New tank pics

[Kaliman]

Here are some pics of my new tank setup. It has been cycling for two weeks. I just put in 6 Green Chromis' and a Lawnmower Blennie Yesterday. Today I put in Nessarius and Trochus snails along with Scarlet Hermits and two Emerald crabs. Let me know what you think. I know it needs more rock, and the back will be painted black soon.

 

[danmhippo]

Nice rock and nice layout. I find your "back side" more interesting than the "front"!

Wondering why do you decide to cycle with live fish and snails? It's only 2 weeks old! Some snails will die due to starvation and elevated nitrite level at this stage.

 

[Kaliman]

Thank you.
Well, I got a GREAT deal on the critters and I had a lot of hair algea, so I figured I would risk it. Unfortunately the Blennie is so efficient he has eaten most of the algae. I really hope I don't loose too many of them, as long as the algae keeps growing I should be ok, there is plenty in the tank to sustain them for a while. The tank is cycling fast, as far as I can tell, and the Culerpa in the sump is taking off quickly, growing about 1 inch per day. I am testing for Calcium, Alk, PH and Magnesium, but I have not tested for Nitrites and Nitrates, I will check them tomorrow. I know I should be testing for these, but I have been playing it by ear and by what the tank inhabitants look like. All seems to be progressing fine.
I like the back side of the tank as well, and have had a hard time deciding to paint it, but I am going to paint. This system is very easy to maintain since it is in the garage, and is easily accessed.

 

[Bucktronix]

mmmm eco filter.. good choice.

 

[Enkidu]

If I were you I'd get a big piece of black acrylic to lean up against the back instead of painting the back. That way you can remove it whenever you might need to. Since your access is from the back you're going to have a hard time doing anything in the tank with only the top to look down through. Have you ever tried to do something while looking through the water surface? Its nearly impossible to tell whats going on. Just my $0.02.

 

[Enkidu]

It wouldn't even have to be acrylic, that would just be the pimp way to do it

. You could get a sheet of plastic film or a piece of cardboard that you paint black. Options abound!

 

[dgasmd]

This is the kind of things I wished I could understand. If I had your set up (all the plumbing and such in the back room or a back room at all) I would go with a much larger sump. Why that little tank only? Price does not have to be a reason either. You could get one of those big rubbermaid bats for feeding livestock or even a couple of rubbermaid trash can like the ones you have there already and put them in line. It would be so much more of a stable system over time, water changes would be even easier than they probably are, and w you will have all the extra room to even set up that sump you have now as a refugium (the whole thing instead of a third of it).
It all looks nice and clean though. Good luck to you.

 

[Kaliman]

That is an excellent point Enkidu, I will have to look into something like that. Thanks

 

[Kaliman]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr> Originally posted by Dimaggio:

If I had your set up (all the plumbing and such in the back room or a back room at all) I would go with a much larger sump. Why that little tank only? <hr></blockquote>

Well, I did not know what I was getting into, being new to this system and all. I thought I was getting a larger sump to begin with and received this one instead. If I had a choice now I would put in a much larger sump, this can always be done later.
And yes the tank is set in the wall between the house and the garage. It is a great place for the tank, except I have windows on my garage door and it looks like I am having a rave party when just the Actnics are on.

[ April 19, 2002: Message edited by: Kaliman ]

[ April 19, 2002: Message edited by: Kaliman ]</p>

 

[Anonymous]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by danmhippo:
<strong>
I find your "back side" more interesting than the "front"!
</strong><hr></blockquote>

 

[Anonymous]

beautiful setup, kaliman!

at first, i wondered - why the garage? will anyone see it? but after looking through the pics, i realized that the tank is set in the wall between the house and garage. (right?) that's a great idea!

very jealous!