New "Lagoon" Tank Build

[JustinReef]

Oh ok. Well I guess its about the same thing then. I will take pictures later, my camera is not at home right now.

 

[DreamerTheresa]

Gonna echo everyone else and say I dig the decor in your home big time.

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12526397#post12526397 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DreamerTheresa
Gonna echo everyone else and say I dig the decor in your home big time.

Thanks. We are still working on it but its coming along nicely.


I think these bulbs may end up being too yellow after all. They seemed ok until the water has started to clear up and now its a little yellow. Sigh....

Maybe I will have to forgo the under 400 watts total thing and use my MH. I think it was a cool idea but I would need to find a higher K bulb and they just don't make them in CF I don't think.

If I go back to MH though, I have to figure out a way to make a spotlight type reflector for it. Any ideas??? I want something round that would act like a spot light. I don't want light from the tank all over the room.

 

[herpboyben]

what kind of macro are you using in this one? halimeda, mermaids fan, and even a mangrove would look good in my opinion

 

[tbar]

Yeah the lights I have are very bright white during normal operation. It's the water or depth of the water that makes it yellow. I knew this going in so I'm not that disappointed and will probably leave them on thru the summer. It would be interesting to see a 33L setup with them. That is what my sump/fuge is and the light looks more white in it. Still looking forward to following this thread. People really dig your crib.

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12526931#post12526931 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbar
Yeah the lights I have are very bright white during normal operation. It's the water or depth of the water that makes it yellow. I knew this going in so I'm not that disappointed and will probably leave them on thru the summer. It would be interesting to see a 33L setup with them. That is what my sump/fuge is and the light looks more white in it. Still looking forward to following this thread. People really dig your crib.

Yes I agree that they look very white in normal operation but the water seems to yellow them a bit. directly under them, is still white but as the light dissipates across the tank, it gets yellow. I don't like the look of them but maybe I can get used to it.

 

[JustinReef]

So the tank has been filled overnight and this morning I woke up to a huge bacterial bloom. Looks just like the ones you see when people start dosing vodka. I have never seen this during a cycle before but this is also the first time I have used uncured LR to cycle a tank. I have a feeling this is going to be a long, nasty cycle. Thats not good news for my puffers who are starting to get anxious and I think feel cramped. They have been in my QT rubbermaid for 5 weeks now. At least it is cycled and there has been no ammonia problems but they are used to eating everyday and can't right now.

So I may look into options for lighting. Im not too happy with what I have tried and may just go with MH even though I really don't want to. I need very bright light because the way I did my rockwork really makes it hard for light to get to the end of the tank. I have pictures I will post later.

Some people asked about what lights I was using now and I also took some pics of them.

I will post the pics soon.

 

[JustinReef]

First, the Puffers!

They seem to be hanging in there even though their temporary home is kind of small. Im very lucky they get along so well. I think they are cool with each other because I got both of them when they were about 2" and they have grown up together. The porcupine is growing much faster than the Narrow Lined though. He is at about 6" I would guess and the Narrow Lined is still only around 4.5". It will interested to see how big they get. My brother has the same kind of porcupine and his is about 10-11" and looks even bigger!

Murky Waters!!!

Anyone have an idea of what kind of bacterial bloom this would be? Im not concerned about it but Im curious.

So this is NOT all aquascaped yet but...

My tiny sump I went from such a good sized sump and a good sized refugium to this. Im hoping it will be ok though. All there is in there is the skimmer, return pump and a little version of my old ozone reactor. That ozone reactor is about 2' tall and only 2" wide...my old one was 5' tall and 6" wide I doubt the ozone will have as much effect on this tank as it did on my last because this reactor could never compete with the old one.

And finally, the lights. Just simple spotlight fixtures, mounted on the back of the stand with the stuff you make shelves out of. Very simple. Works well except I want more light.

 

[scbauer]

One very important question... where did you get RED pvc? That looks really cool, might start a new trend.

Tank is looking good, love the shot of the puffer looking up at you.

-Scott

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12531528#post12531528 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scbauer
One very important question... where did you get RED pvc? That looks really cool, might start a new trend.

Tank is looking good, love the shot of the puffer looking up at you.

-Scott

Actually its painted red with Krylon Fusion Paint...so reef safe, even though none of it is in the water. Im sure splashing will come into contact with the pipes and get back into the tank. Sump is sprayed with the same stuff.

The puffers are like little puppy dogs who are just starved for attention...or I guess they are always just starving! Always come to see you and beg for food. They stick their whole head out of the water. Its really strange actually.

 

[JustinReef]

I think the Narrow Lined Puffer is kind of getting stressed though. He has lost a lot of his color the past few days and is getting very dark. He should have bright yellow on this fins and his body was more white with black lines. Hopefully the cycle does not take too long.