Hey everyone!!! I have been out of the hobby for 3 years and now I am back! 3 years ago I needed to move on short notice and the only apartment I found didnt have strong enough floors for my 180 bowfront since then my girlfriend and I had a little baby girl. So a few Days ago I decided to look into getting a little 30 gallon tank because I wanted my daughter to grow up around some aquatic life. My budget was small since i was only looking for something small so I hit the used adds and BAM! seen a 90 gallon tank, stand,light and filter combo for 400 dollars instantly my budget went up more then what my girlfriend wanted 
the adds pictures were really crappy since the tank was in the guys dark basement I went to see the tank and to my surprise even though a little dirty the tank itself looked brand new within minutes of seeing it I was already discussing loaded it into the truck 
I washed the new tank and realized that it has zero scratches and looks brand new wish I could say the same about the stand so decided to hit up home depot to restore the stand back to its glory days. I purchased some fine sand paper and some high quality furniture grade paint and went to town on the stand and now the stand looks as new as the tank. I also decided to paint the back ground on the tank black "see before and after pictures below" all this was done in less then a day for around 60 bucks in materials. I could have spent less on the paint but since it will be saltwater which can be corrosive i decided better paint would the only way to go.
-the following updates with pictures to come well be the 30 gallon DIY sump refugium
-the DIY canopy with 3watt LED's built into the canopy
-the pvc plumbing for the overflow with a side release valve for quick water changes
-the installation of the new protien skimmer and 950 gph return pump
stay tuned from start to finish with all new pics to come at the end I will include the final cost of the build.
the adds pictures were really crappy since the tank was in the guys dark basement I went to see the tank and to my surprise even though a little dirty the tank itself looked brand new within minutes of seeing it I was already discussing loaded it into the truck I washed the new tank and realized that it has zero scratches and looks brand new wish I could say the same about the stand so decided to hit up home depot to restore the stand back to its glory days. I purchased some fine sand paper and some high quality furniture grade paint and went to town on the stand and now the stand looks as new as the tank. I also decided to paint the back ground on the tank black "see before and after pictures below" all this was done in less then a day for around 60 bucks in materials. I could have spent less on the paint but since it will be saltwater which can be corrosive i decided better paint would the only way to go.
-the following updates with pictures to come well be the 30 gallon DIY sump refugium
-the DIY canopy with 3watt LED's built into the canopy
-the pvc plumbing for the overflow with a side release valve for quick water changes
-the installation of the new protien skimmer and 950 gph return pump
stay tuned from start to finish with all new pics to come at the end I will include the final cost of the build.
