2006

I originally set this tank up around February 2006. It was a stock CurrentUSA 12g AquaPod with the stock pump switched out with a MaxiJet 900 to keep the temperature of the water lower. I used one bag of CaribSea AragAlive live sand and around 15lbs of cured live rock. I filled the tank using RO water and Instant Ocean salt mix. I also added a pouch of BioSpira after setting up the tank and there was never any noticible nitrogen cycle that took place. Unfortunately, I made my worst mistake first, and added a large piece of live rock with a cool "plant" growing on it. I was into freshwater planted aquariums at the time I made the venture into saltwater and actually saw this plant as a good thing. Little did I know I just added a life long plague to this tank...Caulerpa brachypus! 

 

May 31, 2006

First FTS as the diatom bloom was subsiding and after visiting a few local stores

June 10, 2006

A few more purchases including a Crocea clam, Pink Trachyphyllia, and a Colt Coral that promptly melted.

June 16, 2006

Made my first "big" purchase with the Acan Lord colony in the center. Also got some more zoas and a pink Goniopora. I still have frags of this Acan today after all these years.

July 12, 2006

After my first online purchases from UltimateFrags and Extreme Corals. Also a few from a fellow forum hobbyist who threw in a lot of freebies.

July 18, 2006

July 22, 2006

Switched salts to Reef Crystals around this time and did 2 part dosing with Seachem Reef Complete and Reef Builder.

August 9, 2006

Traded the Crocea clam for a bunch of Zoanthid frags and was on a bit of a zoa/paly bender. Also got a Fire Shrimp with tons of personality.

September 13, 2006

Zoa Pox started thinning out my collection as I started getting into LPS. I got one of the first ever frags of Nuclear Greens from the original namer which I still have today along with the Original Safecrackers.

September 20, 2006

Upgraded the stock PC lighting to a 70w Current SunPod. Also got the tiny single polyp Micromussa frag that grew into the colony I have today.

October 8, 2006

Switched the stock bulb to a 14K Ushio and got my first few Acros, namely the highlighter green colored Acro chesterfieldensis and a purple tricolor.

October 23, 2006

Got the Red Blasto and single polyp frag of orange Acan echinata that became the colonies I have today. Also tried my luck with a Mandarin Dragonette who soon got moved to a larger frag tank.

November 3, 2006

December 2, 2006