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Connie 
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 Topic: Would this work?
Posted: March 07 2010 at 8:50am |
Ok, so here's my bright idea.
I am wanting to have Corey price build me a new stand (love the old one I got from him) and combine three tanks together. I want a 120 reef in the center and a 60 gallon on each side for aggressive fish only.
I plumb to the basement so I was thinking I would use the 90 gallon sump for all three. Since they all drain into one, water changes should be about the same amount of work just on a grander scale.
What maintance nightmare am I looking at?
Would the aggresive fish on both sides keep my reef fish so scared they would hide all the time?
Anyother pittfalls I am not thinking of?
Would it look cool or thrown together?
How would I clean the glass on the sides without having to put my hans in the tank? Is there another option other than glass to seperate the tanks if I just went with a 300 gallon?
Would the lighting look off since I would'nt want to run halides on the fish only?
Edited by Connie - March 07 2010 at 8:51am
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I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them.
180 gallon money pit that I love.....
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Connie
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Posted: March 07 2010 at 8:53am |
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Let me add that this would be on a cement floor so weight is not an issue.
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I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them.
180 gallon money pit that I love.....
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bugzme
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Posted: March 07 2010 at 9:12am |
Connie, you could paint the sides of the aggressive tanks 
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Jeff
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Jake Pehrson
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Posted: March 07 2010 at 9:45am |
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Yes this would work (the common sump). Just make sure you have enough room for water to rise in case of a power outage.
3 tanks = more water in your tank when the pump goes off.
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Shane H
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Posted: March 07 2010 at 9:52am |
Connie,
I like the idea. Plumbing the tanks together shouldn't be a problem at all. You just need to make sure you cover all the bases to avoid a flood, provide adequate top-off, etc. One drawback, is that one system equals more risk of pest propagation. Although, I think this can be mitigated.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: March 07 2010 at 12:07pm |
What maintance nightmare am I looking at?
The ability to control algae with some kinds of aggressive fish. What agressive fish are you considering?
Would the aggresive fish on both sides keep my reef fish so scared they would hide all the time?
Depends on what kind of agressive fish. At first it may be a problem, but they would soon start to learn that there is no danger.
Anyother pittfalls I am not thinking of?
Like Shane said, some pests are easier to control biologically in a reef. I'm thinking of how Peppermint Shrimp eat Aiptasia, but most fish termed "aggressive" love shrimp.
Would it look cool or thrown together?
You could make it look really cool.
How would I clean the glass on the sides without having to put my hans in the tank? Is there another option other than glass to seperate the tanks if I just went with a 300 gallon?
If you are thinking that you cannot put your hands in with those aggressive fish, you are partly right. Again it depends on what fish and how you treat them. You have always hand fed your fish and soon they would learn not to bite the hand that feeds them. Also there are many good tools for cleaning the inside glass without getting your hands wet.
Would the lighting look off since I would'nt want to run halides on the fish only?
There is a general misconception that a FOWLR tank needs to be way different than a reef, particularly that it is devoid of coral. Did you know that most coral do well with predatory fish? Did you know that by growing Macroalgae in a display tank, the need for hermits and snails is significantly reduced? Can you widen your perception from the old traditions to consider the mryiad of options of how to put together a beautiful saltwater aquarium?
Hope this helps.
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Adam Blundell
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Posted: March 07 2010 at 2:27pm |
Connie- I'm sure you can do it... without any problems as well.
Go for it.
Adam
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fishoutawater
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Posted: March 07 2010 at 3:18pm |
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You could easily plumb a couple valves in to make water changes as easy as turning a couple of ball valves. With a large predator tank you would probably have no problem growing macro in one of the others, maybe a seahorse/pipefish tank? And have plenty to harvest and spoil some tangs with?
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Some day, when I grow up,...
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downhill_biker
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Posted: March 07 2010 at 4:39pm |
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This would be amazing. I would definitely want to come check it out once up and running, or during the build process. I think that you wouldnt have issues with the fish in the FOWLR tanks staring down the reef fish. They would probably mind their own business. I have all of the tanks in my house using a common sump. Like Jake said, make sure there is enough room for all three tanks to drain into the sump if the power goes off. I also recommend doing somehting similar to what I have and using a common return pump. I use a Reeflo Barracuda to supply my Display upstairs, and 2 frag tanks in the basement, as well as my skimmer. This saves a TON of electricity and IMO is less of a headache.
