It's finally finished, the 1000 gallon lagoon/sump/fuge?

[huskerreef]

Well after months of sweat and dust the fish room is complete and the lagoon is finished off. in the island pic i will be adding more lace rock to make the island rise up more from the water and cover the pipes that go to the display 240 upstairs. i put in a school of 30 chromis, a copperband and a couple damsels. I plan to grow massive amounts of sea grass and culerpa. the water is 24" deep and there's a 1000w mh over the lagoon. i also ordered a blue dot stingray. should be way cool as the whole lagoon matures.http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239P1010028.JPG http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239P1010023.JPG http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239P1010012.JPG http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239P1010011.JPG http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239P1010009.JPG http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239P1010007.JPG http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239P1010004.JPG

[kappaknight]

Very nice... is all the equipment inside the pond?

[masterswimmer]

Very very nice. Would like to see the display as well.

Good luck, looks like it's going to grow out beautiful,

Russ

[LoneStarSA]

Very cool. I wish I had a place to do something like that!!

[Kreeger1]

man, thats sweet

[Lordhelmet]

nice, you can take baths in there now.:D

[scarletknight06]

now that is a cool original idea. never seen someone with a pond style lagoon to act as a fuge. props to you. I bet that school of chromis and stingray will be fascinating to watch.

You should make it a clam lagoon too!

[CH]

Hmmm, I think we have a candidate for our next OMS tank tour!
Looks great!

By the way, I don't know if you are aware, but there is a forum on here for the Omaha Marine Society. I don't think I've seen you post on there yet. Not a ton of activity, but it is active none-the-less.

OMS forum (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=222)

[jaze36]

Thats great, do you have more pics in the construction phase? I would like to see more pics in the future when it grows in. That is a really good idea.

[dphins]

I like the look of the brick. Looking good!

[mike660r]

Snap some shots of that stingray when you drop it in. I really like the construction of the lagoon. Great Job!

[MHannon]

Very nice tank! I love the stingray Idea. How about a small shark of some sort? I don't know much about sharks, so it may not be posible with what you have. I would like to see pictures of your display tank also.

[huskerreef]

there are some more pics in my gallery. Would love to host a tank tour CH. I sent Tom a PM. thanks for pointing towards the OMS forum, i didn't know about it. I just picked up some culerpa to start growing and hopefully the stingray will come in soon.

[freeqgOd]

Is that a mangrove over there? You should plant a couple in there

[huskerreef]

yes, there are 2 mangroves planted in the island

[Stoneyscoral]

Awsome, I hope you don't mind when I copy your idea's for my own fish room.

Again, beautiful!

[meinkfr]

NICE!!! Great imagination. Awsome.

[CH]

Cool. Hopefully the OMS will start picking up again. There seems to bea lot of new interest growing, and Tom just recently took over, so things should start happening again soon.

[renichms]

Will the stingray be compatible with the smaller fish? Do you have any snails or crabs in there, or just the fish?

RN

[AW2]

Very, very nice!!! The size, the rockwork, everything...very cool!

For small schooling fish, I'd have gone with 15 - 20 Purple Firefish.

My other choices would have been Black Bar Chromis (Chromis retrofasciata), or Blackmouth Bicolor Chromis (Neoglyphidodon nigroris).

But...it's still an outstanding tank...I mean fuge. lol

[massman]

Originally posted by AW2

For small schooling fish, I'd have gone with 15 - 20 Purple Firefish.


Problem with that is they keep real close to the substrate and rock work. As the tank is a look down only, you prob wouldn't see them much. Open water schoolers eg chromis and anthias would be better.

[Breaker4show]

WOW i am very impressed! looks great! I think that would be an awesome show tank . . . like a top view tank! haha your giving me ideas to throw at my dad for my room lol! looks very good!

Nick

[huskerreef]

the nice thing is that it wide enough that you can really see the fish well. i have some snails and hermits as well as a sifter goby and a dragon(not sure of the name) but you can occaisionally see him scooting along the bottom. planted some culerpa today. hoping to cover the bottom with it. also had a copperband but he was lost to my skimmer pump today.

[huskerreef]

would gladly share any ideas if someone is thinking about something similar. it was realatively simple.

[renichms]

Originally posted by huskerreef
would gladly share any ideas if someone is thinking about something similar. it was realatively simple.

It won't be happening anytime soon, but you've given me the best way to have a massive tank, so one day I'll make one. Do let us know how the stingray does with the other critters in the tank. If I set up a big one, I would want to be sure everything is fully compatible.

How long did it take to make and how difficult was it? Also, is that made with a pond liner?

