Reef Sanctuary - Reef Chronicles

Reef Sanctuary - Reef Chronicles http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums The place to create a thread documenting your very own tank: pics, progress, equipment, etc.! en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:07:30 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg Reef Sanctuary - Reef Chronicles http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums <![CDATA[Tek's 150G Reef]]> http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52572-teks-150g-reef.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:18:38 GMT I figure its a good time to start the chronicle of my 150 gallon. The first “inhabitant” of my fishroom had a rough start, chronicled here – completely crashed after moving from my apartment to my new house. Its had a good cycle and sat for awhile, and now its time to come to life again :)

The renovations of my fishroom and building my stands is in my thread here.

My plans for this tank is going to be a reef focused on stony corals, not sure yet if it'll be more SPS or LPS focused though.

Possible fish inhabitants - though this is a very tentative list, haven't done proper research on everything yet:

Ventralis anthias – (1 male, 2-4 females)
Green mandarin dragonet (pair)
McCosker's flasher wrasses (1 male, 2-3 female)
Red sea bannerfish (pair)
Longspine cardinals (4-5)

Right now I'm working on aquascaping. When I'm done with that then I can focus on plumbing and getting my sumps operational. I found a guy who builds custom sumps not far from where I live – I was going to build them myself but I'm also doing like 50 million home renovation projects right now and something had to be outsourced :) Tank looks awesome right now with no sumps, pumps and cords and tubing everywhere in the tank, lol.

I got my acrylic rods finally, and started drilling my rock today. My goal is to make an arch across the tank between the two overflows, and then probably have a small pile of rock under the arch in the middle of the tank. That should help any light-hogging SPS I get (the tank is 30” deep), and also provide the fish with a little shade and room to swim. We'll see if I can make it work! I have mostly roundish LR, no branches or thin slabs so it'll be fun... I'll post some pictures later and really get this chronicle going. ]]> Reef Chronicles tektite http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52572-teks-150g-reef.html matts first reef, 166 gallon build from groung up http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52543-matts-first-reef-166-gallon-build-groung-up.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:51:27 GMT hello all, Well where to start this is my first post ever :spinner: my name is matt and i am a 25 y.o married a chippie and have a kid on the way, Im from perth in Australia. i currently have 2 tanks the first one is a 10 gallon planted tank and the second one is a 10 gallon wall hung tertra tank. i also have a 130 gallon 120cm x 70cm x 70 tank that i built i am waiting for the silicone to dry and that is going to be another planted tank. Anyways this is a reef forum so let you tell me about my reef dream, well what will be my learing tank hopefully with help from all you guys and girls out there. it will be a succesfull one. i have read through alot of differnet posts and been inspired i cant wait to start my reef. i have alot of different ideas and i have spoke to alot of people at local fish shops and this is what i am thinking i would love any help and advice anybody has for me my plan is to build and do everything myself, i hate spending money on things i can do myself, or at least think i can :spinner: (just ask my wife i sewed up the curtains in our nursery myself because they where to exspensive from the curtain shop, and because the lady behind the counter told me i wouldnt be able to do it. we did an under the sea room because we dont know what we are having) well the plan The tank 180cm long x 60cm wide and 72cm high made of glass sump and fuge the lights metal halide or t5 not sure yet a closed loop system (my local store didnt know what i was talking about) metal stand linned with timber wooden hood of some sort protien skimmer and a chiller maybe a calcium reactor so here is where i am at i have the glass its cut to size already, first i want to drill it for the holes for the over flows clossed loop ect so any ideas would be helpfull first i wanted to ask about the overflows i was thinking about running 2 overflow boxes, one in each of the back corners with 40 mm holes in the base and pipes running halfway up the tank ??? are overflow boxes the best idea ???? the clossed loop i was thinking 2 x 40 mm overflows at the top on the back wall. Then returing through 4x 25mm lines through the back wall with alternating flow maybe run 2 at a time. And one return through the base that constantly flows on a ring main with random holes drilled on all angels as in diagram below Attachment 16813 (http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/attachments/reef-chronicles/16813-matts-first-reef-166-gallon-build-groung-up-closed-loop-diagram.doc) any ideas comments on the clossed loop and overflows would be great hello all,
Well where to start this is my first post ever :spinner: my name is matt and i am a 25 y.o married a chippie and have a kid on the way, Im from perth in Australia. i currently have 2 tanks the first one is a 10 gallon planted tank and the second one is a 10 gallon wall hung tertra tank. i also have a 130 gallon 120cm x 70cm x 70 tank that i built i am waiting for the silicone to dry and that is going to be another planted tank.

