My aquatic obsession continues...

Wingin It · #1 06-14-2010, 04:53 PM

I've always been a freshwater enthusiast. Anytime I looked at Saltwater I thought that it would be too hard, too much work and too much money. Well, ya, it is more work, and definately more money than my freshwater tanks, but I certainly enjoy watching the new tank!

I started with a used 72 gallon bowfront. I got a used Sea Clone 150 HOB skimmer and a used 48" PC lights/fixture all within my budget. I bought 2 new Koralia 3 powerheads and an older Fluval 404 canister filter. Unfortunately the fluval sprung a leak that I couldn't fix, so I had to make due with an internal filter for the time being until my upgrade is made.

I bought the internal contents of someone's 55 gallon and went to work putting it all together in my tank. Here's a pic of Day 1.

I have a hard time waiting, and being patient...I guess Saltwater tanks and me should clash, but i've been fortunate enough to not have had any crashes or deaths.

Here's a pic of my tank as of a couple days ago...I really wasn't happy with it. The rocks are just a jumble and the zoas keep getting knocked off and the rubble on the sandbed is annoying. My orange spot goby likes to destroy everything and I was getting peturbed.

Then I saw how someone made their rocks look amazing and thought I could do better. So I got myself some more rock, probably 40 more pounds of it, and went to work. This is my latest look.

trinac · #2 06-14-2010, 05:13 PM

Hey! Great improvement there!!!

mseepman · #3 06-14-2010, 06:28 PM

One of the first things you're going to want to do is to watch the forums for a good used skimmer. Being that you're in Calgary, there are a ton of reefers there and you should be able to find one. The seaclone that you have is one of the worst on the market and will probably let you down in the long run.

Othewise, looking good!

lastlight · #4 06-14-2010, 07:08 PM

New rockwork is really nice. I like those two feet/columns stretching forward from the pile. Fish should enjoy all the hiding spots too.

Wingin It · #5 06-14-2010, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trinac

Hey! Great improvement there!!!

Thanks Trina...i'm trying! If you look really hard you can see the birds nest you gave me! Thanks for that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mseepman

One of the first things you're going to want to do is to watch the forums for a good used skimmer. Being that you're in Calgary, there are a ton of reefers there and you should be able to find one. The seaclone that you have is one of the worst on the market and will probably let you down in the long run.

Othewise, looking good!

Thanks! I do realize I will need a good skimmer...but for the first tank, I didn't want to be one of those people that spent a schwack of money on the thing and then decided that SW wasn't for me. So now that i'm ok with it...a new/better skimmer is in the plans.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

New rockwork is really nice. I like those two feet/columns stretching forward from the pile. Fish should enjoy all the hiding spots too.

Thanks! It took me awhile to get the rocks to a suitable, non-wobbly position. So for the time being, until something makes me tear it all apart and do it again, I won't! lol I really wanted to try the whole, "acrylic rod" thing like another member did, but my husband wasn't wanting to get his drill out...lol (does that sound wierd??)
I think the engineer goby must be hard at work 'cause I have yet to see him except for once since the change happened on Sunday afternoon and the tile fish are seemingly happy.

kien · #6 06-14-2010, 11:06 PM

Looks like you've got lots of room to grow stuff :-)

lastlight · #7 06-14-2010, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingin It

my husband wasn't wanting to get his drill out...lol (does that sound wierd??)

Whaddya mean?

Wingin It · #8 06-14-2010, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kien

Looks like you've got lots of room to grow stuff :-)

Yes Kien, I do have lots of room to grow stuff!! LOL *hint, hint*
If you look carefully you'll see the awesome GSP you gave me in the left corner on the sand bed. The Tomato Clowns love making it mad! hahaha

Wingin It · #9 07-03-2010, 02:00 PM

I'm about to do a small jump upgrade, from the 72 bowfront to a custom 110 gallon. We built the tank and it's been tested for leaks (None, Yay!) and we just put the center brace on. Now to make a stand for it (uuugghhh) and somehow make the swap. The new tank is 4' x 2' x 21" (I think..haha). It will certainly give my fish more open swimming room!

Skimmerking · #10 07-03-2010, 02:13 PM

See I thought that you were a guy so your name should read MRS wingin it

What upgrading already, I can't speak, shame on you. while you are at it go 280 long is the key

just tell the hubby it has to be long its in the constitution of reef keeping.

looks great love the rock work.