RN

[huskerreef]

took about 7 hour to make the frame work, 2x12's 12" on center with 2x4 uprights and 3/4" plywood. a 1" layer of foam board insulation and a rubber pond liner. there are 2 mag 36 pump to the upstairs 240 room divider. the stone work is not really stone but a new foam look alike and was real easy to work with. the total hieght is 44" with a water depth of 24"

[sonofgaladriel]

I've seen many new and innovative ideas and creations here on RC and hands down this it the best one yet!!! Very impressive. Creating a super functional sump/refugium that is large enough and beautiful enough to enjoy and view as a separate display is just "brilliant"!
My hats off to you!!!
I would love to do something like that! You've got my 'wheels' turning now.
Thanks for sharing this great creation with us.

[AW2]

That stone is foam???? That looks awesome.

I was going to ask you for a more detailed description of how you built it as I'm going to be starting contruction of a 10' x 8' x 4' pond, in my basement, very soon.

I cant believe that's foam. Where did you find it?

[nbd13]

How do you deal with humidity issues?

very nice!

thanks

Nick

[jezzeaepi]

Now you can plumb tanks for each room of your house! The possiblities are endless.. Looks awesome Btw.

[JackRent]

Doesn't this create a huge amount of evaporation and if so how od you manage it ? Beautiful set-up by the way. I may do the same but have a lot of sandy area for sharks and rays ! Then you get two cool concepts in one.

[Willy18T]

This is awsome, how much more difficult would it have been to add a front side viewable panel. Very cool.

[huskerreef]

for humidity i run a dehumidifier 24/7, from Home Depot. I also installed a bathroom type cieling vent fan that runs 24/7 as well. Humidity is not an issue. temp in the room runs about 80. I add top off water about every other week, roughly 30 gallons. My salinity stays the same between top offs. the fake stone was bought from a local brick/block dealer here in omaha, not sure who made it but could find out if anybody wants some. After you build something you always look back and re-think ideas and a front viewing panel would be nice but my concern was leaks and 1000+ gallons of water on my floor. all that being said you can really see the inhabitants well and i do have a colt coral, green star polyp and sebae anemone and can view them along the island quite well. the majority of it is sand with a island on the one end, still waiting for the ray to show up. thought about a shark but think he'll eat the chromis over time and since they can be shy i feel i wouldn't get as much joy out one. there is 350# of live and lace rock and 900# of aragonite

[renichms]

Originally posted by huskerreef
for humidity i run a dehumidifier 24/7, from Home Depot. I also installed a bathroom type cieling vent fan that runs 24/7 as well. Humidity is not an issue. temp in the room runs about 80. I add top off water about every other week, roughly 30 gallons. My salinity stays the same between top offs. the fake stone was bought from a local brick/block dealer here in omaha, not sure who made it but could find out if anybody wants some. After you build something you always look back and re-think ideas and a front viewing panel would be nice but my concern was leaks and 1000+ gallons of water on my floor. all that being said you can really see the inhabitants well and i do have a colt coral, green star polyp and sebae anemone and can view them along the island quite well. the majority of it is sand with a island on the one end, still waiting for the ray to show up. thought about a shark but think he'll eat the chromis over time and since they can be shy i feel i wouldn't get as much joy out one. there is 350# of live and lace rock and 900# of aragonite

The ray won't bother any other fish?

Do you think it would be easier to view from above if you had lighting far above the water or some sort of submersible lighting, so it's lit from the bottom?

Where do you get such large amounts of sand too? Every local place I've ever looked carries just the expensive bags of something like 20 pounds of live sand, but not just aragonite sand or any other kind of fine sand.

RN

[Nammy]

Nice, Great job!

[Electrobes]

Wow thats awesome!

[mike89t]

I'd slap on some fins and a mask and hop right in.

What a fantastic idea. I think this could become the new trend in reef aquarium sumps.

Fantasic job, it really looks beautiful!

Mike

[huskerreef]

not sure what the ray will do to the other fish, hopefully leave them alone. i went to the lfs and told them what i was doing and sold me 40# cheap if i went in on a pallet with him and ordered 10- 5gallon pails of reef crystal, total on sand and salt $980 and i still have some salt left over for water changes

[SERVO]

Originally posted by dphinsx2
I like the look of the brick. Looking good!

I like the look of your avatar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D


Oh ya, the lagoon is awesome too.

[masterswimmer]

Originally posted by SERVO
I like the look of your avatar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D


Oh ya, the lagoon is awesome too.

