Longshot I know: Donations needed!

[Jarob]

With being a fulltime student including all summer long (no brakes yikes), barely working enough to pay for bills and gas, and recently moved I have NO money to set up my new tank. Ive actually got the water mixing right now, and about 30lbs of LR but no where what I really do need.

I bought a new/used tank, 37 oceanic cube (on credit..yikes) which comes with the lighting, stand, canopy, plumbing, pumps, ATO, sump.. pretty much a ready to run reef, and Ive saved my VERY few corals and 2 fish from my pre-existing setup which only contained about 30lbs of LR.

Basiclly I was wondering if anyone had any "extra" liverock or frags or ANYTHING to get this bare, nothing of a tank going. Before I can even imagine spending more money I have to pay off my massive debt of bills and creditcard, yet I CAN NOT just let this tank sit or sell it, its my passion.

I know im a pesk for even asking but hey, it never hurts to ask!! Also keep in mind that when my tank starts to grow, I will 100% give back to those who help me anyway I can whether its a frag they dont have or ANYTHING!

Thanks for your time, and I hope to hear from someone!

Jarob

[Neptune@gabesfish]

WOW!!

[JimD]

Maast members are very generous, thing is, being in Corpus, youre gonna have a difficult time finding people who would be willing to make the long trip for a few frags, unless youre willing to pay for shipping, which it sounds like you may not be able to, you may need to make arrangements with folks in advance and plan a trip to the area to pick up any items offered... Just my .02...

[ballardjr2000]

Shoot me a PM and i might be able to help you out once your tank is filled and cycled i live in kingsville about 45 min south but tend to hit cc every week so once your set up and running cyclic etc. i got a few frags i can help you out with. they are softies but look great and i have a shroom or two as well

[Jarob]

Yes if I can get a few things, I will make a road-trip to San Antonio no problem!! and yes, MAAST members are VERY generous, I have already found that out!

SO if youre in SA, dont be shy!! :)

Thanks,

Jarob

[ballardjr2000]

well once your set up we can set up a meet some where in cc and i will bring the frags we can meet at like aquarium masters on weber. easy to get to and i can go shopping :)

[LoneStar]

Little bit of advice...If you are struggling to pay your normal bills, this isn't the hobby for you...

[ballardjr2000]

good point as well lone star it can get exspensive for sure.

[Neptune@gabesfish]

Nice job Lonestar,Nice job...Could not agree with you more!!

[JimD]

Come on now, hes says its his passion, lets try to encourage him, not discourage him... Lets keep on topic please.

[Neptune@gabesfish]

Come on now, hes says its his passion, lets try to encourage him, not discourage him... Lets keep on topic please.

I am sorry to disagree here, but I think that we are on topic. If the OP can barely afford bills and such, then maybe at a later point in time when he is a little more stable will be a better time to start a tank. I/we are not trying to discourage, but encourging him to take care of priorities before worrying about his "passion". When he/she is more stable, we will do everything we can to help out, but while he/she is having a difficult time "barely working enough to pay for bills and gas" maybe it is not the proper time to set up a tank.

Gabe

[allan]

Jarod,

Next time you're in SA let me know. I have a frag of galaxia that didn't do well in the frag it forward program.

If it takes a few weeks or more for your tank to cycle I may be able to frag some palys as well.

Just be sure to frag it forward when it gets too big for your tank without charge.

Allan

[JimD]

I am sorry to disagree here, but I think that we are on topic. If the OP can barely afford bills and such, then maybe at a later point in time when he is a little more stable will be a better time to start a tank. I/we are not trying to discourage, but encourging him to take care of priorities before worrying about his "passion". When he/she is more stable, we will do everything we can to help out, but while he/she is having a difficult time "barely working enough to pay for bills and gas" maybe it is not the proper time to set up a tank.

Gabe

Maybe but who are we to judge? If he thinks he can do it, then allow him to make his own decisions. We're not here to judge or be guidance counselors, he asked for donations to help him get started, do you have anything to offer?

