140 gallon Coldwater build.

[NemCrazy]

I went to place just south of hug point state park. It was hard to find any coastline there that wasn't a state park. And although I found those painted's, there wasn't much else that I didn't have. But it was fun. I dropped by walmart picked up a 3 day license. It was really tricky getting those nems though I didn't want peel any off the rocks. But I found these ones below waterline with there feet buried deep and hooked to smaller rocks. One I accidentally tore a little part as I was trying to pull the rock up. He isn't looking as good and not nearly as hungry. I should have asked you where a good spot was. But It was a spur of the moment deal. Oh and notice the club banner Stu. It's a new club on reef frontiers.

 

[AquaticEngineer]

In case you head back down again, its okay to collect for personal use within a state park unless they have specific rules posted that prohibit collection of specific species at that location. Just make sure to stay clear of marine gardens and research reserves.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

 

[NemCrazy]

Thats good news. And I plan on more trips, but I'll need to heal up from surgery first. That's why I went that and fiddling with the big tank was getting me pumped. That and I need to keep a tide chart handy from now on.

 

[NemCrazy]

Time to celebrate! Water is in the tank and several nems and a tidepool sculpin. Here's the video.http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=/#/watch?v=tGUi3zGqboc

 

[NemCrazy]

I am really excited about getting this going. I think I'm gonna take the fluval 404 and install that in the next day or two.it will be off the 45 so it's cycled and filled with bio-balls and polishing filters. I'm gonna add more flow today. So I will see about putting up a maxi-900 and a aquaclear 90 with a rotating head making it 1600 g/h but I'll need more as it takes shape. The painted nems are moving around and finding their spots. I'm also thinking of replacing the top with a 1/4" piece of plexiglas. A quarter inch ought to be thick enough to insulate considering it's the top. Correct me if I'm wrong please Also I'm thinking of upgrading the lighting. I have two 48" t5no a 24" led light bar. And two cheapo marineland led inserts. Due to most of them being photosynthetic. They don't need near as much light as Tropicals do but I might be a bit low for the greenies. Maybe another t5no fixture or maybe some led strings. Well we shall see. On another note the temp is 60f in my living room and it only turned on for a half hour today. Which is good because it is a bit more noisy than I would like.

 

[str8juizy]

I am really excited about this thread! Your build is AMAZING!!! I want one so bad I can almost taste the saltwater he he he. Great job and I look forward to more info/pics.

Rachel

 

[NemCrazy]

More pics everyone!

This second one shows the painted anemones starting to open up after finding their spots. They really shrank in the move.

This pic kind shows the rocks as being 2D. Lol

 

[user 26995]

That is looking really cool. Keep the pics coming.

 

[NemCrazy]

I had to add that one with the painted and the ochre star. The water to this point is fairly good. There is a bit of a cycle going but those happen in these tanks. I now have 1600gph constantly and 2700gph in 15min cycles. There is a lotta current

 

[str8juizy]

So, do you have any fish in there yet? Are you going to get any from the tide pools?

 

[NemCrazy]

I have two Catalina gobies which I bought from barrier reef. And I have a tidepool sculpin in there from my trip to oregon. Most local fish don't interest me as their colors are usually drab in in the sound. Im talking to Coldwater marine Aquatics about getting some cool fish in the the next week or so though. Stay tuned for that but the catalina's are stunning and have paired up.

 

[kevnkev]

What a neat tank!

If you can find a longfin sculpin, they're very pretty, and always come check me out when I'm diving. I don't know anything about their feeding needs though. In the wild they'll eat pods and tube worms, but in a tank?
<img src="http://www.elasmodiver.com/images/Longfin-sculpin-2.jpg" /img>
(not my photo)

 

[NemCrazy]

That's a fish I'd like to have! Beautiful colors and patterns but I don't think they are a intertidal species so I don't see them. But I imagine they are just as easy as any sculpin. Mine takes frozen mysis but won't touch flakes. Fine by me

 

[kevnkev]

Yeah, they're subtidal only. Do you do most of your own collecting? If Coldwater Marine Aquatics does any of their collecting by diving, these guys are really common, and you might be able to send them a request.

 

[NemCrazy]

I think I will ask them. I don't do my own collecting aside from the trip to oregon. But if they are common I want one I'm a sucker for Coldwater fish that have color.

 

[kpiotrowski]

nice!!! gonna have to come see in person! may be in the area next sat eve. pm me if you are availble then. don't worry about the noisy chiller though. In time you will come to appreciate all of her tings, clings, clangs and groans...and just know she is there for you. lol

 

[NemCrazy]

Definatly Kevin! I will be attending the North Sound reefers meeting earlier in the day but will be available to show off the tank afterwards. I'll pm you my address.

 

[AquaticEngineer]

I'll see if we can find any next trip out

 

[NemCrazy]

I've been locked out but will update the build soon. I replaced the top with two pieces of corrugated pieces of poly carbonate. and looking to see if it increases the chiller activity. It increased the lighting and its easier to reach in with the lights on top. Oh and I put on a T5HO dual lamp. I have to return it. But the anemones REALLY responded to it. It is only 30" so I believe that would work or 36" fixture will work. Its looking good.

 

[NemCrazy]

So I swapped out the airstones in the air stacks and put in wooden airstones to increase the amount of bubbles and flow. But now it is producing skimmate in my media basket Which is an unexpectected bonus. So now I'm gonna cut a new filter to cover the whole basket rather than just over the GFO. I am hoping it will catch even more gunk. The flow is around 2400gph and I have seen debris fly aound for hours. Which is putting on the pressure to hook up the fluval. But I would say all is coming along well. And now I am stoked to head to oregon this week for a collection trip.