Doing this with my 4 year old son and sort of on a budget. We sold his 32 gallon Biocube that was up for 3 years and thrived as we decided to go bigger. Picked up great condition 90 with stand with 20g sump on Craigslist, ton of rock and a RODI system for roughly $500. Picked up a Octo Classic skimmer for $50 that’s maybe 2 months old off a friend. Sanded and repainted the stand and are off to a good start. As a friend purchased the Biocube with livestock and live rock we are starting from pure scratch which makes it more fun. Tank has been up and running for about 6 weeks and has cycled. More pictures to follow and looking to document the process as we progress here for my memory sake and for my son to be able to look back at should he ever catch the reef bug himself.
Ivan’s 90 Build
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After the tank cycled, first two guests moved in. A pair of Blood Orange ORA Clowns and a week later two Long Nose Hawkfish. There are also two Green Emerald Crabs that my son had to have.
The clowns fought for few hours before the smaller one did the dance and became submissive to the larger clown. The hawks chased for few days and then started sleeping together. Most of the rock is very porous and the Emeralds pop out like magicians which is fun to watch. At times we catch them running across the sand. The larger clown (taking on the big momma role quick) is so far the boss in the tank. She fans her tail at the hawks when they start to play a game of chase.
The clowns fought for few hours before the smaller one did the dance and became submissive to the larger clown. The hawks chased for few days and then started sleeping together. Most of the rock is very porous and the Emeralds pop out like magicians which is fun to watch. At times we catch them running across the sand. The larger clown (taking on the big momma role quick) is so far the boss in the tank. She fans her tail at the hawks when they start to play a game of chase.
One of the longnose hawkfish managed to jump between the egg crate and overflow and committed suicide. Found him/her behind the tank. Will stick with one hawkfish as it seemed stressed from its mate even though one was way smaller than the other. Did pick up a frogspawn, hammer and alveopora. Some pics to come soon.
The hammer I got lucky with and paid $35 for one head but when it closed up two heads were visible. Also after acclimation two more baby heads popped up on the side. Did find one aiptaisa and sealed it’s hole with superglue gel.
Did finally fire up my skimmer. All of the diatoms are gone and didn’t last long. One turbo snail, two emeralds, 5 tiny zombie snails, and one fighting conch are keeping the tank clean especially the sand. Film algae is getting there so will add few more snails now that they have food to eat.
Some updates. Coral and anemone are doing well and just been very slow on additions. Sump started to leak so replaced it with a nice Triggers Systems sump. Current fish include Yellow Tang, mated pair of Ora Blood Orange Clowns, and a Coral Beauty. Will get a FTS when I get a moment.
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