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

[danfeig]

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.

Thanks Brett!

I am glad that you are back around. Your tank is looking awesome!

I look forward to seeing you at the frag swap on the 20th!

 

[coralreefdoc]

Brett. Dont feel bad, happens to me ALL THE TIME, as I usually frequent the site via iPhone on the go ...

Why theyve yet to add a confirmation step, to the unsubscribe (from thread) link/feature, is beyond me.

MODS. :wavehand: Please incorporate this feature for all us members with "clumsy phalanges" ... Im sure the swanky, new servers wont be worse for wear from it

 

[coralreefdoc]

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.

Sal. Greatly appreciate the comments ... Glad to help ensure the environment you ultimately provide for those organisms, and any future, thoroughly researched/responsibly incorporated, additions is of the highest quality possible !

Thanks Dotcommer!

I had a blast looking at all the tanks in Vegas too! Some were real impressive. I wanted to see the gum ball tank at Serendipity that was on one of the episodes of Tanked. Unfortunately, it had already been removed.

I think that it is great you are spending time with Josh (Coral Reef Doc) on your current system. I have followed a number of his posts on various threads and he seems to be very knowledgeable. Getting things dialed in on your 90 and learning how to use your equipment first is a smart move.

Good husbandry skills are a never ending process. It's good to get in the habit now as it will pay dividends in the future. I spend at least 1/2 hour each night checking/working on things plus a good 15 minutes each morning. Fridays, are my maintenance days and I spend several more hours cleaning, doing water changes, etc. You'll set some habits as to when you are changing your filter socks, wiping off your lights, checking your chemicals, performing water changes, etc. On the subject of water changes, I am real happy with the Genesis Renew system!

As for fish and coral, slow is always good. You'll establish your own rhythm. As corny as it sounds, the fish to me are like my other pets. When I stand in front of my tank, I start counting them one by one. When something is missing, I go nuts looking for him/her. They all have their own personalities and several of them now greet me at the glass.

I will continue to look forward to updates on your build!

Dan. Nice system, both aesthetic and mechanical, youre in the beginning stages of composing ... Feel free to contact me with ANY, related or unrelated, problems/comments/questions/concerns, if you prefer/deem warranted !


Thank you, again, for the kind words, guys ...

 

[danfeig]

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

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

Thanks guys!

I am really happy with them. I had the egg-crate removed for an hour earlier today while I was cleaning and doing a water change in my QT's.

They are both starting to lose their "shyness" when I walk by the tank. The smaller Sohal was less aggressive today but still let the other one know who was the boss.

 

[danfeig]

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.

Thanks!

I certainly hope that my Sohals don't grow that large! I love the tanks at the Mirage. I am thinking that in another 10 days or so, I will remove the egg-crate. We'll have to see what the next week brings.

 

[danfeig]

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

Thanks Loukas!

 

[reef_of_flames]

Thanks Dotcommer!

I had a blast looking at all the tanks in Vegas too! Some were real impressive. I wanted to see the gum ball tank at Serendipity that was on one of the episodes of Tanked. Unfortunately, it had already been removed.

I think that it is great you are spending time with Josh (Coral Reef Doc) on your current system. I have followed a number of his posts on various threads and he seems to be very knowledgeable. Getting things dialed in on your 90 and learning how to use your equipment first is a smart move.

Good husbandry skills are a never ending process. It's good to get in the habit now as it will pay dividends in the future. I spend at least 1/2 hour each night checking/working on things plus a good 15 minutes each morning. Fridays, are my maintenance days and I spend several more hours cleaning, doing water changes, etc. You'll set some habits as to when you are changing your filter socks, wiping off your lights, checking your chemicals, performing water changes, etc. On the subject of water changes, I am real happy with the Genesis Renew system!

As for fish and coral, slow is always good. You'll establish your own rhythm. As corny as it sounds, the fish to me are like my other pets. When I stand in front of my tank, I start counting them one by one. When something is missing, I go nuts looking for him/her. They all have their own personalities and several of them now greet me at the glass.

I will continue to look forward to updates on your build!

Out of curiosity, how many fish DO you have? lol Do you have a checklist or something?! (Because I saw so many fish in the video of your DT)

 

[jaydashare]

Nice job with the idols! Can't wait to see the sohals in the dt!

 

[danfeig]

great news about Sohals and the Moorish Idol. definitely taking notes on how to introduce 2 of the same tangs together! have you any major issues with any of the other tangs in DT?

Thanks RIGUY314!

