Office Tank take 2: 20L FOWLR

[coralreefing]

I know this is late, but I would add a second drain. If you get a snail or something in the one, you'll have an overflow. You always need to plan for the worst case.

 

[acrodave]

I know this is late, but I would add a second drain. If you get a snail or something in the one, you'll have an overflow. You always need to plan for the worst case.

you can fix that with some gutter guard or something like that. and i would do it just for that fact like snails

 

[supertech99]

yes, I have yet to determine what overflow protection i will be using, I tried the intake strainer that came witht he bulkhead but felt it was too restrictive. In retrospect should have added a larger overflow but I thought that 500gph would be plenty, it is not that much really for this design. I am thinking of a peice of pvc with lots of slits cut into it but will have to wait till the weekend to try it out.

 

[NeveSSL]

You could just glue some gutter guard or 1/4" mesh over the top of it. This is what I'm doing on my overflow to keeps da snails out of it.

Brandon

 

[supertech99]

does it build up crud though?

 

[NeveSSL]

Nope. If you're having algae issues in the tank, that will cause a problem (ask me how I know ), but it works really well otherwise. Before I had algae issues, I cleaned them probably once every 3 months or longer. That is using gutter guard.

Brandon

 

[coralreefing]

I would add the second drain. It wouldn't even have to be functional all the time. A second bulkhead, higher than the first with the elbow turned upward, just below the tank rim. That would give you a solid backup if the water were to rise. If you have a screen or strainer on your drain intake, all it takes is a piece of Nori or something like that to block it.

 

[acrodave]

this one is mine. i wish i had done it like yours. its been running for about 2-3 years now and have never had a issue with it. no snails or algae clogging it up. i take a toothbrush to it every so now and then just to get the slime off it

this is in the tank i have anthelia growing all over it

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this is the back side of the tank the wire is just were i got leds on the tank

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top

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and these are shots of the drain with the gutter guard

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[supertech99]

wow, thanks for the pics, i think ill do that and super glue it to the inside of the drain. That powerhead is VERY purple!

 

[acrodave]

i would not glue it just fold and stick in.so you can clean it when needed

 

[supertech99]

painted some plumming parts black and got some sand in to but have not started skinning the stand yet....lack of funds so on to the garage sale this weekend and some wood will find its way to my garage. anyone got a good idea of where I can find some good dry branching rock? BRS is still out

 

[supertech99]

After many delays, It is finally up and going, had a nice little push since my first fish is swiming in Rhetts tank waiting for its home to be ready!

 

[supertech99]

So I have rescaped the tank and added some new equipment. I am super happy with my new rockscape! I also like the eclipse 3 hood that I got recently. I took off the back compartment and put my coralife fixture on top to get 2x65w on top, I know that I wanted to keep this a fowler tank for ease of care but with the added filtration of the aquatic life mini skimmer and the fuge, I think making this a reef with softies may still be low enough matience. What do you guys think? My requirement is that I will only do WC's once a month! (hauling water is a big PIA when you park in BFE)
I also added a fishers angel I got from Lighthouse Corals that is very unique color and doing great! O yeah, and I added a mangrove in the sump to try it out. I need to figure out a way to retro that coralife light into the stock hood without getting it too hot, Any ideas? I am also considering keeping the door inserts open like a little display of its own, especialy if I add more mangroves, What do you guys think? And now to the pics!

 

[supertech99]

Got my CUC from Lighthouse Corals, 4 red legged hermits, 2 astrea snails, 2 nassarious snails, and one margarita snail (may have been gotten by the crabs already). Also forgot to ask what you guys think about fish additions too, I know I will be adding my solo male o. clown from my 75gal as the female went carpet surfing recently and that way I can get my black and white pair for my big tank (Ive been wanting forever). other than the angel and the clown thinking about yellow clown goby, tailspot or bicolor blenny, mabe a unique damesl like a talbots or something of the sort, Suggestions?

 

[orthokardia]

got to have the eng gobi

 

[supertech99]

those guys turn into a eel looking thing eventually don't they?

 

[orthokardia]

yes. the long stripes change to verticle stripes and they grow decent size (i had a 12" big around as your thunb). they have a great personallity, are very tough, do not require much swimming room, do not nock thing over (they r incredibly graceful), and just rock in gerneral as a reef safe fish.

did i mention they are usually about $10

 

[commonstranger]

Its lookin good Sean

 

[AdrianBryce]

I imagine your margarita snail died from the temps. They are temperate water snails.

 

[supertech99]

Ortho-eels and snakes FREAK ME OUT! I an gonna have to skip the goby! is there a sand sifting goby small enough to fin in here?

Rhett-thanks man

Adrian-Yes, I have had them before and they lasted about a year before they went belly up, I think I am gonna try to keep this a crab dominated CUC. They can be effective for both leftover food bits and algee right?