Starting up (again)

S

Slovak

I got my 72-gallon RR Oceanic bowfront in October of 2004, but decided to do research before starting with the hobby. I joined DFWMAS, attended some meetings and even a tank tour. I was motivated!

January 2005 - Converted a wet/dry into a sump, set up an external home made skimmer, and filled it with LR. Added a cleanup crew, and a couple of shrimp. Within weeks my work took me to Michigan for the rest of the year. I managed to keep up with monthly water changes and cleaning the system, but didn't do much since. The tank was definitely established with life and corraline, even though I only had a single 40w neon light bulb. None of that stopped me from reading and dreaming of my own tank!

March 2006 - I bought a house in McKinney and immediately started thinking of the tank move and placement. It took some time with the move, work schedule and other responsibilities.

May 2006 - I managed to bring the hardware over from my old office in Grand Prairie last weeked. I spent last weekend and this week cleaning the tank and stand thoroughly. I bought a 29-gallon glass tank to be used for a sump. Measured, re-drew, re-measured and got my baffles cut at Glass Contractors in Allen. Bought an ASM G3 skimmer.

Now I've finally set it up. I still need to get the sump/skimmer running (tonight). My Sunlight supply 4x48'' T5 lighting needs a structure, as my canopy is plastic and wouldn't holdit. I also plan for an auto top-off system that will be a 20g glass tank in the bottom of my 20g show refugium. It will be positioned just to the left of the main tank.

Still a long ways to go, but with lots of enthusiasm behind my efforts now!

Thanks to all of you that have offered advice and encouragement, and to those that share their experience in this forum.

Peter...

PS: I just renewed my membership (never got an expiration notice).
 
I'm glad to hear you've stuck with it through everything, at least you went about it the right way research and more research.
 
Just a quick note - seeing as I'm in charge of Membership :wink: - the address and email we have for you have since changed. That's why you didn't receive a notice. (Updating your profile when you move is always a good idea!)

But, the expiration is on your card, as well as your profile, so anyone can check their expiration of their membership.
 
Albert - thank you for the encouragement. I hope to have a tour-worthy tank at some point in the future!

Cathy - I didn't mean to complain - things have just slipped through and this was one of them. I started receiving lots of spam from the old board (old email), so it's possible the renewal notice was relegated to junk. Thanks for getting me my member icon so promptly! :D
 
Still pondering my options of the aquascape. I am sure it'll be changing as I start adding corals and fish.

Peter...
 
It's looking good so far. I got your message. I've been busy myself and sometimes it's several days go by before I'm able to look at this site. Good luck with it. :D
 
I am quite happy with the new arrangement. The picture doesn't do it justice. Many spots for corals to grow. Picked up 4 of them at the frag swap! :)

Peter...
 
I've added Devil's Hand, Fuzzy neon mushroom, big chunk of Pumping Xenia, and Green hydnophora. I've never taken shots of fish or corals, so I'll try to educate myself about proper techniques with my camera and post something soon.

Peter...
 
I'm long overdue for an update to this thread. Corals purchased at the last frag swap are doing great - pulsing zenia needs to be trimmed about once a month, a single fuzzy neon mushroom now contains 5 pieces. Devil's hand extends its polyps daily. Hydnophora is slowly covering a rock, while it has also taken to growing vertically. Corraline algae is over much of the rocks, back wall and the overflow. It actually tends to grow more in areas not directly exposed to my T5s.

Only an emerald crab and an arrow crab didn't make it over the last few months. The other emerald crab seems to be happy, even though he's more white-ish than emerald now. The beautiful purple and green tube anemone behaves and extends its tentacles especially in the mornings.

Donations from a fellow forum member (janakaybravo) are thriving as well, including purple and rose montipora, large galaxia rock, and green zoos.

I've also provided a temporary refuge for a couple of clowns (happily hosting in the pulsing xenia), 3 chromis and a lawnmower blenny for a friend that is rehabing a 75-gallon tank.

Peter...
 
Wow, I have to give you props there! Everything looks wonderful. It's great you've not only renewed your spirit but you are keeping up sucessfully. Just wait it's time for another Frag Swap. Time to add more corals!
 
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