None whatsoever! Occasionally, one of my Powder Blues will chase something for a second, but very rarely. I have found that if I have quarantined any two tangs together, they stay real close to one another in my main display. If two Tangs of the same species were introduced into the tank separately, they don't hang out as much together. It's very strange... at first I thought it was strictly a coincidence, but as I went through my QT process, it became more common.

 

[RIGUY314]

Thanks RIGUY314!

None whatsoever! Occasionally, one of my Powder Blues will chase something for a second, but very rarely. I have found that if I have quarantined any two tangs together, they stay real close to one another in my main display. If two Tangs of the same species were introduced into the tank separately, they don't hang out as much together. It's very strange... at first I thought it was strictly a coincidence, but as I went through my QT process, it became more common.

thanks for the info. what a great job you are doing.

 

[dotcommer]

I have found that if I have quarantined any two tangs together, they stay real close to one another in my main display. If two Tangs of the same species were introduced into the tank separately, they don't hang out as much together. It's very strange... at first I thought it was strictly a coincidence, but as I went through my QT process, it became more common.

This is great info to know, and will definately help me on my build as well as the community. (I love tangs) you may have posted in an earlier thread, but how large are your QT tanks and how many do you have running?

 

[danfeig]

Your methods continue to impress me (I'm still taking notes).

Dan everything looks amazing!!!! I cant wait to see the Sohal's promoted to the big tank!

Joe, Steve,

Thanks a bunch! The Sohals are doing well, however, I am in no hurry to move them. I removed the egg-crate for an hour today. The little one is still being more aggressive to the larger one. That will change though...

 

[danfeig]

Great news about the Idol and the Sohal pair! Any new projects you have planned after the Sohals enter the display?

You know Eville, I just don't know. I have been thinking about taking one of the 75 gallon QT's, placing some live rock in it, some moderate aquascaping and turning it into an anemone/clown tank and trying my hand at breeding some Clown Fish. I like the idea of making babies since my wife and I stopped long ago.

 

[coralreefdoc]

This is great info to know, and will definately help me on my build as well as the community. (I love tangs) you may have posted in an earlier thread, but how large are your QT tanks and how many do you have running?

That is fairly common knowledge, with regards to social behavior/acclimation in Genera of Tangs. Hence, why it is commonly recommended to add all/most Tang specimens in the same/similar timeframe ... But, not before its suitable for their addition to the system.

Dan. Certainly no coincidence the positive behavioral aspects, you've been fortunate enough to experience, correlated with this method of quarantine/acclimation. Considering you wernt aware of this method/aspect of Tang care/social behavior, beforehand, it was an excellent intuitive decision at the time.

 

[UB400]

Hi, I'm new here and just spent the better part of an afternoon reading through the thread, awesome tank.

 

[Crazy_Beaver]

Hi, I'm new here and just spent the better part of an afternoon reading through the thread, awesome tank.

What a great evening u had then!:dance:

Dan u are up with the top!

 

[danfeig]

Amazing, you have some great husbandry skills. Beautiful fish x 2.

Thank you SKAREEF!

I spend a lot of time keeping things running smoothly. Or at least I try too! One of these days I will have to have a company take care of the maintenance.

I appreciate the compliments!

 

[danfeig]

The Idols look great. Excellent job nursing them back to health and getting them to eat.

You are breaking grounds with the Sohals, I am very excited the way things are going. This mild aggression is happening in a QT tank, once they have all that swimming room in the DT, they may become best friends. I wonder if there is anyway to tell the gender of a Sohal.

Thanks dotcommer! The Idols are doing splendid!

I am amazed that the smaller Sohal is still the aggressive one. It appears that the larger Sohal could rip it to shreds if it wanted to. The one thing that I noticed over the weekend was that although they were both hanging out near the egg-crate, they aren't going up and down and mimicking one another as if they were staring at a mirror. I view this as a sign that they are getting used to one another!

 

[danfeig]

That is a beautiful thing with those idols. I am glad the progress is going well for you.

Great news

Thanks guys!

Loukas, your build is coming along nicely!

Leroy, Man UP and get some progress made!

 

[danfeig]

Great to see the idols back together. I am enjoying reading about your aclimation procedure with the Sohals as well. Great knowledge and expericnes are being shared in this thread!

Thanks Renton777.

The procedure is working that's for sure. I have had the two Sohals together without the egg-crate tonight for over 4 hours thus far. I am real tempted to leave the egg-crate out when I go to sleep. They are either ignoring one another or taking turns chasing one another. The larger one is definitely feeling more confident and comfortable. The smaller one has backed down somewhat from her aggression.

Thank you very much for the compliments!