Deepwater Reef Question....

[brassmonkeyboy]

I'm going to build a massive reef tank and I have a few questions. The tank will be approximately 10' long, 5' wide, and 5' deep.

I was thinking that since the tank is so deep, I might be able to combine a deepwater and shallow reef biotope.

I was thinking that if I got some massive live rock I could build up a ridge to about 4'. That way I could have inverts (clams etc.) that require the high-intensity light, and since the high-intensity light would be on the top of the ridge, the rest of the tank could be filled with lower-intensity light of a deepwater reef tank.

Would this work? I'm just toying with the idea, but I want to be able to have clams and deepwater anthias in the same massive tank...

 

[plumber_bob]

I believe that those deep water corals are big planktonic eaters. You must dose your tank with tons of plankton in order to keep them alive for long term (over a year). I've also read that this means since your tank is a closed system, and your going to have tons of organics (plankton) in your tank to feed them all day long you will almost always see a type of hair algae bloom. This information is coming from articles I've read in the past with some individuals trying to do the same thing, but realized that the mass amounts of plankton are 1. expensive and 2. lots of organics. Remember your skimmer will want to skim out plankton, so you must constantly continue to dose the tank. Good luck and welcome to the forum.
Bobby

 

[spooda420]

Thats like 1870 gallons... thats freakin HUGE! thats gonna cost some serious scratch just to start up. Just think about water changes thats nearly 500g water change or 115 bucks a month in salt.

and the price of a skimmer? ...sheesh

If you can afford it do it. love to see the pics and i'll buy a ticket for admission to help pay for it.

I have no idea on your questions tho

C

 

[big t]

That will be a rather large tank. Where are you going to put that thing?

 

[brassmonkeyboy]

Well I'm building a house and I'm going to have it built in...in a couple years I think I'm going to build a 178,000 gallon shark tank too...been doing a TON of research on building a sustainable system of that size...

I had no idea about the plankton issue...that might make me go for a more conventional shallow water reef tank...something I'm quite a bit more familiar with.

I'm really a fan of tanks that are really balanced so feedings/organics are kept to a minimum, so water changes aren't such a massive ordeal...

The water changes wouldn't be so difficult, though, because I designed a plumbing system that I think will take care of most of it for me...

Anybody else have any experience with deepwater reefs? I'd like to do one, but I DON'T want the massive hassle of having my plankton skimmed out...

David

 

[wrightme43]

You are probley going to have hire a proffesional company to custom design your system. Would several smaller systems in room be easier for you to manage? Aquatic Ecosystems can help you. They have skimmers, pumps, and filters for zoos and institions. Do you live on the ocean? You may have to sell organs to pay for water changes. Also maintence would be a 60 hour a week job. Steve

 

[brassmonkeyboy]

I know....

I don't really have to work anymore, so the maintainence would be a labor of love. I barely do ANYTHING for my 72gallon shallow-reef aquarium, so if the big one is in the same balance, I don't antipate too much more work for it.

The shark tank would be a lot more difficult, but I designed a system that should work for doing water changes. Also, the system is large for two or three sharks, so there wouldn't be TOO terribly much bioload for it to handle.

Both systems would be built by independant companies (I have a friend in acrylics) and I'll be consulting with the Oregon Coast Aquarium on the design for the shark tank...so yeah, I'm aware of what's involved.

My questions about deepwater reefs are still out there for more discussion...

Maybe a better question is this: has anyone been able to acclimate Pseudanthias ventralis ventralis to a shallow-reef aquarium? This is the species I'd be designing my deepwater reef around....

 

[plumber_bob]

I can tell you that I acclimated a Watanabe Angelfish to a shallow reef aquarium. I had her for about 3 years before I gave her away. I still know she is doing really well. However, it took many months before she would come out of hiding. I didn't have any other fish in there except for her, so that she didn't feel threatened. I don't believe I've ever heard or seen anyone trying that type of Anthias, sorry. I do know that as long as they were pulled from the ocean properly (by injecting a needle in their bladder to release air) then you will have a better chance. However, this rarely happens and usually the fish will incure swim-bladder over the months.
Bobby

 

[wrightme43]

No I dont have the answer to your question. However I would like to say you are you probley are one happy man. Sign me up for tickets to see it when you get done. Steve

 

[brassmonkeyboy]

So Bob, you think that I could pull it off if I left the tank pretty much empty (other than inverts of course) and possibly only put halides on one side of the tank (where I could put the clams)?

That might work now that I think about it...we'll see...

And Steve, when (if ever) I get this done, you'll be more than welcome to check it out

 

[plumber_bob]

Brassmonkeyboy,
Patience and how the wholesaler harvested the anthias is really the key. Try to bypass a middle man (e.g., all the Los Angeles and Florida) wholesalers and try to get it direct from the islanders. Usually this is tuff, but if you know the right people they can get you direct. I will see what I can do for you. I still have plenty of connections that might be able to get you a direct order.
bobby