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#1 |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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I am setting up a standard 5 foot 150g display tank with a 35g sump / refugium. This is my very first system log. Any advice or constructive opinions are welcome.
This is where the tank will be. A spare sitting / jam room / lounge. ![]() This is my self made stand (very basic, I know), with my old 72g bowfront that I will be using as a sump / refugium. ![]() ![]() My new tank should be at my LFS by October 27th, maybe even sooner ... ![]() |
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#2 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 542
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wow that is a super tall stand.
what's the height on that bad boy? (you should consider attaching the stand to the wall studs with a stand that tall) |
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#3 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 367
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Any reason for having such a high stand ? That looks to be over 4ft tall from the pic.
You might want to re-consider the hight, otherwise you will need a step ladder everytime you need to put your hand in the tank ![]() I'm sure you have your reasons though, goodluck with the build, looks like a great location for a tank. |
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#4 |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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The tank will have one 7 x 10 overflow centered at the right end of the tank. I wanted it peninsula style so you can easily veiw the tank through our patio window when we are out there at night.
The tank itself is again standard, 60 x 24 x 24. I have or have on order the following equipment that I will be using on this aquarium... 150g standard glass tank ... $375 (after $125 credit) 72g sump / refugium ... had OceanRunner 6500 pump ... up to 1700 gph ... $120 (2) Koralia 4 pumps ... 1200 gph each ... $48 x 2 (2) Koralia 3 pumps ... 850 gph each ... had Octopus Extreme 300 Protein Skimmer ... $498 shipped 25 watt Gamma UV sterilizer ... $160 supplied by Aquaclear 70 powerhead ... 375 gph ... had Jager 250 watt heater ... $23 65 watt Coralife compact for refugium ... had Aquaclear 70 hang on filter for activated carbon (will be hanging behind / in overflow) ... had I also use Instant Ocean salt ... $30 (5g) 40g quarantine tank ... $35 filtered with (2) Aquaclear 110 hang on filters ... had with a 100 watt jager heater ... $19 |
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#5 |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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I'm not quite sure about lighting yet since that will be the most costly part. Not too sure about what direction I'm going with corals and what not yet either.
My system is going to be very basic and simple, but that's what i am going for. Simple and basic, yet some good quality equipment. I'm hoping this whole thing is gonna take off in the next week or two. As soon as everything comes in. Should be sweet. |
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#6 | |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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Quote:
Besides, I do like a tank that can be well veiwed at the standing position. I don't know, it's just me. I don't like my tank close to the ground. however, mostly it's so i can veiw it from the outside. I have also considered anchoring it to the wall, for extra support, and still very well may. |
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#7 | |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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#8 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Lebanon
Posts: 6,111
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tagging along.
Try to check out my 150 build thread for ideas on plumbing and water circulationa s I received lots of help that couldbe of benefit to you. Any stocking list so far? fish or corals? Lighting plans...?
__________________
390 G mixed reef build Current Tank Info: 390G mixed reef |
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#9 | |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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Quote:
unfortunatly, I will not have a closed loop on this system, but I will be investing in a couple nice powerful tunze heads in the future. Right now, I think my return and the four Koralia's should do a decent job. Also, again, the lighting is of question, thought and hopefully debate over the next few months... can we say tax return? ![]() Right now I'll just be lighting my tank with a 48" coralife 4 x 65 watt compact. Unfortunatly, I cant keep much with that and I'm not even gonna try. Like I said, tax return season is right around the corner, and we al know that's pretty sweet when it comes to our tanks and our hobby ..... ![]() |
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#10 |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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As far as a stocking list, it's pretty slim right now.
I currently have in QT right now and awaiting their new home... Convict Tang Coral Beauty Angel as well as a Purple Reef Lobster, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, and a Coral Banded Shrimp. I also have a nice Scopas Tang, however I think I will trade him in towards a trio of yellow tangs as i have been thinking of doing for a while. I think a small group of 3 or 4 would look amazing. as far as the rest of my stocking list, well I'm really not sure. I would love another dwarf angel, but don't know if I should attempt it. I've heard alot from all of you that it can go either way, but if i could do it, there would definatly be another dwarf in my system. I would also love to have an achilles tang, but not sure my system would be large enough as I've heard they need quite a bit of space to thrive and survive. So that might just be wishful thinking, and that's chill. I am also a big fan of butterflies, many of them, so i will be definatly looking into at least one. I am fond of the Copperband, but know that they are very very questionable. So basically i guess i'm looking at something like this as my stocking list... convict tang (have) 3 yellow tangs coral beauty angel (have) butterfly (there are a few species I'm considering) pair of bluejaw triggers (i really love these fish) achilles tang (hopefully, maybe someday) fridmani dottyback (just a thought) potter's angel (again, just a thought, I know they can be difficult) sand sifting goby (i like diamonds, but not sure how much sand i'll be using) anyway, those are some thoughts. I definatly want to keep mycoral beauty and convict tang as well as get a butterfly, pair of blue throat triggers, and add 3 or 4 yellow tangs. I think this is what I will start with and see how things work themselves out and progress. Obviously I will not be adding them all at once (yellow tangs will of course), and everything that enters my tanks from here on out will be quarantined first. I learned that the hard way. thanks to anyone who's interested in my thread and for any help they might provide. My tank will not be anything too fancy or crazy, but it will be mine and it will be cherished and cared for. Goodnite everyone, Neal in Orcutt, CA... |
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#11 |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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My updated stock list ...
