My 36 gal budget build

[Mandrew]

And the light im using only costed $80 on eBay and will grow anything. I think they go for $90 now

 

[SR52012]

Nice! I could have used wood but it would have rotted over time. Plus I only spent $16 for all the fittings, pipe, paint, and zip ties.

 

[SR52012]

And the light im using only costed $80 on eBay and will grow anything. I think they go for $90 now

The Mars light?

 

[Mandrew]

Yes mars aqua

 

[R_C]

Good looking light stand. Would make a great DIY!

 

[SR52012]

Update time!!!!

So I set my tank up on Saturday! I hand picked my rock and got live sand from the gulf. Took me about an hour to get the rocks to where they looked good and fill the tank. As of right now i am only running a circ pump, the HOB skimmer I have i need to get a mesh bag to hold some rock rubble in for a bio filter. Other than that here are some pics!!!!


This is after I filled it up all the way.


Shes clearing up quick!




By the next morning she was clear! Now it was time to look for some hitch hikers!


This little guy was playing hide and seek... I tried for hours yesterday to get an ID on this but he wouldnt come out... Finally this morning I saw him enought to be 80% positive that he is a Pistol Shrimp. He looked red with a line down his back, but I only had my moon light on. Im going to keep trying to get a pic of him!

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Someone on FB said this think this might be a mini starfish, what do you think?

I also have 2 hermit crabs, a snail, and a tiny baby crab that I cant find anymore.

And finally some corals and macros that came on my live rocks...


I fell in love with Zoas the moment I saw them, and i got some on my live rock, nothing special but cool none the less.






The tank shouldnt take long to cycle since i have water, rock, and sand from the Gulf.

Its so hard waiting to add things!!!!


My daughter (1 year old) and I sat in a chair in front of the tank a few times yesterday just staring at it! She loves fish and even tho there arent any in it right now she sits there and stairs at it!


Thanks!

Let me know what you think!

 

[Mandrew]

Looks good. When you say the gulf do you mean you collected it all yourself in the ocean? [emoji32]

 

[SR52012]

Looks good. When you say the gulf do you mean you collected it all yourself in the ocean? [emoji32]

No, the store I got it from is licensed to farm live rock in the gulf.

 

[Mandrew]

Oh I was going to be jealous haha

 

[SR52012]

But I do live 5 min away from the gulf lol

 

[SR52012]

If you had my tank what fish would you put in it?

 

[Mandrew]

Honestly idk. Probably a few chromis, A clown pair, and maybe a shrimp goby pair.

 

[SR52012]

Honestly idk. Probably a few chromis, A clown pair, and maybe a shrimp goby pair.

Well i have the shirmp, just need the goby to pair with it... Is there a certain kind of goby to get? And a pair of clowns was on the list, snowflakes to be exact. Other than that I didnt know what else to get... And it seems like your the only one to read my build );

 

[Mandrew]

That's unfortunate about not having many readers. I think the shrimp goby pair is a pistol shrimp specifically and I know they will pair with a yellow watchman goby. That's all I really know about them. I've been on the hunt for a pistol shrimp for my goby for a while now. You could get fire fish, maybe a royal grama, look on live aquaria they have a good selection and info about each fish and you can pick a few you like there.

 

[SR52012]

Tom has them if you are still looking for them.
https://saltybottomreefcompany.com/Blue-Leg-Pistol-Shrimp_p_1821.html

 

[Mandrew]

Holy cow and cheap! Thanks for that link. I was trying to find them local. I hate shipping fees lol.

 

[SR52012]

Holy cow and cheap! Thanks for that link. I was trying to find them local. I hate shipping fees lol.

Thats where I got my rock and sand I was telling you about. Where are you located?

 

[Mandrew]

Michigan

 

[SR52012]

Sorry i havent sent an update latley! Things have been crazy busy!

Here is a little update...

Tank is doing great! I went to hook the HOB Skimmer up and the seals for the intake are bad so I had to take it back off until i can get new O-rings. I have also added a CUC to the tank. I got a few Red and Blue legged hermits, a few ninja star snails, a sea cuc, 2 pep shrimp, and 2 emerald crabs ( i think thats what they were) also some other snails.

I have some pics i will post in a few min when I have a sec to upload them.