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lr9788
10-12-2009, 10:19 PM
I have always been an impulsive person and about a two months ago I decided to be very impulsive and bought a used 30 gallon bowfront saltwater aquarium off craigslist. I didn't do any research and as such have not the most ideal set up yet one that I am beginning to look forward to.

At the moment I have a sand bed, some live rock, 4 T5 lights, seaclone protein skimmer (i know...), generic powerhead.

Livestock includes a scooter blenny, royal gramma, margarita snail and blue leg hermit. I am beginning to realize that I will be needing some extra help for the cleaning crew.

Because of my apartment having regulations on tank size I cannot run a sump so for the time being this is where I stand.

I will get some pictures up soon so you can all help me make the most of a not great setup.

Thanks in advance for all advice. I look forward to spending all my extra money on your coral frags and getting some nice life into this tank.


Luke
acharpenter
10-12-2009, 10:23 PM
Hey Luke - welcome to TCMAS - can you give some more information on your background with SW or just fish keeping in general?
Lukas
10-12-2009, 10:25 PM
Hi Luke, Welcome!
*points at my name*
lr9788
10-12-2009, 10:29 PM
Hey Luke - welcome to TCMAS - can you give some more information on your background with SW or just fish keeping in general?

My background in fish and SW will be very easy to summarize...none

I have a HUGE koi pond at my parents home in Tennessee which was always my baby and well taken care of. I know this is a TOTALLY different ball game though.
I have done hours and hours of research and in the last few weeks have been able to maintain a very balanced tank. All my readings are perfect and the fish seem to be doing wonderful
RaysReef
10-12-2009, 11:03 PM
Hey Luke, welcome to the boards...Get some pictures up ;)
Jager
10-12-2009, 11:17 PM
hey welcome to the boards m8 :beerchug:
lr9788
10-12-2009, 11:22 PM
Thanks for all the warm welcomes!

If anyone has a free drilled 30 with a sump and al the equipment I will take it :beerchug:

but seriously, thanks everyone
lr9788
10-25-2009, 10:06 PM
Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/LR9788/Aquarium/DSCN6242.jpg
My first attempt at stacking rock

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/LR9788/Aquarium/DSCN6265.jpg
Re-stacked the rock for a more open look

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/LR9788/Aquarium/DSCN6267.jpg
My zoanthid "garden" in the making


Let me know what you think!
Suggestions are welcomed
peterd33
10-25-2009, 10:19 PM
Hey Luke, welcome to the forum. I think your tank looks pretty good, very clean looking.:biggthumpup:
RaysReef
10-26-2009, 01:27 AM
looks like you got the "rock stacking" down...;) Zoos looking good
jesse5.0
10-26-2009, 09:48 AM
Hey luke! Like the tank! Aquascaping is sweet too!
buus
10-26-2009, 09:58 AM
nice zoas ;)
lr9788
10-26-2009, 01:26 PM
nice zoas ;)


Recognize some of those dont you?
Andrew.C
10-26-2009, 04:54 PM
have any pics with the pj i sold u?
lr9788
11-09-2009, 10:05 PM
Time for pictures

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/LR9788/Aquarium/DSCN5287.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/LR9788/Aquarium/DSCN5288.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/LR9788/Aquarium/DSCN5289.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/LR9788/Aquarium/DSCN5291.jpg
Jager
11-09-2009, 10:17 PM
awesome man, looking very nice

that torch likes your tank better i think :P
lr9788
11-09-2009, 10:22 PM
awesome man, looking very nice

that torch likes your tank better i think :P


It does seem happy.
I am actually not really liking my tank at the moment. Not having a drilled tank is kind of annoying me. That and the small size is proving really limited

But for now it is peacful
David Grigor
11-09-2009, 10:30 PM
It would help if you painted the back glass. While it won't necessarily hide the equipment at least the powercords and hang on back stuff wouldn't show from behind.
RaysReef
11-09-2009, 10:39 PM
Easiest way IMO is to just go buy those blackback films from LFS and get a bottle of the oceanview *i think that is the name* applicator and a credit card and your good to go. Measure and cut to size and just dab the applicator and use your CC to take the bubbles out. I use it in my display tank and everyone thinks I painted it.
bkoppes
11-09-2009, 10:49 PM
It would help if you painted the back glass. While it won't necessarily hide the equipment at least the powercords and hang on back stuff wouldn't show from behind.

Easiest way IMO is to just go buy those blackback films from LFS and get a bottle of the oceanview *i think that is the name* applicator and a credit card and your good to go. Measure and cut to size and just dab the applicator and use your CC to take the bubbles out. I use it in my display tank and everyone thinks I painted it.

agree something should be done to the back. Besides that it looks great!!
RaysReef
11-10-2009, 12:10 AM
If you just use tape its dull looking...the applicator gives it a nice shiney sheen and its plastered on your tank so its nice and smooth and gives a nice clean look.
Aberrix
11-17-2009, 08:44 AM
I really dig the rock work! nice tank Luke!
lr9788
11-17-2009, 01:04 PM
Thanks to Matt (Hypertech) I was able to build a canopy this weekend.
It is definitely not an award winner but for now I am happy with it. I still need to add some paint (this weekend) and tweak some stuff but I thought I would share pictures of what I have so far
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/LR9788/Aquarium/Aquarium%20Canopy/DSCN5292.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/LR9788/Aquarium/Aquarium%20Canopy/DSCN5295.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/LR9788/Aquarium/Aquarium%20Canopy/DSCN5294.jpg
hypertech
11-17-2009, 01:08 PM
It doesn't look half bad for a couple of rookie hood builders. :beerchug:
Aberrix
11-17-2009, 01:08 PM
looks pretty good, way better than you led on last night.

I wonder if you could wet the front piece a little to help it "bow"? and/or I have some smaller (12-14" max) wood working clamps, maybe you could use some glue on the sides and clamp them down to get a better fit there?

that's about the only thing I even really notice... but it still looks great!
RaysReef
11-17-2009, 01:57 PM
Nice diy Luke, I didn't see any top view but I would drill some holes up top to help with ventilation, possibly even adding a fan or 2. Nice clowns ;)
lr9788
11-17-2009, 01:58 PM
Fans will be installed later this week. for now I am leaving the front open most of the time
Aberrix
11-17-2009, 02:05 PM
also, i think if you could wet the middle section just a little (to help it flex less and retain the bow shape) then glue the two side seams good (which look to be screwed in right now), clamp the sides down and use finishing nails you could really pull off a seamless look.

I mean, don't get me wrong it looks really good! I'm just offering up ideas/suggestions.
lr9788
11-17-2009, 02:07 PM
I appreciate the suggestions. I plan on modding it little by little to make it look nicer. I dont plan on keeping it for too terribly long. So I dont want to dump too much time or money into. All suggestions are definitely welcomed and taken into much consideration
jesse5.0
11-17-2009, 02:46 PM
Nice canopy! Very impressed!
RaysReef
11-17-2009, 02:57 PM
Nice canopy! Very impressed!

not really

















:gay1::beerchug:
Andrew.C
11-17-2009, 05:10 PM
very nice,would u recomend me to put a clarfii in my tank or are percs better?
lr9788
11-17-2009, 05:59 PM
very nice,would u recomend me to put a clarfii in my tank or are percs better?

What do you mean by "better" Andrew?
I got the clarkiis because Ray offered me a great deal
Thanks again Ray! Even though you were hatin on my canopy

The clarkiis get a little bigger
Percs might be more readily available
Jager
11-17-2009, 08:52 PM
nice work, looks awesome