Blitzburggirl
Member
Hi all! Happy Saturday!!
So... I've had a few tanks over the years and I've been "œdry" for 4 longgggg years. I still live in an apartment (not allowed to have aquariums) and finally decided to just do it. But- you know, small, easily portable...
I waited four years!! Well about 2 months ago, I decided to do it. I agonized over what tank. Where to put it (tons of natural light in my place.. who complains about that? lol) Finally I decided to use my old top off reservoir from my long sold 180. It's a 10 gallon half moon fit under the stand and next to my dolphin pump. It's tallish, with a long flat back, and would have interesting flow pattern. I thought it would be an interesting challenge and unique, besides, I tend to like a "œdeep" look over a lagoon. Anyway, I bought small footprint light. Because.. halfmoon. I pulled out some unique pieces of dry rock (yes... I lugged my pukani and Tonga from 8 states away. The movers loved moving those totes.. what's in here?! Rocks?? Son: why, yes. They are boxes of rocks. Movers: :eek1: )
Anyway. Added some water, some sand, a piece of raw tuna, a heater and a pump and and let it marinate. Finally decided to test it after FFM (fantastic New England show! so painful to not be able to buy any goodies!) and observed a cycle.
This weekend... considered buying 20 gallon Nuvo from great guy on forum selling.. but would have to figure out stand. Went to consignment store and found a great chest at the consignment store that would make a fantastic stand for the half moon (weird footprint you know!!)
Guy sold tank (happy for him, driving to his city is a pain, and 20 gal is really more than I wanted volume wise.) So went back and bought chest at store. Removed 3/4 of water from 10 gal half moon in basement that has been running for 2 freaking months. Son (very carefully) carried up to second floor apt. Sets it where I want it. I begin the process of heater in fresh saltwater so there is enough water to cover heater and rock while tank sitting on counter (chest is being delivered tomorrow.)
And- then.I.see.it!!!!!!! A freaking little bead of water squeezed out of the seal in the bottom back corner!!!!!
So here I sit, sad, mad and very annoyed. I wanted to use this tank. So bad. Sentimental reasons. Challenge. Unique. I bought a specific piece of furniture to show it off. And. Now a leak. I swear for the two months it was in the basement, it didn't leak! Believe me.. I packed paper around it so I could see if there was a leak.
I'm glad it's a small leak, a bead every 10 minutes or so, so I have time to figure it out. I don't think I want to reseal it. I'm not really good at such things. Plus, it sat dry for about 5 years, we all know it's only a matter of time til another leak.
Thank y'all for reading! My son is like, just get another tank. And of course I will. But, damn. It's not that easy!
That said. If anyone has a small footprint suggestion, let's hear it! My light is small footprint, and definitely want to use it!! I don't really want to pay for "œkit" lighting. I've been seeing lots of folks on here with the fluval 13.5 gallon tanks. I'm also a bit intrigued by the Lifeguard Aquatic full views. The problem is I don't get the height I'm missing. I don't really want to bump up to 20 gallons and $400 for the IM drop off. UGH. Is there something out there that I'm missing? Please for the love of all that is salty, help!
So... I've had a few tanks over the years and I've been "œdry" for 4 longgggg years. I still live in an apartment (not allowed to have aquariums) and finally decided to just do it. But- you know, small, easily portable...
I waited four years!! Well about 2 months ago, I decided to do it. I agonized over what tank. Where to put it (tons of natural light in my place.. who complains about that? lol) Finally I decided to use my old top off reservoir from my long sold 180. It's a 10 gallon half moon fit under the stand and next to my dolphin pump. It's tallish, with a long flat back, and would have interesting flow pattern. I thought it would be an interesting challenge and unique, besides, I tend to like a "œdeep" look over a lagoon. Anyway, I bought small footprint light. Because.. halfmoon. I pulled out some unique pieces of dry rock (yes... I lugged my pukani and Tonga from 8 states away. The movers loved moving those totes.. what's in here?! Rocks?? Son: why, yes. They are boxes of rocks. Movers: :eek1: )
Anyway. Added some water, some sand, a piece of raw tuna, a heater and a pump and and let it marinate. Finally decided to test it after FFM (fantastic New England show! so painful to not be able to buy any goodies!) and observed a cycle.
This weekend... considered buying 20 gallon Nuvo from great guy on forum selling.. but would have to figure out stand. Went to consignment store and found a great chest at the consignment store that would make a fantastic stand for the half moon (weird footprint you know!!)
Guy sold tank (happy for him, driving to his city is a pain, and 20 gal is really more than I wanted volume wise.) So went back and bought chest at store. Removed 3/4 of water from 10 gal half moon in basement that has been running for 2 freaking months. Son (very carefully) carried up to second floor apt. Sets it where I want it. I begin the process of heater in fresh saltwater so there is enough water to cover heater and rock while tank sitting on counter (chest is being delivered tomorrow.)
And- then.I.see.it!!!!!!! A freaking little bead of water squeezed out of the seal in the bottom back corner!!!!!
So here I sit, sad, mad and very annoyed. I wanted to use this tank. So bad. Sentimental reasons. Challenge. Unique. I bought a specific piece of furniture to show it off. And. Now a leak. I swear for the two months it was in the basement, it didn't leak! Believe me.. I packed paper around it so I could see if there was a leak.
I'm glad it's a small leak, a bead every 10 minutes or so, so I have time to figure it out. I don't think I want to reseal it. I'm not really good at such things. Plus, it sat dry for about 5 years, we all know it's only a matter of time til another leak.
Thank y'all for reading! My son is like, just get another tank. And of course I will. But, damn. It's not that easy!
That said. If anyone has a small footprint suggestion, let's hear it! My light is small footprint, and definitely want to use it!! I don't really want to pay for "œkit" lighting. I've been seeing lots of folks on here with the fluval 13.5 gallon tanks. I'm also a bit intrigued by the Lifeguard Aquatic full views. The problem is I don't get the height I'm missing. I don't really want to bump up to 20 gallons and $400 for the IM drop off. UGH. Is there something out there that I'm missing? Please for the love of all that is salty, help!
