I picked up a used 180 gallon tank!
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URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=34626
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Topic: I picked up a used 180 gallon tank!
Posted By: MadReefer
Subject: I picked up a used 180 gallon tank!
Date Posted: August 09 2009 at 1:11am
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I'm so excited to get this running but I'm trying to take it slow and do it right. So far I have removed the old silicone and the overflows. I'm still working on cleaning off the gunk from the overflows and plan on reusing these. Tomorrow I will start with a thorough cleaning of the remaining silicone. Then I can prep the tank and apply fresh silicone. I'm going to wait to add the overflows until I can do the plumbing and that will have to wait until I build the stand and figure out what I'm doing for a sump/fuge. Hopefully within a week I'll have all that figured out. |
Replies:
Posted By: sanddune600
Date Posted: August 09 2009 at 1:27am
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cool sounds fun I wish I was doing a build after seeing all the recent build theads ------------- Andy Jorgensen My number is four three 5 7 six four 8 0 three four |
Posted By: Aquaristnewbie
Date Posted: August 09 2009 at 10:48pm
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Awesome good luck! ------------- 150 gallon Reef Millcreek Utah |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 09 2009 at 11:17pm
| It's amazing how many hours it takes to clean the old silicone off when it just takes a few minutes to apply new. I hope it holds. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 18 2009 at 2:43pm
I built the stand. My past stands have been over built and I hope that this one is strong enough because I made it much lighter this time. Do you think it will be strong enough?
   I also made a run to get rock and sand so I'm ready to work on the plumbing and water test. Hopefully I'll be to that point within a week.
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Posted By: bfessler
Date Posted: August 18 2009 at 4:30pm
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I'd really like to try a tank that size but I am in the middle of 2 other projects right now and my wife would shoot me if I even think about another one before her basement gets finished.
 Are you going to build a frame around the top of the stand for the tank to sit on or will it just sit on the stand as is? It should be OK as long as the edges of the tank sit squarely on top of the existing frame but it doesn't give you much wiggle room. If it were me I would either place a piece of plywood over the top of the stand or build a frame out of 2x4's or 6's just for piece of mind.
Good luck witht the project. I think building a tank is more fun than looking at the finished product. ------------- Burt An equal opportunity reefer, I support all hobbyists and organizations involved in Marine Aquarium Keeping. [email protected] |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: August 18 2009 at 6:13pm
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Well, I'm not an engineer nor do I play one on TV. I do hope it is strong enough but I wouldn't trust it. I would be afraid that with any side loading it would colapse to the side or that the tank will drop through the center.
I do hope someone knowledgeable tells me I am wrong though.
Mike -------------  |
Posted By: BHYDE
Date Posted: August 18 2009 at 6:21pm
| I agree with Mike. I wouldn't risk it in my house. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 18 2009 at 6:52pm
| I thought the same thing about a stand I saw a at petsmart. But I don't think they could sell something that was going to fail. I used about the same design. It is also like the stands they sell at LFS although they are painted black. Anyone else have an opinion? I could always add to it even though it feels solid enough. I think I could stand on any part that will support the tank and jump up and down without breaking it. |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: August 18 2009 at 7:29pm
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A 180 gallon tank with water, sand and rock could weigh up to 2000 lbs. You might want to try standing on it with a couple buddies. I know what you mean about some of the cheaply made stands though.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 18 2009 at 7:37pm
| Jumping actually creates a lot of force in a small area compaired to something spread out sitting there, and that is why I thought of that. But I'm no engineer so I don't know. I guess I could ask my brother, he is a civil engineer. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 18 2009 at 9:18pm
| My brother says he couldn't know without running the numbers but that it looks a little light. So I don't know what I'm going to do. I wish Dion would give me his opinion. |
Posted By: Nick801
Date Posted: August 18 2009 at 9:30pm
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I bet it would be ok, sept if it where me I would add a lip on the bottom inside and a lip to the top to make it more secure/secure looking =) as of now it reminds me of one of those art statues that makes you wonder how they balance with out falling over =) ------------- http://www.reefinsanity.com" rel="nofollow - www.ReefInsanity.com http://www.facebook.com/ReefInsanity" rel="nofollow - www.Facebook.com/ReefInsanity 801-680-4676 |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 19 2009 at 11:54am
| I've decided to add one more layer of strength for peace of mind. Thanks for all your input. |
Posted By: GoneBallistic
Date Posted: August 21 2009 at 7:31pm
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those look like 1x4s on the left side, those are too light for the weight you are going to put on it. if they bow at all, you'll torque the stand and down she goes. needs more support. can't wait to see how it goes together |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 21 2009 at 10:22pm
I've added more 1x4s to the 1x12s, 1x6s, and 1x4s that were already there. Crappy pic with the cell phone is all I could get at the moment.
