Travis and Jessica's 400G Build

[A_CoupleClowns]

We are going to get our QT set up this weekend. Picked up a fluval aquaclear 50 power filter, and already have a 750gph koralia powerhead and heater ready. We are going to pick up a 40g tank on Sunday. Anybody have any QT tips for us? This is our first go round doing any type of QT, don't wanna hurt any fish.

 

[sarens]

just watch what you put in a 40gal together, I feed heavy and do lots of water changes, I have an egg crate divider made to separate any of those that don't play well together, I use Cupermine and bring up the level slowly over a week, I painted 3 sides and bottom and have mine located in a low traffic area, give fish plenty of time and calmness I think they get much stronger and eat really quick under those conditions

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

just watch what you put in a 40gal together, I feed heavy and do lots of water changes, I have an egg crate divider made to separate any of those that don't play well together, I use Cupermine and bring up the level slowly over a week, I painted 3 sides and bottom and have mine located in a low traffic area, give fish plenty of time and calmness I think they get much stronger and eat really quick under those conditions

Thanks for the tips! Good idea with the egg crate divider we have some of that laying around here. We are getting a bunch of small tangs (5) so they may go wild wild west in there... :lol: Maybe we should do 2 qt's :lol:? They should be pretty small fish though, nothing over 3".

 

[Ciwyn]

Which tangs? If you have the space and are getting the 40 breeders cheap (such as Petco sale) why not have two? Then you have a hospital and QT if you need it.

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

Which tangs? If you have the space and are getting the 40 breeders cheap (such as Petco sale) why not have two? Then you have a hospital and QT if you need it.

That is a great point. We are getting them at the petco sale, even if we buy two for $80 thats cheaper than buying one at full price ($120).

QT round 1 will be:
Dusumieri
Achilles
Powder blue
Powder brown
Orange shoulder

And after those round two:
Regal
Blonde Naso
Purple
Yellow (already have downstairs)
Yellow Eye Kole (already have downstairs)

We are trying to add all of the acanthurus tangs together and then all the rest together after that so hopefully nobody is singled out and picked on.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

Yep tomorrow should be 40 breeder buying day. These stands like this one at Menards here is perfect to hold them. Lowes, home depot, etc all have them, as I belive Menards is just in Wisconsin but I guess I dont really know. It is a really tight fit and the bottom tank has to slide down from the top before putting on the top shelf and tank. But its like the 40 breeders were made for this.

The tank rests all 4 corners on the metal framing and each shelf is around 1000 pounds rating from the few I have looked at.

I dont think I can build a double stand like this for much less and this is already good to go out of a box.

http://www.menards.com/main/p-2289607-c-13051.htm

 

[Ciwyn]

That's a lot of tangs! I don't mean that in a bad way either.
I'd look to the advice of someone who's kept a lot of tangs before but dividing the tank up might be a good idea.

Is keeping a power head important in QT? I never have.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

That's a lot of tangs! I don't mean that in a bad way either.
I'd look to the advice of someone who's kept a lot of tangs before but dividing the tank up might be a good idea.

Is keeping a power head important in QT? I never have.

My tangs in QT enjoy the powerhead. They swim against it constantly.

 

[Ciwyn]

Ah ha. I only have one tang so that would explain it.
Nice shelving idea too.

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

Yep tomorrow should be 40 breeder buying day. These stands like this one at Menards here is perfect to hold them. Lowes, home depot, etc all have them, as I belive Menards is just in Wisconsin but I guess I dont really know. It is a really tight fit and the bottom tank has to slide down from the top before putting on the top shelf and tank. But its like the 40 breeders were made for this.

The tank rests all 4 corners on the metal framing and each shelf is around 1000 pounds rating from the few I have looked at.

I dont think I can build a double stand like this for much less and this is already good to go out of a box.

http://www.menards.com/main/p-2289607-c-13051.htm

Yeah, can't wait to go pick them up! We have Menards in MN too, great store. They have everything and at good prices, I try to hit Menards before HD if possible.

I really am liking this stand idea. I have way to many other projects going to to be building QT stands if I can just buy a double stand. Time is valuable at this stage in the build!

That's a lot of tangs! I don't mean that in a bad way either.
I'd look to the advice of someone who's kept a lot of tangs before but dividing the tank up might be a good idea.