Servo, with your mermaid you shouldn't even be looking :rolleyes:

[g0tmc]

WOW this is tight! i am so getting one when i grow up

[mike89t]

Originally posted by huskerreef
not sure what the ray will do to the other fish, hopefully leave them alone. i went to the lfs and told them what i was doing and sold me 40# cheap if i went in on a pallet with him and ordered 10- 5gallon pails of reef crystal, total on sand and salt $980 and i still have some salt left over for water changes

The Blue spot ray shouldn't mess with any of the other fish. Just make sure it has a nice deep sand bed to hide in. Also watch out as the ray can give you a nasty sting.

[mike89t]

I think a mangrove tree would look awesome growing out of this Lagoon.

[huskerreef]

there are 2 mangroves planted in the island

[huskerreef]

there are 2 mangroves planted in the island

[mike89t]

Originally posted by huskerreef
there are 2 mangroves planted in the island

Now that you mention it I can see them. It should be cool to see how they grow in a system this large!

[dalbrecht]

It's almost impossible to install a viewpane when you use a pond liner. You need to use concrete or plywood + epoxy if you want a window that's even remotely reliable

[Bebo77]

awesome idea wish i had the space....

[Cody Ray]

any updates?

[Bebo77]

i forgot about this thread.. i would like to see the system now....

[supermarvin76]

Have to give this a bump. It is AWESOME. Great job. One of the first things I though of when I saw this was mentioned later in the thread...I thought of how cool it would be to have a huge viewing window, or maybe more a more real idea would be a few smaller viewing windows. I know exacly what you mean that when you are through with a project you think of 100 more things you should have done.

Again great job. I would love to see it.

[supermarvin76]

Love to see more pictures

[huskerreef]

i will try to post some updated pics later this week. so far my only issue has been some diatoms, but that is mos likely due to the panicy set up after the 240 break. culerpa is starting to grow and have added some clams and as few corals. it is slowly going from fuge to great barrier reef....

[epicentyr]

Could you still find the name or a supplier of the foam rocks that you are using? I am in the planning/ demolition stages of my 2400 shark tank and am looking for large rocks and cannot find any that work with the scale of my tank.

thanks

[epicentyr]

btw your tank looks awesome.

[huskerreef]

epicentyr, sent you pm with phone number of supplier

[xdusty6920]

cant wait to see updated pics

[supermarvin76]

Just a bump to let make sure others see this sweet set up.

[mike89t]

I would love to see an update!

How are the Mangroves doing?

[supermarvin76]

Same. Really would like to hear how this is doning.

[Mr.Furious]

so are there any holes in the actual pond liner for a drain or anything? I want to do this for my main aquarium but was worried about using a pond liner and then having to install bulkheads for drains.

[rowland75]

Hi

Appologies if you've already posted this:

what are the dimensions of the lagoon, and what do you intend to stock it with?

Cheers

Pete

[Denadai]

What kind of fish you are thinking to put there ????

[Cutiewitbooty]

that is really aweome, i can't wait untill you post more pics!!

[huskerreef]

Here are some updated pics, it seems to be more of a reef island than a fuge anymore....can help but want to add clams and more corals. got some 4-6' mangroves coming soon.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239fish_019.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239fish_018.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239fish_013.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239fish_012.jpg

[mykoe817]

wow looking good!!!

[fella1320]

all you have on that is a 1000 watt mh? is that enough for those corals and anemone? i know they are a high light demanding species. do you find that it is enough light? and dthis is an amazing tank buy the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ohh did i say tank i meant fuge. you have the nicest filtration i have ever seen!!!

[Bax]

That's awesome, very cool, it is really developing nicely!

[skippyreef]

looks great

[evil_monkey]

that is awesome!

[huskerreef]

yes it is one 1000w MH 10K and it seems to be doing great, i have 4 clams in there and they are growing and thriving. oh by the way the 240 upstairs is also doing well with the additional 1000 gallons of circulation.

[huskerreef]

here is the 240 upstairshttp://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239fish_001.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239fish30.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239fish31.jpg

[MarksReef]

Looking good.

[Cutiewitbooty]

nice :D

[The Yellow Longnose]

Looks very good
Joe

[Mr.Furious]

would you be mad if I said I like the lagoon more than the display tank :lol:

[jaze36]

I have to agree with Mr.Furious. The 240 is a very nice tank, but the lagoon is awsome. I really like that idea.

[jfw60]

Beautiful settup! I would really like to hear about how the blue dot sting ray does. Please more pics.

Congradulations

[JackRent]

What are you going to put in the lagoon in terms of fish ?? Sharks ? Rays ? I love the idea.

[jjj1100]

nice set up and best of luck!

[jjj1100]

nice set up and best of luck!

