90 gal pre build

[Dakarta]

Allentown, thanks for the welcome and all the advice. I took note sin what I cal my fish diary, a little notebook I am keeping any info I get in as I work on setting up this build.

I decided earlier this week to go glass. Mainly because of price and the scratching issue.
I like the DIY projects and have seen some really great ideas as I look around forums and just browse the net in general. As far as the lighting goes I have to do some research about what I am going to need for the corals I want. I also want to plan ahead into the future and find the lighting requirements I would need for a clam. If I get the lights I need now for that, I don't have to upgrade later. I was thinking to go LED but budget wise I think I will have to stick with T5's. I don't think I want to go MH. Size of the tank will be 48 x 24 x 24. I belive this equates to a 120 gal tank. I've seen a few different measurements that are really close so I kinda averaged it out. I will definitely check out the lighting fixtures you mentioned to see. I'm sure I will need dry space under my tank too, but again I would rather be safe than sorry. I agree with working ou tthe equipment and livestock a tthe same time. That is why I want to figure this all out now. I can see what the needs of my final livestock decision will be, therefore I'll know what flow requirements, lighting, and all that I need. Then I can buy the tank, build the stand, Buy and install the equipment. Get the tank wet and let it get established. Then introduce the critters. About the fuge....it may be ambitious....I have seen it done though so I know it will work. Will it work for me? only time will tell, but I am hoping so.

Already have an RO/DI, looking into ATO's. The other equipment I have done research on but am taking one step at a time to determine what I am going to need, as far as size and to suit my needs and such. My cleaning and maintenance schedule will be made prior to getting the tank wet and will be set into motion once it is wet.

I am definately taking your advice on the corals. I was thinking of LPS with softies. Was thinking I am a bit novice for SPS for now but maybe down the road a possibility. I don't want an SPS dominate tank though, so I think the idea of just a few up top is great.

I've gotten some great advice in the last few days and have taken a bunch of notes. Got a lot of things to look over and decisions to make. I think one of the hardest things I will have to face is how to get the tank itself. I feel I am moving in the right direction and hopefully by this time next year I can have some nice results to post, here on the forum, for my efforts.

 

[FTDelta]

FTDelta thanks for all the info. This is exactly the type of feedback and advice I am looking for.

I will look more into the urchins. I knew they moved around but I don't want then to cause problems. Are there like any dwarf species?

So stick with just hermits as a CUC. I could do that I suppose. I am definitely not opposed to it. Any thoughts on shrimp?

clowns...you said just a single pair per tank. I have seen a tank at a local restaurant with two pair in it. I'm not contradicting what you said just curious how someone else was able to do it.

Cardinalfish. How can you tell male and female when you get them. I assume that where I buy them would know, but how might I check for myself to know I'm not getting duped?

Anthias first I have heard of their feeding needs, might have to skip. I know my wife won't feed them. she likes to look at the fish but says they are mine to take care of. Maybe if I set up an auto feeder for them.

Gobies....so many to choose from not really sure where to go with these guys. I have heard they can be kinda territorial toward each other. Can you have more than one per tank?

I will check the thread you linked as well. Again, thanks for the info. It has helped quite a bit.

Tuxedo urchins onyl get up to 3 inches max.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+530+595&pcatid=595

Shrimp won't bother hermits and will do fine - Coral Banded Shrimp can catch fish though.

No contradiction at all. As a general rule a single species pair of clownfish per tank is the norm - unless you have a huge tank (500gallons +). Clownfish can and will claim about 20% of tank space.

Otherwise mixing clownfish species or multiple clowns of same species will result in a bloodbath later on.

I'm not sure how to tell the difference between males and females Cardinalfish. This may be of great help for you:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/how-to-determine-the-sex-of-banggai-cardinalfish

You can set up an auto feeder but they tend to be messy.

Gobies - you can go with a mated pair but more info on how many gobies in a tank can be found here:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/1/fish

I do like the Yasha goby though. They would be very interesting to watch and see how they live together.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+31+1145&pcatid=1145

BTW - you can have 2 different species of shrimp in a tank.

 

[thegrun]

I know quality LEDs are a big expense up front, but they will pay for themselves within a year. Beyond the electricity savings and the possible expense of a chiller that could be required with T-5 lighting, T-5 fixtures almost never come with quality bulbs so right off the bat you are looking at replacing 6 or 8 bulbs at $20.00 each and will need to continue to replace them every 10-12 months to avoid algae blooms since the T-5 bulbs shift color and dim over time. With LEDs you get 5 years plus of no worry lighting at reduced energy costs and less heat introduced into the tank.