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Connie
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Posted: March 07 2010 at 4:42pm |
Great input everyone thanks. I think Im going to get the ball rolling on this as soon as I get back from Mexico in May. It will take me that long to talk Corey into doing it for me. I have never seen one of Dion's but I have heard nothing but flattering things about his work so I do have a back up.. :)
When I get this completed I will post pics.
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I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them.
180 gallon money pit that I love.....
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bugzme
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Posted: March 07 2010 at 4:45pm |
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I know an Electrician that can help with electrical needs! Me!
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Jeff
125 tank
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T-5 lighting
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I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!!
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CapnMorgan
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Posted: March 07 2010 at 6:16pm |
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I agree with making sure the sump can hold all the water in the event of a power outage. Also you may want to have a larger refugium. The FOWLR tanks will be producing more nitrates than a reef would, and could affect your reef livestock since they would share the same water
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Steve My Old 180G Mixed ReefCurrently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: March 07 2010 at 6:37pm |
I agree with what Steve said but consider this:
In general, hobbyists don't set up their FOWLR tank with as much filtration or as complete of filtration as those with a reef tank. Less effective filtration means they see more pollution/Nitrogen. So that's why having coral and macroalgae right in a predator tank is such a good idea. The better the water quality, the better off the predatory fish will do.
Of course a predatory fish is often a lot larger fish than the typical reef fish and yet there are hobbyists right here that have upwards of 20 fish in a 55 gal tank so I'm not sure the bioload is all that different. Yes, some predators eat more food but they don't need to eat as often.
The focal reef display and a large Refugium then become a major part of the filtration of a predatory tank connected to them. Remember, Coral and Algae are just as important as LS and LR. Those components filter the water that fish pollute.
Edited by Mark Peterson - March 07 2010 at 6:39pm
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Dion Richins
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Posted: March 07 2010 at 9:28pm |
Here is a sneak peak Connie.
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Connie
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Posted: March 07 2010 at 10:24pm |
I think if it is done right it could be a pretty amazing set up. You could definately put my idea into something beautiful.
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I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them.
180 gallon money pit that I love.....
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providence
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 12:12pm |
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I have been thinking abouut doing the same thing kinda but I was thinkin a 300 gallon with a devider in the tank so I can take it out and have 1 large tank I was thinking the same as Mark and the sides will get covered with coraline so they could not see after a while.
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Adam Blundell
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 12:38pm |
 Connie wrote:
I think Im going to get the ball rolling on this as soon as I get back from Mexico in May. It will take me that long to talk Corey into doing it for me. |
If Corey doesn't volunteer to help with this then I'll man up and volunteer him for you.
Adam
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Connie
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 2:59pm |
That's the spirit...... No peer pressure here.....
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I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them.
180 gallon money pit that I love.....
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Corey Price
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Posted: April 10 2010 at 3:23pm |
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Alright Connie, I totally missed this- I'm actually building my own stand right now, but it's not the same as what you have. I am flattered that you want me to build another stand. However, I don't have the tools. I built the stand you have now in a community ed woodshop class, and they had every tool that I needed, including a "Shop-bot" CNC router for the fluted decorations.
I would highly recommend that you have someone like Dion match my stand. He told me about this thread, and he said that he could build the same thing, no problem. It's just knotty alder with a stain and a catalyzed lacquer finish. I think I still have the stain, but Dion can probably match what you have. I would be more than happy to help Dion understand how I built it.
Hope this helps.
(Shameless plug for Dion's shop)
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ClarkWGrizwald
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Posted: April 10 2010 at 4:12pm |
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This is such a cool thread. I have a knotty cedar stand and canopy that dion built and it is amazing. Getting comploments on it everytime someone stops by. Anyway, ur idea is awesome. If it were me id have 2 120s side by side cause i love bamboo sharks and big triggers that need more room than a 60 gallon to swim in. Good luck connie and keep us updated.
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