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

[danfeig]

Madrid, Espana

Madrid, Espana

So today after my long run, while the girls were out getting their mani-pedi's, I was able to convince my son to come with me on a little excursion.

We took a taxi to Coral Reef, Espania.

A LFS that specializes in zero edge tanks and imports ORA Fish and corals.

The store didn't compare to that of Dauer in Barcelona, however, it did have some nice coral tanks. Pricing seems very similar to what is found in the states. The filtration systems I see here seem to rely more on canister filters and less on sumps, refugiums and protein skimmers. I did see a few tanks lit with EcoTech Radions where most have just had T5's... That was a first here in Spain. I don't think that I have seen the use of Chaeto anywhere.

Attached are some cool pics from the visit:

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I am still planning on checking out the Zoo Aquarium Madrid and two other LFS while I am here.

 

[NVfishman]

sorry no response just got back from yellowstone

The humidity sensor I have is made by Green Air Products model CT DH 1

there is a port with a plug for humidity on 1 side and a fan for cooling on the other

I have mine turning on when the humidity reaches 60%. The duct fan (fantech or similar brand ) is in the attic vented to the roof and a cord comes through the ceiling to plug in. I havent used the fan side as of yet a fan can be attached to circulate the air in the fishroom I will get some pics if I have time

 

[danfeig]

Holy Fish Tank!!!! Thats a LOT of Ehiem parts. Looks like you've had some very cool fish store trips! Is your family into it too, or are they out at the amusement parks while your checking out the LFS?

No question, I have never seen so many.

As far as the family goes... They love the end results! My girls are always willing to tell me what looks "pretty.". My wife doesn't mind looking with me - she knows it makes me happy :love1: !!! More importantly, she has never questioned or commented on the expense!

I always drag my son along. He is happy to be with "dad" and is starting to show more interest. Especially in the science applications of things....

 

[danfeig]

sorry no response just got back from yellowstone

The humidity sensor I have is made by Green Air Products model CT DH 1

there is a port with a plug for humidity on 1 side and a fan for cooling on the other

I have mine turning on when the humidity reaches 60%. The duct fan (fantech or similar brand ) is in the attic vented to the roof and a cord comes through the ceiling to plug in. I havent used the fan side as of yet a fan can be attached to circulate the air in the fishroom I will get some pics if I have time

Thanks NVfishman!

I hope that you had a nice time in Yellowstone. It is one of my favorite family vacation spots!

I appreciate the information on your humidity sensor and duct fan. Yes, I would like to see pictures of your setup when available!

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

So today after my long run, while the girls were out getting their mani-pedi's, I was able to convince my son to come with me on a little excursion.

We took a taxi to Coral Reef, Espania.

A LFS that specializes in zero edge tanks and imports ORA Fish and corals.

The store didn't compare to that of Dauer in Barcelona, however, it did have some nice coral tanks. Pricing seems very similar to what is found in the states. The filtration systems I see here seem to rely more on canister filters and less on sumps, refugiums and protein skimmers. I did see a few tanks lit with EcoTech Radions where most have just had T5's... That was a first here in Spain. I don't think that I have seen the use of Chaeto anywhere.

Attached are some cool pics from the visit:

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I am still planning on checking out the Zoo Aquarium Madrid and two other LFS while I am here.

I love family trips. I am glad you and your family is enjoying your vacation. So do you think its possible if you could kinda sorta maybe probably come home and lets get it on with this build? J/K Enjoy and keep the pics coming.

 

[danfeig]

Zoo Aquarium Madrid

Zoo Aquarium Madrid

If you are going to Madrid, you should go to Zoo Aquarium Madrid !!! you won't regret it, it's great !!!

http://www.zoomadrid.com/

So today we made it to the Madrid Zoo. It was a great facility and the kids loved it!

