So after a few months in procrastinating and collecting bits and pieces for it I finally got my new tank up and running over the past week finally cumulating in it starting its cycling today

This was my first setup with the rock I had initially
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps8f2119be.jpg

I then acquired several more pieces of rock last week and ended up putting over 200 pounds in the tank and filling it with 80 gallons of water keeping it circulating and heated as half was live rock while I was at work didn't want to fully commission tank till I was on my 4 days off. I also went and put on the left hand of the tank Crushed Coral and the right half of the tank Course sand to an inch in depth wanted to try something and put 2 types of medium in the tank.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps2e567b1b.jpg

Due to budget constraints I am currently using 2 tanks for my sump system and had to do some redneck tinkering
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...pse60cdfd0.jpg

And the return sump
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psa5e252bb.jpg

I am using a Hydor controller and a Coralife power center to run everything and seems to be doing a great job
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psf148c7ce.jpg



I did a simulated power outage and I keep everything contained but barely working on an 8 hr UPS but that is still a ways off and still have to add the live rock from my existing 33 gallon and associated critters but I am off to a good start hopefully shouldn't take too long to cycle used 35 gallons of water from water changes in my 33 gallon tank along with about 70 gallons of premade salt water

Well after cycling my tank for 3 days found some interesting hitch hikers on the live rock I acquired some delightful others not so much.

So far I have found 4 blue legged hermits all of which have been transferred to my smaller tank till finished cycling I have 3 coral and 2 anemone unfortunately the coral is bleaching the anemone on the other hand seem to be doing quite well.

I am not a lover of bristle worms and take great pleasure in eradicating the lil buggers so far have found 2 that were over 7inches long put a nylon bait ball in the tank and caught about a dozen more smaller ones probably will never fully eradicate them but off to a flying start.

I am actually enjoying the live rock as I am finding all sorts of neat things in them wouldn't be surprised to see some star fish or other nocturnal critters in there over the next lil while

Also found a cat swimming in the tank which was highly entertaining but was not part of the live rock hitch hiking crew hopefully she learned her lesson

You might want to read this.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=836138

The cat may have learned it's lesson but you've posted a few posts about your cats playing in the water and fish jumping. Maybe it's time you made a cover.:biggrin:

Those were'nt hitchhikers (they were thrown in) and what did you do with the cucumbers?

The cucumbers are currently in my 33 gallon and seem to be very much at home there both are it would seem very content even the clownfish are quite at home and enjoy swimming with my fish even the loner yellow tail damsel is attracted to them.

And the new tank has lids just didn't put them on cause nothing in the tank and yes my cat has finally learned not to swim in the display tank instead she drinks from the sump now safer for her

My Tank now fully stocked with fish and Coral

FISH

6 Green Chromis
2 Black Percula Clowns
2 Sea Cucumbers
2 Peppermint shrimp
1 Lubbock's fairy Wrasse
1 Lawnmower Blenny
1 Neon Goby
1 Yellow tail Damsel
1 Coral Banded Shrimp
1 Tuxedo urchin
Numerous Snails, Crab and Conch

Coral

2 Frogspawn with numerous heads
2 Hammer Coral with numerous heads
2 Brain Coral(one closed and one moon)
1 Orange Spotted Ricordea
1 Green Star Polyp
1 Devils hand
1 Plate coral
1 Pipe organ
1 Duncan
1 Feather Duster
Anthias which I am really starting to dislike

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps95a19e8b.jpg

Looking good Dearth!

Just an update all the coral is growing nicely hopefully this week will be getting some more looking at encrusting coral now

Latest FTS sorry for the glare house is very bright during the day
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psee343237.jpg