My 1st SH Tank\Pictures

[8BALL_99]

When I got a 72 gallon a few years ago the first thing my wife said she wanted was a seahorse..Ofcourse found out pretty quick they dont work in reefs. So she kinda of forgot about it I guess.. Untill a local shop started stocking Captive bred ones.. Well all I've heard from her the past month is Can I have a seahorse.. We can't put them in any of the tanks.. Well lets get rid of your manits then.. Can one go in the Fuge,, Can we get a new tank. Lol well you get the idea..

So I got us a 35 Hexagon tank.:eek1: It came in wednesday if I remember right. I'm an idiot when it comes to seahorses so any advice is welcomed.. I already know they like lower temps and lower water flows. I plan on keeping this tank seperate from my Reefs just cause I keep those tanks at 78 in winter and 80 in the summer..

I'm going to install an external overflow on the tank ;). Lighting will be a 150 Watt Mh. I bought a stand and tank.. But I wasn't all that impressed with the AGA stand so I built a new one out of solid oak and oak Ply.. The factory one was made out of particle board and the oak sticker didnt' match the color of my 180... I plan on building a Hexagon sump lol yeah a Hexagon.. Should be fun :rollface: No really I just want to try it.. If it doesn't work out I'll just build a Square one I guess:( haha

Since its not going to be connected to my reefs I had to get a skimmer for it.. I ended up getting one of those New ASM mini's.. I've heard good things about them.. Besides.. it is an ASM ;)

Well anyhow I'll shut up and show you guys some PICTUREs!!

Factory Stand and Tank
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/126841729.jpg
Here is the Sides ready for Glue.. This sucker Has NO Nails or Screws Well besides the Door Hinges lol Hey cut me some slack
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/126841728.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/126841727.jpg
Top and bottem Trip.. The tank will set on the inside of the trim on the left..
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/126841726.jpg

[8BALL_99]

The Bottem Being installed
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/126841725.jpg
This is the Door. I used a couple of PC harddrive magnets for door catches lol.. Don't ask me why. Just what was laying on my bench haha. Looks pretty good though.
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/126841920.jpg
picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/126841921.jpg
Fits Pretty Dern Good If I dont say so my self Knotice The tank sits down into the trim so you dont see the tanks trim..
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/126841922.jpg
After paint and Stain.. I also installed Plastic sheeting in the bottem like my other tanks..The stand still needs Poly besides that its done.
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/126841919.jpg

You guys think this setup will be good for Seahorses?
Well thats all Folks... :rollface:

Will

[equinecpa]

Should be fine for seahorses-lots of vertical swimming room. You might want to reconsider the 150w mh - seahorses don't need bright light and most of the corals you can keep with them don't need it either. It may also cause heat issues.

Carolyn

[8BALL_99]

I just like MH.. I've got a 180 an a 60 reef loaded with corals.. So I'm not to worried about corals in this tank..But this tank will be in the same room as the other tanks. PC's just dont look good to me.. Specially when setting beside a tank with MH ;) I've got a 125 at my office with 3x150MH it stays at about 76 so I'm thinking I can keep the 35 about the same.. Maybe add a fan if need be.

[Jordan55]

I love the 35 hex! I have a 25 gallon right now and when I upgrade (probably in the summer) I am going to a 35 hex I think. They are just so different.

Looking good.

If you want some ideas or some basic info check out my thread in this forum.

Good luck!

[BradL.]

Looks nice 8Ball. For my 35 Pentagon I drilled the bottom and installed a stand pipe. I just dont trust those hang on over flows and drilling is very easy. Just make sure the bottom isnt tempered. I have about 60 pounds of Figi in it now which is wrapped around the stand pipe and in blends right in.



http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/BradL87/DSC01349.jpg

[8BALL_99]

My overflow will be a External overflow.. Like my 180. I'll drill the back wall.. It works just like a regular overflow execpt the box is on the outside of the tank so you dont have to look at it.. Check my Gallery for some pictures of one.. My 60 and my 180 both have External oveflows.. I also drilled my old 29 like that a while back.. Works great. I'll post some pictures of it when I get it done. I've been waiting on my light to come in before I started on it.

You tank fits that spot perfect.. Looks good!

[BradL.]

Oh yeah, I like that alot! Why arent all tanks designed like yours?

