Old School Reefer

Turkeysammich

Turkeysammich

BOD
BOD
BARcard
Well. It’s story time.
If you guys have been on here long enough. You will eventually run across this guy. His name is John. But he won’t tell you his name is John. I’ve been talking to him on here for a few years on and off. Because he left and came back. Same story as me. When I didn’t like people on here. Then people got better. He’s a OG reefer. Extremely successful, super talented, highend sps. Lots to learn from him. I finally got to go over to his house today since I was in his area. Just wanted to chat and pick his brain about core reef keeping. He has dropped hints to me over the years of his reefing philosophy. I’m always interested in how the really old guys do it for the super long term. I gotta tell you. I’ve asked OG’s 15 years or longer in this hobby. And you have to be successful not just keep them alive. I’ve noticed they all have the same basic setups.
The secret is real live rock ( from the ocean ), skimmer , calcium reactor. Some run fuge. Some don’t. Those are the core components. They follow with a trace elements of some sort. Usually a kit. John runs Red Sea ABC. With Icp every 3 months. Then corrects his trace. He keeps it extremely simple. I really feel we have lost our way.
Before I got to John’s house. I was at Arvins house. John called and spoke with Arvin. Arvin gave me a torch and said. John what’s you to have this. I was like what ? Oh thanks. Not thinking anything about it. Well. This is what torch he gave me.
4875957265316190653.jpeg

Keep in mind. I’ve never meant this guy in person. Just chatting here and there. He sent me the screen shot so I wouldn’t forget the name of the torch. Cuz I forget names. My jaw dropped when I seen the price. Super nice guy to talk to in person with a wealth of knowledge.
Thank you John @jhuynh
 
Last edited:
MarcosD said:
Man that’s awesome

I wish more OGs popped in here and spread their knowledge. I haven’t been doing this very long and I feel like it’s been a roller coaster so to see people who do this long term is very impressive
Click to expand...
I think the same thing. I’m wondering if we can have some sort of system to let others know of ones reefing knowledge , years in the hobby, their coral specially. Garvin and I had this conversation a few months ago also.
 
Turkeysammich said:
Well. It’s story time.
If you guys have been on here long enough. You will eventually run across this guy. His name is John. But he won’t tell you his name is John. I’ve been talking to him on here for a few years on and off. Because he left and came back. Same story as me. When I didn’t like people on here. Then people got better. He’s a OG reefer. Extremely successful, super talented, highend sps. Lots to learn from him. I finally got to go over to his house today since I was in his area. Just wanted to chat and pick his brain about core reef keeping. He has dropped hints to me over the years of his reefing philosophy. I’m always interested in how the really old guys do it for the super long term. I gotta tell you. I’ve asked OG’s 15 years or longer in this hobby. And you have to be successful not just keep them alive. I’ve noticed they all have the same basic setups.
The secret is real live rock ( from the ocean ), skimmer , calcium reactor. Some run fuge. Some don’t. Those are the core components. They follow with a trace elements of some sort. Usually a kit. John runs Red Sea ABC. With Icp every 3 months. Then corrects his trace. He keeps it extremely simple. I really feel we have lost our way.
Before I got to John’s house. I was at Arvins house. John called and spoke with Arvin. Arvin gave me a torch and said. John what’s you to have this. I was like what ? Oh thanks. Not thinking anything about it. Well. This is what torch he gave me. View attachment 70026
Keep in mind. I’ve never meant this guy in person. Just chatting here and there. He sent me the screen shot so I wouldn’t forget the name of the torch. Cuz I forget names. My jaw dropped when I seen the price. Super nice guy to talk to in person with a wealth of knowledge.
Thank you John @jhuynh
Click to expand...
no picture of the torch? don't tell me you killed it already.
 