 |
Posted By: Nick801
Date Posted: August 22 2009 at 12:00am
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Yeah Id trust that ------------- http://www.reefinsanity.com" rel="nofollow - www.ReefInsanity.com http://www.facebook.com/ReefInsanity" rel="nofollow - www.Facebook.com/ReefInsanity 801-680-4676 |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: August 22 2009 at 1:41am
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I didn't see this till now. I'm pretty sure I gave my opinion through a pm .......first of the week/end of last. Ill double check. Any way It looks like what it is. With good structural bracing it could be fine. But I'm a chicken and refuse to build anything that size with out a framed support inside. Overkill? probably. But you've never heard of one of our stands collapsing. Unfortunately it also increases the cost of the stands. More lumber and more labor. Its a hard balance. Couple of questions. Did you glue ALL of the seams/joints together? And if you did, Did you keep the stand square while building it. Ive actually seen stands that are leaning once finished. Guaranteed leakers. If you did not glue it all then please DO NOT put a tank on it. IT would be a ticking time bomb. Remember its just my opinion. ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 22 2009 at 2:04am
| I used a lot of glue in the first build. When I added the outer support today I used liquid nails. I was thinking of adding screws in a few choice spots just to make sure. It is pretty square but not perfect. Corner to corner the top is only off 1/8 inch. This wood has the rustic look and easy to work with without a full shop and is solid wood. My wife likes the look also. So it has some good points. But if I was to start over, I would build it differently. I always have a hard time working with wood in half assed woodshops after working for a few years in a full shop. Lack of tools is a b**ch. 180 gallons of water would be a lot to have all over the floor so I hope it holds. |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: August 22 2009 at 10:41am
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It sounds solid. Make SURE when you set it up that you shim that 1/8 out of it. If its not perfect you run a great chance of popping a seam or worse having a pane of glass failing due to the stress.
Full shops are awesome. But awful expensive to set up  ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 26 2009 at 12:12pm
I have the tank on the stand and it only took a few shims in the front to make it pretty much level. When it is filling with water I might have to adjust with more shims. Now that it is on the stand I can work on finishing the overflow and plumbing and should be able to water test by the end of the weekend.
 I left the lip of the lid on the rubbermaid I used some rope to help support the water.
 |
Posted By: Roy
Date Posted: August 26 2009 at 9:15pm
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One consideration is to paint everything with Kills primer to waterproof it. It also makes it look much cleaner
------------- 90 gal Corner with / 200 gal sump. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 26 2009 at 9:26pm
| I used a thick coat of outdoor oil-based polyurethane. My wife asked for the natural wood finish. I will add doors later. |
Posted By: Nick801
Date Posted: August 26 2009 at 11:36pm
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looks like a great start =) can't wait to see livestock in there
------------- http://www.reefinsanity.com" rel="nofollow - www.ReefInsanity.com http://www.facebook.com/ReefInsanity" rel="nofollow - www.Facebook.com/ReefInsanity 801-680-4676 |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 27 2009 at 2:07am
I'm not super happy with the overflows. I learned a lot and would do things a little differently if doing it over. But I think it will work anyway. Thanks Burt for the inspiration and the help cutting the comb.
 |
Posted By: bfessler
Date Posted: August 27 2009 at 3:27am
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Hay Jesse, Glad to see you got he overflows in. They look like they should work fine. Every time I do a project I think of ways it could have been better but that just gives me an excuse to try the new idea on my next project. You'll really like the way the Coast to Coast skims the surface. Looking forward to seeing it in action. ------------- Burt An equal opportunity reefer, I support all hobbyists and organizations involved in Marine Aquarium Keeping. [email protected] |
Posted By: Corey Price
Date Posted: August 27 2009 at 8:43am
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By the way, for what it's worth- I agree with what Dion said on the stand. <------- Professional nerd/engineer. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 28 2009 at 4:10pm
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I completed all the plumbing that requires gluing last night. I have a couple holes in the middle bottom of the tank that I setup as a closed loop for the UV. I have a few more pieces to setup including the dursos. I'll water test today when I get off work. If all goes well I'll start mixing in salt and utah rock and sand. I'll add a few pieces of fresh live rock and start moving some of my stuff starting with algae sometime next week.
