Soulpatch's build thread (ongoing)
- Thread starter soulpatch
- Start date
sorry to hear that.I had my wrasse jump between chambers a few weeks ago into the sump (yes, through that 1/2" gap between the hood and the back wall...), so I had to fish him out which was no small feat. Also fished out a hermit crab from back there as well. How he got back there is beyond me.
homer1475
New member
I had my wrasse jump between chambers a few weeks ago into the sump (yes, through that 1/2" gap between the hood and the back wall...), so I had to fish him out which was no small feat. Also fished out a hermit crab from back there as well. How he got back there is beyond me.
I constantly fish out my hermits or snails from the chambers. InTank makes an extender that clips onto the hood to prevent this, and close up that gap, but I'm to cheap to buy one. :dance:
Sorry to hear about your carpet surfer.
Carpet surfers, and my wife is the only reason I keep the top on my cube.
soulpatch
New member
I am not too concerned as I will be switching to the big tank sooner or later and I planned on having a screen top for that. The cube will become a frag tank for a bit till I decide if keeping 2 tanks running becomes more of a hassle then it is worth.
Still trying to decide if I want to do a canopy on the new tank. One came with the stand and looks great but at the same time I like the looks of open top. Wife is leaning towards using the canopy since we got one but I am split. I could mount some T5 ballasts in it though if I wanted but it has the center as a cutout so it would require some weird mounting for the Kessils if I went that route. I can post some pics later for your all thoughts...
Still trying to decide if I want to do a canopy on the new tank. One came with the stand and looks great but at the same time I like the looks of open top. Wife is leaning towards using the canopy since we got one but I am split. I could mount some T5 ballasts in it though if I wanted but it has the center as a cutout so it would require some weird mounting for the Kessils if I went that route. I can post some pics later for your all thoughts...
soulpatch
New member
More boxes showed up last night with goodies I could open now and others that the wife bought for me for christmas. Either way I got my WAV, some more gate valves, and push connecter bulkheads last night. Got another bag of sand as well.
I think I have about all the equipment I need for the new build at this point to at least start getting the plumbing in place. Then once the plumbing is set I will worry about how I am going to run all the electrical as I start to move it over from the nano stand.
I think all I really need now is:
1 gooseneck for kessil
3 90 degree adaptors for kessil
150 pounds of rock
mud for refugium (will be covered in sand but I want the trace elements)
water storage tank
tubing
locline for return (supplied was metric and I need SAE)
livestock ideas at this point:
current clown (will get a second black ice as well)
tail spot blenny
undecided if 6 line makes the move
New additions:
powder blue tang
naso tang (stated for 180 but my 150 has about same footprint as typical 180 so still undecided here)
blue spot jawfish
Blue spotted puffer (I know these are caution items in a reef but I might give it a go)
mandarin (to be added later when pod population is acceptable)
I am at a loss for other items though. I would like a decent amount of life. I know I want a wrasse of some sort to add more color but otherwise I am drawing blanks to what to get...
I think I have about all the equipment I need for the new build at this point to at least start getting the plumbing in place. Then once the plumbing is set I will worry about how I am going to run all the electrical as I start to move it over from the nano stand.
I think all I really need now is:
1 gooseneck for kessil
3 90 degree adaptors for kessil
150 pounds of rock
mud for refugium (will be covered in sand but I want the trace elements)
water storage tank
tubing
locline for return (supplied was metric and I need SAE)
livestock ideas at this point:
current clown (will get a second black ice as well)
tail spot blenny
undecided if 6 line makes the move
New additions:
powder blue tang
naso tang (stated for 180 but my 150 has about same footprint as typical 180 so still undecided here)
blue spot jawfish
Blue spotted puffer (I know these are caution items in a reef but I might give it a go)
mandarin (to be added later when pod population is acceptable)
I am at a loss for other items though. I would like a decent amount of life. I know I want a wrasse of some sort to add more color but otherwise I am drawing blanks to what to get...
Sounds good. A few thoughts:
Mud for refugium: I would ONLY put it in an easily removable/replacable container. If you look at any of the guys who promote using mud, they ALL replace it entirely every year or two. I would just use some plastic storage bin for it and leave it in your sump, then toss it out in a year and refill it. I think "old tank syndrome" really means "all of the phoshate has been bound to my rock, sand, and mud, and there's nowhere else for it to go except the water column, where it's free to be picked up by algae, so algae explodes everywhere syndrome".
I'm still on the fence about efficacy of mud, but if nothing else, I do believe it is a phosphate sink.
Originally I was going to say no to the naso tang because I was thinking unicorn tang, which while in the same family technically, the naso should stay a bit smaller. 5' will be pushing it, but that being said, in the 3 years my 120g tank was up, my sailfin didn't outgrow it, despite him being a very large fish. I would start with smaller fishes if you can OR see if anyone put a naso in a biocube and are looking to rehome it now that it's outgrown their cube lol.
