125 gallon mixed reef with no prior knowledge... How could this go wrong? :)

[AWIL57]

So I'm late in getting this thread going but I've been at this for 8 months now and figured I'd let some people see how far I've come in just that short amount of time. There have been a trillion set backs and mistakes but each one deepened my knowledge and provided me with greater patience and respect for the hobby. I started out buying a used aqueon 125 gallon dual mega overflow complete with hob skimmer, 29 gallon sump, external pump, fuge, led strip, and 2 power heads. I immediately got new lights threw in live sand, did some aquascaping, primed the tank and began the wait of the cycle.

This was the start...

 

[AWIL57]

In the time since, with the help of a good friend an my family, I've made so many changes. It started with a custom stand for my new custom 40g breeder sump. Thank goodness my dad is an awesome guy and came down to spend 72 hours tearing down the old tank, making this, and setting it up again.

I have since changed to an in sump skimmer, 2 return pumps, a spray bar, added 2 more powerheads and a gyre, an Apex and DOS units, the ato on breakout box, and a reef cam. (They said it would be expensive... Understatement of the year)

Side note: my first disaster happened and thank goodness I was home. The first 40g breeder sump I had cracked and started bleeding water everywhere. I managed to get it stopped after about 30 gallons made it's way to the floor but it took me 5 weeks before I got a new one (had to wait on sale). Meanwhile my skimmer sat in a 10 gallon tank that acted as my sump... It got ugly for a while. But now it's better than ever!

 

[Sako338]

Nice setup, welcome, its nice here.

 

[AWIL57]

After continuous changes to the scape I have finally found one I really like. You can see the progression below.

Now I've got it! It works for all the things I want to do and looks amazing.

 

[AWIL57]

As for the livestock, there has been a lot of trial, error, happiness, and heartbreak. I've had 2 jumpers, 2 killers, 3 starvers, and 1 disappearing act. Each came with a lesson and I now have a good routine that has left me with no heartbreak in the last 4 months. Acclimation box is the key!
Here are some of my pals.

The full list is as follows:
1 black ice snowflake clown
1 mocha clown
1 royal gramma
1 scissortail goby
1 bicolor foxface
1 mccoskers flasher wrasse
1 Christmas wrasse
1 melanurus wrasse
1 lawnmower blenny
3 firefish
1 sand sifting star
1 cleaner shrimp
1 coral banded shrimp

They are all awesome to watch and it has been really positive to see the recovery the gramma made. He was pretty beaten up when I got him but he has made a full recovery and doubled in size over 5 months.

 

[AWIL57]

I have just started to get to the corals and so far I have a small collection of zoas, an orange monti cap, leather toadstool, gsp, green hairy mushrooms and ORA Bird of Paradise birdsnest I won from a fellow AZ reefer in a giveaway.

I will be adding hammer, duncans, another birdsnest, and rainbow bubble tip anemone this weekend. I've done my due diligence on this and hope that my planning will help these guys all coexist and get what they need to thrive.

 

[AWIL57]

Nice setup, welcome, its nice here.

Thanks! It's been great to connect with so many knowledgeable and experienced people!

 

[JustinSmi86]

Looking good

 

[AZMSGT]

Sweet set up. I’m also in the area. See you at the Frag meetings.

 

[Silverfish]

Doing great! May I suggest a breather. Take a moment and enjoy. I promise you, it will be worth your while.

 

[AWIL57]

Sweet set up. I’m also in the area. See you at the Frag meetings.

I have to miss September but I'm clear for the rest of the year after that!

 

[AWIL57]

Doing great! May I suggest a breather. Take a moment and enjoy. I promise you, it will be worth your while.

Oh yes! I do indeed. I didn't change anything for about 2 months after the last fish before I got the coral going a couple weeks ago. I just sit around staring at it for hours. Makes me so happy. Way better than tv.

 

[Silverfish]

Oh yes! I do indeed. I didn't change anything for about 2 months after the last fish before I got the coral going a couple weeks ago. I just sit around staring at it for hours. Makes me so happy. Way better than tv.

Then you are much more patient then me! Keep up the good work!

 

[warpdrvr]

Wow your tank is beautiful. Hope my build goes half that good,

 

[AWIL57]

Wow your tank is beautiful. Hope my build goes half that good,

Thanks! Got a long way to go but I hope it matches the picture in my head eventually! Just make sure you go slow! It all comes in due time!

 

[Katrina71]

I'm not seeing ANYTHING wrong with that build!

 

[AWIL57]

I'm not seeing ANYTHING wrong with that build!

Thank you!

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

Very nice build!

 

[AWIL57]

Very nice build!

Thanks Bill! Need to update again sometime soon.

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

Thanks Bill! Need to update again sometime soon.

Me too, I've been bad about updating my thread lately...