Just cleaned thirty year old tank.
- Thread starter Paul B
- Start date
racrumrine
New member
Great thread.
I've wanted to keep a saltwater aquarium since the 70's. Unfortunately, lack of money, school and work always kept me from my dream.
To keep the dream alive, I've been dragging my old 55 gallon tank that I believe I bought in 72 through several moves over the years.
Finally, thanks to Finding Nemo, my small boys asked for a Salt Water Aquarium last fall. Rather than set up the 55 from scratch, I found a 2.5 year old existing 25 gallon tank.
Now the whole family is bit by the saltwater bug and we're looking to set up a much bigger tank. So big, that the 55 will probably be incorporated as the sump or something.
In hindsight, I wished I would have done it earlier. However, with all the changes in technology and methods, it's been amazing how the hobby has changed.
If Reef Central had a Hall of Fame thread area, yours would get my nomination.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I'm sure your frequent introductions of fresh sea life in your tank has really contributed to the success of your tank. I only live a few minutes away from the beach and always thought it would be good to add some natural water. Unfortunately, based on what all the "experts" have said, I was freaked out about it.
After seeing the success you have had, I'm not going to be afraid to try it.
Regards,
Roy
I've wanted to keep a saltwater aquarium since the 70's. Unfortunately, lack of money, school and work always kept me from my dream.
To keep the dream alive, I've been dragging my old 55 gallon tank that I believe I bought in 72 through several moves over the years.
Finally, thanks to Finding Nemo, my small boys asked for a Salt Water Aquarium last fall. Rather than set up the 55 from scratch, I found a 2.5 year old existing 25 gallon tank.
Now the whole family is bit by the saltwater bug and we're looking to set up a much bigger tank. So big, that the 55 will probably be incorporated as the sump or something.
In hindsight, I wished I would have done it earlier. However, with all the changes in technology and methods, it's been amazing how the hobby has changed.
If Reef Central had a Hall of Fame thread area, yours would get my nomination.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I'm sure your frequent introductions of fresh sea life in your tank has really contributed to the success of your tank. I only live a few minutes away from the beach and always thought it would be good to add some natural water. Unfortunately, based on what all the "experts" have said, I was freaked out about it.
After seeing the success you have had, I'm not going to be afraid to try it.
Regards,
Roy
Paul B
Premium Member
Roy, start that tank up and experiment. I do have experience but I have also had a lot of failures and mistakes. I have lost animals because a bar of soap fell into the water and was in there all night, I lost most of the animals twice because of a chlorine bleach mistake. If it were not for those three incidences some of my fish may have lived longer than ten or sixteen years but I guess in the sea they would not have lived that long either. Since I am an inventer this hobby gives me plenty of opportunity to experiment, sometimes with not so good results. But I will try to keep learning and having fun. Tomorrow I will be taking my boat out to meet our other boating friends and we will all tie up together near a large salt marsh. I always bring my net and pail to look for unusual creatures, rocks, bottles or what not to stick in the tank. All my life I kept a snorkel and a net handy. You got to love it.
Paul
Paul
Paul B
Premium Member
Boating today as usual was great but I didn't get anything unusual, just fiddler crabs, hermit crabs, horseshoe crabs and Japanese shore crabs. I have a small mud flat tank for the crabs. I did get a few thousand amphipods though. You can't have too many amphipods.
Roy, did you start that tank?
Paul
Roy, did you start that tank?
Paul
racrumrine
New member
Paul:
Our family has been learning on the 25 gallon we've had for about 8 months now.
At first we really wanted a 155 or 175 bow front for the large tank. Lately, I'm thinking of going with something that is 72x24x24. I guess that would be about 180 gallons. I think I'd have an easier time getting a sump underneath. And, I think that having that 24" width all the way across will make it more comfortable for the fish.
I could possibly see us going longer; but, probably not wider or taller. In the last 8 months, we've gone back and forth on at least 4 places we could put the tank. Our favorite place might not work because it shares a wall with the master bedroom. When I had a QT tank up against the wall, the wife did not like the vibration of the equipment on the wood floors.
The next best place involves cutting into an existing wall. Yikes.
When we finally decide what to do and get it set up, I'll let you know.
Regards,
Roy
Our family has been learning on the 25 gallon we've had for about 8 months now.
At first we really wanted a 155 or 175 bow front for the large tank. Lately, I'm thinking of going with something that is 72x24x24. I guess that would be about 180 gallons. I think I'd have an easier time getting a sump underneath. And, I think that having that 24" width all the way across will make it more comfortable for the fish.
I could possibly see us going longer; but, probably not wider or taller. In the last 8 months, we've gone back and forth on at least 4 places we could put the tank. Our favorite place might not work because it shares a wall with the master bedroom. When I had a QT tank up against the wall, the wife did not like the vibration of the equipment on the wood floors.
The next best place involves cutting into an existing wall. Yikes.
When we finally decide what to do and get it set up, I'll let you know.
Regards,
Roy
Paul B
Premium Member
Roy, thats a nice size tank. Mine is only 100 gallons. It is 72 by about 14" but you are correct the width would make it easier to aquascape. My rocks are large because I collected them myself and I find them too close to the front glass. I always find me removing rocks to make more room. I don't have a sump because they were not common when I started but in my next tank I will probably put one in.
Take care
Paul
Take care
Paul
Anthony8858
New member
bump.....
Sorry guys, I had to save this thread for later.
Sorry guys, I had to save this thread for later.
Paul! Very nice tank, and I've taken a recent liking to making my own live rock (or at least some of it) for an up and coming 90G I have. What method do you use (or can u point me in the right reading direction at least?) I'd really like to make a few step pyramids for my new tank, and i think they'll look hot once theres some coralline on them or even some corals....
Thanks!
BTW - your tank is older than I am....
Thanks!
BTW - your tank is older than I am....
Paul B
Premium Member
mderemick, Here is a link to an article I wrote a few years ago about one type of rock. If you want rock made out of all concrete I will have to take some time to compose that. Let me know.
Paul
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/6279/RaiseCementHomemadeConglomerateRocks.html
Paul
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/6279/RaiseCementHomemadeConglomerateRocks.html
Thanks! Ill read it later on when i get home. I'm planning on just making a mold out of styrofoam for the pyramid and all, so hopefully this works and looks good! (Ill post pics when I do it, but ill probably take my sweet time).
Thanks again for the link and no need to waste time in writing another article up.
Thanks again for the link and no need to waste time in writing another article up.
oreocookie713
In Memoriam
Paul if u sell those pods i'd like to buy some from u...i know there's a great demand for pods and online vendor sell them but too expensive...just an idea hope u pick up on it
Paul B
Premium Member
I use fiberglass resin. It's clear and dries in under an hour. I once used it to coat copper tubing which was then installed in my urchin tank. I used to have an urchin collecting business and I built a chiller to keep the water at about 50 degrees. Urchins are very sensitive to copper and I never lost any urchins.
You can get fiberglass resin in an automotive or marine store.
Paul
You can get fiberglass resin in an automotive or marine store.
Paul
scottfarcuz
New member
Looks like we have 2 PaulB's? Well one has a space but still could get confusing...
mike9515756
New member
Hi paul, i am inspired by your work. Can you explain me the curing process in more detail. Why do you keep the cement damp for 1-2 days when making the rock? Isn't it better to let it dry fast?
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