* Crystal & James 55gal w/ 20gal upgrade *

[LoveJC03]

Well, we "started" a while back with a 29gal w/ 15gal sump. We just needed an ro/di, salt & live rock..while we waited and waited for our DIY rock to cure. In the time we were waiting for our rock to cure we had some time to think..and decided to go bigger, so that's what we did!
Our rock cured at 4 months.. its sitting in water cycling waiting on us (can we remove it to dry?)

Well.. here's our tank:

Painted back and trim black, drilled 3 holes, built internal overflow

Overflow

Sanded stand & tested out ebony stain

Building a canopy.. should be getting finished this weekend

Stained turned out great on the stand

We still need a 36" t5ho light, skimmer, ro/di, live rock & salt.. just a few LOL. Really happy though with a 55

 

[little_fish]

fun! its always nice to upgrade

 

[LoveJC03]

fun! its always nice to upgrade

Yes I'd have to agree :) might as well start bigger then wish you did!

 

[Smitty]

It looks good...great job with the build so far.

 

[LoveJC03]

It looks good...great job with the build so far.

Thank you :).

Update: Pics of canopy progress to come soon.

 

[LoveJC03]

Just finished building canopy and added some trim (staining will be our next step)

 

[LoveJC03]

Finished results.. not bad for first timers building a canopy :)

 

[NanoReefer]

looks really good, are those seaswirls?

 

[Smitty]

Wow!!! Good job! :)

 

[LoveJC03]

looks really good, are those seaswirls?

Thank you.. sea swirls?

 

[LoveJC03]

Wow!!! Good job! :)

Thank you..

 

[chuysvt]

Nice job .on all . Good luck.

 

[LoveJC03]

Nice job .on all . Good luck.

Thanks.. we need that still trying to figure things out. Finding the right lighting is down right tricky!

 

[chuysvt]

Its better to do it right.and wait.for the right light.

 

[LoveJC03]

Just testing for leaks.. deciding to try some aquascaping with our diy rock :)

I loooooove how it's looking in here! Can't wait til we are actually saltwater :D

 

[Smitty]

That room does look nice. :)

 

[LoveJC03]

Ordered 2 sets of lights (10k & actinic 460nm) :D Loving the color of the 460s! Finishing light mounting today for left side of the tank. Waiting on our 2 MaxiJet 600's & our Rio 20HF to get here. Skimmer, Ro/di & a few other items remain!



Decided on our fish list:
3 Chromis (to start, see how they do)
6-Line Wrasse
Clownfish (1 or 2)
Goby
Dwarf Angel ..either a flame, bi color or coral beauty ((probably the one who nips at corals the least))


Still thinking which corals:
Frogspawn or Torch Coral
Candycane coral
Zoanthids

Who knows though.. sometimes we change our minds!

 

[little_fish]

Sounds like a good list, but make sure you move slowly adding them, that is a lot of fish.

 

[LoveJC03]

Sounds like a good list, but make sure you move slowly adding them, that is a lot of fish.

Yeah we'll be sure to do that of course :)

 

[LoveJC03]

New light pics **2 10k & 2 460nm actinics** :D

Canopy interior (adding 2 more fans on sides)

Canopy int. w/ 10k's & 460nm actinics

Open canopy w/ 460s

10k's

10k's & 460s

460s

For lights, used 2 Coralife 24" fixtures, gutted them. Mounted reflectors and lights to top, mounted ballasts & stuff on back of canopy. Drilled air holes & holes for 4 fans.