Tank setup : 95gals corner tank (Juwel Trigon 350)

[wismie]

Hi there,

I already presented my tank setup in the "Corner Tank" thread (here : http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...70#post14975370), but someone there suggested I do my own thread for the tank evolution. So here we are.

My current setup

Now I have a 26 (90/100 litres) gallons Rena 90/100l for about one year and a half. It's a transformed freshwater aquarium, with a Tunze overflow and a 13 gallons (60 litres) sump, in which I have the skimmer and a mini-refugium.

I'm not really proud of that aquarium, it's not really nice, and that's why I'm considering for a long time to do a new tank.

Some pics of the current setup, please apologize the glass is not clean, but as I'm going to switch to a new tank, I'm not really into cleaning it perfectly ;)

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/7922/img7474qhr.jpg

Some of the actual inhabitants

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3302/img7465k.jpg

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6617/img7459.jpg

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/2127/img7461g.jpg

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/4577/img7462d.jpg

You can note the aptaisia invasion (tried many solutions, unfortunately my Wundermanni doesn't seem to be into aptaisia-eating)

[wismie]

New Tank (this is a copy from the post on the "corner tank" thread)

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/4622/img7436copie.jpg

Modifications from original aquarium :

- Removed the internal canister filter (done since long when it was still freshwater)
- Drilled 2 holes
- Added glass for the overflow

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/559/img7438copie.jpg

Had to cut part of the original stand on the back for the tubing

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/2546/img7445apd.jpg

The piece of wood that initially divided the stand in two was removed and replaced by an additional inside stand, thus giving room for a full sump

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2883/img7440e.jpg

Here is the sump. On the left will be the refugium, on the right, the skimmer. Both overflow into the middle section, where you find the return pump.
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/4788/img7442a.jpg

Lighting ramp is not shown here yet, for the time being it will be a 4xT5 39W Arcadia ramp with 4x KorallenZucht Coral Light New Generation (might add more if needed, we'll see over time).

[reefscape15]

YAY! I love watching a build from day 1! What are you considering for flow? Please keep us posted here and on the corner tank thread if you post updates

[joeychitwood]

That is a huge urchin. My urchin just dies after four years of knocking over clams and rocks.

[wismie]

Yeah it is huge - I wonder if it will grow even bigger in the new tank ;) I hope not too much... I have to be very careful when I put my hands in the tank.

[wismie]

Some pics !

The Arcadia Lighting ramp (4x 39 T5 KZ Coral Light New Generation (http://www.zeovitusa.com/product.php?productid=16203&cat=254&page=1) )

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/328/img74774535522.jpg

Filling the tank. A dark background is planned, but I have to admit I like the current "mirror effect"

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/5601/img74793833998.jpg

Let there be light !

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/296/img74873848633.jpg

Sump in action

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1568/img74903863829.jpg

I have a very small leak at the bottom of the overflow glass in the aquarium. I'ts minor but still leaking. Would you repair it or let it be ? (I can personally live with it as it is now, I'm more concerned about the leak potentially expanding)

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/4666/img74765171887.jpg

[Michael]

thats a hell of a sump, have you allowed any spare room for water entering the sump on a powercut? also id be worried about the leak myself, i personally would repair it

[wismie]

Yeah the sump can contain the additional water in case of a powercut. That was partly the purpose of this water test ;)

I'm currently emptying the tank, better repair it now...

[Michael]

ok well thats good, nice tank and set up, good luck with it.

[tipmoff]

Nice set up but the leak is a concern. I would take care of it now before a disaster strikes. It will only get worse from age and pressure.

[imcosmokramer]

great setup. Glad you are repairing the leak. Not just bc of the potential for disaster, but also because you're never going to have another chance to do it. There is no reason to rush the process. Couple of days won't make a difference, and you'll have piece of mind. Totally worth it, great work. Keep those photos coming.

[joeychitwood]

Good luck repairing the leak. It can be difficult to tell exactly where the water is coming from. Be sure to check and recheck once you think you have it fixed.

[reefscape15]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14984865#post14984865 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joeychitwood
Good luck repairing the leak. It can be difficult to tell exactly where the water is coming from. Be sure to check and recheck once you think you have it fixed.

+1! It may be coming from somewhere and just pooling up where the water is. Sometimes it can be tricky to find them, but as Joey said, check and re-check after you think you've fixed it. That light looks like it fits the tank perfectly! Very nice. Can't wait to see more pics of the build.

[joeychitwood]

I agree with Jim about the light. It certainly fits the tank nicely.

[IMM3DOORSDOWN]

wow looks good keep us updated with photos.love to see it from the first day to the finished tank!

