To all the Jedi Aquarist's Newbie needs HELP!!!!!

My Story!!
I bought my son a 29 gallon Oceanic Bio-cube for christmas and needless to say myself, the wifey, and my son are hooked. That might just be an understatement. We have had are share of problems and lost 2 fish along the way, 1 green chromis (greeny) and recently blue hippo tang (sammy) but their is not doubt in our commitment to our new hobby. We currently have 2 clownfish a.k.a bob and bob jr., 1 yellow tang (logan jr) and a snowflake eel (snowflake).

We had gotten some very bad info when we bought the tangs form our lfs about the tangs being o.k. in that small of a tank and not only that but putting in the blue hippo tang, the yellow tang and the snowflake eel in at the same time. Wont ever do that again. They were actually doing o.k. for about 1 month until sammy got stuck inbetween the glass and the thermometer. He was so freaked out his eyes were bulging out. Once we got him free he seem to be o.k. for a few days and then bammm the ich came. We quarantined sammy but he was getting worst, we had got recommendations to turn the heater up to try and kill off the ich. My wife panicked as I was not their and gave it some medication.

The next morning sammy was dead, may he rest in peace.That was the wifes fish so guess who was in the dog house (lol). I think it was the meds that killed sammy because he was eating and really active. Then a few days later we noticed that bob had some ich showing so we were really concerned and then we found some information about another way to get rid of ich without having to use in kinds of meds, its the hyposalinity method. We went by the instructions to the tee and got the salinity to the range it needed to be to kill off the ich which is 1.0100-1.013. It has been around 3 weeks now and the recommendation is to keep it like that for 4-6 weeks. I think we will go with the 6 weeks just to be on the safe side of things. My wife tells me all is well and the fish are doing great. Kudos to my wife for keeping the fish happy and healthy.

This leads me to where we are now. I have since then purchased a 100 gallon tank. Like I said we are addicted (lol). I have been reading, reading ,reading, and more reading about how to try and set up my new aquarium. I have already purchased many things for it. But first thing is first. My new aquarium is not a pre-drilled aquarium and I want it to be. I know, I know but I looked far and wide and still couldnt find anything that I liked but this one. I have what I need to drill the glass and I have some videos to reference by but I need some more info on how to install the overflow in the tank. I do not want to run a hang on type this much I do know. I also want to have a refugium/sump. I have purchased a used sump but how big of refugium do I need and what do i need to get it up and going.

I really am over my head and will probably pay someone to come out and put it all together but I wanted to see what the more experienced aquarist had to say since I have been very impressed with this forum. I will list what I have and then maybe I can go from thier with all the feedback I recieve.

Thanks to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the end I would love this tank to be a reef and fish aquarium is my goal.
Here is what I have to start out with.
I will also in time be posting up my tanks progress.
Mods if this is in the wrong forum please let me know or move....thanks
Other items that I have but dont have pictures of.

I have a AquaC EV-120 Protein skimmer w/model 7 pump and a Corallife super protein skimmer rated for 125 gallons. I was leaning on using the AquaC I have read many good things about them plus I have the waste container for it.
I have 2 hydro koralia #4 powerheads.
I plan on buying macro rock. How much can I put in my tank?I want to make an aquascape I think it is called.
I will have live sand/what is the recommended amount for 100 gallon tank?
I will give it plenty of time to cycle but would I use the bio-spira to kick it off or do I use the shrimp like I have read. Either way I will give it at least a month before livestock is introdued as long as nitrate,ammonia,ph,etc.... are good. I know I have a long way to go and I am looking at having everything I need for this in the next couple of weeks. Any input is much appreciated in trying to get this rookies dream reef/tank up and going.

We will take it slow while this tank matures over time and enjoy the 29 gallon while we slowly introduce proper livestock for that size tank. But I want to have the 100 gallon good in the next 3 months so I can move Logan jr and snowflake to it.
Another question I have is when I put up my lights I was thinking about making a glass top for the aquarium so snowflake doesnt decide he wants out. But will that affect the actual light the corals will need. Do I have to have the top off so nothing upstructs the lights line of site. Or will I be o.k. with a glass top. Thanks everyone for the help.

 

I can understand your desire to get that 100g even if its not drilled. that is a beautiful stand/top. It will look gorgeous when its all setup =) Im sure one of the jedi here will pop in with advice soon enough

 

So do you want the tank drilled on the back or on the bottom? If on the bottom, make sure that the glass is not tempered.

For drilling and installing instructions, I want to point you to Glass-Holes.com . These guys make great products and also have a good video showing the whole process.

 

well heres my opinion..........i would go with a fuge like you said....here is a link for you tohttp learn about fugiums and how to setup them and the equipment for then.,they are easy to setup, and for ur lighting issue....dont worry about that at all the light will get through it just fine...it will be the same without the top on it...but you dont have to have a glass top you can just get eggcrate if you are just trying to keep the eel in....but yeah like i said the glass top will be fine...there will be no lighting issue,

refugium link: http:

that should help with that..any other questions for me just send me a PM or something

 

hey man sry just copy and past that website for the fuge....the link didnt work

 

Awesome

slocal once again you have come to my rescue. If I am to have a built in overflow is that drilled from the bottom or the side? The tank is not tempered is what the maker told me. 8)

 

thanks craft kid, glad work has slowed down which gives me plenty of time to read up on all the good information you guys are providing. Still have a few more days until we reach Trinidad then I am home free to start to work on it. YIPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Be careful when covering your tank with glass. Make sure you have enough gas exchange in your sump (skimmer and maybe a powerhead) so you have enough oxygen in the tank. The other thing to watch out for is the amount of heat that gets trapped between the water and the glass due to the lights. If you run a search on the forums, you will see many 3reefers innovations at covering their tanks (egg crate, nets, etc)

 

good to know I will definetly check it out. Maybe drilling some small holes in the glass top will do the trick and letting the tank breath I guess is how you could put it.

 

Wow I read the whole thing and I got to tell you...

I thought I was reading how I started. Seriously.. Everything exept the wife is the same. Lol

also have a 29G who I added a yellow tang and a regal tang who got ich and had to be qt etc..

I also upgraded later to a 150G. Go figure lol.

I'm not much of an expert when drilling is conserned but Here Slocal already Gaved you good info.
I'll b following your progress and hope everything goes smooth for you from now on