How I Got Started with Reefkeeping

Ever since I was young, I've always been fascinated with the Ocean and its inhabitants... particularly, coral reefs. The fish and corals were so beautiful and very peaceful to watch. I promised myself that some day I would have my very own saltwater aquarium.

It wasn't until years later, September of 2005, that I would try my first hand at reefkeeping. I was living in an apartment at the time, so I was limited when choosing the size of my fish tank. I ended up purchasing a 40 gallon tank, second hand. I remember thinking how big this tank was, but little did I know at the time that a 55 gallon tank is the recommended minimum when first starting reefkeeping. Reason being is that it's much more challenging to maintain and control water parameters with smaller tanks, as there is less water. The golden rule in reefkeeping: "Nothing good happens quickly". You must keep in mind that you're trying to create a confined ecosystem. Making drastic changes quickly to an ecosystem could be detrimental to all its inhabitants. Needless to say, I learned a lot about reefkeeping through the challenges of maintaining a smaller reef tank.

A few years later in 2007, I moved into a house but, unfortunately, my 40 gallon reef tank did not survive the move. I lost all my fish and corals. I was disheartened and was away almost two years from the hobby. However, I knew I couldn't stay away and in July of 2009 I began planning and building my next saltwater tank. This time, I lived in a house that could accomodate a larger tank. I decided on a 135 gallon tank with a 55 gallon sump, which were both second hand. I always loved the look of a fish tank framed in a wall, as if it were a living painting. Therefore, I decided to put the tank in my basement, between my home office and den. This is my main tank to date.