The Saga of the 50 Long...

[DaChrisDude]

FINALLY! I had my 55hex as a FOWLR but wanted to go reef...however the small footprint was really hard to work with. So, I decided to go with a 50 long instead. Nearly 4 months later..


After spending several weeks planning everything out, the first step was to create the frame: I used simple pine 2x4's and screws making sure to keep everything level and square.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/138_3868.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/138_3869.jpg

Next I did all the electrical (with the assistance of my dad) (well, he actually did 87.9% of it... :) ) I decided I wanted each and every plug to be run to its own switch plus 2 or 3 extras. Took nearly 4 hours for us non-electritions to wire everything. 16 switches later...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/138_3896.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/138_3897.jpg

Next I made the sump. I used a 30gallon long as the tank, 1/4inch acrylic for the partitions, and cheapo HD 100% silicone to glue it all together. The water flows into a sock in the leftmost area (also has CPR bakpak skimmer), then into a chaeto-holding area, then into a prop-tank of sorts, then overflows into the backmost section which contains the heater and return pump.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/138_3898.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/138_3900.jpg

Next I made the doors for the stand. My dad had the week before removed a number of thin wooden paneling off of our walls for a remodel. I re-used those panels for both doors as well as the two side panels. Added some simple moulding and a center piece. (notice I didn't even bother removing the paint off the paneling... too lazy)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3906.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3907.jpg

[DaChrisDude]

Next I made the foam background. I laid the tank on it's back and put numerous beads of silicone all over. Extra near the edges. This was to help the foam stick and stay in place. After letting the silicone harden overnight, I applied the foam. Surprisingly easy, actually. After letting it partially harder for ~10minutes I was able to form it into ridges etc. (In retrospect, didn't really matter. I can only see maybe 1/10 of the background because of all the rocks in the tank. But hey, at least I know it looks cool!)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3927.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3941.jpg

Next I painted it with a coat of white primer (two coats inside the stand).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3937.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3939.jpg

Next I painted it with two (and in some areas 3) coats of cheap semi-gloss black paint. (the pics show only the end of first coat...)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3942.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3943.jpg

Next I plumbed it. I ran an oveflow down to the sump, and put in a closed loop powered by a mag 7, and a return line from the sump. I made sure every line has a union valve so I can take it all apart if need be. I really should have put in gate valves also, but I didn't feel like spending the extra $30 or so, also was in a time crunch...) My first turn hard-plumbing a tank, I really liked it. Looks so 'clean.'

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3947.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3950.jpg

Next I ran it with hose water for 12hours or so. Only had one small leak, and that was from the o-ring in the closed loop pump. Got some grease-like goop and slathered it on the oring. No more problem.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3954.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3956.jpg

[DaChrisDude]

Next I broke down my former tank, the 55 hex. Took several hours to undue all the plumbing, disassemble everything, seperate what I'm keeping from what I'm selling, putting all the water, LR, LS, fish, etc into buckets and containers, and moving everything out of the way to make room for the new tank.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/136_3699.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/136_3642.jpg

Next I set the new tank up. Brought in everything, connected all the plumbing etc, quickly filled it with LS and LR, filled it up with water and turned the pumps on and went to work for 4 hours.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3967.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3971.jpg

After I returned from work, I picked up all my corals that my friend/coworker was holding for me. Then I spent the next ~5.5 hours breaking down my 15gal nano, cherry picking rock out of my 4 different holding bins, nano, and hex, gathering all of my corals, and selectively merging everything into the new tank. Here's pics an hour after I finished.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3979.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3982.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3997.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/139_3998.jpg

[DaChrisDude]

I'll take more pics tomorrow... hope yall like it.

[brandon0350]

just a suggestion put some ball valves in before the unions that way if you decide to take the pumps off to clean your tank dosent drain

[da6d2003]

very cool. I love the foamback. I wish I'd taken the time to do that with my newer tank.

[mmoore0803]

Looks good Chris!

