Anfo42
New Member
So I started not too long ago, when I first joined this forum back in August if I'm not mistaken; I was gifted a 29g standard 30x12x18, started my journey and began researching everything I could about reef tanks and what type of set up I wanted to go with. I decided on first on what type of mini eco system would house the tank, which I decided reef tank with some softies a couple clowns, a goby and some unique vertebrates. I built my stand with intentions on adding things on to it such as a 20 gallon sump refuge and a quarantine tank all on the same stand. I had to make sure it would be sturdy, cheap, and practical so I decided on wood being the main component. Drew up my plans and build the stand as well as drew rockscape plans up based off of the live/dead rock I had and started my cycle. For filtration at the time, I decided to get a cheap back mount filter (marine land 150 bio wheel rated for a 30 gallon.) I replaced the carbon filter with a small bag of chemipure elite and watched my tank start its cycle. I reused some of the sand from the old tank and the hermit that came with it was housed. I didn't want my hermit to die, I did everything I could but eventually my nitrates and nitrites shot through the roof. He got stressed out and stayed out of his shell for a week then he became one with the substrate. I was sad I had lost him but my tank was flourishing with copepods and amphipods. tested my water at the LFS; the guy said "you're probably going to have to do a 85% water change due to your nitrates and nitrites but not yet just wait about 2 weeks." Two weeks later my tank was tested, water perimeters were stable and it was safe to start adding livestock only one problem I needed to get a power head, light, protein skimmer. Another thing I found to be odd, I never did a water change and my tank was stable. My dad ended up purchasing my first fish (ocellaris) when I didn't notice at the LFS. Took my old man with me to keep him entertained; He didn't know how it all worked with saltwater, all he knew was he wanted to be the person that bought my first saltwater fish and that he loves aquariums. I was very thankful and tried to get what I needed set up as best as possible and as quickly as possible. I got a power head installed (hydor koralia evo 850) and am doing without a skimmer for the time being. I jimmy rigged an old light with florescent bulb hung a foot above the 29g, from a prior freshwater 20 gallon set up (I will be purchasing an LED ocean-revive 120W soon for coral.) I also added a midpoint stand for my quarantine set up. My tank had been doing well for a week so I decided to introduce another ocellaris to pair mine up which turned out really well as planned. I will be posting progression pictures and I will start my documentation on my first attempt to a reef tank. Please feel free to comment and add your opinion!
Thanks- Anthony (anfo42)
first set of pictures when I started, next progression photo's and up to date to be posted soon!
Thanks- Anthony (anfo42)
first set of pictures when I started, next progression photo's and up to date to be posted soon!