Anyways this is a reef forum so let you tell me about my reef dream, well what will be my learing tank hopefully with help from all you guys and girls out there. it will be a succesfull one.

i have read through alot of differnet posts and been inspired i cant wait to start my reef. i have alot of different ideas and i have spoke to alot of people at local fish shops and this is what i am thinking i would love any help and advice anybody has for me

my plan is to build and do everything myself, i hate spending money on things i can do myself, or at least think i can :spinner: (just ask my wife i sewed up the curtains in our nursery myself because they where to exspensive from the curtain shop, and because the lady behind the counter told me i wouldnt be able to do it. we did an under the sea room because we dont know what we are having)

well the plan

The tank 180cm long x 60cm wide and 72cm high made of glass

sump and fuge

the lights metal halide or t5 not sure yet

a closed loop system (my local store didnt know what i was talking about)

metal stand linned with timber

wooden hood of some sort

protien skimmer and a chiller

maybe a calcium reactor

so here is where i am at i have the glass its cut to size already, first i want to drill it for the holes for the over flows clossed loop ect so any ideas would be helpfull

first i wanted to ask about the overflows i was thinking about running 2 overflow boxes, one in each of the back corners with 40 mm holes in the base and pipes running halfway up the tank ???
are overflow boxes the best idea ????

the clossed loop i was thinking 2 x 40 mm overflows at the top on the back wall. Then returing through 4x 25mm lines through the back wall with alternating flow maybe run 2 at a time. And one return through the base that constantly flows on a ring main with random holes drilled on all angels
as in diagram below

Attachment 16813

any ideas comments on the clossed loop and overflows would be great

Attached Files

closed loop diagram.doc (25.0 KB)

]]> Reef Chronicles mattinwa http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52543-matts-first-reef-166-gallon-build-groung-up.html 90g Reef http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52474-90g-reef.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:53:46 GMT In July of this year I picked up a 90 gallon AGA RR tank, stand, mag 9.5 return pump, 40g sump, and ATO system for $300 from a guy that was getting out of the hobby. Since then I have been researching and picking up the rest of the stuff I need to get this tank started.

So far I have:

90g tank/stand
40g sump/fuge
Mag 9.5 return
ASM G2 skimmer
2x Koralia 4s
Nova Extreme Pro T5x6 fixture
RO/DI system from Bulk Reef Supply
75 lbs dry ECO ROX from Bulk Reef Supply (I think I will get another 50lbs)
400w heater
Oceanic Salt
I might be forgetting a few things

Here are a couple pictures:

Here is the tank with 75lbs of dry rock, I think I am going to order another 50lbs or so, as well as a few pounds of seed rock.

40g Sump/Fuge - Skimmer/return/fuge
If you look closely you can see where the guy had the baffles before I removed them. The skimmer was almost completely submerged, I don't know how it even operated at that depth.
I know that such a tall sump tank might cause me some frustration, but I put it in the stand and was still able to mount the fuge light and access the skimmer with no problem.

And here is the ASM G2 skimmer

I am not set on a stock list yet, the only thing I am sure of is a Watchman Goby/ Pistol pair.

As far as corals go I want to stick to zoas and softies and incorporate a few macros as well.

I am not sure when I will get the cycle started, I am getting anxious but am taking my time to make sure everything is set up correctly. ]]> Reef Chronicles falhiem http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52474-90g-reef.html New 150g Reef http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52448-new-150g-reef.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:10:47 GMT This thread will probably go on for quite a while. Although this is not my first attempt at a reef tank I plan on taking more time and enjoying it more now that I'm retired and can dedicate more time to the hobby. If I don't run out of money I should be OK. It will either keep me so busy I won't have time to drink or it will drive me to drink lol.

First few pics are of my DIY attempt to build a stand. If you see any improvements I can make please let me know. So far this is just the framing and I will be putting a furniture grade skin over the frame with cabinet doors.