[Purplebeladona]

:thumbs_up::thumbs_up::thumbs_up:Kudos to Neptune and Lonestar!! This can be a very expensive hobby and I would think a "starving" student would have other priorities...like finishing school so he might can pay his bills!
Purple

[JimD]

My first tank was a mayonaise jar, a small goby and an airstone, cost me a whopping ten bucks... I can be done on a budget.. lol

[Purplebeladona]

I think he past "budget" and now wants everyone else to fill up his tank even though we all have filled our own on our "budget"

[ballardjr2000]

Our Purpose:

1. Encourage the growth of the marine aquarium hobby in South Texas;

2. Educate and inform members and the public about care, keeping and propagation of marine invertebrates and fish;

3. Prevent abuse to marine animals in general, and to conserve the marine environment by promoting intelligent, planned reef management systems;

4. Promote higher standards of health and care provided by local commercial outlets;

5. Organize workshops, seminars and discussions related to all aspects of the hobby; 6. Raise and generate funds and create financial resources to meet these goals; and

7. Coordinate with and support similar societies devoted to like-minded interests.

What happened to this^^^^^^

you know what COST in this hobby the equipment live rock and stocking. the pay if forward fragging going on here is cheap way most have gotten coral here. he is asking for coral/live stock etc. yes to fill his tank. I don't like going to the LFS and dropping a lot for a small peace of coral cause i can afford it. Tanking care of your tank is not very costly at all. I spend about 30 bucks if that on maintance mainly my time cleaning stuff. yeah it can be expesive....but it don't have to be if we all PAY IT FORWARD. I got a frag for free from TEXAN on here. i am repaying him with a frag of my own. and he hooked me up with 2 other. He ask has asked for some help and some of us want to help. If i asked and got the you can't afford it etc. speach i would never want to do this either and think what a bunch of rich snobs.

[Purplebeladona]

:applause:ONCE AGAIN...SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FISH STORES
OR THERE WON'T BE ANYTHING TO PAY FORWARD!!!

P.S.
WE MAY HAVE TO AGREE TO DISAGREE
PURPLE

[ballardjr2000]

Well i am going to help him, JAROD hit me up when your tank has cycled

[GoldCorals]

I think he past "budget" and now wants everyone else to fill up his tank even though we all have filled our own on our "budget"

I wouldn't think he would be the first to fill or even build a tank on someone elses "budget." I won't get into a moral or ethical debate over any of this as clearly there are those that lack such. But, I will give the OP credit for asking for help rather than do it in a round about way.

[cbianco]

...3. Prevent abuse to marine animals in general, and to conserve the marine environment by promoting intelligent, planned reef management systems...

Sorry but his system doesn't sound well planned.


...think what a bunch of rich snobs...

Lol.

ANYWAYS...

Tell you what, I got a frag in San Antonio for ya Jarob!

Christopher

P.S. Any oldtimers remember Miked78244 (cup of salt)?

[ballardjr2000]

All i am saying is like JIMD did its not for us to say he can't do it. he asked for some donatations to help him out. then it became the you can't afford it speech. Just hearing the way some people seem on here makes me want to break down my tank. Maybe I CAN'T afford it.

[robalv]

I have got to agree with lone star and neptune. My dad has always told me if you like to smoke but you can't afford your habbit you should not smoke. My .02
I wouldn't incourage anyone to do something they could not afford to get into.
This hobby is not for those who can not afford to start up, what would happen if they had a major breakdown, they would have to depend on the some one else for support. Makes no sense to me. If you can afford a road trip to pick up some corals or live rock you can afford to pay for them also. Save for what you want bro
IMO sorry if its not what you want to hear.

[ballardjr2000]

good info there rob you diddn't say not to do it but save and go slow which is great advice. since one thing i tend to see a lot in here is systems having issues do to rushing. with the saving for what he wants. the tank can cycle etc.

[smalls]

i want help.......but all kidding aside I agree with both points of view.yes this is a expensive hobby but the rewards are beutiful (love watching my stuff grow). IMO start small maybe a diy 10-15 gallon. I have a 12g AIO that in 4 mos has sucked almost a grand out of me and is barley stocked but is coming along. word to the wise do the stuff you love life is short but be prepared for the consiquences like haveing no food money. and if anyones got surplus frags in SA or surrounding area id take some as well and would be willing to frag some of my stuff in return when its well big enough to frag :)

[BIGBIRD123]

Guys, the guy asked for help. If you don't want to help, then post on another thread. Let's get this back on topic. Any other off-topic posts will be removed.

Jarob, I'll see what I can come up with. I would not have stayed in the hobby after some of my crashes had it not been for the generosity of MAAST Members and Sponsors.

[sharkboy]

I would help if i could....but just take it slow...what's the rush?

