Tank is setup

[djmod45]

Well, after hours of labor...first transporting an old 20 gallon freshwater system over to a family members house and then setting up the 75 gallon. Being my first time there were trials and tribulations to say the least, thank god I got some books from the library or today I'd be hook and sink. The tank will be dormant for the time being but slowly but surely I will start aquiring some live rock soon. My next big project is to build a canopy. For your viewing pleasure:


http://x10.putfile.com/10/29113152223.jpg


I'll keep posting pictures as the transformation moves forward!

[Clown-N-Around]

Congratulations. :celeb2: Looking good so far! Definately keep up with the pictures, the tank progression threads are so much fun to follow.

[marwes]

Nice, djmod45! You're on your way to the saltwater addition club.
Keep the pictures coming.

[crazytang]

Congrats on the new setup. It looks very nice. Just wait for about a month and you will want an even bigger tank! Have fun with it!

[Bovetek]

WOW that looks really nice. I bet you can hardly wait to add your first inhabitants. I know when I did mine, waiting for it to cycle was almost unbearable.

Ben

[MrPike]

The addiction has started:lol:

[rkl303]

not sure if there is or isn't but if there isn't live rock in there you should get it soon. It will only delay your wait.

With that said. welcome.

[djmod45]

Yeah, no live rock yet and I know it's only going to delay the wait! So, I should be getting some soon ;). I was sorta hoping I could find some to buy off someone but I haven't received a response on the forum so I'll probably just suck it up and either go buy some or order some. If I use the internet as a resource, is there a good site for purchasing live rock? Otherwise I will probably just head to Aqua Imports in Boulder.

[Clown-N-Around]

djmod- OT- PM sent

[djmod45]

In one of my books it suggested that when putting live rock in the system that you can use dead rock as sort of a base for all the live rock to be on. Would anyone suggest this if the dead rock was properly boiled and sterilized? Seems like it would be a cheaper route to take.

[djmod45]

Replied to OT w/ PM

[emoutz]

Dont buy the LR at Aqua Imports. You can get it a lot cheaper online (as much as I like Aqua Imports) and, last time I looked, Aqua Import's rock is all cured. You'll get a lot more life ordering some rock online too (although it will take time to cure...)

[adams0816]

I have some hi-rock thats used for base rock.

[djmod45]

Well, thanks to Del (dsandfort ) I got some beautiful live rock yesterday that I am setting up in my tank. I'm still arranging things but I took a quick picture and I'll make sure to take some more when I get a better one :). Del even gave me an urchin out of the deal...what a swell guy!

http://x11.putfile.com/10/30213040064.jpg

[adams0816]

looking good..it won't be long now before your putting livestock in.

[Clown-N-Around]

Always a thrill to see another tank set up. Great to see the progress. Keep the pics coming!

[djmod45]

Well I thought it was rude for me to keep you all waiting and thought I would tease you all with some pictures of the progress of my tank! If anyone says that my pics are too bright or blurry I don't wanna hear it! I spend all my money on this hobby now not my camera :cool:

Here is how the tank looks now :

http://x2.putfile.com/11/31414181982.jpg

Here is a pic of my yellow leather and some waving hand coral...not sure where I am going to put the hand coral yet so it's temporarily there:

http://x2.putfile.com/11/31414203282.jpg

Green Hairy Mushrooms :

http://x2.putfile.com/11/31414280727.jpg

Ricordea and a polyp...blurry :( :

http://x2.putfile.com/11/31414290918.jpg

and lastly my kenya tree coral (blurry as well) :

http://x2.putfile.com/11/31414303375.jpg


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well hopefully that will wet everyone's appetite, I'm getting more corals all the time for this tank so I be sure to update...fish will come soon but not till I solidify not being unemployed :bum:

[djian]

Sweet, looking great...keep the pics coming.

[bigjake]

nice tank bro

[djmod45]

I'm picking up a mated pair of maroon clown fish and possibly some frogspawn today so more pictures will be on the way!

[CHARLIE AGUILAR]

Is that tank form reefingcolo? Any how everything looks great!

[marwes]

WOW! What a great transition from your first pictures. That yellow leather is looking beautiful. Del would be proud. Can't wait to see the pictures of the clowns. They will have a hosting place soon.

[djmod45]

Yeah, the items in this tank have been around like the town bicycle :). The Kenya Tree and Waving Hand Coral are from Stugray , and the live rock and most of the other coral from our buddy Del. Then the tank is from Reefin', clown fish are from kazadi. Pretty prowd of myself almost everything I got from the generous people in the forum so I got a cheap start to say the least. Unfortunately my camera sucks at taking action shots so taking pictures of the fish hasn't been succesful. I'll have to borrow someone's :D . Almost forgot to mention that my good friend Marwes is helping me out with a GBTA for my clownies to host in. Ok enough spilling, it's just hard not to be excited!

[JodiLynn]

It is awesome how people on this site help each other out. It sure makes the hobby less expensive. Ben and my tank wouldn't be NEARLY as cool without all the free and/or really-cheap-they-should've-gotten-more-but-wouldn't-accept-more stuff people have given us.

Its nice to know that there's still nice people out there.

[djmod45]

Yes, because of all of the kind people on this forum I would be in no man's land right now! The grand total for my setup including livestock, filters, PC lighting...is $615. You can't beat that! Hate to tease, but pics are on the way...

[djmod45]

Well, it was about time I added some new pics for how the tank is going! Unfortunately, the Midas Blenny I just got was the only fish photogenic for my silly digital camera...but enjoy the sure to be blurry pics! (still need pics of my mated maroon clownies and yellow tang)

The Midas Blenny in his spot of choice:

http://x11.putfile.com/12/33618371436.jpg

Now this is crazy...this is some hard coral that I saw growing on some of the live rock that I got from Del and it's happy and growing like crazy! What eludes me is the fact that I have a 75 gallon tank with only 220watts of light (power compacts) and they are still thriving. I guess it's best not to question and just watch the show :bum:

http://x11.putfile.com/12/33618361768.jpg

And, a small frag of xenia I acquired that has turned quite quickly into a monster! (you can see a clown taunting me as he leaves the pic)



http://x11.putfile.com/12/33618365372.jpg

[rkl303]

Looks like you need to invest in an emerald crab dj. Very cool coral though.

[djmod45]

Already have, the little punk decides to eat the other forms of algae in the tank though :(...planning on buying 1 or 2 more here in the next week though to hopefully remedy the problem.

[djmod45]

Ricordea during feeding time. Diameter is about 4 1/2". Biggest head is roughly 5 1/2". Enjoy

http://x11.putfile.com/12/33823112823.jpg

[pnsnowboard]

looken good

[djmod45]

Well, I got the day off of work and I was right by Home Depot so I decided today was a project day! I wasn't really pleased with the flow in my tank though it had been doing fine up until now. Below is what the setup looked like before:

http://x10.putfile.com/12/34615320368.jpg

So, I went to the plumbing section...bought a 10 ft length of 3/4" PVC and tons a joints and doodads and came up with this as the output:

http://x10.putfile.com/12/34615314292.jpg

After only maybe 20 minutes of work with a hacksaw and getting everything put together the end result was :

http://x10.putfile.com/12/34615323878.jpg

So far it looks like it'll make a big difference I just need to figure out what is the right combination with the two outputs...and eventually I'll be buying a stronger pump so I can have more fun :bum:

Ideas suggestions?

[djmod45]

Oh, forgot to mention that a week ago was the tanks 2 month anniversary and 2 months in the saltwater hobby...without all of you I'd be nothing! I'd say the tank is coming along rapidly so I'm pretty excited :)

[craftytony]

Looks like things are doing good...good luck!

[djmod45]

Time for another blurry addition to my tank pics! This is the GBTA that I put in my tank yesterday which is still recovering...but on the upside the clowns found their new home within 5 minutes. Pretty incredible, anyway enjoy!


http://x11.putfile.com/12/35112513428.jpg

[djmod45]

Well, had my first tank crisis yesterday which is never fun :( The xenia that I had in my tank began perishing quite quickly so I started checking all the parameters and noticed that there had been a spike in salinity. I rushed to change out 5 gallons of water but unfortunately it was too late for my poor xenia. The good side to this story is that everything else managed fine...so if anything the xenia was the indicator that saved my tank. Glad that's over with :)

[djmod45]

Well, I decided it was time for another round of pics of all the new corals that I have picked up recently. Some of the great people that helped me out in purchasing these were svoChuck and BrokeColoReefer just to name a couple. For your viewing pleasure :

Alright, as you can see on this one the GBTA that I picked up from svoChuck is very happy with it's new enviornment. From the foot that is anchored on a rock below it is extended out 9"...pretty amazing. These two pictures show just what I mean.


http://x12.putfile.com/12/36118181185.jpg


http://x12.putfile.com/12/36118194555.jpg

Alright, the following three pictures are corals that I picked up from BrokeColoReefer which I must say I'm impressed with. I was also impressed with Ryan, a very nice gentleman :). I received maroon, yellow and pink zoos from him along with a leather and what appears to be some xenia.


http://x12.putfile.com/12/36118232325.jpg

http://x12.putfile.com/12/36118240557.jpg

http://x12.putfile.com/12/36118203171.jpg


A bit of sad news...the Midas Blenny that I received for Christmas has come up missing in the last few days. I have a closed top, as well as having checked the overflow and the refugium I am out of ideas. I can only hope that he shows up!

