600 gallon plywood Down Grade!

[Cougarman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14539501#post14539501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Carant
Cougarman,

That is too bad about the rabbit fish ... the feature http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-12/fish/index.php actually help me decide to get one for myself (plus seeing yours). Mine is only 3" now but eating like a pig so I do not imagine it will be too long before "Buggs" is as big as yours was. He is a little skittish still however starting to hang out with the others. The yellow tang gave him a hard time when first introduced so he is recovering from that. Yellow tang is in the sump!

Two fish jumping on you ... hmmm going to think about to prevent this happening to me for the temporary tub that I have.

Pictures of the fish look great ... much less stressed looking than near the end of the "one week for delivery of the tank" situation.

Thanks for posting,
Bruce

PS Did you ever have a Acanthurus Tennenti "Lietuenant"? I can not seem to see one in your pictures ... I thought maybe you did. And if so how was it's temperment?

Good to hear you got a rabbit. Really neat fish. Yes I had a juvenile lieutenant tang, but he died in the transition. I used to have a beautiful adult for about 5 yrs, but he dissappeared last spring. I never found a body.
I lost my powderblue, achilles and lieutenant in the transition, the Rabbit and Fowler's from jumping.

Here's a pic of my old Lieutenant. They're beautiful as adults. I rarely see them around.

 

[Reeftanks6]

yea i love the tennet tang! Always wanted to see one as an adult! never see them around though. I use to have one but he did not make it. they are great fish though

 

[Cougarman]

Over the past few weeks I've been working on the refugium area. I started by drilling a new 35 gallon collection tank.

Then I put it in place

I removed the original 65 gallon deep sand bed and replaced it with one of the 150 gallon tubs. I then drilled it and plumbed it, and added the live rock from the 600 gallon display.

I put the sand from the 65 gallon aswell as the sand from the 600 gallon display into my 120 gallon refugium. It is now the deepest and largest sand bed I've ever seen.

 

[Cougarman]

I repositioned the main pump and plumbed it. I also added the tower filters and uv sterilizer.

I originally built a platform for the 300 display, but it didn't look right when the tank was delivered. I decided to use it to build a stand to fit over the rubbermaid tub to provide a platform for the A/C unit and ozone units.

I then positioned my skimmers and calcium reactor.

 

[SMOOTHIE]

What bit are you using to do the bulkheads and where did you get them?

 

[Cougarman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14561259#post14561259 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SMOOTHIE
What bit are you using to do the bulkheads and where did you get them?

Its a diamond whole bit. You can get cheap ones online on most drygoods websites. I got mine from http://www.mops.ca/

 

[Cougarman]

Today I picked up a large green monti cap colony from a fellow reefer. It looked big in the bucket. but when I put it next to my other sps colonies, it was quite small. I put it at the front of the tank, farthest from the light for the time being. We'll see how it grows.

I also took a couple shots of my 130 gallon with a few other fish that haven't made it into the 300 display.

 

[asmodeus]

couger what skimmer is that one mrc 5

 

[Cougarman]

The tank is starting to look very good. The fish are healing up well from the transition, and the colours of the corals are coming out. There appears to be some growth in the sps. I tested the water today and my nitrates were actually zero, phosphates zero, alkalinity 11, and calcium was 520. Everything seems to be settling in nicely. Here are some more FTS.

 

[Cougarman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14561302#post14561302 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by asmodeus
couger what skimmer is that one mrc 5

I think its an MRC-6R if I remember correctly.

 

[JustinReef]

I have to say I liked the 600G and think it was quite "well" stocked but still somewhat sane (although I know you took some heat for it...on some of the Canadian boards anyways) but this one...

I know my opinion really doesnt matter but man I don't like how cramped those large fish look Just doesn't seem humane anymore.

Maybe its just me though...

 

[Bax]

I like your RSDB, that is a huge bed of sand.

 

[Reeftanks6]

Very nice tank!

 

[Cougarman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14562011#post14562011 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by justinpsmith
I have to say I liked the 600G and think it was quite "well" stocked but still somewhat sane (although I know you took some heat for it...on some of the Canadian boards anyways) but this one...

I know my opinion really doesnt matter but man I don't like how cramped those large fish look Just doesn't seem humane anymore.

Maybe its just me though...

I miss my 600 gallon. I'll be heading back in that direction in my next house. Probably bigger. The 300 doesn't quite look as crowded as in person as it does in pics. The fish all pool in the front 6 inches of the tank when I'm trying to take pictures. But that being said, it still looks a little too small for even my liking. I just don't like the esthetics as much as the 600.
As far as the fish go, nobody is suffering, the water is clean, all are healthy, probably healthier than most peoples fish. The last thing I'd do is let anybody suffer.
I've been pondering finding a cheap used 220 gallon tank to split the fish up. My wife gave me the ok to add another display tank to the basement. I just don't know if its worth the time and energy if I. gonna move in the near future anyway.

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14562353#post14562353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cougarman
I miss my 600 gallon. I'll be heading back in that direction in my next house. Probably bigger. The 300 doesn't quite look as crowded as in person as it does in pics. The fish all pool in the front 6 inches of the tank when I'm trying to take pictures. But that being said, it still looks a little too small for even my liking. I just don't like the esthetics as much as the 600.
As far as the fish go, nobody is suffering, the water is clean, all are healthy, probably healthier than most peoples fish. The last thing I'd do is let anybody suffer.
I've been pondering finding a cheap used 220 gallon tank to split the fish up. My wife gave me the ok to add another display tank to the basement. I just don't know if its worth the time and energy if I. gonna move in the near future anyway.

