flyhpr
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2020
- Messages
- 22
- Reaction score
- 32
- Location
- Austin
- What state or country do you live in
- Texas
Background
I last had a saltwater tank in 2001. It was a 55 gallon FOWLR tank that was pretty simple. I had a porcupine puffer that I absolutely loved. He passed away and I shut down and sold the tank when I moved.
In 2015 I purchased a 90 gallon tank. It was a tall, so it was 36 X 24 X24. I then picked up a 40 breeder and had a custom sump made. My next mistake was to then try and make my own custom stand. I spent the next three years slowly working on the stand. Another move and everything sat crated up in my garage for two years. I finally pulled everything out in July and started on the stand once more. After a few weeks, I decided to throw in the towel and sell everything.
The New Start
On September 4th I stopped at AquaTek Tropical Fish on a whim. They had the Aquatop on display in the store. I thought I could pick up some rock, sand, and a heater and have just a simple reef tank. I went home and started doing research about the tank and the AIO setup. I found the video series from Rico's Aquariums where his wife purchased the same tank. I discussed the purchase with my wife and she agreed with the idea.
I went back the next day to buy the tank. I was offered the display model but decided to order one in the box for ease of transport. Instead, I walked out of the store 44 pounds of rock and 15 gallons of RO/DI water. While waiting for the tank to come in I worked on my aquascape. I didn't want a pile of rocks but I was unable to envision a negative space aquascape that is the rage right now.
None of the designs I came up with ended up being used. I made my tape lines too big because I didn't measure the actual available area.
I will work to update this build thread as I have time.
I last had a saltwater tank in 2001. It was a 55 gallon FOWLR tank that was pretty simple. I had a porcupine puffer that I absolutely loved. He passed away and I shut down and sold the tank when I moved.
In 2015 I purchased a 90 gallon tank. It was a tall, so it was 36 X 24 X24. I then picked up a 40 breeder and had a custom sump made. My next mistake was to then try and make my own custom stand. I spent the next three years slowly working on the stand. Another move and everything sat crated up in my garage for two years. I finally pulled everything out in July and started on the stand once more. After a few weeks, I decided to throw in the towel and sell everything.
The New Start
On September 4th I stopped at AquaTek Tropical Fish on a whim. They had the Aquatop on display in the store. I thought I could pick up some rock, sand, and a heater and have just a simple reef tank. I went home and started doing research about the tank and the AIO setup. I found the video series from Rico's Aquariums where his wife purchased the same tank. I discussed the purchase with my wife and she agreed with the idea.
I went back the next day to buy the tank. I was offered the display model but decided to order one in the box for ease of transport. Instead, I walked out of the store 44 pounds of rock and 15 gallons of RO/DI water. While waiting for the tank to come in I worked on my aquascape. I didn't want a pile of rocks but I was unable to envision a negative space aquascape that is the rage right now.
None of the designs I came up with ended up being used. I made my tape lines too big because I didn't measure the actual available area.
I will work to update this build thread as I have time.