[cbianco]

I rather be constructive than critical. So... in addition to my above critical post, I add something constructive. :)


With being a fulltime student including all summer long (no brakes yikes), barely working enough to pay for bills and gas, and recently moved I have NO money to set up my new tank...

You're in good company! Many of us here on the board either started or currently are budget reefers. Some of us by choice, some not, lol. Reefing is a great hobby with much to learn.

Have you considered holding off on setting up the new tank until you can collect the items you need? It seems as if at the moment you have a tank, small tank is better than no tank.


...(on credit..yikes)...

I made a deal with myself, this hobby is cash only! Everything I have or plan to get, was and will be paid for upfront. Debt own's the debtor.

Simple rule: If I don't have the cash, I don't get it.


...I bought a new/used tank, 37 oceanic cube (on credit..yikes) which comes with the lighting, stand, canopy, plumbing, pumps, ATO, sump.. pretty much a ready to run reef, and Ive saved my VERY few corals and 2 fish from my pre-existing setup which only contained about 30lbs of LR...

I am a big fan of cubes. Sounds like a neat little setup, especially considering you got all the goodies with it.

You can still set up your tank, even if it is understocked. Understocking will not hurt the tank. Besides, the extra time will allow your live rock to establish itself in the new tank and let the critters grow.


...Basiclly I was wondering if anyone had any "extra" liverock or frags or ANYTHING to get this bare, nothing of a tank going. Before I can even imagine spending more money I have to pay off my massive debt of bills and creditcard, yet I CAN NOT just let this tank sit or sell it, its my passion...

I have some dry rock you can have. It is smaller pieces but I have about 10 pound of it. Oh and my frag comment from above still stands.

HTH's.

Christopher

[Gseclipse02]

Guys, the guy asked for help. If you don't want to help, then post on another thread. Let's get this back on topic. Any other off-topic posts will be removed.

Jarob, I'll see what I can come up with. I would not have stayed in the hobby after some of my crashes had it not been for the generosity of MAAST Members and Sponsors.


+18484694


i know what its like being a college student and not having much but wanting a nice tank going ... when ever i read ill read in front of my tank so when i get bored ill just look at it instead of watching tv or something ( A.D.D. kills me)

oh yea .... i have small dalmation PE frag that you can have just pm when your coming into town

[JimD]

"I made a deal with myself, this hobby is cash only! Everything I have or plan to get, was and will be paid for upfront. Debt own's the debtor.
Simple rule: If I don't have the cash, I don't get it."

^^^ This is a good bit of advice.^^^..... If you come through the Austin area, I may have some equipment you can have like powerheads and maybe even a nano skimmer, possibly some random palys, shrooms and stuff.

[Mr Cob]

Jarob, PM me I would be glad to help. I'm also a budget reefer with One income, 2 children, a wife, a house and lots of bills.. LOL! However, none of my bills are credit anymore...if I don't have the cash I don't buy it! You should try it.

I also have a passion for the hobby and know first hand that while the hobby can be expensive, it can also be fairly in-expensive by trading with other reefers and getting store credit for your other needs by fragging corals that grow fast...GSP, Xenia, mushrooms etc.

I ran a 55gal for about two years and only used a HOB filter, live rock and only kept soft corals and hardy fish... it was much more enjoyable than freshwater.

Honestly ...most people are too prideful to ask for help so I can appreciate your asking for help and I'll be happy to help yah out. Just let me know when you can make it to SA or I could possibly bring some stuff with me to the BB Trip and you could pick it up in Port A.

I can help with hardy corals (soft), macro algae and if I catch him a coral beauty.

happy reefin!

[Jarob]

Well thanks guys, I never thought this thread would turn out how it has!! I was just asking for some simple help so THANK YOU to those who offered, it is VERY VERY much appreicieated and I will be becoming a charter member for all of this and will put some frags in the pay it forward program!! I'll pm you tomorrow, I may actually be heading to SA this weekend. As for the others, if you dont want to help then dont comment!

Just a few specs about the tank, Im not some newbie some of you are claiming..
- Oceanic 37 Gallons Tank with built in overflow, closed loop with Poseidon PS4 External Pump
- Custom built Stand with power module AmericanDJ 8 individual switches
- Custom built Canopy
- Custom built Lighting fixture 7x24w T5 HO with individual reflectors and moon light. - Custom built refugium about 12 gallon with Dual 12" Satallite CF Fixture+ float valve + auto top off + Tamm Rio 2500 return pump

Im going to all of that from a 20g long with HOB and a 150HQI retro, which was my biggest tank in the last 3 to 4 years.

