New clownfish/anemone tank setup. Suggestions please

[Rendos]

Here is the skimmer up and running in a test tub.

 

[Foster]

What the status?

 

[Rendos]

Well, I plan on plumbing the drain, and return tonight after work actually. I have all the parts, just need to cut 'em and glue 'em together. Then I will start filling to water test everything.
I will take some pics of the plumbing and post them probably tomorrow.

 

[Psyire]

Slick setup!

 

[Rendos]

Thanks. I am really getting the itch to start getting water and livestock in it, though.

Must be patient.

 

[Rendos]

Okay...I don't know how I can get much more under this stand...it is on 23"X23"X30" on the inside. So far I managed to get my sump (20"X18"X12"), DIY protein skimmer made from 6" diameter tubing standing 24" tall, my return pump, and Oceans Motions Squirt under there, but it is a tight squeeze.
Here are the latest pics of the plumbing done. I ended up using a Mag 7 as my return pump running throught the OM Squirt.
First...the entire stand with everything installed.

Next...the Squirt as seen through the bottom of the tank.

And finally...the plumbing from the underside.

I put unions and ball valves on each outlet for ease of maintenance. I also put a check valve/union directly on the output side of the pump to keep from back siphoning in power outages, and so I could remove the entire OM unit for cleaning.

 

[OctoMonkey]

Hi Pikey

nice looking set up esp. skimmer

Will you have some sort of non-return valve between the outlets and the pump? I am wondering about back syphoning if there is a power cut... sorry if its been mentioned before

 

[Rendos]

OctoMonkey - thanks, and yes I do have a check valve installed between the pump and the tank to prevent back siphoning.

 

[OctoMonkey]

cheers

just curious to your thinking on the outputs from the bottom, is that mainly to prevent pipework coming in from the top of the tank for aesthetic reasons?

Any links to other tanks running the same idea?

On relooking at your pics i can see the check valve... right on the flash

PS you missed cephalopods on your list of species tanks

 

[Rendos]

Well, I have a 200 gallon tank that has 3 returns in the bottom of it, and I have seen lots of tanks that use returns and closed loop drains in the bottoms. I did it for asthetic reasons...so I could have the tank look as clean and uncluttered as possible.

You are right, I left cephalopods out completely. I never really gave much thought to keeping them...probably because I know very little about them, and don't know where you can obtain them here in the states. I never see them listed for sale at online vendors or local shops.

 

[Outerbank]

Man, awesome work!! My only concern would be back siphoning when the power goes out. Are you sure you have a reliable system to prevent back siphoning? I would suggest some form of double redundancy to prevent such an occurance. I often use double redundancy on anything, which, if fails, would wipe out the system.

Awesome skimmer BTW!

 

[Rendos]

Outerbank - thanks for the input. Yes, I am sure that the check valves I use are reliable.

 

[Rendos]

Latest update!

Latest update!

I have leak tested the tank, sump, etc. It is completely leak free. I drained it back down and added sand. I will start to fill it with RO/DI water tomorrow. I also added a black background. Here is a pic.

 

[z_rivers]

lookin really good, keep up the good work. i dont know if youve stated before and im too lazy to read back, but what type of clowns and anemone are you planning on keeping in this tank.

 

[Rendos]

I am pretty sure it will be Onyx Percs from Rod Buehler, and a haddoni anemone. This is subject to change, but that is what I am thinking for now. I am sure about the clowns, but not about the anemone. I am still researching that part.

 

[Outerbank]

How about a huge heteractis Magnifica or haddoni and see if you can host several pairs? Put the anemonee in first and start feeding the sucker every other day until it is 2+ feet in diameter. then add 4-6 very small clownfish. Maybe put all the fish in at once.

 

[microtech]

I have been following your progress, look s great. I am redoing a 55 gal for clowns and anemone. I was plaining on reuseing the crushed coral that I already have. But you refer to using sand. Not live I hope, could not affored that much. What kind are you using, or can I use what I have. Which is best.

 

[Rendos]

I personally use Carib Sea aragonite sand (not live), but I have no issues with crushed coral. You just have to be sure and vacuum it good regularly to keep waste from building up.

P.S. I feel honored that your first post on RC was in my thread.

 

[microtech]

Could you suggest a good sourse for a Stichodactyla gigantea. I understand that this anemone suffers in shipment and often contracts fatal systmic bacterial infections as a result. It is suggested to treat a new arrival with neomycin at 10ppm. and add a clownfish immediately. Could I do this in my 10 gal refugium tank? How long should I expose it to the neomycin? Have you or any bodie else had this problem? How are you going to handle yours when you get set up. I hope to get a gigantea from a very good fish store about 1 hour drive from home in Raleigh, NC. but it is a hit or miss as far as them having one. Is a Heteractis magnfica less problemactic to get established. I will be useing "Nemo" for for my clowns, my little girls insist. How many can I use? How do you plain on going about this. Sorry about all the Questions on my first go a round.

I did have a Condy anemone about the size of your thumb nail that grow to about 12 inches long x 5" diamiter and "nemo" after a year lived with it just fine. It ate however Sun Shine by girls yellow tang. Try explaining that to a 3 and & 7year old girls.

 

[microtech]

I just read Anemone FQA. I think it covered it all. I only have 160 watts of lighting. Two 10k and two blue moon which have worked will for my reef. So Entacmaea may be an option. than you!!!!