The building begins

Due to circumstances beyond my control, what seemed an eternity passed before some funds worked free and I could begin working on my Reef. So first thing that has to happen is to get some rock and sand.

During my forced delay (refer to previous posts regarding having to have PATIENCE in this hobby) I visited the several Reef stores in the local area. Drooling and checking out the livestock and wares. While in one I happened to ask about base rock. Base rock is dead rock that is used to balance out the volume of rock in a tank. It is used (in my case anyway) for budgetary purposes. Being dead it doesn't cost as much as live rock and thus reduces the cash outlay for rock.

So anyway I asked where he suggested I could find some base rock. His suggestion was Marco Rocks. Marco Rocks is a company in south Florida. If you click the link you can see what they offer. Well I was ready to begin the build so I ordered the 40lb of rock and 40lb of Bahamian sand special. The same day I ordered the shipment was on the way from Big Pine Key.

And as typically happens. I had to go on a business trip before the rock arrived. So I had to wait till I got home to see what I had actually purchased. Now I don't know anything about rock but from what I had read it needed lots of nooks and crannies and such for the beneficial bacteria to come. Boy was I happy!!! Nooks and crannies galore. And holes - some of them all the way through the rock. Just wonderful!!

So after laying the rocks out to figure out a good fit. I cut some PVC from a tube to act as supports for the rocks to keep them off the glass bottom of the tank. Laid the rocks into the tank and then my impatience took over. Ok inexperience. I put the sand into the tank without rinsing it :( But I figure it will all come out in the end.

Here are some shots of what it looks like at the moment. Next comes the water and about a bit more than 40 lbs of "Live Rock" to be added.