[huskerreef]

well the blue dot did well for about a month and then he met up with the intake line and got suck into the screen, need to come up with a way to keep creatues out but allow for the massive flow it draws.....Oh and I am more into my lagoon now...to many possibilities. so far there are 4 chromis, and one very mean damsel that i am trying to fish out.

[Alphabet]

That is exceptional all the way around!

[zoebeaglezoe]

I made something similar for my pond fish for the winter (koi)
how did you install you rubber liner without having big folds in the corners , are they square corners?

[huskerreef]

There are folds in the corner, i just worked the corners and cut away material until i got as much out as possible. today added 7-4' tall mangroves, we'll see how they fair.

[evil_monkey]

can't wait to see how they look

[fella1320]

how good is the ability of mangroves to remove nitrates as compared to chaeto?

[sixxer]

Your lagoon is looking incredible. I bet plating corals would look perfect in that set-up...Along with some Angels....:D

[maxxII]

how good is the ability of mangroves to remove nitrates as compared to chaeto?

Not as good. Chaeto grows alot faster than mangroves do. Mangroves will also suck up magnesium, so you need to monitor it with them in the tank.

Mangroves give alot of critters a home or refuge, so thats the major benefit. Plus they look pretty cool.

Nick

[Cutiewitbooty]

any new pics :D ......................please :D

[huskerreef]

i will post some new pics soon. I wanted the mangroves for the out of water apearance.

[Hattie B]

I love this too!

(I thought at first.. Where are the fish in this tank??) Then I saw the other and this is the fuge..

I do like your 240, but this is so cool. I am a big fan of the brick/rocks on houses and such and for a tank.. It's even better.

Can't wait to see the trees...

[evil_monkey]

bump

[supermarvin76]

Loving your idea, and never having used or owned MH lights, how much does that 1000w effect your electric bill?

[46bfinGA]

on your intake,why not put some eggcrate around it.make a square box out of eggcrate and tyrap it together.that way the water will still flow thru it and no fish can get close enough to get sucked in.just a thought.

[Cutiewitbooty]

i know it's been a while any new pics?

[Maker]

That is a really awesome 1000g pond reef tank! I would love to do something like that someday (when I have a finished basement). I really like the idea of the 240g above tank sump too! :)

maker

[invincible569]

Great job!!

[huskerreef]

new pics soon, the 1000w kills the electric bill, upgrading to 2 400w MH on a moving light rail. there is a screen on the pick up tube to keep from transfering the fish to the upstairs:)

[huskerreef]

Here are the new pics.http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239lagoon8.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239lagoon5.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239lagoon2.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239lagoon4.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239wedding_006.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239display1.jpg

[tokinreefer]

Would love to see some mangrove pics.
It looks like they may not be in there anymore, did they not fare well?

[huskerreef]

only one survivor and its barely hangong on.

[tom obrecht]

Looks you have some new gorgonians in your display...NICE!! Can I say those anthias in you tank ROCK!!:D :D

[demeyer2]

I must say that I've had many favorite setups but this one takes the cake. Do you currently have anything schooling inside? I know you mentioned something about Chromis, did the stingray ever come either?

[marinerules]

i may have missed it ,


but how is your lagoon made

is it concrete walls ect.???


and if u used a pool liner , were you not too worried about tears ect in it

[ruby1sam]

How is the Austrailian Lunare Wrasse in a reef? Is he mean and territorial? Easy going ? Does he harrass little fish or inverts?

[huskerreef]

I did use a pond liner and wasn't to worried about tears, it has a 3/4" foam insulation underlayment. It is made of 2x10 wood framing. I tried a school of chromis but most didn't survive, there are 4 left out of 30. the ray came and did great for a month or so then he got sucked into the pick up tube..bummer. may try another. No problem with wrasses. Maybe a big school of Anthias in the lagoon would look nice.

[huskerreef]

I have recently added a 75 gallon refugium between the 240 upstairs and the lagoon, planted some type of red macro algae, I like the look of the plants but the tangs eat any I put in so this was my compromise,

[tom obrecht]

Any new pics 'ol buddy?:)

[huskerreef]

need to take some of the new lighting

[huskerreef]

I am waiting to see the 400+ gallon pics Tom

[Downdraft]

Amazing Idea!! Must recommend that to my buddies....

[tom obrecht]

Sent PM Jim

[huskerreef]

here are some updated pics of the 240 display that runs into the lagoon in the basement and a pic of my latest addition a 75 inwall with a Rhinopiashttp://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239rhino_home.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239Rhino1.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239Dec_15C.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239Dec_15B.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239Dec_15A.jpg

[tom obrecht]

Where's te 75 located at? Love the rhinopias!!

