Stuns' Reef

[stunreefer]

It's been a long ride, and will take a while to get where I want, but I figure it's time for a build thread. I ordered this AGE tank in October of '08 and took delivery February '09. Set it up and started the stocking process, then received a promotion at work early summer '09 that involved a ton of travel. I sold the AGE to a local reefer buddy and purchased an ELOS Mini which I transferred all my livestock over to, and loved that little tank dearly. Maintenance was an absolute breeze and it looked great, but I still referred to it as my "shoebox", and obviously couldn't fit much into it. In early October '09 I started conversing with a vendor about a gorgeous little (3.75") Apolemichthys arcuatus (Bandit Angelfish) he had received, and ended up purchasing him. Picked him up from Fed Ex the first week of November, and immediately knew I would want a larger tank for him sooner than later. At this time the AGE was still sitting in my room, as the purchaser had moved into an apartment that was borderline "pushin' it" regarding keeping that size tank, so I thought, "what the hell, I've already got a big tank for him!" So it began... again...

Aquarium: 183 gallon AGE rimless - 48"L x 36"W x 24.5"H - 1/2" Starphire front and sides - 1" SCH 80 PVC bottom

SCH 80 PVC sheet cut for sump "deck" and back panel to mount equipment:

Those pics were all from the first time I had it running, these couple show the new goodies underneath. I had an ATB Medium with Airstar that I purchased in October of '08, but sold it along with two MP40s when I broke the aquarium down. I purchased a SWC Mini S Cone through Premium Aquatics off eBay for an unbelievable price once I knew the AGE was going back up, and I must say I'm very happy with it so far. This was right after livestock transfer, pre wire clean up and coral re-mounting!

 

[stunreefer]

Here are a few (horrid cell phone) pics of the ELOS Mini prior to breaking it down:

This is the true reason for the AGE going back up, and she will have some awesome friends to join her soon too:

Current other tank mate, Serranocirrhitus latus:

QT tank ready and waiting:

 

[stunreefer]

… beauty in motion:

 

[Sardaukar]

Very nice! AGE tanks are works of art and you have a fish to match. I don't think I would get a wink of sleep with a beauty like that in an open top tank though haha. What are your coral and fish stocking plans? Gonna continue with the non-photosynthetic theme?

 

[pookstreet]

Very nice, Austin :thumbsup: Curious minds want to know. What else are you planning or have ready in terms of fish?

 

[stunreefer]

Thanks guys!

AGE makes a very nice tank! One thing I thought about, but didn't realize how nice it really was going to be, was the weight of the tank. Due to it having a PVC bottom me and one friend carried this guy. Not a huge deal to some, but I know I'll be moving in the next couple years and that's one nice feature

On that same moving note, I have lots of fishy friends I would absolutely love to keep in here, but we all know how "fun" moving a tank can be, so I'll be holding of really stocking this guy until the move happens. Right now, I know that the bandit will be getting a mate, and potentially another Pomacanthidae friend, along with some anthias.

Corals will likely remain in the non-photosynthetic realm, although I have had some pull towards their shallow(er) counterparts as of late. At one time I was a colored stick fiend, but I don't believe I'll venture much back into them, I'm a sucker for "flowy" coral

BTW, there is a top on the tank, and QT tank. I think if a reefer likes their fish, a top is an absolute must no matter what kind of tank. All fish can and will jump in certain situations, and to me it's such a no-brainer to just put a top on and prevent that risk. However, it's not seen in pics, during maintenance, or when people come over to check out the tank

 

[roktsintst]

Awesome!!!

Im so glad to see you started a build thread as i'll be following it closely!!!

When is your other bandit scheduled to arrive???

 

[Trademark]

That angel is beautiful

 

[the_rider]

Wow austin !!

I was looking around for your build thread and couldn't find it ... Now i know why

What are you gonna use for water flow ? I think I see some SEIO ? Are you gonna keep that ? And your bandit is a real beauty !!

Alex B

 

[Bax]

Yes! That's a beautiful angel and tank! I love these AGE tanks.

 

[Haffs09]

Nice setup! Bandits are absolutely beautiful! I was fortunate to see several of them this past September while divining in Kauai. They are gorgeous!

 

[Creetin]

Very nice! You have alot more reserve than I. Nice setup, I love bandits but i dont want to commit to cooler water though i run mine around 76 degrees.

 

[mpoletti]

Very nice Austin. You will need more rocks than that when you start adding sticks

 

[amore169]

Very nice, awesome Bandido!!

 

[stunreefer]

Thanks everyone!

When is your other bandit scheduled to arrive???

He should be collected in the next couple weeks, then he'll be QT'd for several weeks before shipping to me. Once I get him he'll relax/acclimate to my care in QT for a few more weeks, then he'll meet his spouse

I figured it was about time I started a thread

What are you gonna use for water flow ? I think I see some SEIO ? Are you gonna keep that ?

Thanks Alex, glad you found the thread :thumbsup:

Right now I have an Eheim 1262 for my return that flows through the chiller then up to the tank. I might upgrade to an ATB Flowstar if I end up feeding reactors with it. In tank there are two modded MJ900s right now. When I first set up the tank I had two Vortech MP40s that I never had trouble with. One friend of mine had a horrific experience with them not long ago, so I don't know if I'll be going with VT's again, but I will switch out the MJs with either Tunzes or VTs, either will be on battery back-ups as well.

Very nice! You have alot more reserve than I. Nice setup, I love bandits but i dont want to commit to cooler water though i run mine around 76 degrees.

Thanks Alex! Right now I'm running 68-70 degrees F, but the chiller has never kicked on yet. I'm sure it will as we start to approach the summer months.

Very nice Austin. You will need more rocks than that when you start adding sticks

Thanks Mark!

I have plenty more rocks if necessary, we'll see about sticks


I'll have to get some new shots here soon, all the coral was remounted a while back and looks much better. I'm no Poletti though, so you guys will have to bare with crappy pics until I can get Junior over here or Poletti gets in his Jeep and takes a little road trip!

 

[Jacob D]

Awesome tank, and of course, nice fish choices

 

[stunreefer]

Thanks Jacob!

No new pics yet, but soon! Expect (new) fish in the next month... not an angel - she's still in the ocean Hoping to see her in my QT in May.

 

[Ian]

glad to see the big tank up and running again Austin

 

[DanW]

Congrats, love the bandit. Looking forward to your fish selection.

 

[Leonardo_]

Somehow I missed this thread... Very nice setup Austin. Like many said, the Apolemichthys arcuatus is beautiful. Maybe the most beautiful fish in the trade I think

Leonardo