This is the basic framing on the stand 60X24. This will be a partial see through tank where we will be able to see the entire tank from the livingroom and a little more than half the tank from the hallway. That means that the first thing I will see coming out of the bedroom in the morning will be a beautiful reef tank (I hope).

This is showing the integrated electrical wall. One switch is CFGI and the other is a regular 120 line. I like keeping at least one set of pumps on the non CFGI in case of an accidental trip of the CFGI plug.

I was able to place a drain hole in the stand for overflows only. the house is on a unfinished crawl space and drain off is not a problem. One day if I feel real ambitious I may tie this into the drain line and use it for water changes.

I coated the entire frame with spar varnish (marine grade) and plan to skin the inside of the stand with a white plastic sheeting that, hopefully, will give me about 2 inches of waterproofing, along with the 4" drain, for any potential flooding.

More coming. I hope to do the plastic skin next week. My other project is rebuilding a kitchen so I have to split my time and money between the two. We just replaced the carpeting in the hallway and livingroom with bamboo flooring. I'll catch the new floor in the next few pics I send up. ]]> Reef Chronicles WayneT http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52448-new-150g-reef.html 29 Gallon Biocube http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52339-29-gallon-biocube.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:27:57 GMT This is my first post on the site and any blog for that matter, so bare with me while I try to understand the format of the website.

I am new to the hobby and I just wanted something to keep track of my progress. Any feedback, input, tips, etc. would be GREATLY appreciated :D

I work at a pet store that decided BioCubes weren't selling well enough resulting in the discontinuation of the product. Long story short, after haggling and arguing, I got the 29G tank for $150 and got the matching stand for $20.

My girlfriend and I talked about it and decided we would take the plunge into saltwater tanks seeing as my other tank, the 44 pent, is African Cichlids, I wanted to try something new.

Got the salt, mixed the water got everything going with a 30 lb. bag of cheap Aragonite sand from Petsmart and proceeded to getting about 25 or so lbs. of live rock.

The rocks came with the green star polyps and some mushrooms, later discovered a Kenya Tree and a colony of Blue Clove Polyps as well.

Green Star Polyps

Blue Clove Polyps

I also purchased a rather large frag of Xenia simply because they look cool, I was told it was very hardy, and it was inexpensive.

I noticed a little white, cloudy, spongy looking thing on one of my rocks, any ideas?

I will be going today to get some more rock from a co-worker and I will try and continue this post later in the week with more photos, etc.

Please let me know what you think!!

]]> Reef Chronicles CederJader http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52339-29-gallon-biocube.html My attempt at a 135 litre (35g) reef tank http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52317-my-attempt-135-litre-35g-reef-tank.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:40:26 GMT So, I'm new to this hobby and I really wanting to create a tank that'll wow people when they come into my flat.

The one thing that's disappointed me so far is the stands that are available to buy. They're all a bit... uninspiring. So I've decided to design my own. Let me know what you think of it.

Here's the top and bottom design:

The whole frame:

The stand with doors open (I won't bother painting the frame as it'll be hidden from sight:

The stand as it'll look most of the time:

This is very much the initial plans for what I want. The apartment the tank will be in has a fair bit of modern furniture, so the tank needs to fit in with the decor - this design seems perfect!

Any comments about design tweaks are very welcome! ]]> Reef Chronicles adsyrah http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52317-my-attempt-135-litre-35g-reef-tank.html <![CDATA[taindiyo's dream in a box]]> http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52273-taindiyos-dream-box.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:31:54 GMT well I've been thinking of it for a months to I'm going to finally start a chronicle :D

I have a 29 gallon that I plan on making a reef daring my 4 year run though collage, so far I have a coral banded shrimp, one of Woodstock's clowns, and some corals I bought from innercirclepro. I had two clowns but that darn shrimp killed one so I'm fighting the urge to rid of it by using butter.... but it's going back to the lfs after I move the tank tomorrow (I might post some pics of it if you guys want). anyway the tank has been up and running for about 9 months maybe 10 not 100% sure :ponder2:

now that you've read all that how about some pics? :D

don't have that many postable still learning that camera but here goes...

first up a really bad but cute pic

it ether thinks that is a very comfy bed or its a hypochondriac and wants its temp taken...