[huskerreef]

its in the basement wall across from the lagoon

[invincible569]

Cool rhino. Better keep him fed daily! :)

[Bax]

System looks great!

How's the lagoon? That looks like it would be fun to stock and watch it grow out. It's got to be so different that a regular display.

[huskerreef]

lagoon is doing well, its a little over a year old and is maturing quite well. I am leaning more towards clams and corals that look good from above. I have noticed that my display upstairs looks healthier with the additional water, rock and sand that the lagoon carries. I have only done 3- 50 gallon water changes in 14 months so the added volume to the system is doing a great job of naturally filtering. The next thing is to redo the top tile work with something smoother and less porous.

[corivus]

updated pictures would be nice :P just joking, its a very cool setup, I hope I can setup something like this one day

[demeyer2]

Any updates or pictures?

[tom obrecht]

Yeah, how about some eye candy for us out of towners!!:D :thumbsup:

[Julio]

Amazing, do you have this lagoon linked to your display tank? if so how is yoru calcium reactor keeping up with it?

[mlblover126]

just a bumb for a cool tank? lagoon? what ever, lol

[samson78945]

great idea!!! really diggin the lagoon idea!

[drummereef]

Loving the aquascape in the 75 inwall, great job. :)

[Tony44]

Very nice

[bigtyguyy]

wow that is very nice!

[Scottkelly911]

Husker, great system. I agree, as awesome as your 240 is, this Lagoon is just amazing. It had my attention enough to read non-stop every post in all 6 pages. I agree with you that a viewing panel would have been nice, but hindsight is 20/20 and yeah the thought of 1000 gallons on your floor would make me slightly hesitant, lol. But am I the only one who thinks you need to go rent an underwater camera and do some clicking away? I'm sure one of the local reefers will be happy to lend you theirs in the name of reefing studies :lol: Great work, can you give us some updates and pix on the system?

[skwirl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=5972784#post5972784 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dphinsx2
I like the look of the brick. Looking good!

i like the look of your avatar..lol

[huskerreef]

Here is a new shot of the lagoon with the new tile, the old stuff was starting to swell and flake. It looked like stone but wasn't and did not fair well with moisture. Also couldn't help but throw in a shot of my new Monster Black Tang.http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239035.JPG
Next to a Sedra 9000, this Black Tang is 10".
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239066.JPG

[cbui2]

that black tang is really fat, that's awesome lagoon. great job and keep pic's coming:D

[Reefski's]

how about some nice pictures of the corals in the lagoon?

Carl

[tom obrecht]

Hey Husker...my suggestion still stands on the tang...you could visit anytime!

Is that the new stone around the laggon? Looks great!!

[huskerreef]

I need to clear up some hair algae first. About 3 weeks after we redid the tile I got a bad algae outbreak. Even though we covered the open water some dust and debris made its way in. I have 0 algae in the 240 upstairs and it all plumbed together, so the only thing I can think of is from the masonary dust?

[huskerreef]

Tom O. I do believe he would be a nice addittion to your 420. But I am afraid my daughter really likes him, in her words "pretty fishy daddy". It was quite cute and worked as a great diversion when the wife asked how much I paid for this new fish. :rolleyes:

[Black71gp]

i am working on setting up a large lagoon tank.. i saw your pics in the other tank of the framing.. do you have any more bulid shots.. also.. how deep is the sand in the lagoon. and what type of sand did you use... thanks

jarrod

[huskerreef]

I do not have any more build shots than whats in my gallery. the sand is about 2-4" deep and is aragonite.

[tentacles]

How high off of the water do you need to keep your lights so that you are able to view the lagoon?

[Red Sea Purple Tang]

this Black Tang is 10"

OMG!! :eek2: I have one that's 2.5". Did you get him that big?

[huskerreef]

Made some changes to the lagoon. Added ozone and upgrded my skimmer to a euroreef RC1000.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239rc1000.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239lagoon21.jpg
my ozone reactor with a carbon chamber in the discharge line.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239ozone.jpg

[JCTewks]

Looks great Jim!!

Have you got any pics of the coral growth in the lagoon?

[huskerreef]

I have been trying but my photo skills are lacking. I need to give it another try

[JCTewks]

well, It is giood to see an update of the system anyway! How are you liking the EuroReef so far?

[huskerreef]

its been up for a little over a week and so far I really like it. It pulls more skimmate than the asm it replaced but also has 5 pumps compared to 3.

[buttons buster]

That system is really nice.
How much is the overall cost so far?

[huskerreef]

I try not to keep track of how much $$$ I have dumped into this thing but I would hazard a guess at somewhere between 5-7K.

[StingRay1969]

Great setup. Love the stone work.

