Hey all!
I've been around for about a year, running a 54 gallon corner reef. Its been a good platform for learning, but in the end not really the system I wanted. The shape, and my failure to get a reef ready system (no sump) has haunted me from day 1.
Today I placed an order for a 90 gallon marineland system complete with tank, stand, canopy, sump, return pump and plumbing. My lfs ships and installs such a system for free, leaving me with just heater, skimmer, lights and additions/upgrades to everything that goes in the tank.
Its going to take 3-4 weeks before it arrives, leaving me to concentrate on a few things, in addition to buying the equipment above:
1) Evaluating how much of the old tank will migrate, and what may be removed completely. (livestock included)
2) Picking a substrate that isn't as awful as the "live crushed coral" I currently have.
3) Building an aquascape that I like, and gives me plenty of room for coral.
This will be mostly a nem, lps and softy build, with mostly smaller fish, possibly a Tang or foxface, and plenty of inverts, with my goal being a colorful system full of movement and varied forms of life.
I'm not going with a "budget" system per say, but I don't have the money to go high tech, so my goal is to buy good, solid equipment and remain a bit "old school". I've also got to be wary of space, so everything for this system must be self contained in either the stand or canopy.
I'll try to update frequently and take you through my process as I build what will hopefully be one awesome reef!
I've been around for about a year, running a 54 gallon corner reef. Its been a good platform for learning, but in the end not really the system I wanted. The shape, and my failure to get a reef ready system (no sump) has haunted me from day 1.
Today I placed an order for a 90 gallon marineland system complete with tank, stand, canopy, sump, return pump and plumbing. My lfs ships and installs such a system for free, leaving me with just heater, skimmer, lights and additions/upgrades to everything that goes in the tank.
Its going to take 3-4 weeks before it arrives, leaving me to concentrate on a few things, in addition to buying the equipment above:
1) Evaluating how much of the old tank will migrate, and what may be removed completely. (livestock included)
2) Picking a substrate that isn't as awful as the "live crushed coral" I currently have.
3) Building an aquascape that I like, and gives me plenty of room for coral.
This will be mostly a nem, lps and softy build, with mostly smaller fish, possibly a Tang or foxface, and plenty of inverts, with my goal being a colorful system full of movement and varied forms of life.
I'm not going with a "budget" system per say, but I don't have the money to go high tech, so my goal is to buy good, solid equipment and remain a bit "old school". I've also got to be wary of space, so everything for this system must be self contained in either the stand or canopy.
I'll try to update frequently and take you through my process as I build what will hopefully be one awesome reef!