Photos of my 125 gallon reef tank - 20 years history

I still have most of that stuff along with other much more ancient stuff that is still working. Old stuff is great :wavehand:
But I do like to keep my library current.
scan0012.jpg
 
This was really inspiring for me, I hope to be able to do the same with my tank. It was really cool to see how technology changed and how there was ups and down but in the end persistance prevailed.
 
I was looking at this thread that I posted two years ago and maybe some may be interested in seen that I am still going strong after some mayor changes in my tank. Here is a photo now

2011-10

20111030-08747s.jpg


20111027-08017.jpg


20111027-08024.jpg


20111027-08032.jpg
 
Wow. Just read throught the whole thread. Just the fact you were able to keep a reef tank 20 years ago is an achievement. I should know. I was there, and failed 20 years ago :). Then keeping it going and updating through catastrophes and moves is another whole set of achievements! Good job!!

Your current tank is nicely packed!! You have any trouble with chemical warfare?
 
My problem is mainly of corals getting close together. LPS like the bubble tentacles affecting the Montys, Blue mushrooms spreading all over the place and sometimes the Frogspawn growth. In terms of chemestry of the water I have carbon, pellets and GFO that helps a lot with that.

To be honest I love moving and playing with corals! Is like a garden evolution.
 
Wow! Thanks for sharing your tank and story with us!

Brings back a lot of memories! Do you remember any details of the skimmer in the photo below? It was my first skimmer sooo many years ago!

luisgo said:
What a skimmer, jeje..
Click to expand...

Again, Thanks for sharing! :)
 
I remember buying that skimmer from a company that advertised at Freshwater and Marine Aquarium. There were not many companies selling skimmers.
 
luisgo said:
I remember buying that skimmer from a company that advertised at Freshwater and Marine Aquarium. There were not many companies selling skimmers.
Click to expand...

Lol, FAMA is where I picked mine out too. There wasn't so much of an Internet back then, well at least for consumers and hobbyists. Wish I could remember what it was called, or the vendor.. I do remember it was HOB only and you had to drain and remove the whole thing to clean the cup well, as it was glued on to the skimmer with only a skimmer cup drain tube. Cool stuff man!

I think, and just guessing really, that those that those of us that keep a reef longer than 5 years are less than 1 in 100 that get started in the hobby - the one-percenters club if you will. There are lots of us here, but this is our gathering place. I've had a few reef tanks that I've kept long term over the years, life changes have gotten in the way so I haven't had my current 10 years yet, but have been keeping reefs since the mid-eighties.

I wish I still had many of the photos of mine, life changes can be messy. If you want/have time to post more photos of your tank and equipment, I for one would love to see them. Again, thanks for sharing Sir! :)
 
Glad it is still going.

Do you think our tanks can go on for a lifetime or are there too many "what ifs" that come into play?
 
In theory a tank can go for a lifetime but there are so many things that can go wrong that is almost impossible. The more equipment there is the more probable that it will happen.

The only thing that is in my tank from the very first day is the live rock which is now 21 years old! The Frogspawn is a little more than 10 years old and blue mushrooms are very old too.

For example I am considering buying a chiller just to have it spear in the event mine broke. I have a replacement lamp in case the lights fail. I always have a bucket of salt around. I have a UPS for the main pump and a generator in the event of a power failure, etc...

Many things have to be considered to run a tank for years.

Very important is to have a stable job and stay in the same house for years.
 
I live in Toa Baja which is 15 minutes from San Juan, center Metro Area. There are very nice beaches and reefs in Isabela.

The only mayor brakedown was a water leak in 1994. After that the tank was relocated in 2005 and in Feb 2011 was reinstalled after the installation of a closed loop.
 
I just saw the thread pop up, and am really inspired.


Especially because 23 years or so ago is when I basically got out of the hobby, and am coming back now. Your pictures make me realize all I was missing!

Great work
 
TREMENDO tanque Luisgo.
It's a pleasure seeing the history behind it.
Mucha suerte en los proximos 20 años



Doggydoc
 
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