120 Gallon Setup Has Begun

[EleganceMan]

Not to mean anything bad but shoudnt you let your rock cure in your tank before adding your clown....then again i know how it is, you want to jump right in and start adding stuff....im the same way. but for real if you want me to hold him until your tank is ready i would have no problem....lol looking good

 

[bkwudzjeep]

Tank is looking great!! What did you use for your disconnects to your ballasts?....I keep going back and forth between a "plug" style and the smaller wire disconnects.

 

[marino420td]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7962096#post7962096 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EleganceMan
Not to mean anything bad but shoudnt you let your rock cure in your tank before adding your clown....then again i know how it is, you want to jump right in and start adding stuff....im the same way. but for real if you want me to hold him until your tank is ready i would have no problem....lol looking good

My first batch of rock did cure in the tank before the fish was added. I just received another 15 lbs and did not think it would hurt to go ahead and add this to the tank. I'll keep skimming heavily and watching the parameters to make sure this clown is not harmed. He is a very cool fish and I would hate to lose him.

 

[marino420td]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7962148#post7962148 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bkwudzjeep
Tank is looking great!! What did you use for your disconnects to your ballasts?....I keep going back and forth between a "plug" style and the smaller wire disconnects.

I used these plugs that came with the Lumenarc reflectors. You can purchase them from pacificgardensupply.com

http://www.pacificgardensupply.com/proddetail.asp?prod=lt9012&cat=2

 

[EleganceMan]

let me know how your rock affects your parameters, i would also like to add some to my tank.

 

[mg426]

That is one awesome set up you got going on, Looks to be very well though out.

 

[scaryperson27]

That tank owns my tank anyday.

 

[marino420td]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7962501#post7962501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mg426
That is one awesome set up you got going on, Looks to be very well though out.

Thanks. A lot of thought did go into this system. I made the common mistake with my first tank of jumping in with both feet without planning or doing my homework. I still have a lot to learn but this system is definitely coming together with less mistakes.

 

[marino420td]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7962634#post7962634 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scaryperson27
That tank owns my tank anyday.

Thanks. I started with a 65 gallon tank and it is still running today (although it has not gotten much attention lately due to the new project).

Mistakes made on that tank that will be avoided with the new tank

-no huge pieces of base rock just piled into the tank
-no green star polyps (although they are beautiful, especially under actinics)
-NO DAMSELS! (I know that technically my maroon clown is a damsel but you know what I mean)
-Buy a good skimmer (H&S on new tank)
-Buy the right lights the first time (on my third lighting setup on the 65 gal)
-NO DAMSELS
-keep rock away from tank walls so it is easy to keep clean
- and finally- NO DAMSELS!

 

[Milleme]

Are you gonna keep the 65 set up or take it down to make more time for the new once it gets set up?

 

[marino420td]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7962717#post7962717 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Milleme
Are you gonna keep the 65 set up or take it down to make more time for the new once it gets set up?

Good question. My 65 gallon is in our living room on the main level. We spend a lot of time in this room and the tank is an eye catcher when people come to visit. The new tank is in the basement family room. Right now they are both running but I'm not sure I have it in me to maintain two tanks of this size. I guess time will tell.

 

[STEELERFAN747]

I would still like to know why you are not a Dolphins fan? You live right in their backyard!

Well. I used to say I was a Dolphins fan before I really even knew what football really was.(I was about 8) (about 27 years ago)
The 1st game I ever saw was the steelers and the cowboys and what can I say (I think it may have been their colors.(black & gold rule/ go steelers!!!/ like I said I was young)
Anyways, I have loved them ever since and have hated the cowboys ever since, eventhough the Steelers beat them, but I had a few friends that were cowboy fans and they forced me into a rivalry.

 

[marino420td]

Fan and Moonlights installed

Fan and Moonlights installed

I installed two fans and a set of DIY moonlights in my canopy tonight.

Here are the best shots I could get without setting up the tripod.

I also bought a light for my refug at Lowes today.

I plan on adding a separate tank for a refuge soon, then I'll get the macroalgae out of my sump.

 

[pwj1286]

Nice work. Looks like your is coming along.

I am working on getting mine up.

 

[STEELERFAN747]

Hey Marino. Quick question. Did you end up installing anything to keep the lid on the canopy open? and are the fans blowing in, out or combination?

 

[marino420td]

I have not yet installed anything to hold the canopy open. I have run across several people on here that use gas springs for the job and I'm thinking about ordering some.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?...BHDCAHDHAHCGJGOGHDADADADBDB&filter=gas spring

For now, both fans blow into the canopy. Seems to be working because my tank temp in now 80degrees. It was running at 82.

 

[STEELERFAN747]

At what temperature do you keep your a/c running? I just want to get an idea if I make the canopy 16" tall,open top & back and I add fans, will I continue to depend on my chiller.

 

[marino420td]

I keep the house around 74 but this tank is in the basement which stay a couple of degrees cooler. Since I added the fans in the canopy the tank is hovering at 80.

 

[marino420td]

Not much going on with the tank at the moment. I had a bacteria bloom that cloudied the water a little. So I have kept the lights off for a couple of days and it seems to be clearing up now. I will probably keep them off for another day or two then things should start to happen pretty quick. I'm close to adding my first frag.

I also purchased a 40 gal breeder to use as a refugium ($1 per gallon sale at Petco, what a deal!). I will get it drilled for a bulkhead and I think I will make an overflow for it.

Stay Tuned.

 

[Cuby2k]

Hey Marino, great job and great thread. I am blown away by your woodworking skills on the stand. I could use your help so if you ever visit or sight-see in Southern Utah you have a place to stay. Zion's National Park is just 40 minutes away.

:rollface:

Where did you get your Rubber Maid sump? Did you mail order it or did you pick it up at a local farm supply store?