m.ash's Journey

 

First off I'm m.ash on the forums, but you can also call me Mike.  I've wanted to change my forum name to my real name, but don't think that's possible.  I joined this forum many months ago, and realized that I never officicially introduced myself here.  So with some spare time on a great, slow paced Sunday evening I figured I would take the opportunity.  I am currently a student at Utah State University, am happily married to a very supportive wife, and as a student my finances are very limited, which keep me from building my dream tanks now, but I know they will come in the future.

 

As with many people I began my addiction with a very small, 1 gallon, freshwater aquarium given to me as a christmas gift at the ripe old age of 8 years old.  I was hooked immediately.  Next year, I got an upgrade to a 10 gallon for christmas, then added a 20, a 29, and soon had 4 freshwater tanks all running smoothly and looking awesome.  I continued fueling the addiction with the help of my parents pocket books until I turned 16 and began working at a Pet/fish store in Logan, Utah.  This store had become my favorite before working there, and they had a very nice saltwater selection, (or at least it was at it's time.)  While there I set up more challenging freshwater systems, and then the owner got me to dive into Saltwater, and I've been hooked ever since.  I took a break while serving an LDS mission, but upon returning the bug hit me hard.  When I got home I had not running tanks of my own.  I quickly set up more Fresh Tanks, then designed and planned a 65 gallon reef.  That reef, is still my current reef today, and has been running for 5 years now, it looks awesome, but is mostly softies with a few sps mostly Monti's a few small acros, and some LPS. Here is a picture of it as of the day after christmas. 

 

 

My wife is now into the hobbie and is working hard on her new 16 gallon nano reef, and anxiosly waiting on me to build her 55 gallon Upside Down Jellyfish tank.  My mom is now in the hobbie as well working hard on cycling her new 29 gallon seahorse tank.  As soon as we feel it is balanced, the seahorses will be on their way.  My most recent project has been the creation of a 40 gallon frag tank, which currently is cycling towards being balanced, but looks very very empty.  I hope to pack it full with frags from my reef, and stock it with broodstock over the following months.

 

I have followed the WMAS forums for a few years, but had never joined the forums.  I have always liked looking through the forums to learn from others and their experiences working with reef and marine aquariums.

 

A few months ago I took the opportunity to join the forums, and shortly after, became a paid member of the club.  I don't get to make it to every meeting being from Cache Valley, but do make it to a few, I don't know alot of individuals when I attend meetings, but look forward to meeting more and more of you by doing so.  I'm hoping to attend more meeting now that I will be down that way more and more often over the next year or so because I recently was given the opportunity to be an intern at The Living Planet Aquaium, currently in Sandy, Utah.  I look forward to the opportunity to learn and grow during my time there,  and of course, hope to establish a career! 

 

Thank you for taking the time to learn about me and my tanks.  I look forward to getting to know the WMAS members more.  Please feel free to ask any questions about me that you would like.

I'll have to post a full shot of my 65 gallon with stand and canopy tomoro.  It does look great, with some excellent help from my Grandpa. 

 

I guess you really can't see the new stuff though.

 

And here is a shot of the custum stand I built for the tank, the doors have a slate tile inlay which look very classy, especially on the stone floor that the tank stand sits on.

 

 

Here is a shot of the filtration, the return runs through a SCWD 1", the fuge looks empty right now because I just harvested a bunch of Chaeto, my Chaeto doesn't grow to fast either becasue I carbon dose the tank via the vodka method, have been for almost a year now.

 

 

And finally a few shots of My favorite inhabitants, and many of the new frags that I will let mature a little befor fixing them to my rocks.

 

Huge Pipe Organ, about 8 inches across.

My favorite pair of clowns!  I call the solid black on 50 cent, because he's only worth half what I originally paid for him when I bought him.

 

 

And the frags, waiting to be ready to be fixed to the rock in the reef when ready.

 

This tank is my main tank, and I love it!  I have others up and going, or in the process as well.

 

 

 

Thanks Jackie, The light blue zoa's that I got from you are in there too!  They are very cool.