My reef has grown again! Since it was a tank transfer with rocks and livestock I decided to just keep this thread going rather than start a new one. I do enjoy reading through this one and seeing how things have changed. It's now a 75g with an AIO. Updated pictures to come and also located on https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/maggies-mixed-reef-build-v3-now-a-75.907616/post-11290694
Ironically almost exactly a year to date Since I started the 29......
Original Post:
My first saltwater journey started almost exactly a year ago... I've learned so much in that time. A lot of trial and error, and finding out what works for me and what doesn't. My first salty tank was a 20g long, and I went through the hob filter, then on to a canister. Pros and cons for both, but what I really liked was the convenience of an all in one.
So that brings me to today. Right now it's filled with water and running and I plan on adding all my rock, corals and livestock.
So I started with a aqueon 29g tank. I ordered the 29g aio insert from fiji cube, and a tube of black silicone. My glue in job passed toddler inspection, lol.
Next step was the background. The last tank was painted, but it scratches of easily and I didn't like that. But on my 75g freshwater tank I had my hubs window tint the back and it's awesome, so I had him help me on this tank as well. I absolutely recommend tint if you're doing a new tank. One layer of 5% tint and from the front is totally black. Super durable, doesn't scratch easily when adding pumps with magnets and waterproof. It's a skill application though, if you've never worked with auto window tint it's a bit difficult but youtube can help, or take your tank to a window tint shop and they can do it for you.
So here's where it gets rough. My light I had hanging from shelf brackets and with this taller tank I had to raise the brackets. I'm also working with limited wall space because I have a TV right above the tank. So as I was mounting the second bracket my level fell off and broke a section of my AIO insert. Heartbreak. Profanity was used. Fortunately it only broke one of the baffles and I was able to silicone it back into place and everything still works as it should that was lucky.
After the silicone was dry I trimmed the excess and it's hardly noticeable. Thankfully. I was pretty mad at myself for that. Totally my fault.
When I emptied the previous 20g, I set up a 10g on my kitchen counter so I had plenty of working time incase problems arose. Everybody seems happy enough although I'm on day 3 of no real light besides ambient and some morning sun. So today I'm getting everything out of that and into the new tank.
So I got the the new tank filled with salt water, heater on and ready for rock and sand. I didn't do sand first because I could only mix 4 gallons at a time so I was dumping in water before it was totally clear, so I have a powerhead in there running all night to ensure the salt was mixed well for today's adventures. I plan on adding sand slowly with a cup. I've done this method before with a freshwater tank, it takes longer but it's possible.
So on the agenda today is add rock and sand, corals and livestock and sit back and enjoy.
Stay tuned....
![20220421_163147.jpg 20220421_163147.jpg](https://www.reef2reef.com/data/attachments/2573/2573134-f243c31299881dd69d947d10ee4751da.jpg)
Ironically almost exactly a year to date Since I started the 29......
Original Post:
My first saltwater journey started almost exactly a year ago... I've learned so much in that time. A lot of trial and error, and finding out what works for me and what doesn't. My first salty tank was a 20g long, and I went through the hob filter, then on to a canister. Pros and cons for both, but what I really liked was the convenience of an all in one.
So that brings me to today. Right now it's filled with water and running and I plan on adding all my rock, corals and livestock.
So I started with a aqueon 29g tank. I ordered the 29g aio insert from fiji cube, and a tube of black silicone. My glue in job passed toddler inspection, lol.
Next step was the background. The last tank was painted, but it scratches of easily and I didn't like that. But on my 75g freshwater tank I had my hubs window tint the back and it's awesome, so I had him help me on this tank as well. I absolutely recommend tint if you're doing a new tank. One layer of 5% tint and from the front is totally black. Super durable, doesn't scratch easily when adding pumps with magnets and waterproof. It's a skill application though, if you've never worked with auto window tint it's a bit difficult but youtube can help, or take your tank to a window tint shop and they can do it for you.
So here's where it gets rough. My light I had hanging from shelf brackets and with this taller tank I had to raise the brackets. I'm also working with limited wall space because I have a TV right above the tank. So as I was mounting the second bracket my level fell off and broke a section of my AIO insert. Heartbreak. Profanity was used. Fortunately it only broke one of the baffles and I was able to silicone it back into place and everything still works as it should that was lucky.
After the silicone was dry I trimmed the excess and it's hardly noticeable. Thankfully. I was pretty mad at myself for that. Totally my fault.
When I emptied the previous 20g, I set up a 10g on my kitchen counter so I had plenty of working time incase problems arose. Everybody seems happy enough although I'm on day 3 of no real light besides ambient and some morning sun. So today I'm getting everything out of that and into the new tank.
So I got the the new tank filled with salt water, heater on and ready for rock and sand. I didn't do sand first because I could only mix 4 gallons at a time so I was dumping in water before it was totally clear, so I have a powerhead in there running all night to ensure the salt was mixed well for today's adventures. I plan on adding sand slowly with a cup. I've done this method before with a freshwater tank, it takes longer but it's possible.
So on the agenda today is add rock and sand, corals and livestock and sit back and enjoy.
![20220421_163147.jpg 20220421_163147.jpg](https://www.reef2reef.com/data/attachments/2573/2573134-f243c31299881dd69d947d10ee4751da.jpg)
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