Great responsibility, no idea.

[superyacht]

Hey Reef Central.

I have just been given the responsibility of a 3000 litre, Fish Only aquarium onboard a 75m Super yacht.
I am just a simple Deckhand and the previous deckhand that took care of the tank left while I was on leave. I have just returned to work and have been given the responsibility of total care and freedom with practically no budget. I am really stoked and really want to do the best job I can as it is an amazing tank that could be even more amazing with just a little work.

Having no previous experience I thought this may be the best place to start and am hoping someone else may take a little bit of interest in the project I am working on too.

Basically the tank is 3000L(viewed from both sides), the sump is a 650L half full box which contains the protein skimmer and finally a 800L transfer exchange tank that is used to make new water for the tank.

From the very little research I have done already, I think I would most like to add a clean up crew and somehow incorporate some live rock to the tank.

My main query is how can I introduce live rock to the tank when it is already full of fake structures and coral? Am I best to leave the tank as a fish only setup as that is how it has always been run? Or can I add live rock and the organisms will spread across the fake structures? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Currently the tank has

2x Orange clownfish
1x Blue tang
1x Porcupine puffer
2x Spotted Gobbi
1x Racoon butterflyfish
1x Pig fish
1x Black trigger
1x Magnificent rabbitfish
1x Moorish Idol
4x Anthia
10x Damsel
(Apologies if there are any incorrect names)

Thanks

 

[Sk8r]

Oh, my. Well, for starters take a look at the sticky in this forum, the one with the red arrow. That's got a rundown of tank chemistry, which I also have in my sig line. If you can keep those numbers (for a fish-only, you can have lower calcium, as in, oh, high 300's, but if that splash of pink indicates live stony coral, you need 420 calcium) Generally you need specific tests AND supplements for those items, you need to maintain high circulation, and don't overfeed.

 

[billdogg]

It looks to be pretty full in the dt. If there is room in the sump, you can certainly put some LR down there.

You will probably be better off just going fish only, but some sort of a CUC is a good idea regardless. The Puffer and Trigger might want to munch on some of the CUC, but otherwise you should be good to go.

Good Luck!

 

[superyacht]

Thanks for the help Sk8r, all my levels are good as that is the first thing I learnt when I took over care of the Tank. I mostly just want to bring the tank back to life as I feel there is just too much fake stuff in there.

Billdogg, you are right about the CUC, I think that is the first thing I would like to add.

 

[Sk8r]

Microhermits are engaging. Urchins shove things, but they are cute, carrying stuff on their butts. And soft corals like mushrooms are practically bulletproof (as well as filtering water) if you keep the alkalinity steady.

 

[ScienceRulez]

Something similar happened to me. In fact my first post on here was a cry for help because someone put some clams in the tank and we lost all of our fish to Brooklynella. It was not the best of ways to start one's employment.

Anyway, Like other have said, read the stickies. Tons of good information there, in fact, read them and reread them, and re-re-read them. you can never read them enough. There is always tidbits to help someone out.

Next, would be to do searches on different topics, again lots of information.

Finally if you have a question, ask it here, most people are very nice and willing to help.

Best of luck to you!

 

[superyacht]

Microhermits are engaging. Urchins shove things, but they are cute, carrying stuff on their butts. And soft corals like mushrooms are practically bulletproof (as well as filtering water) if you keep the alkalinity steady.

Cool, I'd love to try urchins. Do you think the soft corals will be ok to attach themselves to the artificial rockscape?

 

[Sk8r]

Soft coral has that virtue. Mushrooms, if allowed to run rampant, and discosomas can do that---so can Kenya Tree and several others---can attach to any rock, and old or fake coral is probably no exception. It needs only moderate light compared to the blazing sun it takes for stony coral, it grows like crazy given really good water, doesn't take calcium supplementation, it is a living filter, and it's hardy. If you do routine water changes (10% a week) and just watch the temperature, the salinity, and the alkalinity, and set a photoperiod on timer, (doesn't matter what the sun is really doing) it should grow very quickly.

 

[johnike]

If you need hands on help, I'm willing to relocate to work with you.



Good luck, and welcome.

 

[bat21]

Considering this was thrust onto you, that leaves open the possibility that it could be thrust onto another person, and so on. Meaning, it would be wise to keep this tank as easy to take care of as possible. And that definitely means keeping it fish only. I see no reason you couldn't add a cleanup crew, but I would avoid adding corals.

 

[superyacht]

If you need hands on help, I'm willing to relocate to work with you.



Good luck, and welcome.

Haha if you can make it to the middle of the atlantic ocean then sure

Thanks

 

[CStrickland]

What a fun and exciting opportunity!

If it were me, I would change nothing for 6 months or so. Maybe add a few crabs. The first half-year can be fairly unstable, you'll probably have fewer issues than most do because the tank seems to be running well. Try just keeping it as nice as it is now, then once you have your "sea legs" start making it the tank you want it to be.

First rule of reefing is never say "all my levels are good" it's very bad luck. Now you have to through some salt over your left shoulder and tell us what the levels are, or else you will get aiptasia.

 

[superyacht]

Considering this was thrust onto you, that leaves open the possibility that it could be thrust onto another person, and so on. Meaning, it would be wise to keep this tank as easy to take care of as possible. And that definitely means keeping it fish only. I see no reason you couldn't add a cleanup crew, but I would avoid adding corals.

You make a very good point. I wouldn't say thrust though, haha I was very happy to take responsibility.

I understand that corals do require more work although I am hoping for just a few easy to care for corals just to bring a little more life to the tank.
Do you still feel they would be too much extra.

Thanks for your opinion!

 

[thelawnwrangler]

How automated is the tank? Feedings? Top off? Water change process?

You might want to make a manual to keep you focused and so the next person has a guide. Maybe a tank journal?

 

[thelawnwrangler]

What is the current light?

 

[superyacht]

How automated is the tank? Feedings? Top off? Water change process?

You might want to make a manual to keep you focused and so the next person has a guide. Maybe a tank journal?

I think it is reasonably automated. I feed them myself and do the water change. Most of the levels are recorded digitally.
I am waiting for another guy to return from his break to give me a proper run down on all the equipment because right now all I know how to do is feed them, make water, check on the levels and clean the protein skimmer.

With the little research I have had time to do lights do seem like a rather important aspect and I have absolutely no idea about them.

The journal is a really good idea as I wish that I was left one to look over haha.

Thanks

 

[Reef Frog]

How can an aquarium, especially one that size, handle the stresses of motion at sea? Especially in very choppy conditions? Isn't there risk of the tank cracking or water sloshing out all over the place? Good luck with your new position!

 

[davehead86]

How can an aquarium, especially one that size, handle the stresses of motion at sea? Especially in very choppy conditions? Isn't there risk of the tank cracking or water sloshing out all over the place? Good luck with your new position!

On a 75m yacht I imagine that there is rarely a time the boat has issues with choppy seas. Thats a big boat. And its a yacht, they stay docked during terrible weather.


Pics of the sump and all the other equipment would be awesome!

 

[borg]

i have always dreamed of a huge tank on a large yacht , i would think that even in minor swell gallons off water is going everywhere