[JCTewks]

that's still fairly cheap for a 1000gal+ system!!

[tom obrecht]

I have seen this system in person and it is cool! Not many have a 1000 gallon sump that is also a lookdown lagoon. Husker also has a number of other tanks that are just as cool...cool fish too.

[huskerreef]

the stone on the side is actually a high density foam material but looks very real. the top is porcelin tile. compared to most systems of this size it is definelty on the low end of the cost scale. I have things relatively simple and try to have as much automation and simplicity as practical. I have saved money on things like pumps as I use pool pumps that run at least half the cost of a "fish tank" pump, not as quiet but very effective and more flow than I can handle. Also only 2 400w mh on the lagoon that spans 12' in length. They are mounted on a moving light rail. And for those that say its not enough light for something that large, I have 2-8" plus gigas and 1- crocea Clam as well as a few sps pieces and all are doing well along with many softies. The gigas were less than 4" when I got them a year ago.

[JCTewks]

how is that big monti cap doing?

[nick540]

That lagoon is simply amazing, you have inspired me to do something similar! Could we see some more shots from above so we can see the coral and LR work?

[huskerreef]

The big monti kicked the bucket, and I cannot figure out why it just started turning white and it was quickly gone. i have other monti's that are still ok but considerably smaller. I managed to save about a 4" frag.

[kozmo02]

i don't know if this has been addressed or not, but doesn't that lace rock leech phosphate quite a bit? do you have phosphate issues?

[FUA]

love the lagoon!

[Thinslis]

Wow, that is a really nice setup. If I ever get a house with an unfinished basement, a setup like this might just have to go into the plans =) Very very nice.

[erics3000]

Wow this is sweet. Keep the pics coming. great job.

[TandN]

Great setup

[FUA]

any updates?

[lawdog]

Bump for updates on the Lagoon

[Grevious]

New Pics?????

[huskerreef]

soon i am back from vacation i will post some new pics and such. next week.

[xtm]

I just got back from the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach (CA) and they have a large lagoon setup. Somehow it sparked my interest in lagoons.. and I found this thread! I had no idea that people do this right in their own home :eek: That is just so cool! Your lagoon is VERY nice.

[reefez]

Why is it called a lagoon? I don't see Gilligan or the Skipper in any of the pics. J/K Very cool idea and a great job.

[Elliott]

very unique, great work, more pics please :)

[huskerreef]

here is a couple shots of the 240 that is located upstairs and is part of the lagoon system, together they total nearly 1300 gallons
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239240side.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239240_end.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239PB070413.JPG

[Bax]

Your Black Tang is sweet!

[HDAlien]

Great job! Did you ever get the stingray?

[TheOtherReefer]

Supper jealous of the lagoon. Extremely modified sump idea. The more I come to these websites, the more I want to do to my house. LOL.

[huskerreef]

I did have a stingray for a while but he got caught up in the pump intake line.

[Bax]

Ouch!

[ipodhommie]

Im breathing life into this thread...
I want an update

i cant seem to find the dimensions of the lagoon

[ipodhommie]

Im breathing life into this thread...
I want an update

i cant seem to find the dimensions of the lagoon

[mcliffy2]

I second the update request, any recent pics? This system is one of my favs...

[Reef Aquatics]

I would like to see more detailed pics of the lagoon..and more specifics
on its construction... you didn't really go into detail when you started this
thread...

UPDATES PLEASE!!!! ...

[huskerreef]

OK OK I get it :rollface:

[huskerreef]

Here are early pics of construcion
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239fish_008.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239fish_003.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239fish_006.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239fish_005.jpg
Also a couple pics of the new ceramic tile top and the monster RC1000 euro-reef skimmer
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239rc1000.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239lagoon21.jpg
I have also began running Ozone and added a kalkreactor. Things are coming along nicely after a bout with some hair algae but is algae free now. I will try to take some updated in tank pics later tonite.

[arctictwist]

good god! I absolutely love this idea.

[PRINCE_NAMOR]

Definately cool, I'm gonna do a lagoon as my sump..............

[Reef Aquatics]

huskerreef that is a very cool setup!!...I almost like the lagoon better
then your display tank...

What is the lagoon lined with? koi pond liner...?

[ipodhommie]

ya how did you build it... i want to build one...

Where you able to drill if for bulkheads so you could use a closed loop?

[huskerreef]

It is lined with a pond liner. There are no bulkheads, I run 4 Tunze streams in rocks and my 240 runs into it as well. I am going to upgrade to the 6301 Tunze sometime in the near future. If you look at the pic above it basically 2x10' and plywood and a whole lot of nails. I did line it with 3/4" styrofoam insulation prior to putting the liner, mainly to protect the liner from being torn easier and to make sure no moisture built up between the liner and the plywood

[tamortman]

that looks great how did you cap the sides?

