MY 135gal DREAM COMING TRUE

WatchinFish · 05-28-2008, 03:36 PM

ok guys here is my aquariest background. i started off with a 29 gallon fresh water tank a while back. i had it for about 8 months then i realised that there is no comparison to the beauty of a sw. so i dismantled my 29gall and went out and bought a 135gal glass tank with a center overflow in december of 07. now im young and dont make that much money so i have been moveing super slow. a couple months later i bought myself a stand and a canopy. then i build myself a sump out of a 60 gallon glass tank. i put it up were i want it to be and plumbed it then i filled it up with my garden hose. i treated the water with conditioner and also i chemical pad to take out all the extra bad stuff. i let it run for over a month with fresh water. later i filled it with salt and put the heaters in (i keep it at 76degrees). slowly slowley i then filled up the LS then the LR and waited for my nitrogen cycle to get astableshed. about a month later i saw that i was finally there so i whent out and bought 2 pepermint shrimps to stop some aptiesia that i had seen( they work wonders). 2 weeks later my uncle boght me a blood shrimp and and 2 turbo snails. about a month later for my b-day my friends loaded me up with a cleaner shrimp, 2 clowns, a flame angel, and rainford gobi. since then my gobi and one pepermint shrimp has died. i looks like my bacteria has grown enough to handle my bioload since then.
so now yuor all up to date and i will try to post up some pics soon(just as soon as i get a camera). i will get my light this friday (Current USA Outer Orbit Fixture, 3x250W HQI Metal Halide & 8X39W T5s, 72 inch) then i will purchase a protien skimmer). wish me luck on my dream.

vdituri · 05-28-2008, 03:48 PM

Congratulations man!
Sounds like a very nice setup.
That is about the size I want to end up with next.

Sounds like you figured out the cycle thing.
Just keep in mind that each time you add 1 fish to the tank, the bacteria populations have to slowly grow to process more fish waste.
Seems that was your only mistake was too many fish at once.
Other than that, great job!

How many lbs of livesand do you have and how many lbs liverock?
If any of it wasn't "alive" when you bought it, it probably is by now.
Any algae problems right now? In looking at your info, your cleanup crew might be a little light, but if you're not having any problems then don't sweat it.

WatchinFish · 05-28-2008, 04:19 PM

thanks. good to hear im doing something right. well i have about 180 pounds of LR and about 120 punds of LS.
ya i totaly agree with you about the too many critters at 1 time. but hey my friends couldnt think of anything better for my b day. so i just did a water change 2 weeks after i got them to help with the amonia. umm as far as for algie, i have seen no real big algie boom but thats probably cause my light is a tiny little florecent i took of my 29 gallon. i only put a light so that the critters get use to a 12 hour day. if it was up to me i wouldnt put any animals in intill i had the light and the skimmer. my only regret so far is that i wish i got a wider tank. it was kinda hard to aquascape my LR like gradual steps. but hey some fish dealers will sell you anything without any care. but it turned out alright. ill post tons of pics ASAP.

Craig Manoukian · 05-29-2008, 01:50 AM

Hello boss, just dropping by to say high and glad you found this forum. Let us know if you have specfic questions and we'll patiently wait for pics!

WatchinFish · 05-29-2008, 11:58 AM

im loveing the support on this site. people so nice

Tru2nr · 05-29-2008, 04:40 PM

hey everything is sounding real good i understand what you mean about having a narrow tank as i have that problem aquascaping my 55g with 80lbs of rock sorry to hear about your loss but hopefully everything will go good for you would love to see pics especially when you get your new light i wish i had the money to go out and buy one big t-5 fixture or retro instead my lighting has been peicemeil'd togeather good luck

lcstorc · 05-29-2008, 05:17 PM

Welcome to RS.
Sounds like you are off to a great start. Tell your friends next time by a gift certificate. Actually that was very sweet of them but you know the perils. Sounds like you have already done quite a bit of research so that is great. Are you planning a reef or a FOWLR?

