jlanger's 120gal Arts and Crafts Inspired Reef Build (2 Viewers)

[jlanger]

(Thanks Jeremy… Not quite the model I had in mind. :barf

So... it looks like I will be needing to move my tank in the next couple of weeks or so.
If you haven't read the WTB ad, my wife has decided it was time to get new flooring in our house. Which means that the 120gal system will have to be taken down and moved out for a few days while new carpet gets installed.
I agreed with her that we could use new carpet, but I wasn't excited about all of the work that creates for me.

As the zero hour approaches, I will update the thread with how I am going about dismantling/reassembling my reef tank.
But until then, I thought I might get some discussion going about any ideas or changes I should consider when I put the reef back together.

My first thoughts, absolutely, include rehoming the clownfish.
Not a popular thought amongst the rest of the family. But then, they're not the ones getting bitten.
I have thought that maybe this much of a disturbance in their environment might reset the territoriality complex in their minds. And they may leave me alone once re-acclimated in the "new" reef.
I like having the clownfish, but I don't do well with attitudes.
Any thoughts/experience with behavioral changes in clownfish when "rehomed"?

Another consideration is to remove the RBTA altogether.
As it grows, it will continue to be an issue with neighboring SPS colonies.
The clownfish pair did well enough before I added the RBTA, so I'm sure they'll do just fine without one again.
I'm not as fond of the anemone as the clownfish, so I do not have a problem removing the anemone.

Another thought, in regard to livestock, is to remove the cleaner shrimp.
I have always liked cleaner shrimp, but they do make it hard to keep any LPS corals fat and happy with supplemental feedings.
One quick idea was to add a Flame Hawk to potentially do the dirty work for me. But I do not want to potentially lose any pistol shrimp. And that is only if the hawkfish wants to go after the shrimps.
I will most likely pass on the hawkfish route as they may introduce other behavioral problems.

One project I do plan on doing is cleaning out my sand bed.
The original sand bed was a mix of aragonite sand mixed with crushed shells and coral. This was to assist in the pistol shrimp with creating their burrows. But as time goes by, the finer sand settles and the larger rubble pieces collected on top and it creates a messy sand bed.
The previous 45gal had only the fine aragonite sand bed, and I very much liked the pristine look of clean white sand.
I have new sand already available, so it's just a matter of sifting out the larger shells and rubble from the live sand.

During this transition, it will also be a good time to update any equipment.
I am planning on adding a large dosing system to automate my supplemental dosing.
I have had my eye on the Kamoer brand of dosing systems that have recently come to market. They manufacture dosing pumps; that's their business. I'm sure they're the same pumps as a couple of recognizable brands, but they're marketing the pumps for themselves now.
I was thinking of having the pumps dose the usual triumvirate of Ca/Alk/Mg, but also dosing NO-POX and the Red Sea Colors Program supplements.
That would be a lot of pumps, but I really would like to automate as much of my dosing as I can.

And the last idea I have been trying to make a decision on is… starting a smaller system.
For months, I have wanted to set up a smaller tank to create a small goby/blenny habitat. It would be mostly LPS/Zoa dominated and not included the more active residents. A pair of Yasha gobies with shrimps, a White-lined Blenny (my favorite) and a harem of dragonets; maybe a Kaudern's Cardinalfish or two.
Or… I create this smaller system for the RBTA and the clownfish.
Who knows?

It looks like this is the right time to make some decisions on any changes I would like to incorporate to my system.
When all is said and done, I really want to be able to recreate the look I have right now. I like it a lot!
Just imagine if I still had the large montipora colony to contend with! UGH!!!

Any comments or suggestions will be welcome.

 

[LowersMyBP]

Ditch the RBTA, just a matter of time before it causes problems either small or big.
The female clown has to go. The male can likely stay. That is what I did. I moved that female from tank to tank a few times. With or without the male, didn't matter. Kept biting. Buh-bye.

It is not impossible and actually quite easy to patch in a 2'x4' piece of carpeting. You may want to convince her to let you leave the tank in place and just pay $200-400 to have the rectangle patched with extra carpet you will keep on hand when/if you tear down the tank. I certainly would float the idea. You could put some tile or linoleum tiles down around your tank and carpet around that. Replace it all when/if the tank comes down....

Regardless, good luck.

 

[scubaspew]

Couldn't agree more with all of your suggestions James.
As far as the clownfish, I like James go rid of my female, the male has been fine since and I also have nothing for him to host, he doesn't seem to mind either change. I didn't much enjoy getting attacked every time I put my hands in my tank so I know how you feel on that one!

 

[marty9876]

I've always found it easier to move from one tank to another instead of in place swaps. Got room for something like this?

 

[jlanger]

I've always found it easier to move from one tank to another instead of in place swaps. Got room for something like this?

I do have a nice spot for something of that size, but I'm not a fan of acrylic tanks.
My OCD would drive me insane if just one scratch was visible.

