Reef Aquarium Beginnings

[carriej22]

Hi Folks,

As some of you know I am a bit obsessed with aquariums. I keep a few freshwater planted aquariums but when I was really sick, I decided I wanted to start a reef. It was supposed to be my "wedding" gift but since I was so sick, it never really happened on time. I've had the aquarium sitting in my basement for months (since the wedding) but, it never got set up.

Anyway my lovely husband built me a stand and installed the lighting system today. I aim to have fishies and corals by Christmas.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/photo1-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/photo3-3.jpg

My other aquariums:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/carrietankseptnew2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/DSC02713.jpg

[beeinformed]

Hi,

These aquariums are beautiful, tranquil and so peaceful to look at and I imagine you must feel the same way too.

[mishb]

These are just lovely Carrie,

We used to run a 5ft tank with tropical fish in, but it got too hard to look after. The tank has sat empty for about 2 years now.

I wanted to re-do it and put some frogs in, but you need a special licence to keep frogs, so we just listen to them in our backyard some nights.
The dog brought one to the backdoor once, shaken but not harmed, so we put it out in the front yard. I'm pretty sure it found it's way back to the backyard.
.........sorry, my mind has gone off on a little wander.

Fish tanks......love them. My daughter now runs three small tanks and she has such a flair when it comes to the colours and accessories that make it look spectacular.

One day we will get ours going again.

[annekat]

Awesome, Carrie! I look forward to pics of the reef aquarium in all its glory.

Michelle, my cat caught a frog once, too! It made a loud noise that sounded human, an aaaaaah! kind of sound. But it was not injured and I returned it to what seemed like a safe place. I can only hope this is not a common occurrence. The same thing happened once with a baby garter snake, but without the sound effects. It was also able to be saved.

[jola57]

I hpe you have a great aquarium. Here are some shots of my friend's aquarium, he builds ans maintains them in Vancouver so if you ever need some info let me knowhttp://www.wegeners-granulomatosis.com/forum/webkit-fake-url://39B2B29E-19B0-4652-9705-33E68C372695/imagejpeg sorry iPad pics don't work will add later

[Debbie C]

That's really nice Carrie,your hubbie did a good job ! I have a 32 gal (empty) sitting in the basement.I wanted to make it salt but I thought it would be alot of work.Good luck on yrs...send pix when done

[carriej22]

Well I filled the sucker yesterday! Took 24 hours running straight from the reverse osmosis machine. I jimmyrigged a cable after I realized lugging bucket upon bucket of water was going to be the death of me LOL.

Initial filling..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/photo-2.jpg

WoohOo ROCKS!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/photo2-3.jpg

After I put the sand in.. Chocolate milk lol
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/photo1-3.jpg

And today.. Still going to be a few days before it clears, but I can't wait to destress downstairs in my "woman cave" with all the fish once it's settled.. I keep telling people who ask that it's part of my recovery.. haha! Still have cables and stuff everywhere... Will tuck all that away in the cabinet once it's running!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/photo3-4.jpg

[annekat]

Can't wait to see it with fish in it (and other creatures?). And I think it IS a part of your recovery!

[Natalie]

WOW that's a huge tank ! love the blue light too , good luck with it all , its going to look amazing when its all set up with fish and coral !!!!

[Debbie C]

can't wait to see it when it's all done

[carriej22]

LET THERE BE LIFE (lol).

Finally got some LIVING THINGS IN THERE! woohoo. Due to wegs (of course) and the fact that these tanks need to mature and cycle before adding living things (which are expensive.. ouch) I only got a few things in on Friday.

Feast your eyes on my nemos. (ocellaris clownfish)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/photo38.jpg

And some other flora (fauna? they aren't really plants!)

Aussie Duncan coral (funny lad, likes to steal my fish's food!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/photo37.jpg

Frogspawn coral (fluorescent, very cool and jiggly)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/photo35.jpg

These are zoas (come in all colors, some have funny names like eagle eyed zoas or cotton candy, these are similar to eagle eyes) and they are small and just kind of encrust on rocks and look a bit interesting and add some color. I need to frag them off that rock and stick them on my naked rocks for some excitement. However SOME OF THEM emit some kind of toxin when you start cutting into them. So I need to find out about that (I can almost smell a flare.. apparently it can make one quite sick) but I don't believe these ones do. I hope. lol
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/photo36.jpg

[carriej22]

Oh, and here is a full tank shot.. Still pretty darn empty, LOL

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/photo34.jpg

[annekat]

Wow, that is so awesome! You have some really beautiful life forms in there already. I might save at least one of those photos to use in a screensaver or something.... probably the one with the nemos, at least.

[pberggren1]

I love aquariums.

[JeanMarie]

Wow! really wonderful.