WatchinFish · 05-29-2008, 05:46 PM

definetly a mixed reef. its taken me 3 months to save up enough for the light. i just dont want to be limited in the inverts i can put in. i want clams, softies, hard coral, annemonies, the whole shi-bang. i admire the beauty of the reef, and david saxby's aquarium is were i look to for insperation. thats why i have been takeing my time but buying all the right things. people might say its over kill but i say do it right once and youl never regret it.

P.S. if you havnt seen david saxbys aquarium, you have to wach this. dont worrie it starts off black and white but the beautifull color will come in shortly. YouTube - Aquariums - David Saxby's Reef Aquarium (extended version)

lcstorc · 05-29-2008, 06:42 PM

Just be careful and don't move too fast. Anemones and clams in particular need very stable established tanks. So start off with some softies and some fish and then move up.
I am sure you are going to have a fabulous reef if you take your time.
Have you decided on a skimmer yet? Personally I love the ASM G series skimmers. Whatever you decide be sure to get a good one rated for twice the volume of your tank. Most companys overrate their skimmers.
Then again I seriously overskim.

WatchinFish · 05-29-2008, 06:51 PM

ya im gonna say either an asm g3 or g4. g4 is super expensive thogh and not sure if it will fit were i want it to in my sump. thanks for the advice with the anemoneys and clams. i will wait to buy them at least a year. oh and im working on borrowing a friends camera so that i can post pictures. it would be boreing since i dont have much in it but i will do my best in takeing good photos.

lcstorc · 05-29-2008, 07:00 PM

One thing to not forget on the ASMs is the height. I have a g4+ and I calculated the footprint but forgot to look at how tall it was. It just barely fits under my stand.
Just trying to help you avoid the mistake I did.

TangMang232 · 05-29-2008, 07:39 PM

sounds like a very nice setup indeed. Cant wait to see the progress. keep up the good work.

Craig Manoukian · 05-30-2008, 02:05 AM

Awesome youtube video, thanks!

WatchinFish · 05-30-2008, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcstorc

One thing to not forget on the ASMs is the height. I have a g4+ and I calculated the footprint but forgot to look at how tall it was. It just barely fits under my stand.
Just trying to help you avoid the mistake I did.

good looking out.

WatchinFish · 05-30-2008, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Manoukian

Awesome youtube video, thanks!

tell thats not the most beautifull private tank. some guy in germany. grazy germans know what there doing.

05-28-2008, 03:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
WatchinFish Sea Pen Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 315 View Gallery Karma Komment	MY 135gal DREAM COMING TRUE ok guys here is my aquariest background. i started off with a 29 gallon fresh water tank a while back. i had it for about 8 months then i realised that there is no comparison to the beauty of a sw. so i dismantled my 29gall and went out and bought a 135gal glass tank with a center overflow in december of 07. now im young and dont make that much money so i have been moveing super slow. a couple months later i bought myself a stand and a canopy. then i build myself a sump out of a 60 gallon glass tank. i put it up were i want it to be and plumbed it then i filled it up with my garden hose. i treated the water with conditioner and also i chemical pad to take out all the extra bad stuff. i let it run for over a month with fresh water. later i filled it with salt and put the heaters in (i keep it at 76degrees). slowly slowley i then filled up the LS then the LR and waited for my nitrogen cycle to get astableshed. about a month later i saw that i was finally there so i whent out and bought 2 pepermint shrimps to stop some aptiesia that i had seen( they work wonders). 2 weeks later my uncle boght me a blood shrimp and and 2 turbo snails. about a month later for my b-day my friends loaded me up with a cleaner shrimp, 2 clowns, a flame angel, and rainford gobi. since then my gobi and one pepermint shrimp has died. i looks like my bacteria has grown enough to handle my bioload since then. so now yuor all up to date and i will try to post up some pics soon(just as soon as i get a camera). i will get my light this friday (Current USA Outer Orbit Fixture, 3x250W HQI Metal Halide & 8X39W T5s, 72 inch) then i will purchase a protien skimmer). wish me luck on my dream. __________________ 135 gallon glass tank with center overflow 60 gallon DIY glass sump Current USA Outer Orbit Fixture, 3x250W HQI Metal Halide & 8X39W T5s, 72 inch 1200 gph return pump 2-300w submersible heaters 180 pounds of liverock 120 pounds of livesand Tank still in progress. next comes the protien skimmer. then i slowley add on the perks such as a chiller. check out my reef chronicles http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ming-true.html ~WatchinFish~

