Tank started 2023:
This is my first reef tank build and saltwater aquarium and I just wanted to document its progress. It’s kind of a simple budget build to help get my feet wet in the hobby so nothing super fancy. I’m using a fluval 307 canister filter for now and inline heater since originally it was going to be a freshwater planted tank so I had the equipment for that. Still waiting to get the clear lily pipes. The tank is a waterbox clearmini 30 that I originally picked up on sale a few years ago and intended to use for a planted freshwater tank but never did (I do have a 16 and 6 gallon freshwater planted tanks). For the scape itself I’m using some old reef rocks and coral we had on hand that were cured for about a month. I decided on a single large arch with some crevices and caves naturally built in mostly due to the pieces I had on hand and the height of the tank. While I haven’t built a reef scape before I kind of used the same process I’d use in freshwater. Basically fitting pieces to where they feel most stable and I used some reef cement to help stabilize everything. I made sure to make the base pieces very sturdy and sit on the glass not the sand. It might look delicate but the whole thing is very solid. For the sand I’m using a mix of caribsea bimini pink and ocean direct live sand. I didn’t realize the bimini sand had the quartz in it but it looks really nice imo. For the light I don’t have any coral yet so I’m just using a very basic led planted aquarium light but plan to upgrade overtime. I do have some saltwater acclimated mollies and guppies for now, and I added some fritz turbostart 9 to help kickstart the cycle. The rocks had been curing for about a month and should be cycled.
Custome built the tsand from 2x4s and scrap wood. Multiple coats of outdoors grade paint for hopeful longevity. It’s 18”x30” and 36” tall and had caster wheels making maintenance and movement much easier! I still plan to mod the stand for better equipment mounting and add removable sides/doors etc.
I’m still putting together a stocking list but for sure would like to get an ocellaris clown and pistol shrimp/goby combo. For corals I want to start with some easy ones such as a toadstool leather, gsp, pulsing Xenia, some mushrooms and maybe zoas.
Any feedback welcomed and appreciated! I’m still very new to the reefing world
This is my first reef tank build and saltwater aquarium and I just wanted to document its progress. It’s kind of a simple budget build to help get my feet wet in the hobby so nothing super fancy. I’m using a fluval 307 canister filter for now and inline heater since originally it was going to be a freshwater planted tank so I had the equipment for that. Still waiting to get the clear lily pipes. The tank is a waterbox clearmini 30 that I originally picked up on sale a few years ago and intended to use for a planted freshwater tank but never did (I do have a 16 and 6 gallon freshwater planted tanks). For the scape itself I’m using some old reef rocks and coral we had on hand that were cured for about a month. I decided on a single large arch with some crevices and caves naturally built in mostly due to the pieces I had on hand and the height of the tank. While I haven’t built a reef scape before I kind of used the same process I’d use in freshwater. Basically fitting pieces to where they feel most stable and I used some reef cement to help stabilize everything. I made sure to make the base pieces very sturdy and sit on the glass not the sand. It might look delicate but the whole thing is very solid. For the sand I’m using a mix of caribsea bimini pink and ocean direct live sand. I didn’t realize the bimini sand had the quartz in it but it looks really nice imo. For the light I don’t have any coral yet so I’m just using a very basic led planted aquarium light but plan to upgrade overtime. I do have some saltwater acclimated mollies and guppies for now, and I added some fritz turbostart 9 to help kickstart the cycle. The rocks had been curing for about a month and should be cycled.
Custome built the tsand from 2x4s and scrap wood. Multiple coats of outdoors grade paint for hopeful longevity. It’s 18”x30” and 36” tall and had caster wheels making maintenance and movement much easier! I still plan to mod the stand for better equipment mounting and add removable sides/doors etc.
I’m still putting together a stocking list but for sure would like to get an ocellaris clown and pistol shrimp/goby combo. For corals I want to start with some easy ones such as a toadstool leather, gsp, pulsing Xenia, some mushrooms and maybe zoas.
Any feedback welcomed and appreciated! I’m still very new to the reefing world
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