First saltwater tank, I lurked around the forums early 2010s but never really got to setting one up. Months ago I saw a pico reef and was amazed by it. That inspired me to start reading about saltwater tanks again. After university, I'm finally be able to start to set one up! I got my tank drilled without shattering so it was time to make a build thread. I've got a 20 gallon high quarantine tank running and cycled with two Ocellaris clownfish. I'd like to automate some aspect of the tank like dosing, lights, and find some sort of way to log test data. I'm going to start out simple and then look further into automating dosing and data logging. Light aspect I think is not too hard since a lot of vendors have program or software to input parameters.
Note: I won't be adding salt mix cost. I'll always be buying it when I need it. Its not really a buy once and you are good forever.
Live Stock
Whats Next?
I'll figure out plumbing. Figure out my protein skimmer so I can assemble my sump before winter comes. Do some aquascapes here and there. Once plumbing is finished i'll be filling up the tank to cycle. I want to see if there is a way to shave off excess dry rock. I want enough to form caves and arches. I look forward to cycling, and the ugly phase because its progress!
Please enjoy pictures of Devo (normal Ocellaris) and Spot (misbar ocellaris?). They enjoy hanging (hosting?) around the heater. They'll be getting baby brine shrimp next week when the cysts get here!
Equipment list 75 gallon | |
Auto top off device (not sure what brand) | ??? |
Modular Marine 800 gph | $149.00 |
Jebao DCT - 4000 | $68.00 |
Lighting - Reefi lights | $700.00 |
Live Rock (yard sale?) | $218.00 |
Sand, Fiji Pink (135 lb needed) | $105.00 |
Maxspect Gyre powerheads & controller | $472.50 |
Refractometer | $20.00 |
RO/DI Filter equipment, need 6 stages 100 gpd | $310.00 |
Saltwater mix (instant ocean) | ??? |
Elegance 150 RS w/ Airstar 1000 S | $352.50 |
Heater (Jager) | $0.00 |
Saltwater test kit API | $0.00 |
Fish tank & Stand | $200.00 |
Grand total | $2,595.00 |
Live Stock
- 6 x Seale's Cardinal Captive Bred
- 2 x Pink Streak Wrasse pair
- 2 x Mandarin Goby pair (will add when copepod / amphipod pop. is high)
- 2 x Ocellaris Pair
- 1 x Blenny Tail spot
- 1 x Two - Spotted Bristle Tooth Tang
- 1 x Clam Maxima (will add later when parameters are stable)
- 1 x Sebae Anemone will add later when parameters are stable)
- 1 x Tuxedo Urchin (when theres stuff to clean)
- M x Clean up crew (snails) (when theres stuff to clean)
Whats Next?
I'll figure out plumbing. Figure out my protein skimmer so I can assemble my sump before winter comes. Do some aquascapes here and there. Once plumbing is finished i'll be filling up the tank to cycle. I want to see if there is a way to shave off excess dry rock. I want enough to form caves and arches. I look forward to cycling, and the ugly phase because its progress!
Please enjoy pictures of Devo (normal Ocellaris) and Spot (misbar ocellaris?). They enjoy hanging (hosting?) around the heater. They'll be getting baby brine shrimp next week when the cysts get here!
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