The water (40g) has already been cycling with 20lbs of liverock from my taken down tank for over a month and I also have a 10gallon setup to hold the other 20lbs of rock and corals.

I was just askin for some help, sorry if that irritated some of you, but I will never give this hobby up, it is a priority for me

Jarob

[Big_Pun]

wow thats a nice setup, but couldnt you just watch the forsale section and buy stuff slowly i just had some GSP for 15 bucks and nice big piece and some 5 dollar palys, i usually offer free stuff to newbies like kenyis trees or some mushrooms to get them started, and other stuff i have real cheap, as i know how its with a fresh tank. i just think you should of just introduced yourself and just mentioned your on a budget and i bet you would have got help and ruffled less feathers on here. but im still willing to help you, pm me and we can work something out.

[alton]

Jarob a little history lesson here of things that have happened here on MAAST in the past. In the past some have asked and been given products and fish, only to turn around a few months later and sell it out right here on MAAST. I am not saying you would follow suite but somethings stick in peoples minds. And yes we even had one member ask for salt for a water change because he could not afford any. And when a member said he would donate, the member was then asked if he could bring it to his house because he could not afford the gas to pick it up. There are several TAMU students here online including my nephew who I helped set up his tank several months ago. Maybe get with them and see what they can do to help you out.

[Jarob]

Yea I do plan on taking everything slowly, but you know donations always help! I plan on being a member here for many years as I plan on obtaining my Masters if not my phd in marine biology from tamucc, great school. I was in no way trying to create any uneven tensions!!!

I do buy also from people on here when the money is available, a few of you already know that, so I do my part in purchasing stuff also, and I WILL be donating stuff once I can! I actually have a 24" GLO T5 and a 24" 2 bulb T5 coralife fixtures I could donate or trade for something also! I wouldnt mind just giving them to someone in need if that helps my standing with all of y'all!

I really appreciate all the help guys!!! I was a member in the St. Louis scene for a few years and they were no where as helpful or generous!

Thanks a ton,

Jarob

[Neptune@gabesfish]

Just a few specs about the tank, Im not some newbie some of you are claiming..
- Oceanic 37 Gallons Tank with built in overflow, closed loop with Poseidon PS4 External Pump
- Custom built Stand with power module AmericanDJ 8 individual switches
- Custom built Canopy
- Custom built Lighting fixture 7x24w T5 HO with individual reflectors and moon light. - Custom built refugium about 12 gallon with Dual 12" Satallite CF Fixture+ float valve + auto top off + Tamm Rio 2500 return pump
Jarob

WOW!!!!! Amazing setup. I bet that was an expensive lighting system. I am sold. Come on by, I will hook you up with a frag or two to get you started just to see how they grow out in your tank.

Gabe

[ballardjr2000]

Hey jarob i said before and it still sticks i have a few frags since your saying your tank is cycled and your in the courpus area we can set up a meet sometime next week if your able too. this weekend i have to run to goliad and back so next week i am sure i will be headed to cc. just shoot me a PM and we can set it up. i got two small shrooms i can get out of my tank they don't seem to be doing much and i can't seem to keep them were i want everything else i got is growing like crazy.

[sammyinafrica]

I have some nice tree corals that i can give ya...PM me.

Sammy

PST..maybe this was not the BEST way to ask for "handouts" but I am convinced that the majority of people on this site have benefitted from "gimmies" ALSO...I am convinced that many of our tanks have a ton of over growing corals of one kind or another...Shoot, I know mine do...

[Big_Pun]

pin drop..................any one heard from him he was suppose to pick up some live rock but nothing

[OrionN]

He send an email to me but did not call to arrange a pick-up

[Jarob]

SORRY! I have been setting up the tank ALL week, got the water and rocks in it about an hour ago.. STILL haven't gotten internet at my new place yet so Im only on sparangly inbetween classes. I have been taking a ton of pictures as well so whenever I can find time I will upload them on a new thread. I want to head to San Antonio this weekend and hopefully will be able to, I will post on here ASAP. Thanks to all!

And OrionN, I called you a few times on saturday I think it was, or sunday, whenever you told me to..im losing track of my days. I was free all that day and even got a chance to check out GC Reef which will be an amazing store. Let me know when should work for you next.

