than you can say disaster Hahahaha.”, said Maaster Disaster. “Dr. Chemistry, what should we do?, asked Prototype man. “Well prototype man, can you build a big protein skimmer to try and skim it out?”, asked Dr. Chemistry. “Yes I certainly can, I can build anything but that wont work, it is fresh water and we wont get the fine bubbles..” replied Prototype man. Dr. Chemistry and Prototype man thought for a while and after careful thinking, they put their aquarium knowledge to use. “Why not build a big sump, well not a sump, but a reservoir where the water can go and later be treated.”, said Dr. Chemistry. “Great idea, but it looks like we are going to need help and I know just the place where to find it. Let’s go.”, replied Prototype man.
The dynamic duo headed to a local pet store called gill-addict where there was a group of enthusiastic marine aquarists having a meeting. The duo explained the situation to the members and everybody decided to help. Hundreds of members arrived at the reservoir grounds. Some brought shovels and others brought their digging machines and everybody was willing to help. This was a very efficient group where nobody fought and everybody helped each other. About 6 hours later they had built their reservoir and all the water had been drained into it. The plan came together and it was a success. Maaster Disaster was crushed and he didn’t even bother to release the amonia into the water supply.
Dr. Chemistry and Prototype became instant legends in Maasterville for being heroes. Everyone chanted their name. “Great work Prototype man.”, said Dr. Chemistry. “You weren’t so bad yourself nitrate eater.” exclaimed Prototype man. “Nitrate eater? Oh no you didn’t! So you are saying that I should change my name to refugium. Well if I am a nitrate eater then you are a Bob the Builder clone.”, replied Dr. Chemistry. “Yes I am, and anything they can make I can clone better, and sell it for a third of the price too.” said Prototype man. They both walked and laughed their way back home and celebrated their victory. The End.

[OldSalty]

oh by the way, MAAST is my home page ;) that proves i'm a maastard! IS IT YOURS?????

[gjuarez]

Yup, it is my homepage as well and i have a couple of thread on my favorites so they can be easy to acess

[NaCl_H2O]

The adventures of Dr Chemistry and Prototype Man

LMAO :lol

Question, is that them in your Avatar ;) Great story, thanks for tha laughs, and you worked the thong theme in too 8)

Looks like we have a new frag contender!

Got to be mor story tellers out there in Masterville :roll

BTW - If you just want to tell your normal MAASTard story, that's still welcome too!

Who's next?

[gjuarez]

it kind of looks like them, but one is a little lighter and bigger

[::pete::]

I am the king of maastupidity, I will win

:lol ... who are these masked guys?

[LoneStar]

a super hero never reveals his identity :ph34r

[gjuarez]

lol Pete, who do you think? Isn't it obvious. I am surprised nobody has taken a shot at guessing who the masked guys are? I bet you have a pretty good clue as to whyo prototype man is, and i bet you also can guess who dr chemistry is.

[gjuarez]

Pete dont reveal the secret, nachl h20 didnt say anything so i doubt that he noticed the symbolism. shhh, the masked guys still remain anonymous. WHo are these people?

[NaCl_H2O]

nachl h20 didnt say anything so i doubt that he noticed the symbolism.

I tought it was obvious :lol That's why I asked about the avitar? If Prototype man had his shirt off, I'm sure we could see the tatoos, and I guess chemistry man is back in the dark so we can't see his thong :P

[gjuarez]

lol, its cool that you didnt reveal the names. I thought you didnt know who i was talking about. this is sort of like a bump, 5 more pages to our goal

[CD]

Only 5 pages? Hmmm...lemme see if I can blurt out a quickie post to help this along:

Once upon a time there were these three bears. They lived in MAASTardville Forest, so you know they were living the high life. One evening they sat down to eat their MAASTard porridge, and since it was still to hot, decided to take a walk through the MAASTardville forrest while their dinner cooled down. Papa bear threw on his thong for the walk, mamma bear put on her prettiest skirt, and baby bear taped himself up with masking tape (he likes tape - don't ask). They all had a wonderful time walking in the lovely MAASTardville forrest as usual, but were getting hungry thinking about that MAASTard porridge and the MAASTcustard that momma bear had made - so they headed back to their cottage. What did they find when they got back? Some chick with blonde hair (GoldieMAASTard) had not only eaten all their dinner, but was sleeping it off in baby bear's bed! Well as you can imagine, they were pretty ticked, and decided to roast up GoldieMAASTard on the spit for dinner.
Moral of the story? Never mess with a MAASTard's dinner - you'll roast for it!

