ImGoingCoastal

I'd love to design a custom LED but it seems like once I've completed my research on it, something new has come out haha. -A-a-ron

So all my talk about setting up a tank got the people at work fired up and now the discussion has begun about getting a work tank. I think a JBJ picotope will suffice ($50 shipped!). That said, I was curious as to if anyone has a small work tank and how they go about doing the maintenance (water changes and what not) I'm thinking I can just get two identical 1/2 gal containers and bring fresh water from home to just scoop and dump. Just wondering how much of a hassle it would be. -A-a-ron

What're you using to light it now? I've actually been toying with combo lighting for my 40B. Some combo of LED/T5/MH, from what I've been seeing is you have to drop serious $$$ to get good results from LED. -A-a-ron

Thanks! That was my original plan. But wasn't sure if I should clean them prior, given their unknown past. -A-a-ron

So I'm not in a MAJOR rush. But to me, the sooner the better. That being said. I bought 50+ lbs of (formerly) live rock. The rock was removed from a tank and stored in container and outside for nearly a year. It did not have a lot of growth on it, but there is some. I truthfully know very little about the rock except for what I've mentioned. So, that being said.... Would you use muriatic, bleach, or just plain old water to clean/cure it? Any advice is appreciated! Picture of said rock attached for reference. -A-a-ron

This is so bad. I almost want to drive up to Jersey to get this tank and take the fish to the LFS. Who knows, maybe I will.... https://southjersey.craigslist.org/for/d/complete-set-innovative/6717839692.html -A-a-ron

Those shrooms are amazing! Tank looks awesome, I'm jealous! -A-a-ron

Depth of a standard 75 is 19", the 2OL is 12.5" leaving you 7.5" to play with. A 2x4 is 1.5 inches wide. Leaving you a 4" buffer (I'm sure it'll be closer to 1-2" due to the original construction of the stand) So I would think making a panel around that would be easy. Brace it, cut it, slap some hinges on it and reinstall. I definitely would not remove the center brace while the weight of the tank is on it though. -A-a-ron

What about bracing the corners and removing one of the sides? Basically make a panel that you can slide the tank in from (instead of dealing with it from the front?). -A-a-ron

Of course! Pictures lead to credibility! One of these days I'm going to go digging for pictures of my first tank. After that monstrosity, it's amazing I kept going! Haha I can't believe someone set that thing up as a reef tank. Even worse, I can't believe I bought it! -A-a-ron

Pictures of the first 40B, then my final tank, the CAD 22. -A-a-ron

So I just tried to post this and accidentally deleted everything... On to round two! Back in the area from a long hiatus! Spent part of my life in the Dumfries/Montclair area, graduated from Hylton in 2000. After a failed stint at college, I joined the Coast Guard out of the recruiting office in Potomac Mills in 2002. The Coast Guard has taken me around the world, luckily stationing me in Guam and Hawaii for my last two tours. Anyhow, back on topic.... I'm not new to the reefing business. I've had quite a few tanks. I started with a 20 tall I bought on Craigslist (what a horrible horrible tank! But a great learning experience!) Since then I've had two 40Bs, a Cadlights 22g, and a 15 gallon (plus others). I've upgraded and downgraded a lot as you can see. The 40 breeder is my pride and joy but since I've been overseas for 4 years without a tank, I plan on eating back into things. I'm currently eyeing one of the Innovative Marine tanks, and am just waiting for my accounts to settle out from the move before pulling the trigger. I'm looking at getting a 10 and trying to do a budget build of sorts for a year. I cannot wait to get up and running! I'll post up some pictures of my old tanks in a bit. Thanks again for having me! Looks like a great community! Hopefully I add to the awesomeness I've seen so far! Thanks, A-a-ron aka ImGoingCoastal Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk