tkeracer619, November 2012 Reefer of the Month!!

Nanook · 10/31/2012, 10:24 PM

Congratulations to Mark aka tkeracer619!

Hey,

For those of you who don't know me my name is Mark and I have been keeping reef tanks since 2006. I had kept a few freshwater fish here and there but the start of my saltwater addiction began sometime during the fall of 2005 when I purchased a used 150g tank for $100. I found RC and spent months researching before deciding to dive in. With the assistance of several RC regulars it didn't take long before I had the hang of it but unfortunately my tank split a seam before that tank could be considered a success. I lost about 90% of my collection but thankfully I was able to save my fish. I rebuilt a used 360g tank that I picked up off craigslist for $500. I was fresh out of engineering school and decided to DIY a good portion of the build. I created a BuildThread to document my progress.

In my job hunt I found out a local maintenance and setup company called Aquatic Art Inc was looking to hire an additional employee. The owner Cris Capp (TOTM Feb '04) is an amazing reefer and while not in my field I thought it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. I worked for AAI for several years and made sure while having the chance to work for him that I absorbed as much as I could. It isn't every day you get to work side by side with legendary reefers much less learn their secrets! The systems we had the opportunity to design, build, and maintain were phenomenal. I was able to get my hands into some serious builds that without AAI would have been simply a pipe dream. I enjoyed my time there but decided to pursue a career in my field a little over 2 years ago. The vast amount of experience I took away from it has proven priceless.

Reef Central has an immeasurable amount of information available and is a resource that should be taken advantage of. I regularly participate in these forums because I am still able to learn something new on a daily basis, see what may or may not be the next thing, and even be reminded of simple methods that have worked longer than I have been alive. A resource such as this gives new reefers a chance to be successful in their adventures of reef keeping. Don't be afraid to ask questions and if you know the answer don't be afraid to speak up. This forum works best when everyone gives back and when they do RC helps create success stories instead of ones with heartache. This is IMHO the reason most of us keep coming back.

This is a great forum and community that I look forward to being a part of for many years to come. There are many incredible people who contribute on a daily basis and as such it is truly an honor to be selected as the Reefer of the Month. Thank you!!

Sincerely,

Mark

Nanook · 11/02/2012, 09:31 AM

Congratulations tkeracer619!!

sirreal63 · 11/02/2012, 09:50 AM

Congratulations!!! A very well deserved honor. Thank you for the participation and wisdom you have shared with fellow reefers.

vel123 · 11/02/2012, 11:30 AM

Congratulations!!! Beauty of a Tank.

Misled · 11/02/2012, 03:27 PM

Congrats Mark!!!

KafudaFish · 11/02/2012, 05:05 PM

Congratulations on your well deserved honor.

glweek · 11/02/2012, 05:42 PM

wow!

biocube14g · 11/02/2012, 05:52 PM

Holy cow.... Amazing... U long deserved this.

tkeracer619 · 11/04/2012, 10:20 AM

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate it

Reefahholic · 11/04/2012, 09:56 PM

Congrats my brother!

Pearson · 11/04/2012, 10:46 PM

Congrats. It's well deserved.

Patrick Cox · 11/05/2012, 07:20 AM

Congratulations!

gmastr85 · 11/05/2012, 10:03 AM

Congrats! Very beautiful tank!

cbitsiaras · 11/05/2012, 03:27 PM

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G !! Congratulations!!

aandfsoccr04 · 11/05/2012, 05:25 PM

congrats. well deserved

James77 · 11/05/2012, 09:57 PM

Congrats

, and well deserved!

Mark took enough time to help me figure out and choose a great piece of equipment for my tank, it was above and beyond for me...just one of many RC members.

What an absolutely gorgeous tank, Mark

ricardo piza · 11/06/2012, 05:48 AM

Congratulations!!!

johnike · 11/06/2012, 06:34 AM

Congrats, and thank you for your contributions.

SushiGirl · 11/06/2012, 08:27 PM

Congratulations!

