WarDog's 20 gal Reckless leftover tank...
 

I've really caught the reefing bug.

I've had so much fun putting together my 65 gal tank and stocking it with SPS, that I've decided to put myself through some more punishment and start a second tank... LPS dominated.
I've got a new 20 gallon standard tank which I was planning on using as a Q/T for the 65, but have since decided against. True to my form, this will be another slow build (I can picture Brad rolling his eyes).

Reckless?

No sump, no controller, lots of DIY, little or no attention to detail, cheap equipment and maybe test once every 2 weeks.

Kind of an experiment for me really. I've been so meticulous with the 65 gal that I want to see how far I can push the envelope with reefkeeping... and I hear that LPS enjoy dirtier conditions than SPS.

Some ideas so far:

DIY canopy with 4 x 24w T5's, and a LED strip
Fiji Pink substrate I've had sitting in a tote for 8 years
Lots of live rock
Cheap used ATO
Manual dosing
Reactors for carbon and GFO
HOB skimmer, maybe a Remora?
A few nano wave makers, used and cheap
Water changes will probably come from the 65 gallons old water.

Just writing this up is getting me pretty stoked... maybe this build will go faster than I thought!

Here's the tank set up as a holding tank for my old Texas Cichlid, just before I sold him.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3719/...b98563f9_b.jpg

Ah, another reefer with MTS. Someone should make a vaccine :D

that hurts...

Got a little something something to get this started! Might get around to putting some water in the tank this weekend. We'll see.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8694/...a689dc32_o.jpg

Haha, it happens to everyone at some point (or many points). You won't need 4 bulbs and LEDs for LPS though. You'll be just fine with 2 bulbs and a strip of LEDs. I'm assuming you're going for blue LEDs and ATI Blue Plus bulbs (which are fairly white and high PAR) or something similar. Light demands of LPS are actually quite low considering our current lighting technology.

Thank you Mindy, you answered questions I was going to ask!

Oh I got just the light for you my friend...

Intriguing!

My wife goes to spin class and I go into stealth mode... hehe. :twised:

30 minutes later and I'm painting the back of the tank!

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7680/...5a77cc75_o.jpg

You can paint the back black but you can't hide the smell🙊