Temperate Aquarium Build

I have a 120 gal temperate aquarium (runs in mid 50's F) that is more or less an undecorated holding tank (acrylic). Right now it's moderately stocked mainly with Pacific Northwest plants and animals. I'd really like to see what I can do to build it into a display. The aquascaping would begin at step one, as I have no rock or even substrate in it at present. If space, time and finance allow, I hope to add an oversized surge device that can draw enough water to periodically expose the uppermost portion of the rockwork. Lighting will depend upon the type of (if any) macroalgae and kelp I add. I'm seriously considering using ozone.

At present I'm fishing for ideas, both technical and aesthetic. Any suggestions (including leads to sources of temperate livestock) would be greatly appreciated.

 

I think what you're doing is interesting, but I don't have any useful input. I was just thinking how uncomfortable tank maintenance would be with cold water. My arms get cold in 78 degree water

 

That is awesome - I'm very interested in doing a coldwater tank! Do you have any pictures to post? I wish I had some advice - I had a thread going on the same sort of thing before, and APC was kind enough to provide this link.

Oregonreef.com

Very cool looking tanks.

 

Ha ha... yeah, it's not very comfortable at first, unless you wear long gloves. The tank is 2' tall and rarely over 57 F. I've kept most of my tanks closer to 55 F. After the initial shock, it can actually feel good.

 

I once saw a native tank setup in ocean city md. It had local fish and inverts. The most interesting part was the filtration. It composed of a bottom layer of bivalves that filtered the water several times over in less than an hour.

 

I have a couple clams and a couple oysters that I got at the fisherman's market. Every one of them has been doing fine a year and a half later. They're not flashy, but they definitely serve their purpose well. It's shocking how much water they can filter in a day.