(( Wifes )) 54 Corner Sea Horse Build

[maroonman]

Hello all,
I wanted to share & gain your input on My wifes first build.

I Have been in Reefing on & off for about 8 yrs. Learning every step of the way. She loves the Tanks , But wanted " Her Own Setup "
We have been reading up Alot on SH to help ensure we don't strike out .This will not be a super quick build , But well updated.


Looking for a Decent sized tank . She didn't want to go ( Too Nano ) & I wasn't abut to give up My 34 Solana.
SOO the search began . Ironically a fellow reefer ( Bpcardona ) was upgrading & " wanted his old tank gone " Tank , Stand & glass top . Free. Who could refuse?? ( thank you again ) .
So the wife took off in my Truck to go pick up the Tank . About 2 1/2 hr round trip.

==== Equipment she plans to run ====
This is a 54 gallon drilled system .. So I like that.
10 gallon sump with Berlin sock filter.
Main pump will consist of a Quiet one 2200 ( 580 gph )
Skimmer - Euro Reef RS-80
Lighting is a toss up of a DIY Led
Or -ECOXOTIC Stunner setup of ,Blue , Magenta, white
Sand - CaribSea® Aragonite Aragamax Oolite
Roughly 60Lbs of Haitian live rock
Purple sea whip ( Leptogorgia virgulata )
Orange Sea Whip ( Leptogorgia virgulata )
Lavender Spiny Candelabrum ( Muricea muricata )
Red Grape Tree Macro

Flame tipped dragon's tongue macroalgae
Assorted gorgonian coral

We shall see how it all comes together . Enough babble .,

Here is the stand the day of .



She got started on the Sanding .



Lastnight She gave it some nail upgrades & glued the boards ( I just don't trust them tiny nails )



Took the door off and sanded What glue had oozed out & edges of the door & started to apply the first coat.

[JLynn]

Looks nice so far! I noticed that you planned to light it with either DIY LEDs or Ecoxotic Stunner strips, and am concerned about the ability of the stunner strips to provide adequate lighting for the photosynthetic gorgonians and macro algae. Macro algae, for example, generally require at least as much light as SPS. DIY LED is probably the way to go on this. On that note, you might consider a multichip LED for this build. The shape of the tank would lend itself quite nicely to that, I think.

[maroonman]

Originally Posted by JLynn

Looks nice so far! I noticed that you planned to light it with either DIY LEDs or Ecoxotic Stunner strips, and am concerned about the ability of the stunner strips to provide adequate lighting for the photosynthetic gorgonians and macro algae. Macro algae, for example, generally require at least as much light as SPS. DIY LED is probably the way to go on this. On that note, you might consider a multichip LED for this build. The shape of the tank would lend itself quite nicely to that, I think.

JLynn,
Thanks for your input . That was my main concern with the Stunners vs DIY. Because I know me .. I will probably toss a few LPS ( non stingers ) in the tank . And would like a strong enough system to keep them happy. I wasn't sure how Much Light The Macro was gonna need , Since it does ok In My 135 Reef Tank with very low lighting .

[maroonman]

This morning she was Hitting it early , And Got the Door all painted & the first coat inside & out on the stand.

[maroonman]

Got the tank and started giving it a good cleaning . & prepping it for the trim to be painted.

[Bratyboy2]

Looking great!

[maroonman]

got the trim all knocked out

[maroonman]

Working on the door Trim now.

[Bratyboy2]

Go with a 10k look for the best results for the macros and the colors of the gorgonia. Some Rics would be a nice pop of color too

[bpcardona]

Wow! This looks great! I am so happy to see this tank get revived.

Start thinking about flow in the tank. Corner tanks are tricky, so plan well. If I can help let me know.

[Bratyboy2]

Did ya fill it up yet?

[Mistersponge]

Can't wait to see this puppy up and running! Good work with the paint.

[maroonman]

The wife is up In Philly. Visiting Family . And I'm not allowed to touch the build .
So , I'm sure she will be itching to get to work on it when she returns. But in the mean time . I have been Purchasing some nice macros for when it is ready .

[BlindZide]

Looking good. My wife and kid wanted a Seahorse tank but alas, I am the one building it. Lucky man you are good sir.

[maroonman]

Well. Slowly getting back in the groove from vacation,

We leak tested ( just to be safe ) the tank and overflow box yesterday.
Went & picked up 60Lbs of CaribSea Arag-Alive Bahamas Oolite Aquarium Sand.
I have 100lbs of live rock (which i swapped out from my reef tank a few months ago ) sitting in a holding tank .
And Tonight scored some 4 watt current powerbrites led strips ( 3 of them ) .

So the RO water is of full flow. We should have a wet tank soon.

The plan is to take 10 gallons from my 34 solana & 20 gallons from the main 135 reef tank & mix up a fresh batch of SW to top off the Pony tank.

Still not going to plumb it all just yet. ( still undecided on a return pump ) .
But will have the Koralia circulating the water to get us started on ( hopefuly our short cycle. ) . No rush , Just figures crossed.

[maroonman]

progress ......We have water .

The wife went & picked up a ( petco $1 per gallon deal ) 10 gallon tank to make up the sump.

[bpcardona]

Looking great! My first sump was a ten gallon. It fit nicely, but if you want something a bit bigger a aqueon model 1 will just fit. Hints the notch out of the rim near the door.

[maroonman]

Got a good amount of water in & the sand settled..So I dropped 2 decent sized rocks in..

Threw on a HOB filter for the time being ,, and will let it run like this till i get the plumbing , sump & pump finished.

[maroonman]

[snorvich]

Wow! Gorgeous. I cannot wait to see it with inhabitants! Great job!!

[teemee]

Looks great! If you find you don't have enough flow with just the returns for the gorgonians and put a powerhead in the tank, make sure you use foam guards (the ones made by ecotech were great for my mp10, and eventually fit on my jebao, too). Or just put a bigger pump in the sump
Does your wife know what kind of seahorses she wants yet?

[snorvich]

As above, which type of seahorses does your wife plan? Any chance to get her participation on this thread?

[maroonman]

Originally Posted by teemee

Looks great! If you find you don't have enough flow with just the returns for the gorgonians and put a powerhead in the tank, make sure you use foam guards (the ones made by ecotech were great for my mp10, and eventually fit on my jebao, too). Or just put a bigger pump in the sump
Does your wife know what kind of seahorses she wants yet?

I believe she wants to order a Quiet one 3000 now. Basicly the same watt draw as a 2200.. with that extra GPH.. And we can add a ball valve to control the flow if its too much.

[maroonman]

Originally Posted by snorvich

As above, which type of seahorses does your wife plan? Any chance to get her participation on this thread?

She's looking At the (( Male & Female crypsis H.erectus seahorse ))

from a local Breeder. http://www.seahorsecorral.com/

But also Have a local Wholesaler who has beautiful Wild Caught orange Erectus... But We Know .. They may not be a good choice .

What do you mean by Participation?? ( a picture of her hard at work ? )

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by maroonman

What do you mean by Participation?? ( a picture of her hard at work ? )

Well, that would work too, but I was thinking more about writing her thoughts and plans.