220g with 90g "display refugium"

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shrimpy brains

Guest
Ok, I have been away from the boards, but have not been idle.
I tore down my 125g and replaced it with a 220g. I needed a refugium for this and had a 90g.
The 90g was going to be dedicated to scorps/lionfish(thanks to Cranberry, and seemingly a growing trend on this board)
So,i found a way to have the best of both worlds.
I took both tanks to a good freind and lfs owner. Had the 220g drilled and overflow built.
Told Chris(friend and lfs owner) I was interested in a display refugium. He came up with a great idea.
We took black abs. cut it down. heated it up with a space heater and bent to fit. It starts in one front corner, curves back to 5 inches
from the back wall then curves again and ends in the other front corner. This creates a corner where the water overflows from the
DT. It will house skimmer pump, rock and chaeto, then there are 3 baffles in the section that is 5 inches from the back wall. In the section where it curves back, id the return pump. (pics. to follow will hopefully help explain)
There is a second overflow that goes to the front area of this tank and overflow teeth are cut into the abs to allow the water to
run into the back and to the return section, also.
Tank is set up, but I still have a lot of work to do. Trimming, mount some things, attach skimmer,clean up hoses and power cords, etc. Also, it is only 1 month old, so please excuse diatoms, unfinished rock work etc.
This tank has been set up in a wall. Lower tank 1 foot from floor and upper tank 4 feet from floor. Looks like this:
1 = bottom tank
2 = top tank
3 = both tanks
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
So far in the 220g I have:
1 longhorn cowfish (built the tank for her)
1 bristletail file fish(so far reef safe, this could be a huge mistake)
1 occelaris Clownfish
and I took a chance since this is a large tank
3 Percula Clownfish (left from the last batch I raised)
Hopefully I will end up with 2 pairs and not 2 Clowns.
Various snails and a few hermits( need to get more cuc)
Some LPS and Softies
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
LOL...I love those cowfish...are their mouths always like that???
OH..glad you figured the pics out LOL
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
During all this, my Seahorse tank sprung a leak and I lost some. The ones I saved were temporarily moved to a 29g.
A couple of months ago, a freind from my reef club bought a 6g tank. The inhabitants of this tank were:
1 Clownfish
1 Sally light foot crab
a few hermits
And........can you believe.......1 seahorse.
I took the seahorse, so now I have 1 reidi seahorse with my erectus.
I have moved them into the refugium portion of this tank while I work on a new seahorse tank. ( don't worry T, I keep my reef about 75 degrees)
I also bought a couple more Erectus, and will eventually get a female reidi to go with the male.
Pics!!!
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Well, it's always round, but not always open, and thanks to you, I figured out the pics. lol
Anyone have suggestions about getting rid of those water spots on the tank. I bought it used. Have tried vinegar and toothpaste.
The toothpaste made it less noticeable, but as you can see in this pic. They are still there.
 
aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
For the water spots, try a fresh razor blade. If that doesn't work, try steel wool ( this stuff, available at any Home Depot/Lowes). I use this trick for detailing car windshields. The 0000 grade is sometimes too fine for the nasty stuff, but you should finish with the 0000, so pickup the 00 and 000 grades as well. Use a spray bottle and apply some water first, then with the steel wool pad, buff in a circular motion. The glass is harder then the steel wool, there's no worry about scratching the glass. Be sure to dry as you go, to avoid new water spots, obviously.
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
So, how many things did you stop yourself from saying to just say that? lol
I know, I told myself all the same things and tried to get the guy to keep him and setup better housing.
It was just one of those situations!
I didn't want to set up a seperate tank just for him, and have him be alone.
I posted about it on the seahorse site, and the only negative thing they said, was that they might cross breed. That is why I am planning on getting a female reidi.
I do know he is a captive bred, ORA seahorse, and that makes it a little better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TeresaQ http:///forum/thread/385076/220g-with-90g-display-refugium#post_3375830
Very nice, The only thing I will say is watch mixing species. There can be problems.
T
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
lol, I know you know what you are doing, but wanted to throw that out in case new people see it and a oh if she did it, then I can too. lol
they look good. Just be sure to qt any new additions and watch closely.
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by TeresaQ http:///forum/thread/385076/220g-with-90g-display-refugium#post_3376002
lol, I know you know what you are doing, but wanted to throw that out in case new people see it and a oh if she did it, then I can too. lol
they look good. Just be sure to qt any new additions and watch closely.
You are right.

