So, before I even have had a chance to really start my 300 gallon upgrade I was given the opportunity to build a system for my father-in-law's pediatric medical center here in Palm Harbor.
They currently have a large hexagon aquarium with a center overflow. This system is 22 years old and quite unsightly. It's currently suffering from a large outbreak of Cyanobacteria that is blanketing everything. The only filtration this system has is biological; Rock, a crushed coral substrate and loose bio filter media in the sump. Needless to say, it's time for an upgrade.
I will post pictures and document this build here. The plan is, as I stated in the title, a 125 gallon full cylinder glass tank. The dimensions are 32" in diameter by 36" tall. It will have a black center overflow with three bulkheads. One for the durso drain, return pipe and electrical wires. It will sit on a furniture grade golden oak stand and canopy. The tank is being crated today and should ship tomorrow or Monday with a delivery later next week.
Lighting, Filtration and Equipment:
The lighting will consist of 2x 16" Chinese dimmable LED's on a timer. The sump has yet to be determined as I want to personally view the space available inside the stand, including the dimensions I'll be working with in terms of the cabinet door. Nevertheless, the sump will be pretty basic with a simple bubble trap. I'll be running a Reef Octopus NWB 200 Int skimmer with a skimmate container, a 250 watt Eheim Jäger Heater and a DC12000 return pump. I'll build a manifold off the return pump for separate carbon and gfo reactors. I will add a gravity fed ATO on a Eshopps float valve. This tank is serviced every two weeks by a commercial aquarium maintenance company so I just need a reservoir large enough to supply water between visits. I will also add 1x or 2x RW-15's for flow. This may seem like excessive flow, but due to the 36" depth of the tank I think it will be necessary to keep Cyanobacteria at bay.
Tank Theme and Inhabitants:
Their medical center was recently remodeled and in doing so they had an artist come in and paint a marine aquatic theme throughout the lobby where the tank will be. Being that this tank is primarily designed for the children, naturally it will have a Finding Nemo theme. We haven't decided on a stocking list, but for sure it will include most of the cast from the Disney movie. So far I'm suggesting a Clownfish, Blue Hippo Tang, Yellow Tang, Royal Gramma, Flame Angel and possibly a few Chromis'. I won't be adding a Moorish Idol due to their dismal survival rate in captivity and I'll have to do more research on the possibility of a puffer. Perhaps a Valentini, but I don't know yet.
Invertebrates will consist of Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Blood Shrimp and various hermit crabs, emerald crabs and snails. We will likely add some resilient soft corals as well. Zoa, Nepthea, Xenia, Mushrooms, Sympodium, etc. Maybe we'll add a couple hardy LPS corals as well, but I certainly will not put anything in the tank that will seal its fate.
So for now, I don't have much more to share. Everything will get rolling next week including the breakdown of the current tank. I'll likely have a few fish posted for sale and a nice large custom hexagon.
Here is a few stock photos of the tank to give you an idea of what it looks like. As you can see the area in the stand will be a challenge. I believe I'm working with 22" L x 18" W x 28" H. I'm going to have to get creative.
They currently have a large hexagon aquarium with a center overflow. This system is 22 years old and quite unsightly. It's currently suffering from a large outbreak of Cyanobacteria that is blanketing everything. The only filtration this system has is biological; Rock, a crushed coral substrate and loose bio filter media in the sump. Needless to say, it's time for an upgrade.
I will post pictures and document this build here. The plan is, as I stated in the title, a 125 gallon full cylinder glass tank. The dimensions are 32" in diameter by 36" tall. It will have a black center overflow with three bulkheads. One for the durso drain, return pipe and electrical wires. It will sit on a furniture grade golden oak stand and canopy. The tank is being crated today and should ship tomorrow or Monday with a delivery later next week.
Lighting, Filtration and Equipment:
The lighting will consist of 2x 16" Chinese dimmable LED's on a timer. The sump has yet to be determined as I want to personally view the space available inside the stand, including the dimensions I'll be working with in terms of the cabinet door. Nevertheless, the sump will be pretty basic with a simple bubble trap. I'll be running a Reef Octopus NWB 200 Int skimmer with a skimmate container, a 250 watt Eheim Jäger Heater and a DC12000 return pump. I'll build a manifold off the return pump for separate carbon and gfo reactors. I will add a gravity fed ATO on a Eshopps float valve. This tank is serviced every two weeks by a commercial aquarium maintenance company so I just need a reservoir large enough to supply water between visits. I will also add 1x or 2x RW-15's for flow. This may seem like excessive flow, but due to the 36" depth of the tank I think it will be necessary to keep Cyanobacteria at bay.
Tank Theme and Inhabitants:
Their medical center was recently remodeled and in doing so they had an artist come in and paint a marine aquatic theme throughout the lobby where the tank will be. Being that this tank is primarily designed for the children, naturally it will have a Finding Nemo theme. We haven't decided on a stocking list, but for sure it will include most of the cast from the Disney movie. So far I'm suggesting a Clownfish, Blue Hippo Tang, Yellow Tang, Royal Gramma, Flame Angel and possibly a few Chromis'. I won't be adding a Moorish Idol due to their dismal survival rate in captivity and I'll have to do more research on the possibility of a puffer. Perhaps a Valentini, but I don't know yet.
Invertebrates will consist of Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Blood Shrimp and various hermit crabs, emerald crabs and snails. We will likely add some resilient soft corals as well. Zoa, Nepthea, Xenia, Mushrooms, Sympodium, etc. Maybe we'll add a couple hardy LPS corals as well, but I certainly will not put anything in the tank that will seal its fate.
So for now, I don't have much more to share. Everything will get rolling next week including the breakdown of the current tank. I'll likely have a few fish posted for sale and a nice large custom hexagon.
Here is a few stock photos of the tank to give you an idea of what it looks like. As you can see the area in the stand will be a challenge. I believe I'm working with 22" L x 18" W x 28" H. I'm going to have to get creative.
