We are one day behind schedule as I did not manage to get to the store on time yesterday.  But today, I got home in time and took Stephanie with me to pick out the rocks.  Here is the picture of the rocks in the tank after it was washed and mixed.  I will need more black to tone down the colours.  I am aming for a starry night picture.  This is fun, eh?  All those years in art school is actually paying off  

Here is the view of the rocks from a distant, which actually looks a bit better.  Yellow was not a colour that was available.  The major work is done.  The installation of the filter is the last part of all the major pieces of the aquarium.  Getting the fish is the eaiest part   I think a big part of the fun is setting up the landscape.  We have bought over $200 worth of decorations (see original picture from September 7, 2004), which will barely fill the tank.  We will need more stuff  

Here is the final look for now, which is not too far off from what I envisioned in my mind's eye.  Another 7 to 10 lbs of black would be perfect.  Filling it up has killed my Brita filter.  Off to Canadian Tire to get a faucet filter tomorrow.  It looks like I may have about 10 gallons in so far and only another 60 gallons to go. 

My ultimate goal is to bring the Great Barrier Reef to my living room   I don't have to go there any more to enjoy what I love so much.  Why did I  not think of this sooner?  The Great Barrier Reef, however, is not so great any more   The Crown of Thorns, a parasitic coral, is killing it. 

The next time you see live soft corals displayed, be AWED.  It's not trival and its not a cheap excercise.  The lights alone can go up to $3,000 (halide ).  Balancing the water chemistry of salt water for corals can be intimadating. 

No, this is not my aquarium    This was taken about a 40 minute boat ride from Koh Phi Phi, Thailand, in a strong current channel between two little islands - one of my best snorkelling experience.