Reefer_Madness September 24, 2015 Share September 24, 2015 I've decided to build a shallow reef. I've seen some amazing 'look down' type tanks that I love. I'm still finalizing what exactly I want to do in terms of the type of environment I build and fish. At this point I have a Deep Blue 45g rimless 48x18x12, a 48" 6-bulb ATI T5 fixture, and a handful of powerheads. I am plumbing the tank into my display and running it off my Apex. That being said, I am in the process of plumbing it in and will be getting it wet this weekend. Now all I need is a plan for aquascaping and fish. I'm open to suggestions and pictures, so please feel free to post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness September 24, 2015 Author Share September 24, 2015 This tank is my inspiration. It is the same dimensions as mine and looks to be the same light as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime September 24, 2015 Share September 24, 2015 I'm open to suggestions and pictures, so please feel free to post. My opinions: Don't Zip tie your light cords to your conduit hanger, if you do, at least trim the extra plastic, attempt to run it behind the conduit. That is if you're even going that route. Do not take any plumbing techniques from your inspiration. If you're going to have one MP, at least get another to keep all those cords from running out off the rimless tank. Do Follow the lead on the acro placement, I like how they all branch out, and seem far enough spaced for future growth. Keep a low stock for less headache. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness September 24, 2015 Author Share September 24, 2015 (edited) Haha. The ghetto light rack and wiring is not on my list of items to copy. Just the aquascaping and layout. The return snorkel is pretty interesting as well. Edited September 24, 2015 by Reefer_Madness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness September 24, 2015 Author Share September 24, 2015 My goal is also to put my cords/controllers, ATO container, and QT below the new tank. If you look at the pics below, you will see why It should clean up my tank area. I was planning to get a small ikea cabinet to install controls in, but why do that when you can buy a new tank with cabinet?!?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunWyrm September 24, 2015 Share September 24, 2015 My opinions: Don't If you're going to have one MP, at least get another to keep all those cords from running out off the rimless tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness September 24, 2015 Author Share September 24, 2015 Adding water!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueTricia September 28, 2015 Share September 28, 2015 Ben I can't wait to see what you're going to end up with. I recommend some pajama cardinals, which coincidently, I can sell to you.... Seriously though.... what's the plan? Sand, or barebottom? Mostly SPS or mixed reef? What fish do you have in your other tank right now? What fish have you been dying to get? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness September 29, 2015 Author Share September 29, 2015 Ben I can't wait to see what you're going to end up with. I recommend some pajama cardinals, which coincidently, I can sell to you.... Seriously though.... what's the plan? Sand, or barebottom? Mostly SPS or mixed reef? What fish do you have in your other tank right now? What fish have you been dying to get? Too many commitments! So far here is what I have decided: ATI 48" T5 fixture Medium sand bottom Just got a 130 Gyre today And I have one clown and a cleaner shrimp That's it... Planning to do mixed reef with lots of creatures (i.e. Starfish, clams, fish, etc) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness September 30, 2015 Author Share September 30, 2015 I've never had bubble tip anenomes before. How would one be in this new mixed reef? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2nhle September 30, 2015 Share September 30, 2015 I love the look down view also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime September 30, 2015 Share September 30, 2015 I've never had bubble tip anenomes before. How would one be in this new mixed reef? Let it cycle for a bit and then try an RBTA. With a good amount of light, and decent water params, they are really hearty from my experience. I've actually never had a tank with less than two bubble tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtelles September 30, 2015 Share September 30, 2015 I'm a fan of rbta's, but they grow, and sometimes split, and can quickly take over a smaller tank. I started with one 5" rbta about a year ago in a 40B and ended up with 3, one of which was 5", another that was 8", and the largest about 12". I never really target fed them and had them under a relatively cheap reefbreeder led, and they still exploded in growth. That said, they survived a tank crash that was due to a salinity spike (ato failed while I was on vacation and salinity rose to 1.32 - didn't lose any fish but lost 90% of my corals). My clowns love them, they're incredibly attractive, and once they get comfortable you'll rarely see them move without a big change in parameters. However, when one of the splits decided to roam a bit, I lost a small colony of zoas and a hammer coral, so you have to be willing to lose some corals if the rbta gets restless. I've since sold two, so only have the 12" left. Mine