[nickb]

Very nice. Are you planning to paint the back side(s)? If so, what color will you use?

[8BALL_99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6577309#post6577309 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BradL.
Oh yeah, I like that alot! Why arent all tanks designed like yours?


Haha,,Give it some time.. I think most RR tanks will have external oveflows down the road.. My 60 and my 29 I drilled and done myself.. My 180 I had Miracles in glass do the External overflow for me cause I wanted the back glass Tempered.


nickb.. Thanks The back wall will be covered with 1/8 Black Acrylic to hide the overflow and the plumbing on the back wall... I've already got that part done.. I also have the overflow on now.. I'll try to take some pictures tonight for you guys..

Will

[pledosophy]

Lookin good

[mickey57]

...................Come on over to Seahorse.org.We will guide you thru the seahorse maze....About that skimmer,take it back to the store.As the DSB debates is over here at RC...........................We have the skimmer debate at Seahorse tank debate over at the Org.Guess what side of the fence I am on?I love the tank...I have a 10 hex for my dwarfs.
......................Mickey

[8BALL_99]

Thanks pledosophy!

mickey57, Thanks But I already found Seahorse.org... Haha and I'm not a DSB guy.. But I would never go without a skimmer!! I dont do water changes very often so I need my Big skimmers.. The water in my Reefs is perfect with me feeding heavy and doing a water change maybe every other month.. And the water is Crystal Clear. Without a big skimmer I know my reefs would not be what they are.. I dont see how one wouldn't help on a SH tank.

I guess the tank and stand are done now.. I just have to get the sump finished.... I'm still waiting on the skimmer to come in before I get started on it.. I just want to make sure the footprint of the skimmer is what they say it is before I start on the sump. It should be here Friday! Here is a few shots of what things look like now..

http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/127178095.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/127178094.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/127178093.jpg
Finished Tank shot.
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/127178092.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/127178385.jpg
Finished Stand
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/127178091.jpg

Will

[mickey57]

...................Nice Job on the tank and stand!.SPS tanks need a skimmer.Small bubbles cause problems with the males in a horse tank! lol
...........Mickey:cool:

[pledosophy]

Skimmers do increase the risk of GBD in seahorses that are prediposed to the disorder. Best way to get around this is to put the skimmer in the sump so it is not dumping into the display, or fine tune it so there are no bubbles IME.

I have a skimmer on my tank, but I keep it in the sump. It is only running part time, whenever I get some algae I throw it on for a month.

[8BALL_99]

Thanks for the heads up guys.. My skimmer will be insump.. I'll also have Baffles like my other sumps to keep bubbles out of the display!

Will

[8BALL_99]

Update

I got the sump done.. Well for the most part I have to trim the bottem off after it drys good. I Bent the sides insted of using weldon.. I figured it would work better be more fun to haha.. Less seems to worry with. Turned out pretty good for my first Hex tank.. Since the Bends were kind of long and there was so many.. I used a Heat strip insted of my Tourch;) The Heat strip ison a strip of plywood with Fiberglass cloth for insulation. Takes a little longer for the Acrylic to get up to temp.. But Alot easier to work with.

http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/127826292.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/127826291.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/127826290.jpg
Almost up to Temp.. I figured out a while back that at around 250F on the back side of the piece is when it bends well
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/127826289.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/127826288.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/127826316.jpg

Will

[mickey57]

.............Sweet Job! ;)
.........................Mickey

[8BALL_99]

Thanks I got the tank up and running the other night :D Everything is jugging right along

It holds water
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/128116517.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/128116516.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/128116515.jpg
Moonlight installed
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/128116513.jpg
The Rockwork isn't done.. I just threw a peice in from one of my other tanks to get the cycle going..The dead coral will stay in there though
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/128116512.jpg
Round 2 Here is the other sump I built.. This one is for a Local Reefer. Although I may trade him lol since This one is all but perfect. I did a much better job on my seems and bends the 2nd time around..
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/5364694/128116542.jpg

[alien9168]

Beutiful workmanship!
cool idea with spliting the holes on an external overflow! Much easier than drilling individual slits!

I think this is going to be cool! :D

-Alien

[Elite]

You shoulda build your own tank instead of buying :D .. Your sump look better than your display :D :D ... good job

[alien9168]

I agree!

