65 gallon joournal (12/11/10)

[Big_Pun]

well here it is almost done its 65g rr, 36x18x24 goin to use my 24inch t5 meanwhile then next month upgrade. goin to have a fuge, dont plan on using a skimmer, just 10g water change a week more to come all day

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/65g.jpg

[dmweise]

Very nice! Is it going to be hard to get inside? Did you make the stand?

[Big_Pun]

when i skin it the front panel will be held by magnets, yes i built the stand need to add a couple more braces before i set it up tomorrow, i did do a water test with pump running and it worked perfect

[ErikH]

I like the FP on that tank! :) I bet making the stand yourself is fun! :D

[Big_Pun]

I like the FP on that tank! :) I bet making the stand yourself is fun! :D
:thumbs_up:the best part of this build was working on it with my dad, we are always working and never have free time:bigsmile:

[Big_Pun]

so its not goin as smooth as i want so plan b time, all my coral and livestock are in a 65 gallon tub, im just slowly goin along, maybe tonight since all the sand is in i can run the pumps and get all the extra "stuff" out with filter floss

[Big_Pun]

the tub

[Mr Cob]

the tub

The "tub on wheels"...nice!

[Big_Pun]

The "tub on wheels"...nice!
aka mobile reefing

[cmata04]

This one can go where my TV is ,,,,,ya can have the tv too! hahaha

[Big_Pun]

This one can go where my TV is ,,,,,ya can have the tv too! hahaha
haha and stop claiming my tanks:lauging:

[Pennies2Cents]

Hey Chris,

Tank looks great... Your gonna love it once everything is in and settled. :) Congrats on the upgrade... If you need anything feel free to call us! :)

[Big_Pun]

ok so for an update all fish and coral are fine and even fully opened, I used some of the old water in the tank and tub, mostly new water in new tank, it filled to the top and all sand from cubes in it, its a lil cloudy but not to bad, goin to add more water and get the fuge filled and running with sponges and filter floss till it clears then do a water change with tub water and add livestock

[greatwhite@AlamoAquatics]

thats cool dude lmk if you need some help , thats a nice looking tank good luck, im pretty sure everthing will turn out great. dont forget bout my re opening party next weekend xxdos equis lol

[recoiljpr]

Cool Chris, good to see ya joining the 65g ranks! I have enjoyed mine tremendously so far. It's the first tank that after a month or so I didn't want to immediately upgrade. I'm looking forward to more pics!

[Big_Pun]

thats cool dude lmk if you need some help , thats a nice looking tank good luck, im pretty sure everthing will turn out great. dont forget bout my re opening party next weekend xxdos equis lol i'll be there again just make sure you have shrimp and sushi again lol


Cool Chris, good to see ya joining the 65g ranks! I have enjoyed mine tremendously so far. It's the first tank that after a month or so I didn't want to immediately upgrade. I'm looking forward to more pics!

as I slowly get this up I really like the size, it's deep and tall but fits in almost anywhere lots of options, but I think I'm goin to have to go metal hilades for the depth, anybody got suggestions on lights, I'll be doin a lil of everthing I hope

[recoiljpr]

as I slowly get this up I really like the size, it's deep and tall but fits in almost anywhere lots of options, but I think I'm goin to have to go metal hilades for the depth, anybody got suggestions on lights, I'll be doin a lil of everthing I hope

I went with halides on my 65. I went with 2 reeflux 150W 10K MH using lumenbright mini pendants. I also have 2 ATI blue plus T5 lights for actinic supplementation. Feel free to come by my place (PM me for my address) and you can see what my setup looks like. I custom built the canopy to raise the lights well off the water. The lumenbrights are made to be mounted higher as they focus the light in a tighter area rather then spread it out like other reflectors do.

[Mr Cob]

I think I need to see some more pics.

[DSAfanatic]

I've got a 90g that is 36x24x25 and I am growing sps with 6 t5 lights in a Tek fixture. I don't think you have to go mh unless you like the shimmer effect.

[Big_Pun]

I've got a 90g that is 36x24x25 and I am growing sps with 6 t5 lights in a Tek fixture. I don't think you have to go mh unless you like the shimmer effect.
thanks i want to go t5, but we will see, heres a pic from earlier

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/65Medium.jpg

[mabel_photo6]

Heyyy exciting, you've got it filled! :)
I gotta keep an eye on a good deal for myself.
As you've read, I want to upgrade too.
Looks good!
I might steal your idea about the big plastic container when the upgrading time comes!

