MoMo's Tall 45

[MoMoTheMonster]

Hi everyone,

I am extremely new to the hobby and learning more everyday. And I'm also setting all of this up as budget friendly as possible :cool: Thanks for stopping by and reading about my first saltwater tank.

So I bought a used 45g that came with live sand and live rock. The tank was drained that day. I removed everything from the tank and cleaned it. Cleaned and dried the live rock - threw away the live sand (didn't want to take any chances).

During that time of cleaning rock and buying supplies to set up the tank. I used the tank as part of my Halloween decorations :D

Here are the rocks as I had them drying in the sun:

Finally the day came when I could start cycling my tank:

I was a little short on water so I went back to my LFS the next day and got more along with some more live rock ;)

Now it's cycle time.

 

[Rp8]

Welcome aboard!

 

[CMMorgan]

Hi everyone,

I am extremely new to the hobby and learning more everyday. And I'm also setting all of this up as budget friendly as possible :cool: Thanks for stopping by and reading about my first saltwater tank.

So I bought a used 45g that came with live sand and live rock. The tank was drained that day. I removed everything from the tank and cleaned it. Cleaned and dried the live rock - threw away the live sand (didn't want to take any chances).

During that time of cleaning rock and buying supplies to set up the tank. I used the tank as part of my Halloween decorations :D

Here are the rocks as I had them drying in the sun:

Finally the day came when I could start cycling my tank:

I was a little short on water so I went back to my LFS the next day and got more along with some more live rock ;)

Now it's cycle time.

Darn... was really looking forward to those pictures but they did not open. Welcome to the reef....
My first salt water tank was a 45 gallon bowfront. You'll love it for a year and then you can tell us all about your next build! LOL
Keep us posted... what equipment are you running? Sump, canister, HOB?

 

[MoMoTheMonster]

Darn... was really looking forward to those pictures but they did not open. Welcome to the reef....
My first salt water tank was a 45 gallon bowfront. You'll love it for a year and then you can tell us all about your next build! LOL
Keep us posted... what equipment are you running? Sump, canister, HOB?

Right now I have a HOB. Plan on switching to a protein skimmer after its cycled and the numbers are good to go. Sorry the pictures didn't open, that's a bummer! I was already eyeing a 60 gallon with sump at my LFS that would look good in the spot I'm using now :D

 

[CMMorgan]

Right now I have a HOB. Plan on switching to a protein skimmer after its cycled and the numbers are good to go. Sorry the pictures didn't open, that's a bummer! I was already eyeing a 60 gallon with sump at my LFS that would look good in the spot I'm using now :D

I ran a canister and a Seaclone hang on protein skimmer that first year. The Seaclone was cheap, loud and I don't know that it was at all effective.

 

[MoMoTheMonster]

Looking good! I have my ph up 8.0, salinity up 1.022, ammon not great but hey I'm just cycling right now, nitrite 0ppm, and nitrate 10ppm

 

[MoMoTheMonster]

Salinity 1.024, PH 8.0, Ammon 0.0ppm, nitrite .0ppm and nitrate 10ppm

My HOB Aquatop Xyclone Protein Skimmer has been delayed from petsmart and my get canceled so I'm bummed about that because the price was awesome $67!! New lights (2 - Viparspectra 165W) be delivered today so looking forward to that though.

 

[MoMoTheMonster]

Quick update on my tank.

Its doing really good and I am super happy with it. I have some new friends in the tank: misbar clown - her partner jumped out of the tank :( - a diamond goby, firefish, and a beautiful long fin fairy wrasse. An excellent CUC - hermit crabs, margarita snails and astrea snails, a couple peppermint shrimp, and a serpent sea star. I also got a new HOB AquaMaxx protein skimmer thats a beast.

 

[SaltyT]

Updates?

 

[MoMoTheMonster]

My tank is still doing good. The only problem is, it isn't big enough No, more fish for me. Out of room. But still have room for corals!!

Updates?

I started one last night and got side tracked!

 

[SaltyT]

My tank is still doing good. The only problem is, it isn't big enough No, more fish for me. Out of room. But still have room for corals!!

I started one last night and got side tracked!

Hahaha! It’s just a matter of time before you start planning your next build!

 

[MoMoTheMonster]

Tank is still doing good, going through a slight case of the "uglies" but its getting better. I added some more aquascape recently, along with new corals. My diva nem (green BTA) likes to play peek-a-boo and throw tantrums so you can't see it in the picture. Also my super awesome sister let me use her older MP10 powerhead and I think my tank is in heaven now compared to my full blast Amazon cheapo set I was running. Can't wait to save up the money to get another one they are awesome!

 

[MoMoTheMonster]

Oh I also wanted to share the custom light stand my husband welded and powdercoated for me:

It's absolutely amazing for my Viparspectras!

 

[SaltyT]

Awfully quiet around here...

 

[MoMoTheMonster]

This picture is from earlier in the year. Sadly, I've lost quite a few of these guys in this picture to a disease surge in April

 

[MoMoTheMonster]

Awfully quiet around here...

Toooo funny!!!

 

[afrokobe]

Oh I also wanted to share the custom light stand my husband welded and powdercoated for me:

It's absolutely amazing for my Viparspectras!

that light stand is awesome! I need one for my setup.

 

[MoMoTheMonster]

This picture is from April 2021

 

[SaltyT]

Fight Club wrasse :p

 

[MoMoTheMonster]

Here is the tank today. Its come a long way. I dose Seachem Reef Fusion 2 daily because of consistent low Alk (calcium is always stable). RedSea NoPoX has been great in helping me rid the tank of the months of battling GHA. Weekly water changes of at least 5 gallons. I run a filter sock in a regular HOB filter without carbon and I still have my HOB AquaMaxx protein skimmer that is still a beast. The tank has been filled with ups and downs but I truly enjoy the hobby and I'm still learning everyday.

Also note that I plan to upgrade in the next year or so to either a 75 or 125 gallon. So before the tang police come after me on my Tomini please know an upgraded home is in the works. Fish health and happiness is always first