Hi Everyone

[ReeferRat]

Wow thanks guys!!! I'm really feelin' The R2R love after seeing so many responses. Especially considering the crappy pic taken from my phone's camera I had posted. I'm working on taking some better pics to show what I have going on in my little 30L mixed setup. I wish I had taken more pics along the way from the beginning of it, that way I could do the build thread which I may try anyways but I'll have to fill in some areas without photos, mostly just for the first few months. I figured the more info and history I can provide on the tank, the easier it'd be for y'all when you have to hold my hand through my mistakes and provided advice when needed... I'm sure they'll be plenty of both in the coming months. Alright guys, weekend is officially over. Going to take my old butt to bed, 6 AM comes quick Monday mornings.

*Pics of the custom stand and hood I built out of some old scrap wood pieces that were too small for most other projects I build. Turned out pretty well, has a large drawer and a slide out little water testing/feeding table that hides in the right side of the stand. Pics taken 4-02-24, not much living in the tank at that time.

Much Love, ReeferRat in NC

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here!

 

[phillyb614]

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

Welcome to Reef2Reef !

 

[Ocean_Queenie]

Hello & Welcome!

 

[gnarlydudecory]

Welcome!

 

[CoralB]

Wow thanks guys!!! I'm really feelin' The R2R love after seeing so many responses. Especially considering the crappy pic taken from my phone's camera I had posted. I'm working on taking some better pics to show what I have going on in my little 30L mixed setup. I wish I had taken more pics along the way from the beginning of it, that way I could do the build thread which I may try anyways but I'll have to fill in some areas without photos, mostly just for the first few months. I figured the more info and history I can provide on the tank, the easier it'd be for y'all when you have to hold my hand through my mistakes and provided advice when needed... I'm sure they'll be plenty of both in the coming months. Alright guys, weekend is officially over. Going to take my old butt to bed, 6 AM comes quick Monday mornings.

*Pics of the custom stand and hood I built out of some old scrap wood pieces that were too small for most other projects I build. Turned out pretty well, has a large drawer and a slide out little water testing/feeding table that hides in the right side of the stand. Pics taken 4-02-24, not much living in the tank at that time.

Much Love, ReeferRat in NC

Nice build ! :cool:

 

[shakacuz]

welcome aboard the r2r board. hello from PA!

 

[Buckster]

Hello ReeferRat and Welcome to R2R! Glad to see that you are back into the hobby. Sorry for your loss as that was very unfortunate.

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

Welcome to Reef2Reef! Jump right in and don't be a stranger!

 

[ReeferRat]

Hello ReeferRat and Welcome to R2R! Glad to see that you are back into the hobby. Sorry for your loss as that was very unfortunate.

Yeah Buckster, I would never wish that on anyone, ex-wife, archenemy, simple foe....or best friend turned Judas Escariot over 30 pieces of silver. I never owned much in the way of material items; never saw much need for them...with the one exception being my 55 gallon Reef I built somewhere around 1995 and slowly saved up and added on piece by piece, fish by fish, and frag by tiny frag. But that tank taught me a whole lot despite it mostly being outdated info when I picked up my Innovative Marine AIO 30L. Some of the basic principles were still the same, however the technology and gadgets had left this middle aging man scratching his head. But that's why I have this wonderful group of fine, eager to help; don't forget extremely talented aquatic enthusiast, ladies and gentlemen. February, 1st 2024:
Still cycling in the top photo, it shows my custom built stand and top that I designed and put together myself using all scrap lumber I had been saving from various projects completed in the past. Bottom, present photo just shows the tank for a more closer view of current livestock.

Taken January 19th 2025, almost approaching one year old.

Same 30 gallon Long NUVO Midsized AIO Tank from Innovative Marine.

If anyone out there has had a marine tank in the past, that for whatever reason didn't continue growing and thriving or something like my case, and lost it and everything in it due to other random life events....I encourage you to brush the harsh feelings or bitterness aside and give this wonderful hobby just one more chance. I assure you that things may seem a little bit more complicated due to technological advances but the fundamentals are still mostly unchanged and last but not least, we have the amazing people who love to help and answer questions right here at your fingertips. Thanks for reading and considering my thoughts!!! God bless y'all and never stop building your own piece of the ocean reef dream we call our in home reef tank. ~ ReeferRat

 

[I never finish anythi]

Welcome to R2R.

 

[ReeferRat]

Welcome to R2R.

Hello there and thank you for the warm welcome! ...ng... There you are, sometimes it's as simple as having a new friend to help along in finishing, well... anything!!! I'm always here to help "I never finish anythi" Hope you have an extra motivated day today! -ReeferRat

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Welcome! Omg that woodwork on that stand is amazing. Drool

 

[ReeferRat]

Welcome! Omg that woodwork on that stand is amazing. Drool

Thanks chrisfrombrick! I built it from some scrap wood I had laying around.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Thanks chrisfrombrick! I built it from some scrap wood I had laying around.

you’re giving me ideas for a veneer for my next tank

 

[logibear]

Welcome! Better late than never lol

 

[ReeferRat]

you’re giving me ideas for a veneer for my next tank

Just a heads up, veneers usually don't mix very well with water. Kind of like the cabinets made from the cheap particle board or MDF, which swells up with moisture exposure. Veneer is prone to peeling and warping when it gets wet. Maybe a few coats of polyurethane or something of that sort would seal it and keep those types of things from giving you trouble. Good luck and share some pictures of your finished product with us!

 

[ReeferRat]

Welcome! Better late than never lol

Thanks logibear!