My Reefing Journey/Build (Plenty of Pics)

[will16]

Originally posted by Sardaukar
Great tank! Just finished reading the whole thread and I want to second the earlier comment about how nice it is to see a build/update thread that actually includes the bad with the good. Its reassuring to read about beautiful tanks that work through algae problems, acro pests, fish deaths, ich, etc. Your tank is pretty much what I'm shooting for when I get the cash to return to this hobby: 4' tank, T5 lighting, vortechs and lots of wrasses

Couple of quick questions. I take it the radiant survived that wound from the Kole? Does he have a scar and how well did it heal? Do you think the extra 6" of front to back would have been worth going for a 120 or are you pretty happy with the 90?

Hey thanks for the compliments! I really appreciate it. This hobby is full of ups and downs... just sharing my experience. Hope you find some of it useful.

The radiant is completely healed. No scars. Funny thing is now that the Kole is gone, he is now king of the tank. Not really aggressive but likes to remind everyone every now and then that he is the boss

One of my earliest regrets was not going with the 120. I think the extra 6" is definitely worth it and would definitely recommend that if you are trying to decide. Right now I am trying to figure out a way to talk the wife into upgrading to a 6' tank I love the 300 gal marineland... Just a dream at the moment though

Good luck and hopefully you will be back into this hobby soon!

[will16]

Originally posted by OwNeD162
Well, some of the Aussie Acan's I see sold over in the states for like US$200, we can pick up over here for like US$50 (but it's really rare to get them over here because they all get sent to the States cause they can get more money for them). Other corals are pretty much the same... Its just things like aussie acans and aussie duncans that get so marked up in America.

Fish are more expensive over here, but not by too much.

Invertebrate are the killer! In Australia, we can't import invertebrate, therefore it all has to be Australian collected, so it is RIDICULOUSLY expensive! Snails are expensive, Anemones are expensive, skunk cleaner shrimp are $100+

Also, equipment is quite a bit more expensive over here, due to the fact that most of it comes from the States...

Thanks for the info. So ironic that it's easier to get aussie stuff in the states than in australia! Cleaner shrimp for $100+! Wow!

[Sardaukar]

Originally posted by will16
Hey thanks for the compliments! I really appreciate it. This hobby is full of ups and downs... just sharing my experience. Hope you find some of it useful.

The radiant is completely healed. No scars. Funny thing is now that the Kole is gone, he is now king of the tank. Not really aggressive but likes to remind everyone every now and then that he is the boss

One of my earliest regrets was not going with the 120. I think the extra 6" is definitely worth it and would definitely recommend that if you are trying to decide. Right now I am trying to figure out a way to talk the wife into upgrading to a 6' tank I love the 300 gal marineland... Just a dream at the moment though

Good luck and hopefully you will be back into this hobby soon!

Glad to hear the radiant fully healed. That was a nasty gash.

A 6' tank is definitely tempting - it really opens up your aquascaping and stocking options and after pricing out both a 120gal and 180gal, I really don't think the larger tank ends up costing that much more (other than the tank itself being a bit more, you don't really need that much more in the way of lighting, skimming, etc for 50% more volume). Speaking of costs, do you mind ballparking what you think you have spent so far (if you don't feel comfortable doing so, thats fine)?

[OwNeD162]

Originally posted by will16
Thanks for the info. So ironic that it's easier to get aussie stuff in the states than in australia! Cleaner shrimp for $100+! Wow!

Haha, yer, they want to make as much money as possible so bye bye all our Australian stuff
I know! I was really looking forward to getting a cleaner shrimp till I found out how much they were

[H.Veras]

Originally posted by will16
Hey thanks for the compliments! I really appreciate it. This hobby is full of ups and downs... just sharing my experience. Hope you find some of it useful.

The radiant is completely healed. No scars. Funny thing is now that the Kole is gone, he is now king of the tank. Not really aggressive but likes to remind everyone every now and then that he is the boss

One of my earliest regrets was not going with the 120. I think the extra 6" is definitely worth it and would definitely recommend that if you are trying to decide. Right now I am trying to figure out a way to talk the wife into upgrading to a 6' tank I love the 300 gal marineland... Just a dream at the moment though

Good luck and hopefully you will be back into this hobby soon!

yeah wife!!!! i wanted a 120 but wife said, it would be too big for our living room. i was all sad ... but for now i'll be ok with a 90g... good luck trying to convincing your wife...