also bubbled for about a month before becoming stringy and have never bubbled aside from when I removed them from the tank to sell, so you won't know if they'll be stringy or bubbly in your tank until they're in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness October 1, 2015 Author Share October 1, 2015 I'm a fan of rbta's, but they grow, and sometimes split, and can quickly take over a smaller tank. I started with one 5" rbta about a year ago in a 40B and ended up with 3, one of which was 5", another that was 8", and the largest about 12". I never really target fed them and had them under a relatively cheap reefbreeder led, and they still exploded in growth. That said, they survived a tank crash that was due to a salinity spike (ato failed while I was on vacation and salinity rose to 1.32 - didn't lose any fish but lost 90% of my corals). My clowns love them, they're incredibly attractive, and once they get comfortable you'll rarely see them move without a big change in parameters. However, when one of the splits decided to roam a bit, I lost a small colony of zoas and a hammer coral, so you have to be willing to lose some corals if the rbta gets restless. I've since sold two, so only have the 12" left. Mine also bubbled for about a month before becoming stringy and have never bubbled aside from when I removed them from the tank to sell, so you won't know if they'll be stringy or bubbly in your tank until they're in there. Thanks for the info. That's exactly the feedback I was looking for. If I had a way of trapping one on a rock by itself that would be sweet, but I plan to have a few colonies and I would hate to push it. I would hate even more to lose a coral because of an "itchy foot". Do they let go and float when they are moving or do they crawl? I ask because maybe I could put a pillar rock that is surrounded by sand. I assume it wouldn't crawl down away from the light. Maybe that would keep him on that one rock? Keep in mind I have no idea what I am talking about but just trying to apply logic to Mother Nature. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness October 1, 2015 Author Share October 1, 2015 FTS so far Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddiev0008 October 1, 2015 Share October 1, 2015 Nice Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2nhle October 1, 2015 Share October 1, 2015 Looking good there. so what skimmer are you using for this one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtelles October 1, 2015 Share October 1, 2015 Mine never floated to another spot before the split, it always crawled, and one of the ways I kept them relatively stable was to separate the rock work into two sections and keep the nems on one side. That said, when it split, I had no idea it had done so, and the clone walked or floated over the sandy area to the other side, which is how I lost the zoas and hammer. You could probably isolate it in a corner by giving it a rock pile to itself separated from the rest of the corals by sand (a pile because mine always likes to keep its foot in a dark area - not sure if this is universal or just the ones I've had). My remaining rbta has stayed in the same place for about 8 months, so they do tend to find a spot and hunker down so long as they're not disturbed too much and the water is stable. Again, my remaining rbta began as a pathetic 3-4" split with a droppy mouth that seemed like it wasn't going to survive and is now a solid 12" when fully expanded during the light cycles, so keep growth in mind. You could always get a 2-3" colorful nem and see how you feel about it after a few months. One positive is that they're pretty easy to resell if you decide you don't want it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness October 1, 2015 Author Share October 1, 2015 Looking good there. so what skimmer are you using for this one? I actually tied it into my display 60g cube. I have a Vertex 130 taking care of both. I may need to upsize at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness October 1, 2015 Author Share October 1, 2015 You could always get a 2-3" colorful nem and see how you feel about it after a few months. One positive is that they're pretty easy to resell if you decide you don't want it. Good idea. I may give that a try. In a look down I think this would be awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2nhle October 1, 2015 Share October 1, 2015 Can your skimmer handle 60g display + sump and then this frag tank? is it small for them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness October 1, 2015 Author Share October 1, 2015 Can your skimmer handle 60g display + sump and then this frag tank? is it small for them? I've read it does great up to about 110g my net volume is about 125g. We'll see!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueTricia October 1, 2015 Share October 1, 2015 Very nice, Ben! This is going to look great soon enough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness October 1, 2015 Author Share October 1, 2015 I'm going to break some "rules" on this tank and get a small puffer. A Blue Spotted Puffer aka Blue Dot Toby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2nhle October 2, 2015 Share October 2, 2015 great. I know 110g is for light nutrient. Even omega 150 still rate at 90g only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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