Demasonisrule's 90G

[demasonisrule]

So...Ever since I started fish keeping, I have always wanted to start a reef tank...but being 13, and living with a mother that doesn't exactly love fish, if you know what I mean, I have never really had a chance to dive in...and since I just found 2 30 gallon (113 liter) tanks for $40, I think that this may be my chance, and having gotten my dad's approval, hopefully it will start fairly soon

Here is my plan:
30 gal (113 liter) display
30 gal (113 liter) sump
coralife super skimmer 65 (may upgrade to deltec mce300 when I get the cash)
2 koralia 400's (any thoughts?)
T5's

CUC:
6 ceriths
7 nass
3 astrea
2 blue leg hermits

Stocking:
pair ocellaris clowns
firefish
clown goby
skunk cleaner shrimp
peppermint shrimp
emerald mithrax crab

A few questions - Could I keep LPS in this tank? Or would it be too small, causing a risk of them attacking each other?

Could I keep any fish other than these, or is this just enough?

The biggest question of all: Where do I put it

I've narrowed it down to one of 3 places. Which do you think would be best?

1. The stairway - where that basket of pine needles is.

The problem with this is that would be about 10 feet away from a door

2. The living room - where the 10 gallon is.

The problem with this is that we are doing work on this room, and it could take a looooooong time to finish

3. My room - to the left of the bed

2 problems with this - it is next my bed, which makes wc's risky , and nobody would ever see it, along with the crayfish tank and the malawi tank

 

[demasonisrule]

Ok, forget this idea - I'm going 75 gallons(284 liters)! I found one on craigslist for $750 - reef ready! The only worry I have is that the seller didn't put the type of skimmer in the description, and he used a fluval canister for flow, so I'll have to get some powerheads. Other than that, its perfectly fine with me! Will update when I hopefully get the tank.

One last question - I will obviously be putting the tank downstairs, but that's where my drumset is. I usually don't play TOO loud, but we wouldn't want deaf fishies, now would we? Would the sound be too much for the little guys, or do you think it would be fine?

P.S. Should I edit that last post and get rid of the pics, to save room?

 

[Harry1996]

i did read a journal of someone who had the aquarium low down and the tv on the wall about 2 foot up. but i carnt rember who did this. i wouldnt delete your last post just leave it.

 

[seffieuk]

It's Victor

Leave your post and photos, makes it interesting to watch your journey

Seffie x

 

[demasonisrule]

Ok, I'll leave the pics.

Forget that idea too - I found the same tank for $100!

yeah, we were thinking right next to the TV, or in a corner where it would fit perfectly, right next to the drums. Where do you think it should go?

My plan for this tank is to have A bunch of gobies and blennies, and then have a few fish that would stay out in the open, and swim around, so that you say 'Oh look at the pretty fishies' and the longer you look at it, the more and more fish you find. I also don't want the stereotypical reef tank.

again, will hopefully update when I get the tank.

And I did read through a lot of VM's journal, and I really like his tank.

 

[demasonisrule]

So...I forgot that last idea too...and I got a 90 gallon (341 liter) instead

The tank is going to be dry for a while, since we're having this big dispute over the stand It's one of those wrought iron ones, with just an iron frame. I kind of like it, and so does my sister, but my mom hates it, and wants to spend $300 and get a cabinet, and my dad says it doesn't matter what he thinks - a happy wife is a happy life

I will get pics tommorow, the guy who was selling it gave me some coral skeletons, a few powerheads, and some salt to go with the tank.

 

[karigupi]

he thinks - a happy wife is a happy life

I love this quote, will read it to my husband later lol
A 90g tank will look fantastic, cant wait to see a few pics

 

[demasonisrule]

Ok...we have a plan. We're going to build a wood frame, put the tank on it, and get it running. While it's on the stand, we'll put the sides on.

Will have pics when I'm done with homework

 

[demasonisrule]

Ok...I promised. No real attempt at a scape, just tossed all the coral skeletons in there.

With actinics

With whites

Stuff to get:
aragonite
live rock
tank for the sump
extra powerhead
pump for sump
skimmer
T5's
RO unit

I have a rough idea for stocking:
1 regal tang
2 maroon clowns
1 citron goby
1 six line wrasse
1 royal gramma
1 bicolor blenny
and either
1 magnificent foxface
or
1 yellow sailfin tang

 

[demasonisrule]

Ok...today I was flipping through my fish book, looking at all the pretty fishes , and I saw the snowflake moray eel...Would it be at all possible to start the tank with just a few damsels or the like, then after a few months get an eel? I've always been fascinated by eels, and this may be my chance .

Would they be possible for a beginner (like myself), or should I build up a lot more experience than a few damsels for a few months? I know that the damsels may get eaten and I wouldn't be able to have a CUC, but I would be willing to put forth the extra effort.

And what would be a good skimmer? I don't want to be skimpy with this, so what would be the best skimmer for my tank? And I will be having a sump btw.

And I should mention that we are to be putting the tank on the stand today, possibly ordering RO unit today also , and when its full, we start getting lr, and aragonite, and the like

 

[demasonisrule]

Just a quick question about the RO unit, on drs. foster and smith, they have the 4-stage unit I was planning to get on backorder till the 12th, and since there are a lot of good deals on LR atm, I would like to get the tank filled ASAP. Would a 3-stage be fine, I would be keeping softies for awhile, but I will possibly upgrade to LPS or SPS in the future. No sense in getting a unit, and just having to get another one in a little while, now is there?

Also reconsidering the eel, it seems like it may be a mistake, and I may end up with my biggest tank yet, and only have one fish

A question about the substrate also: in my Malawi tank, I used a layer of dolomite (limestone gravel), to keep the PH and hardness up, and then a layer of play sand on top, for asthetics. Would this work in a marine tank? I have loads of it left over, and it looks great imo.

 

[Harry1996]

i would stick with aragonite sand i used live sand because i couldnt be bovered to wash normal marine sand lol
most people think its a waste of money because its a load of dead stuff in water with sand, but i didnt...............only because my dad said he will buy all the sand

 

[Reesy1989]

Good start to the journal so far.

With the eel you would really limit what ither fish you could put in with it. However you said you wanted fish that would always be out about and swimming. Clowns, they are crazy and constantly on the move, always out in the open and swimming around

Looking forward to seeing it full!

 

[demasonisrule]

Yeah, I've sort of ruled out the eel. Although it would be cool, I think that it may be a bit of a waste of space

Anyway, my dad for some strange reason wants to buy the RO unit from a lfs, and not online, so I may have to convince him that online is really the best way to do it.

The stand is pretty much done, will post pics when it's finished.

For stocking I was thinking
1 regal tang
2 maroon clowns
1 citron goby
1 six line wrasse
1 royal gramma
3 blue-green chromis

Hows that sound? Would this be overstocked, or could I fit more than 3 chromis in there?

 

[Reesy1989]

I would be carefull with the Regal Tang. I haven't kept one personally but they do get quite big and can be territorial. Also they are very big Ich magnets. They need to be well quarantined before going into your tank!

I'm sure someone who has kept them could give you their personal experiencing that'll be more of an insight but aslong as you do ur research on them and your pull out the stops you should be fine.

The stcok list looks good to me but I think you could fit more than 3 chromis in your tank?

Regards,

Reesy89