A Reef Tank in the Desert - +/- 1,400 gallon system

[danfeig]

Dan, I hold you completely responsible for what has transpired today. While I am holding out for my in-wall project to correspond with a den remodel, I did decide to set up an tank just to get my feet wet, so to speak. I have sent out orders in all different directions. Of course, it will take weeks for my tank order to come in, at which point I will have a room full of equipment ready to go.

Just so the world knows, it was your build that put me on this path. If my wife seeks retribution, I'll be needing your physical address.

But seriously, I've learned so much from this thread, and countless others, just how interesting and exciting this hobby can be. Plus, I'll be teaching my 15 year old son chemistry this summer as part of the project in preparation for his AP class this Fall (a stretch at justification).

As for my first attempt, I went with a 187g with a 45g sump/fuge. I figure I have to crawl before I can walk.

Anyway, thanks a lot. I figure my life will never be the same.

Wow! Congratulations Hawg Pharm!

It's members of the forum like you that really make this all worth while. I am glad that I could help inspire your build and give you ideas. If your wife comes after me seeking retribution, I am sure that she can get through the gate on a FedEx Friday when Wayne is driving the vehicle.

Make a build thread and let everyone follow along! Documenting your build will not only help you, but countless others!

Thank you again for the compliments and let me know if I can be of any help to you!

 

[Hawg Pharm]

Thanks, Dan.

My MP40s came in today. To say I'm a little giddy is an understatement. I have a 110g in the garage doing a water test and was tempted to attach them and see how much water I could move. But, all in good time. Thanks for all the encouragement.

I'd bet money we get to see a video of those Sohals without the protective crate. Won't that be fun?

 

[danfeig]

Wow. Bruh I have to say you do have a challenge ahead of you. Are they going to be the last fish in the tank considering they are known to be a major major PITA with later additions?

Wayne, you know that I am always up for a challenge. I am anxious to see how things go this weekend. We are in Tulsa, OK for my nieces wedding and so they are not getting all of the feeding and attention that I would normally be giving.

My plan right now is to remove the egg-crate on Sunday or Monday evening when I am performing some maintenance duties and not for very long.

I doubt that they will be the last fish to go in the main display. Perhaps two of the last Tangs, but, not the last fish. I just want to first see how the two of them get along together themselves. What happens if a great deal comes together on two Gem Tangs???? Never say never! For now, one day at a time.

 

[danfeig]

im nervous for you! world war three at dans house!

LOL! Don't be nervous. Since inception with this tank, everyone has been telling me that I needed to have only 1 or groups of at least 3 of the same variety tangs. I have done very well with pairing them up. I think the key, is just being patient!

Time will tell though...

 

[danfeig]

Keep the updates coming... great set up...would also like to know how you get on with those 2 sohals..

Thanks irisindoexpat!

I will continue to keep everyone updated on the Sohals.

I love the picture in your avatar. Gem Tangs are beatiful and I would someday like to have a pair!

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

OK spill the beans. You know what today is!!!!!!!!!!

 

[danfeig]

OK spill the beans. You know what today is!!!!!!!!!!

I am not sure I follow pal!

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Danday???

 

[danfeig]

Danday???

Got it!

We flew out to Tulsa, Oklahoma first thing Friday morning for my nieces wedding. So with the exception of some live brine being flown in this past Thursday, there was no FedEx Friday.

I do hope to make up for it next week though. I should, knock-on-wood, receive the balance of my Radions. I have also been looking at a few corals on Extreme Corals, Unique Corals and Austin Aqua Farms. So, we will see!

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Got it!

We flew out to Tulsa, Oklahoma first thing Friday morning for my nieces wedding. So with the exception of some live brine being flown in this past Thursday, there was no FedEx Friday.

I do hope to make up for it next week though. I should, knock-on-wood, receive the balance of my Radions. I have also been looking at a few corals on Extreme Corals, Unique Corals and Austin Aqua Farms. So, we will see!

:headwallblue::headwallblue::headwallblue: Yes you did mention that earlier. Have a safe trip and carry on sir.

 

[danfeig]

LOL, it does look like they are starring in a mirror.

I love my Sohal, (as you can see he is my avatar). However I had a bad experience with him and passive clown tang I purchased a while back. I posted a thread about it and had some good input from Sohal owners.

The big difference is you have a small ocean of a tank and I had him in a much smaller tank. I currently have him and a bi-color Angel in a 125 gallon by themselves while I consider possibly adding him as the last fish in my 300 Gallon build.

What you have achieved so far with all the tangs in your tank is outright amazing. I love tangs and it is so nice to see that you are achieving that success.