[H.Veras]

hey sup will any updates yet? show the goodies

[will16]

Originally posted by H.Veras
hey sup will any updates yet? show the goodies

Funny you should ask, just bought some wood to start the next project



Unfortunately not too exciting... water mixing station with an RO/DI can on top and salt on bottom. Problem is that it is going to be in the kitchen so need to make it pretty.

Other than that, the tank's been doing well. The cap's are growing out of control so started fragging them to cut them back

Started out as...




Now this


Started as


Now...


Here are pieces of the orange cap. I need a frag tank, no where to put them.


Hard to see from this photo but experimenting mounting a green and orange cap next to each other to see how they grow together. There was a totm guy who did some really cool stuff like this.

[will16]

Was also playing around photographing with the reflection off of the front glass as the background. Makes your tank look HUGE





And this is a funny one I like

[H.Veras]

hey will i know that photographing is your other hobby right.... i need some help with that issue... plz could you take a look at my pictures at my thread and tell me how am i doing it... and what would be the best way to learn how to take great pictures... thx i really appreciate.. btw i can't wait to see the new build come along...

[H.Veras]

btw great pictures i wish i could take pictures like u...

[spllbnd2]

Awesome photos and a great tank. Keep up the great work and keep the updates a coming.

Cheers,
Alex

[OwNeD162]

Hey Will, that is some pretty awesome growth !
I thought they were montiporas though... Whats cap?
Cheers,
Mitchell.

[will16]

Originally posted by H.Veras
hey will i know that photographing is your other hobby right.... i need some help with that issue... plz could you take a look at my pictures at my thread and tell me how am i doing it... and what would be the best way to learn how to take great pictures... thx i really appreciate.. btw i can't wait to see the new build come along...

Thanks. Will stop by your thread and take a look

[will16]

Originally posted by spllbnd2
Awesome photos and a great tank. Keep up the great work and keep the updates a coming.

Cheers,
Alex

Thanks!

[will16]

Originally posted by OwNeD162
Hey Will, that is some pretty awesome growth !
I thought they were montiporas though... Whats cap?
Cheers,
Mitchell.

Just too lazy to type it all out... Montipora capricornis

[OwNeD162]

Originally posted by will16
Just too lazy to type it all out... Montipora capricornis

Haha, ok, sorry, should have been able to work that one out myself

[H.Veras]

hey will how is the new project is coming along?

[will16]

Originally posted by H.Veras
hey will how is the new project is coming along?

Hey Veras. Alright... you asked for it. Not very exciting but here it is. It's a water storage/mixing station. Don't have much room in the house so it is going in the kitchen so wanted to make it look nice. Mix of 2x4's, 3/4" maple ply and 1x maple boards

[will16]

Finished with 2 coats of watco danish oil (tung oil/varnish mix)




Ran out of wood for the cabinet top so gathered up every scrap of maple I had and edge glued/biscuit together


This is the cabinet that hides the 20 gal brute for RODI water on top


The intent is to leave the bottom open and cover with a curtain. That way I can wheel the salt water can (on dolly) in and out for water changes.

[inktomi]

Now that's a good idea.. I might have to do the same. Right now I have a 35g brute in the garage, and have to lift it up a bit to get it through the door into the house. That's heavy!

Having everything inside would be fantastic.. now if only I had the woodworking skills you do!

[Sisterlimonpot]

Will,
that's cool, very practical

[wdbill]

will16 I've been reading this thread for a while now. you posted to to my thread and I like how you have made your own stand. And I'm doing my best to do something similar to what you have done. I still have a bit to do on the stand

http://picasaweb.google.com/wdbill4/20090624StandII#

thanks for posting this thread

[H.Veras]

will looking good, haha but tell me what do you do that won't look good everything looks great..

[will16]

Thanks guys.

wdbill, your stand looks like it's coming along nicely. Real sturdy!

[David - Miami]

Will,

Since it is going in the kitchen, why not put doors instead of the curtain? You could put a fake toekick board attached to the door to keep it consistent and that would probably look better than the curtain. Just a thought.