Getting back to reefing in Baton Rouge

[RedStickReefer]

I'm not new to R2R, but I don't think I've ever introduced myself. My name is Jensen and I got into keeping saltwater aquariums around 2010-2011. Prior to saltwater I had several small freshwater systems, which kept your typical freshwater fish from the local pet store and eventually got into African cichlids. I got bored with the cichlids and eventually got out of freshwater. I really wanted to try my hand at keeping a corals, but I never made the move until one day a family member wanted to buy my old freshwater tanks from me. I couldn't let them go and it was at that point I decided if I'm not going to sell these tanks I better do something with them....So I went about doing the best I could setting up my old 55g and 120g cichlid tanks as saltwater tanks. Needless to say I was in over my head with two tanks going and diving head first into saltwater.

I ended up selling the 55g, but kept the 120g and through much trial and error, and with the help of a local forum, the 120g ended up being my most successful tank to date. Sadly, I had a tank crash in or around March of last year and I lost the majority of my SPS. Then, we had a major flood and not only did I lose my tank, but I lost pretty much everything I ever owned...We got about 5 ft of water in the house. Here's a pic of my 120g before the crash around March of last year.

2017-12-06_02-20-57 by Jensen Esneault

It has been a tough year of rebuilding my home, switching careers and just trying to get back on top in general, but the whole time I've been thinking about how I lost my reef and especially my 5 year old Achilles tang...I'm currently working on a small 30g long build just to dip my toes back in the hobby. Maybe one day I'll get back to the glory days of the 120g. I love the fuzzy sticks...

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R Jensen.

 

[dbl]

Thanks for the introduction Jensen. Good looking tank!

 

[vertigo01]

Welcome home Jensen.
The BR floods were a hatsh reminder but certainly not an adversity that can't be over come with time. Glad to see you staying in the game.

There is a good bit of info over on BRK. It's a little too cliqueish for my tastes but informative none the less.

R2R on the other hand is like a second home. Outside of my fishing forums of course.

 

[ourcoralreef]

Welcome

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Welcome to reef2reef!

 

[Fyveonit]

I was in your shoes about a year ago, after college moving from Florida back to Texas. I promised to never start a reef in an apartment / short term place due to my teardowns / moves causing so much stress on the livestock. What would be "short term" ended up almost being 6-7 years.
Hang in there...I went with a similar build as you last year and couldn't be happier. Baton Rouge is one of the highlights of my old treks back home from school. Once I hit the bridge, I knew Texas was pretty dang close...Wish I was closer to provide some frags once setup

 

[RedStickReefer]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! I think I'll start a thread for this 30g build, so y'all can follow along.

 

[kireek]

*Welcome to Reef2Reef Jenson!* Your previous aquarium was lovely,sorry for your loss.I am glad that you are up and running again after that flood in the road.I know that you will find plenty of inspiration and ideas for moving forward here.

 

[Fyveonit]

...and I thought I had some crazy PE....