[roworld]

Looking real good, cant wait to see more pics. Definitely look into some ball/gate valves, they will make your life easier.

[Malladawg]

Nice Chris. That looks awesome. I love the aquascaping.

I gotta come by sometime to check it out.

Does your work have any pepermint shrimps in stock, and how much do they cost?

Thanks.

[h20poloman]

like the electrical set up...would like to have that on my tanks with all the switches on the outside..nice work

[gemini]

nice tank!

[DaChrisDude]

like the electrical set up...would like to have that on my tanks with all the switches on the outside..nice work

Thanks. Ya, I'm loving it. Fun flipping the switches to turn stuff on/off... :) It's the small things in life... lol

[WanaLeime]

looking good chris, great job on foam!! i noticed you have a c.looped system...nice...i agree w/ the rest, look into some union valves....keep us updated!!!

[DaChrisDude]

Nice Chris. That looks awesome. I love the aquascaping.

I gotta come by sometime to check it out.

Does your work have any pepermint shrimps in stock, and how much do they cost?

Thanks.

Thanks Eric. (nice seeing you again at the BBQ, btw) You'll def have to swing by and check it out. We usually do carry pepermint shrimp, as of monday we were out (though we did have camel shrimp), I believe we should be getting more saltwater fish/inverts/corals today (wednesday). Not sure whether pep's will be included or not, also don't remember price. sorry...

[Nick_Kun]

Nicely done chris. I like it. Which fish store do you work at?

[SanDiegoIllini]

I don't have much experience with sumps, so I don't know how common it is, but having a spot for propegation/QT is a great idea! Any DIY should take note!

[XxMutedYouthxX]

only problem with having the prop section in the sump is any mucus or toxins the corals let off will still be in the system

[DaChrisDude]

Nicely done chris. I like it. Which fish store do you work at?
-Fish Haven in Escondido...


I don't have much experience with sumps, so I don't know how common it is, but having a spot for propegation/QT is a great idea! Any DIY should take note!
- Thanks for the compliment. It also serves as a QT of sorts, so that if something dies its contained in that small area where I can easily get it out...


only problem with having the prop section in the sump is any mucus or toxins the corals let off will still be in the system
-True..

[DaChrisDude]

Alrighty, here's a few more pics.

I was gone for a week and a half and had a few problems while I was gone... Lost a few things and much of the other stuff not looking as happy as before.
Full tank shot...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/149_4979.jpg

Left-frontal view
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/149_4985.jpg

Middle-frontal view
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/149_4986.jpg

Right-frontal view
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/149_4987.jpg

[DaChrisDude]

Thanks!

48"x15"x16"

[crstjohn]

Chris:
I saw your stand in progress. Great to see the finished product. Everything turned out really nice. Nice aquascaping and the foam looks great. What happened while you were gone to cause your tank problem? Has everthing recovered? Hope you didn't loose too much stuff. BTW, the fuzzy lion is doing great!

[luistwentyone]

that sh*t looks great ! good job buddy

[DaChrisDude]

Rick:

Thanks! 'preciate the 'preciation!

What went wrong? Well, my GF was taking care of it as best as she could.... The amount of top-off I had instructed her turned out to be only about 1/4 of the proper ammount (since I'd only had it up for 2-3 days before I left, so didn't really know how much it evap'd), so it needed about 3 gallons of fresh when i got back! Then there was a slight ammonia/nitrite/nitrate flare due to moving everything/stirring everything up. Couple other small things...

[DaChrisDude]

Lol! Thanks Luis! :)

[crstjohn]

Chris:
This heat wave is murder on the temp w/o a chiller. With two 4" fans in my canopy and 4-96w PC's, I need to add close to a gallon a day. Have the lights timed to come on around 11:30 am so it cools down at night a little. I've been able to maintain around 81-83 degrees. You have a good looking tank, I'm sure everything will rebound.

[nanoreefbro]

Wow Chris that doesnt look like a 50 gal. What kind of lighting do you have? How much live rock you have?