The aquarium part was a little disappointing after everything I read about it. I guess I am used to higher public standards in the states. It wasn't anything like the public aquariums in Seattle, Newport Beach, Baltimore, etc. Don't get me wrong, it was nice... a great shark exhibit and some nice coral/tropical tanks.

The aquarium fish did not look particularly healthy. The yellow tangs for example all appeared to have some sort of fin rot or looked like they were constantly getting picked on. A lot of the lines on a Clown Tang were all faded, same with a 6 line wrasse. I can't say if perhaps it was old lighting, too much carbon... who knows. One thing I did like about the tanks, and it gave me some ideas, was the presence of various types of Caulerpa, Halimeda and other algae/plants in the main displays.

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[acorral]

So today we made it to the Madrid Zoo. It was a great facility and the kids loved it!

The aquarium part was a little disappointing after everything I read about it. I guess I am used to higher public standards in the states. It wasn't anything like the public aquariums in Seattle, Newport Beach, Baltimore, etc. Don't get me wrong, it was nice... a great shark exhibit and some nice coral/tropical tanks.

The aquarium fish did not look particularly healthy. The yellow tangs for example all appeared to have some sort of fin rot or looked like they were constantly getting picked on. A lot of the lines on a Clown Tang were all faded, same with a 6 line wrasse. I can't say if perhaps it was old lighting, too much carbon... who knows. One thing I did like about the tanks, and it gave me some ideas, was the presence of various types of Caulerpa, Halimeda and other algae/plants in the main displays.

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That's sad to know, I guess economic crisis is affecting them... I've been there 5 years ago and it was great !!!

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Simply B-E-A-uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuutiful.

 

[danfeig]

That's sad to know, I guess economic crisis is affecting them... I've been there 5 years ago and it was great !!!

I think it has taken its toll everywhere. I stopped into Aquarium Madrid today and I felt sick to my stomach. Just one saltwater tank with some clownfish, filthy, no corals... The rest were freshwater tanks and filthy.

 

[danfeig]

Getting back to the Build!!!

Getting back to the Build!!!

I love family trips. I am glad you and your family is enjoying your vacation. So do you think its possible if you could kinda sorta maybe probably come home and lets get it on with this build? J/K Enjoy and keep the pics coming.

I am ready to get home, sleep in my own bed and get back to the tank build.

I spoke to our house sitter earlier in the week. Numerous UPS and boxes from Federal Express have arrived.

I have been waiting on the following:

1) Swabbie - self cleaning head for my Deltec Skimmer
2) Hanging Kits - Ecotech Marine for my 12 Radions
3) GFO Reactor
4) MP40's
5) Ozone - I decided to go with a Red Sea unit. The Aquazone Plus 200 Ozonizer.
6) Miracle Mud
7) Fluidized Sand Reactor - being made locally
8) Filter sock holders - being made locally
9) Live sand for the refugium
10) ???? I know I ordered a few other items from BRS, Advast and Marine Depot.

I also placed an order today with Reefs2Go for a bunch of pods, snails, crabs, and a very large cleanup crew. I am sure I will be dealing with jet lag, but I made the order for Saturday delivery.

How's that for getting on with things???

 

[Commandoe]

WOW, Now that’s some long distance multitasking! How’s the wife handling your blogging while on vacation? Are you hiding in the bathroom in the dark? :spin2: j/k Don't get caught, keep them coming!

 

[BigOldReef]

Dan,

On the Fluidized sand filter, make sure you find a way to try to keep that in the dark. The only maintenance it requires is maybe twice a year cleaning of detritus that collects on top of the sand. But if it gets light and algae grows in the chamber, then the efficiency drops and the maintenance goes up.

Dave

 

[danfeig]

Dan,

On the Fluidized sand filter, make sure you find a way to try to keep that in the dark. The only maintenance it requires is maybe twice a year cleaning of detritus that collects on top of the sand. But if it gets light and algae grows in the chamber, then the efficiency drops and the maintenance goes up.

