Remarkable Business!!!

[txmaverickmh]

Double Posted in another thread, sorry if not allowed, I just couldn't decide where to put post
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I think I might have just paid the electricity bill at Aquarium Designs! *And I could not imagine being a more happy customer...3 WORDS.... IMPECCABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!

Big "thank-you" to Jason and Herschel for everything you did to help me prepare for my first SWA, all the advice, products, equipment, etc...it is no wonder why you have been in business so long and why everyone raves about your business and customer service!

ALSO, big kudos out to fellow MAAST members for hooking me up with ACE who built me a first-class custom regium filter system, drilled perfect holes in tank with overflow box...he made it fit my small cabinet with not a 1/2" to spare, precise and unprecedented quality!

I am set to go live with my 40 Gal cube this Saturday with my pumps, refugium, LR and LS, etc...and i am getting my LR and saltwater from my #1 mentor, Dr Mark, from Gulf Coast Reef, which is right by my house in Corpus Christi. *Mark and James have fueled my passion for this hobby to insane levels, and I am so thankful for their help!

I believe that good work, service, preparation and EDUCATION are so vitally important in this hobby, and all of these fine gentlemen deserve high praise and recognition!

Quick update on decisions you all have been so gracious to provide feedback:

Went with Current USA Orbit light system (150W MH with 2 acinic bulbs and LEDs)

Ace built my refugium and drilled tank, incredible work!

Decided against bio media, first chamber in sump will have LR frags.

Went with Octopus 110 skimmer.

Mag drive 5 pump with 2 Koralia nano powerheads.

Putting base of Miracle Mud in refugium covered with bed of LS, adding LR and chalurpa or chaeto

Sorry such long post, I am just very happy with all that has gone on for the past 2 months, all of the fine people I have been fortunate enough to meet, and I have always believed that we are always so quick to shout out when people do us wrong or provide bad service yet we easily overlook or share stories when people go so far beyond their need to help us due to their passion for the hobby and underlying drive to help people, these guys deserve all that!

I will try to send out pics after I setup this weekend, still trying to figure out how to "trick" Dr Mark into coming over to my house to review my setup on Saturday, lol, any ideas???

If anyone else local in Corpus would like to stop by and give advice, review my work, talk about what aquarist talk about, I will have cold beer, soda or water ready and awaiting you!!! *Plan on setting up Saturday after 3pm or so.

Best,

Michael Hensley
Txmaverickmh*
"newest charter member"

[Kristy]

I'm excited for you. Sounds like you have made some excellent decisions and you're all set. Go with the chaeto over the caulerpa if you're just using one kind of macro.

Hope it all goes smoothly with the setup. Good luck!

[txmaverickmh]

Awesome Kristy, thanks for the advice! What do you think about refugium, should I stick with miracle mud and LS, with LR and Chaeto; OR should I drop the miracle mud and just go with LS, LR and Chaeto?

thanks,

mh

[JoshOdphi]

wut kind of coral u planning on growing out in that cube?

[Kristy]

Ping is extremely knowledgeable about healthy refugiums. Follow his advice from the other thread. Are you going for a DSB? If just creating your basic refugium, a layer of LR/LR rubble, with a healthy amount of macro (chaeto) should serve you very well.

[txav8r]

If you ever come to San Antonio and want some chaeto let me know. I have some to spare.

[teacampuzano]

Congratulations on a great buy, Michael!
I'll have to second your compliment towards Aquarium Designs. They've seriously made my decision to purchase my aquarium very assuring! Now that I'm currently trying to fight off ich on my sailfin tang, they've been more than helpful with me. The only complaint I have is that my fish 'decided' to get ich on Tuesday... Anyways, I'll continue to spread the good word about their business. Thank you guys!