So here is my journal. I started just over two weeks ago. I converted my tank from an 'established' Fresh to salt. I'll do my best to be as detailed as I can, and I appreciate all comments and input. Even if you want to criticize, I welcome it, just please be constructive.
I should also ask you to forgive my photography skills. I'm terrible. Anyways, here goes I guess.
So my first day began with a trip to my LFS (over an hour drive) to get supplies. I was there most of the afternoon and evening. I got home around 10pm and spent the next 12 hours working on my conversion.
It begins. My Freshwater Tank in its final few moments before conversion.
My conversion supplies
Hitchhiker in my live rock. Snowflake eel I believe. I managed to keep him alive and returned him the next day.
Chaos begins
It's getting late
Morning has arrived. Tank was pulled from wall, new black background and Aqueon 220 hang on overflow was installed. 30 Gallon Aqueon Proflex Model 4 Sump installed as well.
Sump
120 kg of live rock was put in first, then aragonite. Blinded.
Sump running with Protein skimmer that leaks!
Later that day I was able to go back to LFS and get it replaced. Marineland 300
Fast forward a few days, wife helped me with a rearrangement of the live rock. Also, powerhead was put in the tank. Looks MUCH better than before, IMO. What do you guys think of our first ever LR aquascape?
unfortunately the damsel did not make it. Water was not quite ready
Rookie mistake. I had the Overflow return both plumbed near the middle of the tank. So both were moved for better flow.
brown algae has started to creep all over right now as well
So my first day began with a trip to my LFS (over an hour drive) to get supplies. I was there most of the afternoon and evening. I got home around 10pm and spent the next 12 hours working on my conversion.
It begins. My Freshwater Tank in its final few moments before conversion.
My conversion supplies
Hitchhiker in my live rock. Snowflake eel I believe. I managed to keep him alive and returned him the next day.
Chaos begins
It's getting late
Morning has arrived. Tank was pulled from wall, new black background and Aqueon 220 hang on overflow was installed. 30 Gallon Aqueon Proflex Model 4 Sump installed as well.
Sump
120 kg of live rock was put in first, then aragonite. Blinded.
Sump running with Protein skimmer that leaks!
Fast forward a few days, wife helped me with a rearrangement of the live rock. Also, powerhead was put in the tank. Looks MUCH better than before, IMO. What do you guys think of our first ever LR aquascape?
unfortunately the damsel did not make it. Water was not quite ready
Rookie mistake. I had the Overflow return both plumbed near the middle of the tank. So both were moved for better flow.
brown algae has started to creep all over right now as well
I did get a Red Fromia Star, so that is a start, but I will increase the CUC more. Next week my LFS is supposed to get a good stock of Tangs and Angels that I like so after seeing my water sample and knowing what my goals are they wanted me to try a couple fish. Of all the ones they thought would be good, I decided on a pair of Cardinals. I'm just going through the acclimation now. We hope that they thrive well enough that some time next week I may actually be able to add an Angel/Tang perhaps. I'm thrilled at the possibility so I hope everything goes well. 
It was expensive, but I didn't exactly do things efficiently in terms of the finances of this whole project.
Ringo. hehe That fish is stunning.