[Dripp'n Wet]

Awesome tank! Looks larger than what you say it is. Excellent job!

[DaChrisDude]

Rick:

Talk about heat, I know! Today we had all new windows put in, obvisously the house AC was off and all the windows were wide open to the outside heat... The tank reached 86.1!!! I turned off all the lights, removed the glass top pieces, opened the doors in the stand, and had my ceiling fan on full blast! Thankfully I'm now back down to 80.2, I think it's hold right about there...

Nanoreefbro:
Thanks for the compliment! I currently have (two) 4x65watt PC fixtures for a total of 520watts. However, in the next few days I will be purchasing an 8x54 watt T5 HO retro fixture with individual (but not Tek) reflectors. Should be pretty sweeeet... :)
I don't know how much LR I've got...my guess would be somewhere around 80-100lbs? Not sure. I wanted to weigh it all as I put it in, but I kept changing it so many times it was kinda pointless.

Dripp'n:
Muchas gracias! How soon do you think you'll have yours up?

[mj1333]

Wow Chris that doesnt look like a 50 gal.

That must be a 50 on steriods! Beautiful tank Chris. BTW, thanks for the condy. It looks really nice in my FO. Adds some nice color, although not as nice as your tank. Keep it up!

[DaChrisDude]

Lol, thanks Mark. :)

No, thank you for taking him, though he was gorgeous I had no room for him and was pretty sick of holding on to him. lol... Has that big maroon tried to host with him yet?

*you know you want to go reef again!*

[Fishaholic]

tank looks aswome.

[Poacher]

Dang Chris,

It looks like your tank ate a 240 gallon reef for breakfast. It looks fully stocked and like its been running for a long time, not like a new set-up. Great Job!!!

Phil

[DaChrisDude]

Thanks Phil! lol... Now if only I can get it to look as good as yours...

[all4mygzus]

Hey Chris,

Looks good brotha! I should take pics of my stuff too.

[DaChrisDude]

Hey Brian! Thanks! Definitely post pics of your setup, I haven't seen anything yet!

[DaChrisDude]

Alrighty, here's the one month update... (LOTS of pictures!)

I've gotten a few things since last pics:
-Fox Coral
-Brain/Favia?
-Other Brain?
-Freakin Sweet Shrooms

I've PIF a few things.

I've lost a few things.

I'll soon be getting more!

Anyway, to the pics.........

Full Tank Shot
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5223.jpg

Left Side Shot
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5227.jpg

Middle Shot
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5229.jpg

Right Side Shot
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5230.jpg

[Nick_Kun]

520W Pcs. Time to get some metal halide chris. :)

[DaChrisDude]

NEW CORALS:

New Shrooms (can anyone ID them? Phil?)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5231.jpg

Another pic of New Shrooms
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5268.jpg

New Fox Coral
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5249.jpg

New Brain/Favia? (Can anyone ID this? Phil?) (upper-left of the three corals...)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5261.jpg

[DaChrisDude]

Misc Pics

Tube Anenome
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5248.jpg

Yellow + Orange Zoos, Finger? Leather, Generic Blue Shrooms
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5238.jpg

Favia? + Feather Duster
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5233.jpg

New Brain(?) (top-most circular thing, ID? Phil?), zoos, shrooms, almost dead but coming back galaxia
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5263.jpg

Sweet Shrooms! (ID?)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5257.jpg

White Star Polyps
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5254.jpg

[DaChrisDude]

More Misc Pics

Nice Kenya Tree
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5273.jpg

Right-Hand-Side Shot
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5274.jpg

Stitched together (slightly closer-up) Full tank shot (didn't work as well as I had hoped...)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/merged.jpg

[EyeReef]

3 tangs in a 50gallon...cool!


jk

[DaChrisDude]

Future/Upcoming Plans

I'll be getting a zoo frag tomorrow.

I'll be getting several zoo frags From da6d2006 soon...

Might be getting some shrooms from Fishaholic.

