I moved to the DMV area in March 2018 from N. California. I am an analytical chemist by trade and enjoyed working in a finish product lab in NC before CA. When we moved to DMV I obtained a position, still in the science field but I no longer in a laboratory setting.
I knew I would miss the world of chemical preparation, quantification, analysis, trouble shooting and diligent record keeping that comes with being a practicing chemist. I thought that keeping an aquarium would be an appropriate outlet; I was right!
I bought a second-hand 20gal high tank and stand off of craigslist. At the time I thought I had gotten a real deal. It had a filter and heater come with it, along with some very nice plastic plants
. I filled the tank and no leaks were found. The heater (100w aqueon pro) had a broken thermostat, regulating at 89F both on the highest and lowest settings. It didnt take long to realize the filter was useless as well (some tetra "whisper" model that buzzed when running).
Any how, I started with and currently use RO water from this righteous aquarium store (congressional aquarium, MD). The rest came quickly, ~30 lbs Caribsea Ocean direct sand, and initial 5 lb live rock (like any noob I got the painted purple rock). After research, I chose a 425 gph Hydor korilia PH and a Aquaclear 30 filter. I mixed the water, added the sand and some starter bacteria and patiently waited for the cycle.
Early in the cycling I decide to pick up a beautiful 15 lb Texas holly rock(dry) and a very expensive mag glass cleaner (piranha, Algae free).
Once the ammonia level went down nitrates showed around 20ppm, pH 8.1; I acquired a heater and some new buddies!
2 Clowns, 1 Fire Shrimp, 1 Golbi
So now we are all caught up. I did my first water change yesterday (4gal) and I could see the beginnings of some rusty red algae on the top of the rocks. Everyone seems to be happy, though the Picasso clown still sleeps at the surface. I named the shrimp Ryan Howard, other than that they are all nameless (welcoming suggestions). I feed a variety of frozen food, half a cube a day.
My fiance is anxious for coral so I drove to PA the other day to pick up some better lights. A nice lady was selling her 180 gal and all of her equipment. I was lucky enough to buy 3 Kessil 360WE, Controller, and a Maxxima 4 stage RO unit for $700. I dont know what ill end up keeping, I didnt think that far ahead. I am also toying with the idea of adding some coralline or dragons tongue algae before the red stuff gets out of hand.
Next step Coral.
Tanks for reading
I knew I would miss the world of chemical preparation, quantification, analysis, trouble shooting and diligent record keeping that comes with being a practicing chemist. I thought that keeping an aquarium would be an appropriate outlet; I was right!
I bought a second-hand 20gal high tank and stand off of craigslist. At the time I thought I had gotten a real deal. It had a filter and heater come with it, along with some very nice plastic plants
. I filled the tank and no leaks were found. The heater (100w aqueon pro) had a broken thermostat, regulating at 89F both on the highest and lowest settings. It didnt take long to realize the filter was useless as well (some tetra "whisper" model that buzzed when running).Any how, I started with and currently use RO water from this righteous aquarium store (congressional aquarium, MD). The rest came quickly, ~30 lbs Caribsea Ocean direct sand, and initial 5 lb live rock (like any noob I got the painted purple rock). After research, I chose a 425 gph Hydor korilia PH and a Aquaclear 30 filter. I mixed the water, added the sand and some starter bacteria and patiently waited for the cycle.
Early in the cycling I decide to pick up a beautiful 15 lb Texas holly rock(dry) and a very expensive mag glass cleaner (piranha, Algae free).
Once the ammonia level went down nitrates showed around 20ppm, pH 8.1; I acquired a heater and some new buddies!
2 Clowns, 1 Fire Shrimp, 1 Golbi
So now we are all caught up. I did my first water change yesterday (4gal) and I could see the beginnings of some rusty red algae on the top of the rocks. Everyone seems to be happy, though the Picasso clown still sleeps at the surface. I named the shrimp Ryan Howard, other than that they are all nameless (welcoming suggestions). I feed a variety of frozen food, half a cube a day.
My fiance is anxious for coral so I drove to PA the other day to pick up some better lights. A nice lady was selling her 180 gal and all of her equipment. I was lucky enough to buy 3 Kessil 360WE, Controller, and a Maxxima 4 stage RO unit for $700. I dont know what ill end up keeping, I didnt think that far ahead.
I am also toying with the idea of adding some coralline or dragons tongue algae before the red stuff gets out of hand. Next step Coral.
Tanks for reading
