Build-off entry: Office tank (dial-up beware ~75k)

GeekGirlUnveiled · 10-29-2005, 10:55 PM

I guess I'm right down to the wire here...

Basic description
Size tank planned
Total volume of planned system
Planned organisms to inhabit the system

I started setting this system up in my office on the first of the month. Since I'm there nearly everyday, but not there all of every day, it has to be as foolproof as possible. It also has to be lovely, because it's a massage therapy office, and people want to relax in the "ambience." LOL! Here's the specs to start out...

29 Gallon Acrylic, custom stand/hood. VHO lighting (225w), Bakpak. Two PH for LOTS of waterflow. No sump, no overflow, no fuge. The tank is it...less chance of flood in my second floor office directly above the property manager. I had to get approval from the building owner, since several years ago, they had a glass tank burst in another suite.

35 lbs aragonite sand, 30 lbs of LR, mix of Haiti and Fiji.

Inhabitants will be (are) a yellowheaded jawfish, already named "Bubbles" by my officemate. Haha! And a pair of Orange skunk clowns. Since I'm playing catch-up with the description and entry here, there is a rock of large shrooms, (frillies) that the male clown has been eyeing for a few days... will he host? Tune in later...

Stacey

dobejazz · 10-29-2005, 10:58 PM

Welcome to the build off!!

GeekGirlUnveiled · 10-29-2005, 10:59 PM

Thanks!

Rockwork pic... It's changed a little in the center, to make a good area for the jawfish.

I "fishless" cycled the tank, using the LR die-off, plus a dose of ammonium chloride. Cycle was finished on about the 16th, then this little guy went in:

Full tank shot when I remember to take one...

Things are testing stable each day, of course I still have that "new skimmer" microbubble thing going on, and will probably try one of those bak-pak bubble baffles. (Say that one 5 times fast!)

My intention is to make this a full reef, mainly softies, LPS and some Monti Cap. My tanks at home are fed nearly all a mix of phyto, c-eeze, and frozen or chopped fresh food, so I will probably do the same with this one.

No pics of the skunk clowns, they bob up and down too much. Ha!

Loverotties · 10-29-2005, 11:11 PM

Nice!

GeekGirlUnveiled · 10-29-2005, 11:22 PM

Backing up a bit...

(note to self: learn to think linear-ly)

Here's the set up, with the lighting and "stuff..."

I wasn't sure about the whole "no reflector" thing on the lighting, but since the URI bulbs have built in reflectors... supposedly, I just have this insulating reflective matting in the canopy.

I mounted the powerstrip inside the stand, using velcro! (I LOVE velcro... oh what you can do with six inches of velcro!) And the stand is big enough to accomodate my top-off water, and all my drygoods stuff, so it doesn't take up valuable cupboard space in my office.

I've never used a skimmer before, instead relying on frequent waterchanges to maintain water quality. But the idea of hauling 60 lbs of pre-mixed weekly up to my 2nd story office was a little daunting, so I've converted.

Now comes the fun part... lurking in the shops and internet shopping for tiny frags of corals that won't break the bank... whoohoo!!!

Oh yes, and everything locks. No accidents with other people's hands in the tank. If someone is going to mess things up, it will be ME and me alone...

dobejazz · 10-30-2005, 12:05 AM

sound like a good plan ! I like the locks idea

GeekGirlUnveiled · 10-30-2005, 12:09 AM

edited because I flunked reading comprehension 101 this week.

VWD · 10-30-2005, 12:42 PM

Welcome to the build off, Nice looking set up and I like your lights

wharyat · 10-30-2005, 10:28 PM

Welcome, the tank looks great so far.

GeekGirlUnveiled · 10-30-2005, 11:38 PM

Thanks... I was LFS surfing today... picked up a couple of beauties for a good price. A branching frogspawn and a non-branching. Pretties! Pics later when they extend fully. They were only 1/2 open when the lights went out.

JimmyK · 11-02-2005, 01:47 AM

Looks like another Oregonian and a neighbor! Glad to see you entered. Tank looks great, how about those pics of the new additons?

Jim

GeekGirlUnveiled · 11-02-2005, 11:18 AM

Microbubbles... I have them, in abundance. (coming from the bakpak.) They pool up on the underside of one of the powerheads, then sliiiiiide in where the PH chops them up and makes even MORE microbubbles. grrrrr.....

A couple of my corals don't like it,(one big shroom placed mid-tank. It closes so the bubbles will slide off. And I know it's bad for one of the montis that's really flat.) and the male skunk clown has been staying down in a corner that doesn't seem to get many bubbles. He also respirates heavily. If I turn the skimmer off, he quits. The other fish and corals are fine for now.

Does anyone have/use the baffles made for bakpak II? or is there a DIY fix for this problem? I have no space for a sump on this tank, so I have to keep the HOT type skimmer.

Ideas?

GeekGirlUnveiled · 11-04-2005, 12:21 PM

very fuzzy pic of the new 'spawn. It's the size of a grapefruit when open. And yes, I was too lazy to turn off the powerheads before taking the picture.

See the clown at the top right? Well, he finally decided to host something. You'd think with two luscious froggies, GSP, and a lovely frilly mushroom rock, he'd make a reasonable decision, right?

No. He's hosting the heater.

skeety · 11-04-2005, 01:44 PM

sounds EXACTLY like a clown to me!!

My clowns hosted with the thermometer for months until I took it out. Now they've hosted with the top of the overflow (SOO wish I was kidding).

Not a month goes by that I don't have to fish one of them out, who was sleeping a little too deep, and tumbled over and into my overflow.

beautiful...but NOT too bright! hahahaha

Coming along QUITE nicely!!

how about a whole tank shot?

VWD · 11-04-2005, 03:49 PM