W. :)

[gjuarez]

hmm, whose goldiemaastard. I am curious, nevertheless, good story. I am having trouble picturing papa bear with his thong.

[CD]

whose goldiemaastard.


LOL...no one in particular - she's just kinda symbolic for people that don't have respect for true MAASTards. As far as papa bear - now who has been getting teased about wearing a thong, and has been called a teddy bear? :innocent :P

W. :)

[gjuarez]

that one i did know, and still 5 more pages to go

[NaCl_H2O]

As far as papa bear - now who has been getting teased about wearing a thong, and has been called a teddy bear?

Are there ANY posts on this forum where we DON'T pick on papa bear? :P

Great little story Wendy, lol about baby bear and the tape :lol

Times running out MAASTards, just a few more measly pages to go :unsure

If we don't make 20 pages, I'm gonna bleach all these frags :angry
Not really, but I'll hold my breath :sick pout :cry and make papa bear talk again :zzz

[falcondob]

You gotta at least wait until I have time to post. I just need 3-4 straight hours. :skeezy

[don-n-sa]

what I want to know is, who is the 5 people that are the "other kind"??? :huh

[CD]

Are there ANY posts on this forum where we DON'T pick on papa bear?


LOL - he knows we luv him :P



who is the 5 people that are the "other kind"???


Heheh...I've been wondering that myself :unsure

W. :)

[NaCl_H2O]

A measley 15 pages, I am MAASTapointed :P

So, time to vote for your favorite MAASTory

Vote Here (http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&p=130480#13 0480)

[NaCl_H2O]

so when does the voting end? just wondering? :innocent

Do I see someone planning to create 3000 new Web Member accounts and "Cheating" a little :innocent

Ok ... voting stops as 12:00 noon on Sunday, just before the meeting!

[gjuarez]

So have we given up on our goal. Lets not forget, the goal was twenty and we are barely at sixteen. I am waking up the thread from the dead. Bump.

[newhomes4reef]