Thanks!

Jarob

[H2Ochem]

Jarob, PM me I would be glad to help. I'm also a budget reefer with One income, 2 children, a wife, a house and lots of bills.. LOL! However, none of my bills are credit anymore...if I don't have the cash I don't buy it! You should try it.

I also have a passion for the hobby and know first hand that while the hobby can be expensive, it can also be fairly in-expensive by trading with other reefers and getting store credit for your other needs by fragging corals that grow fast...GSP, Xenia, mushrooms etc.

I ran a 55gal for about two years and only used a HOB filter, live rock and only kept soft corals and hardy fish... it was much more enjoyable than freshwater.

Honestly ...most people are too prideful to ask for help so I can appreciate your asking for help and I'll be happy to help yah out. Just let me know when you can make it to SA or I could possibly bring some stuff with me to the BB Trip and you could pick it up in Port A.

I can help with hardy corals (soft), macro algae and if I catch him a coral beauty.

happy reefin!


Nice! Remember you don't need to go TOP DOLLAR! The rare corals and fish you can do street money!

[danny]

I think if you can be successful in this hobby on a budget, you would be doing well all around. I could afford to buy new everything if I wanted to but instead I've bought almost everything used thus far. I knew how costly this could be before I started and part of the challenge for me was to see just how cheap I could do things and still provide a healthy habitat for the wildlife I wished to keep. The folks here are very generous and willing to help which is a good bit of why I've stayed in this hobby for the past couple years. Mr. Cob has a great strategy and best if all, it was free! Stick to the basics, learn to keep your water quality up, keep only hardy livestock and as time goes by you'll more experienced and financially ready to tackle the more challenging aspects of this hobby. :)

[Jarob]

If you have posted some help, PLEASE READ! :)


Well Im SO hard pressed to find time to make it to san antonio to pick up the stuff everyone so generously offered. Now not only do I have class 8 to 4 every monday through thursday, now on fri, sat and sunday I work at the Aquarium from 830 to close... Im sure some of you that went on the BB trip ran into me at the aquarium this past weekend, I was working in the food hut by the birdshow and also the food hut by the otters.

I really want to apoligize for any inconvenience im causing anyone or have caused, its just increadibly hard for me to find time to do anything at all. On the plus side my aquarium is extremely healthy and stable, the algae bloom only lasted about a week as the water was already previsouly cycled and I have a great clean up crew. My few corals have already showed signs of growth as I am maintaining the highest water quality for them this time around. If I can ever find my camera cable I could post some pictures up, so I'll keep on looking.

If anyone has any ideas on when I sould come out to SA or if someone could help me out by meeting me somewhere or something, I dont even know, Im open for ANY ideas or offers. I would just love to get this tank underway and I couldnt do it without such a GREAT community behind me!! :)

Again, Thank you so much everyone in here for all of your kind words, patience and generousity. If there is something I can do for any of you sometime PLEASE let me know! (I can build a MEAN LED unit for any size/shape/depth/coral type/etc. for your aquarium if anyone would like to work on something in that area, I could be of great assitance) Also, with the new GC Reef and Aquarium Masters down here, if they have something you want I can help deliever that as well.

Thanks again!!

Jarob

P.S. What do you guys think about possibly, and this is just a BIG possibility because it would be asking a lot, but perhaps somehow getting the stuff together and shipping it overnight to me? I could take care of all the shipping and detail arranging. Im just throwing this up in the air so let me know what you think.

[jay3]

Jarod, If you get to kerrville (45 min west of S.A.)- vacation or whatever- send me a line. I have a 150 gal reef that i'm going to sell, and I'd be willing to let you pick and choose prior to sale.

[kenny01]

I have some Green star polyps if you want them.

[Mr Cob]

Jarob, you asked for frags and lots of people have offerred to help you, me included.

While I can understand your situation and being pressed for time...trust me it does not get any better when you have a family and kids, I think you should do what you need to do to pick up the corals offered without asking us to arrange a meet and ship the stuff to you.

Simply plan a trip when you can and arrange to pick up the corals via PM.

[uriah]

Interseting thread... I want free stuff too:innocent2:J/k. Kudos to everyone that offered help and those who are just hating should keep their comments to themselves. I would offer to give some soft coral, but doesnt sound like it would make a difference (not driving to corpus or shipping!). Anyways, good luck with your tank!