hiya fellow reefkeepers, after a few years without any tank, i really feel the need to start a new marine aquarium. I had several in the past, from 100 to 500 gallons, mostly reef tanks. But this time i have a more original project, even if it's not perfectly clear in my mind : i know what i want in this tank, but i dont yet know how i have to do it.
The first thing i know is that i want a (quite large) refugium IN the tank. And that this refugium will be designed to looks like a lagoon, with even a (small) beach if the low flow allow it, and mangrove tree (for aesthetic purpose, the tank will be well skimmed) : if the tank size is about 50' x 35 ' (with 20 to 22' height max), i imagine the refugium as a smaller tank of about 15' x 35', fixed inside the main one, a little higher so the water flow from this refugium can fall softly in the tank. The height of this secondary tank will be enough for a deep sand bed (maybe mixed with miracle mud, at least in the mangrove area) and about 8' of water, for macro algae and pods culture. The refugium is going to fill the right side of the tank, and i will glue dead rock on the left side of it (the refugium) for aesthetical reason. This way the refugium will be integrated in the main tank, and the front and profile view will show a small lagoon behind the reef crest, at low tide...
beneath the refugium, i still have a small place, i don t know yet if i let it as a dark cave, kinda benthic refugium with rock rubbles : i can too let 2 openings in the reef wall, and place in this cave 2 Streams on alternate timer, wich could be convenient to avoid disgracious pump in the tank... it s the option i prefer at the moment.
In the main tank : this part of the aquarium (the ocean) will be square, 35 x 35', and i will only manage 2 pillars with live rock, linked by a big flat LR. I want a central rock aquascaping, with an alternate rotating current (was willing to use a Tunze WaveBox first, but it sound a bit tricky to use in this tank, with a refugium like that).
For the bottom, a deep sand bed if i can grab live sand, of a more limited depth if i can t get some (i m in France, and the reef is far)... the goal is to create a small indo Pacific reef tank, with a rather small variety of SPS, and few fishes : surgeons for algae control, and (much) later a dragonet (Picturatus or Splendidus). I want to avoid animals feeding in the water column, like anthias or chromis, and see how the tank is aging with very few feeding. Scavengers, herbivorous, and a pod eater, that s all for the moment. I think i can naturally feed the main tank with the refugium i planned (half the size of the reef part, with strong light too. And if the pods are not reproducing fast, i still have tihe option to go for the "mysis heaven" to feed the tank with bunch of eggs).
A bit too early to give more détails, changing house in a few weeks, and i still have choices to make : AC room or use of a chiller, location of the sump, etc... i have to find the good compromize between the ecosystem, low tech reeftank i want, and the minimum technology needed to help reducing maintenance.
Trying to draw something with Sketch up software, but discovering 3D so it could take time. If you ever had or saw a laggon tank with a mangrove zone, i would gladly read any advice.
Thanks a lot.
ps : i apologize for my poor english, i will improove it slowly but ready this forum, i swear
The first thing i know is that i want a (quite large) refugium IN the tank. And that this refugium will be designed to looks like a lagoon, with even a (small) beach if the low flow allow it, and mangrove tree (for aesthetic purpose, the tank will be well skimmed) : if the tank size is about 50' x 35 ' (with 20 to 22' height max), i imagine the refugium as a smaller tank of about 15' x 35', fixed inside the main one, a little higher so the water flow from this refugium can fall softly in the tank. The height of this secondary tank will be enough for a deep sand bed (maybe mixed with miracle mud, at least in the mangrove area) and about 8' of water, for macro algae and pods culture. The refugium is going to fill the right side of the tank, and i will glue dead rock on the left side of it (the refugium) for aesthetical reason. This way the refugium will be integrated in the main tank, and the front and profile view will show a small lagoon behind the reef crest, at low tide...
beneath the refugium, i still have a small place, i don t know yet if i let it as a dark cave, kinda benthic refugium with rock rubbles : i can too let 2 openings in the reef wall, and place in this cave 2 Streams on alternate timer, wich could be convenient to avoid disgracious pump in the tank... it s the option i prefer at the moment.
In the main tank : this part of the aquarium (the ocean) will be square, 35 x 35', and i will only manage 2 pillars with live rock, linked by a big flat LR. I want a central rock aquascaping, with an alternate rotating current (was willing to use a Tunze WaveBox first, but it sound a bit tricky to use in this tank, with a refugium like that).
For the bottom, a deep sand bed if i can grab live sand, of a more limited depth if i can t get some (i m in France, and the reef is far)... the goal is to create a small indo Pacific reef tank, with a rather small variety of SPS, and few fishes : surgeons for algae control, and (much) later a dragonet (Picturatus or Splendidus). I want to avoid animals feeding in the water column, like anthias or chromis, and see how the tank is aging with very few feeding. Scavengers, herbivorous, and a pod eater, that s all for the moment. I think i can naturally feed the main tank with the refugium i planned (half the size of the reef part, with strong light too. And if the pods are not reproducing fast, i still have tihe option to go for the "mysis heaven" to feed the tank with bunch of eggs).
A bit too early to give more détails, changing house in a few weeks, and i still have choices to make : AC room or use of a chiller, location of the sump, etc... i have to find the good compromize between the ecosystem, low tech reeftank i want, and the minimum technology needed to help reducing maintenance.
Trying to draw something with Sketch up software, but discovering 3D so it could take time. If you ever had or saw a laggon tank with a mangrove zone, i would gladly read any advice.
Thanks a lot.
ps : i apologize for my poor english, i will improove it slowly but ready this forum, i swear
