mal7887
New member
I've never really shared what I have. I enjoy reading and looking at others builds so I figured it's my turn to contribute.
Collectively I've had this echo system since 2010. There are two things that I can absolutely say are true when you hear them: 1. You will start small and always want to go bigger, So start big from the beginning and 2. You get what you pay for, if try to do things the easy/lazy cheap way, it costs your more in the long run.
Phase one: The Beginning
My adventure started with a 36 gallon bow front tank. Complete with basic lighting, a HOB filter and a HOB protein skimmer. During these first few months I made every rookie mistake out there. Complete from rushing to buying the absolutely cheapest equipment possible and Buying inhabitants without knowing the care requirements, etc. I knew only basics about SW fish keeping (at least I thought I did at the time) and knew jack S--- about keeping coral. Many Hard and expense lessons learned in this faze.
My Original Setup:
These are the only pictures I could find. Thank goodness, It was an ugly setup and I didn't know what the hell I was doing.
Phase two: The rapid growth phase
Within months, I already had the itch to go bigger. I was able score a good deal off craigslist for a 65 Gallon Drilled setup complete with a canopy. This was my first time ever using a Wet/Dry setup, I was big time now! It also came with a T5/Metal Halide fixture. I would finally be able to grow those corals I keep reading about on reef central! I was dedicated to water changes (flash backs of driving to the store to buy water). I even at one point added a secondary seahorse tank that was connected to the 65. Everything is a manual task, water changes, lights, feeding, top off. I remember re-purposing a milk jug and poking a small hold to slowly add water to the tank when it need to be topped off. I started reading about this tank controller thing. I also successfully moved from house to apartment with no casualties!
Phase three: The Dream Setup
Or What I thought would be, I always want to seem to go bigger.
A after about a year with the 65 in the apartment I was able to buy a house. I dreaded the move again, but I would finally have the chance to do my dream setup, a 120 gallon tank. The move was a lot easier this time since we were able to have both running at the same time. I started investing heavily in Coral (softies and LPS) mostly. Still really excited and engaged in the hobby, very regular on maintenance and upkeep. I finally invest in my own RO system, Finally no more weekend trips to the pet store! I also finally buy an APEX controller, No more manual timers and an ATO! I also finally switched from T5's and Metal Halide to Apollo Reef LED fixtures! Still doing manual water changes and manual chemical additives.
Collectively I've had this echo system since 2010. There are two things that I can absolutely say are true when you hear them: 1. You will start small and always want to go bigger, So start big from the beginning and 2. You get what you pay for, if try to do things the easy/lazy cheap way, it costs your more in the long run.
Phase one: The Beginning
My adventure started with a 36 gallon bow front tank. Complete with basic lighting, a HOB filter and a HOB protein skimmer. During these first few months I made every rookie mistake out there. Complete from rushing to buying the absolutely cheapest equipment possible and Buying inhabitants without knowing the care requirements, etc. I knew only basics about SW fish keeping (at least I thought I did at the time) and knew jack S--- about keeping coral. Many Hard and expense lessons learned in this faze.
My Original Setup:
These are the only pictures I could find. Thank goodness, It was an ugly setup and I didn't know what the hell I was doing.
Phase two: The rapid growth phase
Within months, I already had the itch to go bigger. I was able score a good deal off craigslist for a 65 Gallon Drilled setup complete with a canopy. This was my first time ever using a Wet/Dry setup, I was big time now! It also came with a T5/Metal Halide fixture. I would finally be able to grow those corals I keep reading about on reef central! I was dedicated to water changes (flash backs of driving to the store to buy water). I even at one point added a secondary seahorse tank that was connected to the 65. Everything is a manual task, water changes, lights, feeding, top off. I remember re-purposing a milk jug and poking a small hold to slowly add water to the tank when it need to be topped off. I started reading about this tank controller thing. I also successfully moved from house to apartment with no casualties!
Phase three: The Dream Setup
Or What I thought would be, I always want to seem to go bigger.
A after about a year with the 65 in the apartment I was able to buy a house. I dreaded the move again, but I would finally have the chance to do my dream setup, a 120 gallon tank. The move was a lot easier this time since we were able to have both running at the same time. I started investing heavily in Coral (softies and LPS) mostly. Still really excited and engaged in the hobby, very regular on maintenance and upkeep. I finally invest in my own RO system, Finally no more weekend trips to the pet store! I also finally buy an APEX controller, No more manual timers and an ATO! I also finally switched from T5's and Metal Halide to Apollo Reef LED fixtures! Still doing manual water changes and manual chemical additives.
