The Bluespot Club

[lcstorc]

Beautiful fish.
I would think you would want a tall tank if you are trying to replicate their natural environment. Also I would put much of the rock in the sump. From what I have read they like to be able to see a fair distance in the wild.

[Woodstock]

He is a cutie-pie!!

[saltwaterfarm]

Michael he is a cutie!!

Frankie and Michael... I'm with you on the seperate tank idea. That's what I was trying when I put him in the Bio Cube iinstead of the 90. SInce I have had to move my reefs, I think I am going to put the Bio Cube things in the 90 and tear the cube down. I would like to do this because I was seriously considering ponies in it anyway. I can easily put in a much deeper sand bed although I'm not sure exactly how manageable that would be... need some experts to chime in on that. I think we should all share the ideas and try to make the best possible environment for the little fellas...

[bluespotjawfish]

I would think the 29 cube is better suited than a regular 20 gallon tank because it is square. I'm thinking the tank should be bigger though. Lisa did your's try and jump much when it was in the 29?

[saltwaterfarm]

Amazingly it did not try to jump much... I think it did once early on... And, I know everyone says they are more active at night. But, I am a pretty light sleeper and many noises have woke me up from that tank. Not to mention I dont sleep much anyway ;-) Splashes always make me nervous, lol.

I am wanting to get another... but until I feel like I can make a better environment for the little guy... I will not.

[saltwaterfarm]

Now the one in my 90... jumped... and jumped... and jumped... The bio cube has a full hood. The 90 had an eggcrate/gutter guard mesh combo top. I really think there is a link somewhere to the way the lights look through the crate... And, as you mentioned your original tank was covered with a glass top... I dunno... but I think it could be a worthy explanation....

[michael_cb_125]

I am looking at a 25 gallon nano cube. I think that it is custom made for fishtanksdirect.com There is a 25 with MH T5 combo. I think it may get too hot. Then there is a 22 gallon with a t5 fixture.
Nano Cubes

What do you guys think?
Also I will have a 20 gallon sump.

[saltwaterfarm]

Michael... I would probably go with just the T5's. Reason being with all the research suggesting lower temps and if this is to be a BSJF only tank you'll have no need for the MH's... Just a thought. I will be getting rid of my MH fixture and simply using the stock full hood with PC's for mine. THat way, I wont have to be so concerned about the temps and I won't be tempted to put another anemone in there, lol.

[saltwaterfarm]

OOOHHH... I see you are in NC. I don't know how close you are to the raleigh area... but Down Under has an AWESOME 30 gal reef ready cube with a stand and skimmer and everything. Check it out... I'll try to get the website for you.

[saltwaterfarm]

Here it is Michael... Down Under Saltwater Fish and Coral

[michael_cb_125]

Thanks alot for the link. Im about two hours from there. I am going to go with the t5 tank. I want to keep the temp a little lower than my other tanks, and that would be difficult with a 150w MH over a nano tank. Ive still got alot of research to do though.

[Dentoid]

Michael, I see you finally changed your signature to reflect you new favorite fish. I told you so!

[michael_cb_125]

Ok I have made up my mind. I am definatley going to build a BSJF tank. Im going to build the tank myself. I figure if I can build a 100gallon, a 30 gallon should be simple. Im planning on the tank being 24 inches deep. 24 inches long, and 12 inches wide. Im not totaly set on these dimensions, so imput is welcome. I will build a 15 or 20 gallon sump, and use an ASM Baby G Skimmer. Im going to havea 600 gph CPR Siphon Overflow, with a return pump of the same capacity. Im going to use coarse sand and have a 6-8 inch sand bed. Im having trouble finding sand, so help is needed. Im planning on Using Tongan plate Live rock. I have this in my current tank and it allows to build some neat structures. I want to have the middle and front of the tank as open as possible, to allow the fish to have as close to a 360 degree view as possible. Ill probably build caves with the live rock, all the way up the back of the tank. Since Im only going to have one fish and some shrooms, im going to use a 24" 4 bulb T5 system. Still doing research, but I think I have found some very useful info so far. Any ideas, info, and help is appreciated.

[michael_cb_125]

When are you expecting your overdue BABY, Blue?

[bluespotjawfish]

I don't know when my baby is going to be here. Sometime this week.

I think I would go 24 X 24 X 18 on your tank (actually I would go even 20 or 24" wide).

I agree on the lights.

I would put quite a bit of tonga branch into the sand bed, and add some gradation to the sand as that will help support whatever he builds better. How coarse are you talking? #3 grade? I wouldn't go bigger than that for the primary grade.

Here is what I have setup in my QT tank for my baby blue! I'm hoping he is comfortable!