What to do?

southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by TeresaQ http:///t/387827/what-to-do/20#post_3415867
I tried to answer one of you earlier posts, but my computer messed up. lol any way
I always like to think of where the fish will hang when I stock.
for bottom of tank, I have Engineer goby. They kinda look like eels when thier are adults, but you have to prepare for them because they dig.
for rock work I like blennys, like bi-color or tail spot - they like little holes to peek out of.
clown gobies like to purch on rocks also and come in bright yellow, black, green and a couple other patterns.
Clowns because they are beautiful.
for Blue I have pygmy angel and royal gramma.
fairy wrasses are active swimmers and come is very beautiful colors.
For your rock wall, there are also new products that are more cement in nature and are used to attach live rock to plastic egg create. The foam tends to float and has to be attached really well.

Thanks for the info TeresaQ.
Is there a thread around here using that cement like stuff. I got around to looking at the pics in that foam wall 101 thread and I love how he covered all the equipment. I definitely want that look in my tank. I noticed that he build little caves for the powerheads. Is there any science to knowing where to place them in the tank. My guess is once you've built the cave... you're not moving them.
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
Most times the backs are built in sections. depending on how long your tank is. Some of these builds are quite intence. You have to search around a little. lol I saw one a few yrs ago that was wow.
Powerheads are usually placed at either end of the tank - depending on the length of your tank also one in the middle. you would have to work out placement before commiting to a rock wall though.
Here are a couple pics using the mortor stuff.

 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
My first tank will basically be a 55gal tank so it's four foot long. Only difference is my front corners are at an angle so in acutuality... its either 52 or 53 gals.
Where do you find that cement stuff... and what is the actual name of it?
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Ok... time for more dumb questions.
I am reading a tank stand building thread and they are also talking about the tank that's going on the stand. What is the purpose of an overflow box that looks like it may mount on the back wall of the tank where it's been drilled?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/387827/what-to-do/40#post_3416137
Ok... time for more dumb questions.
I am reading a tank stand building thread and they are also talking about the tank that's going on the stand. What is the purpose of an overflow box that looks like it may mount on the back wall of the tank where it's been drilled?
I'm not possitive, but I think it hides the plumbing PVC pipes. A big black box looks neat instead of white pipes showing...but like I said, that's just a guess.
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
crapola
I think I just found out that some of the things I like in salt tanks are actually coral. I guess I was under the misguided impression that coral was the hard rock type stuff.... not the flowing in the breeze stuff that I like.
Just dandy.... now that's gonna be even more high dollar equipment I get to buy. Someone shoot me.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/387827/what-to-do/40#post_3416294
crapola
I think I just found out that some of the things I like in salt tanks are actually coral. I guess I was under the misguided impression that coral was the hard rock type stuff.... not the flowing in the breeze stuff that I like.
Just dandy.... now that's gonna be even more high dollar equipment I get to buy. Someone shoot me.

lol...I was about to say something in our private message last night when you said you're not concerned about keeping corals. I thought to myself, I've never seen anyone come to this site and not eventually want to try their hand at corals. But I figured that you'd figure it out sooner or later.
There are some nice soft corals out there that are easy (or easier) to keep than hard corals that don't require super expensive lighting systems. But yes, stony corals are probably some of the most beautiful ones. Lots of beautiful softy tanks out there though.
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Yeah.... I figured out this is gonna be a more expensive hobby than I thought...and I thought it was gonna be a 4 figure hobby.
I'll prolly end up doing my tank build so I can upgrade in the future if needed or wanted.
Right now Im debating if I want to use my current 52 or maybe spring for a 75gal. I know the 75 would offer more room but it would depend on the cost of the tank. The money I spend on it couldn't go towards buying materials for my stand or equipement for the tank. Thus pushing back my first salt tank even further.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/387827/what-to-do/40#post_3416377
Yeah.... I figured out this is gonna be a more expensive hobby than I thought...and I thought it was gonna be a 4 figure hobby...I almost dropped my coffee when I read this part.
Oh so true.
I'll prolly end up doing my tank build so I can upgrade in the future if needed or wanted.
Right now Im debating if I want to use my current 52 or maybe spring for a 75gal. I know the 75 would offer more room but it would depend on the cost of the tank. The money I spend on it couldn't go towards buying materials for my stand or equipement for the tank. Thus pushing back my first salt tank even further.
Used GLASS tanks are pretty easy to find, and pretty cheap. I wouldn't get acrylic because of scratches, used acrylic means buffing them out, and they just scratch up again.
You can find a brand new 75g tank, stand and canopy for $400.00 if you look for sales. Most fish stores sell a package deal...have them deduct the items you won't need like the fish lights and such. That's how I got my 56g column tank for $300.00...Bottom line, the tank and stand are the cheap things to buy. The light, skimmer and pumps are the expensive parts.
LOL.....I got my two 30g tanks and a metal stand for $40.00, I used one as a sump and the other as the display tank...I spent $1000.00 more to set it all up.
For certain, this hobby is not cheap.
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
At least you didn't snort your coffee out of your nose. That crap burns

