ColdWater Reef

[AquaticEngineer]

I just got done finally wiring and plumbing my 12 gallon wall mount tank last night, thought I'd share with you here for inspiration

Had a few neat little guys out in the holding tanks that I put in there

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This just the hardiest animals I had out in the holding tanks to get the 12 gallon going. I'm going collecting this sunday to really fill it It definitely helps having several hundred gallons of already cycled water sitting out in my garage, so the 12 gallons was a snap

 

[brian cummings]

The lid is like 1/4"

don't really need a thick lid really.

ah good, that's what I designed, didn't feel like going back and changing it. Waffled a bit, I know that micro-reefs makes their lids out of 3/8"...

 

[Kataro]

Does that crab host anemones? That's awesome!

Well good news is, the leaking stopped. Hasn't leaked in over 24 hours so I might be in the clear here!

Changing out the sicce 3.0 with a 2.0 later tonight if I got time. Got some river rocks, gonna smash some up and clean it before putting in tank. Salt being added soon!

 

[bugs713]

Awesome wall tank!!
:thumbsup::thumbsup:

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[AquaticEngineer]

Does that crab host anemones? That's awesome!

Nope, these porcelin crabs like to hang on the underside of rocks or in crevices. They filter feed the same way as the ones from the tropics, and every once in a while we find some blue ones like this:

 

[Kataro]

Nope, these porcelin crabs like to hang on the underside of rocks or in crevices. They filter feed the same way as the ones from the tropics, and every once in a while we find some blue ones like this:

Oops, I meant the white one.

 

[AquaticEngineer]

Oops, I meant the white one.

The white one is a juvenile Red Rock Crab. They dont host anemones, most cruise around looking for tid bits and like to bury themselves in sand. There are a ton of color morphs when they are small.
Heres a google image search link to some really cool ones

Heres a chart showing most of the color morphs

But eventually after a lot of molts and several years they all look like this:

 

[brian cummings]

I will have a filter floss to get rid of the debris and detritus before it goes into the overflow. Then a bunch of Bio-balls for bacteria (I plan to wash these throughout the year to avoid buildup). Then a bag of Chemi-pure.

That combines with big water changes should be enough to keep my nutrient down.

how big is that overflow box? It's just two chambers right?

 

[Kataro]

Yea just 2 chamber. I highly suggest you think ahead and plan out what to put plumbing wise and all that. Mine is a royal pain due to the limited space and the odd plumbings haha.

Right now, the plumbing leading from chiller to the locline is still leaking. I need a longer loc line thread, this one isn't in all the way.. But atleast it's only leaking inside the tank. Everything else is good, just changed out the 3.0 to a 2.0. Flow is still good and tank is sitting at 52-54F

 

[brian cummings]

Yea just 2 chamber. I highly suggest you think ahead and plan out what to put plumbing wise and all that. Mine is a royal pain due to the limited space and the odd plumbings haha.

yeah, that's why I am asking, trying to plan this out. I am going to make some mockups in foam core...ordering a pump maybe tonight...

 

[Kataro]

yeah, that's why I am asking, trying to plan this out. I am going to make some mockups in foam core...ordering a pump maybe tonight...

Nice! What dimension is your tank?

 

[brian cummings]

Nice! What dimension is your tank?

that's one of the things I am playing around with. It's definitely going to be small. The chiller I got won't handle much at the necessary temps...

 

[Kataro]

Got everything in and salt mixed!

 

[brian cummings]

what was your ultimate rock source? local gravel yard? neighbor's front yard?

 

[Kataro]

what was your ultimate rock source? local gravel yard? neighbor's front yard?

Just went to a landscaping place and got river rocks. They're 20$ for 1 ton... I got a 5g bucket worth for 1$.

Kinda wish I got more so I got more varieties, ran out of the black rocks.

 

[zrogst]

Scape looks great, lots of elevation!

 

[lostmyz]

looks great kataro! I know what you mean about planning your plumbing! its ultimately the one thing if you don't plan it out ahead of time its going to be a royal pain in the butt to work around.

 

[Kataro]

Thanks a lot! I still got a bit more fixing to do. The Sicce 2.0 give me decent flow, but I think I might need more due to the way I have my locline. One side have immense flow, while the other is lacking. I might just reduce the flow on one side just so the other side gets more.

Can't wait to get some livestock in there!

 

[Weyrman]

Just went to a landscaping place and got river rocks. They're 20$ for 1 ton... I got a 5g bucket worth for 1$.

Kinda wish I got more so I got more varieties, ran out of the black rocks.

You can swing by my place and choose some from my lawn's river bed! I have way too much.

Your tank is looking great.

I posted some pictures of some cold water tanks up in Washington State last fall if you're interested in seeing some Pacific Northwest creatures:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2245476

 

[Kataro]

You can swing by my place and choose some from my lawn's river bed! I have way too much.

Your tank is looking great.

I posted some pictures of some cold water tanks up in Washington State last fall if you're interested in seeing some Pacific Northwest creatures:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2245476

Thanks! I think I'm good on the rocks for now. Got like 30lbs leftover still, just not the right shape / color unfortunately. Waiting to see what I get from Coldwateraquatic and go from there.

Can't wait for next week!