So going back to chatting with old school reefers and their core values and beliefs.
Keep in mind. These are people that I have just run across during our forums and meet up. I’ve noticed they are all extremely successful. When they talk about corals. They are rock solid in kung fu. They grow sps like no ones business.
All the similarities stem from their basic understanding of stability. I said it earlier but I’ll say it again. How do they achieve this stability ? - Real Live Rock from back in the day. Not the fake stuff like the stores are trying to sell you now.

- The more biological the better. Meaning have some bio bricks, porous rock, whatever in your sump area.

- SPS stability- Calcium Reactor. They tell me set if and forget it. Just check on it every six months to make sure it’s doing its thing.

- Test alk. They test alk daily and adjust the calcium reactor accordingly. Although they all said it’s rare to adjust. And adjustment of effluent is extremely minor.

- Trace elements. Some of them use trace some don’t. If they use trace elements they usually use a kit/ system like Red Sea or something similar. They Icp and adjust trace accordingly. Some people put mag into their second calcium chamber to add mag to their system. Stable at 1300. Rock solid.

I know that there’s more. But we are just talking about the core values and basics that they all have in common. If they have more information I’m really hoping they will share. I know a few have begun to share and I thank them for sharing as their information is priceless to our club. These are the few people who I am speaking of. I’m sorry if I put you on blast.
So. They say don’t listen to anyone who you have not seen their aquarium. Cuz a lot of reefers just talk crap. Right ? Nope. These people back their words up. Unfortunately some don’t share their knowledge as much as we would like. Hopefully they will more.

IMG_4008.png

This is John’s aquarium @jhuynh

IMG_4007.jpeg

This is Joel’s aquarium @Finnaddict

IMG_4006.jpeg

This is Ian’s aquarium @iani

IMG_4005.png

This is one of many of Randy’s aquarium’s. Sorry I couldn’t find the picture of the sps aquarium. @RandyC

These are just a few of our members that are extremely experienced reefers. I still haven’t picked the brain of @Coral reefer , @Thales and that one lady that doesn’t post much. I think her name is Liz. But I could be wrong.

I know there’s more of experienced people out there. I’m hoping you will share your knowledge and experiences.
 
Last edited:
+1

I could agree to a honorable badge for these wise ones among us in the club. @Kensington Reefer should be added to the list as well. Some guys are like walking encyclopedias. They have forgotten more than most of us currently know.

No Idea what such a badge should say.

Reefing Vetern
Wise one
Reefing legend

Maybe even fish guru, coral guru, diy guru, plumbing guru etc. If there experience was far above others in specific areas.

Lol, I'm sure that someone could come up with a appropriate badge title. That would not be little any other club members. While also hinting to the point the members with these badges have a legitimate, lengthy, and proven track record of success and failures equated to lots of experience in the Reefing hobby. So their suggestions/advice should be strongly considered.
 
Last edited:
MichaelB said:
+1

I could agree to a honorable badge for these wise ones among us in the club. @Kensington Reefer should be added to the list as well. Some guys are like walking encyclopedias. They have forgotten more than most of us currently know.

No Idea what such a badge should say.

Reefing Vetern
Wise one
Reefing legend

Lol, I'm sure that someone could come up with a appropriate badge title. That would not be little any other club members. While also hinting to the point the memebers with these badges have a legitimate, lengthy, and proven track record of success and failures equated to lots of experience in the Reefing hobby. So their suggestions/advice should be strongly considered.
Click to expand...
YES. Exactly. Definitely something to put on the list at the next bod meeting. They rarely speak and when they do. A lot of new reefers either don’t listen or knock them down sometimes. I know this has pissed off a lot of them and they have left our club or just don’t share anymore. Which is extremely sad. Because I do feel like we all our chasing our tails. We should listen more and speak less if we want to be successful, meaning not argue and come with an open mind.
Oh. One thing they all have said to me is. Reefing is easy if you follow the basics. Guess they are saying, We get in our own way and we don’t follow the core values.