[Bax]

So how is your return pump plumed into the lagoon?

[ipodhommie]

last question... can you remember what kind of liner it was?
i dont know if all of them are salt safe?

[huskerreef]

I have a 1/2 hp pool pump externally that sucks out of the lagoon and pumps up to the display upstairs and it drains back through the skimmer and a refugium and back into the lagoon. I used a large pond liner that I got at ta local landscape supply house, I can't see salt affecting it as it is pretty thick rubber and its been up for a couple years now. The side are a faux stone made of high density foam and the top is a ceramic tile.

[huskerreef]

More pics of the contents tommorrow

[cbui2]

what type of cooling system are you using? do you have a link for pond liner used? the black tang should be very big by now

[Bax]

So you just pull a siphon line out of the lagiin to the external pump?

Nice and simple.

I've always admired this lagoon/sump. Very nice!

[huskerreef]

Sorry but I have no link to the liner. Now for some more pics

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/782394-25-2008_021.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/782394-25-2008_025.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/782394-25-2008_032.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/782394-25-2008_006.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/782394-25-2008_017.JPG

I am no photographer

[tamortman]

lets see some pics of the wrasse tank

[huskerreef]

As you requested

Here is the Marjorie Pair
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239November_008.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239November_062.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239November_046.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/78239November_067.jpg
And the Vanuatu Hooded

I also have about 15 wrasses in my 240 display. Its an addiction.

[ipodhommie]

is the top always that still or did you just turn off the flow... and when there is flow can you see anything?

[marino420td]

Dude that is sweet! Can you give us some perspective on the size of those corals? I'm sure they are larger than they appear in the pictures.

[Bax]

Great pics!

[huskerreef]

the lagoon is 6 feet across by 12 feet, so that should give some perspective. The green monti is about 18" across. I did shut down the flow for the pics but even with everything running you still can see pretty well. The funny thing was that the lagoon started off as going to be a large refugium full of culerpa and sea grass but once I saw that the vision in the water was pretty good, it quickly evolved into a full blown look down reef.

[erics3000]

WOW

[tonyespinoza]

how do you maintain the look-down tank? do you do water changes, or use trace elements? very impressive!

[tom obrecht]

I have seen Husker's lagoon a number of times in person and it is very impressive indeed. It's nice for the lagoon (sump) is a display in it's own. Hey Husker...nice purple tang in those pics!!

[huskerreef]

Thank TO it was from a good friend who took great care of it before it made it into my lagoon;)

[Jan Helge]

Very nice indeed :)

[flasher1]

Do you get algae build up on the pool liner? If so, how do you deal with that?

[Reefski's]

why would you need to deal with it. you aren't looking through it? more fish food. i bet biological elements, fish etc keep it in check.

i have a koi pond and a sign of a healthy pond is algae growing on the walls. my fish are eating it right now.

Carl

[flasher1]

true...didnt think about it that way

[huskerreef]

i get coraline and other algaes growing on the rubber liner and the tangs pick away at all the time.

[JCTewks]

I've heard people express concerns about tangs and urchins puncturing the pond liner with there constant scraping...have you seen sny thin spots or places where there are obvious chew/bite marks in the rubber lining?

[huskerreef]

I have yet to see anything that would be an issue. And I would not add an Urchin for fear of a puncture.

[rottbo]

i have a fw indoor liner pond with large plecostmus and stingrays in mine for almost three years never once have I seen anything that made me worry about the pond liner I have the 45 mil one... I have seen a ray wack the side with his tail when I was cleaning and I for sure thought it was punctured but after 5 minutes of inspecting the area I couldnt find where he had hit it not even a scratch so dont worry about it same with plecos rasping the liner with their teeth cannot find any damage.. the only way I could see an urchin punturing it is if a rock fell on it and forced a spine through

[rottbo]

i have a fw indoor liner pond with large plecostmus and stingrays in it for almost three years never once have I seen anything that made me worry about the pond liner I have the 45 mil one... I have seen a ray wack the side with his tail when I was cleaning and I for sure thought it was punctured but after 5 minutes of inspecting the area I couldnt find where he had hit it not even a scratch so dont worry about it same with plecos rasping the liner with their teeth cannot find any damage.. the only way I could see an urchin punturing it is if a rock fell on it and forced a spine through

[huskerreef]

I lose no sleep over over it.

[george albert]

that is awesome love this thread thanks for sharing

[Grevious]

Jim,

Great lagoon, it's beautiful. I don't know if it has been asked already, but what is the evaporation like from the lagoon? What are water changes like? Or do you feel with the total amount of water that it requires less regular water changes.

