Then and now…

[Formulator]

Even though I had to reboot, its still so satisfying to look back at where we came from…

Let’s see your then and now photos!

2016

2019

2023

2024 (today)

 

[Formulator]

Nobody else is brave enough to show their early tanks?! Come on!

 

[Solo McReefer]

Nobody else is brave enough to show their early tanks?! Come on!

Ha

 

[DDenny]

Nobody else is brave enough to show their early tanks?! Come on!

This was two months in still fighting a little Dino’s but not as bad.

 

[Formulator]

This was two months in still fighting a little Dino’s but not as bad.

And now?

 

[Lavey29]

2021 and 2024

 

[paragrouper]

 

[JGT]

Had to dig up these pics. 1990. Tank did well. Mostly softies and some LPS. 135g with MH and VHO actinics.

1990

Now

 

[williamCreery]

Had to dig up these pics. 1990. Tank did well. Mostly softies and some LPS. 135g with MH and VHO actinics.

1990

Now

What’s this tank cost now?

 

[PharmrJohn]

OK. Just jumped onto 3Reef and downloaded a few pics of what my tank was like in 2008. I don't have any when it was looking really good several years later. This was a used 75g I bought that came with lame lighting (good for fish only), a few Koralia 2s, a Rio 2100 return pump and a no name skimmer (it really did suck, right along with its no name pump). Actually, that Rio was used x4 years and it never faltered. The tank itself leaked after a time and I upgraded to a 90.

Below is probably 4 months in. You can see my REALLY GREAT aquascape. Here's what I did.....I took rock and piled it up against the back glass. A lot if thought went into that!

The sump came with the DT. It was a 15 high. I had plumbed it using what it came with (soft piping). Eventually, I switched this out for a 20 long, did my own baffling and replumbed using PVC. Lord, did I hate that skimmer!

Still the 75, I had it going in an acceptable direction. Same sump tho. Parameters were stable and I think this was about 6 months in.

By the time 2010 rolled around I had something I could be proud of. It looked great.

 

[DDenny]

And now?

 

[JGT]

What’s this tank cost now?

Actually, for me, it was free. Long story. Checkout my build thread if interested.

 

[JGT]

OK. Just jumped onto 3Reef and downloaded a few pics of what my tank was like in 2008. I don't have any when it was looking really good several years later. This was a used 75g I bought that came with lame lighting (good for fish only), a few Koralia 2s, a Rio 2100 return pump and a no name skimmer (it really did suck, right along with its no name pump). Actually, that Rio was used x4 years and it never faltered. The tank itself leaked after a time and I upgraded to a 90.

Below is probably 4 months in. You can see my REALLY GREAT aquascape. Here's what I did.....I took rock and piled it up against the back glass. A lot if thought went into that!

The sump came with the DT. It was a 15 high. I had plumbed it using what it came with (soft piping). Eventually, I switched this out for a 20 long, did my own baffling and replumbed using PVC. Lord, did I hate that skimmer!

Still the 75, I had it going in an acceptable direction. Same sump tho. Parameters were stable and I think this was about 6 months in.

By the time 2010 rolled around I had something I could be proud of. It looked great.

Looks like the natural wood look was in back in the day.

 

[Formulator]

Gorgeous! Whats the time spread on that?

 

[Formulator]

Had to dig up these pics. 1990. Tank did well. Mostly softies and some LPS. 135g with MH and VHO actinics.

1990

Now

Absolutely stunning! 1990 was a good year; my birth year

 

[crazyfishmom]

Absolutely stunning! 1990 was a good year; my birth year

Young whipper snappers and all.

 

[Formulator]

2021 and 2024

Beautiful tank! Those torches on the left are amazing!! How long have you had those?

 

[PharmrJohn]

Looks like the natural wood look was in back in the day.

Yeah lol it was at that!

Absolutely stunning! 1990 was a good year; my birth year

Young whipper snappers and all.

Ya got that right! Wow, I was in my 9th year in college in 1990! I am OLD, OLD, OLD LOL! And yes, back when I was a kid things were different! Ha! Actually they were......We didn't even have a VCR! What we DID have were really, really great stereo systems that would blow your socks off!! When I was 16, I got my hands on a Radio Shack STA-95 with 4 channels, 45 watts each. Old school wattage. Those were excellent rigs.

 

[Lavey29]

Beautiful tank! Those torches on the left are amazing!! How long have you had those?

Couple years, they are wiping out some nice nearby corals though. Just killed off a beautiful favia that I really liked.

 

[Formulator]

Yeah lol it was at that!




Ya got that right! Wow, I was in my 9th year in college in 1990! I am OLD, OLD, OLD LOL! And yes, back when I was a kid things were different! Ha! Actually they were......We didn't even have a VCR! What we DID have were really, really great stereo systems that would blow your socks off!! When I was 16, I got my hands on a Radio Shack STA-95 with 4 channels, 45 watts each. Old school wattage. Those were excellent rigs.

At least I got to experience the final years of a society without screens in everyone’s hands. I even know how to dial a rotary phone!