BudgetReefer007
Community Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2019
- Messages
- 38
- Reaction score
- 36
- What state or country do you live in
- Indiana
Coming back into the hobby after 5 years or so I was not expecting all the new colors... I went to get a 55 to set up a softie tank and the plan was to keep it simple sam (KISS) but like they say: the one thing that didn't happen was plan A. So after setting up and watching current videos on all that was possible I just started buying coral. After a few purchases I realized it was NOT going to be softies. So I started my tank with a canister filter and the basic marine led (not enough PAR). At that time I also was unaware of the new wavemakers so I started with simple powerheads (4 of them, it was a little much). After some modifications, a try at a cheato reactor and a few failing powerheads I started to get better equipment (and therefore more consistent results). Still sticking with the theme of keeping it simple (and cheap) I ended up with a used reefbreeder, some jabo wavemakers and I use a trash can as a sump, run a skimmer and use a pvc with gutter screen for mechanical filtration. (I find that the floss is far more affordable than filter socks). In doing this my only issue is no bubble trap however I have learned to work around it and things are going well. As summer season got here this year I was a little worried about heat so I installed a fan to blow across the surface and I control it with a simple timer (hour on, hour off through hot part of summer). And currently I am working to start dosing kalk/alk.. I am in the process of tracking the drain so I can tell what to add and the plan is to test at least weekly as the coral continue to grow (until I can muster a good monitoring system). I'm going with kalk due to cost and plan to use epson for Mg when the time comes. I have had a few losses throughout this whole process (about 2 years now) but all in all I believe I am having success. One thing I know is that I'm definitely having fun! 
*I will add some pics from throughout the process and continue to update with any big news
*I will add some pics from throughout the process and continue to update with any big news