Nice tank!

jigsaw1982 · 11/07/2012, 09:10 AM

Nice tank, it looks like we're looking through a window straight into the ocean. Very realistic.

tylersarah · 11/07/2012, 12:13 PM

Do you get any reefing equipment for free?

Sarah

tkeracer619 · 11/08/2012, 06:54 PM

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

Sarah, when I worked on custom installs every once in a while you have customers who just want to throw the old stuff away. There is usually a good reason it needs to get tossed out but some of it can be salvaged. I've picked up many free things destined for a trash can and given them away to people who could use it but on occasion found something for myself

. Most of it ends up in a junk box anyways.

godsdoc · 11/09/2012, 07:52 AM

Congratulations, the tank looks amazing.

tripdad · 11/09/2012, 03:04 PM

Nicely done, congratulations!

Zoalander · 11/11/2012, 10:24 PM

Grats! Cris Capps is a great friend of mine too and he easily has the best SPS in the country at Aquatic Arts.....yes in the country. I almost didn't want to move from Denver because of him. Your tank looks awesome!

10/31/2012, 10:24 PM	#1
Nanook Ancient Eskimo Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 41,852 Blog Entries: 11	tkeracer619, November 2012 Reefer of the Month!! Congratulations to Mark aka tkeracer619! Hey, For those of you who don't know me my name is Mark and I have been keeping reef tanks since 2006. I had kept a few freshwater fish here and there but the start of my saltwater addiction began sometime during the fall of 2005 when I purchased a used 150g tank for $100. I found RC and spent months researching before deciding to dive in. With the assistance of several RC regulars it didn't take long before I had the hang of it but unfortunately my tank split a seam before that tank could be considered a success. I lost about 90% of my collection but thankfully I was able to save my fish. I rebuilt a used 360g tank that I picked up off craigslist for $500. I was fresh out of engineering school and decided to DIY a good portion of the build. I created a BuildThread to document my progress. In my job hunt I found out a local maintenance and setup company called Aquatic Art Inc was looking to hire an additional employee. The owner Cris Capp (TOTM Feb '04) is an amazing reefer and while not in my field I thought it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. I worked for AAI for several years and made sure while having the chance to work for him that I absorbed as much as I could. It isn't every day you get to work side by side with legendary reefers much less learn their secrets! The systems we had the opportunity to design, build, and maintain were phenomenal. I was able to get my hands into some serious builds that without AAI would have been simply a pipe dream. I enjoyed my time there but decided to pursue a career in my field a little over 2 years ago. The vast amount of experience I took away from it has proven priceless. Reef Central has an immeasurable amount of information available and is a resource that should be taken advantage of. I regularly participate in these forums because I am still able to learn something new on a daily basis, see what may or may not be the next thing, and even be reminded of simple methods that have worked longer than I have been alive. A resource such as this gives new reefers a chance to be successful in their adventures of reef keeping. Don't be afraid to ask questions and if you know the answer don't be afraid to speak up. This forum works best when everyone gives back and when they do RC helps create success stories instead of ones with heartache. This is IMHO the reason most of us keep coming back. This is a great forum and community that I look forward to being a part of for many years to come. There are many incredible people who contribute on a daily basis and as such it is truly an honor to be selected as the Reefer of the Month. Thank you!! Sincerely, Mark __________________ The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef Last edited by dc; 11/01/2012 at 08:55 AM.

11/02/2012, 09:31 AM	#2
Nanook Ancient Eskimo Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 41,852 Blog Entries: 11	Congratulations tkeracer619!! __________________ The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef

11/02/2012, 09:50 AM	#3
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Congratulations!!! A very well deserved honor. Thank you for the participation and wisdom you have shared with fellow reefers. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

11/02/2012, 03:27 PM	#5
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	Congrats Mark!!! __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

11/02/2012, 05:52 PM	#8
biocube14g Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Templeton, CA Posts: 240	Holy cow.... Amazing... U long deserved this. __________________ "Just one day, the ocean will be dominated by clownfish, and you will no longer hear of a shark attack, but rather a clown attack!"- MYSELF Current Tank Info: JBJ 28 Nano Cube, 14k Metal Halides, UV Sterilizer, HOB Protein Skimmer, 30 Lbs LR Main display; 30 Lbs rubble in sump, 10 Gallon Sump, 2 Hydor Koralia 240's, RIO 2100 Return Pump

11/02/2012, 11:30 AM	#4
vel123 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 62	Congratulations!!! Beauty of a Tank.

