55G all used - First Cube

[SoloSK71]

well, after finally getting almost two weeks of stable readings I am just about ready to present my tank.

My wife, whom I love dearly and has supported me in this ever since I got bitten by the salt water bug almost 6 months ago, has been teaching me to do more with less, and so my idea for this tank has drawn heavily on that inspiration.

The tank, a 55G cube, measuring 24" x 24" x 24" took almost two months to find on the Calgary Kijiji site. The tank was brand new in the box and included the stand in a separate box. The seller also included a couple of Koralia and eheim pumps, as well as a remote titanium heater, a GFO reactor, a 36W UV sterilizer, diatom filter and rena air pump. All told, I got these for less than 1/2 the price of the tank and stand new.

A 250W MH clamp on light followed in a complex three way trade involving this site and Kijiji, where the UV sterilizer went to one buyer for a 250W MH pendant which was traded for the clamp on light.

The final step was a new overflow box which came as a result of a conversation in Golds, which got me a sump and a means to get water to it.

An ATB skimmer from Kijiji came with an additional eheim pump that was brand new in the box but missing an impeller.

Finally, everything ended up in one place, our new home and was plumbed and plugged started up.

Almost 4 months later I have a cycled tank with the very first piece of coral in it (thanks to a certain member who should get on Santa's nice list this year), as well as a snail and a crab (soon to be joined by more) as well as some copepods and mysis shrimp. Hopefully some live sand by the same member will help colonise the tank and get some worms and starfish in there as well and in a few more months I can start stocking the tank.

Thanks again to my lovely and patient wife as well as all the members who have contributed time, effort and livestock to this tank and I hope to be here for many more years.

Pictures to follow in a few days.

Charles