Disclaimer: It is never a good idea to mix Seahorse species. There is a risk of cross pathogens along with the possibility of cross breeding(amongst other problems)
Also, putting seahorses in your refugium is a bad idea. Not only do seahorses require cooler temps than we normally keep our reef tanks, but due to the fact that seahorses have to be fed at least twice daily,you can quickly pollute your reef with the heavy bioload.
This is only a temporary solution for me. I am trying to put together a dedicated seahorse tank, quickly!
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Help me with my stocklist for the 220g:
So far I have:
1 longhorn cowfish (built the tank for her)
1 bristletail file fish(so far reef safe, this could be a huge mistake)
1 occelaris Clownfish
and I took a chance since this is a large tank
3 Percula Clownfish (left from the last batch I raised)
Hopefully I will end up with 2 pairs and not 2 Clowns.
Definitely getting:
Blue Hippo(free from fellow reefer)
Pair of Bellus Angels
Trio of Carberryi Anthias
Some sort of Flasher Wrasse (which one is the prettiest?) Can I do a pair? Two different kinds?
Considering:
School of Chromis
2nd trio of Anthias
I need some bottom dwellers, sand sifters, either a couple of large ones or several small ones that won't fight:
I am considering the Bi-color Goatfish all I read says it maxes out about 9 inches, but AquaKnight says they get bigger (opinions?)
Interested in:
Banacle Blennies
Barbershop gobies(had before and know they are peaceful)
Jawfish
Any suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!
 
aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shrimpy Brains http:///forum/thread/385076/220g-with-90g-display-refugium#post_3376108
I am considering the Bi-color Goatfish all I read says it maxes out about 9 inches, but AquaKnight says they get bigger (opinions?)
I doubt it (regardless of what I might have said before). The Bicolor's max size is listed @ 30cm, or just shy of 1 foot. Which would mean in a private home aquarium (assuming less them 400gal), I really don't see one would growing over 9", if even that big. That said, I still see a few issues with the goatfish. The first one, is just a sheer lack of experience. I have seen several goatfish in aquariums, however they've always been the typical 2"-3" specimens that arrive. I've never seen an established, grown goatfish in a home aquarium (public aquariums, sure). A 4" damsel/maroon clown can cause sandstorms in a tank, I wonder what a 6" goatfish does rooting around, looking for food 24/7 does. Second, while a 2" goatfish might mesh fine with gobies and jawfish, I don't see a larger one doing the same. Not so much from an aggression standpoint, but a consumption. Would say to choose the direction more interested to you, the goatfish, or the gobies/blennies/jawfish.
Depending on the species, a second trio of Anthias is a great option.
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by AquaKnight http:///forum/thread/385076/220g-with-90g-display-refugium#post_3376141
I doubt it (regardless of what I might have said before). The Bicolor's max size is listed @ 30cm, or just shy of 1 foot. Which would mean in a private home aquarium (assuming less them 400gal), I really don't see one would growing over 9", if even that big. That said, I still see a few issues with the goatfish. The first one, is just a sheer lack of experience. I have seen several goatfish in aquariums, however they've always been the typical 2"-3" specimens that arrive. I've never seen an established, grown goatfish in a home aquarium (public aquariums, sure). A 4" damsel/maroon clown can cause sandstorms in a tank, I wonder what a 6" goatfish does rooting around, looking for food 24/7 does. Second, while a 2" goatfish might mesh fine with gobies and jawfish, I don't see a larger one doing the same. Not so much from an aggression standpoint, but a consumption. Would say to choose the direction more interested to you, the goatfish, or the gobies/blennies/jawfish.
Depending on the species, a second trio of Anthias is a great option.
It was a long time ago. You helped me decide on a definite stocklist, but at that point, it was going to be a fish only. What can I say, I am a woman and it's mandatory that I change my mind frequently. lol Ok, so forget the Goatfish.
Can anyone put together several bottom dwellers, that won't eventually kill each other. This tank has a 72x 24 footprint. I ought to be able to do several in harmony!
Or what do you think about:
a trio of Jawffish
2 or 3 Barbershop or yasha gobies
2 scooter blennies
 
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