Will be trading shrooms for zoos with KleSoToker soon...

Will (probably) get Shrimp/Goby pair, cleaner clam, and sand-sifting cucumber...

Will be getting NEW LIGHTS!!! (ordered 2 days ago!)
----> 8x54 watt (eight 48" bulbs!) HO T5 retro with individual reflectors (not Tek) and 8 1-watt moonlights. Planning on 5 "Aquablue" bulbs and 3 "sunlight" bulbs. That's 432watts of HO T5 power!

Will be finishing matching canopy (soon?...)

Will plumb exhaust fan (like one you'd have in a bathroom) to suck hot air directly from the canopy and stand and vent into the attic. :) :) It will replace having 4 PC fans, 2 in canopy and 2 in stand.

[colindoug3]

Looking good! The picture on first page looks like a favites brain to me. Also, post 39 are frilly mushrooms. Those twin-spot wrasses sure are something! I nearly bought a pair on a whim. I came home and researched them. They get 2 feet and mean lookin! 3/4 down the page http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/hcs3/index.php

[DaChrisDude]

thanks colin!

Yah, the Twin Spots get huge and they aren't really reef-safe, they like to munch on inverts... but I decided he's so cute I'll chance it for awhile. I'll keep him till he gets about 5" or I see him start eating stuff, whichever comes first. (did you say I have 2? I only have 1..)

[colindoug3]

I used the word "twin." I said they can get "2" feet long. I also said I was thinking about getting a "pair." Maybe it was one of those that threw you off. :D

[DaChrisDude]

hmm... must have been one of those. :)

Stop confusing me geez! (just becuase it's so easy to do......)

[SECTER1]

Freaking awsome

[DaChrisDude]

here's a teaser pic of my newest toy....


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/153_5345.jpg



*mwahahahaha....*

[DaChrisDude]

T5's... lots of em...

[Malladawg]

T5's... lots of em...

Where are the pics of the lights in action? :cool:

[mramc3]

i knew that Kenya tree looked familiar

[DaChrisDude]

Alrighty! It's been a looonnggg time since I've posted any updates, Figured it's about time I did. I re-aquascaped about half of the tank and I've added a whole frikin TON of stuff since the last series of posts, including:

-2nd pair of clownfish (Clarkii's)
-Cleaner Wrasse
-Male Mandarin Goby
-Yellow Clown Goby
-Rainsford Goby
-Yellow Cucumber
-2 Greenish Candy Canes
-15+ Zoo frags
-10" Zoo Combo Rock
-4" Galaxia
-Idaho Grape Monti frag
-Several mushrooms
-3 Ricordia Shrooms
-Several GSP's
-very cool Red Grape Kelp
-6" Leather (not sure what kind)
-NEW LIGHTS! 8x54w HO T5 retro


PICTURES - Corals First

New Galaxia
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/156_5629.jpg

New Leather
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/155_5577.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/156_5653.jpg

New Red Grape Kelp (currently in the sump)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/156_5667.jpg

New GSP (also in the sump)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/156_5671.jpg

[Radiant-Reef]

Looks good Chris, how do you keep the strands of macroalgae from getting into your tank?

[DaChrisDude]

Corals continued...

New 10" Zoo Combo Rock
-also currently has Idaho Grape Monti Frag, Yellow Cuke, and a new Ricordia
(older pic, then today pic)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/152_5285.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/156_5672.jpg

Various New/Old Zoo Pics
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/156_5679.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/156_5675.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/153_5308.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/153_5303.jpg
then...http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/153_5311.jpg and now http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/156_5682.jpg

[lucubrator]

Guess this is what I missed while I was gone. Good work, gotta love having a switch for every outlet. Layout looks pretty good too. Do you have something spraying behind the rockwall to keep stuff from settling back there?

[DaChrisDude]

Looks good Chris, how do you keep the strands of macroalgae from getting into your tank?

