Coldwater Northwest Atlantic Tank

[sjreefer]

I have decided to take a departure from my comfort zone with warm water reef systems and try something that I have wanted to do for years and try my hand at a coldwater system. I began diving in the waters off the coast of Maine and New Brunswick about three years ago, the same year I graduated from my undergrad in Biology. I had been into reef tanks for several years at this time and I was truly amazed at what I saw and started planning out what I wanted in a coldwater reef.

I plan on using this small setup as a learning experience to help plan for a larger coldwater system in the future, since the literature out there on this style of tank setup is sparse I’m also hoping that others can learn from my experience (and mistakes) and hopefully try a coldwater tank of their own.

If anyone out there knows of any other good Northwest Atlantic reef tanks please let me know, as I would love to see what type of setup they are running.

I am going to use a custom tank / stand and canopy for this setup, and the tank will be approximately 40 gallons. The tank and stand I made and setup as a freshwater system until I was able to purchase my chiller. The canopy I am starting this week and will post pics as I get them.

The goal is to mimic the environment in my area, and so I will try to maintain my water temperature in the 50°F to 55°F range. The water where I do most of my diving ranges from 34°F to 51°F seasonally and I will do most of my specimen collecting in the summer to minimize the acclimatization required.

I am still in the preliminary stages of this setup, so I will post more information as I progress.

If anyone has any comments or suggestions, please post them, I’m interested to see everyone’s thoughts and advice.

[ludnix]

How thick is the glass going to be? I'm curious what you plan on doing to prevent the tank from "sweating" through the glass.

[Cantonesefish]

Looking forward to your build! Do you have any diving pix to share?

[mullinsd2]

Keep us updated! Sounds like a fun tank.

[sjreefer]

ludnix

its 1/4 inch glass, my next one will definitely be acylic though thats something i learned already after looking at the amount of sweating the tanks at the marine science center by my house do.

Catonesefish

Lots of dive pics, i do alot of underwater photography i just don't have them uploaded i will post some tonight though.

[steveweast]

http://www.oregonreef.com/sub_coldwater.htm

[sjreefer]

Steve,

I have been visiting your site for years, and it is one of the first places I looked for info on the topic. It is truly an impressive setup.

The pacific fauna in your area is very inpressive, I can't say I've run across any
of those species in this part of the Atlantic.

[Beaun]

The Atlantic has its own nice stuff. I did a warmer version (70's) for the northwest atlantic. It's a fun change of pace. What size tank is it? Have you thought about a macro algae tank?

[coral_lagoon]

Thats going to be cool. I was thinking about doing a Monterey Bay coldwater tank myself..

[sjreefer]

Your telling me! I am continually amazed at the diversity of life in an area that most people would consider to be boring and empty

I think my sump will be half bioballs and half sea plants, still trying to figure out the best way to do this.

[noahm]

I would consider artificial rock unless you can find a source of fairly porous rock as the density of most coldwater rock significantly reduces the avalable surface area for bacterial colonization and bioload. Not sure about the east coast, but most of our west coast is basalt cliffs and the resulting rubble. You could also go with real rock for the natural look, and load the sump with something more porous. Just an idea.

[Jade]

This sounds very interesting!!! Will be keeping a close eye on this. Have never really looked into coldwater inhabitants before. You may be starting something that could turn out to be very addicting.(As if this hobby isn't addicting enough!!)
Chris

[sjreefer]

noahm

I was pretty tempted to go with live rock because i have 50 to 60 lbs of tonga deepwater rock here that is just sitting in a bucket with a heater and a bubbler but i think i'm going to go with the natural look to the best of my ability, i'm trying to figure out how to best use my sump, tufa and sea plants might be a good mix of porous rock and nutrient export.

The coast around here is primarily shale and slate, with granite and lots of different silicate rocks mixed in, nothing even remotely porous!

[sjreefer]

I thought i would do a to scale drawing of the tank, this is what it will look like:

[sjreefer]

Canopy Construction

Front





Back

[coral_lagoon]

Originally posted by sjreefer
noahm

I was pretty tempted to go with live rock because i have 50 to 60 lbs of tonga deepwater rock here that is just sitting in a bucket with a heater and a bubbler but i think i'm going to go with the natural look to the best of my ability, i'm trying to figure out how to best use my sump, tufa and sea plants might be a good mix of porous rock and nutrient export.

The coast around here is primarily shale and slate, with granite and lots of different silicate rocks mixed in, nothing even remotely porous!

Theres gotta be some rocks that are porous. I mean dont get me wrong here in monterey there alot of granite types of liverock. But theres an area where the rock is very porous where I could just break it with a hammer. With that being said, theres a ton of life on those rocks to..

[coral_lagoon]

What types of fish are you going to house? I was thinking about having a garabaldi fish in mine..

[sjreefer]

coral_lagoon

I'm thinking about going with

Atlantic Spiny Lumpsucker (if i can find one... very elusive)
Winter Flounder
Shorthorn Sculpin
Longhorn Sculpin
Rock Gunnel

[sjreefer]

Here are a few shots from a dive a couple weeks back that i brought my camera on, this dive was a check out dive to finish up another certification i was doing so i didn't have much time to take pics but they are online so i thought i'd post them.

Vis in these shots is typical, on a good day at this dive site you have 20 ft of vis... thats a VERY good day.

Winter Flounder



Ocean Pout



Young Atlantic Wolfish



Tunicates



Rock Gunnel



Another Wolfish



Chalice Sponge



Dive buddy shooting a Moon Jelly



Huge Wolfy..

[coral_lagoon]

Those were some cool pics. Thanks for posting them..

[Beaun]

How about a cunner (wrasse), they dont get too big, but they will eat almost everything.

[sjreefer]

I do see cunner from time to time on my dives, i may do that!

[sjreefer]

Canopy progress

[sjreefer]

First coat of varathane, i still have some more work to do to the interior of the canopy but i took the opportunity to put the first coat of varathane on the outside tonight. The inside will be sealed and painted with a white marine paint to prevent any mold form the moisture.

[NeveroddoreveN]

awsome idea