Send me in the right direction - First Timer

[jande]

For several years I have been interested in starting a saltwater system. I currently have several hundred gallons in freshwater systems. I am a teacher and think that having a reef system in my class would be good for me and my students. Before I jump into things I would like to visit with others who are successful. Where should I look? What locations are best to go to for advice? What articles should I read?... Please help!

I have found so much info online, that I am confused.

Thanks
I am in San Antonio, but will travel to find a good store.[/b]

[::pete::]

http://www.offthereef.org/images/welcome%20gif.gif

Well you have come to the right place and dont be affraid to ask and there are no dumb questions.

What part of San Antonio?

[LoneStar]

Welcome to MAAST

[LoneStar]

BTW there are a lot of good LFS stores in San Antonio In no particular order: Fin Addict, CB Pets(Spring Branch), Aquatic Warehouse, Wolf Reef just to name a few....

[aquadoc]

Always nice to meet new people. Also WELCOME TO MAAST!

[jande]

I actually live in seguin, but teach in San Antonio. North East side of town. I read about membership dues, and am interested in coming to some meetings. Should I learn a little more before joining and coming to a meeting?

[gjuarez]

You could learn a little more, but your real learning will be at the meetings listening to Gary and some other experienced folks. THe san antonio reefers will take good care of you. WELCOME.

[::pete::]

There isnt a test and all are welcome. If interested treasurer@maast.org and the 25.00 will cover the remainder of '05 and all of '06. It all has to start somewhere and where better than from folks that have been through it.

The closest store on the NE side would be Fin-Addicts and there is a pet store listing in the links to the left.

[hobogato]

where do you teach, Im at Madison HS. i have been doing saltwater at home for a long time, but just started this year in my classroom.

i have a 29 gallon with a 20 gallon fuge that you could come look at to get some ideas.

[gjuarez]

Yeah, maybe you can get some people to donate extra equipment and livestock for the tank, its going for a school. It will all be going to a good cause plus it will expand the hobby

[akm]

Where do you teach?

[Polkster13]

We also have another member in the Sequin area called Jenn. Look her up and check out her really nice tank. She is also successfully keeping a moorish idol, one of the hardest fish to keep alive in captivity.

[pilot_bell777]

Welcome to MAAST!!!! You did come to the right place.

Meeting are GREAT and you will and can learn alot. come to a meeting and check us out.

A great resource on the web outside of MAAST is Wet Web Media http://www.wetwebmedia.com

Ask a TON of questions here and get a TON of answers back! LOL

and always let us know if there is ANYTHING we can help with.

Enjoy and happy reefing!

[jaded]

Welcome... It does sound like you have questions and believe me the members of MAAST have answers we are happy to share. To best help I will say that you should first decide what to ask. There are several things that you have to answer for yourself before going forward.

what size tank?
what type of tank? Fish only, reef, specialty tank...
budget (money)?
budget (time)?

A lot of what you already know can be applied to SW so just ask away!!!

Again, Welcome to MAAST!!!

[Reef69]

WELCOME!!!..Jade pretty much covered all the questions, but feel free to ask anything you have in mind.

[brewercm]

Welcome to MAAST, and you have another couple of folks fairly close to you that have quite a bit of information, Ross lives in Lavernia and works (or used to) at Fin-Addict, and Larry (userid Instar) lives I think actually between Seguin and Floresville.

Tons of answers here from folks and just reading through some of the threads will give good information also.

[satx-94integraLS]

welcome to MAAST :D

i manage the ebay store for fin addict, and show my ugly mug around there every now and then. be sure to drop by, felipe and i will be sure to take good care of you!

you did the right thing in researching first, then taking the plunge. myself personally, i was breeding cichlids for alamo aquatics and texas tropicals (i dont hormone my fish), then i got bit by the salt bug while working at alamo. ive invested lord knows how much money into this hobby, but ill never stop! its MUCH more gratifying than fresh ever was. course, ive yet to see a fish that can compare with a show quality eureka red, or an iceberg s. fryeri ;)