[marwes]

Wow, great stuff! Hope you find your Midas Blenny soon. The tank is looking great.

[BrokeColoReefer]

thats clove polyps cody! nice meeting ya!

[emoutz]

Do you think the GBTA is stretching toward the surface because he wants more light???

[FCdenzreef]

my friends xenia died off too but about 3 weeks later little ones started to grow back, maybe the same will happen with yours.

[roguemonk]

I would worry that 220 Watts of PC will provide too little light for a BT anemone in the long term.

Here's a paragraph I found on WetWebMedia FAQ's written by Anthony Calfo (who certainly knows his business):

Anemone Lighting
I actually had another question too. I am soon to have a 72 gallon bow front aquarium, 48" in length. I eventually in it was wanting to have a bubble tip anemone (it being the only organism requiring specific lighting). What is your recommendations on lighting? I was thinking 1 of 3 different setups: 2- 10,000k tubs and 2- Actinic 03 tubes, or 4 - VHO tubes, or something involving a MH if needed. What do you think my man? Thanks John (Fin) Moyer
Reply: without keeping the anemone (or trying too...hehe) in the tope 10" of the tank, metal halides are strongly recommended. 2- 150 or 175 watt lamps mounted horizontally (not vertical pendants) in Iwasaki, Ushio or AB brand 6,500K or 10,000K would be ideal. Research their merits in the archives if you like. Best regards, Anthony

The page is here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemonelightngfaqs.htm

Good luck!

Brad

[djmod45]

emoutz :
I wouldn't say so because to start out with I had the anemone and it's feet on the top rock you see there. That same day he decided that he prefered living the the cave under and coming out during the day during feedings.

roguemonk :
I'm none too worried right now...I originally picked this one up from a tank where it didn't seem to be too happy. It was deflating on nearly a daily basis. Since the day I got it the anemone has only gotten bigger and happier...I'll keep an eye on it but I think it'll do fine...if it's any consolation I am succesfully growing one acro great with my set of lights (220W Actnic).

And as far as the xenia I won't be too hurt if it doesn't grow back...xenia is fun but it grows way to fast for it's on good.

Blenny is still missing :(, I guess I'll have to order another one when I make the saltwaterfish.com order next month.

Speaking of which, anyone that is interested in ordering from saltwaterfish.com is more than welcome to add on to my order which will be roughly $200. Let me know!

[aurorahokie]

Don't give up on the blennie yet...My goby disappears for a month at a time and then magically reappears until he decides to disappear again.

[djmod45]

Well, I finally broke down and spent my $200 gift certificate to http://www.saltwaterfish.com/ and I thought I would share what I ordered with you guys :). Should be a lot of fun, and of course a lot of new pictures!

1X Coral Beauty Angel
1X Mandarin Dragonet - Green
1X Blue Hippo Tang
10X Turbo/Astrea Snail
1X Arrow Crab
10X Blueleg Hermits
10X Nassarius Snail
1X Queen Conch - Aquacultured
1X Cleaner Clam
1X Cleaner Shrimp
1X Anemone Crab
1X Lettuce Nudibranch
2X Emerald Crab
1X Mushroom Polyp - Green Ricordea
5X Peppermint Shrimp

[djmod45]

Livestock is due in this Friday (with 10 Cerith Snails that weren't listed). Pictures soon.

[djmod45]

Oh the woes of a bad camera. Well I figured it had been quite a while and I have gotten tons of stuff in the tank since I last posted pictures so I thought I would give you all a full tank shot. Unfortunately the image quality is questionable.

http://x4.putfile.com/1/2116201077.jpg

[ga_reefer_guy]

nicely done

[CHARLIE AGUILAR]

The only thing that i would change is hide your heater. Ither behind some rock or put it in the sump/refigum. Just my .02

[djmod45]

Yeah Charlie...have thought about it many times but I seem to always have a good excuse to not get around to it :). I also have a 55 gallon I am setting up and plumbing so I'm doing the best I can :).