[wismie]

Minor update but...

Leaks repaired and some minor technical modifications.

I already experienced a flood, so to be on the safe side I decided to have two tubes for the overflow (instead of one), one acting as a security.

Returning flow is done through an external tube.


http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4344/img74916115066.jpg

Tob of the overflow is covered by a grid, which is siliconed.

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7333/img74926128973.jpg

Now testing back all the places that were leaking, setting the skimmer and let's get rolling...

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4791/img75016283920.jpg

Time to put salt in there ;)

[Anemone0524]

corner tanks are very visually pleasing. Hope the aquascaping turns out nice.

[wismie]

Will do what I can.. found some inspiring aquascapes in the corner tanks threads ;)

[LJA]

I like your idea for the overflow.

[Hookup]

Looks great! The sump work is very clean and professional looking IMO. Looking forward to seeing the aquascaping... I have the same tank btw, and scaping it was/is a pain.

[wismie]

Yeah I'm pretty sure I won't find the right setup immediately.

I'll put some new live rocks in there tomorrow or Saturday, leave them there for a while to cure and then try some aquascape.

For sure I'm not a big fan of huge reef walls. I'll try to build some islands or stuff like this... but easier said than done ;)

This also depends on the rocks I'll get, of course. On a side note, I have question I asked here... your advice welcome, here or on the other thread :p http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=15010456#post15010456

[wismie]

Salt in tank... it's snowy here !

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/1885/img75056796855.jpg

I let the tank run 3 days with only water (and salt), now is the time for the live rocks. Don't see any attempt at aquascaping here, I just put the rocks there as they came. I took this picture yesterday, the water is much clearer now.

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/9861/img75076833207.jpg

Alguaes to start the refugium

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/8653/img75106868397.jpg


First identified hitchhikers : an hermit crab and two small polyps.

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/867/img75148494528.jpg

[EnglishRebel]

It's just my opinion but having open top pipes for your returns will be very noisy as they will gurgle. You may want to think of converting them to Dursos.

[dreminon]

umm are them tanks not really small for a tang?

[Michael]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15026004#post15026004 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dreminon
umm are them tanks not really small for a tang?

no its fine, imo a yellow tang in a 92 gallon corner which is 5ft across is perfectly fine:)

[gawf4fun]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15026076#post15026076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michael
no its fine, imo a yellow tang in a 92 gallon corner which is 5ft across is perfectly fine:)

+1 on fine for a tang.

Looking good Wismie. What kind of algae is that in your fuge?

[wismie]

A kind of caulerpa, probably Feather Caulerpa

[reefscape15]

Uh-Oh...I hope and prey that you get a nice hungry tang in your tank if you have Caulerpa in there. This was my tank before i added two dwarf angels.

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv74/reefscape15/100_0927-1.jpg
Now the algae is almost completely out of my display:) Just make sure you have some fish that have a good appetite, because Caulerpa WILL end up in your display sooner or later. It's a great nutrient absorbing plant, but there should be some warnings that come along when you purchace this!!!

[wismie]

I already have a tang and I know he will gladly eat them (already did) :D

[reefscape15]

thats good! It's hard to convince your wife to be spending money on a tank where it looks like a science expierament gone bad!

[wismie]

Not my problem, I am a woman :lol:

[reefscape15]

Oh man! I guess you'll never have anything to worry about then!:)

[Hookup]

Looking for the update pls... after 5 days of having the rocks just sitting there, you must have aquascaped some?? :) 8) :0

[reefscape15]

+1 Hookup! I think it only took me about an hour before I had to get my hands in there again and start scaping

[wismie]

I started to do some aquascaping yesterday, planning to do more today. First thing I do now is to check the rocks and try to imagine where they will fit !

I'll keep you posted, don't worry :D

[wismie]

Here we are...

First attempt, it's really not easy !

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/2994/img75254864051.jpg

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/9679/img75264882118.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/7203/img75274908313.jpg

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/7739/img75284927730.jpg

Bad surprise, though... as soon as I finished my aquascaping, I saw a blackish-greenish stuff coming out from the rocks. You guessed it, a "beautiful" mantis about 5 cm long... not a baby.

I'll try a trap with a bottle, but any suggestion welcome. As there is nothing into the tank right now, I guess it's hungry and the trap might work...

Anyway, it's a big one and I don't intend to put anything in the tank before I get it. I guess my hitchiker hermit crab served as lunch, haven't seen him in a while...

[reefscape15]

I love the view of your rocks in the 3rd pic! Looks like a good scaping plan so far. Are you going bare bottom? And also, are you adding a background?