11/02/2012, 05:05 PM	#6
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	Congratulations on your well deserved honor.

11/02/2012, 05:42 PM	#7
glweek Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ferndale, Wa Posts: 112	wow!

11/04/2012, 10:20 AM	#9
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Thanks everyone! I really appreciate it __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

11/04/2012, 09:56 PM	#10
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	Congrats my brother!

11/04/2012, 10:46 PM	#11
Pearson Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Fort Walton Beach, FL Posts: 212	Congrats. It's well deserved. __________________ 125g: 40g long sump w/ fuge, asm-g3 skimmer, hydor koralai powerheads, magdrive pumps 90g: Currently in the building process (will be replacing the 29g) 29g: fw community/lightly planted Current Tank Info: 29 gal fw and 125 gal salt

11/05/2012, 07:20 AM	#12
Patrick Cox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,697	Congratulations!

11/05/2012, 10:03 AM	#13
gmastr85 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Drums, PA Posts: 73	Congrats! Very beautiful tank! __________________ 120g Display Tank, 40g Sump, Reef Octopus Diablo XS200 Skimmer, 2 - Maxspect Razor 16K 120W LED's, Apex, Tunze Ozmolator, Vortech MP40 & MP10

11/05/2012, 03:27 PM	#14
cbitsiaras Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 374	A-M-A-Z-I-N-G !! Congratulations!! __________________ My 757L aquarium: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2211539 Current Tank Info: Mixed reef tank

11/05/2012, 05:25 PM	#15
aandfsoccr04 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 3,561	congrats. well deserved __________________ 120 gallon mixed reef

11/05/2012, 09:57 PM	#16
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Congrats , and well deserved! Mark took enough time to help me figure out and choose a great piece of equipment for my tank, it was above and beyond for me...just one of many RC members. What an absolutely gorgeous tank, Mark __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

11/06/2012, 05:48 AM	#17
ricardo piza Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Goiânia, Brasil Posts: 49	Congratulations!!! __________________ Ricardo Piza

11/06/2012, 06:34 AM	#18
johnike Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bureau County Illinois Posts: 5,406	Congrats, and thank you for your contributions.

11/06/2012, 08:27 PM	#19
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	Congratulations! Nice tank! __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

11/07/2012, 09:10 AM	#20
jigsaw1982 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 190	Nice tank, it looks like we're looking through a window straight into the ocean. Very realistic.

11/07/2012, 12:13 PM	#21
tylersarah Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 900	Do you get any reefing equipment for free? Sarah

11/08/2012, 06:54 PM	#22
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Thanks for the kind words everyone! Sarah, when I worked on custom installs every once in a while you have customers who just want to throw the old stuff away. There is usually a good reason it needs to get tossed out but some of it can be salvaged. I've picked up many free things destined for a trash can and given them away to people who could use it but on occasion found something for myself . Most of it ends up in a junk box anyways. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

11/09/2012, 07:52 AM	#23
godsdoc Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 49	Congratulations, the tank looks amazing.

11/09/2012, 03:04 PM	#24
tripdad Frustrated Stick Gardener Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: near chicago,Ill. Posts: 701	Nicely done, congratulations!

11/11/2012, 10:24 PM	#25
Zoalander Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oak Park Illinois Posts: 1,571	Grats! Cris Capps is a great friend of mine too and he easily has the best SPS in the country at Aquatic Arts.....yes in the country. I almost didn't want to move from Denver because of him. Your tank looks awesome! __________________ Previously known as Vetter1980 Current Tank Info: 36x36x10 frag tank