I had kinda planned to stick with glass. One of my ex bosses had a huge 300 gal acrylic that was full of African Cichlids (its how I got started in them). He was always complaining about having to be careful because of scratches.
As for the canopy and stand... I plan on doing a custom built unit to fit the area I plan on having the tank. It may take me a bit longer to get it up and running, but since it's going to be the focal point of the living room... I want it to look NICE. Another thing I kinda worry about is weight. I know I can do the 52 filled with rock and fish, but not sure about a 75. I have a crawl space under the house.. I'd prolly have to add extra bracing to the floor.
I may go to the "not so local" fish store on friday to look at their tanks to get an idea of prices. The bad thing about living in the country is lack of proxcimity (sp?) to alot of stores. That's also a good thing though... I love my country livin. My closest place is 40 mins away and it's a *****. My "not so local" fish store is an hour and 45 mins away... and that's just one way. They used to quaratine their fish when they came in before they would sell them. That's where I bought alot of my African Cichlids back in the day.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/387827/what-to-do/40#post_3416388
At least you didn't snort your coffee out of your nose. That crap burns

I had kinda planned to stick with glass. One of my ex bosses had a huge 300 gal acrylic that was full of African Cichlids (its how I got started in them). He was always complaining about having to be careful because of scratches.
As for the canopy and stand... I plan on doing a custom built unit to fit the area I plan on having the tank. It may take me a bit longer to get it up and running, but since it's going to be the focal point of the living room... I want it to look NICE. Another thing I kinda worry about is weight. I know I can do the 52 filled with rock and fish, but not sure about a 75. I have a crawl space under the house.. I'd prolly have to add extra bracing to the floor.
I may go to the "not so local" fish store on friday to look at their tanks to get an idea of prices. The bad thing about living in the country is lack of proxcimity (sp?) to alot of stores. That's also a good thing though... I love my country livin. My closest place is 40 mins away and it's a *****. My "not so local" fish store is an hour and 45 mins away... and that's just one way. They used to quaratine their fish when they came in before they would sell them. That's where I bought alot of my African Cichlids back in the day.
Just a tank won't cost much. I would re-inforce the floor and I would also had a guy install extra GFCI outlets for all around the fish tank, I have 4 quads installed one high on each side, and one low on each. I have enough outlets for anything I want to add, and the peace of mind the GFCIs give me is worth it, I also have switch in the breaker box, some kind of surge thing that acts like the GFCI... I'm so glad I did for my 90g..... water and electricity do not mix.
I always a guy come in and check my floors to see if it can take the weight. The floor of my old house needed the re-inforcment, and the house I'm in now doesn't, the tank is right over a support beam.
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
I think one of the reason I want to go look at tanks is to see if any of his has already been drilled, or if they can drill my 52. I've made up my mind I will put aside my fears of flooding my house and get some sort of sump for the salt tank.
As for the outlets.... that's not a problem. I can do that myself. I learned alot from my dad. He was a certified electrician before he retired.
Speaking of sumps.... what size do you think I need for either a 52 or 75 gal tank? I was watching some vids from NYSteelo on youtube and on his sump he had a refugium (sp?) in the center section. Said it helped with keeping the water parameters where they were supposed to be.
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
A good place to keep an eye out in is craigs list. you can sometime pick up good deals from people getting out of the hobby.
if you go into your profile, you can add your location - this will help other hobbiest know where you are and if they are close. lol
Good Luck
 
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