[8BALL_99]

lol Thanks.. I figured this thread was 30 pages back by now.. I"ve been meaning to post an update.. I added some rock. I also got 4 horses in there now.. two mustangs and two Redi's. Its looking pretty good.

[mickey57]

.............Studying your work.Going to follow suit with my dwarf Hex :D
.............Whenever I can find the time to squeeze yet another "I want to" project in;) Ihave been showing this baby Erectus off and I don't want to miss an oppourtunity to do so...so here is ***Tabasco***:D Born on Nov 30, 2005.Just named this horse last night.From OR parents:eek:
...............Mickey
***************
.............Damn,I haven't posted a pic in a while...I will figure it out
...............Mickey :rolleyes:

[mickey57]

:Dhttp://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/193462-18-06-Oh-My-GOD.jpg

[8BALL_99]

very Kewl

[steveo32]

8ball you have some amazing skills. It makes me want to go down and build something, however theres a lack of tools , money , material and oh yes craftman skills lol. Anyway I can't wait to see how your tank turns out. I want a seahosre tank to but I'm not going to start that unti lthe summer.

[Swanwillow]

you have my tank-it looks like... 30-ish gallon hex (are your sides about 11 inches long each?)

well, anyways... its really nice for horses! the vertical room is stunning, but its a brat to aquascape!

[8BALL_99]

Thanks guys for the complements!

I know what you mean.. I'm sorry to say a project like this does take a few tools.. I'm very lucky to have losts of garage space.. And a decent collection of tools :) It would be very hard to do without Atleast a good Table saw and a jointer

Yep its a AGA 35Gallon Hexagon.. I kinda of like it.. It doesnt' take up much room but still has lots of room for horse to move about..I didnt' have alot of space lenght wise so this tank worked great. Its between my 180 and the door so It wasn't like I could just move something over a lil lol.


I started building a power center lastnight.. Should have it done tonight if I get time to work on it.. It will be alot like the one on my 180.. I think there are some pictures of that one in my Gallery.. I'll post some pictures of it when I get it done! Anyway here are some PIctures of the tank now!!

http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/9297409/130606858.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/9297409/130606853.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/9297409/130606851.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/9297409/130606850.jpg

Thats all for now
Will

[8BALL_99]

OOPs! so thats how Double posts happen lol.. My first :rolleye1:

[mickey57]

............Me Realllllly likes'
....................Mickey :reading: :thumbsup:

[alien9168]

really a great thread!
-alien

[alien9168]

really a great thread!
-alien

[alien9168]

beutigul tank and horses!

-alien

[8BALL_99]

Thanks!

Update
I finished up the powercenter the other day. Turned out pretty good.. Works alot like the one on my other tanks.. But this one only has a Neptune Junior.. My other one has a Aqua controller 2.. I really didn't see the need for a AC2 for the seahorse tank.. But I did want something to monitor PH and Temp.. I really like having the safety factor.. If temp gets high it cuts a fan on.. If it keeps going up it cuts the Mh light off! It also controlls my heater.. So if the heater sticks on or just is inaccurate the controller cuts it off and on a preset temps..Makes a world of difference.. Haha I also found a special buy link in a RC thread for RC members only so the controller was only around 160.00 Insted of 199. I also got a DC8 and ph probe with the it as a package deal for alot less then regular price! Was a great deal..

I also added a kewl lil fan I found at lowes for get this 12 bucks.. Its a small blower fan with two speeds.. Its very quiet and moves decent amount of air.. I think I'm even going to go get a couple more and swap out my other fans on the other tanks..

Anway Pictures!;)
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/9297409/132063184.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/9297409/132063183.jpg
BEFORE
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/9297409/132063181.jpg
AFTER
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/9297409/132063177.jpg
Here is that fan
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/9297409/132063179.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/9297409/132065158.jpg
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514/944495/9297409/132065155.jpg

Will

[finding nemo]

All I can say is WOW Will, amazing tank and beautiful stand, now I have a question. Can you come to my house and build me a beautiful power center like yours???????
Just amazing skills you have.
I can supply all of the Craftsman tools you will need.
Amazing tank and the work is top notch.
Congrats

[Swanwillow]

yeah-I need the power center AND the fuge you have....

