Outlaw
Aquarium Advice Regular
Greetings all!
I was asked to write an introduction to the community, so I figured I would tell the story of how I got here (careful what you ask for .
While I have had SW aquaria in the past (worked at an aquarium store in my teens), it appears that everything has completely changed and I am back to newbie status (last time I had SW tanks, you wouldn't dream of not running an UG filter!).
So, a couple of months ago, all I had was a 20 gal FW community tank.
I was mentioning to a buddy that I wasn't satisfied, and I wanted a larger SW tank. I have been mentioning this to my wife for going on 20 years.
So, gradually I introduced the idea to my wife. When she finally agreed, she didn't want anything bigger than 30-40 gal in the house. I gradually convinced her that bigger is better and she warmed to the idea.
A few weeks later, a tank came up on craigslist that we had seen in the store, that she liked but wouldn't let me buy. It was a marineland 60 and stand with accessories for a good price. While I recognize that this is not a particularly good tank for SW, she said I could get it so I had to jump!
Initial aquascaping (not terribly enthused with it)
It soon became apparent, with additional research, that the stand is utterly worthless. I wanted a sump!
A couple weeks later, my buddy was breaking down his 55 gal and offered it to me for free. My wife actually let me have it! Of course it sprang a leak on the way to the truck so it needs a reseal, and the stand is toast.
I decided to broach the subject of building a new stand for the 60 (I can even make it match our existing furniture!!) Obviously my intent was to design it around the 20 gal, so that after I transfer the tropical fish to the 55 I can use it for a sump!
Here's the stand so far (still finishing the doors).
Since I am going to have to drain the tank to get it on the new stand, I have decided to break it down (maybe fix the aquascaping) and drill it for an overflow and returns, and plumb the 20 gal sump.
Will start out with Fowlr, with plans of converting to a reef in a year. Also will build a matching canopy.
Well, that's where I am currently at, went from a 20 gal to a 20, 10, 55 and 60 in a couple months! Heh, again, careful what you ask for.
Maybe I can get fish in there this year . . .
I was asked to write an introduction to the community, so I figured I would tell the story of how I got here (careful what you ask for .
While I have had SW aquaria in the past (worked at an aquarium store in my teens), it appears that everything has completely changed and I am back to newbie status (last time I had SW tanks, you wouldn't dream of not running an UG filter!).
So, a couple of months ago, all I had was a 20 gal FW community tank.
I was mentioning to a buddy that I wasn't satisfied, and I wanted a larger SW tank. I have been mentioning this to my wife for going on 20 years.
So, gradually I introduced the idea to my wife. When she finally agreed, she didn't want anything bigger than 30-40 gal in the house. I gradually convinced her that bigger is better and she warmed to the idea.
A few weeks later, a tank came up on craigslist that we had seen in the store, that she liked but wouldn't let me buy. It was a marineland 60 and stand with accessories for a good price. While I recognize that this is not a particularly good tank for SW, she said I could get it so I had to jump!
Initial aquascaping (not terribly enthused with it)
It soon became apparent, with additional research, that the stand is utterly worthless. I wanted a sump!
A couple weeks later, my buddy was breaking down his 55 gal and offered it to me for free. My wife actually let me have it! Of course it sprang a leak on the way to the truck so it needs a reseal, and the stand is toast.
I decided to broach the subject of building a new stand for the 60 (I can even make it match our existing furniture!!) Obviously my intent was to design it around the 20 gal, so that after I transfer the tropical fish to the 55 I can use it for a sump!
Here's the stand so far (still finishing the doors).
Since I am going to have to drain the tank to get it on the new stand, I have decided to break it down (maybe fix the aquascaping) and drill it for an overflow and returns, and plumb the 20 gal sump.
Will start out with Fowlr, with plans of converting to a reef in a year. Also will build a matching canopy.
Well, that's where I am currently at, went from a 20 gal to a 20, 10, 55 and 60 in a couple months! Heh, again, careful what you ask for.
Maybe I can get fish in there this year . . .