Mud for refugium: I would ONLY put it in an easily removable/replacable container. If you look at any of the guys who promote using mud, they ALL replace it entirely every year or two. I would just use some plastic storage bin for it and leave it in your sump, then toss it out in a year and refill it. I think "old tank syndrome" really means "all of the phoshate has been bound to my rock, sand, and mud, and there's nowhere else for it to go except the water column, where it's free to be picked up by algae, so algae explodes everywhere syndrome".
I'm still on the fence about efficacy of mud, but if nothing else, I do believe it is a phosphate sink.
Originally I was going to say no to the naso tang because I was thinking unicorn tang, which while in the same family technically, the naso should stay a bit smaller. 5' will be pushing it, but that being said, in the 3 years my 120g tank was up, my sailfin didn't outgrow it, despite him being a very large fish. I would start with smaller fishes if you can OR see if anyone put a naso in a biocube and are looking to rehome it now that it's outgrown their cube lol.
soulpatch
New member
Yeah the mud will go in a plastic rubbermaid trough though I have not gotten it yet so torn on it as well. With only doing chateao it is not needed other then for its trace elements it gives. My small refugium can do without it and simply be the marinepure balls, sand, and chateao. The spheres are more so for the pods then anything else.
As for the naso they do stay on the smaller side and with a planned minimal rock scape he should have plenty of swimming room. Kind of want something to school together but dont want the high maintenance anthias in the tank. maybe some pajama cardinals to form a small school.
As for the naso they do stay on the smaller side and with a planned minimal rock scape he should have plenty of swimming room. Kind of want something to school together but dont want the high maintenance anthias in the tank. maybe some pajama cardinals to form a small school.
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What about a harem of flasher wrasses or dwarf angels? Maybe a few helfrichi firefishes?
soulpatch
New member
replaced some of my cuc snails that had been eaten by my hermits in the past few months.
Also my Harelquin shrimp is about done his job with taking out my star population. I barely see any in the tank so will have to think about how to get him out here shortly. I dont want him to starve in my tank...
Also my Harelquin shrimp is about done his job with taking out my star population. I barely see any in the tank so will have to think about how to get him out here shortly. I dont want him to starve in my tank...
soulpatch
New member
ordered this for the new tank: http://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-A...F8&qid=1449698276&sr=8-3&keywords=ac+infinity
Should be able to handle my ventilation needs though I will need to cut a hole in my newly painted stand. LOL. Will cut one on other end and cover with a grate to match the one on the fans I ordered. I think this single set should be enough but will ensure other hole is correct size so I can swap more in if needed.
Should be able to handle my ventilation needs though I will need to cut a hole in my newly painted stand. LOL. Will cut one on other end and cover with a grate to match the one on the fans I ordered. I think this single set should be enough but will ensure other hole is correct size so I can swap more in if needed.
soulpatch
New member
It can be run without the temp sensor should I want. I think it can be programmed to run on a schedule with the temp gauge as backup.
That said the stand should get to be a decent temp since it is so enclosed. Brs sells the ice cap fan that registers temp as well.
With the heaters, pumps, doser, refugium light and such the temps should be higher then ambient.
Still trying to decide on what to do about the wiring. Don't know if I want to do the server rack or mount everything to a board that is on slider to move in and out as needed
That said the stand should get to be a decent temp since it is so enclosed. Brs sells the ice cap fan that registers temp as well.
With the heaters, pumps, doser, refugium light and such the temps should be higher then ambient.
Still trying to decide on what to do about the wiring. Don't know if I want to do the server rack or mount everything to a board that is on slider to move in and out as needed
soulpatch
New member
HA! I had a recent incident driving home the other night so money will need to go to that during this time of year which is a pain. I wasn't at fault but I still need to pay out until insurance can try to recoup (if they can). Thankfully the other party seems to be ok and i was fine.
I still need heaters, rock, and a few other things. I also need to set aside a solid weekend to plan out the movement of the apex gear into the new stand.
Electrician is still drafting up a quote as a few pieces for my older box are proving hard to find. So I need to wait for that to be done as well so I can have a safe GFI outlet to plug into running on a 20 amp breaker (might do 2 for redundancy). Biggest thing for me though is the generator transfer switch. As of now I need to keep the french door open in the basement to run power cords outside and in winter it can get cold in my basement. The door is all of 4 feet from the tanks so it is something I need solved ASAP or else my heaters might not be able to keep up.
soulpatch
New member
my aquamaxx skimmer's pump decided to have issues last night. I powered it down and will take it apart tonight. I am hoping it just needs a deep cleaning and I dont have a blown motor. If so I will need to go through warranty as it is under a year old.
I do NOT want to buy another pump as I would be looking at 110 for the exact pump replacement or 75+ for a different style pump. This weekend was equipment cleaning weekend anyway so it works out to an extent but still a pain.
I really need to get the other tank up and running...then I might decide to drop to one tank only so I dont need all of these dup systems. Plus I could sell a lot from the cube to recoup some money...
