My 180 before and now - Photos

[Brent Thomann]

Hello Guys & Gals,

This is my first saltwater tank. Water was added January 05, so it will be 2 years pretty soon Display is 180g, 40g sump, 75g frag tank, 29g refuge (all plumbed together) I built the canopy & stand.

Can you tell I got sucked in pretty good to this amazing hobby.

October 2005



January 2006


July 2006 (Removed all live rock and added 200 lbs of tonga branch)

[Brent Thomann]

and now some more recent shots!
All photos taken last month (Sept 07).



started frag tank & refuge below Jan 07










think I can fit anything else under the stand, ha






Here's a list of the equipment
DISPLAY LIGHTING
3 x's Coralvue Sun Replicator Pendants w/ 250w MH HQI Coralvue Reeflux 12k
160w 72" URI Super Actinic R w/ IceCap 430
2qty 36" sealed moonlight tubes
WATER FLOW
Eheim 1262 Return pump
2 Ecotech Marine Vortech's (Wireless Wave Drivers coming soon)
Resun Waver-15000
4 modded MJ900's on Red Sea Wavemaster Pro
FILTRATION (all under stand)
ASM G-4+ (modded) Skimmer w/ Red Sea 200mg Ozone Milwaukee orp controller
2qty Two Little Fishies Phosban Reactors (1 with Rowaphos other with Purigen)
Schuran Jetstream 1 Calcium Reactor
(Schuran media w/ zeomag 5 lb c02, German built Regulator/Solenoid, Milwaukee PH controller, Cole Palmer Peristaltic Pump)
MRC Nilsen Kalkwasser Reactor Standard w/ 2 built in timers
LiterMeter 3 hooked up to 55gal drum in basement with auto float to 6 stage RO/DI unit
Rancho Temp Controller for heaters & fans

FRAG TANK LIGHTING
250w Aqua Medic Ocean Light Pendant w/ 14k Phoenix HQI bulb
150w Aqua Medic Ocean Light Pendant w/ 20k AB HQI bulb
WATER FLOW
Quietone 4000 Return Pump
8 MJ900's (some modded) on CurrentSea Wavemaker

I hope you enjoy

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP !!

[magdelan]

Wow, that's quite a setup you have there! Your display tank has nice colors.

[KurtsReef]

Your re-work of the live rock to tonga branches is quite interesting, dont think I have ever seen one set up like that. Looks pretty neat.

[chrisguy]

WOW !!! Very nice

[Conesus_Kid]

AWESOME!!

I only hope my tank looks half as good in two years!

[Brent Thomann]

thanks for all the kind words!

I really wanted something different so I decided to go with all tonga branch. I like how the fish swim in and out of it it and how it leaves a lot of open room on the sand.

Pics are a little out dated, I actually added several new Euphyllia's going across the bottom of display, few more nice torchs (bright orange) and a couple nice large bright orange hammers. I like the way the Euphyllia's move in the water flow.

oh, here's a list of the current fish-
Purple Tang
Yellow Tang
Blue Tang
Powder Blue Tang
Chevron Tang
6 Bartlett Anthias
Royal Gramma
Midas Blenny
Two Spot Goby
Percula Clownfish
Black Percula Clownfish
(both Clowns live in large 12"+ Bubble Tip Anemone)

The tangs are all over 4 or 5 inches, one of the reasons I want to upgrade to a larger tank soon, starting to bump into each other.

I feed all the fish only pellets in a autofeeder (Eheim), its been very nice not having to worry about feeding them. Been doing it this way for over a year now. In the beginning I was adding all the fancy frozen foods but stopped after a while and notice no difference, besides my Nitrates dropped down.

[kimfdim]

Beautiful tank!

Isn't it crazy how our tanks morph from the original design over the course of time to become something we never dreamed when we first started?

[Brent Thomann]

Originally posted by kimfdim
Beautiful tank!

Isn't it crazy how our tanks morph from the original design over the course of time to become something we never dreamed when we first started?

Thank you very much and you're so right !!!

