10' Pond Build

[moriarty]

Any thoughts on a shark like a coral cat shark? Theres no way I wouldn't have a small shark in a pond like that!

Very Very cool build, I'm BEYOND jelly!

When I was working on my initial stocking list, I thought about doing a pair of Epaulette sharks (Hemiscyllium ocellatum). I decided to go a different route with angels/triggers/puffers, etc. Would be concerned that mixing them would be too much of a risk to the shark(s). I appreciate the compliment too btw!

 

[nirvanaandtool]

Another awesome wrasse, nice!

Gyre would be cool in there, they definitely are impressive pumps. Downright crazy the amount of flow they put out.

 

[Zack33]

I love this build! Awesome idea! What about adding a couple of the large Jebaeo WP-40 or something to deal with some wave-making.....relatively cheap (programmable, and amazing performance).

 

[MBC2012]

Any updates?

 

[Betta132]

Do you have any saddle wrasse? Ran into some in Hawaii. Very curious fish, unafraid of everything, went right up to swimmers to look at them. Maximum size is about 9", I think. They didn't appear to have territories, and they didn't compete with any other fish, not that I could see.

 

[moriarty]

I love this build! Awesome idea! What about adding a couple of the large Jebaeo WP-40 or something to deal with some wave-making.....relatively cheap (programmable, and amazing performance).

Thanks for the compliment! I have a couple MP-40s on my reef that I tried out on the pool right after it was filled. Figured if they worked out, I could get another pair, or maybe a single MP-60. I had them mounted to the side/liner like you would on aquarium glass. The wave action was impressive, but after just a few minutes of playing with different settings, I decided that the potential stress/damage to the liner and frame was too much of a risk, even on lower settings.

 

[moriarty]

Any updates?

No real updates to the pool it's self, but I'm planning to replace the 50 gallon refugium with a 300 gallon stock tank.

For the past several months, my 120 anemone (haddoni) tank has had a very slow leak that has been progressively getting worse. A few weeks ago, I decided to break it down before it failed completely. I thought it might be cool to do a "tidal zone" with a DSB, mangroves, and of course my haddoni anemones. I think that a 300 gallon rubbermaid stock tank would be a good option. The dimensions are 69" X 63 1/4" X 25". Unfortunately, I couldn't wait any longer to break down the 120. Ideally I would have kept it up and running until the new stock tank was in place. I took the top 2-3" of sand from the 120, mixed it with sand from the pool to make 3-4" total, and made a temporary home for the haddoni anemones in the current 50 gallon refugium.
I was able to slowly bring the pool temperature up to match the water in the 120 before breaking it down, but have to be really careful with the lights since the water is much shallower. Not ideal, but it should work temporarily until I can sort out the 300.

 

[moriarty]

Do you have any saddle wrasse? Ran into some in Hawaii. Very curious fish, unafraid of everything, went right up to swimmers to look at them. Maximum size is about 9", I think. They didn't appear to have territories, and they didn't compete with any other fish, not that I could see.

Good suggestion! The only fish that I could see giving any grief would be my rainbow wrasse (Thalassoma lucasanum), but the one I have is pretty mellow. Will have to keep an eye out for one. Have any pics of them from your Hawaii trip?

 

[Betta132]

Here's a couple investigating my shiny bait. The bigger one was about 9" long and very bold, he came right up to me even without the bait. You could probably train one to eat from your hand pretty easily.

 

[moriarty]

That's too cool! Will have to make a trip out there one of these days!

 

[jbvdhp]

I'm not gonna lie... Really jelly and I would def. Go swimming in there. So cool!!!!

 

[moriarty]

I'm not gonna lie... Really jelly and I would def. Go swimming in there. So cool!!!!

