My New Tank... Finally.

dvs

dvs

Member
Okay, so Im pretty sure this is how it's gonna be...
72 gal bow front
70 lbs LR
4" DSB (LS)
(2) 65W Blue Actinic
(2) Metal Halide
(3) Powerheads (not sure on brand, any suggestions?)
15 gal sump
Excalibur hang on protein skimmer
Emperor 400
250 watt heater (or should I go with 2 smaller wattage heaters?)
Might set up a refugium
Pair of Clowns (still deciding on which ones)
Pair of Orangestriped Cardinalish
(1) Blue Hippo Tang
(1) Flame Angelfish
(1) Valentini Toby
(1) Red Serpent Starfish
(5 each) Pepermint Shrimp, Hawaiian Zebra Hermits, Emerald Crabs, Mexican Turbo Snails
(25) Scarlet Reef Hermits
(2 each) Feather Dusters, Brittle Stars, Horseshoe Crabs
Bubble Tip
Florida Condi
Star Polyps
Any suggestions?
Thanks guys
:D
 
lectrik

lectrik

Member
maxi jets work good and maybe a wave maker would suit you. Two lower wattage heaters work good incase one fails. Thats a nice wish list of inhabitants but it will take a while before you can stock all of those things if you procede with caution so enjoy.
 
dvs

dvs

Member
Yeah, Im figuring probably a year and a half to two years before all is said and done.
Why are wave makers good? The guy at my LFS tried to sell me one. I asked him about it and he didnt know too much. I think they work on commission. IDIOTS!
:p
 
lectrik

lectrik

Member
You connect your powerheads to the wave maker and it controls which powerheads are on and which are off by alternating power to them and makes a current, sort of like waves. Some people like them to create wild current flows. Or if you dont have one aim your powerheads strategically to create a swirling current so you dont have dead spots which you dont want because they are breading grounds for bad algae.
 
josh

josh

Active Member
Ok so I am a bit confused, is that the tank you already have? Or the one you hope to get in the coming year or so? If you haven't gotten it yet, make sure you get a reef ready one. Having a pre dilled tank and a sump will save you soooo many headaches down the line.
As for you MH lights, I would recommend a set of 250 HQI lights. You could keep just about anything with them. Aqualine makes a sweet aquaspace light that has supplemental lights built in.
Anyway, just throwing some things into the mix for ya.
Ok more thoughts -
You could get a ecosystem sump and skip the protein skimmer but I wouldn't get a HOT skimmer for that size tank, it just won't cut it.
Skip the bio wheel, the LR and Sand will take care of the filtration needs. ...all the better if you go with a good skimmer or a ecosystem. If you do opt for a skimmer get a in sump skimmer . . .and get atleast a 29 gallon size sump.
IMO just get snails instead of crabs, crabs are omnivores so they might eat the corals etc....plus they can knock rock or corals over easily - - -just go with tons of snails.
Ok that's all for now :)
 
dvs

dvs

Member
Okay, lets see.
No, not up yet. LOL Im going to pick up my tank tonight. Why are drilled holes so good? Couldnt I just get some PVC elbows and do that kinda thing? Like over the top of the tank?
Ill cut down on the crabs. Maybe just a few. I must admit when I first started looking at turbo snails I was like "yeah, what could hey possibly do?" Ive seen those suckers move! I guess thats why they get their name Turbo.
And what are HQI lights?
Okay, I think thats it too.
:)
Thank ya
 
bdhough

bdhough

Active Member
Make sure your starfish are reef safe... I'm not familiar with the ones you want but they may ruin things. All those scarlets may kill eachother as well. Maybe 5 blue legs in the mix somewhere, or a cleaner shrimp
 
dvs

dvs

Member
Yeah. Ive been warned about chocolate chip stars. BAAAAAAD news!
And of course, all the ones I like and would like to have ARENT reef safe. figures!
:)
 
josh

josh

Active Member
Ohh how exciting getting it tonight :)
Well having a pre drilled tank just means you won't have to fool with a hang on overflow and having it drilled makes the overflow/sump more reliable.
Ask the LFS you are getting it from if they drill tanks or know anybody that does.
HQI is just a designation of MH. In the US it means a double ended lamp. They produce more intense light than a mogul style light. I got mine from a company called oceanencounter.
HEREis the link. Just give them a call and ask them questions you might have. They are really great people to work with and are very knowledable about MH systems.
The only star fish I know of that are reef safe are the linkia. You want to avoid any star fish with "humps" on it such as the chocolate chip.
A word about turbos, you might want to stay away from them. They are great algae eaters but they can't upright themselves if they happen to fall on their backs ( shells ) so they die.
anyways,
got anymore questions? I am sure you do :)
 
dvs

dvs

Member
Okay.
So Ive heard no crabs and now no snails. Hmmmm.
As Ive said before, all of the villages that are missing their idiots, I know where they are. My LFS!
Seriously.
I really think some of the people that are there, shouldnt be (i.e., bad advice, mixing agressive fish, no help what so ever etc...)
Anyways, Im not setting it up til we move to Florida. Probably be May or June, although were thinking of heading down there sooner just so we can set up the tank, lol. Maybe I can get it drilled down there.
Thanks for the help
:)
 
ntvflgirl

ntvflgirl

Member
Mexican turbos can right themselves...although they are a little bigger. Also, do a little research on the flame angel. Sometimes they are reef safe, sometimes not. Also, horseshoe crabs will not be very good in a 72. The get really big, disturb your substrate, and sometimes knock things over. Read up on that a little as well before you make final decisions. Good Luck. I'm jealous. I wish I could start over with what I know now.
 
dvs

dvs

Member
Hmmm, okay on the snails.
Isnt there like a "dwarf" horseshoe crab?
The ones at a LFS (not the one I usually go to) have some. Theyre probably 2-3" and they said thats as big as they get.
I dunno.
Ill keep researching
Thanks
:)
 
jake22

jake22

Member
I would not get the horseshoe crabs they will eat everything in your sand bed. I dont think the toby you mentioned is reef safe.
 
S

sebae0

Guest
sorry for being off the topic but dvs i have a question about that tattoo on your lower back? how much did it hurt? is there a name for the design? reason why im not really into tattoos but i would like to have my wife get one there in a similiar style, i think it is very sexy. i told my wife about it and she might do it if the pain isnt too bad.
 
josh

josh

Active Member
Turbo snails are the only snails that I know of that can't upright themselves. Every other snail is great for a tank, turbos aren't bad you just have to keep an eye on them.
I would really stear clear of the horseshoue crab for the reasons mentioned. Even if it looks small, 3" like you mentioned, it will wreck havok in your DSB.
I really hope you aren't discouraged about myself and others telling you you shouldn't have certain things or some dry goods just aren't that good. I am just trying to save you time, money and mostly frustration :)
 
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