 

[boogly]

If your DIY skills cover wiring and soldering you might be able to make your own LED lights. There are lots of posts out there and most of them say "If I can do it you can too!". We apparently were the exception to that rule but it may be a viable option for you and as thegrun said the expense upfront is offset by the electricity savings and depending on how hot it gets there the savings on a chiller in the summer months.

I wouldn't trade my pincushion urchin for anything. He doesn't seem to be a bulldozer but will pick up anything not tied down he fancies. This includes live snails, frags, rocks... From what I understand the long-spine black ones can get the size of a basketball. Those I can see knocking over any and everything in the tank.

As far as your clean-up crew I'm not sure if you've been to Reefcleaners website or not. Their website has some great information and John is a great guy to work with.

I have a Reef Angel Controller. I think its less expensive than Apex but you get/have to do more programming of the controller yourself. It has a good support community if you have a problem with the controller and the owner Roberto usually answers any question within 24 hours.

I'm not sure if you've seen this Log sheet or not. I thought it was pretty nifty but admit I still write my stuff down on a calender. I think post #37 has a link to download the file if you're interested.

As for clownfish one pair is the norm but as I said you're always going to get differing opinions!

 

[Dakarta]

Delta, grun and boogly. thanks for the updates and links. really is helping a lot.

As for the lighting I would rather go LED a DIY LED may work out best for me save money two ways. I am an electrician so the wiring and such should be no problem. Definitely going to look into it.

 

[Dakarta]

Updated list of fish

Updated list of fish

After some advice from people on this forum and another I broke my fish list down. I tried to keep the fish on the smaller size. I don't really want anything too big in there. I also tried to keep most of the fish on the peaceful side. Not sure how they will interact with each other. I know it is said damsels can be agressive but the two sites I looked at siad the one I picked was peaceful. I also know that the wrasses and the firefish, maybe even the gobies might be jumpers. I know egg crate won't work but I will have a canopy and fine mesh screening on any exposed gaps

Clown: pair of Black Ocellaris
Cardinal: pair of Bangai
Basslet: one Royal Gramma
Damsel: one Blue Sapphire
Tang: one Bristle tooth Tomini
Dartfish: one firefish
Blenny: one Harp tail
Wrasse: pair of Carpenter's Flasher
Gobies: One Green clown, one Neon Blue, and one Yasha White ray w/tiger or skunk pistol
Dragonette: Green Mandarin later on down the road 9 months to a year

Any comments about the current selection are appreciated. Any suggestions on changes are appreciated. Any suggestions on any other fish that may work are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Dakarta]

oops double post delete

oops double post delete

delete

 

[FTDelta]

I think the list looks pretty good to me. However, I believe multiple species of gobies in one tank may show signs of aggressions towards each other.

Not sure if a Royal Gramma would be compatible with a Blenny though.

Perhaps someone else can chime in? I know snorvich would be the best person to confer with.

 

[Dakarta]

yeah i was worried about the gramma - blenny situation. The gobies I am hoping in a 120 gal tank that they have enough room to co-exist happily.

I did post on snorvich's thread for comments

 

[Allentown]

I had a gramma in a tank with a lawn mower. The lawn mower starved becuae my tank was too clean and my gramma killed any shrimp I put in the tank. I liked the gramma but they hide so much you only saw him at feeding time which is why I won't bother getting another.

For what it's worth I really like my Tommi...........but I like my Kole even better.

 

[Dakarta]

Ok so my ideas for the build are coming along great. I have gotten a lot of help from some locals I found in my area and here on the forums. I have decided to upgrade to a 120 gal tank. I am going to do go with a DIY LED lighting system. I have a good selection of fish picked out, and inverts. As far as corals I think I'm just going to have to see where that goes. I don't think I can plan that anymore than just the types I would like.

I was able to go to a fish store that is kind of close to me. They have a much better selection of fish than my LFS, and much better employees. The place was like a warehouse of fish. I also got a lot of good information from the staff. Found a nice looking tank. They were out of 120 but I saw a very nice looking 125 with dual overflows and holes already drilled. I'm going to wait until I am able to see the 120 but I might just go up 5 more gallons. Until I make that decision I think everything else is kind of on hold because my next step would be to determine sump size, pumps, powerheads, etc... I can't imagine much difference between 120 and 125 but

I really want to do this right.