Search the Community

So I’ve inherited a fish tank when I moved into this townhouse that I’m living in currently (renting, btw we have the master bedroom open!) which previously held a vast amount, roughly 140 bottles of empty liquor bottles. Now that I’ve cleaned that out, the rock was saved from prior tank build, has been reef scaped and awaiting a few things which I’ll mention bellow in my notes, I actually take interest in the build threads and see how progress goes as this hobby isn’t for the quicker speed of hobbyist. Notes: Tank utilizes a ghost overflow box, already Plummed with silencer ports as well. Return plumbing has been plummed as well to the return pump chamber in the sump. Still need to get the following taken care of. I’m one of the newer guys here so I’m excited to share this. 1. (3) ocean revive T247 led lights (hoping with remotes) 2. A skimmer powerful enough to support a 250g heavy rating, brs does a rating on their site that’s pretty on point. 3. The motors for two mp-40’s with controllers, if the ones that I have aren’t 40’s then there def 60’s. I’ll post a pic in the comments. Powerheads that will be powerful enough for a 225g mixed reef tank, I’ve used Jebaos in the past and they were great. I’m interested in those. 4. Any RODI units, something like the basic brs models. 5. Salt (according to reef crystals about two buckets would make 320 gallons) 6. Simple, new check valve for the return plumbing. 7. Spare float valve to replace broken one in sump, for ATO. 8. Mag float cleaner for a 225g tank. Sorry for the massive laundry list, I kinda did this to help myself remember what I still need to get before even thinking about live stock. For those wondering, the tank has been dry for roughly 2 years, with sand still in it, but sand is dry at this point and so is the rock. So I’m going to attempt it as is for now, in hopes it doesn’t turn for the worst as we always know it could down the road. Please feel free to follow along on this journey. I live in the dc metro region, in hopes to grow colonies of some cool zoas and bird nests variations some day and some cool fish to go along with it too. Hoping to attend some of the meetings coming up too. I find this site super helpful for someone who just moved from Syracuse NY. Cheers!

After many question threads and inquiries into buying used setups, I decided to start from scratch. SC Aquariums had a great Black Friday sale, so I bought a 50 gallon starphire cube that came with the reef ready tank with all 3 viewing sides of starphire, a "custom" stand, a glass sump (yes, glass! Wish they worked with acrylic too), return, skimmer, and all the plumbing. It's been up and running since December, so I'll post a few replies with the story. I didn't do a great job taking photos along the way, but here it is... Their setup is alright although the return seems to go very slowly. I can't get more than 1 or 2 full turnovers in an hour. Since this was taken, I've replaced all the ceramic with rubble rock and added a bit more rock underneath the filter pads. Eventually, I'm going to replace those filter pads with a sock, but I've gotta decide on a water height and final setup first. I love the tank size, but I'm a bit disappointed in the location of the overflow column. When discussing tank options, many people were opposed to reef ready b/c of the space you lose. I feel like this design loses even more space because the area to the sides of the overflow are really just a space for critters to hang out. Not getting much light or structure there. I bought a bit of rock and sand from someone on WAMAS to get my tank started. I sifted about 7 gallons of sand through a really crappy colander making my arms sore and the house stink, but I got the nice, small sand you see here. Planning ahead for a tiger watchman goby to have nice sifting sand. The next week, I bought an OceanRevive Arctic T-247 LED. I got a sweet deal from a guy out of Baltimore, but here's the Amazon link. Everything is cleared up in there, and the LR I got is just sitting around waiting. And after leaving the tank for a week and a half while I was in Atlanta for Christmas, I came back to some unpleasant growth... I cleaned it up a bit and added some old base rock that I had stored at the parents' house after college. I soaked it and scrubbed it all with a wire brush to prepare for the tank. Rock isn't all I brought home though. I added a VorTech MP10qdw (ready for the expansion to a second one already!), Tunze Osmolator nano, Jager 150w heater, a temp probe, and a few random thermometers around to double check. When conditions were good in there, I got a couple emerald crabs, 2 camel shrimp, and a variety of snails and hermits. A couple weeks later, I picked up the 18 coral frags I got from epleeds' Charity Auction (proceeds went to St. Jude's - more props to him!), and I also added a pair of DaVinci Clowns (grade b) that I got from Monkiboy! Unfortunately, the bioload shocked the system. The clowns picked up something the day after they went in, and the algae is trying to kill me! Good news is that the clowns have been in there for a couple weeks now, they're both eating and swimming merrily, and their infection is finally subsiding. Algae on the other hand is still a pain! I picked off as much as I could, and now I'm considering treating with H2O2 a few rocks at a time during water changes. I've heard good things, and no one has cited any actual negative effects (lots of opinions, but no fact so far as I can tell). Any thoughts?? So, my next steps are to clean up the tank, get my algae under control, and then add an anemone for the clowns, I'm on the search for a vivid bubble tip if anyone has one. I'm really looking for something that electrifies under the LEDs. I know they exist! if you've got one, please PM! Once he's found his happy place, I'll be gluing down the frags. I'm planning to add a small tang and a tiger watchman goby (pair if I get really lucky searching). Does anyone have any recommendations for good tangs? I want something with character and good for my tanks size. I don't want your average tangs: kole, yellow, hippo, etc. I'm leaning toward one of the really Desjardini (sp?) Tangs or maybe a clown. Not tied to either though. I welcome input on the tank, setup, livestock, algae battle, or just general thoughts! Thanks for reading!

