My Caribbean Biotope Tank Build

[jraker]

I better stop making a million threads elsewhere, and just start a build thread.

The tank will be a 65 (36"x18"x24") with 10 gallon sump. It will be coming in about a week. This will be primarily a macroalgae tank, but also some gorgonians and rock flower anemones. For lighting, I plan to go with some sort of metal halide (6500k DE). I can't decide whether to go with the 150w or 250w of either this one or this one. I am not planning to grow anything that requires an immense amount of lighting, so I do not know which I should get. Any input on this?

Here is my aquascape:

Sand will be Carib sea special grade mixed with crushed coral and some rubble so my jawfish will be able to burrow.

For fish, I plan to have a pearly jawfish or two, some sort of blenny, some neon and masked gobies, a group of royal grammas, a blue reef chromis, and a pair of cherub angels.

So, yeah. Welcome to the build.

 

[rocksaus]

Really like the rockwork. Looking forward to the build

Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Looks and sounds good, jraker!

If the tank is 24" tall, the 250w, if 18", the 150w.

 

[jraker]

Ok. The tank came, so pics will be coming soon.

 

[jraker]

 

[jraker]

With the sandbed- I am ordering 40 pounds of crushed coral (will not use it all). I am going to order 40 pounds of some other sand. With the jawfish, I want him to be able to be happy with the sand I use, so my question is what sand should I get and how should I arrange my sand? I can get 40 pounds of special grade sand or 20 pounds of special grade and 20 pounds of oolite. My next question is how should I arrange the sand? I can mix it together in a bucket, or I would probably layer it so crushed coral is on top, and finer sand goes on the bottom. I have seen this done with deep sand beds, where the oxygen gets trapped in the lower layers. Any input on this? Thanks.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I like fine sand on the bottom, with coarser on top. That way, you get a gradient of oxygen levels, accommodating different types of bacteria. The jawfish is also going to want some rubble in the half inch range, to build its secret, underground lair.

 

[jraker]

Thanks for the reply. I was planning on getting 5-10 pounds of pukani and smashing it up into rubble. Either that, or my LFS sells rubble.

 

[jraker]

Well, I now know where I am going to get my anemones. Austin Aqua Farms only charges $30 for these beauties: https://austinaquafarms.com/product/rock-flower-anemone-118/
https://austinaquafarms.com/product/rock-flower-anemone-103/

They have insanely bright color, and at a good cost.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

How's it coming?

 

[jraker]

Well, the tank is currently sitting in my basement. I do not have the stand yet. My Grandfather (He built the stand) is bringing it down on Mother's Day. I will be ready to pull the trigger and start the cycling process as soon as I get the stand. But for now, it is just sitting by my other tank.

 

[jraker]

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And here is the stand. It looks really nice. There were some modifications that had to be done regarding the plumbing, but overall there weren't many problems. I will get the sump in, and then the tank will start to cycle. I am excited.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Nice! I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

 

[nawilson89]

Impatiently waiting for this Jraker!

 

[jraker]

Lol sorry. Will post pics of the plumbing soon.

 

[jraker]

Yeah sorry. Finals week is soon and I am busy with school so when summer starts I should start to be more active on this build.

 

[nawilson89]

Yeah sorry. Finals week is soon and I am busy with school so when summer starts I should start to be more active on this build.

No apologies necessary. I drop off my build all the time!

I just really can't wait to see what you come up with!

 

[jraker]

As promised, here are some pictures of the plumbing:

This is my drain line and return line. You can't see the pump because there is a big support in the way. I will glue another piece of PVC to the drain just above the water line.

Here is the pump hooked up to the ball valve and check valve.

Another view of the drain and return.

The overflow box in the aquarium. My aquarium is 65 gallons pre-drilled by the manufacturer.

This is the pump I am using, the Danner Mag 9.5. I have no idea why the picture is upside down. I will put some silicone silencers underneath it because when I ran the pump with freshwater, it made a lot of noise.

The plumbing is almost ready, and I should start to get rock/sand in the tank soon. Yay!

In other news, I broke my toe yesterday:

 

[nawilson89]

Somewhere there was a lead that was buried.

How did you break your toe?

 

[jraker]

It caught on the edge of a box, and bent too far. Toes break very easily.