New deep 215

[Dean Ladd]

I have been running my Oceanic 135 72x18x24 since 2001. In February I decided to upgrade the tank to a larger tank to house my large Derasa Clam. In March I ordered a 72x30x25 Planet Aquarium tank through my LFS. The DT tank actual water volume is 215g. The system water volume is just over 350 gal.

Here is a picture of the clam that started this whole thing. As you can see from the picture there was the issue of some major scratches in the 135. This tank grew up with two kids, now grown up and in their 20's.



Old tank as its inhabitants were being transferred to temporary home.





The trip down the stairs.





And the Eagle has landed.

More to come with some very sad news! But progress continues.

[Dean Ladd]

So progress continues. The plan for this tank was to get rid of the old rock wall and go to the more minimal scaping. Allowing more room for the fish to swim thus allowing me to add more fish then with the old rock crowded system. Also get rid of the intank overflows, which kill DT space and it never fails fish ending up in the overflow boxes.

I decided on a single Synergy Shadow Overflow box. The reason for the two holes drilled in the back of the tank.

He are pictures of the new tank waiting for the removal of the old tank.

[Dean Ladd]

The old tank now out and the new tank in. I rented a material handling lift from Home Depot to remove the old tank and lift the in tank in place. The process went flawless with just myself and son doing the switch.

As you can see from these photos the new tank is a lot deeper then my old tank and I will have to add another 3" to the back side of the tank stand. The old tank left me a 8" shelf, which is gone now.

I also have installed the Synergy Overflow box, which I am very happy with. It takes up no DT room at all and NO more fish in the overflow. Two issues resolved, Yah!

I got the old tank up the stairs using the ATV wench to pull it up them. Again it worked flawless and I did all by myself.

[Dean Ladd]

Before I reveal the completed project and share the sad news I eluded to in my original post I thought I would share some pictures of the sump system. This is not going to be very exciting since I am a firm believer in KISS and if it works don't fix it. My old system ran successfully since 2001 running this old school system I am confident in this system success as well. The only new item added to the sump was my experimental DIY Algae Scrubber I recently built. I wanted to get the scrubber up and running to add a extra layer of nutrient expert since I plan on going against my own beliefs that understocking a tank is the best method for success. I plan on overstocking this tank since I have housed only 3 fish in the original system for years and was wanting to try some new and exciting fish in this system.

I run a old 25 watt UV Sterilizer. 2 skimmers. A old tall Venturi skimmer and a Old Red Sea venturi skimmer. Both do the job well and I see no need to up grade these. Auto top off is accomplished by a gravity feed system with a simple float valve shut off. It has run flawless for years.

I changed the 175 watt x3 metal Halide system to cheap ebay LEDs several years ago and have been very happy. I am currently running x4 165 watt LEDs. Supplemental lighting is via x2 6' UV VHO bulbs. 1 Super Actinic and the other is the 454 blue.

I do not plan on stocking SPS corals but will continue to run my Knop Calcium Reactor to maintain system parameters.

[Dean Ladd]

As promised here is the final project.

The current fish stocking list;
Purple Tang
(Zebrasoma xanthurum) I purchased this fish in 1999. It was tiny 1.5" at most. It was the king of the old system and was pretty aggressive. Since moving it into the new system it has become much more tolent and seems much happier.
Coral Beauty Angelfish
(Centropyge bispinosa) As well a bit of a jerk in the old system but much happier in the new system.
Flame Angelfish
(Centropyge loricula) New addition. I always wanted one but knew the Coral Beauty would not allow it in the old tank. In the new tank they get along with no issues.
Ocellaris Clownfish
(Amphiprion ocellaris ) Obviously if you have a BTA you have to have a clown fish hosted by the BTA. The clown fish protects its BTA relentlessly. You will notice I have a very large LTA as well but the clown will have nothing to do with the LTA. I don't expect too since Amphiprion's are not known to be hosted by LTA's.
Blood Red Hawkfish
(Cirrhitops fasciatus) This was a late addition to the old 135. I am not sure if this fish will stay. It is a bit aggressive in the new system for some reason.
Niger Triggerfish
(Odonus niger) The Clown Trigger fish was one of the reason I got into marine aquariums. I wanted a trigger in this system and by all accounts the Niger is the least aggressive. We shall see! So far so good.
Pacific Redstripe Hogfish
(Bodianus sepiacaudus) I absolutely love this fish and it has grown to be my favorite. Unfortunately I lost it during the transfer when it jump from my temp system. I will be replacing it for sure.
X6 Staghorn Damsel Fish
(Amblyglyphidodon curacao) That is my best guess!I ordered these from LA after waiting several weeks for them to get in stock. The problem is they were supposed to be Lemon Chromis (Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis). I wanted a small shoaling fish and after my research the Lemon Chromis seemed to fit the bill. Plus I really wanted the extra yellow in the system. That did not happen. I am really not sure about the long term with these fish since I am guessing they will get bigger then wanted and ugly.