Thanks

[huskerreef]

With the volume of water I am of the opinion that water changes are less important and so I really only do a couple a year and its usually just a way for me to get rid of extra mixed water left over when I do a change on my 75 and 29, so maybe 20-30 gallons. I have an auto top of hooked directly to my ro/di so not sure on evaporation. I run a full time dehumidifier and exhaust fan so my humidy runs around 30% in the fish room and have not an ounce of condensation on a window ever....knock on wood.

[Bax]

There's a benefit to living in Nebraska!

Among other benefits I am sure.

You can wring water out of your shirt in my office here in NJ if I don't crank the AC after a certain point in the spring time. I evap about 3 gal/day on average throughout the year. Sometimes less, somethimes more.

[rottbo]

sorry for the dp and you have inspired many

[huskerreef]

Thanks

[erics3000]

I wish we had basements in FL. I love the pics of your setup. How big is that black tang now??

[huskerreef]

Unfortunelty the black tang didn't make it, i think he was to big to survive the shipping and only lived for a week. I did finally get a smaller one and he has happily lived in my 240 for about 6 months now.

[erics3000]

ouch..I did see that pretty pruple tang..

[rottbo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12449621#post12449621 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by huskerreef
Thanks
makes me wanna give all my FW away so I can convert my pond to a SW lagoon

[huskerreef]

It appears that today may be the day that the lagoon has met its demise.....:(. I walked into the room behind it only to get wet feet, cut a whole in the drywall to find a rather large wet spot and wet wood underneath. I believe it to be nearly impossible to find a leak in a rubber liner that covers a 6'x12' area 2' deep covered in 1000# of live sand and another 1200# of Live rock and many corals....UUGGGHH and F@#!.

[Reefski's]

do you have a containers to put your corals in? Koi show tanks work very well and hold about 400 gallons. maybe your local koi club could loan you a couple.

how bad/fast is the leak?

Carl

[JCTewks]

man...that sucks!!! Do you have enough rubbermade's to hold it all while replacing the liner? Or are you just going to do away with it entirely?

Maybe you could do a plywood, fiberglass and epoxy liner for the existing exterior of the lagoon. If I were closer I'd come over and give you a hand :(

[huskerreef]

the leak is slow and I am hoping that I can make it until the replacement tank gets here, although I have no clue when that will be as I just faxed over my specs the Midwest Acrylics last night at 10, along with a desperate email explaining my dilema. They were great when my glasscages 240 broke a fews years back and quickly built me a replacement. I am going with 96x48x28 deep would go bigger but not sure if I can even get that down to the basement with major demo to the house, would love to have 60 wide(sigh). I guess it will be time to start the next chapter in my reefkeeping hobby.

[Reefski's]

have you considered just waterproofing the enclosure you have? thoroseal, spray on polyurethane, or fiberglass. all used on koi ponds and you could keep the footprint you have. maybe cheaper too!

Carl

[huskerreef]

have been research those options this morning, I am not sure about my fibergalss skills though, having never done it.

[Black71gp]

i know how you feel.. my 900 gallon pond liner lagoon has a leak.. i lowered th water level a little and it stops.. but if it goes over that level it leaks.. still finding the pin hole is going to be a hard one.. looking forward to your progress

[huskerreef]

I've been researching spray on liners and other various ways to save what I have, but for every 10 positive thing I find out I come across the one that didn't work. I do not want to go through the trouble of tearing down this bad boy and redoing it only to get a leak again down the road. Really leaning towards a big acrylic now.

[Black71gp]

and yours is BEAUTIFUL mine is 2x4 and liner..lol.. very not finished.. really big acrylic.. thats costly...lol... wil be following for sure..

[Reefski's]

the spray on ployurethane is bulletproof and used on many of the high end ponds. call a local koi dealer and ask if they know an installer and at least get a price. i think you may be surprised.

[savethereef]

i did not read the beggenning but would it just be possible to get a acrylic tank the same size and just drop it in there?

[huskerreef]

I ordered a 96x54x28 deep acrylic that will be now an inwall. Started a new build thread to follow the latest.

[JCTewks]

got a link to the new build thread???

[Bax]

That is just terrible news about the liner, I have really enjoyed this lagoon.

Looking forward to the the new 96 x 36 though!

[asnatlas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12953255#post12953255 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JCTewks
got a link to the new build thread???

LINK (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1426360)

[JCTewks]

Thanks Shawn! It;s good to see that you are looking to get your monster back up :D

[murphysfish]

swim with the fishies !!!