It has been almost a year, since I seriously considered a reef tank. About 14 month ago, we bought a new home. There is a study room across from the dining room. I jokingly told my fiance that this would be a great aquarium room. Several months later, I brought it up, and my fiance said I should do it.
At this time, my only experience was with 55g fresh water tank 16 years ago, and I didn't have any clue about saltwater tanks. I considered used setup from craigs list. I saw couple, but I was not impressed. Then I decided on a new system 100g or so. I started doing my research and education, and the more I search, the bigger the system gets. I decided I want 8' tank. I really didn't know what I am up for. The size just fill the room right.
I thought a new house construction would hold the weight, and boy was I wrong? I had no experience with construction whatsoever. I had to design and install 2 additional joists and 3 house jacks and footings. Countless hours spent in a 3' high crawl space in the dark and cold. It was like breaking out of a jail....lol
Wall color was dark green and I didn't think was a good choice, so I had to paint the room. Sunlight was coming from the window certain time in the year, so I had a blackout custom window treatment made.
Then came the cabinet. I wanted something as good as a quality piece of furniture and match my Mahogany dining room on the other side. Professional estimate was a jaw dropping (a price of a small car). Without any experience with wood working and not owning power tools other than a drill and a circular saw, I decided to build a Mahogany cabinet. I wanted the design to be simple but elegant and not too ornate.
Then comes the water station and plumping. I was considering keeping a 50g container on wheels in the utility room, and again it was a bad decision. So, I installed a utility sink and water station in the garage. Yah, and don't forget the dedicated electrical circuits.
Then comes the QT tanks. I didn't know I needed any until the end. So, I had to build a stand for 2 QT that matches everything.
In the past 10 months, I don't think I had a free weekend nor a mental break. There was always something to design, do, or fix. I'm now regular at home depot. I was there at least once a day...lol
I had so much learning to do and countless problems to solve along the way, and without the help from so many people, I would not be able to pull this off.
Here is my setup...
At this time, my only experience was with 55g fresh water tank 16 years ago, and I didn't have any clue about saltwater tanks. I considered used setup from craigs list. I saw couple, but I was not impressed. Then I decided on a new system 100g or so. I started doing my research and education, and the more I search, the bigger the system gets. I decided I want 8' tank. I really didn't know what I am up for. The size just fill the room right.
I thought a new house construction would hold the weight, and boy was I wrong? I had no experience with construction whatsoever. I had to design and install 2 additional joists and 3 house jacks and footings. Countless hours spent in a 3' high crawl space in the dark and cold. It was like breaking out of a jail....lol
Wall color was dark green and I didn't think was a good choice, so I had to paint the room. Sunlight was coming from the window certain time in the year, so I had a blackout custom window treatment made.
Then came the cabinet. I wanted something as good as a quality piece of furniture and match my Mahogany dining room on the other side. Professional estimate was a jaw dropping (a price of a small car). Without any experience with wood working and not owning power tools other than a drill and a circular saw, I decided to build a Mahogany cabinet. I wanted the design to be simple but elegant and not too ornate.
Then comes the water station and plumping. I was considering keeping a 50g container on wheels in the utility room, and again it was a bad decision. So, I installed a utility sink and water station in the garage. Yah, and don't forget the dedicated electrical circuits.
Then comes the QT tanks. I didn't know I needed any until the end. So, I had to build a stand for 2 QT that matches everything.
In the past 10 months, I don't think I had a free weekend nor a mental break. There was always something to design, do, or fix. I'm now regular at home depot. I was there at least once a day...lol
I had so much learning to do and countless problems to solve along the way, and without the help from so many people, I would not be able to pull this off.
Here is my setup...
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