Ok, I met my wife nearly 10 years ago. She had a puppy and i'm a sucker for puppies....so next thing i know we're dating. I get to her place and discover she also has a cat and a fishtank...freshwater. I'm deathly allergic to cats and end up spending my first spleepover on her back patio breathing into a paper bag. Flash forward 5 years and we're happily cohabitating in our first home together in Austin. We aquire "together" a new 45 gal hex tank...again freshwater. I watch in utter disgust as she cleans this filter pad thing that i'm convinced is saturated in fish poop with her bare hands....I'm secretly impressed! Talk turns one day of "upgrading to a salt water tank". I'm thinking...what's the differnce...they are more colorful and she does all the work on it so why not!! Little did i know that meant we would not get a boat. $5000 initial investment!!! I was convinced this was a pyramid scheme set up by fish store cults to suck us of our money. Then, I was told i had to pay for rock by the pound...and i couldn't even eat it?!!?! I still remember the day the boxes of rock showed up via UPS. I tried to explain this to my friends, but they were shocked that i was "allowing" my still then fiancee to do this! I figured, i'll let her get this and she'll let me get my boat. She has me do most of the lifting, moving, etc...but i still refuse to clean the fish poop that is now being collected on pad and in a collection cup that forces it from the water via tiny bubbles (boiled fish poop). So we've got this 145 gallon tank filled with rock that costs more than filet mignon at costco and we get two yellow tail blue damsels and a friggin domino damsel (devil fish). I'm now convinced that Kathy (Gallery of Pets) is wishing she never sold this **** thing to us as we're constantly calling her to find out why____!! Ok, now we decide to invest in a book, then a library, then i completely lose my fiance to the internet. Still, she tries to "sell" me on what a great hobby we're getting into...we're growing algae and moss on rocks...but wait...there's some color coming into the rocks that wasn't there before!!! Try showing that off to your friends that were expecting to water skiing with you soon!!! So then more fish come along. We then find out how fragile this body of water is. I keep lifting 5 or 6 five gallon containers of water that we drive clear across town to pick up every week....after a few months i'm thinking there has to be a better way! That's when i discover i suck at plumbing...something i never knew i had to excel at to keep a fish tank. But, after a few weeks and many trips to Home Depot i finally don't have to lug Ozarka water jugs to buy water and i am the proud owner of a $300 water filter!! Now, shoot, did you remember to shut off the water honey? No, i thought you did...garage flood #1 of about 50. So, we still just have fish swimming amongst rocks. Although the rocks are now getting colorful it still doesn't look anything like what we see in the fish stores. I finally convince her to start buying some corals. Come to find out, she likes fish, i like corals. Finally, we're married....one of the biggest reasons we didn't spend even more money on this fish tank as we had a wedding and the honeymoons to end all honeymoons to pay for. We go diving in the islands of the South Pacific...Tahiti, Bora Bora, Morea, Rangaroa....the colors were triumphant!! We returned home to see our pathetic attempt at our little corner of the ocean and then we start buying corals. We add new lights....I find out i suck as an electrician and really have no skills when it comes to working with plexiglass. Our new lights are now making the temp unstable. We buy a chiller. I have to pause a moment to pay homeage to those that we lost...several fish....those were always the hardest for us...and several corals (why did they even sell us a flowerpot...twice!!)...i thank them for the time we enjoyed them and for the lessons they taught us. Oh yea....now that we're back from this amazing underwater adventure and we're married...I now have to step up to the plate and willingly do my share as a husband and clean fish poop. I then amaze myself as to how therapeutic it becomes!! I get involved!! I buy stuff, food, supplements, fish, corals, even a book....i then read some of her websites! This could be a cool family hobby! I actually stopped thinking about the boat for a while! Then....honey, we should get a boat. Hmmm, we actually go to look at them. We're going to get a boat I'm thinking!!! Then, the plus sign on the end of a popsicle stick. No boat. Oh well... then comes the nesting stage...."lets move the room around". Ugh!!! Every borrowed cooler from all my friends spread across my living room....I don't know how two of us actually moved this thing, but we did and everything lived! It was about then I was in Gallery of Pets at night while Kathy is opening up some bags of a fresh delivery I meet what turns out to be the best thing that happens to me getting into this hobby....RobertG. He mentions this email support group Maast.org ....I know there must be a reason God waited so long for Robert & I to cross paths....maybe it was to teach me patience...maybe it was to keep me from buying a boat... i dunno, but I'm still thankful to this day because I think not of all the mistakes and pains that i've been through that could have been prevented...but i think of all the future ones that are going to be prevented! I learn through your questions and postings. I'm not a real active member posting on the boards, but i lurk and read alot!! Unfortunately i work weekends and most probably will not get an opportunity to meet many of you, but you are all very much appreciated and this forum is very much needed. I think that if i introduce just one person to this forum and they save themselves the heartache of losing a pet then any and all the frustrations of keeping a forum like this up and running is completely worth it. Thank you BOD. Thank you to those that have sold me items. Thank you to those that have kept me from making silly purchases. Thanks to all that have entertained me. I have turned into the one that stays up late reading about fish, corals, equipment, etc. I love that my son who is now 2 knows all the different colors of the fish in the tank....we're working on the corals! Priorities change in life and you've gotta change with them right?! Thanks to my wife Carrie for introducing me to this fantastic hobby and for not making me permanently sleep on the porch (Daks the cat found a very loving home with a friend of ours!). That is the story of the making of a maastard. :)

[Sherri]