Please watch your appendages with that Mantis in there! I've heard they love to rip peoples fingers apart

[wismie]

I'm going to add sand, but my LFS suggested I waited a bit for it so I can siphon everything out before adding the sand.

For the time being, I will probably not put any background (it was planned, though). There is a mirror effect that is not visible on the pictures and that gives the impression the aquarium is much bigger than it actually is. Plus, I kept some space on the back of the tank so I can access it easily for maintenance, and this way it gives me a look at what happens on the back of the tank.

For the Mantis I know I have to be careful, hope I don't have to get all the rocks one by one to get it...

[torr55555]

Beautiful Tank !! Congrats !!

[torr55555]

Beautiful Tank !! Congrats !!

[wismie]

Thanks for your feedback... now I have to remove that mantis shrimp.

[wismie]

First homemade frag... I know it's nothing but still it's a start.. seems to be doing well in the new tank

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/5752/hy1b65197564339.jpg

[Skeptic_07]

An easy trap can be made from a 2 ltr bottle.

http://www.reeftime.com/diy-reef-projects/diy-fish-traps/2-liter-bottle-fish-trap/3.htm

Tank looks great BTW but that overflow is going to be loud as hell

[wismie]

Yeah I built the the same kind of trap, it's in the tank for about 3 days now. I guess I have to be patient.

For the overflow, people keep saying that it will be loud but it's not at all.

[wismie]

btw, pic of the trap with shrimp in it

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/4963/img75295565262.jpg

[wismie]

I removed all the rocks, dipped in high salinity, then in freshwater, in order to catch that mantis.

Score : Mantis 1 - Wismie 0

Here you can read the full story (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1645307)

So I redid my aquascaping, trying to do more or less the same than before, but obviously it isn't the same. Cannot say if it's better or not...

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/4862/img75362925629.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/1702/img75372940112.jpg

PS. The micro bubbles are coming from my skimmer (Wave Beast 1200), which I plan to replace very soon (maybe with a Deltec APH 525).

And I added a small DYI pc ventilator on top of the tank, this is the light you see on top of the light gallery (only a test so far, I'll built something bigger soon). But even with one ventilator (the kind you use to refresh PC boxes, not the smaller ones), I gain about 1 degree (C) temp.

[reefscape15]

Looks like things are coming along nicely! I hope you catch that Mantis soon, so you can start adding things to the tank. Good idea on waiting to add the sand. It should leave you with a nice clean slate once you suck out all the crap that settles from your LR curing

[wismie]

Small update. I abandoned the mantis shrimp hunt, hope this will be ok with it in the tank. Worse case, I'll know who to blame if I have some casualties...

Global view of the tank with sand. Pics are not so good, it's 100% nicer in real life...

Added some soft corals yesterday and fishes today...

Global tank view

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/4503/img75635984574.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/882/img75646003132.jpg

Light Pink Zoanthus .. much nicer "in flesh"

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/7902/img75656015706.jpg

Rodactis

Green/pink (Astrea included )
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/8476/img75676027402.jpg

Fluorescent Orange
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/1819/img75696039462.jpg

Orange/magenta
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/3109/img75706051344.jpg

Clavularia (sorry for the bad quality, but it's on the back and the tank glass is bowed)
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/2405/img75996116374.jpg

[wismie]

I needed some fishes in there, so here we are. A red clownfish (with yellow bands), forgot the name
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7655/img75716063369.jpg

In my Capnella frags
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7172/img75826076128.jpg

Forgot the name of this one too .... :o

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/1508/img75846090446.jpg

That's all for now, all these new additions need time to settle down. I am planning to move soon my other tank into this one (if everything runs as smoothly as it does now).

[wismie]

Actually I was told those were not Ricordactis, but Ricordea "yuma". As I can not update my original thread, I mention it here ^.

(I tend to mix names, it's just so awful to be dyslesic in this world :rolleye1: )

[reefscape15]

I love the rics! very nice pieces. I hope everything will be okay with that mantis still in there. I believe that the Maroon clown with yellow stripes is just a Maroon Yellow Striped Clownfish! Who would've ever guessed?:)

[wismie]

Yeah I should have guessed that name !!!

So far everything is ok... except, as I said in the corner tank thread, that I found two isopods on each fish this morning... I must be cursed.

I tried to catch the fishes isolate them in another tank, but was not able to do it, so meanwhile I created a cirolanid-trap and catching all pods in a micron bag... hope this will work (if they are the scavenger kind, I did lots of reading today in order to find out how to get rid of them)

[reefscape15]

Good for you on doing your research! It sounds like you've got your hands full now, but once all your hard work of setup and getting everything healthy and established is over, you'll be able to sit back and enjoy an awesome tank.