Thanks! Well, the Red Grape algae doen't spread, but I have noticed the chaeto growing in a few places in the main tank... Hasn't been a huge issue yet so haven't really bothered w it yet...


Guess this is what I missed while I was gone. Good work, gotta love having a switch for every outlet. Layout looks pretty good too. Do you have something spraying behind the rockwall to keep stuff from settling back there?

Thanks Nick! Oh yeah, the switches are awesome, love em! I do not have anything spray bhind the faux wall, there are only a few, very small areas where anything could settle anyways. You like the layout? Wait another 1/2 hour and I'll have another 20 pics posted.... :)

[DaChrisDude]

Corals continued...

Zoo's Continued

-several zoos and new Mandarin Goby
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/156_5640.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/103_0304.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/103_0303.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/102_0300.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/102_0299.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/154_5424.jpg

I've got zoo frags scattered all over the sand and in the sump...just waiting to be fragged and placed somewhere... just haven't bothered to do it. In the last 3 months...lol

[lucubrator]

I meant behind the rockwork, not behind the foam. Mandarin looks nice and fat, good work. Are you feeding him, or is he just living on pods?

[DaChrisDude]

Ah. Currently there is nothing directed specifically behind the rocks. As a matter of fact, something's clogging my CL and it's only running prob at 15% capacity. :eek:

I swish frozen brine at the mandarin whenever I feed the other fish, he'll usually eat several, seen him pecking around the tank, but I very very very rarely see any pods...

[DaChrisDude]

New Lights!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/103_0316.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/103_0320.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/103_0318.jpg


Heat-sucking device

-I bought a small fan, the kind that you'd put in the ceiling of a bathroom to remove moisture etc. I modified the intake to connect to a 6" round PVC pipe and placed the contraption in my attic with the exhaust pointed directly at a whirlybird on the roof. I then ran that 6" round PVC pipe in to 3" pipe, and ran the pipe down into the wall behind my tank. It comes out of the wall directly behind my canopy (or rather, where it will be once I finish it). Here's how it will work: A computer fan on each end of the canopy will blow cool air into the canopy, a single fan on the back of the canopy will blow air out of the canopy and directly into the 3" pvc tube sucking the hot air up into the attic where it gets vented outside. Hopefully, not only will it suck the hot air generated from the T5's out of the canopy, but this way it also removes the hot hair rather than simply venting it out into my room. Here's a couple of pics of the fan/modified intake:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/153_5323.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/153_5324.jpg

[lucubrator]

Which retro kit is that? Looks like 8x54w, but which ballast(s) and which reflectors?

[DaChrisDude]

Full tank Pics

Not very good pics, but at least you can get a general idea of the new aquascape... (If you look in the second pic, in the back of the middle of the makeshift canopy, you can see the 3" pvc pipe that is the heat-sucking device mentioned in the above post)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/156_5634.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/156_5636.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/156_5632.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/156_5630.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/156_5663.jpg
-see all the crap I've got on the sand? I don't like it, but have been too lazy to get it put somewhere... also running out of room...

[nanoreefbro]

Wow those lights are bright what are you running?? :eek:

[DaChrisDude]

Which retro kit is that? Looks like 8x54w, but which ballast(s) and which reflectors?

Wow those lights are bright what are you running??

They are indeed an 8x54watt retro kit. Individual reflectors. Bought them on ebay, here's the exact link, actually: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7769190859&sspagename=ADME:L:RTQ:US:1

More pics...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/153_5346.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/153_5348.jpg

I haven't had any fans running on them like I should have been... One of the 10K bulbs over-heated and died on me, couple of the other bulbs have pre-maturely faded some, so it's not as bright as it should be, but still very bright.

There are 4 ballasts and they're all inside the retro fixture.

[DaChrisDude]

can you? I thought each post could only have so many pictures in it, that's why I broke them up. If possible, sure, and thanks.

[lucubrator]

Edit, strange, I guess you're only allowed 10 images per post. Fascinating.

[Nick_Kun]

excellent job chris. when are you putting sps in that tank :). keep it up bro.

[DaChrisDude]

excellent job chris. when are you putting sps in that tank :). keep it up bro.

What ya talking about Nick? I've got two little Monti's in there! I've got SPS! ;) lol. Well, when I do my outdoor prop tank I'll be getting some SPS growing out there, happy?

[TripleP]

Tank is looking awesome Chris.

[DaChrisDude]

Gracias. :)

I'm currently working on the hood. I've got the frame and most of the siding done, but I've still got to hang the 'door', hang the lights, put the fans in, and paint it. It'll be at least another week or so. It's gonna look suweeet though...

[cuttlefish]

definately like all the switches

[DaChrisDude]

definately like all the switches


Hey hey! Nice meeting you (yall) today in the store. I'd seen you before, but didn't know you were, well, you. :)

And thank you. I like the switches too. Maybe one of these days I'll get around to putting covers on them!

[DaChrisDude]

My tank's now hit the 6-Month mark! It feels like its been up for so much longer though, weird.

Lots of Changes:
-RIP Mandarin Goby and Rainsford Goby.
-Traded away Clarkii Clowns and Cleaner Wrasse
-Traded away large leather and bunch of smaller stuff
-Traded away all my SPS except for couple very small Monti's

-Got Black Perc pair
-Got Banded Pipefish
-Got 4 Firefish (yesterday!)
-Now have a total of 8 clams! 7 crocea's and 1 maxima.

-Canopy not entirely finished, but door is on "good enough" to leave it for awhile. Much better looking and quieter.

Here's just a few pics, enjoy!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/161_6176.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/161_6196.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/161_6174.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/161_6179.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/dachrisdude/162_6202.jpg

[nanoreefbro]

Wow that tank is stacked.. It looks really good.. Where did you get the black percs??

[mmoore0803]

still running that t5 retro kit....if so...seems those reflectors are working nice to keep clams

[DaChrisDude]

Wow that tank is stacked.. It looks really good.. Where did you get the black percs??

:) Thanks. Got the black percs from Danny's last fish-run.




still running that t5 retro kit....if so...seems those reflectors are working nice to keep clams

Yup, love the T5's! Clams all seem very happy too. I just lost on of my 1" maxima's...very sad. It had never looked super great though. oh well.

[DaveMorris]

Nice tank! I did the same trick with the bathroom fan and running the duct up to an attic vent. I did this on my 75g tank that is built into the hallway. After a couple of months, the fan stopped. It seems that the saltwater caused the fan motor to rust almost immediately. I would keep an eye on it.

[lucubrator]

How long have you had that pipefish?

[DaChrisDude]

Nice tank! I did the same trick with the bathroom fan and running the duct up to an attic vent. I did this on my 75g tank that is built into the hallway. After a couple of months, the fan stopped. It seems that the saltwater caused the fan motor to rust almost immediately. I would keep an eye on it.


Hmm, good point, I'll keep an eye on that, thanks for the tip.


How long have you had that pipefish?

Um, two weeks today. I originally bought 2, one died 4 days later (I assume from starvation). I still have not seen this one eat a single thing and I've fed froz brine, live brine, zooplex, cyclopeeze, flake, tubifex worms... He'll probably starve too.... :(


Lol, I just noticed my tower full of LEGO's is in that last shot. lol, makes me look like a kid, eh? :D gotta love the Lego's!!

[onad75]

great looking tank, where did you buy your Banded Pipefish? that is really cool.

[DaChrisDude]

great looking tank, where did you buy your Banded Pipefish? that is really cool.


Thanks! Bought from Fish Haven (regular store price $16.99)

[DaChrisDude]

Newsflash! My beloved tank is now/soon to be for sale!!

Several reasons brought this about:
1 - I'll be transferring to cal state san bernardino in the fall and need a much smaller tank.
2 - I WANT TO GET ENGAGED! My girlfriend and I have been dating very seriously for over 3 years now and I want to be able to buy a ring and propose by end of summer, still need at least $1,000 more! :eek:
3- In the process of starting an aquarium-servicing business "LotsaFishies - Aquarium Service and Maintenance" and need to save money for business expenses and a TRUCK!

So, I'll be selling off my current setup and setting up a sweet little custom ~23 gallon nano that I will be able to take to school with me. The rest of the money will got to my RING and TRUCK funds. (If anyone has or knows of a '95 or newer 4runner 4sale lemme know...) I'll be keeping my favorite corals, inverts, and some LR and LS out of my current tank for the new one. Hoping to have the new tank setup within the next 3 weeks or so... We'll see how things go.

[Tinky]

Ahh, I'm almost in the same boat. I just picked up a 55 and I'm thinking about setting it up but I know the ring is more important... so my 20 will have to suffice for now. Anyways, nice setup I really dig it, hope it goes to a good home!

[DaChrisDude]

Lol.

Well, to be honest, my tank has almost been more important...which is absolutely pathetic and very sad. I was tallying up how much it's all worth (for the sake of selling it all off) and realized I could have easily bought a pretty nice ring with all the money I've spent on the tank. "Hey Babe, guess how much money I've spent on my aquarium, nearly $3,000!" "You've spent $3,000 and still haven't bought me a ring!!" hmm....

;) :)

Thanks though, glad you like it. :) It's been my baby and it was a tearful decision deciding to sell it (although now I'm super excited for my new tank and have quite gotten over the loss of the old one. ) Lol

[Diver Dan]

what did you put on the back and where did you get it. sorry if someone else asked that.

[DaChrisDude]

called Handi Foam, or is it Hardi Foam? mh... anyway, it is a foam that comes in an aerosol can. You spray it out with the nozzle, wait several minutes until the outer layer starts to harden up, then you can mold it some. I only molded maybe 10% of the back - everything else is just how it came out. The cans were like $8 each and I think i used 3 of them.

[lucubrator]

Handi-Foam:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9232

They keep the 12oz cans in the pond section at home depot.

[Diver Dan]

and it is black you dont have to paint it? that is so cool I will do that on my nex thank.

[DaChrisDude]

and it is black you dont have to paint it? that is so cool I will do that on my nex thank.


It's actually grey.

[Diver Dan]

Thank you for the prompt reply.

[DaChrisDude]

what can i say, I'm a prompt guy. :)

(except for always being late to everything... lol)

[Diver Dan]

Man, has anyone ever looked at a tank and think, if only I could go back in time and set my tank up like that. that is my thaughts right now.

[DaChrisDude]

Lol, been there done that. MANY a time. I really like Poacher's aquarium....

[LotsaFishies]

Is whoever bought this tank from me still around? I would love to see pictures...

[av619]

man this is the first time i have seen this tank it was pretty sweet... im new to the thread... i just have a few questions if you dont mind... the 3 pipes on the back... one was a dual return correct? what are the advantages? and waht is the one that went stright up and a little past the top of the tank?

also with that foam did you paint it ? just regular paint?

how is the new tank and business?

[LotsaFishies]

Thanks! This was my old tank, man I miss it!

The three white PVC pipes on the back were a 'closed-loop' - essentially a water-movement device to replace using powerheads in the aquarium. I don't really like them too much, and I probably wouldn't use one now, or if I did, I would have holes drilled in the aquarium specifically for the closed loop, rather than draping the PVC over the side of the aquarium. The one PVC piece that is taller than the top of the tank is so you can manually pour water into the closed loop to prime the pump.

The foam background is a product called "Handi Foam" or "Hardi Foam" or something, it is sold to seal cracks in ponds. It comes in both a creme color and in a dark grey color, I used the dark grey color.


Lotsa Fishies Aquarium Service & Maintenance is well! I've now been a business for 4 years and have a number of clients ranging from 10gallon freshwater aquariums to 450gallon saltwater reefs!

[DaChrisDude]

Has anyone seen this aquarium? Anyone know who has it now?