This is the thread that never ends........

[Siberman]

Y'all ready ?


Tank dimensions: 60" long x 24" high x 13" wide. 77 gallon Oceanic "display" with a 10" wide center brace .

The convicts are no longer breeding so they're ready for the trotline (j/k).

Let the questions begin.

1) Can I use a Rubbermaid trash can as a sump ?

2) Is masonry sand ok in a reef tank ? This tank is roughly 21 years old and has been through several incarnations. The 6" sand bed ( which I plan on reducing to about 1" ) is composed of roughly 4" of masonry sand and 1" each of aragonite and crushed coral.

3) Any opinions on "tufa" rock ? I've got about 30 pounds.

4) Might be a dumb question but what about petrified wood ? I have several really nice long and flat pieces .

5) Not sure about lighting . I recently acquired a WavePoint T5 ( 4 bulbs ) for the 20-high and I must say I'm impressed. The only drawback is that there's no seperate controls for blues and whites. I'm torn between T5s and LEDs. Due to the 13" width of the tank , I'm not sure if I can get enough T5s in the hood to grow everything I may want to try at a later date ( such as clams or sps ). Suggestions ?

Here's my premise : I plan on starting the tank as FW with "dead" rock and some mollies. I will gradually raise the salinity until it's ready for the addition of live rock . Hopefully this will ensure a viable population of marine mollies that will control any undesireable algae or invertebrate pests prior to the introduction of frags. I will then stock the tank with LPS and softies from the 20.

Please advise.

[Grimreefer]

Siber,
Just wanna start off by saying, Hope your holidays were fabulous. As far as a rubber maid tote as a sump, I have seine this done on several set ups so I would assume it is perfectly ok. Not sure about the masonary sand. Myself I like a clean or bare bottom or LIGHT sand covering. Sand hold to much muck IMO. The petrified wood leeches from what I understand. As far as lighting I would say go with LEDs or MHs since I have 2 250w MHs I am willing to part with. ; )

Really like the Molly concept. Tried it a while back but they only lasted a about 6 to 7 months. I think I am gonna give it another shot real soon though.

Keep us posted on this..

[Siberman]

The holidays were great , Tony. Hope y'all's were as well.

I'll be reducing the sand bed to about 1" as I'm very familiar with the faults of a dsb BUT I do love all the critters found in there.

Masonry sand can contain silicates but this sand (as well as the petrified wood) has been in the tank for approximately ten years. The water was on the acidic side for a couple of years so I'm thinking any harmful substances will have leached out by now. No big deal on the wood . It'll look good in the pond's waterfall.

Don't really want to go with MH, sorry. The tank is 13" wide so I think they'd be overkill. That, and my house ( 1960) is wired with two-prong outlets . I had an electric smoker melt an adapter / extension cord this summer so I'd feel safer with something that uses less amps. LEDs may be my only option.

Matt, are you paying attention ?

From what I've read, mollies and guppies acclimated to full marine don't usually survive as long as the following generations that are born in salt water. I'm hoping that gradually increasing the salinity will produce a sustainable population . I'll probably be using the smaller black mollies as I believe the larger sailfins would prove to be too competative with any smaller marine species introduced at a later time.

[matt_longview]

I'm always paying attention! :-)

Let me know what you're looking at. I'll check into them for ya.

If you wanna know what to check into look at a 60-72 led kit from rapidled or steves leds.

[Siberman]

I'm always paying attention! :-)

Let me know what you're looking at. I'll check into them for ya.

If you wanna know what to check into look at a 60-72 led kit from rapidled or steves leds.

The 70 LED at Steve's = 680 watts of MH. That might be a bit much as I don't plan on a lot of SPS ( yeah, right ) . My main concern is the center brace made of the same glass as the rest of the tank. It's been a real light-killer with flourescents so I'm not sure of putting 60" (or even 48") fixtures over the tank. I'm considering using a + or - 24" at either end then leaving the middle as an open area for swimming space.

I can tell right now I'm going to need to attend a "workshop" meeting. I'm one of those who can't just read the directions and put something together. I need to get my hands dirty before it dawns on me.

[Siberman]

I'll probably be going with (6) t5s . My home-made canopy will hold them roughly 8" above the water but I can adjust if necessary.

What would y'all use as a tank cover (glass or eggcrate ) ? My fish list includes clown gobies , firefish, clowns , etc. Probably won't be adding any kind of eel as the one experience I had with a fw eel and my bare feet on a dark night was enough for me.

[Siberman]

What would y'all use as a tank cover (glass or eggcrate ) ?

[ritter678]

Can't remember where I saw it but there is a netting you could also use. The holes were smaller than egg crate but thinner to not block as much light.

[matt_longview]

Clear netting would get my #1 vote as well, but eggcrate would go before glass. :-)

[Grimreefer]

I wouldn't use any type cover unless I had something that could escape. I like an open top for a better oxygen exchange and light penetration.

[ritter678]

Found it.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/clear-1-4-screen-netting-7-x-3.html

[Siberman]

Found it.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/clear-1-4-screen-netting-7-x-3.html

Thanks!

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