some candy cane shots

]]> Reef Chronicles taindiyo http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52273-taindiyos-dream-box.html 30 Gallon Display Refugium http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52226-30-gallon-display-refugium.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:03:35 GMT Hello everyone I am new to the site. I have a 75 gallon main tank that has been up and running for over a year. I just completed a 30 gallon refugium that is set up next to my display. I teed off my tank return to feed the fuge and drilled the cube so that it drains directly into my display. Tell me what you think of my initial setup. I will post more pics soon Image: http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx165/bwhit1406/wedding014.jpg Hello everyone I am new to the site. I have a 75 gallon main tank that has been up and running for over a year. I just completed a 30 gallon refugium that is set up next to my display. I teed off my tank return to feed the fuge and drilled the cube so that it drains directly into my display. Tell me what you think of my initial setup. I will post more pics soon

]]> Reef Chronicles bwhit1406 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52226-30-gallon-display-refugium.html New Frag tank has arrived!!! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52187-new-frag-tank-has-arrived.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:48:35 GMT OK everyone so here it goes I got my frag tank today I'm stoked I'm going to be tying it into my main system on the opposite side of wall from DT and sump in my bathroom it will be at least another week or two before I can get some water in it I need to build a custom stand for my bathroom to hold the frag tank I recently hurt my back at work and Dr. says no heavy lifting so no wood working for me =( I'm going to use egg crate with a bare bottom and just an inch or two under the eeg crate for flow I'm leaning toward a MH pendant for lighting what wattage do you guys think i should go with tank is only gonna have 7" of water in it?

]]> Reef Chronicles Reefin http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52187-new-frag-tank-has-arrived.html <![CDATA[PootyTang's 30 Gallon Post-Build PICS!]]> http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52182-pootytangs-30-gallon-post-build-pics.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:29:29 GMT So I realize that a chronicle is supposed to start at the BEGINNING of the build, but I just wanted to post some pics of my tank to be completely honest, get some opinions, suggestions, any input really. so here's the pictures:

Here's the whole tank, for the rest of the pics, keep in mind my camera is not fantastic, this was the best I could do.

My newest fish, a black-cap basslet

My favourite Ric, its a big bigger than the pic lets on

By FAR my favourite brain, my Wellsophyllia

Crocea

Purple Yuma

Newest coral, my neon green plate (the pic doesn't do it justice)

Just about the nicest polyps I own, keep in mind this is the colour under 2 54W T5HO, not exactly colour-enhancing lighting

Nemos in their home; the Aussie Elegance

Green Bubble

Pink and Green folded brain (again, colours are much nicer in real life

OK, so yes, this is NOT a picture from my tank, this is kind of like my tank mascot, she's in the next room and keeps an eye on my 125 for me. To be honest, I just wanted to show some one her pic, there aren't alot of Crested Gecko forums!

Feel free to send in your opinion, suggestions are welcomed! ]]> Reef Chronicles PootyTang http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52182-pootytangs-30-gallon-post-build-pics.html 29 Gallon Reef http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52100-29-gallon-reef.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:18:26 GMT Here is a couple of pics from my 29. Soon to be moved into a 93 cube.
My set up is 4 39watt t-5
Aqua-C Remora Skimmer
Emperor 400 filter
Ecotech MP10
Full shot
[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Adam\My Documents\My Pictures\IMG_0462 4.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Adam\My Documents\My Pictures\IMG_0463 3.jpg[/IMG]

Ancan
[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Adam\My Documents\My Pictures\IMG_0464 2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Adam\My Documents\My Pictures\IMG_0479.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Adam\My Documents\My Pictures\IMG_0471.jpg[/IMG] ]]> Reef Chronicles duz115 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52100-29-gallon-reef.html <![CDATA[Sharing My Addiction's]]> http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52052-sharing-my-addictions.html Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:56:09 GMT Here are a few pics of my tanks. I have 4 reefs and 2 FOWLR tanks. Image: http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk311/Reefer334/LH.jpg Image: http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk311/Reefer334/CBM.jpg Image: http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk311/Reefer334/DSC_0029-1.jpg Image: http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk311/Reefer334/GrapeW_M_1.jpg Image: http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk311/Reefer334/DSC_0014-2.jpg Image: http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk311/Reefer334/DSC_0010-4.jpg Here are a few pics of my tanks. I have 4 reefs and 2 FOWLR tanks.

