Back in the saddle.....

[jpil]

Hello all.... after a 10 year break from the hobby it’s time to dive back in with the encouragement and support of my amazing fiancé and our 7 year old son.

In the past I used the screen name of tsr770 on ReefCentral and MichiganReefers, but that name was taken here (strange?), so I get to be a whole new person... lol

Anyway after discussing where we will put a tank in our home that so that it can be enjoyed all the time we have decided that momma is losing one of her beloved ladder shelves. With that being the chosen space, we are limited to a 36x18 footprint. (until the inevitable upgrade). Picture of the soon to be removed shelf included!

Planning on going this weekend to pick out a stand/canopy and a tank.

Hopefully I can keep this updated as the adventure begins, and you all can give me some ideas and insight as I start buying equipment.

Have a great day!

 

[McCarrick]

Welcome back to the hobby! Looking forward to seeing how your future tank progresses

 

[jpil]

First trip spending money.... 3 bags of sand, and 38 lbs of rock.... the two pieces in front are Marco base with the flat cut to set on the bottom, the rest is old dry live rock from a tank. I’m going to do a 10/1 bleach bath with Ro water for a week to hopefully she’s off most of the organic crap on it. I planned on using all fresh Marco rock, but I couldn’t turn down a chance at the good super lightweight and porous stuff that used to be commonplace back in the day. Plus I got it for $2.50 a lb

 

[stylolvr]

Welcome back to the hobby, and welcome to R2R!!

 

[JumboShrimp]

Are you going for an all-in-one, or a sump arrangement? I can see a nice Innovative Marine AIO sitting right there! Best wishes either way you go.

 

[jpil]

My better half learned today what spending money on a fish tank is like! We settled on a custom built stand/canopy and a 36”x18”x24” 65 gallon tank, which is of course 15 gallons more than my original personal 50 gallon max... lol
Also picked up a EShopps Eclipse overflow in the M size at a discount because they didn’t have any reef ready tanks in stock.

Hopefully I have some time tomorrow to get it drilled and the overflow in place, I am thinking about 6” over from the left end.

I haven’t decided yet if I am going to drill it for a 3/4” return or rig something up over the back... hmmmm

 

[JumboShrimp]

Nice looking canvas to paint your masterpiece. (Dylan reference— Lol)

 

[sp1187]

My better half learned today what spending money on a fish tank is like! We settled on a custom built stand/canopy and a 36”x18”x24” 65 gallon tank, which is of course 15 gallons more than my original personal 50 gallon max... lol
Also picked up a EShopps Eclipse overflow in the M size at a discount because they didn’t have any reef ready tanks in stock.

Hopefully I have some time tomorrow to get it drilled and the overflow in place, I am thinking about 6” over from the left end.

I haven’t decided yet if I am going to drill it for a 3/4” return or rig something up over the back... hmmmm

where'd you buy the tank at?

 

[jpil]

where'd you buy the tank at?

Fish Docs in Ypsilanti, the stand came from Preuss Pets

 

[sp1187]

Pet Connection in Livonia will drill tanks not purchased from them if you're not comfortable doing it your self.
call ahead if you decide to as the guy isn't on site.

 

[WirelessMike]

Welcome back to the reef! Glad to have you!

 

[Urtoo]

drill it. Welcome back to the addiction! It’s healthy for us, not our wallets

 

[jpil]

Pet Connection in Livonia will drill tanks not purchased from them if you're not comfortable doing it your self.
call ahead if you decide to as the guy isn't on site.

I’ve drilled plenty of tanks to be confident doing it, the woman though, is to nervous to watch lol.

 

[sp1187]

I’ve drilled plenty of tanks to be confident doing it, the woman though, is to nervous to watch lol.

I'm with her.

 

[Urtoo]

Ask her to mix up some water and have to search the internet for the instructions, then she can help the process of setting up while not being able to see it be done.
Worked for my little one that did not want to watch daddy if a mistake was made.

 

[jpil]

Ask her to mix up some water and have to search the internet for the instructions, then she can help the process of setting up while not being able to see it be done.
Worked for my little one that did not want to watch daddy if a mistake was made.

She will be fine, the idea of drilling a hole in a $170 glass box is what is scary... lol. It’s only money

 

[jpil]

The boy and I got busy on the tank tonight, got the overflow and return holes drilled and the first coat of black paint on the back. Also picked up a 20tall tank for a sump, and sacrificed a old 20 gallon tank for the glass. Plan on cutting glass and getting the baffles in place tomorrow, and them mocking up plumbing Friday...

 

[jpil]

Overflow and return installed, sump put together, and plumbing mocked up so it can get glued together tomorrow.

 

[jpil]

Also.... this is where I began, in a 8 gallon nanocube. Then upgraded to a custom 36wx30dx21t tank, growing sps with 6 39w T5 bulbs.

 

[jpil]

It’s been a few days to say the least! The tank is in place, the aquascaping is done, and it’s starting it fishless cycle courtesy of salad shrimp and Microbacter7. The only hiccup I had along the way was one of the bulkheads on the overflow box had a bur on it and didn’t want to seal.