Summer Long Reef Experiment

[va_blue_stang]

Here is an experiment that my wife and i are very excited to get under way. We built a new deck and thought what a great place to put up a 10g experimental tank to try and grow some different coral in natural sunlight.
Our goal is to have it cycled and and ready for frags by mid-may. We are going to record the growth rate and effect of natural sun and moon light on the coral we choose to try in it.
I have put 10lbs of live rock and a small powerhead in so far and using a small hob filter on he side of the tank. We are located in SWVA so I also included a small heater till the night time air warms up.
We will update often wih picture updates, so everyone please feel free to follow along. We appreciate any comments, questions, or suggestions that anyone has.

 

[Myteemouse]

are you concerned about high temps??

 

[Inconservatory]

Even low temperatures would be an issue at night. It may be best to connect it to a sump inside the house with a large reserve of water, just to keep the water levels stable. Also, watch out for rain water!

 

[va_blue_stang]

I have a cover that we will put over it during rain and to shade it when it starts getting to hot. We put a heater in to combat night time temp. changes.

 

[MrGone]

This will be cool to see! what are those little things in the tank?

 

[ac7av]

I really think that you will not get it to survive threw the next winter like that. If you don’t get that tank hooked into a much bigger system in your house to regulate the temperature it just not going to work out. In Virginia your going to have to deal with temperature reaching into the mid 90s regularly and even higher in the late summer months and what about your winter time lows. Just about the time you get things going its going to freeze. I think its going to be very risky business on a stand alone tank out side.

I would really love to see how it looks when your done. Who know, maybe that thing will just be amazing. I’ve thought about putting a couple of solar tubes over my tank for some natural summer light.

 

[va_blue_stang]

unfortunately it's already over two of the damn neighborhood kids came over and busted the tank while we were out. all the equipment i was using is burnt to a crispy toast. i hate when people will not teach their children to respect other people's ****.

 

[jrgilles]

wow man, that sucks. wtf.

You know who's kids did it? Maybe try plexiglass....

 

[va_blue_stang]

wow man, that sucks. wtf.

You know who's kids did it? Maybe try plexiglass....

Yeah I know who's they were but where we live nobody cares what their kids do and what they destroy long as they don't have to deal with them. We've had countless stuff destroyed by neighborhood kids. The lady who owns the land we all rent from just tells us to shut up that the kids can do whatever they please.:evil:

 

[Chichas01]

pretty lame. sorry man.

 

[roblou]

I wouldn't care what the land lady says, vandalism should be reported to your local police/sheriff office for investigation. If you just shut up and let it continue, it will never stop and could likely get worse.

 

[ac7av]

I 2nd that one
This has nothing to do with who owns the property you rent from, it doesn’t concern them at all. If it would cause a problem for you to report it to the local authorities then maybe its time to move. I was just going to keep my mouth shut about it but since someone brought it up, maybe it time for a video camera on your home to watch that kind of stuff. They are cheep these days and just hook to your computer or get a stand alone model. Just having it and not hiding it can deter that kind of activity too. I have one above the front of my house and I use it to monitor activity at the front door.

BTW I’m really sorry to here about the tank crash. That’s a bummer.

 

[FreakinReefin]

I wouldn't care what the land lady says, vandalism should be reported to your local police/sheriff office for investigation. If you just shut up and let it continue, it will never stop and could likely get worse.

Umm yeah it doesn't matter what state or jurisdiction, a landlord who is negligent like that is called a slumlord and is breaking many laws. You need to report her and the kids...renters have more rights/powers than you realize. Sorry to hear all that happened.

 

[dragoneggs]

Agreed. If you let it go then it will grow. Personally I would take action rather than to forget about it.