I'm just getting back into things after being out for a couple years... I'll just copy and paste my posts from Nano Reef so they're in chronological order:
[HR][/HR]Well, I shouldn't have stopped going to my Aquariums Anonymous meetings; I fell off the wagon.
I've had a few tanks since 2004:
20G High Fish and Softies
55G FOWLR
33G Long FOWLR
12G Nano Cube
When I moved to Wyoming I told myself "no more aquariums" and made it a whole year. Petco had a 29G starter kit for $69 and I told myself "one little freshwater tank can't hurt, besides it's so much simpler than salt!"
That lasted about a week until I found a 24G aquapod and stand on craigslist... Threw the freshwater setup into the aquapod and made the 29G salty. Stocked it with some fantastic live rock from a local mom & pop shop and got it cycled and ready for livestock.
That lasted about two more weeks until I went to get a 10G tank to use as a sump. Turns out they were having the famous $1 a gallon sale, so like everyone else I bought a 40G breeder. I've always liked the dimensions.
Progress so far:
Painted back glass and drilled for glass-holes overflow. It looks like everyone else is using the super nano, but I already ordered and installed the 700GPH model along with a 3/4" return kit. I guess it'll just be oversized.
Built a stand and canopy which still need a little finishing work.
I almost like it better without the canopy, but we'll see how things go.
Oh yeah, and I stocked it already too.
I love the expression on that little guy. I'm not sure what to call it... Blase?
It's like simultaneously depressed and worried and very serious, like he should be talking about adult onset diabetes or something.
Anyway, upcoming:
T5 lighting should be here tomorrow.
Dry rock from reef cleaners should also be here tomorrow. It'll get mixed with the live rock I have cycled in my 29G.
Maxijet NJ3000 return pump should be here Wednesday.
Local glass shop cut me some baffles for the sump, which should be ready any time. They were actually cheaper than the sheet of acrylic at Menard's, which is a first.
And lastly, here's the freshwater aquapod, in case anyone like that sort of thing. You can see my rainbow 'shark' sticking out of his favorite hole in the fake wood thingy.
[HR][/HR]Got my light fixture and 15 lbs of reef cleaners dry rock today. Things are looking decent so far.
[HR][/HR]Well, it's wet... and pretty hazy. Too bad it takes so long for the dust to settle. It's pretty obvious which rocks came from my other tank and which ones are dry rock. Took a masonry bit and drilled holes in the rocks and used some heavy duty zip ties to keep the main rocks together and then stacked smaller rocks on top of the zip ties to hide them.
Junk box underneath - still needs some work and some doors.
[HR][/HR]Well, I shouldn't have stopped going to my Aquariums Anonymous meetings; I fell off the wagon.
I've had a few tanks since 2004:
20G High Fish and Softies
55G FOWLR
33G Long FOWLR
12G Nano Cube
When I moved to Wyoming I told myself "no more aquariums" and made it a whole year. Petco had a 29G starter kit for $69 and I told myself "one little freshwater tank can't hurt, besides it's so much simpler than salt!"
That lasted about a week until I found a 24G aquapod and stand on craigslist... Threw the freshwater setup into the aquapod and made the 29G salty. Stocked it with some fantastic live rock from a local mom & pop shop and got it cycled and ready for livestock.
That lasted about two more weeks until I went to get a 10G tank to use as a sump. Turns out they were having the famous $1 a gallon sale, so like everyone else I bought a 40G breeder. I've always liked the dimensions.
Progress so far:
Painted back glass and drilled for glass-holes overflow. It looks like everyone else is using the super nano, but I already ordered and installed the 700GPH model along with a 3/4" return kit. I guess it'll just be oversized.

Built a stand and canopy which still need a little finishing work.

I almost like it better without the canopy, but we'll see how things go.

Oh yeah, and I stocked it already too.

I love the expression on that little guy. I'm not sure what to call it... Blase?
It's like simultaneously depressed and worried and very serious, like he should be talking about adult onset diabetes or something.
Anyway, upcoming:
T5 lighting should be here tomorrow.
Dry rock from reef cleaners should also be here tomorrow. It'll get mixed with the live rock I have cycled in my 29G.
Maxijet NJ3000 return pump should be here Wednesday.
Local glass shop cut me some baffles for the sump, which should be ready any time. They were actually cheaper than the sheet of acrylic at Menard's, which is a first.
And lastly, here's the freshwater aquapod, in case anyone like that sort of thing. You can see my rainbow 'shark' sticking out of his favorite hole in the fake wood thingy.

[HR][/HR]Got my light fixture and 15 lbs of reef cleaners dry rock today. Things are looking decent so far.

[HR][/HR]Well, it's wet... and pretty hazy. Too bad it takes so long for the dust to settle. It's pretty obvious which rocks came from my other tank and which ones are dry rock. Took a masonry bit and drilled holes in the rocks and used some heavy duty zip ties to keep the main rocks together and then stacked smaller rocks on top of the zip ties to hide them.

Junk box underneath - still needs some work and some doors.