Dave

That may be tough. It will not get any direct light, however it will receive ambient light coming into the room from outside. Keep in mind, there is a 18' porch over the window of the fish room. Do you think it needs to be covered? I could always put a tint of sorts on the canister. I don't have a closet that it can be hidden in. I would not get any lighting from my radions or from the refugium.

 

[BigOldReef]

Dan,

On my fish only it was kept in the dark stand and it did well. On my reef it was kept in the same room and got ambient light from the tank and it was more work. At the major wholesalers they have them sitting in the warehouses with lots of ambient light, but they use much coarser media, and it doesn't seem to be a problem.

My latest one which is 5' tall I mounted outside, and it's a mess. So I am looking at investing in a shed to install it in outside.

So the least amount of light the better.

Dave

 

[danfeig]

WOW, Now that's some long distance multitasking! How's the wife handling your blogging while on vacation? Are you hiding in the bathroom in the dark? :spin2: j/k Don't get caught, keep them coming!

LOL :lmao: She is sitting by me right now.

There really hasn't been any issues with me checking on things and updating while we are waiting for the Metro, at our apartments reading or when she is in disposed!

She hasn't seen my iPhone or iPad bills yet for all the international service though. :deadhorse:

 

[danfeig]

Dan,

On my fish only it was kept in the dark stand and it did well. On my reef it was kept in the same room and got ambient light from the tank and it was more work. At the major wholesalers they have them sitting in the warehouses with lots of ambient light, but they use much coarser media, and it doesn't seem to be a problem.

My latest one which is 5' tall I mounted outside, and it's a mess. So I am looking at investing in a shed to install it in outside.

So the least amount of light the better.

Dave

Thanks Dave. I should be able to place it an area far from the window and in a corner away from the tank.

I am also going to look into possibly putting window tinting over the canister. I will have to see what the finished product looks like. Where I am thinking of installing it, I believe that it shouldn't get too much light, just a little ambient light from the window (6' away) and possibly the refugium.

Regards

 

[danfeig]

Quick Update

Quick Update

I am told that EcoTech has finally shipped the light hanging kits and they are due in town tomorrow.

Friday is our big travel day back to the states, however, I am told that the Miracle Mud, Sand for the refugium and GFO Reactor are all being delivered in the morning.

I spoke to Reefs2Go and expect my large order from them (Primarily cleanup crews) to arrive Saturday morning.

I should have a great update with photos on Saturday. It will be good to be home!!

 

[BigOldReef]

Okay Dan, It's Saturday afternoon, I was hoping for the photo updates before I head out for the evening.... Some of us have been very patient


Hope the return trip went smoothly and you are just so busy unpacking all your new toys that you forgot your online friends are excited too !

Dave

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

I am ready to get home, sleep in my own bed and get back to the tank build.

I spoke to our house sitter earlier in the week. Numerous UPS and boxes from Federal Express have arrived.

I have been waiting on the following:

1) Swabbie - self cleaning head for my Deltec Skimmer
2) Hanging Kits - Ecotech Marine for my 12 Radions
3) GFO Reactor
4) MP40's
5) Ozone - I decided to go with a Red Sea unit. The Aquazone Plus 200 Ozonizer.
6) Miracle Mud
7) Fluidized Sand Reactor - being made locally
8) Filter sock holders - being made locally
9) Live sand for the refugium
10) ???? I know I ordered a few other items from BRS, Advast and Marine Depot.

I also placed an order today with Reefs2Go for a bunch of pods, snails, crabs, and a very large cleanup crew. I am sure I will be dealing with jet lag, but I made the order for Saturday delivery.

How's that for getting on with things???

I am slime, I am scum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FucbvoFFy0

 

[danfeig]

Okay Dan, It's Saturday afternoon, I was hoping for the photo updates before I head out for the evening.... Some of us have been very patient


Hope the return trip went smoothly and you are just so busy unpacking all your new toys that you forgot your online friends are excited too !

Dave

Long, long, day...

Working on a quick update for you soon!