Hey WAMAS,
I've been meaning to put together a build thread for a while now. My tanks are pretty much built out at this point, but I figure I can also use this to document my progress. If you're interested in more updated (and sometimes fun) videos, I try to post pretty often to Instagram (@the_district_reef or https://www.instagram.com/the_district_reef/)
Background
I started to get my feet wet in 2018, and I've come a long way since that time. Like a lot of others in the hobby, I started with freshwater tanks. It was fun for a while, but it never seemed to be that challenging, and to be honest, it got a little boring. I should note that I never attempted a freshwater planted tank. Looking back, that seems like something that would have caught my interest.
I've always wanted to try my hand at a saltwater tank, but it just seemed so complicated. It also required so much more equipment (skimmers, pumps, sumps, lights, salt, carbon, etc.). Saying that, the fish options were just too beautiful to pass up on. After months of research and endless hours on Reef2Reef and other forums, I started gathering equipment and planning out my build. Unfortunately, I hadn't yet stumbled upon WAMAS, which is a shame since there are so many great reefers willing to help in the DMV.
I was very frugal with my first tank and tried to DIY wherever I could to save money. I started with a 40 breeder that I picked up from Petco. I drilled it myself and plumbed it into a 29 gallon sump. After letting it cycle, I added my first fish. A few months later, I added my first coral frags, and the rest is history. I was officially hooked.
A year later, I upgraded to a Waterbox Marine 60.2, which is now a Seahorse tank. And last year, I was able to sell my wife on another upgrade: a Waterbox 220.6. (p.s. Aside from the high price, I love everything about Waterbox tanks). They also have amazing and very responsive customer service reps).
Here's what I currently have running:
Waterbox 220.6 - Mixed Reef
Dimensions: 72.3"×25.3"×23.6"
Display Volume: 167 gallons
Sump Volume: 37.1 gallons
Equipment
Lights: 4 x Aqua Illumination Hydra 32HD
Powerheads: 4 x Aqua Illumination Nero 5
Skimmer: Red Sea RSK 900
Return Pump: Reef Octopus VarioS-8
UV Sterilizer: Lifegard Aquatics Pro-MAX 3" Body 55W Amalgam High Output
Auto Top Off: Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 ATO
Fish
Clown Tang
Yellow Belly Blue Tang
Blue Eye Tang
Copperband Butterfly
Yellow Watchman Goby
Black Storm Clownfish
Ocellaris Clownfish
Inverts
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Blood Red Fire Shrimp
Sand Sifting Starfish
Waterbox Marine 60.2 - Seahorse Tank
Dimensions: 24"×24"×18"
Display Volume: 39.8 gallons
Sump Volume: 22 gallons
Equipment
Lights: Aqua Illumination Hydra 26HD
Powerheads: Aqua Illumination Nero 3
Skimmer: Red Sea RSK 300
Return Pump: Reef Octopus VarioS-4
Seahorses/Fish
3 x Captive-Bred Erectus Seahorses (1 male, 2 females)
Dragonface Pipefish
Bangaii Cardinalfish