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Posted By: TriggerHappy
Date Posted: August 28 2009 at 5:49pm
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Looking good, congratulations on your supersized tank! ------------- 210 gallon Mixed Reef |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 29 2009 at 11:59am
It's full of water and everything is looking good. It is just a tiny bit off level front to back, leaning tiny bit back. And just a hair off side to side. Here is a pic of the level front to back and one of some of the plumbing.
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Posted By: Aquaristnewbie
Date Posted: August 29 2009 at 12:08pm
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congrats! Start filling that thing up. I need to level my tank out it is pretty bad. But it is full of water so I am scared to mess with it. I do not know if you could come any closer to level than that. With all of that weight it goes a bit where it wants to. Good luck with everything. If you want some frags of your old stuff to help build back up let me know and I would be more than happy to do that for you.
------------- 150 gallon Reef Millcreek Utah |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 30 2009 at 1:09pm
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I added sand and rock. This caused the water level in the sump to rise above the handles. I thought I had blocked the holes in the handles with silicone but one of them failed. A few gallons of water leaked out. So i've filled in the handle with much more silicone incase I ever go over that point again. |
Posted By: downhill_biker
Date Posted: August 30 2009 at 1:13pm
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Wow, looks awesome. Cant tell from the pic, but did you silicone with black or clear silicone? The stand looks awesome! Cant wait to come over and check it out when its up and running.
------------- Make sure you post your best pictures every month in our POTM forum. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 30 2009 at 1:39pm
| Clear silicone on all. I didn't see black at Home Depot. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 30 2009 at 1:41pm
This is what it looks like now.
 |
Posted By: downhill_biker
Date Posted: August 30 2009 at 2:29pm
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cool. sand, water, skimmer, you are ready for cycling and then stocking up!
------------- Make sure you post your best pictures every month in our POTM forum. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: August 31 2009 at 12:37pm
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It's cleared up.
So this is what is in there. I used tap water because it was easy to run a hose from my utility room. I added a few caps of Prime. I slowly dumped a full bucket of Oceanic salt in the water. Then I started with some Utah rock and added Utah sand all around it. It turned out to be deeper sand than I expected. Yesterday I added a few tiny pieces of LR just to get some life in there.
I ordered a few parts online and some rock, when it shows up I'll be able to set it up more like it will run long term and start moving more life into it. Some equipment that I will use on this new tank is still supporting my other tanks for now. First to move from other systems will be chaeto for the sump and I'll connect my mangrove bucket pretty soon.
  |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: September 01 2009 at 3:31pm
| I've added 250ml of live sand from my other tank. It smelled like sulfur. |
Posted By: Roy
Date Posted: September 01 2009 at 10:46pm
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looking good keep us posted with future additions/ pics
------------- 90 gal Corner with / 200 gal sump. |
Posted By: Nano_Reefer
Date Posted: September 02 2009 at 12:01am
That is an awesome Idea on the coast to coast. I built a coast to coast in my ninty, but it is drilled at the top, and it works awesome. I will be putting a 125 up down the road, it has similar overflows that this 180 has, and I believe I will be hijacking this idea for it. |
bfessler wrote:Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: September 02 2009 at 11:47pm
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I've made a few additions. Here is a better picture of the inside of the overflow. I added some macroalgae and a fuge light.
 Not my ideal fuge but it is what I have to work with.
 I think the reflections on this picture of the fuge are neat.
 I used parts of the Rubbermaid lid to catch some water as it tries to splash out.
 It's hard to be patient. 45lbs of new live rock was added.  |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: September 09 2009 at 3:20am
This is what it looks like now.
Since the last post: I have added my mangrove bucket and fresh water top off. I moved algae, LR, and LS from my existing tank's sump. A temporary pump is running until I can get another. The fuge has been all moved around; I still want to do more. Light has been added. Daily tests show the cycle starting. Ammonia is high at 1.5+, nitrites have just started creeping up at .5 and nitrate is next to zero. There was a slight dip in pH down to 8.1, but now back up. I keep the light on 24hours at this point; I hope the algae will gobble some junk up. Ammonia might be past topping off.
 |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: September 09 2009 at 7:04am
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It looks like things are progressing well.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: September 16 2009 at 3:05am
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I added some CUC. Ammonia has been at zero. Nitrites seem to be coming down finally ~.5ppm. Nitrate is about 5ppm. I don't know what I was thinking with this live rock; I added much more dead junk to my tank than I thought I was. Cheap rock, so I should have known. At least it is almost passed and hopefully a lot of good stuff grows out of the rock.
