Return to Salt Water & Reef tanks

Michael.Brock · 2026-08-31T11:42:24-0400

Many years ago, back when reefcentral was the place to be, I had a 180g technical reef tank that did very well. After 4-5 years age started setting in and my wife gave me a choice of keeping the reef tank or getting a kegerator....so I broke down the tank and sold it. After that I went back to planted fresh-water tanks.

The highlight of that old tank was the live rock (from Tampa Bay Saltwater). I loved finding new interesting creatures (and trying to catch the mantis shrimp that was killing everything). That variety is something that fresh water tanks can never have (realistically). So I have broken down my fresh water planted tank, a 40g breeder, and I am back in the saltwater game.

The plan this time is to go with my planted tank lights (but I did add another 60w of 6500k-10000k fixture) and focus on live-rock & macroalgae. I didn't have the patience to wait on Tampa Bay Saltwater availability (and I didn't have the time to drive down to Tampa to pick it up) so I picked up my live rock from Gulf Live Rock and it has been great. I'm up to 40lbs now (20lbs of base + 20 lbs of premium).

So far so good!

revhtree · 2026-08-31T11:42:25-0400

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

Fish Fan · 2026-08-31T12:05:45-0400

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

kevgib67 · 2026-08-31T12:42:16-0400

Welcome, glad you are here!

Baldyreef · 2026-08-31T13:00:48-0400

welcome to reef2reef!! good to have you

get-salty · 2026-08-31T13:08:32-0400

Howdy.

Maura Tierney Hello GIF by Universal Pictures

edsbeaker · 2026-08-31T13:14:55-0400

Hello and welcome!

ChrisfromBrick · 2026-08-31T14:31:31-0400

Michael.Brock said:
Many years ago, back when reefcentral was the place to be, I had a 180g technical reef tank that did very well. After 4-5 years age started setting in and my wife gave me a choice of keeping the reef tank or getting a kegerator....so I broke down the tank and sold it. After that I went back to planted fresh-water tanks.

The highlight of that old tank was the live rock (from Tampa Bay Saltwater). I loved finding new interesting creatures (and trying to catch the mantis shrimp that was killing everything). That variety is something that fresh water tanks can never have (realistically). So I have broken down my fresh water planted tank, a 40g breeder, and I am back in the saltwater game.

The plan this time is to go with my planted tank lights (but I did add another 60w of 6500k-10000k fixture) and focus on live-rock & macroalgae. I didn't have the patience to wait on Tampa Bay Saltwater availability (and I didn't have the time to drive down to Tampa to pick it up) so I picked up my live rock from Gulf Live Rock and it has been great. I'm up to 40lbs now (20lbs of base + 20 lbs of premium).

So far so good!

Im a little upset that you chose a kegerator over a 180g reef.

Michael.Brock · 2026-08-31T14:46:14-0400

ChrisfromBrick said:
Im a little upset that you chose a kegerator over a 180g reef.

I definitely missed it but homebrewing beer has been a great hobby as well, so no regrets. If I had stuck with the tank, it would have been time to break it down (mostly) and start again. The fun stage of watching things grow and adding new livestock had passed.