Yeah fair enough

I know from ohter threads that you care very much for the fish and they are very healthy. It just seems so crowded now. So many of the Naso Tangs just get so big and are so active.

Its funny I am one to mention a tank being overstocked anyways, since I probably have too many fish for my tank right now...just doesn't look so crowded but it is true that when you take pics, the fish come to see what your doing and pool in the middle.

 

[Carant]

Cougarman,

Man, you have been busy. Thanks for the update on the "heart and soul" of your system.

Looking forward to having a good look at it prior to finalizing my system plan. Learning from others is always the best way. You just have to love this forum and the people on it for this reason.

So the others fish are looking great as well. Is that a Acanthurus xanthopterus that did not make it into the 300gallon (in both pictures)? Great looking fish ... a little less spectacular than some of the others. How is it's temperment?

What the tang that is with it in the back of the one picture of the smaller system ... is that an Acanthurus maculiceps? If it is, I thought that would have made it into the big tank.

Just my thoughts: I would imagine that getting another system for a year may or may not be in your best option in terms of the effort and time (especially getting it down and backup the stairs). Not that I would not volunteer to help out. If you need more space .. another tub may do the trick. The round ends allow for some pretty fast swimming. The 130 gallon looks pretty sparse right now .. and your water parameters are great. Although having the wife's permission for another tank ... man that is a real gift Likely you will just go out and get some new fish ... now there is another idea!

What about moving sooner?

Thanks again for the pictures and the update.

Bruce

 

[Cougarman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14564590#post14564590 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Carant
Cougarman,

Man, you have been busy. Thanks for the update on the "heart and soul" of your system.

Looking forward to having a good look at it prior to finalizing my system plan. Learning from others is always the best way. You just have to love this forum and the people on it for this reason.

So the others fish are looking great as well. Is that a Acanthurus xanthopterus that did not make it into the 300gallon (in both pictures)? Great looking fish ... a little less spectacular than some of the others. How is it's temperment?

What the tang that is with it in the back of the one picture of the smaller system ... is that an Acanthurus maculiceps? If it is, I thought that would have made it into the big tank.

Just my thoughts: I would imagine that getting another system for a year may or may not be in your best option in terms of the effort and time (especially getting it down and backup the stairs). Not that I would not volunteer to help out. If you need more space .. another tub may do the trick. The round ends allow for some pretty fast swimming. The 130 gallon looks pretty sparse right now .. and your water parameters are great. Although having the wife's permission for another tank ... man that is a real gift Likely you will just go out and get some new fish ... now there is another idea!

What about moving sooner?

Thanks again for the pictures and the update.

Bruce

Thanks Bruce. You're welcome to come by and see the tank anytime.
I'll probably leave things just as they are. I don't have any desire to carry another tank down the stairs again. It's been on my mind, but I'm leaning away from it. It would be nice to open up some space in the tank for the fish, but If I decide to do it it'll be by means of selling off some of my fish.
I still have a 150 gallon tub left from holding the live rock. I've thought about converting it into a make shift tank if I need it.
The tank is really starting to look good. All the livestock looks vibrant. I don't want to mess with it if I don't have to.
The two tangs in the 130 are an A. xanthopterus and a Striatus Bristletooth. There's also huge birdwrasse, coris wrasse, and my white-eyed moray.
Both the striatus and xanthopterus have an aggressive temperment, so I've left them in the 130 for now.
As for moving, I'm waiting for the market to tank. So far it hasn't followed the U.S. market. There'll be some good deals if it does. Obviously I'll be looking for the house that can house the biggest baddest tank possible. I'm not sure if my wife will agree.

 

[urbor]

Courgarman

what are the two fish in the tank waiting to go into to your 300 gallon

-one is dark red (not the coris wrasse)

-the other is a bright blue color (maybe some type of parrotfish?)

 

[Cougarman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14568834#post14568834 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by urbor
Courgarman

what are the two fish in the tank waiting to go into to your 300 gallon

-one is dark red (not the coris wrasse)

-the other is a bright blue color (maybe some type of parrotfish?)

In the 130 there is a desjardins sailfin, striatus bristletooth, yellowmask tang, coris wrasse, bird wrasse (turquoise colour), coral beauty, and parrotfish (red head, white body).
I'm not sure if I'm going to add any of them to the 300. If I do it'll be the desjardins tang, since it is a prize of a fish.

 

[Carant]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14568856#post14568856 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cougarman
In the 130 there is a desjardins sailfin, striatus bristletooth, yellowmask tang, coris wrasse, bird wrasse (turquoise colour), coral beauty, and parrotfish (red head, white body).
I'm not sure if I'm going to add any of them to the 300. If I do it'll be the desjardins tang, since it is a prize of a fish.

Cougarman,

Out of the two sailfin tangs, I prefer the Desjardins ... I love the spots and the line pattern in the adults. So my vote would have been this one first .. then possibly the Veliferum.

Both are winners - something very royal/regal about them!

In your 130 list you forgot about the Foxface. How did the foxface and the rabbit fish get along with each other? Thinking about maybe the foxface in place of the yellow tang (very unstable personality for me).

I was amazed at the size of your bird wrasse ... like it was over a 13" long. I have only seen small ones and pictures of larger ones with nothing for size reference.

Cheers,
Bruce