I think I'll clean it up a bit and then add my established stuff this weekend. I'm hoping it will stabilize quickly this way. Any thoughts?
Here is a picture.
 |
Posted By: downhill_biker
Date Posted: September 16 2009 at 8:12am
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Looks good. Glad you got the cycle almost over with, and now it is only good bacterial growth from here. Do you plan to add more rock? What is causing the "splashing" in the sump?
------------- Make sure you post your best pictures every month in our POTM forum. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: September 16 2009 at 1:09pm
| I still have a bunch of rock to move from my established systems. I just wanted the die off from this new rock to be on its way out before I move everything. The drain to the sump causes some splashing and bubbles. Right now I have under control and I don't mind the sound. It might be good for the water. It reminds me of what I was thinking two years ago when I started this hobby. First I wanted a fountain for the water sounds and I thought about adding some fish. I really wanted a pond but I don't own. I ended up with a small freshwater tank. A month later I had my first saltwater tank. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: September 19 2009 at 2:10am
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Stumbling right along... I might have over thought the benefit of the mangroves and refugium; specifically, their benefit to help the rock cycle with less loss. To the point, now I realize that there was too little flow in the sump and I added too much algae. The center of my chaeto was dying and rotting. I cleaned it up last night. Hind sight... I should not have added so much chaeto to the sump or added a pump to the sump for flow. Also I should have cycled the rock for at least a day in another container and dump out all the water. Then add it to the tank. After a week change 50% of the water, then a week later be at this point to now start adding stuff and connect the sump. Or something to that effect. I tried to rush and if anything, it slowed me down over the last week. Also, I thought the volume would make up for it and it didn't as much as I thought it would have. Moving forward... Everything still looks good and mostly where I would expect it. I like the sump more and more, and all because of last night's changes. The tank faired better being disconnected from the sump for one day as there is little nitrite, next to zero; also fewer nitrates. I have everything connected and circulating now and I'm still planning on moving half my stuff tomorrow and the other half on Sunday. Things could still change based on tomorrow's tests and evaluation. I think that all the equipment and live rock needs to be together, this should support the livestock. 
    |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: September 19 2009 at 10:41pm
I discovered something while moving some livestock today.
  The anemone seems to like the 180.
 |
Posted By: Nick801
Date Posted: September 19 2009 at 10:45pm
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sweet =)
------------- http://www.reefinsanity.com" rel="nofollow - www.ReefInsanity.com http://www.facebook.com/ReefInsanity" rel="nofollow - www.Facebook.com/ReefInsanity 801-680-4676 |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: September 21 2009 at 1:02am
Most everything is moved in. All the fish are moved: 2 pair of O. clowns, a pair(?) of bicolor blennies, 4 chromis and a tiny blue tang. I'm working on coral placement and still have a few more to move in. I also have two derasa clams and a rose bubble-tip anemone.
 The fuge.
 The mangroves love the sunshine.
 |
Posted By: downhill_biker
Date Posted: September 21 2009 at 11:38am
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Nice. I love how you have the mangroves under natural sunlight. They will thrive under that lighting. What are your official plans for the lighting over the display?
------------- Make sure you post your best pictures every month in our POTM forum. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: September 21 2009 at 12:51pm
| I want to get a 3x250MH fixture with actinic t5s, but it looks like I'll be running what I have for a while; I've spent too much already. Plus I don't know the direction the tank will be going. My wife and I mainly want the fish to be happy. I've learned a lot about reef tanks in the last two years and one thing that sticks out is without good quarantine, it's a gamble every time corals are added. I already have bubble algae and possibly other pests. I'm going to try to rid my system of bubble algae and work on keeping the water chemistry perfect. When I buy a house in a year or few I'll be looking to setup a fish room where I can setup quarantine systems and do everything right. Until then I'm going to avoid coral buying and selling. |
Posted By: downhill_biker
Date Posted: September 21 2009 at 1:18pm
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Well if you focus is going to be the fish over the next few years I would leave it how it is. I do know that Haun has a 3x250w fixture for sale, cheap...but I understand not having money. I have spent much more than I can afford on my system. Congrats on the clownfish.