Awesome awesome story newhomes4reef!! Sounds like you need to meet my husband. I've had freshwater tanks for about 17 yrs which he never showed any interest. I get a 100 gal saltwater tank - had it plumbed -drilled-fuge-sump-lights - everything done to it before it was brought home. He never got into it cause he didn't have anything to do with it having been setup. And afterall, it was my hobby, not his. I find MAAST & he loses me to the internet also. When we upgraded to my 180 back in March...he found out he sucks at plumbing also!! Many trips to Home Depot later....and a box full of leftovers...he now knows plumbing. But most of all...he was "involved" in the production of it. He now is very active with our tank....yet I am still the one that cleans the "fish poop." But that's OK, it's all part of having a beautiful ocean in my livingroom and having a partner to share it with. Glad to have you aboard! :P

[gjuarez]

Wow Newhomes, that was an awesome story, perhaps the best and the longest too. Very entertaining. I feel the same way. Maast has helped me a lot in preventing and explaining my misfortunes with my livestock. Keep em coming. still 4 more pages to go. I think I inherited NACl_H20's jon. Want to jump in here NACl_H20's .

[NaCl_H2O]

I think I inherited NACl_H20's jon.

:o :o :o I was wondering where that thing went :o :o :o

You are doing great as a MAASTard chearleader :D keep it up!

... and he is right WHERE ARE MY 20 PAGES MAASTARDS!!!

Guess it is time for the MAAST Mafia to pay y'all a little visit :skeezy

BTW, newhomes4reef - great story, a true MAASTard :)

[gjuarez]

Lol, I didn't notice that I mad a mistake, it was supposed to be job not jon. I could have edited the post but I wanted to be a post closer to 20 pages. I still wonder who the 5 b..stards are. I have always wanted to be like Don Vito Corleone, can I be The Godfather of the MAFIA.
Maastards
Against
Fighting
Inappropriate
Attitudes

[gjuarez]

Sorry, had to do it. This is my 600th post. I just couldnt stay in 599.

[NaCl_H2O]

... can I be The Godfather of the MAFIA.
Maastards
Against
Fighting
Inappriate
Attitudes

ROFLMAO :lol :lol :lol That's gotta be worth a few more pages!

I think you just earned the title ... besdies, you are from "the valley" :o

[gjuarez]

Yup I guess I am, and I am from Roma originally. Roma is the home to many MAFIAS and a proud sponsor of EL Cartel del Golfo. We have a lot of street pharmacists. You know you are in trouble when the Mayor and all the politicians have a history for dealing.

[falcondob]

Let's keep shooting for 20 pages. I will post mine tomorrow. (Who needs a job!)

[gjuarez]

it is only fair for me to get a new avatar for a new job, say hello to the godfather. I am going to make you an offer you cant refuse, post or by tomorrow morning you will be sleeping with the fishes. Fugget abut it!

[newhomes4reef]

Thanks Sherri, gjuarez, and NaCL H2O. It took me a few days to read through all the posts on this forum and am very glad i did... it was very inspirational and i had to share my story. I hope everyone takes the time to share theirs as well...it's always interesting to see the paths that others take to get comfortable with fish poop! :)

[gjuarez]

lol, I would have to agree with that one. I think each one of us is introduced into the hobby by someone else even though at the beginning it doesnt seem as interesting. My friend introduced me into the hobby and I thank him for that. I have learned about responsibilty and for everything I do now I like to do extensive research. The hobby showed me that. It also helped me learn about chemsitry, plumbing and carpentry. I love it.

[CD]

it's always interesting to see the paths that others take to get comfortable with fish poop!


I would think anybody that's had children and diapers to deal with, wouldn't think twice about some measly fish poopies. :lol Besides, once you get past the smell, it's not bad...poop washes off :roll :sick :lol

W. :)

[gjuarez]

The thread cheerleader is back. Give me a B, Give me a U, Give me an M, Give me a P, what does it spell? START POSTING! Lets here some more sotries, everytime i read one it reminds me of my newbie mistakes and I start laughing.

[NaCl_H2O]

I think we have lost them :unsure

H E L L OOOOoooooooooo ! ! ! ! !

[NaCl_H2O]

LMAO ... group thong order, only on MAAST!

Chris ... we need an emoticon wearing a Thong! It can be the official "Quote Gary" emoticon :lol

[Reef69]

Group thing order??? LMAO, No thanks...

Brian, stop PMing me trying to convince Me..