[wismie]

I have to admit that I feel a bit discouraged at times... but I am happy with what I see so that makes me feel better !

About the mantis, I even found back my small hitchhiker hermit crab that came with the LRs, so I think it should be ok. I'll try to put enough food there so it won't eat all my cleaning crew.

The isopod trap seems to be working well enough. I did a "mantis" trap with a water bottle, top inversed, only the hole is much smaller

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/6610/img76044583147.jpg

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/9809/img76064595970.jpg

Put a mussel in there, left it the whole night

And two little bugger less in the tank. I hope those are the only ones, but obviously I'll continue to put a trap at night.

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/6325/img76104608351.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9421/hy1b65204571085.jpg

[wismie]

On a side note... my skimmer is horrible and I definitely need to change it.

I would be happy to have some recommendations, and online shops that would accept to send it to Switzerland.

My constraint is that the space I have in my sump is quite limited (for in-sump skimmer) : 33Lx28Wx61H cms

[wismie]

Small update.

Just discovered today I don't have one mantis shrimp, but two. They share the tank, one on the left, the other one on the right. The smallest one is brown/black and is actually the one I saw initially. I noticed the other one a few days ago, it's much bigger and green with brown spots. Hermit crabs and astrea snails seem to be the only casualties so far.

I started to populate my tank anyway, taking some parts from my actual tank and some new additions. New additions, are mainly

2 cleaner shrimps
3 red blood shrimps

1 Zebrasoma Scopas + my Yellow Tang from my old tank (I put them at the same time in the new tank)
1 Six line wrasse from my old tank

A new coral whose name I forgot.

Pictures now !

Global views (sorry for the reflection on the glass, I promise I'll be more careful for next pics)

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/4568/hy1b65703440978.jpg

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2024/img77013492107.jpg

The new coral
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/5341/hy1b65612423626.jpg

Briareum

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/1508/img76252441804.jpg

Clavularia with some shrooms from my old tank

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5870/img76262464807.jpg

Zoanthus
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/9397/img76272487259.jpg

Sarcophyton from my old tank
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/9219/img76282508316.jpg

And even my small frags that I put as first inhabitants are growing fast.
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/407/img76302528941.jpg

[wismie]

My Scopas. Just love that fish.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8200/hy1b65723461594.jpg

munch munch

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5949/img77073516203.jpg

The small "yellow", which I finally see since he has a new home

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4416/img77153539568.jpg

And my very new technical addition (Deltec APH 525). Much better than my previous skimmer.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8500/img77203564615.jpg

[ReefWreak]

Nice upgrade with the skimmer. You'll need it for those 2 tangs. You may consider at some point doing vodka dosing, as it'll lower and eventually rid your tank of any nitrates and phosphates, and your skimmer can definitely keep up with the increase in biological activity from the bacteria eating the nitrates.

Your tank looks very nice, and is coming along well. Lots of potential as well!

Oh man, Switzerland and aquariums, combining 2 of my favorite things in the whole world. A dangerous proposition..... I was in Zurich last summer for Euro Cup, and spent some time in the mountains too (Interlaken area). I speak a tiny bit of Deutsch, but it was really awkward not understanding Schweizerdeutsch in the least bit while traveling around those parts. I still daydream about sitting on Lake Zurich in the park. I want Switzerland and aquariums! If I go to Geneva next time I'm over there, I'm definitely scouting out the LFS. I'm very surprised they have one, but I guess there's an LFS everywhere!

Thanks again for sharing your tank!

[wismie]

Thanks for your comments.

Yes I'm considering Vodka dosing but I let things settle a bit for now before starting this.

I'm in the french-speaking part of Switzerland, and there are a few good LFS for Reefs there in the "Suisse Romande".

I'm very happy with the skimmer, and with the overall tank too. So far so good, even with 2 mantis in there :p

I have now moved all my population from the old tank to the new one, I still have some bad-looking rocks and a few corals to put in.

I'm also starting to build my own aquarium controller (see here, but sorry it's in French : http://wismie.wordpress.com )

[wismie]

A video tank update here :

http://wismie.wordpress.com/2009/07/11/vue-densemble-du-bac/

[reefscape15]

Nice progress! and :0WOW:0 for the skimmer!!!! very nice. I knew you'd have a nice tank just from seeing your setup

[wismie]

Thanks... next step will be to buy a real video camera (quite enjoying this video stuff, actually), and building my controller from an Arduino base (http://www.arduino.cc). I'm actually quite surprised of how easy it is to do - knowing I have had absolutely no electronics knowledge 14 days ago - and a bit programming, from ten years ago, though :rollface:

[2mandrians]

its georgeous. Love the tank.