Dowtish's 90 bow-progression of addiction

[Dowtish]

I have been wanting to do this, but a possible free skimmer will really motivate someone, especially when they are always broke.:squigglemouth: This is the thread and contest I am referring to: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/r2r-giveaway-contest-forum/70780-share-your-reef-win-skimmer.html

My tank was a CL buy and it was a pretty good deal.
90 bowfront tank, stand, Aquatic Life Fixture, koralias, eheim heater, and eheim canister, a lot of base rock for $600.
I added a used Coralife 220 skimmer. and a some more flow with koralias. I took all the media out of my eheim and added Ecobak to my canister. (makeshift reactor) No sump and added sand and water!
The tank was born on Jan 27th, 2011. I had a lot FOWLR tanks back in the mid 90's when I was a teenager. And I killed a few corals back then too. Sad state of affairs without the advent of the internet. So I had a little knowledge coming into this after a 15 year hiatus. But joining my local reef club has been amazing. And Reef2Reef has been invaluable. Here is a few pics and videos of my tank transforming into something I am happy with. Considering on the amount of $$$ I can spend on a budget.

 

[Dowtish]

[video=youtube;t8Hjno998_U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Hjno998_U[/video]
[video=youtube;_TdIlpCnQ_Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TdIlpCnQ_Y[/video]

 

[ToXIc]

looks great mang...

 

[Dowtish]

 

[revsgirl]

Looks good!

 

[Dowtish]

Thanks

 

[FishLipz]

Very nice. I've seen budget tanks just as nice as price is no object ones. I like the keep it simple idea.

 

[Dowtish]

Kevan(Toxic) took these this weekend.

 

[Dowtish]

New Scape

 

[Dave3112]

Looks good, Chris! I really like the 'scape!

 

[Dowtish]

Been running the tank fallow for 8 weeks now after a horrible ich outbreak, but my corals are still happy. Just a quick bad video to update my personal records of growth.

[video=youtube;_ZUTfgX3_u0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZUTfgX3_u0&context=C3d7d3d1ADOEgsToPDskIy xOSp-w84Ht0zuGJqM_D5[/video]

 

[ToXIc]

looks good.. did you get the new fish yesterday?

 

[Dowtish]

no, they sold out of everything decent by the time I got there. They said it was a stellar day for fish sales. I told Chris to order me 4 lyretail anthias....1 male 3 female. They said they might make another order this week.

 

[ToXIc]

kewl.. gonna pick up that mystery wrasse also?

 

[Dowtish]

No, I want too many other wrasses. He doesnt play well with others.:sad:

 

[Dowtish]

Well my tank is almost been set up for about a year now, and I started this project a good while ago, but either way, it all came together today...Finally!
(on a budget) The thing about this was, we figured out a while ago that the sump would NOT fit under the tank, so I decided to put it to the right of the tank in the corner. So a little different plans had to be made for plumbing, but my assistant had mad plans. I plan on building some sort of table that I can slide over it, and just slide it out to access it. Anyways, I got a killer deal on a SWC 160 cone the other night, and already had my avast marine reactor running. I did the baffles myself in a 20 long, and am using a CPR overflow box. I am still planning on adding the Reef Keeper that I won at the meeting at Bart's. Need to get some float switches and somehow do an ATO. And am about to hook up some aqua dosers that basically have an I.V. drip on them for Alk and Cal. Huge thanks to Jay(Smyrnareefer) and Kevan(ToXIc) for helping me.

 

[Dowtish]

what a difference 1 year can make.

[video=youtube;t8Hjno998_U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Hjno998_U&list=UUiIrju8joSfDCWLj6TKGFng& index=14&feature=plcp[/video]
[video=youtube;QC0zOqDRlbE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC0zOqDRlbE&list=UUiIrju8joSfDCWLj6TKGFng& index=1&feature=plcp[/video]

 

[Dowtish]

Well the last few months things have really started to come together for my tank. Adding a decent skimmer and a sump has been great, obviously. But I also just added to MP40's. Being on a budget of coarse, I didnt think that this would be possible for a long time. But another fellow R2Rer hooked me up with an amazing deal. Thanks Dave!

I am really digging the clean look of nothing hanging on my tank, and the lack of 4 bulky koralias, makes my tank look even bigger. But at the same time, this should never deter anyone from thinking that they cant have a nice tank and get good growth without all these things. I can tell you first hand, that you can have good growth on SPS with a canister filter, and a below par skimmer. You just have to work a little harder.

Here are a few updated pics. Some new fish and new frags and other random shots.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Nice update...the corals are looking great!! Congrats on the MP40's...those make a world of difference!

 

[Dowtish]

Thanks for the comments. And yes, I am seeing PE like never before by changing up my flow in the tank.