[gjuarez]

put me down for two, extra small, I too want to be like Gary. Do they make them in pink? lol

[VeeDub]

OK Steve.
You sent me to this link.

I can't think of a story at the moment.... How about a limerick instead?

There once was a fish called an Undulate,
he liked all the rock and stayed under it.
The damsel was mean,
created a scene,
I guess the damsel should've given more thought to it.

I just thought this up while listening to the snapping trigger jaws.

[::pete::]

Better than a pendulum!

[NaCl_H2O]

17 pages and holding ... guess we are all out of MAASTards, only "37" responded to the post as "MAASTards", and probably only 10-15 MAASTard stories <_<

Hmmm, who were all those folks eating "Free" BBQ at Donny's last weekend? According to the poll, I guess 5 of them were b...stards, but who were the rest of them???????

This is a job for http://e4u.deltait.com.au/sport/sport29.gif MAASTardMAN (http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=13535) http://e4u.deltait.com.au/sport/sport29.gif

[NaCl_H2O]

I can't think of a story at the moment.... How about a limerick instead?

Hey, that works! I was posting my MAASTardMAN response at the same time!

Thanks for the post Chris!

[VeeDub]

Chris ... we need an emoticon wearing a Thong! It can be the official "Quote Gary" emoticon :lol

Steve- as close as I have found so far. http://e4u.deltait.com.au/sport/sport29.gif

[NaCl_H2O]

LMAO - http://e4u.deltait.com.au/sport/sport29.gif MAASTardMAN http://e4u.deltait.com.au/sport/sport29.gif reference above has been appropriately edited http://e4u.deltait.com.au/sport/sport29.gif :lol http://e4u.deltait.com.au/sport/sport29.gif

[C.Mydas]

Ive been following this thread and decided its time to post. 20pages here we come!!!

We had a 30g freshwater set up. Brian comes home and says that a friend (Robert...he will be a reoccuring theme) is getting rid of his 100g tank. We think great! Time to upgrade. So we figure out what wall in our one bedroom apartment is actually long enough for a 5ft tank and decide to go ahead with it. (BTW- it is the TV wall, so the TV gets put in the corner).

So I went off to work. While I was at work I realized that if we do a 5ft long freshwater tank in the livingroom it will basically be a big ugly pond (no offense freshies). So I call Brian (who has always wanted a saltwater tank) and said the infamous last words "lets go saltwater".... I didnt want to get trapped with a 100g freshwater set-up for years to come. :sick

Robert is also selling his 'sump'. After Brian explains that a 'sump' is a filter I say 'lets get it too'. Brian then gestures with his hands to show me how big this new contraption would be. Based on his estimate (yes he has seen the sump) I grab a table that literally has a surface area of 11in X 11in. I put the table by the front door and go around gloating at my graciousness to donate a piece of furniture to the tank. :cry

The table sits there for a couple of weeks (Brian never correcting my impression that the sump would fit on it). So the sump shows up. Needless to say instead of using my cute little table, we have to put it on 4 cinder blocks.... :lol

Meanwhile Brian is doing hours of research on the internet and buying every book he can find. New words start emerging in our converstions...live rock...algae cycle...nitrogen...j tubes...bio-balls, bacteria....etc etc etc etc.

So we set the tank up and start 'curing our liverock'....in a 1 bedroom apartment. Brian mentioned that the process might smell... MIGHT smell???!!! Please, it smelled like the inside of an ...welll I cant say that...but it was bad.

cycle, hair algae, softies, LPS, SPS, ricordea (Brians first love), mushrooms, zoos, inverts, clean up crew, pods ... are all common in our conversations now. Granted Brian did most of the talking and I did most of the 'tuning out'.

Ives at Texas Tropical mentions MAAST to Robert and Robert mentions it to us. (Robert is not an active member so no you dont know him) Brian is hooked and I dont get it. So I start reading over his shoulder and gradually 'get it'. In the meantime I want a tank now because apparently lions aren't reef safe. So I set up a 37g reef with lions and prove Brian wrong!! Im now known as C.Mydas... BTW- that is the scientific name of a green sea turtle not my last name.

Then a new obsession...nanos!!! The 37 was great and Brians 100g was neat but I finally found my niche in saltwater.... I love them, cant get enough of them. I had a 1g that won TOTM and now I have a custom JBJ 6g on order that Im going to set up next. :w00t

Ive managed to find the middle ground with Brian. He can have anything he wants...CA reactor, kalk reactor, big big skimmer, chillers, uv sterilizer, carbon thingamajig (see I still tune out sometimes :innocent ), frag tank, tunzes and their 'multi controllers?'....He just has to hide it because all I want to see is tank :D

So now we have the 150g SPS, its 56g frag tank (that was supposed to be 30g but Brian once again had an issue with size...remember the sump? :lol ) and I will soon have my 6 gallon.

MAAST has been invaluable to us. We have made some great friends and met some 'interesting' people who apparently like thongs. We moved from Austin and all of our friends and MAAST is what made San Antonio finally feel like home. :wub

I enjoy this hobby but even more than that I love how happy it makes Brian!!!

Sorry for the book! Whos next??? We know you are out there!

[gjuarez]

No one ever commented on C.Mydas's story. Its a cool one. THe story reminded me of when I was barely starting. IT was all very exciting, especially the ongoing process of learning. We never hit 20 pages either. What's wrong with you people, have you lost your desire. I really liked this thread and the stories, I havent heard a story from some of our most active members. Where's Tim Marvin, Jaded, Pete, GaryP, Joshua? Yeah I know you guys login daily, give us your story. We would love to hear it. Help me rescue this thread.

[NaCl_H2O]

Wow, I missed that one .. thanks C.Mydas, great story ... and it is always helpful to get new dirt on Brian :skeezy

Are we at 20 pages yet :unsure

Somebody better hurry before we ask GaryP to tell his MAAST story, and "uncover" the mystery behind the Thong :ph34r

[Reef69]

I remember posting something..LOL, but, whats the topic now??? :zzz :skeezy

[gjuarez]

Ooh Gary is so scandolous
You know another maastard cant handle this
He's shaking his thing like his a fish
With the look on his eye so devilish

He likes to dance with that little thong
WIth moves like that he cant do no wrong
He's dancing along as we sing this song
And he's living la vida loca

[gjuarez]

Gary, we decided we are just going to tease ya until you post your story.

[gjuarez]

Hey NACL, I think we just found a new contest. You still got frags? Make a song or poem for people who havent posted their story. What cha think?

[Reef69]

...you ok?? :mellow

[gjuarez]

Better than ever.

[NaCl_H2O]

Hey NACL, I think we just found a new contest. You still got frags? Make a song or poem for people who havent posted their story. What cha think?

Hum, maybe next time ... got the Bio-Diversity contest going on now :)

I don't think your gonna get GaryP to bite ;)

[schoeplein]

Ladies and gentlemen, this is an example of the late stages of a clinical "reefer"....

[LoneStar]

BUMP :innocent :skeezy

[LoneStar]

Just seeing if we can get this to 20 pages after all. We got new members with new stories..... :)

[NaCl_H2O]

Wow, this thread is older than me :o
Glad to see it alive :D

[mathias]

hmmmm let me add to this great post :)

[erikharrison]

I'm both ;)

[jroescher]

Is this poll what I think, or what others think?

[Texreefer]

hey remember the time that i decided to build my own aquarium out of plywood and foam!!.. everyone looked at the pics and said "cool" :roll ,, but behind the scenes they were snickering and laughing with each other. everyone knows that one reefer that thinks he has it all figured out but not really,, yeah everyone was pointing their finger saying " he's the guy".. well, i guess thats what makes me a true maastard. i poured some big money into a Pipe dream and it could have blown up,, but instead I smoked it and it was goooood! :D that and the fact that i helped start this site all those years ago,,,, yeah yeah i'm not going to let anyone forget that :P

[Texreefer]

here's one for the contest
Ideas were Maastatizing in my head about how aMaastazing my new tank was going to be.
I alMaast had the plans done when my new little Maastard came along,
Plans were put on hold for alMaast 6 months, until at Maast i was finally able to complete them.
I call myself a Maastard,, My Wife calls me a Maas "TARD" :D