[djmod45]

Took some shots today and thought I would post a few of them. Everything has grown extensively now that my tank has only been up for since October. Suggestions are welcome!

http://x7.putfile.com/2/4514242697.jpg
Kenya tree is quite happy :)


http://x7.putfile.com/2/4514250279.jpg
Blurry pic of the zoa colony I'm starting.


http://x7.putfile.com/2/4514260074.jpg
Yellow leather with my blue hippo wanting to get in the shot.


http://x7.putfile.com/2/4514271871.jpg
Ricordea


http://x7.putfile.com/2/4514281439.jpg
GBTA...has not gotten quite so large because I have been feeding him less. Probably the best idea :).


http://x7.putfile.com/2/4514285971.jpg
Candy Canes


http://x7.putfile.com/2/4514295211.jpg
Arrow crab I bought...he has gotten massive! His longest legs are 4 in each now.

[djmod45]

Well, yesterday I made the jump and bought a 6megapixel camera and am now ready to start taking macro shots. New pictures with much better quality on the way soon!

[djmod45]

Ahhhh...Finally some post worthy pictures. For your enjoyment, pictures with a camera that works ;).

http://x402.putfile.com/2/5718580886.jpg



http://x402.putfile.com/2/5718583715.jpg



http://x402.putfile.com/2/5718594419.jpg


http://x402.putfile.com/2/5719002957.jpg



http://x402.putfile.com/2/5719011295.jpg

[djmod45]

Well my wife took some astonishing shots of our green mandarin so I thought I would share...higher resolution images are on the way but my file hoster is down at the moment!

http://www.dropshots.com/photos/80730/20060305/161641.jpg


http://www.dropshots.com/photos/80730/20060305/161729.jpg

[Peterock]

How long was your tank running before you put the mandarin in. I thought it needed a well established tank for pods and stuff. i am really thinking about getting one.

[Martin's Reef]

Pete,

This is Tony's old tank that I went up to Milliken to look at for you. when we upgraded to yor 72 bow. Looks like he kept the black sand that was full of life.

Martin

[Trex420]

Nice tank and great pixs. Thanks for sharing. I had a question or two. What size return pump do you use and now that you have it setup what size return (GPH) would you think about buying? Do you use a sump/ refugium or just a refugium? I am in the process of setting up a 75 gal now. The last items I need are a return pump and replacement bulbs for the T-5 fixture I just bought.

[djmod45]

Thank you all for your comments!

Martin was right, I purchased the aquarium and the live sand from Tony (Reefin' Colorado) and he kept the water cycling so there was definitely not a lack of life in the system. Have tons of copos and mysis running around :)

My pump runs at about 450GPH and I could honestly use more power, but it was worked for me great! I am using a refugium/sump that has some DIY power compacts above it and I am also growing chaeto. Other than that I run my protein skimmer, as well as replace carbon media that I just bought a mesh bag for. Plus, I just use (4x) 96watt power compacts and I haven't seen any reason to upgrade (don't do a whole lot of SPS).

Honestly though, the way to keep your reef is happy is to play with it for at least half an hour a day!

[djmod45]

Well, in a strange but ironic twist of fate...today today my mandarin dragonet was found dead at 17 hundred hours. May his spirit rest in peace .:fish2:

Strange and ironic you ask? Well, in an earlier post someone asked me how I kept him alive. I guess it was pure luck :).

[stugray]

Sorry to hear about the loss.

I was going to comment on the previous photo:

http://www.dropshots.com/photos/80730/20060305/161641.jpg

The stomach on the mandarin looks 'sucked-in'. I couldnt be sure because of the angle of the pic, and the fin in the way. This is a bad sign.


I added a mandarin to my 29 Gal. (without knowing what I ws doing) way before I should have.

I Immediately upgraded to a 75 Gal with a sump, separate fuge, and tons of garf 'grunge'. It worked, he ( Mushu ) is still going strong at 2 yrs old and was my very first fish.

I was gettin bold, so I added a female mandarin and saw eventual decline & 'sucked-in' stomach syndrome ( e.g. starving to death ), and we lost her after 3-4 months.

Apparently, my first mandarin adapted more quickly and ate more diverse foods ( live & frozen brine & mysis ). The female didnt learn quickly enough & didnt make it.

"I guess it was pure luck ."

The truth is, you werent lucky, it just took the fish that long to succumb to starvation ( been there done that ).

Otherwise the tank is looking fantastic. Far more along than I was...

Stu