I am watching this thread closely, thanks for keeping us updated every day.

Thanks Dotcommer!

Your thread with the Sohal was an interesting read. We just boarded our flight back to Tucson and I am anxious to see how they are doing.

I have a smaller Clown Tang along with the Moorish Idol that I nursed back to health, going into my main display this week. I am a little nervous about my Clown Tangs with the Sohal after reading your thread. Time will tell!

What's happening with your build? I am anxious for an update!

 

[dotcommer]

Thanks Dotcommer!

Your thread with the Sohal was an interesting read. We just boarded our flight back to Tucson and I am anxious to see how they are doing.

I have a smaller Clown Tang along with the Moorish Idol that I nursed back to health, going into my main display this week. I am a little nervous about my Clown Tangs with the Sohal after reading your thread. Time will tell!

What's happening with your build? I am anxious for an update!

The biggest difference is that you have such a large tank compared to most that posted in my thread. I am here in Las Vegas this weekend and checking out some of the local casino tanks. It seems like all the larger tanks have multiple tangs in them. From multiple clowns to a bunch of hippos and many others. Since your tank is so large, you can take your egg crate acclimation cages and use them as a tank trap if they start getting nasty once you release them in your main display.

As for my build I have been working with Josh (RC - CoralReefDoc ) . He has an amazing amount of knowledge in this hobby and is wanting me to spend a little more time getting my 90 Gallon dialed in before going head first into my 300 Gallon build.

He is really riding me on my knowledge of this hobby and wants me to things right the first time instead off learning at the expense of innocent fish and corals. So I have been purchasing my items for my build and also using some of them on my 90 gallon. Since I haven't been in this hobby that long, I am doing things like learning how to set up and program my APEX, setting up my dosing system etc.. And also really staying on top of my husbandry skills. I am also starting to grow out some SPS frags etc..

You always hear everyone talking about good husbandry skills and perfect water parameters. However until you achieve it yourself on your own system, you really don't know how well Corals respond. I am now finally seeing it for my self. My 90 Gallon is doing great and I am a lot more confident about diving into the 300 Gallon. If you ever run into any issues with your system and want someone local to assist you, this is the guy. However beware, he will definitely call you on stuff. I really haven't found anyone that is so passionate about the fish and corals. He treats them like they are his own kids.

Once again, what you have achieved on your system is outright amazing. Keep up the amazing thread.

 

[aquaph8]

Sorry Dan, my thumb likes to unsubscribe me from threads while on my phone. I kept wondering why you weren't posting updates and turns out it was my fault. Well I'm back, LOL.

 

[danfeig]

Moorish Idol Update

Moorish Idol Update

So you'll remember how I was having difficulties with one of the two Moorish Idols that I had in my QT with my Achilles. I thought for sure that she was a goner. I ended up taking her out of the QT and placing her alone in a 20 gallon tank with an external filter and kept feeding her a ton of live Brine Shrimp.

Meanwhile, it's mate went into my display tank about three weeks ago, a few days before I acclimated the two Achilles into the main display.

Well, the sickened Moorish Idol has been nursed back to health and has been eating a ton! For the last two weeks it has been in one of my 75 gallon QT's, holding its own with the Sohals as it fought for food.

It's ready to go into the main display. Either tonight or tomorrow night when the lights go down, I will be reuniting her with its mate.

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Here's one of it's mate in the main display.

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[danfeig]

Sohal Tang Update

Sohal Tang Update

Well, I came back from my weekend trip to find everything doing great!

My Sohals have continued to mimic and go after one another with the egg-crate in between them. Tonight, I nervously/reluctantly removed the egg-crate in between them for about thirty minutes.

Their first trial period together could not have gone better! The smaller of the two Sohals was the more aggressive of the two. They acted like dogs for a few moments, "sniffed, then chased". But then, they mostly swam next to one another and took turns playing "follow the leader."

Attached are pictures that I took with my iPhone:

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[danfeig]

Sohal Video

Sohal Video

So here is a short video that I took with my iPhone after removing the egg-crate for a few minutes.

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[aquaph8]

Thats awesome about the Idol, Ive always loved those guys. Good luck with the Sohals, looks like its going pretty good so far.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Great job Dan. I can't wait to see those idols hook up in the main DT.

 

[dotcommer]

This is great news about the Sohals and the Idol, You're breaking new ground :thumbsup:. I ended up at the Mirage in Las Vegas late last night and I watched two 12" Sohals swimming so peacefully together.

 

[Crazy_Beaver]

Pretty good news so far Dan!I am happy for you!