------------- Make sure you post your best pictures every month in our POTM forum. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: September 26 2009 at 6:28pm
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Fish4U comes through again with some very healthy fish for a great price. We added a sailfin and blue eye tang, and a firefish.
   |
Posted By: downhill_biker
Date Posted: September 30 2009 at 1:32pm
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I too got a blue eye kole tang from Fish 4 U. They are actually very pretty close up, even if they just look brown from a distance.
------------- Make sure you post your best pictures every month in our POTM forum. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 12:37am
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Just a few pics.      |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: October 06 2009 at 1:41am
| I thought a 180 would be big enough to house two pairs of ocellaris clowns, I was wrong. The male clown of the mated pair was chasing the biggest of the other pair around and biting it, not playful at all, pieces of fins are missing. I removed the picked on clown and now the male is hanging out with the smallest clown instead of his mate. Could this male be hoping to leave the female and pair up with the smaller clown to become female itself? |
Posted By: TriggerHappy
Date Posted: October 06 2009 at 1:33pm
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Sorry I missed this post. Nice pictures though, it looks like the tank is really doing well! ------------- 210 gallon Mixed Reef |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: October 06 2009 at 1:37pm
| Thanks Bill. The birdsnest I got from you has done really well. |
Posted By: Nick801
Date Posted: October 06 2009 at 1:59pm
I've been debating adding two more to my 210 for a while now.... but everything I've been reading dosen't look to good, although I have seen many tanks with more than just two clowns =) I might just trade my orange pair out for a black pair... ------------- http://www.reefinsanity.com" rel="nofollow - www.ReefInsanity.com http://www.facebook.com/ReefInsanity" rel="nofollow - www.Facebook.com/ReefInsanity 801-680-4676 |
Posted By: TriggerHappy
Date Posted: October 06 2009 at 2:36pm
Great Jesse, and welcome back! ------------- 210 gallon Mixed Reef |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: October 07 2009 at 3:44am
Just a few pics. The doors are not done but I'm testing canvas for the panel of the doors. It would allow air through while blocking much of the light and some of the sound.
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Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: October 07 2009 at 4:47am
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I never would have thought of canvas, Are you just going to build a wood frame the stretch and staple the canvas to the back? ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: downhill_biker
Date Posted: October 07 2009 at 10:31am
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The canvas looks like it works pretty good. I just bought black material to skirt my whole stand with. It will be a new look, we'll see how it turns out.
------------- Make sure you post your best pictures every month in our POTM forum. |
Posted By: TriggerHappy
Date Posted: October 07 2009 at 10:47am
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I use a black skirt around mine, but that canvas looks cool too! ------------- 210 gallon Mixed Reef |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: October 07 2009 at 1:23pm
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Posted By: Nano_Reefer
Date Posted: October 07 2009 at 6:53pm
| Wanna sale some mangroves? |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: October 07 2009 at 11:03pm
| If there is interest I can order more mangroves and salt water condition them. $2.50 each. |
Posted By: Nick801
Date Posted: October 07 2009 at 11:18pm
Id try a few ------------- http://www.reefinsanity.com" rel="nofollow - www.ReefInsanity.com http://www.facebook.com/ReefInsanity" rel="nofollow - www.Facebook.com/ReefInsanity 801-680-4676 |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: October 13 2009 at 10:26pm
| While I was trying to net a fish I put a fright into all the fish. I was trying to catch this little clown for a couple days and I think I scared the stuff out of all the fish. A few fish showed ich, and hid more often; Just a week later it is gone. The fish are out more and relaxing now,, and I'm feeding well to show them how great I am, lol. They love me again. :) Anyone want more pics? |
Posted By: Shane H
Date Posted: October 13 2009 at 10:32pm
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More pics? Heck yeah! You might try decorative upholstery tacks instead of staples. If you fold the edge and use tacks, it will give you a clean look. Yeah. they might rust but .... you'll have a built in, antique look!
|
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: October 13 2009 at 10:40pm
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I'm waiting to see how your canvas panels work out, I'm building a new facade for my current angle iron stand ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: TriggerHappy
Date Posted: October 13 2009 at 11:29pm
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Pics, Pics, Pics, Pics! Bring it on! ------------- 210 gallon Mixed Reef |
Posted By: Nano_Reefer
Date Posted: October 14 2009 at 1:14am
| Sorry to get back so late, been busy at work. Any way I would like some mangroves. |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: October 14 2009 at 2:12am
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Watching this thread makes gets me even more excited to start building my new tank. ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: October 15 2009 at 3:16am
Here are some pictures a friend took.