05-28-2008, 03:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,730 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: MY 135gal DREAM COMING TRUE Congratulations man! Sounds like a very nice setup. That is about the size I want to end up with next. Sounds like you figured out the cycle thing. Just keep in mind that each time you add 1 fish to the tank, the bacteria populations have to slowly grow to process more fish waste. Seems that was your only mistake was too many fish at once. Other than that, great job! How many lbs of livesand do you have and how many lbs liverock? If any of it wasn't "alive" when you bought it, it probably is by now. Any algae problems right now? In looking at your info, your cleanup crew might be a little light, but if you're not having any problems then don't sweat it. __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

05-28-2008, 04:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
WatchinFish Sea Pen Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 315 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: MY 135gal DREAM COMING TRUE thanks. good to hear im doing something right. well i have about 180 pounds of LR and about 120 punds of LS. ya i totaly agree with you about the too many critters at 1 time. but hey my friends couldnt think of anything better for my b day. so i just did a water change 2 weeks after i got them to help with the amonia. umm as far as for algie, i have seen no real big algie boom but thats probably cause my light is a tiny little florecent i took of my 29 gallon. i only put a light so that the critters get use to a 12 hour day. if it was up to me i wouldnt put any animals in intill i had the light and the skimmer. my only regret so far is that i wish i got a wider tank. it was kinda hard to aquascape my LR like gradual steps. but hey some fish dealers will sell you anything without any care. but it turned out alright. ill post tons of pics ASAP. __________________ 135 gallon glass tank with center overflow 60 gallon DIY glass sump Current USA Outer Orbit Fixture, 3x250W HQI Metal Halide & 8X39W T5s, 72 inch 1200 gph return pump 2-300w submersible heaters 180 pounds of liverock 120 pounds of livesand Tank still in progress. next comes the protien skimmer. then i slowley add on the perks such as a chiller. check out my reef chronicles http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ming-true.html ~WatchinFish~

05-29-2008, 01:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 18,232 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: MY 135gal DREAM COMING TRUE Hello boss, just dropping by to say high and glad you found this forum. Let us know if you have specfic questions and we'll patiently wait for pics! __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

05-29-2008, 11:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
WatchinFish Sea Pen Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 315 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: MY 135gal DREAM COMING TRUE im loveing the support on this site. people so nice __________________ 135 gallon glass tank with center overflow 60 gallon DIY glass sump Current USA Outer Orbit Fixture, 3x250W HQI Metal Halide & 8X39W T5s, 72 inch 1200 gph return pump 2-300w submersible heaters 180 pounds of liverock 120 pounds of livesand Tank still in progress. next comes the protien skimmer. then i slowley add on the perks such as a chiller. check out my reef chronicles http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ming-true.html ~WatchinFish~

05-29-2008, 04:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tru2nr Elegance coral Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,169 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: MY 135gal DREAM COMING TRUE hey everything is sounding real good i understand what you mean about having a narrow tank as i have that problem aquascaping my 55g with 80lbs of rock sorry to hear about your loss but hopefully everything will go good for you would love to see pics especially when you get your new light i wish i had the money to go out and buy one big t-5 fixture or retro instead my lighting has been peicemeil'd togeather good luck __________________ My 55g Chronical of addiction... Mistakes Have been made in the past.....still trying to clean up from them in the present....mistakes will be made in the future.....so what do we do?...... we party until we make another mistake!!!! WARNING: Corals in Tank, Add Crabs at own risk