I do NOT want to buy another pump as I would be looking at 110 for the exact pump replacement or 75+ for a different style pump. This weekend was equipment cleaning weekend anyway so it works out to an extent but still a pain.
I really need to get the other tank up and running...then I might decide to drop to one tank only so I dont need all of these dup systems. Plus I could sell a lot from the cube to recoup some money...
soulpatch
New member
My poor frogspawn. I can't seem to win with my one frogspawn. He was the main one attacked with the black bugs, then as he was coming back my one rogue emerald decided to go after him. I got rid of the crab, relocated the coral to my sandbed so I could keep an eye on it (and my other frogspawn had started to overtake that one spot) All has been well with him for the past month or so. He was regrowing and back from the brink. I underestimated my brain though and how far he could attack.
Yesterday while doing a water change my brain decided to launch his attack. I didnt catch on what was going on right away until the brain had landed his volley. The frog took a beating. I got him out of there and into another spot in the tank but the damage has been done and now he needs to recoup once again. Upsets me as I should have known better AND he is a super colorful australian frog when he is healed.
New tank needs some work as all that space will negate my issues for a while (until I get more corals and such and then have spacing issues again...)
Yesterday while doing a water change my brain decided to launch his attack. I didnt catch on what was going on right away until the brain had landed his volley. The frog took a beating. I got him out of there and into another spot in the tank but the damage has been done and now he needs to recoup once again. Upsets me as I should have known better AND he is a super colorful australian frog when he is healed.
New tank needs some work as all that space will negate my issues for a while (until I get more corals and such and then have spacing issues again...)
Yeah, stupid sweepers. I'll never have galaxia again (they had 12"+ sweepers in my last tank!).
Hope it recovers quickly. I'd jokingly offer for you to frag a head of it for me to hold on to for you, but I don't even have enough room to joke about it. I still have that +$100 favia frag that I bleached to the edge of death trying to recover in the shade in the back corner of my tank.
But at least it sounds like the tank is still doing well, so that's good. Regular maintenance is important. And I haven't been doing it.
Countdown till 150g!
Hope it recovers quickly. I'd jokingly offer for you to frag a head of it for me to hold on to for you, but I don't even have enough room to joke about it. I still have that +$100 favia frag that I bleached to the edge of death trying to recover in the shade in the back corner of my tank.
But at least it sounds like the tank is still doing well, so that's good. Regular maintenance is important. And I haven't been doing it.
Countdown till 150g!
soulpatch
New member
The 150 is kind of on hold till after Christmas. I need to see what all the wife got me and then buy things she missed getting before I worry about plumbing everything. I want all equipment so I can do dry fittings or the plumbing, placement of equipment, and running of power cords so I dont skip over something and need to redo it all.
At that point I will start another thread though as I will need input no the plumbing to ensure I am not an idiot and skipping something I will regret later. So hopefully the wife got me everything and I can get the rock in the week after christmas to start finalizing things.
Another good thing is that my LFS is going to set up independant QT stations for me from his other tanks so he can treat my incoming fish before I house them in a QT at my house. Sure it doubles the time but it also ensures if they are frail that they pass on his watch before they get to my house. Should save me some serious headaches. So he can treat them and I will do ttm then 30 day observation in my 10 gallon tanks before they go into the new 150...
Still tossing around the idea of scratching the biocube once I make the move. I like the idea of it as a frag tank but I am not sold on the extra maintenance and space it takes up. If I had to make the decision today I would sell it to have one less thing to worry about and perhaps plumb in a small 10 gal as a frag tank inside the stand so it is closed loop. Better yet have BAO make me a small frag tank to fit inside my stand. I have roughly 30 inches of unused space right now so even if I save 1/3 of that and go 10" by 24" that is a decent sized tank to throw in there for frags. Hang the one kessil above it for light....mmmm thoughts are running wild now.
At that point I will start another thread though as I will need input no the plumbing to ensure I am not an idiot and skipping something I will regret later. So hopefully the wife got me everything and I can get the rock in the week after christmas to start finalizing things.
Another good thing is that my LFS is going to set up independant QT stations for me from his other tanks so he can treat my incoming fish before I house them in a QT at my house. Sure it doubles the time but it also ensures if they are frail that they pass on his watch before they get to my house. Should save me some serious headaches. So he can treat them and I will do ttm then 30 day observation in my 10 gallon tanks before they go into the new 150...
Still tossing around the idea of scratching the biocube once I make the move. I like the idea of it as a frag tank but I am not sold on the extra maintenance and space it takes up. If I had to make the decision today I would sell it to have one less thing to worry about and perhaps plumb in a small 10 gal as a frag tank inside the stand so it is closed loop. Better yet have BAO make me a small frag tank to fit inside my stand. I have roughly 30 inches of unused space right now so even if I save 1/3 of that and go 10" by 24" that is a decent sized tank to throw in there for frags. Hang the one kessil above it for light....mmmm thoughts are running wild now.
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