davehead86
New member
I have been wanting to start a build thread for a while now. I figure my central Illinois reefers would enjoy this the most!
I started my current tank around April of 2015 after another pet option didn't work out, I found a used 20 gallon tall tank on craigslist. Having only kept freshwater fish previously i figured i would start small and cheap with my first venture into the saltwater world. I picked up the tank, a HOB Tetra Whisper, and a metal stand for $50. I cleaned up the silicone, epoxied a few chips and filled the sucker with Tap water and added some salt. Then i went online and realized I did that part wrong, and almost everything else I planned on doing. :lol:
I let the cycle roll, started using RODI water, and waited ... waited for so long.
I got my water parameters in line and started with the traditional 2 "Nemo" clowns as my wife likes to say, and a CUC. Well the tank went great for a while and then the male clown decided to start a long slow death march. We never really figured out what the problem was, he stopped eating and was treated for parasites (along with the rest of the tank) but nothing ever changed for him and the ammonia spiked in the tank. We removed the clown and let the tank settle down for a while.
At the LFS a coral beauty angelfish caught my eye and i decided that was the fish to replace our poor male clownfish. We added the CB and a little later added a yellow watchman goby and a skunk cleaner shrimp.
At this point in time I have been completely bitten by the saltwater bug and my 2 year old is running around the house talking about "fishies" and goes crazy when we go to the pet store. My wife has no option but to give into the madness.
Ive started getting ready for the expansion to a 65 gallon tank this summer. This is where I will be posting the adventures on the way to the 65 gallon tank.
I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I have been. Please feel free to comment and make suggestions.
I started my current tank around April of 2015 after another pet option didn't work out, I found a used 20 gallon tall tank on craigslist. Having only kept freshwater fish previously i figured i would start small and cheap with my first venture into the saltwater world. I picked up the tank, a HOB Tetra Whisper, and a metal stand for $50. I cleaned up the silicone, epoxied a few chips and filled the sucker with Tap water and added some salt. Then i went online and realized I did that part wrong, and almost everything else I planned on doing. :lol:
I let the cycle roll, started using RODI water, and waited ... waited for so long.
I got my water parameters in line and started with the traditional 2 "Nemo" clowns as my wife likes to say, and a CUC. Well the tank went great for a while and then the male clown decided to start a long slow death march. We never really figured out what the problem was, he stopped eating and was treated for parasites (along with the rest of the tank) but nothing ever changed for him and the ammonia spiked in the tank. We removed the clown and let the tank settle down for a while.
At the LFS a coral beauty angelfish caught my eye and i decided that was the fish to replace our poor male clownfish. We added the CB and a little later added a yellow watchman goby and a skunk cleaner shrimp.
At this point in time I have been completely bitten by the saltwater bug and my 2 year old is running around the house talking about "fishies" and goes crazy when we go to the pet store. My wife has no option but to give into the madness.
Ive started getting ready for the expansion to a 65 gallon tank this summer. This is where I will be posting the adventures on the way to the 65 gallon tank.
I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I have been. Please feel free to comment and make suggestions.