Is keeping a power head important in QT? I never have.

Yes! We have decided to go "Tang Dominant". We were going to do a few Angels but decided to go with the Dussumieri and Achilles as our main attractions. Some people get lucky with the angels and corals but we are going to take the safe route and not have to run on luck.

We may take the dual QT tank route, I really like that simple metal stand. I figured power head for increase the oxygen levels in the water, and the flow will added bonus.

 

[sarens]

I have two power heads in my 50 gal breeder QT, I think movement is good plus keeps everything moving and getting into my filters, with only PVC in it it is really crazy how clean the tank stays, even with my overstocking it, cheap help for cleaner tank IMHO

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

I have two power heads in my 50 gal breeder QT, I think movement is good plus keeps everything moving and getting into my filters, with only PVC in it it is really crazy how clean the tank stays, even with my overstocking it, cheap help for cleaner tank IMHO

Great point. Getting the food/crap stirred up to be filtered is always a good thing.

 

[dave.m]

The trouble with those steel stands is that they rust pretty bad. As long as you're only using them for stuff that's easily broken down without affecting the main system they're a good way to economize. Just make sure you get some form of bracing against lateral movement.

Dave.M

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

Gonna make a few final purchases tonight. We are going with the Regal 250 int skimmer, most likely with the reef octo neck cleaner also.

Next up is powerheads. We were originally going to pick up 4 QD mp40s, but since we have the coast to coast external overflow we would only be able to mount them low on the back glass, so no go on the mp40's. Next we decided to pick up 4 6105 tunze and a controller, but after searching a bit it looks like it would take quite a bit more than 4 6105's to properly move the water in a 400g. Now we are thinking about picking up some jebao rw's to get this show on the road. And if we have problems with them we will move them over to the frag tank to replace our aging koralias and pick up a big ole tunze package.

We are planning on 2 rw20's and 2 rw15's. A rw20 on each end and the 2 rw15's on the back glass. We also were contemplating just getting 4 rw15's and putting them all on the back glass to keep all the viewing panes open. Any suggestions?

 

[Ciwyn]

You should try out the gyre. Although it might be worth it to wait for generation 2 of those.
Maybe just get some WPs or RWs in the meantime. I use them in my tanks. I can mostly recommend them. Can't beat the price.

About time we got an update!

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

You should try out the gyre. Although it might be worth it to wait for generation 2 of those.
Maybe just get some WPs or RWs in the meantime. I use them in my tanks. I can mostly recommend them. Can't beat the price.

About time we got an update!

We have thought about the gyre too I forgot about that. We would like to wait and see what the second generation brings to the table with those.

About time is right, LOL! Jessica was just telling me we were WAY overdue for an update and we better get one posted up :lol: ... Many things have happened with the build. Silicone is fixed, rockwork is in the tank and completed, sand is also in, fish room is almost completely finished too. We also have 2 40g QT's setup. We have an aussie dussumieri, achilles, powder blue, powder brown, blochii (little story with this one), purple tang and an orange shoulder tang in the QT's. All eating and looking great. I will post a more in depth update with plenty of photos soon. Getting very close though!!

 

[sarens]

are you running any water in it yet?

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

Not yet, about to fill it up any day, we have a 300gpd so it shouldn't take too long :fish2:

 

[AirForceAquariu]

Soooo? Water? Pictures?

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

No water yet .... Have been super busy this month and have not been able to get it all done.

Lots of photos to put up, just need to find some time get them posted. We have all the equipment here and ready to roll. Went with two rw15's and two rw20's for flow. The Regal 250 int skimmer is huge, and the neck cleaner makes it look even bigger. Just finishing building the sump. Doing the last epoxy pour today and going to silicone in the acrylic dividers in tomorrow. Building a sump/frag stand high enough to put the two 100g rodi and fresh saltwater storage containers underneath to maximize our space, hopefully get that done today also.

We are on the homestretch just need to knock out this final checklist.
1) Last epoxy pour - sump
2) Build sump stand
3) Paint the stand and outsides of sump
4) Acrylic divider in sump
5) Finalize plumbing
6) Set up hood frame and ventilation
7) Fill tank
8) Swap corals and live rock into sump/frag
9) Aptasia free corals into display
10) Kick back and enjoy. :dance: