Barbs new 15g

[dsaundry]

Well my wife{Barb} of course, fell in love with my tank at work so she asked me if I would set up a small tank in her kitchen. I had just aout everything I needed as I am a "pack rat" by nature with aquarium stuff, so I said "Sure, why not". I decided a 15g would work the best in the location she wanted so I picked up a tank at King Ed's in Van/Bby. I already had a couple of old Hydor#1's and a used Aquaclear 150 in the garage. I also had a few heaters to choose from as well as a pc light that would fit quite nicely. I had substrate that I had aquired over the past while in trades etc from fellow reefers so I knew that initial set up costs would be very low.
First step. Set tank in place and add sand.
Second step. Kick daughters stupid cat out of tank.
Third step. Add water{already cycled in my 55g} to prevent second step from happening again.
Fouth step. Add some live rock from my overloaded 55g.
Fifth step. Wait a few weeks and watch levels.
Sixth step. Add a few softies and wait and watch for another week.
After watching everything and several water tests I made the decision to add some livestock{the fun part}.
My wife had a few requests. She wanted clownfish and a cleaner shrimp.
Seventh step.I picked up a couple of Perc's from Animal House and a small Lawnmower blenny. I picked up an anemone from a fellow reefer which to my wifes delight started to host in. I picked up a cleaner shrimp and clean up crew from Oceanic{Thanks Ian} as well as a Pistol shrimp and Goby combination.
It has been about 2 months now and all is looking really nice. I dose the tank regularly and top up as required. I added an extra Sea Squirt that I had kicking around as well as a small frag of Frogspawn that I picked up.
I figure my total costs have been about $200.00 which has been mostly all the livestock. I am not really counting my equipment as it was all in house so to speak.
The biggest pleasure I got was coming home from work and finding Barb sitting on a stool and staring at her tank. She has put up with all my insanity when it comes to this hobby and to see her enjoying her little piece of the ocean made me love her all the more.
I will put a link to photobucket for the pic's in the next part of this thread.