AndynotDrew
Supporting Member
Sorry in advance for the long winded post, but this journal marks a fresh start. Not only for this tank but my approach to the hobby….with patience. Not only as in time, but patience as a practice.
2025 brought more work travel than expected, baby number 4, homeschooling difficulties etc etc…it was busy, my tank suffered. Maintenance was a chore I didn’t look forward to..all that stuff…was going to clear everything and do a restart on it but then noticed the stand was swelling…plans changed…discussions about needing more real estate in the dining room happened, and it was decided that tank just needed to go. Luckily there was a convenient spot available for a smaller tank on the return of my desk!
First thought was maximum tank size I could fit in the space…then I remembered “patience”..think this through. Let’s buy that ato and make space for a reservoir like you should. Invest in a light worth more than its weight in plastic, and try to set something up for success instead of speed with max size…
I like rounded corners, curved glass, etc and I found a 30 gal Jebo tank for $10 on OfferUp. Few scratches, but held water and was clean. Swoop!
Christmas was around the corner so I let Santa hook it up with misc goodies I needed. Got the idea to do a little cabinet and put up a shelf to hang the light from.
And then @gmdcdvm posted an ato reservoir at the perfect time, with the perfect dimensions. Fits nice and tucked behind the tank, it’s a real reservoir, and the price was right. My ocd was happy
I had some rock in inventory but also pulled most the rock from the existing tank. Scrubbed it. Power washed it. Let it dry out the best I could weather permitting for 10 days. Scrubbed some more to say I did the best I could then ran outta time, gotta get to work…wanted a negative space but still dense kinda feel. I chiseled, stacked, glued, and epoxied rocks for longer than I’d like to admit…
Got the idea to put the light on drawer slides for added adjustments, and could move it outta the way during maintenance. I ordered the Nicrew light hanger kit, but came up with my own way to use it along with some pieces from the mount that came with the light. Jimmy rigging for the win! Ordered the wrong size slides by mistake, but then the idea to put the cabinet on slides too popped up! Unplanned, but should’ve been the plan from the start. Easy access, and storage!
Made a little control board and got everything hooked up inside the cabinet. Decided I wasn’t in love with the structure so I added some things, funny how little you have to do to change the whole feel. Ended up with a good amount of overhangs, tunnels, caves etc. and even a little something to make the wife happy, let me know if you see it lol.
Overall I’m happy with this setup so far and now plan to stay on the road to success. Please have patience with me while I nail down this water chemistry dosing stuff before anyone asks I do not have an rodi setup…yet. It’s on the list. I’ve always grabbed my water from the watermill and told myself if it’s good enough to give my kids it’s good enough for the fish. Maybe not the best way but hey, at least it’s not tap water lol.
After being in the club going on two years I’ve determined this has been my best investment to date. Not only the monetary aspect, but the community. I wanted to give up, and had every reason to…it was hopping on here and seeing we all struggle at times but have the same passion kept me going. Plus the beautiful tanks and knowing the ones running them are accessible and willing to help…annnd then we could talk about the generosity that flows in these forums, at the events, and individually between us. That’s what life’s all about, helping each other. Thank you to everyone here. There’s now a desire to give back to this club wherever I fit in. I don’t want to be the guy the mooches then dips. Soaks up info and does nothing with it. This hobby is about patience, and I think mine is finally growing. Now to grow some corals in this hot mess!
As far as the deets, this setup includes;
Tank: Jebo NewR362 30gal
Light: Nicrew HyperReef 150, and controller
Wavemaker: Hygger Eddy
Heater: Hitauing 200w
Hob Aquaclear filter stuffed with established media.
Misc rocks, and live sand from the old tank.
Blood, sweat, tears…and patience lol.
Side note; If anyone wants a 4ish yr old striped damsel let me know please, I’ll deliver
2025 brought more work travel than expected, baby number 4, homeschooling difficulties etc etc…it was busy, my tank suffered. Maintenance was a chore I didn’t look forward to..all that stuff…was going to clear everything and do a restart on it but then noticed the stand was swelling…plans changed…discussions about needing more real estate in the dining room happened, and it was decided that tank just needed to go. Luckily there was a convenient spot available for a smaller tank on the return of my desk!
First thought was maximum tank size I could fit in the space…then I remembered “patience”..think this through. Let’s buy that ato and make space for a reservoir like you should. Invest in a light worth more than its weight in plastic, and try to set something up for success instead of speed with max size…
I like rounded corners, curved glass, etc and I found a 30 gal Jebo tank for $10 on OfferUp. Few scratches, but held water and was clean. Swoop!
Christmas was around the corner so I let Santa hook it up with misc goodies I needed. Got the idea to do a little cabinet and put up a shelf to hang the light from.
And then @gmdcdvm posted an ato reservoir at the perfect time, with the perfect dimensions. Fits nice and tucked behind the tank, it’s a real reservoir, and the price was right. My ocd was happy
I had some rock in inventory but also pulled most the rock from the existing tank. Scrubbed it. Power washed it. Let it dry out the best I could weather permitting for 10 days. Scrubbed some more to say I did the best I could then ran outta time, gotta get to work…wanted a negative space but still dense kinda feel. I chiseled, stacked, glued, and epoxied rocks for longer than I’d like to admit…
Got the idea to put the light on drawer slides for added adjustments, and could move it outta the way during maintenance. I ordered the Nicrew light hanger kit, but came up with my own way to use it along with some pieces from the mount that came with the light. Jimmy rigging for the win! Ordered the wrong size slides by mistake, but then the idea to put the cabinet on slides too popped up! Unplanned, but should’ve been the plan from the start. Easy access, and storage!
Made a little control board and got everything hooked up inside the cabinet. Decided I wasn’t in love with the structure so I added some things, funny how little you have to do to change the whole feel. Ended up with a good amount of overhangs, tunnels, caves etc. and even a little something to make the wife happy, let me know if you see it lol.
Overall I’m happy with this setup so far and now plan to stay on the road to success. Please have patience with me while I nail down this water chemistry dosing stuff before anyone asks I do not have an rodi setup…yet. It’s on the list. I’ve always grabbed my water from the watermill and told myself if it’s good enough to give my kids it’s good enough for the fish. Maybe not the best way but hey, at least it’s not tap water lol.
After being in the club going on two years I’ve determined this has been my best investment to date. Not only the monetary aspect, but the community. I wanted to give up, and had every reason to…it was hopping on here and seeing we all struggle at times but have the same passion kept me going. Plus the beautiful tanks and knowing the ones running them are accessible and willing to help…annnd then we could talk about the generosity that flows in these forums, at the events, and individually between us. That’s what life’s all about, helping each other. Thank you to everyone here. There’s now a desire to give back to this club wherever I fit in. I don’t want to be the guy the mooches then dips. Soaks up info and does nothing with it. This hobby is about patience, and I think mine is finally growing. Now to grow some corals in this hot mess!
As far as the deets, this setup includes;
Tank: Jebo NewR362 30gal
Light: Nicrew HyperReef 150, and controller
Wavemaker: Hygger Eddy
Heater: Hitauing 200w
Hob Aquaclear filter stuffed with established media.
Misc rocks, and live sand from the old tank.
Blood, sweat, tears…and patience lol.
Side note; If anyone wants a 4ish yr old striped damsel let me know please, I’ll deliver
