Getting Serious
by
, 01-24-2010 at 12:09 AM (7208 Views)
Now that I had my larger tank volume I needed "stuff", lots of stuff. I hit garage sales by the dozen and was able to pick up quite a few items. I also found out about a thing called a reef club! I had dumped some cash on "stuff" and received some advice from some experienced guys and now I wanted more. I wanted Corals!
New 55 Gallon tank with a wet/dry filter/sump jammed in the bottom
I was able to find a few frags to place into my new setup thru reef club contacts and was ready to enjoy the results of my diligent work and frugalness, except I still needed more. Next came a homemade reactor, a homemade remote fuge, and a used lighting upgrade.
Now things were really rolling. My corals were happy, my fish were happy, my wife was happy (that I had stopped spending money), and I was happy. This continues for around a year until I came home from work to find bulging glass, leaking seams, and a broken center strap.
Emergency measures could not keep the silicone seams from leaking
I quickly made some calls and within 48 hours I had my new tank. It is amazing how willing your wife will be to buy you a bigger tank with the looking threat of 55 gallons of salt water pouring down from the second floor!
My dog checking out the new 75 gallon Reef Ready Tank
Several years and product upgrades later brings us to the present. I am happy to say that my need for more is now easily satisfied by a new frag every few months and tinkering with lamp combinations here and there. I have learned a lot doing almost everything the wrong way when I started. My tank is finally the relaxing sanctuary from work that my wife intended and I have learned patience and respect for nature.