Hey All
I'm a *new* reefer who's found my way back into the hobby after a several-year hiatus. When I was 12-13 I started my first reef tank and fell in love with this hobby. I eventually moved on to other things but have always found the process fascinating and exciting. I was somehow bit by the bug again 20 years later and decided to try my hand at a 10g AIO mixed reef cube. My 4-year-old daughter instantly took an interest in the fish as well. Needless to say, the obsession has been reignited and I'm doing what I said I would never ever ever ever do again. upgrade...3 months in...who does this? WE DO.
I've learned a tremendous amount in 3 short months. Having access to these forums, new technology, financial means outside of a 12-year-old, and the desire to learn and research everything til the cows come home has been invaluable! Currently keeping a mix of easier SPS and a few acros. I've already battled bryopsis and dinos. It's amazing to see and understand the cause and effect of different actions. I made mistakes early on by likely doing too much and keeping a tank that was way too clean. I started my current tank with bottle bac and fully cured Carib sea liferock from my LFS. After doing this once I'm 100% going with actual live rock this time. I don't care if it's more $$$
Anyway, I'm learning from the minor setbacks and starting fresh with that much more experience under my belt.
The new tank is a custom 48x24x14 (70 gallon) lagoon-style reef that is currently in the works with @Joe Glass Cages. The funny thing is I've changed the tank dimensions larger twice since originally placing the order. My plan is to install my own AIO compartment built by @Tenecor Aquariums. Here is the equipment list currently on the way.
My stand build is currently in progress and made from furniture-grade douglas fir. My plan is to leave the design open and hide any equipment in baskets on the bottom shelf. My inspiration for this stand is a farmhouse-style console table that will sit in our office. I needed something that would flow with the room's modern/classic style. I'm going to do a weight test but the frame alone on this thing is SOLID. the front and back cross braces can support all my weight alone. The top will be a sheet of 3/4 birch plywood. Really looking forward to seeing this tank come to life!
I'm a *new* reefer who's found my way back into the hobby after a several-year hiatus. When I was 12-13 I started my first reef tank and fell in love with this hobby. I eventually moved on to other things but have always found the process fascinating and exciting. I was somehow bit by the bug again 20 years later and decided to try my hand at a 10g AIO mixed reef cube. My 4-year-old daughter instantly took an interest in the fish as well. Needless to say, the obsession has been reignited and I'm doing what I said I would never ever ever ever do again. upgrade...3 months in...who does this? WE DO.
I've learned a tremendous amount in 3 short months. Having access to these forums, new technology, financial means outside of a 12-year-old, and the desire to learn and research everything til the cows come home has been invaluable! Currently keeping a mix of easier SPS and a few acros. I've already battled bryopsis and dinos. It's amazing to see and understand the cause and effect of different actions. I made mistakes early on by likely doing too much and keeping a tank that was way too clean. I started my current tank with bottle bac and fully cured Carib sea liferock from my LFS. After doing this once I'm 100% going with actual live rock this time. I don't care if it's more $$$
Anyway, I'm learning from the minor setbacks and starting fresh with that much more experience under my belt.
The new tank is a custom 48x24x14 (70 gallon) lagoon-style reef that is currently in the works with @Joe Glass Cages. The funny thing is I've changed the tank dimensions larger twice since originally placing the order. My plan is to install my own AIO compartment built by @Tenecor Aquariums. Here is the equipment list currently on the way.
- 3 AI prime HDs (have 1 already and love it)
- 2 Echotech MP40s
- MightyJet 538 return? (TBD, also looking at Reef Octopus)
- 300 Watt BRS titanium heater with Inkbird
- Tunze 3155 Auto Top Off
- Kamoer x1 Bluetooth doser with Tropic Marin All-For-Reef solution
- Buckeye Hydro 4-stage RODI unit (had one already for brewing beer)
- 60lbs Caribsea special grade live sand
- 50 lbs of actual live rock from Florida (TBD on the vendor)
- Tropic Marin Pro reef salt
- Custom DIY stand
- Skimmer (TBD on if going this route. Filtration now consists of floss/carbon/GFO as needed).
My stand build is currently in progress and made from furniture-grade douglas fir. My plan is to leave the design open and hide any equipment in baskets on the bottom shelf. My inspiration for this stand is a farmhouse-style console table that will sit in our office. I needed something that would flow with the room's modern/classic style. I'm going to do a weight test but the frame alone on this thing is SOLID. the front and back cross braces can support all my weight alone. The top will be a sheet of 3/4 birch plywood. Really looking forward to seeing this tank come to life!
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