     Edited with Paint and Live software.
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Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: October 15 2009 at 5:33pm
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Very nice!
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: November 09 2009 at 1:51pm
The reef fest was great. I spent sixty bucks to fill my head with a little info and I also got these cool items-
 I didn't win anything in the raffle, so hind sight I should have just bought a membership. But oh well, I work during the meetings and seminars anyway. I'm glad I was able to support the club anyway.
One thing that I'm going to take away from it is that I will remove all macro from my fuge except chaeto. It's the way I used to do it so I know it works well. I also really want to grow rotifers but I think I'll have to wait on that.
A few new pics.
My clowns keep producing eggs-
 Here is one of the pieces of utah rock I added that is coloring up nicely-
 Sunshine hitting the tank-
 |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: November 14 2009 at 3:03am
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Sometimes at night I see tiny little jelly fish swimming around in the moon lights. At least that is what they look like. They are tough to get a photo of but I tried. They are about a .5-1.0mm maybe.    And a full tank shot with all the lights on.
 |
Posted By: downhill_biker
Date Posted: November 14 2009 at 3:10am
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I missed the talk about refugeums, so can you clearify for me why you only want to run chaeto in your fuge, instead of the other macro algaes you have?
------------- Make sure you post your best pictures every month in our POTM forum. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: November 14 2009 at 12:05pm
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Mine was all globbed together in one bunch. Macro algae can produce toxins that slow the growth of other algae. So for maximum health of the algae you want to keep them separated. My fuge is small and I have caulerpa in the display so I decided to remove most of the caulerpa from the fuge.
Also, the only reason I was using grape caulerpa was because I was told that it grows faster than chaeto. But if you look at the dry weight, chaeto grows faster.
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Posted By: Luckedout
Date Posted: November 14 2009 at 1:00pm
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Could those little guys be copepods?
------------- -Ben 90g Mixed reef www.body-balancechiropractic.com |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: November 14 2009 at 1:05pm
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I don't think they are copepods. They are swimming in the current and look just like tiny jellies as they move. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: November 18 2009 at 3:06pm
This utah rock is much more colorful than the last one I posted.
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Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: November 21 2009 at 1:20pm
I thought I should post a current full tank shot. It is three pieces left to right.
   Also, this is one of my favorite corals and it is really liking the new tank. It looks almost fragable.
 And another of the fish waiting for me to feed them.
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Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: November 26 2009 at 1:23am
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Well I broke down and decided to add more fish. I hesitated because I like how easy the whole system is to take care of and I don't want to get more fish than the filtration can handle. I like it when the system has next to zero nitrates and phosphates. I hope I don't have to add more to the filtration. So these are the fish I already had:
3 Occellaris
2 bicolor blennies
6 bluegreen chromis
1 blue tang
1 blueeye tang
1 sailfin tang
1 spotted dragonet
1 six-line wrasse
And I added today:
One Swallowtail Angelfish-
 And a foxface-
 My sailfin thinks it's ruler of the tank and harassed both fish. The angel just acted like it didn't care what the sailfin did and the sailfin hasn't bothered it too bad. But the foxface was freaked out in the new system and the sailfin started picking on it. It's funny though because the sailfin is the only one that looks at all hurt. The foxface just sticks out its spikes and the sailfin still goes in for a bite and then swims off with a hurt mouth.
They are both eating everything I toss in there so that is good. |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: November 26 2009 at 8:18am
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That is looking great. Cool fish too.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: November 28 2009 at 2:49pm
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Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: December 15 2009 at 7:41pm
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Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: December 15 2009 at 7:42pm
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Posted By: downhill_biker
Date Posted: December 15 2009 at 7:54pm
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Everything looks good Jesse. Do you still have the tiny blue tang? I love the swallowtail angels. Beautiful fish.
------------- Make sure you post your best pictures every month in our POTM forum. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: December 15 2009 at 8:12pm
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The blue tang is doing great and isn't so tiny anymore.
Here are a few more pics.
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Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: December 22 2009 at 3:18pm
| My wife was at the LFS months ago and they suggested two bicolor blennies because one was a female and one a male. They have at times looked like they got along but much of the time were fighting. In the last week it has been really bad and one is getting torn fins and is not looking happy. After days of trying I finally caught the fish and will move it to my dad's tank. I reminded my wife that this is why we don't listen to the LFS. I guess I'm reminding myself as well. |