400 gallons of saltwater running through my house.

[DevonM]

The only thing in the system is the mantis. He's up in the refugium just hanging out. I think for the long-term I would like the look of sea grass over chaeto.

I've seen that on L.A. . . . are you to try that instead of chaeto? I'm going to give the refuge starter kit on their website a go. Do you have anything in the tank yet?

 

[myindoorocean]

Rob, did you see the Purple rim cap pics

Quit talking about the Purple rim cap!!!! :target:

 

[kamar]

Devon I agree on liking the look of sea grass. I was just over in Spokane and saw a seahorse tank full of it over at one of the fish stores over there. It looked incredible! It was a biocube deal, with a ton of sea grass growing all over the bottom, and this huge seahorse cruising around in there. It looked anchored to the bottom, and was growing upright with big green blades. Very striking. The seahorse was wrapping his tail on the blades as he went, and came up to the front to see us. It was really green and very pretty in there. I was thinking it would look great in a refugium. Yeah, chaeto is kind of a big, wiry ball and not very pretty. Go for it, I might too! What kind of lighting are you going to use in the refuge?

 

[DevonM]

I've got T5s over the fuge. I just got everything moved into the big tank and I'm trying to figure out what to do with all the extra stuff (rock & corals). Right now the fuge is full of the excess but when I get it cleaned out I will go for the sea grass.

 

[CarlaW]

Devon......................... you know the penalty for no pics don't you?

 

[DevonM]

Sooooooon...

Devon......................... you know the penalty for no pics don't you?

 

[CarlaW]

Sooooooon...

The clock is ticking and the beer is getting cold

I saw the Facebook pics and if those were an appetizer, I am looking for the main course .

 

[DevonM]

Well we want the beer to be cold right? :becky:

The clock is ticking and the beer is getting cold

I saw the Facebook pics and if those were an appetizer, I am looking for the main course .

 

[DevonM]

Okay, here come a few large photos of the progress.

Plumbing the Refugium
A few pictures of plumbing the refugium.

Old PVC from the return pump on the right.

New PVC Distribution Manifold

Running the line under the tank and down to the far wall, then through the wall to the left.

Running the 3/4 ” feed line through the wall.

Up over the door opening.

Back to the other side of the wall.

The refugium will be feed on the left side then drain down to the tank on the right side.

Refuge and saltwater mixing tank in place.

The 2″ PVC pipe flows over and dumps into the top of the display tank.

The drop into the tank. Good place for the fish to wait for pods.

 

[DevonM]

Using some BRS coral glue and some two part putty I built this arch out of Tonga branch. It looks pretty nice in the new tank and give the fish something to navigate around.

 

[DevonM]

Working on the lighting area...

I added a piece of wood between the two hood doors so that it would keep the light from shinning through when closed.

Using a couple metal brackets and a metal closet bar from Home Depot I made a place to hang the lights from.

Looking good. Just need to find something, other than a 2X4 to keep the doors open.

 

[DevonM]

Automatic Top Off (ATO) Tank

Using a ten gallon tank, a JBJ ATO and a float I put together the new top off tank for system.

Eshopps Float Valve

 

[DevonM]

The Tank is Running!

After a long weekend everything has been moved into the new tank. Time to rest.

The Achilles Tang likes the tank and the arch!

Just the actinic lights on. Notice the clownfish living in the clam.

Notice the Apex controller display unit mounted up top. I love being able to see the pH & temp so easily.

 

[CarlaW]

I cannot wait to see this in person .

Great job Devon, just a great job. And more congrats on keeping it all in good shape during the transition .

 

[DevonM]

Thanks! I did however have a couple casualties.:frown:
In the last six months the red hawkfish & orange spotted goby disappeared. During the move last weekend the male lyretail anthias got crushed during the fish chase. He hid under a rock that got moved on top of him, something I was trying hard not to do. Last, my mantis shrimp died after molting. I checked all the water parameters and they were within reason. Maybe too much change for him. But, overall I think the move has been a success.

 

[micah]

Wow! Amazing tank. Really hope to be on this level soon.

 

[spieszak]

awesome... looks i now have another build thread to go through!

 

[DevonM]

Thanks Micah! Do you have a thread?

Wow! Amazing tank. Really hope to be on this level soon.

 

[DevonM]

Thanks Stacey!

awesome... looks i now have another build thread to go through!

 

[CarlaW]

Oh no, you lost the mantis, that is such a bummer . Are you going to venture to get another one?