Flobajob's tank thread.

[flobajob]

I always wanted to do a thread like this, so here goes...

Here's a pic of the tank without any water in - its 48"x24"x18".


Having filled the tank up with water I then had a bit of a panic when this appeared:


but fortunately the chip does not affect the strength of the tank.

Meanwhile I made some DIY rocks using cement and salt - they are currently curing outside:


Equipment-wise I have a Deltec ap600 skimmer, a 32"x12"x16" sump with an eheim 1260 return pump, and I have the ballasts, reflectors and endcaps for 6 54w t5s. I have 2 150w newatt heaters running on a temperature controller. I also have done the maxi-stream mod to a mj900, and that is currently running fine in the tank.

[flobajob]

Once I had bought the skimmer (second hand), I promptly managed to break it by screwing the collection cup in too tight :( . However, I repaired it using some superglue and a few heavy books :) :



The skimmer is fed by an eheim compact 1000 pump.
Here's the sump:


I split the return into two as you can see here:


I put some eggcrate down in the bottom of the tank just in case there was a rock slide (you can also see that I've painted the back of the tank black):

[flobajob]

Then for the lighting I had to be a bit creative :D :


I used garden twine and some screw in hooks to suspend six T5s (4 aquablue+, 2 actinic+).

[flobajob]

Here's the sump with chaeto in.

It's lit by one of these:

(a 24w compact fluorescent 6400k daylight energy-saver bulb, which is apparently equivalent to a 150w standard bulb).

I now have had some live rock in the tank for a few weeks, and have added the beginnings of a cleanup crew (some hermits, some nassarius, some astreas and a peppermint shrimp).

Here's a full tank shot:

[Tetley]

Looks nice, like the pics very much :)

More please :)

ATB

[Artyspider]

Great job so far interesting the way you sorted you problems out too.
Excellent pics hope you post more as you progress.
Artyspider ;)

[Gillybaby]

Looking good m8. Its always satisfying to get the first life in the tank after all the hard work ;)

[callum_parsons]

looks like this is going to b a great project
i like the tank i can see tons of potential
dont forget to keep us updated with pics:) :) :)

[flobajob]

Thanks everyone. I'm getting some more LR tomorrow so I will update then. BTW, any suggestions/criticisms you have are more than welcome.

What do you think of my planned stocking list?
1. a pair of occelaris clownfish
2. a pair of firefish
3. a yellow tang (I think my tank is big enough)
4. a psychedelic mandarin dragonet
5. a lawnmower blenny
6. a pair of peppermint shrimp

[moorish]

looks great,stock should be ok but buy just a small tang.derek