Thank you! So far I've resisted the temptation to take the plunge

 

[moriarty]

I had to remove my Aussie Harlequin Tusk a few months ago because of aggression toward my Snooty Maori Wrasse. He was fine with all of the other fish but for some reason just did not like the snooty. I have been debating trying another, and when this guy came up on DD last night, I had to pull the trigger. He's quite a bit smaller than my previous one, which is what I had been holding out for. Keeping my fingers crossed that this one works out

 

[nirvanaandtool]

Nice pick up, hope it works out with the snooty!

 

[humaguy]

looking killer!

 

[CuzzA]

Awesome setup moriarty!!! I would do the same thing if only homes in Florida had basements. :/

I insist that your next addition be a GoPro (sp.) on a pole!!! They're not aggressive, only eat a little electricity and provide the viewer with an amazing view. :lmao:

Also have you thought about perhaps having some rock protrude from the water? I always loved the "volcano tank" and with this much space you could easily accomplish it while still keeping the atoll. Plus you could add some fiddler crabs that would add some life above the water. Plus they would make an inexpensive food source for your triggers. You could even plumb in a 1/2" line under the sand bed to feed a small waterfall and plant some mangroves on the structure. Here's a pic if you're not familiar with the tank I'm talking about.

 

[moriarty]

Nice pick up, hope it works out with the snooty!

Thanks! He was delivered on Friday and has been doing great in QT so far. Even took down some NLS pellets on day one! He a lot smaller than my last one, and just a bit longer than the snooty. I'll post an update on how things go when I introduce him to the pool!

 

[moriarty]

looking killer!

Thank you! I appreciate you saying so!

 

[moriarty]

Awesome setup moriarty!!! I would do the same thing if only homes in Florida had basements. :/

I insist that your next addition be a GoPro (sp.) on a pole!!! They're not aggressive, only eat a little electricity and provide the viewer with an amazing view. :lmao:

Also have you thought about perhaps having some rock protrude from the water? I always loved the "volcano tank" and with this much space you could easily accomplish it while still keeping the atoll. Plus you could add some fiddler crabs that would add some life above the water. Plus they would make an inexpensive food source for your triggers. You could even plumb in a 1/2" line under the sand bed to feed a small waterfall and plant some mangroves on the structure. Here's a pic if you're not familiar with the tank I'm talking about.

Thanks!! A GoPro is definitely on my list of essential equipment that I need to pick up in the near future!

That volcano tank is too cool! Funny... I've been trying to sort out some ideas for an out of water area for a while now. Just need to get a little time to work on it. I think I'm going to build it into the atoll, but am going back and forth between a series of rocky islands or something more like a small sandy "beach" area. I think that both have the potential to look really dumb/tacky (especially the beach) if not done right, so I'll have to play around with it and see if I can get something to come out half way respectable.

 

[CuzzA]

Yes it's a very cool way to setup a tank. He has a website you can google and check out all the details.

Just to throw some ideas out there as far as actually accomplishing a beach and volcano, I think the best way to attack it would be with pvc, egg crate, screen, glazing, pond foam, sand and rock.

You could build a structure out of pvc, zip tie egg crate to it, tack on screen and then coat the screen with the glaze and pour sand on it (maybe crushed coral first) and keep building up the sand and glaze. That stuff is as hard as nails once cured. Whiteshark (member on here) used the glazing for his false sand bare bottom. I used it to glaze pebbles in the bottom of my koi pond, makes keeping the bottom clean a dream come true. Anyway, I think the key asthetically would be getting the right drop off angle. Also I'd add some tupperware or something on the beach laid in the structure and filled with sand so crabs can burrow. And then for the islands or volcano you could do the same thing but skip the glaze and use pond foam and rocks. Hell you could even get one of those zoomed reptile foggers and some red underwater led lights and put it inside the volcano and that would look amazing. Be sure to add the empty Corona bottle on the beach too. Haha.

I actually planned on doing all of this, but decided to keep my pool table and go with a traditional rectangle tank in another location of my house.... Maybe I need to reevaluate that decision or do both. :uzi: $$$ Lol.