90gallon 1st Reef Tank

[Corgi2Reef]

Hey y'all! So I have not had time to sit down and write out a build thread, so here goes! I'm probably 3 months in from the purchase of the tank, so I'm going to break the first bit up into multiple posts when I can.
I bought it used off of FB marketplace in the local area. Already had a corner internal overflow drilled for a sump! I had to do A LOT of scrubbing and rinsing, but it came out pristine!

My husband helped out with part of building the stand, but at the end of the day I pieced it all together and weight tested it. I was able to spend minimal money on the stand, my in-laws had some extra would left over from their recently build house. We got everything set up in the living room, and my doggo was highly concerned that he was being replaced at this point .

I decided that instead of doors, I would do a hand on curtain that made the sump easier to access and actually gave me a bit more room to work with underneath. I know most people would roll their eyes and cry foul play with interior design, but I'm all about having space and making life easier for a difficult hobby!

I used PVC pipe to finish up the durso overflow plumbings and was finally able to put in the rock and sand! (I thought I would love the aquascaping and would be super artistic, but I hated every minute of it and ended up with what I've got and it works, even if it is more pile-ish than I would have envisioned) I had to take a couple of weeks off working on the build for work/family travel at this point.

 

[Corgi2Reef]

So after my hiatus I was able to set up a cude sump, fill up the tank and start cycling! I went with a 20g Long sump simply because it was on sale at my local store. I used some acrylic for a clean chamber baffle, and some aquamesh as a baffle between my drain with filter sock and middle chamber that I planned for a cheato refugium. Very beginner, very basic, very maintainable for me.

I started my cycle using flake food and Seed. This was recommended by my LFS, I loved how easy this was to use and it was highly effective.

 

[Corgi2Reef]

Fast forward about a month, I picked up 2 current USA dual IC pro LEDs, a seaside aquatics skimmer.

**Side Bar** my plan is starting out slow with easy soft corals, I posted here, read countless hours of forum posts, talked with some local people and went with the lights that at the end of the day was affordable and has shown positive results with others who have met the goals I have for the beginning. They may not be the "ideal" lights or have wat everyone here is looking for, and that's totally awesome. That's really part of this whole process right? Upgrading and growing. I was not about to drop money on lights that I a) didn't have and b) would still be argued with on my light choices anyway I am doing what is working for me, and is not going to be detrimental to the livestock and corals I choose to begin with.**


Last weekend added some Clarkii clowns now affectionately named Lewis and Clarkii, along with a softball size ball of cheato.

These are some up to date pictures of the tank! Hope you all enjoy seeing slow progress, and I can't wait to update!