There’s a fascinating chain of events that has led to this project. So, let’s dive in!

I come from a family that loves plants and animals, which might seem strange considering that my father and brother are avid hunters. However, many hunters here in Poland share a profound connection to nature, but that’s a topic for another time. The point is, our household was always bustling with animals—dogs, cats, birds, a turtle, a rabbit, guinea pigs, and probably a few others I’ve forgotten. And let’s not forget the freshwater aquarium, a chaotic mix of life in about 80 liters of water (if I recall correctly). Looking back, it was quite a mess: water changes every few weeks with a complete swap from the tap, an aquarium scrubbed with detergents, and only plastic plants for décor. Ah, the '90s—kids with limited knowledge, not internet to save us (and fish)!

As I grew up, moved out, and went to university, I eventually stumbled upon the world of modern, plant-based aquariums. I was utterly amazed by the works of Takashi Amano —truly inspiring! 😮

Amazing!😮

One of the highlights was seeing one of the largest freshwater aquariums in Portugal, designed and planted by Takashi and his team. It was a breathtaking sight: a massive 160,000 liters of water, stretching 40 meters wide! Check it out here!

Naturally, I wanted to create my own aquatic masterpiece. So, I took the plunge and acquired a smaller cube aquarium, measuring 30cm x 30cm x 30cm, around 2014-2015. I still have some old pictures from those early days!

Day 1:

3 weeks later:7 weeks later:

3 months later:  

Unfortunately, I can’t find more photos from that time, but I enjoyed that little tank for about two years before life took a turn. I became a father, and our apartment started to feel smaller and smaller. We began discussing the need for a bigger space, and I decided to put my aquarium hobby on hold.

That “pause” ended up lasting eight long years... 👴

Fast forward to mid-August; I found myself relaxing on the terrace with a Fanta, slowly browsing the internet. I checked out our neighborhood group on Facebook and spotted someone selling a lovely small aquarium for about a third of the price of a new one! It was a trigger—wait, I had planned to restart my hobby after moving to a bigger place... and I’ve been in this larger space for four years now! The kids would love it, and it could be a fun family project. I quickly consulted my wife, who gave me the green light. 💚

But then I thought, "This tank is quite small. I have the space now; I should go big!" I redefined my budget and began searching for something more substantial. But then another thought struck me: my freshwater aquarium was fantastic, but what could be even more incredible? A reef aquarium! The kids are getting older, I’m starting to find some time for myself again, and I know they would love it. So, I redefined my budget once more, consulted my wife again, and received her enthusiastic (🙈) approval. 💕

And so, the journey continues...

In Poland, there are two reliable (and in the same time not, watch for scam!) places to look for used items these days: Facebook groups and OLX. Both are well-trodden paths, and that’s where I began my search. On my first day, I set out to explore, typing in a few queries to get a feel for what I might find. The results weren’t bad at all—better than I’d expected, actually. When it comes to getting rid of old aquariums, price drops can be brutal—often slashing costs by 50%, sometimes even more. 🤑

I didn’t waste time. It wasn’t long before I stumbled upon two incredible setups, complete with everything I needed, and both priced at roughly half my budget. The catch? They were both 100 to 200 kilometers away from me. 🛤️

The distance was a problem, but not the only one. I had to figure out how to move all that gear. It wasn’t just the tanks themselves—it was the fish 🐠, the water 🫗, everything . There was a lot to think about, and I knew that transporting it all was no simple task. I ran through the possibilities in my mind, the logistics of it, the potential hassle. After considering it all, I called the seller who was closest to me, hoping for a solution.

The conversation was short, but revealing. He was straightforward, maybe more honest than I expected. He told me something that had already been forming in my own mind: it might be best to avoid the hassle of moving everything, especially the living things, and instead look for used equipment without any of the creatures or water. Start fresh. Start easy.

And just like that, the decision was made. It was time to shift my focus.

I didn’t expect the search to lead anywhere, not at first. Just one evening of browsing posts, thinking maybe—just maybe—I’d find something worth chasing down. Then, the very next evening, there it was: a post in my hometown’s marine life group on Facebook. Equipment for sale. All of it. No livestock. Half price. Twenty minutes away.

It felt like a sign. Decisions like this don’t take long when the stars align. Five minutes later, I’d made up my mind. The next day, I was in the car, driving to meet the seller.

He was an interesting man, the kind of person with a quiet confidence about him. We’d chatted on Facebook, but meeting him in person painted a fuller picture. He ran a business managing aquariums for others—setting them up, maintaining them, ensuring every detail of these tiny ecosystems stayed in balance. And when someone decided they couldn’t continue the hobby? Well, he helped them part with their gear.

This particular haul came from an office. The company leasing the space had changed hands, and the new tenants didn’t want the fish. The livestock had already been rehomed, leaving just the equipment behind. All of it, waiting to be scooped up by someone who saw its potential.

That someone was me.

I left with nearly everything I needed. Nearly. A few small things were still missing, but it was close enough to feel like I’d won. Almost.

The tank itself, though—that was a different matter. I couldn’t bring myself to take it. Call it superstition or just good planning, but I wanted something brand-new. A tank I could trust, one that hadn’t been scraped or weakened during moves. One with a warranty, just in case disaster struck. And, let’s be honest, one with a cabinet that matched the furniture in my room. Details matter, after all💅.