So I decided to stop just lurking around and actually participate. I'll use this thread as the "build" thread for my current tank. It's a 120 gallon 4x2x2 tank that I just setup and swapped from a 125 6 foot tank. This will be a "reverse" thread, where it is now and the how I got here with progresss pics along the way.
I stumbled into reef aquariums almost by accident: first a fresh water tank, then a 55 gallon salt water fish only tank, then a 75 gallon, then a 90 with fish and softies, then a 125 fish, softies and LPS. I bought some fish from someone breaking their tank down and she gave a piece of monti cap. I didnt want it at first, I was sure I was going to kill the poor thing but she said she would have to throw it away if nobody took it. So for me reef tanks started with a 125 I bought from Craigslist, they were moving and didn't want to take it with them; I had tank with fish, softies, LPS and now an SPS frag.
I use Facebook strictly for the groups in one of the local groups someone was selling their entire setup: 120 gallon tank, custom stand, all the livestock, rock, sump, lights, skimmer, pumps, RO/DI, test kits and what caught my eye a 2016 Neptune Apex. I had been thinking about getting an Apex so I gave him what he was asking with the thought of parting it out and keeping the Apex. I had no problem selling the livestock but I had the hardest time selling the tank so I decided to keep it.
After deciding to keep the tank I knew I wanted to put in the same place where my 125 was currently sitting so I had some work to do. I drained some water and placed all the livestock in to some totes then drained more water into some barrels I have, I moved the tank to a temp spot and put everything back. I put the 120 where I wanted it to be, I bought some new sand and put it in the tank, I also put some dry rock that I had and for the next couple of months I added the "old" water from my water changes and cycled the tank.
Today starts the 3rd month of my tank swap. It’s looking good so far the new rock I add is going through an ugly stage but hopefully it will start looking better soon.
TUNZE and REEF2REEF are bringing you the LET IT FLOW! LET IT FLOW! LET IT FLOW! Giveaway! This one is going to be a lot of fun and easy to get lots of entries! One lucky reefer will receive not 1, but 2 (TWO) Tunze 6095 pumps! This should get the flow going in your reef!! HOW TO ENTER OFFICIAL...