The Quick question (like there is ever a quick question in this hobby)- I have to put together a tank build thread, which I will do, and will cover all of this in the build later. I have Adam with Artfully Acrylic building me a 300g tank 96" x 30" x 24" tank that will be in the wall and viewed from both sides. I am going to have exterior overflows on both ends that will have black acrylic to cover the pipes. My question is what color should I do the bottom? I am thinking I want a little sand for wrasses, but I don't care if it gets blown around. I am looking to have a heavy fish bioload, and see what I can do with some SPS. This may change, but that is where I am at the moment. Right now it is suppose to be clear, but I keep going back and forth with a black or white bottom option. The white would reflect the light, but might be hard to keep clean if it is seen. The black would hide "dirt" and scratches better, but would absorb light. Or do I go clear and paint the wood below a bright white or black? What are your opinions? Thanks, Ken

Hi Guys - I’ve meant to do an update thread for a while since setting up the new tank, but haven’t gotten around to it. Thankfully, Laura (Sharkey18) chastised me enough last week to get my butt in gear and upload some pictures. First let me say that I’m fairly new to the hobby...I started up with a BioCube 14 about a year and a half ago, then got the bigger is better bug, and now have an 80G display in my living room. I’m still learning and trying to read as much as I can, so any advice is welcome! So, here’s what I’m currently working with (evolution from the original setup -> today follows). This tank has been up since Oct 2012. Hopefully, no crashes, and everything continues to grow out! Display: 80 Gallon 1” Acrylic Shallow Rimless (48” x “24” x 16”) Sump: 30 Gallon Acrylic Lighting: Two Kessil A350w Tuna Blue In-Tank Circulation: Vortech MP40wES, Sicce Voyager 4 Return: Eheim 1262 Skimmer: AquaC EV 180, powered by Eheim 1262 Chiller: JBJ Arctica 1/10 hp GFO: Two TLF Phosban 150’s running Rowaphos, powered by Mixi-Jet 900’s ATO: 20 Gallon rubbermaid; Spectrapure Power Liquid Level Controller, powered by a Tom’s AquaLifter Dosing: Kalk in ATO, Magnesium, also add’l B-ionic if necessary Temp: 77* Calc: 450 Alk: 10dKh Mg: 1250 pH: 8.2-8.35 Nitrates: 0 Phos: 0 Live Rock: ~110lbs Live Rock, mix of Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu Corals: Mixed Reef - Softies, LPS, SPS Inverts: Tiger Pistol Shrimp (paired w/Y.W.G.), Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Fire Blood Shrimp (I’ve named her Daenerys), 2 Peppermint Shrimp, Emerald Crab, Red Crab, Various Snails/Hermits Fish: Ocellaris + Black&White Clown (bonded pair), Flame Angelfish, Yellow Watchman Goby, Pajama Cardinal, 2 Firefish, Yellow Tang, Kole Tang

Lately, visiting other reefers in and out of area they've asked about our systems and build. We've already started a long long build forum on thereeftank as well as reefcentral. So here are the links to both if interested. It was supposed to be a 120, 90 build but due to recent events..BABY we've had to change up and now have our 90 and 12 coming along..slow and steady. The 730 will wait until we purchase our own home. Thereeftank thread is more detailed and updated....as well as started from the beginning http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6/josh-and-chelseas-120-and-90-builds-195192.html Reefcentral http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2332517 Ps 90 was mine but as a nice lady to her man.. I allowed josh to have it while I downsized majorly lol