Progression of our 20 -55 to 125 Mixed Reef..

[Pennies2Cents]

As many of you may know Ross & I started this beautiful hobby back in March of this year. We started with a 20 gal tank and eventually upgraded to a 55 gal. We have been very fortunate to meet alot of our Maastard Friends and recieved very helpful tips and got alot of questions answered. We did do alot of reading as well. We have lost of few fish and corals but soon learned that it just comes with the hobby. We learn something new everyday which makes this hobby so exciting. We have now upgraded our system to a 125 Mixed Reef and OMG the beauty that resides in it.. Speechless. We have seems some awesome tanks out there in Maast Land and ours in no way looks like those. But in our eyes we are simply happy to have what we got and we enjoy it every night/day.. Here are a few pics of our progression from the very beginning to the present. I am sorry that it has taken this long but here you go.. Enjoy..


20 gal startup tank...
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/ElijahSoccerGames223.jpg

With Lights!
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/DSC_0283.jpg
Our First Frags!
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/SaltwaterTankPics050.jpg
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/DSC_0244.jpg
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/DSC_0250.jpg
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/DSC_0041.jpg
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/DSC_0245.jpg


And Now the New Stuff..
55 gal prior to setup
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/DSC_0002.jpg
After Setup and ohh so empty :(
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/55.jpg
Two weeks later:
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/DSC_0005-1.jpg
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/DSC_0003-1.jpg
55 gal with light all set up!
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/DSC_0023.jpg
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/DSC_0024.jpg
No Lights:
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/DSC_0022.jpg

Mr. Cobs, Yellow Polyps.
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/DSC_0040.jpg
The Brain
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/DSC_0039.jpg
Finally: Before:
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/DSC_0283.jpg

Completly Finished
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn100/e_vialpando2006/DSC_0032.jpg

[ismvel]

FYI...Your pictures didn't come out.......but I really don't have a solution either other than posting them on Photobucket then using their IMG code.....

[aquasport24]

no pics.

[roscozman]

okay, we have been having a little trouble with our laptop! Were working on the prob...Thanks We will get it up as soon as possible.

[Mr Cob]

It looks great.

Those yellow polyps will spread fast so keep an eye on them...they will take out nieghboring zoas and palys....When I first got that rock it was mostly zoas and and about 10 yellow polyps. Look at it now....I think there is only like 3 zoas left on it when you got it from me :)

Well keep up the good work and you guys probably do the best thing you could do which is ask lots of questions. :)

Have you given any thought to making the bio ball section a refugium? You could place live rock directly on the egg crate and include some chaeto and throw a light over it.

Thanks for sharing! Love the deep sand bed!!!

[roscozman]

Mr. Cob,

Yes, we want to eventually replace the bio balls with live rock. We have a 20" Coralife Power Compact for the live rock, but need to get new bulbs. We have read a lot on the bio ball vs. the live rock debate. Since we just set this up, we are going to leave it with the bio balls for a couple of months. My wife has been testing the water and the results have been great.

Thanks.

Also, I believe we can see the pics now.

[JeffCo]

Looks good, nice upgrade. Those chromis and clowns have lots of room to play.

[Pennies2Cents]

Here are a few more pixs that now show the transition from the 55 to our Current 125 Mixed Reef..

The Take Down:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0261.jpg
The Hospital Container:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0262.jpg
The Delivery:

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0046.jpg
The Setup:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0067.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0059.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0060.jpg
The Skimmer:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0065.jpg
Adding Water & LR Arrangement: Rosco working hard...
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0001.jpg
Need More LR: All Settled
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/VariousPics3246.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/VariousPics3245.jpg
Got Lots More LR: :)
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/ElijahRossSoccerFall08530.jpg

[Mr Cob]

Eve/Ross,

Man you guys don't mess around...you got that thing stocked fast! Looks great!

Good work!

[RayAllen]

WOW, now thats progression. So many of us in the hobby have downgraded. Its nice to see a good upgrade. At the pace you two are moving 200+g tank should be here before next summer.

Tank looks great and I spy 4 healthy tangs as well.

[Gilbert]

Eve/Ross,

Man you guys don't mess around...you got that thing stocked fast! Looks great!

Good work!

that was the exact thing i was thinking...

[Pennies2Cents]

More Pixs here they are:

Almost Done:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0008.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0009.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0007.jpg

Complete:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/ElijahRossSoccerFall08533.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/ElijahRossSoccerFall08531.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0553.jpg
Finally: The Occupants
Mr. Cobs Goby
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0565.jpg
Chocolate Mimic Tang
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/ElijahRossSoccerFall08542.jpg
Powder Blue Tang
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/ElijahRossSoccerFall08536.jpg

Purple Tang
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/ElijahRossSoccerFall08535.jpg

Blue Hippo Tang
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/ElijahRossSoccerFall08539.jpg
Lobster: (MURDERER)
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0309.jpg
LTA w/ True Percula
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0298.jpg
Croacea Clam
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0201.jpg
Green Acan:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0202.jpg
Ricordea's
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0019.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0199.jpg
Green Star Polyps:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/DSC_0055.jpg
Rose BTA w/ Orange True Percs.
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90/avonorders2005/ElijahRossSoccerFall08541.jpg



Plus much much more, I will try to put more pix up later tonight.. I hope you all in enjoyed the pics..

[Pennies2Cents]

WOW, now thats progression. So many of us in the hobby have downgraded. Its nice to see a good upgrade. At the pace you two are moving 200+g tank should be here before next summer.

Tank looks great and I spy 4 healthy tangs as well.

Ray: 200 makes me nervous! :) But Good Idea! lol

We plan to make the stand a little higher come next April. Of course we will have to take down the tank to replace with new stand. Could be a possible time to upgrade dont really want to push it though.. :angel: We will see! :bigsmile: Thanks for the comps.... Hard work does really pay off..

[Pennies2Cents]

that was the exact thing i was thinking...

Gilbert & Rob,

Thanks for the compliments... Glad you all enjoyed the pics..

[BioCube14]

looks like your hooked