I've been itching to get this thread posted, tank finally came in today so figured time to get it started. Finally joining the ranks \o/ lol
So, a little bit about my start... I originally bought a used IM 20g peninsula locally about 2 months ago, came with an A80 kessil which I sold, and a cobalt 150w neo-therm thermometer. Got some of that purple caribsea rock from a few places around me and one of the older model stands from IM thru their ebay store. Watched all of the Marine Depot->BRS 52 week beginners guide to saltwater aquariums videos, a few times and couldn't decide how I wanted to do my aquascaping (trying out this NSA type stuff or just sticking to piling it up and just going with that). I decided to try and break up the rock and make something more of it than just piling up the 'shapes' that I had. Well I quickly realized this type of rock isn't exactly the best rock to be trying to break up, and I ended up with just more boulder type rocks just smaller, and now they weren't all purple all over anymore. So I did what any rational person would do.... I went and bought a new bigger tank. Got a hold of some marco type rock (not sure if its actually marco rock, but its close enough) from some locals that were getting out of the hobby and have it sitting in some bleach for a few more days. Then I can start this aquascaping nightmare again
For my equipment, I am still up in the air for most things. I have the tank and stand of course, I plan on going with the butcher block and casters hack that I have seen others with this tank do. Have been debating on whether or not I would want to get into any type of controller, but even if I do it would be something later on after I get the hang of dealing with things myself and not depending solely on the tank being totally automated. On lighting I been leaning towards a Kessil AP9X (might be a bit over doing it with this as from the coral I have been interested in so far have been mostly lps/softies but don't want to have to upgrade if I have a change of heart sooner than later), but still open to suggestions. For heating and filtration I plan on going with a helios with dual heating elements, and upgrading media caddys with InTank media/fuge caddys. But before all of this, first things first... ATO. Thats as far as my planning has gone... I know I'll need to get some flow in here but I haven't really done any homework in regards to flow just yet.
To top this all off I just realized that my current lease runs until the end of July and not sure if I plan on staying in this place or not... so until that is settled I wont be putting water in this thing. I would sign a new lease just so I can get my cycle started lol but the way things have been going in this economy, if they are going to raise the rent I'll most likely be heading elsewhere. What's that thing we keep getting told in this hobby... patience?
So, a little bit about my start... I originally bought a used IM 20g peninsula locally about 2 months ago, came with an A80 kessil which I sold, and a cobalt 150w neo-therm thermometer. Got some of that purple caribsea rock from a few places around me and one of the older model stands from IM thru their ebay store. Watched all of the Marine Depot->BRS 52 week beginners guide to saltwater aquariums videos, a few times and couldn't decide how I wanted to do my aquascaping (trying out this NSA type stuff or just sticking to piling it up and just going with that). I decided to try and break up the rock and make something more of it than just piling up the 'shapes' that I had. Well I quickly realized this type of rock isn't exactly the best rock to be trying to break up, and I ended up with just more boulder type rocks just smaller, and now they weren't all purple all over anymore. So I did what any rational person would do.... I went and bought a new bigger tank. Got a hold of some marco type rock (not sure if its actually marco rock, but its close enough) from some locals that were getting out of the hobby and have it sitting in some bleach for a few more days. Then I can start this aquascaping nightmare again
For my equipment, I am still up in the air for most things. I have the tank and stand of course, I plan on going with the butcher block and casters hack that I have seen others with this tank do. Have been debating on whether or not I would want to get into any type of controller, but even if I do it would be something later on after I get the hang of dealing with things myself and not depending solely on the tank being totally automated. On lighting I been leaning towards a Kessil AP9X (might be a bit over doing it with this as from the coral I have been interested in so far have been mostly lps/softies but don't want to have to upgrade if I have a change of heart sooner than later), but still open to suggestions. For heating and filtration I plan on going with a helios with dual heating elements, and upgrading media caddys with InTank media/fuge caddys. But before all of this, first things first... ATO. Thats as far as my planning has gone... I know I'll need to get some flow in here but I haven't really done any homework in regards to flow just yet.
To top this all off I just realized that my current lease runs until the end of July and not sure if I plan on staying in this place or not... so until that is settled I wont be putting water in this thing. I would sign a new lease just so I can get my cycle started lol but the way things have been going in this economy, if they are going to raise the rent I'll most likely be heading elsewhere. What's that thing we keep getting told in this hobby... patience?
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