So I've been getting interested in the aquariums for quick some time now. I spent about 4-5 months reading everything I could before pulling the trigger and finally purchasing a tank to begin down the road of this awesome hobby. Back in August of 2011 I purchased my first 55 gal acrylic aquarium from a local hobbyist down the road. Overall it was a good buy. The tank was in awesome shape. He threw in a custom built stand with hood, lights, all the live rock, live sand, an old HOB skimmer, some small power heads, wavemaker, and even an urchin and brittle star. I was off to a good start for $400. For anyone who has lived in Hawaii, you will know that purchasing anything online for an aquarium other than equipment is nearly impossible (no live rock, no fish, no inverts, no macro, pretty much nothing) so my options were limited at best. After getting everything setup, I decided to sit back and monitor the rock for a while and save up some money to replace some of the equipment. After about a month I saw a huge outbreak of vermetid snails all over the rock. For those who have not seen/heard of these l'il guys, they give your rock the appearance of the guy from hellraiser... (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php) follow that link if you'd like to read more about the snails.
So after some deliberation, I decided to get rid of the rock and start fresh. Live rock on the island is about 6-7 a pound and I wasn't about to spend that kind of money on it just yet...so I decided to make my own rock (aragocrete). It all turned out pretty well so far, and after weeks of curing and saving up money, I've been able to get most the equipment I wanted and begin stocking the tank with some fish. Below is a link to a youtube video of the setup so far.
Id love to hear any word or suggestions for any of the experienced hobbyists out there or anyone else who has had the pleasure of trying to keep an aquarium in Hawai'i. Mahalo!
My 55 Gal FOWLR Aquarium...well will be live rock eventually!
http://youtu.be/JGgIiAshKlM
So after some deliberation, I decided to get rid of the rock and start fresh. Live rock on the island is about 6-7 a pound and I wasn't about to spend that kind of money on it just yet...so I decided to make my own rock (aragocrete). It all turned out pretty well so far, and after weeks of curing and saving up money, I've been able to get most the equipment I wanted and begin stocking the tank with some fish. Below is a link to a youtube video of the setup so far.
Id love to hear any word or suggestions for any of the experienced hobbyists out there or anyone else who has had the pleasure of trying to keep an aquarium in Hawai'i. Mahalo!
My 55 Gal FOWLR Aquarium...well will be live rock eventually!
http://youtu.be/JGgIiAshKlM