Finally!!

S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Ok, so I am finally going to set up my 65g hex for Erectus.

I had a 1 inch hole drilled in the back and enclosed it with a black acrylic overflow. Small slits up top to eliminate horses getting sucked in.
My plan is to split the overflow from tank, one pipe to refugium and one to skimmer(sectioned off in refuge). Water flows thru to return section. From the return pump it goes(thru chiller) over top of tank and splits to 2 spray bars. Bars will be placed vertically in back of tank. One each side of overflow box with holes drilled to the middle left and right. I'm hoping this will be enough flow. If not, I will add 1 or 2 nano koralias. (supposed to be seahorse freindly)
So far, I have about 20 lbs. of branching rock. I put it in tank with a powerhead to get a start on the cycle. (just didn't fill high enough to reach overflow) I will add more to get 65lbs of live rock in there. That's 1 lb. per gallon. Should I have 1 and 1/2 or is that enough? I want a little swimming room and this is a hard shape to fill/stack.
Gonna add macros and, maybe, a few soft corals like mushrooms. I am only gonna do flourescent lites on this tank so limited coral selection. I'm thinking 2-24" lites. one with actinic and one with daylight run on 2 timers so I have morning, daytime, and evening effect.(do you think this will support the macros?? Should I make 1 a plant grow light??)
Will try to get some pics this weekend.(if i ever remember to get some batteries for my camera)

As for stock list, I'm thinking....
4 Erectus (CB)
2 Banghaii Cardinals (CB)
1 Mandarin (already have)
1 or 2 Clown gobies??
Several cerith, nassarius, turbo snails.
Would like to get a couple of sexy shrimp, but they will probably end up as food.

Does it sound like I'm on the right track??
Advice??
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Oh yeah, I got a large shell to set up as feeding station. (idea from thread by Novahobbies,I think)
And have a 20g to set up quarantine when I get the horses. Also, I'm going to pre-buy some meds(just in case) Recommendations??
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
yayyyyyyyyy
I dont have that much rock in the tank, I stuck some in the sump.
Cant wait to see some pictures
See if you can find the picture of renee's seahorse tank- I really like how she set up for a hex tank
T
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Thanks, T! I found renee's thread. It doesn't look like she has much live rock in her tank either. Love her macros. Posted on her thread to find out what she had done for flow as it was hard to tell from pic. ( I think she had several returns, but not sure)
Also, don't know why, but didn't think about putting live rock in refuge. I will def. do that, then I can make the tank more decorative/horse freindly.
What do you think of my stocklist?? Would 6 horses be too much with the fish??
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
I like your stock list. Not sure about 6 in there, my 4 take use all the space in my 58 gal. I have a couple of pepperment shrimp also.
T
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Yeah, I thought 6 would be too many. Just greedy. I'll stick with 4.
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Originally Posted by novahobbies
http:///forum/post/3178490
Awwww! Im blushing!
(Ever see a 6'4" 280lb dude blush???)

Yes, but it took a lot more effort than complimenting his........"thread".
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Ok, so I didn't get too much done. Made spray bars, but didn't drill them yet. I coated them with purple primer, but will wait to see if anyone thinks that was a bad idea before installing.......Started plumbing overflow and return, but have to go back to store to get a few more pieces.
So, here is a pic of spray bar( they will split the overflow in rear of tank).
Pic 2. overflow plumbed thru wall to my maintenance area)
Pic 3. The refuge for this tank which will live under my reef tank. overflow will split, one to refuge, one to sectioned off area with skimmer.
Pic 4. Cool rock I got. Hope to stand it up in tank somehow.
Pic 4 Nice branching rock and 2 large shells for feeding station. Hope to make shell removable to switch out for cleaning. Also, will put in QT to get the horses used to it.
Tommorrow finish plumbing and hope sand settles so I can arrange live rock.




 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Ok, I have been working on my tank, just not updating this thread. Sorry! Any way, tank has been cycled for a while. I have added lots of hitches and a about 2000 pods.(half in DT and half in fuge.)
I also added some ghost shrimp, and 3 Peppermints and about 40 or so various snails.
About a month ago, I noticed the glass totally covered in pods, so I transferred my Mandarin.
I also, went to the lfs about 2 weeks ago, they had a Catalina Goby. I know this wasn't on my original stock list, but couldn't resist. She seems to be doing well and very active. Figured since this tank was to stay at 72 degrees, she might do well.
Oh, and the best part,
I ordered my horses(4) and they should arrive Teusday morning!! Woohoo!
So, I have a 10g QT (will try to find some more fake hitches this weekend for this)
Enclosed are pics of tank.
Am I forgetting anything? Please, let me know before teusday.




 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
All these pics are from 1-26-10. I have since lost the tree sponge(as you can prob. tell from pic) I also got a couple more gorgs and moved a little rock around. Will try to update pics in the next couple of days.
A couple more pics.


 
jaodissa

jaodissa

Member
Your tank is gorgeous! It reminds me of a castle in the little mermaid or something! I'm jealous!! I can't wait to see some horses in it! Lots and lots of pictures too!!!!
And all the tank talk was gibberish to me so I can't help there sorry lol.
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Thanks! I've been researching and planning for well over a year. I'm so excited! I hope it all works out well.
 
jaodissa

jaodissa

Member
Is it hard to clean inside of it? It looks extremely deep. Also I love how you have all the different macro's growing how they are. Do you have to cut them a lot to keep them like that or will you just let them fill in over time?
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Yes, it's very tall! If I stand on a chair and reach all the way in, my fingers can just touch the bottom and I even have to roll up short sleeves.
Hopefully, I won't have to do that often, and I bought some long tongs just for this tank!
As far as the macros go, most are slow growers. My only concern is the caulerpa (green feathery looking ones) They can get a little out of control and cause major issues if they go sexual. I hope it will spread(of course) to provide many hitches. I will, however stay on top of pruning and use it to feed my tangs in my reef tank!
 
jaodissa

jaodissa

Member
6 months ago when I started reading about dwarf sea horses I had ideas of a tank like yours in my mind. I learned real fast it's not the best way to go. Seeing your tank makes me want to set up a large seahorse tank to LOL! and I don't even have my babies yet!
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
And I got my dwarfs, to satisfy my need for seahorses, while I was getting this tank ready.
I know what you mean about seeing a thread and thinking about another tank. Before I got this one set up, I decided I wanted a Scorpionfish tank(thanks to Cranberry and her many threads) So, that's next on the list.
The fun part is finding the space!
 
jaodissa

jaodissa

Member
I think I can get 7 fish tanks before my husband freaks. I say seven because that would be one in each room. Living room, dining room, kitchen, family room, bedroom, kids bedroom, office, hmmm and maybe one in the laundry room for my viewing pleasures while folding laundry LMBO!!! Im either gonna be killed or divorced over fish who would have thought.
Someone here set up a mantis tank and I feel in love with them. They are so pretty it's amazing. I can't do it though. I can't feed them live things like crabs. IDK why but little pods and bugs don't bother me. Bigger prey makes me sad.
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
I think you can train the Mantis to accepted prepared foods, but you would probably have to start out with live.
 
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