[Debbie C]

It's looking really nice Carrie...when u get in yr crazy moods--- go in there and just relax and forget about everything. I used to love my aquarium but it was nothing at all like yours. I couldn't but expensive fish because they didn't last long..so I ended up turning into an iguanna home.That got really boring and they also carry some kind of disease. So its now gonna be garage sale material this year !!

[carriej22]

It's a hobby I love. It lets me totally obsess and be involved with something. So much to learn and do, and it's right here in my home. On the plus side, if I get sick they can handle a few days of no attention, and when I'm feeling crappy the fish don't mind if I just chill on the couch and watch them. There is a lot to be learned by watching fish, and if you watch long enough you will see some amazing things. Just today I watched two of my crabs get into an epic battle over an empty shell (they live in them), and one crab tossed the loser right off the rock. Was a bit hilarious.

There is so many things living in there that I don't even know what they are.. All types of worms and sea life (most come in off the "live rock") and I sometimes go down at night with a flash light, the things you will see then!

I'm part of a local aquarium club (Atlantic Canadian based) and we have a forum and we have socials and events.. It's lots of fun. I have met some great friends there and it's nice to get us all together as we are an odd bunch all brought together by one common thing. Kinda like us weggies on here :)

I have kept fish for almost 9 years now, so I was into this before I got sick... But it is really nice to have a hobby I can do at home. I think everyone should keep fish.. lol

[Psyborg]

That looks great. My wife really loves fish, but our aquarium always ends up turning green lol...I can't stand it so I refuse to have fish because of that.

[carriej22]

Green like pea soup? lol

Usually an algae - too much phosphate in the water - too much light.. Could be several reasons really.

I know I'm such a nerd.. :)

It's unfortunate, a lot of people get into the hobby and get frustrated by something. Whether their fish keep dying, their water turns green, what have you.. Usually there is a fix. There is quite a learning curve to having an aquarium but if I can do it, anyone can!

[annekat]

If you have to be a nerd, that is a pretty good thing to be a nerd about! :cool1:

[Psyborg]

Green like pea soup? lol

Usually an algae - too much phosphate in the water - too much light.. Could be several reasons really.

I know I'm such a nerd.. :)

It's unfortunate, a lot of people get into the hobby and get frustrated by something. Whether their fish keep dying, their water turns green, what have you.. Usually there is a fix. There is quite a learning curve to having an aquarium but if I can do it, anyone can!

I'm pretty positive it is phosphates in the water. We have a lot of farms near our watershed here.

[carriej22]

Ok folks,

some eye candy for you all!

full shot
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/ReefStuffs/photo75_zps1b339443.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/ReefStuffs/photo75_zps1b339443.jpg.html)

Pink and blue spotted goby
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/ReefStuffs/pinkspotted_zpse5559120.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/ReefStuffs/pinkspotted_zpse5559120.jpg.html)

Zoanthids
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/ReefStuffs/yellowzoas_zps97be0350.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/ReefStuffs/yellowzoas_zps97be0350.jpg.html)

Some big hairy shroomies
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/ReefStuffs/hairyshroomies_zps0946941a.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/ReefStuffs/hairyshroomies_zps0946941a.jpg.html)

Braaiiiiiiinnnnnnzzzzz
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/ReefStuffs/openbrain_zps4de452d8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/ReefStuffs/openbrain_zps4de452d8.jpg.html)

Aussie Duncan
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/ReefStuffs/duncancoral_zps3decbd01.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/ReefStuffs/duncancoral_zps3decbd01.jpg.html)

Frogspawn
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/ReefStuffs/greenfrog_zps8d1e9f47.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/ReefStuffs/greenfrog_zps8d1e9f47.jpg.html)

Clownies
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/ReefStuffs/clownies_zps44b72af6.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/ReefStuffs/clownies_zps44b72af6.jpg.html)

[drz]

great pix! Thanks you for sharing!

[Dirty Don]

Very cooool!

[pberggren1]

Very neat. I love aquariums.

[mishb]

They are so beautiful.

You have done well..........I think you have found your real calling :thumbsup:

[carriej22]

Hahaha, I love fishtanks LOL...

People don't understand the extent of it... They will ask me about my pets and I will say I have fishtanks; and I think they are thinking a small box with some goldfish and bright pink/orange/green gravel (you know the type). Then when they come over they usually swear... LOL... It's not just a "fish tank" it's a slice of the ocean (all maricultured of course, no reefs were harmed!) and an entire ecosystem.

However due to wegs I need to take things slow. I should have many more fish by now; but alas... lol... I am getting another fish shipped in today; as I've got a few fishy friends in town who order things in and let me jump on with their orders.

It's definitely a lot of fun; and a pretty relaxing hobby.

[Pete]

Carrie,

The aquarium is beautiful! Just wondering if this a hobby you could turn into a business? Many offices and businesses have aquariums in their lobbies or waiting rooms that an outside service maintains.

