New clownfish/anemone tank setup. Suggestions please

Sorry I'm not sure what the exact dimensions are, judging by eye it looks to be around 24"L x 24"W x 28"H.

Onyx percs would be a much cooler choice since everybody and their mama has them mean ol' maroons! Maybe even a pair of cap clowns, however I never could get caps to host in a gigantea (no experience with haddonis however).
 
Nice Japanese tank there. I dont think his clowns had a choice if they wanted to host in the anemone. Anywhere they go theres the anemone. :lol:

Keep the pics coming Pikey! :)
 
All right the perimeter bracing is in and the sump has been water tested for 24+ hours. Here is a picture. I also got the pumps for my skimmer in today. I got a Sedra 5000 for the recirculating pump and a Via Aqua 500GPH pump for the feed pump. I hope to get the skimmer done this weekend.

Picture of sump.
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You have me wanting to try this with my custom 30 that I cant seem to sell.

I think I would want to attach it to my reef though. Maybe have a DSB in the clown tank and a bare bottom in the reef. That would sure make the set up and filtering it less expensive. :D

What made you decide to make it a seperate system?

Have you decided on what species of clown and anemone you are going to go with? Do you think my 30 would be too small for Maroons? Probably :( What about a gigantea?

Great thread by the way.
 
I think attaching it to an existing system would be great. I can't due to lack of space where my 200 gallon is in the house. Plus I am putting this tank in my computer room so I have something to look at while I am on my computer.

I have decided to get some Onyx Percs from Rod Buehler here on RC. I am still researching what my best option is for the anemone. I have had great success with anemones in the past so I think it is more a decision on what type would be suitable for the Percs, and the size of the aquarium they will be going in. I don't want this to outgrow my system like my Blue Haddoni did.

I don't think a 30 is too small for Maroons. I have seen ORA's setups for breeding clowns and they use very small tanks. The only thing I would worry about is the female maroon's aggresiveness toward the smaller male when first introduced.

I do think a gigantea will quickly outgrow a 30 gallon tank. They are very similar to haddoni's and I know haddoni's grow fast if fed properly and given good water conditions, flow, and lighting.

I have become extremely fascinated lately with specialized biotope environments, and I think this is my first step into that arena. I would love in the future to setup other tanks with the same idea in mind. Tanks for seahorses, pipefish, anglers, mantis shrimp, jellies, etc.
 
Sounds great, I am well off from setting up anything new. I cant ever make up my mind and the more research I do the worse it gets. I need to do a lot more research on anemones and clowns especially. But your advice has been great. If I end up tying it into my new system, Ill have to pipe about 8 feet behind a couch. Im not excited about that but I think it can be done. We'll see. :D
 
Alright...more progress and pictures.
I hung the light tonight. I love this OceanLight. It is so small and modern looking. I just need to trim the wires up by the ceiling and I am done. Very neat and clean looking installation with the provided hanging hardware. I do think I will switch to a 10K bulb though. I don't like how blue this bulb is. Anyone got a suggestion on a good white/slightly yellow bulb? It is 250 watts and DE/HQI.
Anyway...here are some pictures.
Left picture is without flash to show just how blue this is.
Right picture is with flash.
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And this is inside the tank with flash. This shows how it will be plumbed. The fourth return is behind the overflow box. It will come up and over the black acrylic.

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This shows the hanging hardware for the Ocean Light.
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I am going to start on the skimmer and kalk reactor tomorrow. I hope I can get them finished this weekend. I have the next four days off from work. Yeah! Happy New Year!!!
 
Great start for a specie tank. IME [limited] its going to be hard to find a white/tint of blue de. I have used 20k's [too blue] 10ks AB are my fav but have some yellow. Used the Hamilton 14k SE and it was waay blue for me. Maybe the DE is diff? I would research over in the sps forum. Lots of info on de bulbs there [I'm sure you know that].

If you could get the filtration on target and the lights turned up, it would be a great Ritteri tank. Build a pyramid of rockwork in the center and it should stay on the peak. Just waay to many folks with e.quad tanks.

Ali thats a truly awesome tank you linked. That carpet is unbelievable. Anthony has a big Red Carpet right now.
 
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Lights Are Bright - yes, you have to drill holes in the ceiling on the hanging kit. I really want something that is white or slightly yellow.

kris4647 - Thanks. I may look into the AB bulbs...I used them before with 400 watt moguls, and liked them. I was also thinking of Ushio 10K.
 
Wow...that is white. Does it look like that in person or is the camera making it look any different?
 
Okay...I got a little work done today. Here is the beginnings of the recirculating skimmer I am building. It is 6" diameter acrylic tubing. There is a flange to remove the collection cup. The skimmer body is 18" tall, the collection cup is 6" tall for overall height of 24". I am using a Sedra 5000 needle wheel pump just like on the ER skimmers for the recirculating pump, and I plan to feed the skimmer with a Maxi-Jet or something similar. I haven't really decided on that part yet. I am using Uni-Seals on all holes where pumps attach. This should make maintenance very simple. I still have to drill the holes for the pumps, and for the riser pipe for water to exit the skimmer.
Skimmer...
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Skimmer in sump...inside the stand...
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And the overall picture...you think this skimmer will be good enough for a 45 gallon tank? :D
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Still lots of work to do, but not til tomorrow. Time to start celebrating.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
 
willra - thanks. This is the first recirculating skimmer I have made, but I think it will turn out good.

Totlxtc - I may just have to order one then, because I don't see any blue in that at all. Just a nice crisp white. How long has it been running, and was it that way from the first fire, or did it have to burn in to get that way?
 
Well, no pictures of it in action yet, but I got the skimmer done.
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Now I am just trying to figure out the best pump to feed it with. The small white PVC piece at the top of the skimmer in the second picture is where water will enter the skimmer. The recirculating pump is pictured, and the large PVC part with the elbow at the bottom is where water will exit the skimmer.
More to follow. :D
 
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