During preliminary conversations about the carpet replacement and what "I" would have to do with the tank, I half-heartedly mentioned getting a larger tank for the other wall. My wife didn't necessarily shoot me down, but I knew that I was going to be going alone on that journey. I think a 300gal DD would look incredible along the back wall.
Has anyone ever done a Kickstarter Campaign for upgrading to a larger system?

 

[eschulist]

There have probably been people who have tried to get their hobbies crowd funded. I doubt many ever get more than a few bucks unless its for a school classroom or hospital type setting.

If you did what would your perks and rewards be for contributors?

I support the bigger tank idea if you have to completely dismantle. If you had lot of time you could probably make yourself another custom cabinet that is 6-8' long. :biggrin:

 

[jlanger]

If you did what would your perks and rewards be for contributors?

Cookies?!


I just added the crowd funding comment in jest.
But if you think it would work… :biggthumpup:
Again… joking.

 

[Pumbooris]

If you used the cookies as a reward I bet you would fetch alot more money then one woukd think. You have started a pretty big craze by sending those to ORA.

 

[ikserk]

You have started a pretty big craze by sending those to ORA.

...and LiveAquaria...and MBI....and Jeremy's House.....and.......

 

[jlanger]

So I finally finished the stand and canopy build for the couple in San Francisco.
Actually, the stand and canopy have been done for a week or so, but I needed to build the crating for the two pieces to make the journey out west.
As I was taking these pictures, I actually felt like I wanted to keep these pieces for myself. I have really come to like this design. When we re-do the flooring in our home, I am planning on building a new kitchen island that will be in this same style. (Wouldn't the kitchen island make for a great place for a 300gal tank!)

Here's a couple of pictures of the completed stand and canopy.
They're still debating hardware size for the doors. So there will be some oil-rubbed bronze handles or pulls on the doors when completed.




The lighting chosen this system is a couple of Kessil LED pendants.
Since this canopy will be wall mounted, yet "sitting" on the tank to eliminate lighting spillage, I needed to have the lights be accessed from above.
I created a couple of LED "cup holders" that will hold the lights at the recommended height above the water.



These holders were mounted into the top of the canopy and trimmed out to match the Arts and Crafts style.
I also added a number of vents to help with any air exchange and possible heat build up. I still believe that they will need to add a couple of fans to the back of the canopy to really promote adequate ventilation.



The front vent cover (which matches the back cover) is removable for feedings.



With both pieces crated individually, they're ready to be picked up to be shipped.
Detail of the stand crating and open canopy crate.





And the BIG crates themselves!




It sounds like they're being sent on a flatbed truck to reduce any transfers between carriers. More expensive, but much safer.
I cannot wait to see what it looks like when all set up and filled with saltwater, rock, fish and corals!

 

[ChristopherKriens]

That must be hard to send away, that looks great. Some day my wood projects will look as good as those crates if I keep practicing.

 

[ikserk]

Some day my wood projects will look as good as those crates if I keep practicing.

I always have to settle for my woodworking to look just a little worse than normal, non-langer crating

 

[jlanger]

Another Friday. Another water change.
And some complimentary pics!!

Since my last update (on my system) didn't include any pictures, here's a few from today.
I find that I get the best pictures when I have had the pumps turned off for a while and the LEDs set to 13000K.
The only negative to doing it at this time is that the fish are on edge and do not like to pose for decent pics.

Here's a picture of the lower right corner I took to update my Facebook page.
I really like the colors and textures I get from the LPS corals and the ricordeas.
I just need to make sure the ricordeas do not get too close to the Symphyllia; the brain thinks the ricordeas are tasty!

Here's another picture from the side showing the same corner.
I really like the contrast that the Bird of Paradise frag creates amongst the flatter corals.
And the yellow base coral really pops against the darker ricordeas.
And you can see a number of new branches starting. I'm excited to see what this corner will look like when it grows in some more.

And I finally got a somewhat decent pic of my male Ruby red Dragonet. It would've been better if he was facing my direction; not the other way.
He has been doing very well in my system. He has plenty of pods to eat all day long.
Every night at about 7PM (dusk), he swims into the water column and displays while looking for some dates.
But trying to keep females in my tank has been challenging. Not sure as to why yet.

Over to the other front corner.
I started a zoanthid garden on a rock and it is filling in nice and FAST! I should add some other varieties before these ones fill in the entire rock.
The ORA Red Goniopora is still growing well. One of my favorites; for sure.

And the pair of Percula Clownfish still retreat to the goniopora when the RBTA closes up during the water change.
They still do not like it when my hands are in the tank.
But I think I will tolerate the abuse from them as they may be "endangered", you know.

That's about it for today.

We are still planning on getting the new carpet, so I will have to eventually tear the tank down for a week.
Hopefully, I can set it back up to look like it does now.

 

[Fragtastic Reef]

You are just a damn PRO! Damn man nice work.

BTW: Winter is Coming!

