Quick Intro

[WildFoxMedia]

Hey all - figured since there was a local reef club in my backyard, I would stop in and introduce myself.

My name is Ben, I live in Cotati and work in Healdsburg. I am currently in the process of setting up a 29 gallon after a long hiatus from reefkeeping.

About 4 years ago I had an 80 gallon Perfecto tank setup for about 8 months with about 70 pounds of live rock. Livestock (aside from snails, etc) included a skunk cleaner shrimp, diamond goby, tomato clown, white cheek tang and fox face. I also had a couple small corals that hitchhiiked in on the liverock. In any case, that came to a screeching halt when the back pane shattered while trying to drill it. At that point, I couldn't afford a new tank and I sold all the livestock to North Bay Aquatics for store credit and effectively got out of the hobby.

Anyway, that's my sob story. Im now trying to get back into the hobby by dipping a toe with the 29 before I go big again.

PS: Anyone looking to get rid of a 36" T5 fixture?

 

[thysrof]

Ben,

Welcome to the club We. meet the second Friday or sometimes sat of the month. We do speakers,raffles,and fraf swaps.

Most of us are pretty active on RC. So definately come to the meetings and hang out on RC

 

[Grant W]

Welcome Ben, I'm in Petaluma . Let me know if you need any help getting started . Grant

 

[WildFoxMedia]

Thank you guys for the welcoming.

I don't get home from work til 7pm+ - so depending on what time meetings are usually held of Fridays will determine whether or not I can attend.

Spend most of today finishing up building the stand for the 29 - Its been a couple weeks in the making and alot of trial & error. Ill post some pics up once the girlfriend finishes priming and painting it.

The couple things im still in the market for before I can truly get started is a decent light fixture, a 10g to use as a sump and a skimmer.

 

[WildFoxMedia]

Got the stand finished up (sans door) and the girlfriend primed it this evening.

Decided to throw it into the living to see how it would look with the tank on. Im happy with how it came out especially since this is my first woodworking project.

 

[shaneh]

looks good, did you paint the back of the tank black or did it come like that?

 

[WildFoxMedia]

Rattle canned it with the cheapest black spray paint I could find.

Its about 5 coats, 20-25 minutes apart

 

[Grant W]

Hey Ben can't help you on the parts everthing I have is too big for your tank but pic looks good keep up the clean work

 

[Reef Bass]

Welcome Ben. The reefing force is strong with Petaluma. New store, new members, nice tanks.

Your tank and stand are looking good. What are you planning for lighting and occupants?

By the way, while our meetings on Friday evenings typically start at 7pm, if you're a few minutes late, it's no big deal, so don't let that stop you.

Ken

 

[WildFoxMedia]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the info about the meeting, thats good to know.

As for lighting and occupants.... Lighting im either going to run a 36" T5 HO fixture or 150 watt MH - mostly depending on what I can find used first.

Occupants will probably be something basic for now like a Yellow Watchman, Ocellaris clown, Purple Dartfish and a Skunk Cleaner. Nothing too nuts for now until I feel like I have a decent handle on reefing again. Last time around I never had much emphasis on corals, so I want that to be a big part of any reef this time.

 

[shaneh]

I'll have a fixture for sale soon 250 watt MH with (2) 96 watt PC actinic, with moon lights, fans, and hanging kit, if your interested. I think it is 36 inch...may be 33 inch. I'll have to measure. have extra bulbs but i need to keep the ballast so you would need to pick one up.Also have an overflow box I just finished cleaning and a SCWD 1/2 fitting. I can send you pics if you'd like. Or you can just come by, I’m in Petaluma on the west side.

Also did you put molding around the stand or did you use a router?

 

[WildFoxMedia]

Hi shaneh - Would 250 watt MH with 96 watt actenics be overkill for a 29? I would definitely be interested provided I wasn't going to be blasting 250 watts of holy hell fire onto my small tank.

It is molding around the tank.

 

[Grant W]

Could peel the paint but thats what we like around here lol

 

[WildFoxMedia]

Now I'm trying to decide on the best course of actions for an overflow. I've never been a big fan of U-Tube type overflows.

I built one of the hang over the back, cheap-o $15 PVC overflows and tested it out a bit. It works, but I feel like I would have to have 2 for the sake of redundancy and even after that, not sure I'm 100%.

I'm also looking at drilling 2 bulkheads and getting some glass cut for a coast to coast overflow.

Any opinions?

 

[shaneh]

i like gl*******s.com overflows. but you have to drill the tank....i just did it on a 30 gal and it wasn't that hard but it's a risk. Check them out. that is g-l-a-s-s-h-o-l-e-s.c-o-m