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.

[dsaundry]

Here are some pics:

[dsaundry]

And more;

[dsaundry]

Yet more;

[dsaundry]

So I hope you all are able to see the pictures ok.
I hae to use photobucket as my Canreef album is full..still havent figured it out yet...

[Skimmerking]

looks great man, well done for thephoto bucket. its really easy just after you have loaded them on there its going to show you a thumbnail right.
- then just below the little pictures there are address tha show you different routes to use.
- highlight the direct route there its the second one down of the group of 4 addresses
- then copy the one you want and thengo back to canreef and click on the picture post where you thread you want to start is.
- the paste it in there and then you will see the picture on your thread.

[superduperwesman]

edit: Pictures now above

[dsaundry]

Thanks for transfering the pics..will pm you later...

Leah, No skimmer on tank, its on a regular outlet, but the power bar is mounted above the tank now. With the live rock and and external filter with charcoal it seems to be doing well..Dont overfeed and get a clean up crew...forgot to mention there are a few bristle worms too...not overly concerned at this point as they are small and do a nice job of clean up as well. I dose with tech a+b and put some phyto in now and then. Trying to do what I do at work with the tank there...I abuse it compared to my larger tanks but it seems to thrive....go figure. So far so good as I looked at tank again this morning and all is very well......

[superduperwesman]

edit: Pictures now above

[superduperwesman]

Edit: Pictures now above