RocketEngineer
Space is big.
Well, after a year of research, breaking down my 30g FW tank and moving into a new house, I decided to start my first saltwater tank. Before I get into the nitty gritty, a little background.
I am a mechanical engineer that designs sounding rocket payloads for a living. I work here:
http://www.nsroc.com/front/html/mmframe.html
About 2 years ago now I started doing research on FW and set up a 30g FW community tank. Looking back, I now know I rushed the 30g and it never got established properly. I lost several different batches of fish and plants. I decided to try something a little different and compare the two so I researched and setup a 75g African Cichlid tank going. From there I was hooked. I started to improve things on these two tanks over the next year. Stronger lights, a better water filter, more powerful pump. The 75g eventually stabilized while the 30g languished and never really got going.
In the beginning of 2007, I got tired of renting and started house hunting. In August 2007 I found a house. I broke down the 30g, and gave away the few remaining fish. The 75g moved with me without problem.
So, a lot of research, a few questions, several books, more research, window shopping, and now a year later, I took the dive.
The Initial Setup:
30g AGA with pine stand
(2) 30W fixture over a glass shield
(2) MJ900 powerheads
Octopus BF-100 Skimmer
From there, I used a gift card from Christmas to build a DIY PVC overflow. I scavenged the MD5 from the Cichlid tank and incorporated a 10g sump.
Next was two trips to Dr. Mac's & Sons. ~35#s of LR and 60#s of sand later, and I was on my way. If you are close enough, I recommend Dr. Mac's for the simple reason of being able to walk into the store and hand pick the rocks you want. From there, a little aquascaping was in order. Looking at other tanks, I decided on two atolls for my layout.
While placing the first batch of rock I noticed this little guy.
I think it is a Blue Leg Hermit
Hitch Hiker
So, a week later, I have no measurable ammonia or nitrites, my pH and SG are in range, I need an alkalinity kit (in the next order) and i have diatoms galore.
So this is where the story begins. I will have questions down the line but for now the tank is pretty bare but life is starting to make an appearance.
Heres to the beginning of a lifelong hobby / addiction.
I am a mechanical engineer that designs sounding rocket payloads for a living. I work here:
http://www.nsroc.com/front/html/mmframe.html
About 2 years ago now I started doing research on FW and set up a 30g FW community tank. Looking back, I now know I rushed the 30g and it never got established properly. I lost several different batches of fish and plants. I decided to try something a little different and compare the two so I researched and setup a 75g African Cichlid tank going. From there I was hooked. I started to improve things on these two tanks over the next year. Stronger lights, a better water filter, more powerful pump. The 75g eventually stabilized while the 30g languished and never really got going.
In the beginning of 2007, I got tired of renting and started house hunting. In August 2007 I found a house. I broke down the 30g, and gave away the few remaining fish. The 75g moved with me without problem.
So, a lot of research, a few questions, several books, more research, window shopping, and now a year later, I took the dive.
The Initial Setup:
30g AGA with pine stand
(2) 30W fixture over a glass shield
(2) MJ900 powerheads
Octopus BF-100 Skimmer
From there, I used a gift card from Christmas to build a DIY PVC overflow. I scavenged the MD5 from the Cichlid tank and incorporated a 10g sump.
Next was two trips to Dr. Mac's & Sons. ~35#s of LR and 60#s of sand later, and I was on my way. If you are close enough, I recommend Dr. Mac's for the simple reason of being able to walk into the store and hand pick the rocks you want. From there, a little aquascaping was in order. Looking at other tanks, I decided on two atolls for my layout.
While placing the first batch of rock I noticed this little guy.
I think it is a Blue Leg Hermit
Hitch Hiker
So, a week later, I have no measurable ammonia or nitrites, my pH and SG are in range, I need an alkalinity kit (in the next order) and i have diatoms galore.
So this is where the story begins. I will have questions down the line but for now the tank is pretty bare but life is starting to make an appearance.
Heres to the beginning of a lifelong hobby / addiction.