I wanted to take the chance to share my experience bringing a dirty old used reef tank back to life. Hopefully this will help some people that have been wanting to take on a project without having to buy everything brand new.
My journey started with a Craigslist ad from someone basically just trying to get rid of a bunch of stuff after the realized they bit off more than they could chew. I was feeling ambitious so I jumped at the offer, but then the same almost happened to me. After getting sidetracked by work and life, I focused back in after everything sat in my backyard for nearly 6 months. This is how it started:
First things first - plenty of water, vinegar, and elbow grease. I quickly realized the stand wouldn’t do, so I started my hunt for a used one to replace it with as well.
Now that everything was cleaned up, life struck again and I went on another hiatus after getting everything moved indoors.
Undeterred, I picked up right where I left off and got things wet. Threw in some live sand and let everything settle in. Eventually figured out my aquascape and made sure to push the base rocks all the way down into the sand so it’s nice and solid. Started with a canopy housing 4 T5’s.
Eventually added my first occupants after letting the tank cycle. Followed up with a beautiful fire shrimp a month or so later.
Finally, here is the tank as it sits today. Ditched the canopy for a Kessil AP700 I got a great deal on from my LFS. Currently trying my hand at growing some soft corals - a couple of zoa frags, torch frag, and GSP that has already encrusted on the rock I chose for it (not attached to the rest of the scape).
Lots more work to come and this project was a long time in the making. Went through a crazy algae bloom recently, but I was able to conquer that as well. I’m sure there are tons of similar stories out there, but wanted to provide some inspiration to fellow newbies. Good luck and stay at it!
My journey started with a Craigslist ad from someone basically just trying to get rid of a bunch of stuff after the realized they bit off more than they could chew. I was feeling ambitious so I jumped at the offer, but then the same almost happened to me. After getting sidetracked by work and life, I focused back in after everything sat in my backyard for nearly 6 months. This is how it started:
First things first - plenty of water, vinegar, and elbow grease. I quickly realized the stand wouldn’t do, so I started my hunt for a used one to replace it with as well.
Now that everything was cleaned up, life struck again and I went on another hiatus after getting everything moved indoors.
Undeterred, I picked up right where I left off and got things wet. Threw in some live sand and let everything settle in. Eventually figured out my aquascape and made sure to push the base rocks all the way down into the sand so it’s nice and solid. Started with a canopy housing 4 T5’s.
Eventually added my first occupants after letting the tank cycle. Followed up with a beautiful fire shrimp a month or so later.
Finally, here is the tank as it sits today. Ditched the canopy for a Kessil AP700 I got a great deal on from my LFS. Currently trying my hand at growing some soft corals - a couple of zoa frags, torch frag, and GSP that has already encrusted on the rock I chose for it (not attached to the rest of the scape).
Lots more work to come and this project was a long time in the making. Went through a crazy algae bloom recently, but I was able to conquer that as well. I’m sure there are tons of similar stories out there, but wanted to provide some inspiration to fellow newbies. Good luck and stay at it!