In quarantine and doing great after a slow start eating is my
Mimic Lemon Peel Tang
(Acanthurus pyroferus) I really would have prefered to add this fish before the Purple Tang but it did not work out that way. I hope the Purple Tang will allow it. We will see in a couple weeks.
Also in QT a Narrow-Lined Puffer(Arothron manilensis) This guy is cute as can be with a typical puffer personality. I am a bit concerned about adding it to the DT and I am considering leaving it in the 50 gal stock tank until a much later date.

I also have a Orange Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleini) but it is now living in the 55 gal tank hooked up to the system. As expected it started nipping at everything alive in the tank that didn't swim. Banished to the 55 until I find a home for it. It is a great fish and healthy as a horse.



So for the Sad News. It seems something went terribly wrong with the transfer when it came to my Derasa Clam and I lost it.

[Dean Ladd]

Some pictures!

My Tang showing off his new address.



New Addition. Juvenile Lemon Peel Mimic Tang.

[Dean Ladd]

Another Picture.

[Dean Ladd]

Wrasse proof!



]

[Blue Tang Clan]

I could just be me, but none of your pictures are showing up

[Dean Ladd]

Originally Posted by Blue Tang Clan

I could just be me, but none of your pictures are showing up

Thank you for checking out my thread!

That's strange. I have no idea what is going on. I had someone say that on another post I placed pictures on, yet I can see them just fine. I have even viewed them just fine as a guest using my wife's PC which has never been logged in as a member.

I use Google Pictures and link the pictures address into Reef Central using the image tool.

[Blue Tang Clan]

It looks less like an issue with ReefCentral as one with Google Pictures' permissions settings. Can you log in and see them from a browser that you has never been logged into any of your Google services (to include Gmail, etc.)

[Dean Ladd]

Originally Posted by Blue Tang Clan

It looks less like an issue with ReefCentral as one with Google Pictures' permissions settings. Can you log in and see them from a browser that you has never been logged into any of your Google services (to include Gmail, etc.)

Thanks for letting me know the images were not working. Over 600 views and no one said anything.

Looks like you can not link Google Pictures from your Google picture account.

I will go back and load them to RC.

[Dean Ladd]

Are images working now? I hope so what a PITA.

[Blue Tang Clan]

Originally Posted by Dean Ladd

Are images working now? I hope so what a PITA.

Yes they are -- and WOW! These are fantastic!

[Dean Ladd]

Originally Posted by Blue Tang Clan

Yes they are -- and WOW! These are fantastic!

Great! Again, thank you for letting me know. I wondered why I now had over 700 views but no responses. Not that responses justify anything!

[Dean Ladd]

The valley of the clown fish. All who passes through must be approved.

[Dean Ladd]

So after ordering a replacement Derasa Clam from LA with dismissal results I picked up a very nice Derasa from a local Petco. I have had the clam quarantined for about 30 days in my lagoon tank. It has been doing great.

[Dean Ladd]

Mt.Mushroom

[Sisterlimonpot]

Losing that clam had to be heart breaking!!! Are you planning on doing anything with its shell???

On a lighter note, I love the ingenuity of getting the tank down the stairs, very clever!

[Dean Ladd]

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

Losing that clam had to be heart breaking!!! Are you planning on doing anything with its shell???

On a lighter note, I love the ingenuity of getting the tank down the stairs, very clever!

Thanks!

The clam was my motivation for the new tank. Iwill be honest, if I had lost the clam before ordering the new tank I would have sold everything off and left the hobby. I have been in this hobby for a very long time and have had many ups and downs but losing the clam was devastating.

I gave the shell to my daughter, she is a pre-K teacher and is using it in her class room.

[Sisterlimonpot]

I got that from your posts, I'm with you, that event would've taken the wind out of my sails. However, I always try to see the silver lining, it's quite possible that those series of events are going to make your new tank even more fruitful.


Giving the shell to your daughter for a teaching moment or a conversational piece is a great way to honor its legacy.

[McPuff]

Very nice new tank. I really like the rock scape. Definitely a smart move with the screen tops too.

[Dean Ladd]

Originally Posted by McPuff

Very nice new tank. I really like the rock scape. Definitely a smart move with the screen tops too.

Thanks, would like to keep a couple wrasse. Already lost my Peppermint Hogfish due to jumping out of my temp holding tank. Not risking another at a $100 a jump.

[saf1]

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

On a lighter note, I love the ingenuity of getting the tank down the stairs, very clever!

Interesting - I actually said the same thing to myself.

Nice tank and setup. Sorry to hear about that clam. I've always wanted to try one. Too scared which is strange since I have a lot of biovalves in my tank that came in on some of my older rock. Never expected them to live but they are doing very well and always interesting to see how they move over time.

[Dean Ladd]

Originally Posted by saf1

Interesting - I actually said the same thing to myself.

Nice tank and setup. Sorry to hear about that clam. I've always wanted to try one. Too scared which is strange since I have a lot of biovalves in my tank that came in on some of my older rock. Never expected them to live but they are doing very well and always interesting to see how they move over time.

Thanks, clams are cool. I hope the new one does as good as my old one.