I've been thinking a little more about what kind of fish I'll be keeping. Ever since going to Maui last October, I've kinda thought of keeping only fish found in the waters of Hawaii. Not sure if it will work out this way, but this is what I was thinking I could consider...
These are probably definates... Convict Tang - have 3 Yellow Tangs - just got today, currently in QT 2 Blue Jaw Triggers (male / female) These are thoughts... Hawaiian Squirrelfish, a pair perhaps, i do like these fish. a blenny of some sort or a hawkfish, not too sure which species of either are from Hawaii or even collected for hobby, at this time, I will be doin some research. perhaps an Achilles Tang sometime in the future, Not too sure my tank is big enough however. Some sort of Butterfly from hawaii, not too sure any are reef safe, and I hope to add 2 metal halide to start keeping corals in the near future. as far as an angel, I'd love to know how to care for a Potter's Angel. They are amazing, and I'm aware of their record in captivity. And wouldn't we all like to find that one in a million Moorish Idol that just eats well and lives a long life, well, one can wish... ; ) .................... The whole Hawaiian only thing is just an idea right now. I know I love yellow and convict tangs and i have both of those right now. I know I will be getting the pair of blue throat triggers for sure as well. Other than that however, it's pretty wide open. I realize that those 6 fish alone are a good bio load as is and I definatly do not wanna overstock my tank. however, with 190 total gallons and some decent equipment, I'm feeling I can add a few more fish, especially if they are smaller. I really like Butterflies, and I really like purple tangs, and I am pretty fond of the Coral Beauty Angel I have right now though I think I will trade him in if I decide to go this route. Just some of my thoughts today, thought I would share them with you all.. .... I will be posting a pic of my new yellow tangs in QT very soon. |
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#12 |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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#13 |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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I just added 14 nasarus snails, 2 mexican turbo snails, and 3 cerith snails
I plan on adding about 12 more nasuras and 12 more serith snails as soon as possible. |
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#14 |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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Tomorrow I will be adding the rest of my current livestock...
3 yellow tangs 1 convict tang purple reef lobster banded coral shrimp skunk cleaner shrimp black bristle star I will be considering my next fish for my new 150g soon to be reef... |
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#15 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Posts: 1,300
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#16 |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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no doubt, LOL ...
yeah, the lighting has yet to be purchased ... just using a little compacts for the time being ... actually thinking of using (2) 250 watt, 14k lights ... I'm new to the whole "big time" lighting thing ... but soon, very soon ![]() |
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#17 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: WI
Posts: 641
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Quote:
One question: You put water in your tank today and you're putting fish in tomorrow? That seems a little sudden. Are you moving the two AC-110's onto the 150 temporarily, at least? |
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#18 | |
Premium Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Diego area
Posts: 416
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Quote:
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#19 | |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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Quote:
Last edited by lowendmelody; 10/30/2008 at 10:29 PM. |
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#20 | |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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Quote:
![]() I'll be keeping a close eye on things though, and I'll be testing just in case.... I also have aaquaclear 70 hanging on the back in my overflow that is packed with activated carbon, which should help as well... I think everything will be fine... |
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#21 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: WI
Posts: 641
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I suppose you might be right, but with no food and minimal lighting, your rock and the rest of your fuge is probably not ready for all that added bio-load all at once. I'd put the AC-110's on there if you weren't already planning on it, if for nothing else, just to be safe.
__________________
Check out my little red house. 8000-gallon tank build in progress Current Tank Info: 15 tanks of varying sizes, 8-110 gal, 11 fresh, 4 salt |
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#22 |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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added my livestock, took a couple of pics...
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#23 |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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What I am starting with ...
first things first, I will be adding more large peices of live rock to fill out my aquascape... and a bit more of a cleanup crew... again, I want only fish from the Hawaiian waters... just thought it was a cool theme that not too many people go with... I went snorkling there my first time, and it was amazing, I'd like to mimic that in some small way... 1 convict tang 3 yellow tangs I am definatly adding the following... 2 blue jaw triggers (male / female) 1 flame angel 1 achilles tang not sure about the rest, here are a few of my thoughts, but it will be no more than 3 or the following... arc eye hawkfish -or- long nose hawkfish hawaiian squirrelfish blenny of some sort ? sand goby of some sort ? long nose butterfly wrasse of some sort ? (probably not if not reef safe)) dare I say, moorish idol? well, I guess you never know... ......................................................... my cleanup crew will consist of a total of 20 nasarus snails, 20 cerith snails, 5 mexican turbo snails, 2 pincushion urchins, 2 black bristle stars, & 2 conches... to start with... my inverts I have now are... 1 purple reef lobster 1 skunk cleaner shrimp 1 banded coral shrimp I'm not sure if I will add any more inverts, but I'd kinda like to add a fire shrimp or two... as far as corals, well, once I have my halide lighting, I'd like to only add a few and let them get big... maybe prove to myself that i can keep them before I go nuts with the whole coral thing. Montipora's of different colors are what I'd really like to keep, again, just a few, maybe one or two on each side of the tank and let them grow out and big... I really like Montipora's... |
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#24 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: IL
Posts: 111
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I would not recommend the achilles tang
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#25 | |
Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Woodstock, Connecticut
Posts: 295
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