Aqueon 8 gallon Temperate Marine Tank

[AquaticEngineer]

Snapped a couple good ones of my Northern Clingfish when he came out to eat

[dkeller_nc]

Originally Posted by AquaticEngineer

What size tank are you thinking of doing?

Sorry for the late reply - I actually lost the thread until I saw it "float to the top".

My thought is to do a 50 gallon cube. A cube minimizes surface area (for energy efficiency), and the 50 gallon size will hopefully allow me to minimize the amount of electricity I'd need to keep the tank cool.

The next question is what to keep. The coldwater creatures of the West Coast appeal to me, but will be quite pricey to fill a tank with. Another option is some of the creatures that are native to the NC coast. While the water does warm up to the high 70's in September, most of the rest of the year its in the 50's and 60's.

[AquaticEngineer]

Sounds killer! I would see what kind of stuff you can pull up right now out there off your coast line or talk to some of the local fishermen and see what kind of stuff they are pulling up

[dkeller_nc]

One of my motivations for a larger tank is perhaps keeping something that are caught on hook and line this time of year off of the Outer Banks. They're called "blow toads" by the locals, and are a species of puffer (Sphoeroides maculatus, I think). There are tons of barnacles, urchins and other things to be found on the jetties this time of year as well.

I kind of like the idea of a self-collected tank, and at least in North Carolina, there are no rules restricting collection.

[AquaticEngineer]

Originally Posted by dkeller_nc

I kind of like the idea of a self-collected tank, and at least in North Carolina, there are no rules restricting collection.

Thats what got me started doing it Nothing like having and easter egg hunt everytime you want something for your tank

[Woogiekids]

Awwwww.....send one my way Stu -

[AquaticEngineer]

Originally Posted by Woogiekids

Awwwww.....send one my way Stu -

If you want one of those little Clingfish I caught about 5 or 6 the size of a Nickel last time I was out.

[BlennyBabe]

I love this thread! Its exactly what I have been pining for. Im in the process of planning aquariums for a small nature center on the Puget Sound. If we can get the building, we will probably open in April or May. I get to plan all the exhibits! How sweet is that? So dont mind me if I ask a ton of questions or stalk all your posts

[AquaticEngineer]

Originally Posted by BlennyBabe

I love this thread! Its exactly what I have been pining for. Im in the process of planning aquariums for a small nature center on the Puget Sound. If we can get the building, we will probably open in April or May. I get to plan all the exhibits! How sweet is that? So dont mind me if I ask a ton of questions or stalk all your posts

That is super cool!! I dont mind at all, heck if you are ever down south a bit I live just outside of Portland Oregon and I sell to a lot of science centers as well Let me know if there is something you cant or are not allowed to collect out of the sound and I can grab it for you down here since I'm all licensed and permitted to collect and sell my catch.

[AquaticEngineer]

Photo update

Put this big neon green/yellow moonglow in the tank, he looks amazing under the RGB DIY kessil I did up!



Added some new sea stars since my temps are stable with the new chiller





Also, the new skimmer is cooking up skimmate!



Managed to catch all three of these guys in one shot during feeding time