150 Gallon Build Thread

[Dbondaruk]

I'd recommend the four foot PowerModule for a five foot tank. I've been considering upgrading to a 48" LED PowerModule myself.

I really liked the Kessil lights but I think on a tank this size you'd need several to get good coverage without harsh shadows.

Ok thanks

 

[inktomi]

Hmm... now that I'm seeing that post on the site, it seems like TapaTalk doesn't do so hot with inline images. Sorry about that!

 

[muttley000]

Pro tip. Catch a tang by getting some black netting like for a screen. Drape it down the center of your tank and weigh down with rocks. Go about your normal tang catching routine only this time when it bolts it'll run into the screen and literally catch itself for you

Awesome idea!

 

[inktomi]

The marco rocks have tested 0 ammonia after two days, so the tang has upgraded to the 70 gallon stock tank that the rock is in. Not ideal, but it's gotta be better than swimming in a circle all day in the brute trashcan.

I figure, I'll give the tang a few weeks off in the rock tank, and then we'll add the rocks to the base in our display and put the tang back a few days later. That way the butterfly will know all the territory and the tang will have a new place to move into. Hopefully - fingers crossed - the tang will accept the butterfly because I'd hate to have to rehome it.

 

[inktomi]

The tang seems content in its new tank. I'm planning on leaving it here for a couple weeks... So at least one more.

The macro algae is getting out of control in the display. I never knew how much control the rang provided!

 

[inktomi]

I have to say that the Tinkeri has a pretty cool personality. It's always fast to come out and check out what you're up to near the tank - it'll also follow you around from side-to-side hoping for food.

Too bad it hasn't quite figured out NLS pellets are food yet.

I'm going to put some of the marco rocks in this weekend, and then the rest next weekend. Then perhaps half way through the week I'll try the tang again.

I never realized how much Caulerpa spp. was in my tank until I got rid of my herbivore. I used to worry that my tang didn't get enough algae - forget that! The stuff is everywhere and the tang did a great job keeping it invisible.

 

[inktomi]

Here's a quick autoawesome from Google+ of the tank as is today. I wanted to get one up here before I started monkeying with the rocks.

 

[inktomi]

Today we accomplished two goals; ordering replacement bulbs for our PowerModule, and adding half of our MarcoRock (about 25 pounds).

The bulb setup that we've been using for years and are really happy with is:

Giesemann Actinic Plus
ATI True Actinic
Giesemann Actinic Plus
GE 6500k Daylight
Korallen Zuch Fiji Purple
Giesemann Actinic Plus
ATI True Actinic
Giesemann Actinic Plus

 

[inktomi]

And now, with more rock!

Hopefully when we try the tang again (planning on that today) the rock will be different enough that the tang decides it's a new place and leaves the Tinkeri alone.

 

[inktomi]

Well reintroducing the tang worked for all of six hours =\

It spent the first several hours ignoring the butterfly - then went back to psycho mode.

Time to turn it into the LFS, unless someone nearish Las Vegas wants a Whitecheek Tang...

 

[inktomi]

So, we are going to swap this tank out with a custom tank from AGE tanks in Texas. We have two "wants" that this tank isn't filling:

a) There is not enough vertical space below the tank in the stand
b) More space front-to-back would make for more interesting aquascapes

Our new tank will sit on a stand that's 40" high - nearly a foot more space to work in below - and will be a foot deeper front-to-back. The new dimensions are 60" by 24" tall by 36" front to back (or around 225 gallons).

Here's the overview drawings of our new tank, which will be delivered after MACNA this fall.

We're also getting a new sump, one that's actually a sump with filter sock holders and probe holders and the like.

 

[inktomi]

And our new AGE tank exists! Now we just need to get it from Texas to Las Vegas..

Not that much larger (225 vs 150) but the main feature is an additional foot of space front-to-back.

We can't wait to get started messing with rock!

 

[muttley000]

Can't wait to see what you do with the extra space, do you have a specific plan for it?

 

[inktomi]

We specifically wanted the depth front to back to give us a lot more texture in the rock work. Canyons, nooks, ridges that go front to back rather than only side to side.

 

[inktomi]

Say hello to 40 amps of dedicated circuits!

I requested a 20 amp circuit for the new tank, and ended up with two since I wanted 4 outlets.

I should probably split off a dedicated build thread, eventually...