 

[jlanger]

This will probably be the first post of a few coming this week.
The new carpet installation is scheduled and I have two weekends to get the entire basement ready. This entails moving the tank into the mechanical room for a couple of weeks, removing all built-in cabinets in the bedroom, office and hallway, moving out all furniture, removing all storage totes from closets, stairwell and office and tearing out the old carpet and padding.

In preparation of the tank being torn down, I have been taking a lot of pictures detailing how I currently have the rock aqauscaped. I understand that I probably won't get the tank to look exactly the same as it does now, but any help that I can get I will take.

I have been fighting off the urge to add any new livestock recently. Struggling, really.
But I tell myself, "The less I have to move, the less I have to worry about."
I have seen a few corals and fish that I would've liked to have gotten, but resisted and passed on them for now. I've been doing very well. Until last Sunday…

While attending the aquascaping workshop at New Wave Aquaria on Sunday, they had one of my favorite fish in stock; a Scribbled Rabbitfish.

Over the years, most of the ones that I have seen have been thin and pinched; not in the best of health. But this one was filled out and was eating very well. The only concern I had was not knowing if it would end up picking at my corals. But since I was tearing my tank down within the week, it was a perfect time to test the fish on it's eating habits.
So before I left the store, I decided to pull the trigger and buy it.

My other "big" fish (the angel, foxface and tangs) have been somewhat bullish about the new addition, but that was expected for the next couple of days. It's nothing too aggressive, they're just going through with their initiation process. The rabbitfish will stand up to the other fish, so I expect everything will settle down soon.

Here's a quick pic from today.

 

[ChristopherKriens]

But since I was tearing my tank down within the week, it was a perfect time to test the fish on it's eating habits.

There is no end to the excuses we can come up with to allow ourselves to add more fish He looks even better than in the store!

 

[jlanger]

There is no end to the excuses we can come up with to allow ourselves to add more fish He looks even better than in the store!

I don't think I come up with any excuses.
Those are just the other voices in my head that are trying to talk sense to me.
Over the years, I've learned to dismiss those voices; learned from years of marriage, I presume.

The blues and yellows really pop under the reef lighting.
When the fish gets stressed, all those bright colors disappear and it gets a white and brown spotted appearance. Almost cow-like; quite the difference.

 

[LowersMyBP]

It is a cool fish. Mine got BIG very quickly. In the past, I had a similar rabbit. I found that he didn't like to let LPS have "bad days". If it slimes, it could turn into lunch. I have never had the nerve to put in zoas with them. With SPS, zero issues.

 

[totoro001]

Man.. your stand builds are next level. It makes me want to hide mine in shame!

 

[jlanger]

And so it begins...

The inevitable couldn't be put off any longer.
I started the process of tearing down the 120gal system so the new carpet can be installed.

Today, I ran over to The Cities and picked up a vacant 75gal tank and stand from Jeremy (Ikserk) and Gin (FishWife). It wasn't the most conventional of pick ups, but I cannot thank them enough for their generosity; well, maybe the cookies will work. And I also would like to thank the others with empty tanks that made offers, but it didn't work out for one reason or another.
I rinsed out the 75gal tank and set it up in the mechanical room.



I broke out the new canister filter that I will use that for whatever filtration I can get. Without any skimmer being run for the week or so, I wanted something to help filter the water. The canister filter comes with four media chambers that hold a sponge, floss, carbon and ceramic media. I have had the ceramic media sitting in my sump since spring, so I should have plenty of bacteria and other biological critters in it. I do not plan on using the sponge or floss, but I will fill those chambers with live rubble rock that has also been in the sump.

A few weeks ago I purchased one (of two) of the Norwesco 65gal Vertical Water Storage Tanks to store fresh RO/DI water. The plan was to set up the two tanks and make a saltwater make up station. When I added up the dollars on what the two tanks, a pump and plumbing would amount up to, I changed my mind. I returned the water storage container and purchased a second 44gal Brute container and dolly. Spending the $70 made much more sense than spending upwards of $500 or more; just to mix saltwater.
I had mentioned in a thread that I had twice "flooded" our basement while making up fresh water in the past. And with new carpet coming, I knew I couldn't let that happen again. A member here (Otolith) offered me to by an extra Auto Shut Off Kit that he had laying around, I couldn't refuse. So now I can turn the water on and not have to remember to shut it off without worrying about any more floods. Thanks, Derek.



By tomorrow, I will have plenty of water mixed up and I can decide on when I want to start moving from one tank to the next. I would like to wait until next Friday, if possible. Then the reef and fish are inconvenience for as little as possible. Trying to fit 120gal of reef into a 75gal makes for tight confines. (Did you watch Modern Family this week?!) I do have a 45gal Cube that I can also use for housing rock or corals if it is too much. I may use the 45gal to coax the RBTA to remove itself from the rock since I do not plan on putting it back into the 120gal after this adventure is completed.

(Stop typing… hockey's about to start.)