05-29-2008, 05:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,003 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: MY 135gal DREAM COMING TRUE Welcome to RS. Sounds like you are off to a great start. Tell your friends next time by a gift certificate. Actually that was very sweet of them but you know the perils. Sounds like you have already done quite a bit of research so that is great. Are you planning a reef or a FOWLR? __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

05-29-2008, 05:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
WatchinFish Sea Pen Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 315 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: MY 135gal DREAM COMING TRUE definetly a mixed reef. its taken me 3 months to save up enough for the light. i just dont want to be limited in the inverts i can put in. i want clams, softies, hard coral, annemonies, the whole shi-bang. i admire the beauty of the reef, and david saxby's aquarium is were i look to for insperation. thats why i have been takeing my time but buying all the right things. people might say its over kill but i say do it right once and youl never regret it. P.S. if you havnt seen david saxbys aquarium, you have to wach this. dont worrie it starts off black and white but the beautifull color will come in shortly. YouTube - Aquariums - David Saxby's Reef Aquarium (extended version) __________________ 135 gallon glass tank with center overflow 60 gallon DIY glass sump Current USA Outer Orbit Fixture, 3x250W HQI Metal Halide & 8X39W T5s, 72 inch 1200 gph return pump 2-300w submersible heaters 180 pounds of liverock 120 pounds of livesand Tank still in progress. next comes the protien skimmer. then i slowley add on the perks such as a chiller. check out my reef chronicles http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ming-true.html ~WatchinFish~

05-29-2008, 06:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,003 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: MY 135gal DREAM COMING TRUE Just be careful and don't move too fast. Anemones and clams in particular need very stable established tanks. So start off with some softies and some fish and then move up. I am sure you are going to have a fabulous reef if you take your time. Have you decided on a skimmer yet? Personally I love the ASM G series skimmers. Whatever you decide be sure to get a good one rated for twice the volume of your tank. Most companys overrate their skimmers. Then again I seriously overskim. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

05-29-2008, 06:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
WatchinFish Sea Pen Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 315 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: MY 135gal DREAM COMING TRUE ya im gonna say either an asm g3 or g4. g4 is super expensive thogh and not sure if it will fit were i want it to in my sump. thanks for the advice with the anemoneys and clams. i will wait to buy them at least a year. oh and im working on borrowing a friends camera so that i can post pictures. it would be boreing since i dont have much in it but i will do my best in takeing good photos. __________________ 135 gallon glass tank with center overflow 60 gallon DIY glass sump Current USA Outer Orbit Fixture, 3x250W HQI Metal Halide & 8X39W T5s, 72 inch 1200 gph return pump 2-300w submersible heaters 180 pounds of liverock 120 pounds of livesand Tank still in progress. next comes the protien skimmer. then i slowley add on the perks such as a chiller. check out my reef chronicles http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ming-true.html ~WatchinFish~

05-29-2008, 07:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,003 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: MY 135gal DREAM COMING TRUE One thing to not forget on the ASMs is the height. I have a g4+ and I calculated the footprint but forgot to look at how tall it was. It just barely fits under my stand. Just trying to help you avoid the mistake I did. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

05-29-2008, 07:39 PM	#12 (permalink)
TangMang232 Star Polyps Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 167 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: MY 135gal DREAM COMING TRUE sounds like a very nice setup indeed. Cant wait to see the progress. keep up the good work. __________________ 65 Gallon Mixed Reef Future plans; 90 gallon mixed sps and lps.

05-30-2008, 02:05 AM	#13 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 18,232 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: MY 135gal DREAM COMING TRUE Awesome youtube video, thanks! __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

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