I just ordered the Tonga branch rock for this tank. It will be here on Friday. Geesh the branch rock is expensive. But that's what I wanted and I didn't want to have all of the branch rock DIY. I needed some that was live and NOT from any of my other tanks. I'll keep the LR that's in the 75g now for another project

I got tired of waiting for my husband to come home and help with the remodeling so I did it myself. Being 5' 1 and 105 lbs. I do NOT reccomend hanging drywall by yourself. I did and now I hurt all over. Why do the sheets of drywall have to be 8ft tall and heavy to boot? Ok...they are up. Then I had to tape and Mud and sand. Another unpleasant experience. I HATE the mess of sanding drywall mud. (wear a mask or you will choke on the dust) I finally got that done and sealed and primed the walls. Then I sponge painted the entire room. Next came the waines coating. That is done as well. All I have left to do is the crownmolding, trim work, and flooring. They ought to be a breeze after the stuff I already did

I sent pics to my hubby and he can't believe I did it all myself, lol. He loves it so far. Tomorrow I will be heading to the basement to add 2 floor jacks to support the weight of the new tank, sump, and wall unit. I can not finish the trim untill the lumber yard get more in, so that is on hold. The crownmolding should be here by the weekend. (I hope)

I know my husband and I don't know if I want to wait for him to build the wall unit. It could take months before he starts it. (he's an over the road truck driver and only home a few days a month) I thought about building it myself but a girl's got to admit when she's "in over her head" and building stands and wall units are a "not a good idea" idea. I "May" just go ahead and set the tank up as is and move it later. I can run it with a canister filter and some small powerheads.

We can then build the wall unit later. All I would have to do is remove the seahorses to a 5g bucket, move the rock to a brute can, empty the water to 2- 45g brute cans and lift the tank to it's new stand. Then put everything back. When I add the extra sw to fill the sump it will be like a mini water change. There won't be any cycle since I won't be disturbing the sand (1 inch) and everything will be back in the tank within an hour. Same rock, same tank,same water, same bioload, same everything.

I want the seahorses out of the too short 75g. asap. I watched 2 pairs try all today and yesterday to make egg transfers without ever being able to complete them. The females are so fat with eggs that I feel sorry for them. I'm sure if they don't complete the transfers by tomorrow they will dump the eggs. A few months ago they were smaller and could complete the transfers easier. They have gone thru a huge growth spurt and they are HUGE!! My males are monsters. No less then 6 inches not including full tail. They are at least 2" across the chest. With only 16" of actual water / swimming height in the 75g.....Nowhere near enough room. It's not impossible, just very difficult.

Well that's enough updates / rambeling for 1 post. I will update as things get done and decisions are made.

Angie