carriej's 125 gallon reef
 

Hi folks,

Did high tech planted tanks for years and bought a big tank this past summer... It sat in my basement for awhile and I pondered what to do. I didn't want another planted tank.. I had enough of those. There wasn't really any freshwater fish I wanted to keep that I didn't already at some point keep or have, that would fit in a 125.

So.. I decided to go reef when I got sick, and said what the heck... It took me months to collect the parts (I got diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, spent time in the hospital, yadda yadda.. long story short it took awhile to get going) anyway It's been up and running for a few weeks now. Absolutely cannot wait to get my paws on some fish and corals!

The stand Hubs built (doors yet to go on, waiting for sump)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...l22/photo2.jpg

Up with ATI Sunpower t5hox6 installed
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...2/photo1-2.jpg

Filling..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...22/photo-2.jpg

MILKSHAKE
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...2/photo1-3.jpg

That's better... :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...2/photo6-1.jpg

Scape has changed a bit. Added live rock after this, will have to get some pics... I'm finding life and very excited about it.. Some featherdusters, wurmy things etc.. :)

Looking good so far, keep the pictures coming. :biggrin:

Looking really good! Just remember that in saltwater, patience will make that tank really work out for you...don't get fish or coral too soon.

Looking very good!
But most importantly how are you feeling?

How are you going to add the sump? Tank looks like it's not drilled for an overflow?

VeI like your choice of light. Looks good!

I'm going with a hang on the back reeflife overflow, was going to drill when the tank was empty but didn't trust anyone to do it, and I was too nervous to do it myself. I live in the middle of nowhere and tanks are expensive + have to be ordered in... If I had of known that I was going to be doing a reef I would have paid the extra and bought a reef ready tank...Ohwell :)

I bought some tank monitoring software and have been keeping track of my levels for the past few days.. It seems to be going good. There is a bit of life in there now. Some featherdusters, I seen a crab, and whatever else came in on the rock.

I'm feeling alright - I doubt I will never feel "normal" again, but I'm alive and can't complain... :) I'm more upset that I can't work as much anymore, and now less extra money for fish.. LOL

Moved some rock around today.

I still don't like the right side as much as the left. Have some more live rock kicking around in there..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...22/photo10.jpg

Update! New Bulbs!

Gonna take some getting used to.. So blue.

I might move the white light to the front. Right now it's in the middle.. One of the new bulbs was defective, so have to wait for the replacement..

BEFORE:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...76075503_n.jpg

AFTER:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...70920475_n.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...36665106_n.jpg

I am a bit concerned about color washing out. For example, before the new lights I had green algae and all sorts of colors.. Now everything is.. Well.. Blue LOL

I have in this order..

Blue+
Blue+
Purple+
Coral+
Blue+
Blue+

Wondering if I should move the purple and coral lights around for a different look...

Better representation.. Changed the white balance to show a truer color, but still not easy. Those lights do funny things to a camera

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...2/DSC02556.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...2/DSC02557.jpg

Very nice, I like the idea of a little valley in the centre of the tank, super handsome colour on the stand.