prairies
Community Member
I've never seen the ocean.
In fact my first introduction to marine life, other than Finding Nemo, wasn't until I working at my LFS in my early 20's. I was keeping freshwater planted systems and breeding geckos during that time. It's been well over a decade since I shut down my tanks, and I honestly never knew if I'd ever get back into fishkeeping again.
But here I am, and its all thanks to my amazing, fish and water obsessed 4 year old son, who has inspired me to not only dive back into this hobby, but to bring the ocean to us.
Working at the LFS had given me hands on experience in what it's like to maintain a saltwater system, albeit on a much larger scale, but this is my first attempt at a personal saltwater aquarium built from the ground up. Additionally, equipment and technology have advanced so far since I first got into fishkeeping, in addition to changes with import/export, that nearly everything I previously knew was immediately tossed out the window.
Funds are tight right now, so this build will be long and drawn out into different phases. This way we can still enjoy a saltwater tank, while being inspired and motivated to continue improving on different features and upgrades.
Come along with my family and I on this exciting adventure!
PHASES
Phase 1 - Get Cycling
Initial set up the 125 gallon tank with sand, rock, and saltwater. Get some flow going, dose with ammonia and get the cycle started. Dose with phyto and copepods once the cycle completes. Keep the glass covered during this time to reduce light exposure. During this time I will also be cycling a separate 15 gallon quarantine tank.
Phase 2 - Add Some Life
Once cycled, remove the covering on the glass, add a heater to get the water up to temp for the first few members of the CUC and potentially the first fish or two. I don't want to add a lot of livestock as the sump has not yet been installed at this point. The initial livestock drop will be straight into the tank, while everything after will be quarantined for 30 days.
Phase 3 - Light It Up
Install lighting and add in the first few hardy corals.
Phase 4 - Let's Build A Techtank
Plumbing in a sump, likely around 40 gallons. Including a protein skimmer, UV, refugium, and ATO, with plenty of room for equipment add-ons and upgrades when deemed necessary, as the tank matures and my knowledge expands.
Phase 5 - Stocking
It's finally time to start really looking at adding life! Inverts, fish, and corals, oh my! Prioritize utilitarian animals. Quarantine new additions. Continue to dose phyto and copepods. Add or upgrade equipment such as wavemakers and dosing system as required.
STOCKING
Must Haves -
In fact my first introduction to marine life, other than Finding Nemo, wasn't until I working at my LFS in my early 20's. I was keeping freshwater planted systems and breeding geckos during that time. It's been well over a decade since I shut down my tanks, and I honestly never knew if I'd ever get back into fishkeeping again.
But here I am, and its all thanks to my amazing, fish and water obsessed 4 year old son, who has inspired me to not only dive back into this hobby, but to bring the ocean to us.
Working at the LFS had given me hands on experience in what it's like to maintain a saltwater system, albeit on a much larger scale, but this is my first attempt at a personal saltwater aquarium built from the ground up. Additionally, equipment and technology have advanced so far since I first got into fishkeeping, in addition to changes with import/export, that nearly everything I previously knew was immediately tossed out the window.
Funds are tight right now, so this build will be long and drawn out into different phases. This way we can still enjoy a saltwater tank, while being inspired and motivated to continue improving on different features and upgrades.
Come along with my family and I on this exciting adventure!
PHASES
Phase 1 - Get Cycling
Initial set up the 125 gallon tank with sand, rock, and saltwater. Get some flow going, dose with ammonia and get the cycle started. Dose with phyto and copepods once the cycle completes. Keep the glass covered during this time to reduce light exposure. During this time I will also be cycling a separate 15 gallon quarantine tank.
Phase 2 - Add Some Life
Once cycled, remove the covering on the glass, add a heater to get the water up to temp for the first few members of the CUC and potentially the first fish or two. I don't want to add a lot of livestock as the sump has not yet been installed at this point. The initial livestock drop will be straight into the tank, while everything after will be quarantined for 30 days.
Phase 3 - Light It Up
Install lighting and add in the first few hardy corals.
Phase 4 - Let's Build A Techtank
Plumbing in a sump, likely around 40 gallons. Including a protein skimmer, UV, refugium, and ATO, with plenty of room for equipment add-ons and upgrades when deemed necessary, as the tank matures and my knowledge expands.
Phase 5 - Stocking
It's finally time to start really looking at adding life! Inverts, fish, and corals, oh my! Prioritize utilitarian animals. Quarantine new additions. Continue to dose phyto and copepods. Add or upgrade equipment such as wavemakers and dosing system as required.
STOCKING
Must Haves -
- Clownfish Pair (Son's top choice)
- Yellow Tang (Son's top choice)
- Mimic/Chocolate Tang (My top choice)
- Montipora cap (My top choice)
- Blue Throat/Jaw Trigger
- Quoyi Parrotfish
- Springer's Dottyback
- Banggai Cardinal
- Toadstool leather
- Birdsnest
)