]]> Reef Chronicles Reefer334 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/52052-sharing-my-addictions.html AquaPod 24 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/51909-aquapod-24-a.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:36:44 GMT Hello all This is my AP24. I bought the tank from a friend and he had it set up for a year. We moved it 8 days ago and I have made several changes. I removed a 12 inch brittle star and a sand sifting star and traded them for more live rock. I am currently having a bristle worm population explosion and I have seen 2 that were over 5 inches long. I put the trap in to try and thin them out some. I am planning on putting a 6 line wras in to help thin the population but I am currently waiting a little longer to let the tank settle first. I also have discovered some asitias (Spelling Alert) anemias on some Green star coral so I am planning on putting a couple of peppermint shrimp to control that. Besides that I am planning on adding a firefish goby to complete the fish and getting some different color polyp frags to cover the big rock at the top (anyone want to get rid of some?) Here is the current stocking list 1 Fire Shrimp 1 Blue Cromis 1 Clownfish 1 Emerald Crab 6 Turbo Snails Corals Frogspawn 4-5 Mushrooms Green Star Polyps Unknown Brown Polyps W/ a green dot in the center (frag) Feather Duster Pink Brain Coral (I think lol) Here are 2 pics the first is when I got the tank and the 2nd is from last night Any comments/advice are welcome Image: http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n197/lonewolf1911/IMG_0029.jpg Image: http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n197/lonewolf1911/Day7.jpg Hello all

This is my AP24. I bought the tank from a friend and he had it set up for a year. We moved it 8 days ago and I have made several changes. I removed a 12 inch brittle star and a sand sifting star and traded them for more live rock. I am currently having a bristle worm population explosion and I have seen 2 that were over 5 inches long. I put the trap in to try and thin them out some. I am planning on putting a 6 line wras in to help thin the population but I am currently waiting a little longer to let the tank settle first. I also have discovered some asitias (Spelling Alert) anemias on some Green star coral so I am planning on putting a couple of peppermint shrimp to control that. Besides that I am planning on adding a firefish goby to complete the fish and getting some different color polyp frags to cover the big rock at the top (anyone want to get rid of some?)
Here is the current stocking list
1 Fire Shrimp
1 Blue Cromis
1 Clownfish
1 Emerald Crab
6 Turbo Snails

Corals
Frogspawn
4-5 Mushrooms
Green Star Polyps
Unknown Brown Polyps W/ a green dot in the center (frag)
Feather Duster
Pink Brain Coral (I think lol)

Here are 2 pics the first is when I got the tank and the 2nd is from last night

Any comments/advice are welcome

]]> Reef Chronicles lonewolf1911 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/51909-aquapod-24-a.html Mnherper tanks http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/51708-mnherper-tanks.html Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:37:04 GMT new here just thought I'd show you some or my tanks.i got 10 reefs from 1g to 220g.but I'll start with my 75g.

]]> Reef Chronicles mnherper http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/51708-mnherper-tanks.html <![CDATA[Coming Soon, Billyr98's 90g tank!! He's BACK!!!]]> http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/51592-coming-soon-billyr98s-90g-tank-hes-back.html Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:45:50 GMT Here I am about 18 months removed from having a tank in the house. I realized after MACNA, How much I missed it, but financially, I can't go large. So I got a used tank from Brian (thanks Brian!!). It will be a slow thread, as I need to piece meal this tank together. Here it is coming home from Brian's.

and here it is setting EMPTY :( in its location.

I am going to pick up some acrylic this week or next and start building the sump.

I just placed an order for some parts...

Reefkeeper Lite (Hope this is as good as I read about!)

An Octopus Needwheel 150 Protein Skimmer

And my return pump will be internal a quiet one 4000 (rated for over 1000gph but with head loss should be around 800) and it will be tee'd off to feed a small refugium section in the sump.

So next will be the sump build, getting some live rock together, and I think I can grab some powerheads for some internal flow from Todd.

Lighting will be T5HOs running off an icecap 660. It has 4 in the hood now, not sure if I am going to leave them or add two more lamps.

Well thats it for now... any inputs are welcome!! I am out of the loop about technology for a year now! ]]> Reef Chronicles billyr98 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/51592-coming-soon-billyr98s-90g-tank-hes-back.html