[kenny77]

wow. Nice work there 8BALL_99. I really like that most of it was DIY projects. At this momment I about to convert my freshwater 15g hex on a seahorse tank and im defenetly going teh way you did with your hex. Except that the sump and refugium will be on a closet connected to the tank( I don't have those skill to do a better stand and a sump like that)

[Swanwillow]

ummm, a 15 gallon isn't enough to support most seahorses...

I have a recent post about it, lemme see....

my last post here http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=787286

[8BALL_99]

Thanks for all the comments!! Glad everyone things it turned out good. I'm pretty happy with the way everything looks and fuctions..I just need to get my auto topp off connected.. lol I'm spoiled.. I haven't had to add topoff in about 2 years untill now.. I keep forgetting :( I've got everything I need I just have to run the water line and hook it all up.

[pledosophy]

Buddy, you got mad skillz ! ! ! ! !

Very nice work. I am really impressed with just how well everything turned out. Very nice work, thank you so much for sharing.

Beautiful horses as well.

[8BALL_99]

Thanks!! And NP I just hope it gives others Idea's.. I've learned alot just looking at other peoples setups. Its a good way to see what you do and dont like before you even get started.

I'm considering getting a pair of ocean runners down the road.. Maybe some yellow ones.. What are they called sunburts or something like that. Anyone have any Input on them? They cost so much :eek2:

Will

[Swanwillow]

my imput: just get other seahorses... ha.
dunno if the sunbursts are _really_ erectus, if they are, they have a high chance of not being the color you pay for...
same with the pintos... your buying the line, not the horse.

[8BALL_99]

Oops I ment ocean riders haha..

So bad idea?

[Swanwillow]

not bad, just not as good as it sounds...

[irishpete]

GREAT JOB! Looks very clean! I love the sump work and the custom stand. That electrical box is super clean. Mine looks like the first pic of your wires but under my pony tank stand.

[mickey57]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6900884#post6900884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 8BALL_99
Thanks!! And NP I just hope it gives others Idea's.. I've learned alot just looking at other peoples setups. Its a good way to see what you do and dont like before you even get started.
****.............I have learned a lot from your posting and I appreciate the thread,very much.My work gets the job done but I am trying to make it look NEAT like yours!Veery rough around the edges,my work is.

I'm considering getting a pair of ocean runners down the road.. Maybe some yellow ones.. What are they called sunburts or something like that. Anyone have any Input on them? They cost so much :eek2:

Will
*******This is a pic of the fry that come from Sunburst Parents.I have had no experience with OR since 2001 but I will not hesitate to go back to them....After I talk to them by PHONE.The ORs' hold there color which is why I went to them in the first ploace and look at this baby!3 1/2 months old now.This pic is at 3 month of age

[mickey57]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6900884#post6900884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 8BALL_99
Thanks!! And NP I just hope it gives others Idea's.. I've learned alot just looking at other peoples setups. Its a good way to see what you do and dont like before you even get started.
****.............I have learned a lot from your posting and I appreciate the thread,very much.My work gets the job done but I am trying to make it look NEAT like yours!Veery rough around the edges,my work is.

I'm considering getting a pair of ocean runners down the road.. Maybe some yellow ones.. What are they called sunburts or something like that. Anyone have any Input on them? They cost so much :eek2:

Will
***********.............This is a pic of the fry that come from Sunburst Parents.I have had no experience with OR since 2001 but I will not hesitate to go back to them....After I talk to them by PHONE.The ORs' hold there color which is why I went to them in the first place and look at this baby!3 1/2 months old now.This pic is at 3 month of age. http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/193462-18-06-Oh-My-GOD.jpg

[alien9168]

Beutiful!

Cool idea with the zipties. Im going to try that when my fry are born . Thanx!
:D
-alien

[David4039]

Bump, cause I like it :)

[tabndust]

looks great

[8BALL_99]

Thanks.. I was surprised to see this thread pop back up.. Figured it was 30 pages back by now lol The tank is doing great still.. Horses are happy so is the corals I added.. I'm still not happy with the ASM Mini but since it was 100bucks I guess i'll deal with it for now :(

Its been getting pretty hot here during the day.. Forgot to turn the central unit on in the house a couple of times :rolleyes: stupd cold nights and hot days...Wasn't a problem though.. The SH tank never got over 76.. My AC JR kicked on my sump fan once or twice but that was with a house temp of about 78 lol.. most of the time the house is set for 74 or less. So I think the MH is going to be fine without a chiller or anything :)