I shall use Erin as an example. Sorry Erin. Some people think he’s mean or a A hole cuz he gets on here and tells it like it is. With fish. If you don’t know. He is the fish whisperer. People don’t like what he says. Less fish. Live longer. He’s NOT WRONG. But yet people will bash him because he’s passionate about fish. We should be listening, He’s been in the hobby for over 30 years. He’s done and seen a lot. Ive know Erin for years. He’s the nicest guy. All of the old school guys are. But they are extremely passionate about this hobby. That’s why they last so long.
 
Last edited:
Turkeysammich said:
Well. It’s story time.
If you guys have been on here long enough. You will eventually run across this guy. His name is John. But he won’t tell you his name is John. I’ve been talking to him on here for a few years on and off. Because he left and came back. Same story as me. When I didn’t like people on here. Then people got better. He’s a OG reefer. Extremely successful, super talented, highend sps. Lots to learn from him. I finally got to go over to his house today since I was in his area. Just wanted to chat and pick his brain about core reef keeping. He has dropped hints to me over the years of his reefing philosophy. I’m always interested in how the really old guys do it for the super long term. I gotta tell you. I’ve asked OG’s 15 years or longer in this hobby. And you have to be successful not just keep them alive. I’ve noticed they all have the same basic setups.
The secret is real live rock ( from the ocean ), skimmer , calcium reactor. Some run fuge. Some don’t. Those are the core components. They follow with a trace elements of some sort. Usually a kit. John runs Red Sea ABC. With Icp every 3 months. Then corrects his trace. He keeps it extremely simple. I really feel we have lost our way.
Before I got to John’s house. I was at Arvins house. John called and spoke with Arvin. Arvin gave me a torch and said. John what’s you to have this. I was like what ? Oh thanks. Not thinking anything about it. Well. This is what torch he gave me. View attachment 70026
Keep in mind. I’ve never meant this guy in person. Just chatting here and there. He sent me the screen shot so I wouldn’t forget the name of the torch. Cuz I forget names. My jaw dropped when I seen the price. Super nice guy to talk to in person with a wealth of knowledge.
Thank you John @jhuynh
Click to expand...
@jhuynh is both generous and OG. He’ll lie about and dismiss both all the time, but we all know better.
 
Turkeysammich said:
YES. Exactly. Definitely something to put on the list at the next bod meeting. They rarely speak and when they do. A lot of new reefers either don’t listen or knock them down sometimes. I know this has pissed off a lot of them and they have left our club or just don’t share anymore. Which is extremely sad. Because I do feel like we all our chasing our tails. We should listen more and speak less if we want to be successful, meaning not argue and come with an open mind.
Oh. One thing they all have said to me is. Reefing is easy if you follow the basics. Guess they are saying, We get in our own way and we don’t follow the core values.

I shall use Erin as an example. Sorry Erin. Some people think he’s mean or a A hole cuz he gets on here and tells it like it is. With fish. If you don’t know. He is the fish whisperer. People don’t like what he says. Less fish. Live longer. He’s NOT WRONG. But yet people will bash him because he’s passionate about fish. We should be listening, He’s been in the hobby for over 30 years. He’s done and seen a lot. Ive know Erin for years. He’s the nicest guy. All of the old school guys are. But they are extremely passionate about this hobby. That’s why they last so long.
Click to expand...
@Turkeysammich
Thank you for the kind words
Passion or insanity....the fish keep me at it
Best fishes to all y’all
 
Kensington Reefer said:
I’ve been that store owner too....
Feel free o search for yelp reviews
The Octopus’s Garden
Click to expand...

I might be totally wrong but I do not think this information is, sadly, available anymore, based on my research. Would love to read more about it. What was stunning to learn is how many stores were still around in our area at that time. What has caused the business environment to change so drastically?
 
Alexander1312 said:
I might be totally wrong but I do not think this information is, sadly, available anymore, based on my research. Would love to read more about it. What was stunning to learn is how many stores were still around in our area at that time. What has caused the business environment to change so drastically?
Click to expand...
I think it’s this place? Location checks out


@Kensington Reefer the reviews are good! Minus one sensitive fellow
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top