It seems like it's taken forever, but I finally got everything set up. I just got water, rock, and sand in it last week. Obviously I have no fish yet, but my current inhabitants include 4 snails, 1 hermit crab, and 1 emerald crab - all hitchhikers. Check out the aquascape and let me know what you think:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/DSC_0977.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/DSC_0978.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/DSC_0979.jpg

Sump:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/DSC_0962.jpg

Mike - Looks Great! Very Nice Job with the Aquascaping as well, I'm sure there are a few people on here that will be asking you to come scape their tank! Nice Sump as well, that is exactly the way I am setting up up mine with a return in the middle. Only I'm going to T off the Overflow to the Fuge instead of the Return to the fuge. But once Again Awesome Job!

Where'd you get such nice looking pieces of Live rock?

Thanks Luke! The rock came from Einstein Aquatics. Chris has some really cool pieces.

I was going to T off the overflow to the fuge as well, but it didn't work out logistically. I guess my fuge will have to settle for post protein skimmer water.

Anyone else?

Do you know specifically the type of live rock.... Looks GREAT!!! I have a 75gal. that i'm in the process of setting up too and like that live rock!

Thanks cam!

The rock is totaka (totoka?) . It's great for aquascaping. The pieces lock in together kind of like legos. I think Einstein's is sold out right now, but give Chris a call and see if he's getting more in. It's a little more expensive than regular fiji, but not as dense so you need less weight.

Really beautiful rock. Nice work too!

Thanks Barbara!

I got my first frag Saturday :yay:. Just a little zoa, but exciting for me!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/zoa2.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/zoa1.jpg

Aww... that first piece of coral always makes it feel like it is finally a tank. Enjoy it looks great!

That's a pretty sweet looking first coral. I know mine didn't look that good! Keep up the good work.

Thanks Barbara!

I was just about to post coral #2. I've got him Tuesday, and he seems very happy :thumbs:.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/duncan1.jpg


http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/duncan2.jpg

He's getting daily feedings of phyto-feast squirted onto each head (the whole tank gets a dose as well), and I gave him a few mysis shrimp one day. I'm dosing the tank with seachem ions (magnesium), and calcium 2x week.

My lawnmower blenny is still being stubborn about eating the mysis (which he was eating at the store), or the nori. But he seems to enjoy the brown algae on the glass so I don't think he's suffering yet, and I've only had him since Tues. so I guess he's still getting used to things. I'm sure he'll come around.

Some tank stats:

All-glass 75 RR tank stand and canopy
ASM G-3 with sedra 5000 pump
Tek T-5 fixture 4x54w
Mag 9.5 return
Stealth heater
2 Korilia 4 power heads
Tunze osmolator top-off
30g long sump with refugium
phosban reactor (currently running carbon)
Fishbowl innovations moonlight (goes through a 30 day moon cycle)

Very nice Mike! It is exciting to see the tank up and running with living creatures.

I'm bored so I thought I'd post some new pics. Current stock: lawnmower blenny, duncan, 2 zoas, pocilopora, cleaner shrimp, emerald crab, tigertail sea cucumber, snails and hermits.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/tank2.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/pzoa1.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/duncan2-1.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/coral1edit.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/albert3.jpg

Tank looks really good!!!

Looks great. Nice work.

This is shaping up to be a gorgeous set-up! I love to see one going up so slowly, meticulously and well-planned. Hard to be patient sometimes, but the rewards will be well worth it.

I especially love your live rock pieces. They look like they were carefully hand-picked.

Very nice job!

Thanks Linda!

Update time!

Pair of true percs:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/clown.jpg


Aussie Acan:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/acan1.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/acan2.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/acan3.jpg

Scooter blenny:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/scooter4.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/scooter5.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/scooter3.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/scooter2.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/scooter.jpg


Hammer coral:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/hammer2.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/mikeup6/hammer.jpg