Tbelt's 180 gallon build

Some updated pics of the tank. Have not done much but let it grow over the past 3 months. Had some ph probs but now seems under control. Hope to do some new additions for Christmas. I think the tank is readsy for some new life. Fist shot is a FTS. The fish were shy today



A shot from the side


A shot of the right side


And the left


Some of the corals and a Mandarin hiding in the rocks


This guy only had about 7-8 polyps when I got him


Zipidy the hoseshoe crab


Skunk shrimp in his favorite place waiting to clean somebody


So far it seems like everything is under control and growing very well. Starting to get some bubble algea but hopefully the Emerald crabs will take care of it and I try to "suck" some out during water changes. I plan on stocking it more around Christmas with 10 or so corals and some fish. Really liked the butterfly fish but neither made it. A Blue tang and a yellow tang are on the list. Corals I hope for some mushrooms and favias but time will tell. Thanks for looking.

Tony

 

Looks great, should be able to have fun stocking it.

 

Thanks, I am looking forward to stocking it.

 

everything is purpling up nicely in there TBELT
It does look ready for more coral adds IMO

Steve

 

Yes it is absolutely ready but I work in the car biz so as we all know the car biz has been slow. It did not help much being out of work for 3 months with a broken hand. I am back up and running and looking forward to a great finish for the year. I am thinking about 10-12 corals in December plus 2 fish. I will see where that takes me.

The purple is doing great and looks good as well. Letting it go on the back glass so I will not need to do anything to hide the wires. December is coming and I will need to replace bulbs as well. Thinking of going with another 400w halide plus what I have. so many things so little cash at this time. The end of year bonus is looking good. That will help a great deal!!!

Spent the day cleaning and doing a water change. I do 35-40 gallons every 2 weeks and today took the canopy off to clean out salt creep and dust. Looks much better. Also cleaned out the power heads and the glass. not much fun but it needed to be done.

Now it is time to pour a good long drink and admire my work.

Thanks for looking

Tony

 

Well I have decided to add a refugium to the system. What I mean by add is just that. I have the room underneath to have a 36l 16h and 16w sump and a 30l 16h and 12w refugium. When thinking refugium is bigger better? I ask because I also have 24l 14h and 10w that I can use. I have all the plumbing needed and the sand. Plants I will have to get. I am also looking at calcium reactors. If anyone has a calcium reactor they like or any ideas on one I am open to sugestions.

My plan is to tap into the overflow drains and have a little go to the refugium and drain back into the sump. My understanding (please correct me if wrong) is that the flow in the refugium needs to be much less then the sump. The increased water volume and benifits of the refugium make it worth while (nitrate reduction copod growth ect). I have decided to go this route first before adding more corals/fish to make sure that I minimize problems. My thinking is equipment and set up first then adding livestock.

I also will be replacing all the bulbs in December as most are a year or so old.

Here are some questions: How deep of a sand bed would the group recommend? I currently have enough to do at least 5-6 inches. i also want to put mangroves in the refugium as well. Good idea? Plus a ball of chaeto (spelling?) algea along with other types(saltwater fern,mermaid fan, and maybe some caulerpa). Any ideas here would be appriciated. I have a spare light bar that I will have on opposite the diplay tank for lighting. My undestanding is that working the lights opposite my help to stabilize the PH. Correct? Should I put a clean up crew in the refugium?

Also in December I will have an electician out to add 6 sockets for the tank alone. I am getting a little nervous as I add more stuff. Do not need a fire. A buddy of mine burned his house up pretty good last year and I do not want to go that route for sure.

Any ideas would be most helpful. I plan on starting this project (refugium) in the next week or 2. should be completed in 2 weekends. Should be interesting.

Thanks for looking,

Tony

 

You have a good plan. Make sure the water from the fuge goes into the return section of the sump.

Bigger is better for tank water stability and greater export.

 

Yup that's the plan, return side.

 

Well went to the LFS and instead of equipment ended up with coral. Just a few frags. The price was right so I figured what the heck. Just letting them sit on frag shelf for a week and then will relocate to the rocks.

Thanks for looking

 

Nice additions.