Thats why its going to be so much fun designing a new tank with the knowledge I gained since I started.

[Gary Majchrzak]

sweet aquarium and frag system

[Skier1]

Oh my gosh. That is freakin' incredible. Amazing job.

[tmz]

Very nice indeed. I like the tonga branch .When I added a new 120g to my system last year I worked with tonga branch and slab almost excusively and love the caves and the fact that the fish swim through the maze like aquascape.

[PCIALF]

Very Nice!!

[michaeljames]

very nice! are you selling any of those frags? !

[TD13]

how many tangs do u think can go in a 100 gallon tank

[tmz]

how many tangs do u think can go in a 100 gallon tank

One or two,in my opinion.
Exclude:Clown Tang,Acanturus lineatus(too large and agressive);Sohal,Acanthurus sohal(too large and agressive),all Nasos(much too large),Sailfins ,Zebramosa desjardinii and veliferum(too large).

If keeping two ,I would choose from different genus. For example; one zebramosa(purple,yellow or scopas)and,perhaps a blue hippo(Paracanthurus hepatus or one of the bristle tooths;Kole(Ctenochaetus strigosus or hawailensis[Chevron].
Those of the same genus are more likely to fight. There are other possible combinations but be aware of the size the fish will grow to after a year or so before making your choice. It would also be wise to introduce the two at the same time before either establishes territory.

[Brent Thomann]

Originally posted by TD13
how many tangs do u think can go in a 100 gallon tank

if smaller and not a ton of other fish in tank you can easily go with 3 or 4. just be sure to get from different genus and add at the same time like Tom said.

once they get bigger after a couple years you'll have to upgrade or sell a couple though.

[TD13]

ok do u ahve any pics of ur chevron adn ur tangs

[thriceanangel]

I'd have to add that excluding a hippo might be a good idea. People really underestimate their adult size and their space needs. Their never really happy in smaller tanks. Not saying anyone is wrong for keeping one in a smaller tank, just that it's not the most ideal...

[Brent Thomann]

Originally posted by thriceanangel
I'd have to add that excluding a hippo might be a good idea. People really underestimate their adult size and their space needs. Their never really happy in smaller tanks. Not saying anyone is wrong for keeping one in a smaller tank, just that it's not the most ideal...

I'd have to totally agree, my hippo went from 1" big to 5+ in one year. was the smallest in the tank when added a year ago and now is the biggest. the guy eats like mad!!

[Brent Thomann]

Originally posted by michaeljames
very nice! are you selling any of those frags? !

I currently have some Blue Xenia $50 a frag.

[tmz]

Don't disagree on the Hippo. A 6 foot tank is probably best.I do ,however, have one in a 90 gallon. He was one of my first fish. Everybody loves Dory. He was 2 inche. Is now about 5 plus after four and a half years. The aquascape does allow swimming room around a rock pennisula with several pass throughs. He also get's along well with my Purple Tang.Just fyi, Scott Michaels recommends a minimum of 100gallons.

[Brent Thomann]

Originally posted by tmz
Don't disagree on the Hippo. A 6 foot tank is probably best.I do ,however, have one in a 90 gallon. He was one of my first fish. Everybody loves Dory. He was 2 inche. Is now about 5 plus after four and a half years. The aquascape does allow swimming room around a rock pennisula with several pass throughs. He also get's along well with my Purple Tang.Just fyi, Scott Michaels recommends a minimum of 100gallons.

what don't you know about this hobby Tom, lol.

you've always been a big help !

[josepha]

Hi Brent,
Your tank is even greater in person. I have 5 tangs now also in my tank and put them in in order of least to most aggressive. Aside from the occassional bickering, they all get along nicely. In order:
Naso, yellow, desjardini, purple, sohal just added two months ago and is smallest tang in the tank, absolutely georgeous. Certainly 8 ft of tank spece helps. PS. Your frags are doing great.

[tmz]

Thanks Brent, I have a lot to learn. That's what makes this a great hobby , you can always learn something new. It is certainly an endeavor in continuous improvement.