[annekat]

Carrie, these pics are awesome! I agree that you could make a business of this. But either way, I'm so glad you have this in your life and are able to maintain and nurture it so well! I also sense that you are feeling better, and that is great!

[Dirty Don]

The aquarium is beautiful! Just wondering if this a hobby you could turn into a business? Many offices and businesses have aquariums in their lobbies or waiting rooms that an outside service maintains.

Do they have office buildings in Miramichi? LOL! Sorry, couldn't resist...ducks as reef rock rifles by...

[carriej22]

LOL Don is right, there isn't much here... hehe

It is very, very, VERY rural.. lol. This city only has like 17,000 people or something; and it covers a huge area.

I would start a business with it; if I could. Alas; it is very expensive business to get into. Some day down the road; maybe I will try my hand at it. I would like to learn lots more first; as I only keep certain species of things - and have not kept everything. It's a very underlooked hobby.. I think everyone should have a fishtank! LOL

[Debbie C]

Very beautiful Carrie,you did a great job. I wish I knew how to do salt water tanks,I'm going to sell my empty tank in a garage sale (hopefully)

[carriej22]

Noooooooooo@! DON'T SELL IT!! haha. It's like a crime!

More pictures.

Skunk shrimp (he gives manicures, I have a vid somewhere!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/IMG_1369_zpsdd6466fc.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/IMG_1369_zpsdd6466fc.jpg.html)

Meet Mr. Scopas. The handomest fellow in the tank
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/IMG_1378_zps06168798.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/IMG_1378_zps06168798.jpg.html)

He likes to play games
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/IMG_1377_zps46edf1c6.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/IMG_1377_zps46edf1c6.jpg.html)

This beautimous thing... Is called an elegance coral... Don't you want to touch it? But alas.. it stings!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/photo4-2_zpse91dc798.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/photo4-2_zpse91dc798.jpg.html)

[annekat]

Carrie, you have the most interesting looking creatures in your tank. This whole thing must require a huge amount of attention and work to keep everyone happy and have it look as good as it does! Congrats on a job well done, and thanks for sharing it with us!

[carriej22]

Anne, I enjoy it like some people enjoy gardening, or knitting or what have you (I like gardening too). My husband has built me all sorts of things to make my life easier (trolleys for carting water around, etc) and I use a small pump to change the water so it's really not much work at all.

The most work is feeding the fish; lol. I take a turkey baster and shoot some towards them so they will eat it. I feed the corals too and they can be pesky; but I really enjoy it. It certainly has a "wow" factor; I drag everyone down the basement to show them my masterpiece :D

I have all sorts of tools to reach into the tank with, like today I had to rescue a crab that got his shell stuck; and I had to rescue a snail that was flipped on it's back. In this hobby, if you have the money (which I don't!) you can essentially buy all kinds of equipment to do the work for you.. Monitors everything, even automatic water changers.. But I think it's fun to work on the tank!

[carriej22]

A video of one of the corals moving.. Time for some motion... A little taste of what it's like!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X9RWuJGC9Y&feature=share&list=UUnaZxhyNhZ mSjbJi5txDJig

[whatthewhat]

Wow, I was really enjoying reading about your creation and looking at the pictures but then I saw the video! Just lovely!! Thank you so much for posting.

[annekat]

That is super awesome! Thanks!

[drz]

Great photography! How do you do it?

[carriej22]

Most of these (including the video) were taken with my Iphone4S. I don't even own a good camera.. So the phone doubles as one!

[annekat]

Most of these (including the video) were taken with my Iphone4S. I don't even own a good camera.. So the phone doubles as one!That's pretty amazing! I just inherited what was considered a pretty good camera 10 years ago and should still be OK. My cell phone is such a dinosaur it doesn't take pictures!

[carriej22]

Just because I love you guys :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/ReefStuffs/Fulltank_zps71f07903.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/ReefStuffs/clownandchromis_zps7db7212e.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/ReefStuffs/clownandchromis_zps7db7212e.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/ReefStuffs/candycanegreen_zps3c974b84.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/ReefStuffs/candycanegreen_zps3c974b84.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/ReefStuffs/duncan_zps12a34f72.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/ReefStuffs/duncan_zps12a34f72.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/ReefStuffs/scopas_zps4e4e7846.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/ReefStuffs/scopas_zps4e4e7846.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/zygirl22/ReefStuffs/hairyshrooms_zpsd24de84c.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zygirl22/media/ReefStuffs/hairyshrooms_zpsd24de84c.jpg.html)

[pberggren1]

I love this.

[Dirty Don]

WOW!!! Very cool!

[rebekah]

I love how the tank is coming along - it's awesome! Thanks for sharing the pictures Carrie. :)