This project is to replace a 150 gallon mixed reef that has lost its vibrancy. The theory is due to "œold tank syndrome". This system had been running for sixteen (16) years. I had followed John Tullock's 1996 book, Natural Reef Aquariums. The set up included a deep sand bed, 180 pounds of live rock, sump, a Berlin skimmer, VHO lighting and with a simple kalkwasser auto top off system. It was my pride and joy for many years.
Over the years upgrades were made such as a larger skimmer and pump, powerheads on a wavemaker, changing from VHO lighting to T5's then to LED's, adding a kalk stirrer and biopellet reactor and hiring my LFS to service the tank each month. The bucket brigrade water changing process became too much for me. In spite of these steps and, even with acceptable alkalinity and Ph. readings the corals were just no longer thriving, coralline algae had died back and slime algae became problematic. Massive water changes, GFO, carbon, etc. all to no avail. I concluded that the live rock had "œbecome full" and there was no longer any filtering capacity.
I had considered breaking it down and going back to South American cichlids or changing to African cichlids. But, Da Boss (Missus Foley) objected and reminded me how much I love my reef tank. So, with the Missus's reluctant agreement it is time to upgrade to the biggest darn reef tank I can get in our living room!
I've teamed up with www.Customaquariums.com and my LFS, Capital Aquarium to make this happen. Mark and Ted at Customaquariums.com have been super supportive (and patient) as we went through the options for a 300g (96Lx24Wx30H) tank, canopy and stand.
Zack and his crew at Capitol Aquarium ( http://capitalaquarium.com/ ) will do the installation and have already broken down the 150g. He moved the inhabitants to a 90g temporary home. The old live rock has been cooking in a Brute container of heated saltwater with a powerhead for movement. Judging by the amount of crud that has precipitated out of the rock the idea that it was "œfull" appears to be the case.
Here are a couple photos of what was the 150g. The first is a few years ago and shows all the healthy coralline. The second more recent, not so much.
This project is underway and I am expecting delivery of the new customaquariums.com 300g tank within a couple weeks. More to come"¦!
Over the years upgrades were made such as a larger skimmer and pump, powerheads on a wavemaker, changing from VHO lighting to T5's then to LED's, adding a kalk stirrer and biopellet reactor and hiring my LFS to service the tank each month. The bucket brigrade water changing process became too much for me. In spite of these steps and, even with acceptable alkalinity and Ph. readings the corals were just no longer thriving, coralline algae had died back and slime algae became problematic. Massive water changes, GFO, carbon, etc. all to no avail. I concluded that the live rock had "œbecome full" and there was no longer any filtering capacity.
I had considered breaking it down and going back to South American cichlids or changing to African cichlids. But, Da Boss (Missus Foley) objected and reminded me how much I love my reef tank. So, with the Missus's reluctant agreement it is time to upgrade to the biggest darn reef tank I can get in our living room!
I've teamed up with www.Customaquariums.com and my LFS, Capital Aquarium to make this happen. Mark and Ted at Customaquariums.com have been super supportive (and patient) as we went through the options for a 300g (96Lx24Wx30H) tank, canopy and stand.
Zack and his crew at Capitol Aquarium ( http://capitalaquarium.com/ ) will do the installation and have already broken down the 150g. He moved the inhabitants to a 90g temporary home. The old live rock has been cooking in a Brute container of heated saltwater with a powerhead for movement. Judging by the amount of crud that has precipitated out of the rock the idea that it was "œfull" appears to be the case.
Here are a couple photos of what was the 150g. The first is a few years ago and shows all the healthy coralline. The second more recent, not so much.
This project is underway and I am expecting delivery of the new customaquariums.com 300g tank within a couple weeks. More to come"¦!
