grizfyrfyter
Guest
Well, after multiple suggestions to create a tank journal I'm heeding the advice and spending a few minutes to jot down my experiences so far.
To start, I've always wanted aquariums since I was a child but my parents said no. Once I was out on my own (16) I was way to busy getting through school while working full time and living/serving at a volunteer fire station. 3 days after high school I started my career as a wildland firefighter so anything other than a betta with a plant tank was out of the question. I recently left that career to raise my daughter while my wife is in nursing school. Anyhow, before taking the plunge to a saltwater tank, I had (and still have) 3 freshwater tanks totalling 100 gallons. I won't get into each tanks inhabitants but I have a pair of bettas, a couple handfuls of mollies, platies and guppies, 5 veiled angel fish, large common pleco, African Feather Fin catfish and my favorite freshwater fish, a Black ghost knife fish (now about 7" long). All tanks have live plants and are thriving.
And the reef tank adventure began. I originally looked into saltwater with an interest in having an octopus. I did my research and decided I better start somewhere easier (didn't pan out that way). I originally looked at some 10gal cubes but the overwhelming advice is go as big as you can afford, in reality I can only afford to do a 10 gal right. I found a killer deal on a 40gal breeder tank and got a 29gal tank to build a sump. Someone hooked me up with a 60gal acrylic tank that needed some tlc, freebie..... And I traded that and a few other odds and ends for my current set up.
Most everything I have is diy to save a few bucks. All of my equipment has been traded for, scavenged and or donated. I have done everything I can to pass on reef karma to others in need and will continue to do so as long and often as I can.
To start, I've always wanted aquariums since I was a child but my parents said no. Once I was out on my own (16) I was way to busy getting through school while working full time and living/serving at a volunteer fire station. 3 days after high school I started my career as a wildland firefighter so anything other than a betta with a plant tank was out of the question. I recently left that career to raise my daughter while my wife is in nursing school. Anyhow, before taking the plunge to a saltwater tank, I had (and still have) 3 freshwater tanks totalling 100 gallons. I won't get into each tanks inhabitants but I have a pair of bettas, a couple handfuls of mollies, platies and guppies, 5 veiled angel fish, large common pleco, African Feather Fin catfish and my favorite freshwater fish, a Black ghost knife fish (now about 7" long). All tanks have live plants and are thriving.
And the reef tank adventure began. I originally looked into saltwater with an interest in having an octopus. I did my research and decided I better start somewhere easier (didn't pan out that way). I originally looked at some 10gal cubes but the overwhelming advice is go as big as you can afford, in reality I can only afford to do a 10 gal right. I found a killer deal on a 40gal breeder tank and got a 29gal tank to build a sump. Someone hooked me up with a 60gal acrylic tank that needed some tlc, freebie..... And I traded that and a few other odds and ends for my current set up.
Most everything I have is diy to save a few bucks. All of my equipment has been traded for, scavenged and or donated. I have done everything I can to pass on reef karma to others in need and will continue to do so as long and often as I can.