[Big_Pun]

the tub works , you can use mine, I first used it to move the 29 to my house, the penny uses it to store rock in when they moved there large tank, we should add this to the equipment library

[mabel_photo6]

I have one but my friend has it! >_<
I think he's using it to mix his saltwater. lol
Oh well. I'm not upgrading just yet. I need to save up my money!!
... and get a job. lol

[carlinsa]

looks good man. the stand is fine the way it is you wont need any more support added to it. get it done so you can buy my 215 and then you can get rid of all your tiny tanks.
lol

[Big_Pun]

if I get your 215 my g/f will drown me in it

[Mr Cob]

Looking good Chris. How about under the stand? What you got going on down there?

[cmata04]

dont sale that biocube 29! I want it and since im the sister i have first grabs!,,,,you take payment plans? :p

[Big_Pun]

Looking good Chris. How about under the stand? What you got going on down there?
i cant show you a upskirt shot just yet its just bare, pump and filter pads, im setting up the fuge tonight with live sand need to track down some macro, did that macro i brought over survive


dont sale that biocube 29! I want it and since im the sister i have first grabs!,,,,you take payment plans? :p

nope no payment plans

[txav8r]

I'm cleaning out some Chaeto if you need some. PM me for # and directions.

[Mr Cob]

Yep, that thick branchy green macro survived, it's in my wife's nano...it's not growing though but it looks great. I can spare an inch....LOL! Just let me know.

[Big_Pun]

here it is all parameters have been the same, and stable, im pretty sure the cycle happened around 2nd 3rd day when nothing running, so here it is

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/65r.jpg

[Big_Pun]

i still need to add eggcrate in the sump to block the pump, then i can add macro, and a fuge light, the skin the cabinet, going to use magnets to hold the skin

[Pennies2Cents]

woohooo we got pics! Mabel_ the tub worked great when we used it. Adding to library might be a great idea. Looks great Chris welcome to big tank world! :)

[Big_Pun]

now I need bigger fish

[Crazyeyes]

Looks nice, and its cool how the sun coral is out. Next you will be saying I need a bigger tank lol.

[mabel_photo6]

now I need bigger fish

LOL :lauging:

I'm going to need a big container to mix my salt in any way.
So chances are, I'm going to have to invest in a large container.
I'm all talk now... I still have to save up money! :nailbiting:

Tank is looking good!

[Big_Pun]

Looks nice, and its cool how the sun coral is out. Next you will be saying I need a bigger tank lol.

no bigger tanks for a while, my g\f will drown me in it, i already know i was pushing the envelope with this one, but i really like the foot print, im very happy on how it turned out

anybody have any tips to help quiet down the overflow, just wondering its not really a big deal

[Big_Pun]

I got shimmer!!!!

[Big_Pun]

this is a better link, im goin to have to build a topless canopy to block the light from the fron and sides maybe the back too, im goin to put fans it

7qRKr0nQcCA

[Mr Cob]

Thanks. I can't access youtube from work. Got some still shots for me?

[rockmp]

what kind of lights do you have in there? Looks good!

[Big_Pun]

sorry rob im at work pics at home, its a 10k reeflux 250 DE

[Shu]

This is looking nice

[rockmp]

any updates?

[Shu]

any updates?

+1 wish my tank had people requesting updates.

[Big_Pun]

I promise to post some after class tonight

[Gseclipse02]

anybody have any tips to help quiet down the overflow, just wondering its not really a big deal


which part is noisy the top or at the bottom when it goes to the sump ?

[Big_Pun]

I'm building a standpipe tonight to fix that problem

[Big_Pun]

ok i promised new pics battery to cam dead so these are from my phone the fuge has new mangroves i picked up today

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/65fts1.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/65fts2.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/leftfts.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/65ric-1.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/fugemac2.jpg

[Pennies2Cents]

Wow! Those Rics are cool! Great looking setup Chris!

[lakers10]

great looking tank bro

[Big_Pun]

Thanks eve and rockmp, cant wait to see your new tank eve and if you need help im glad to help again

[carlinsa]

looks good man. if i ever do another it may be one that size

[hobogato]

looking great chris

[Big_Pun]

so here are some new pics finally got the metal halide mounted and canopy(open top) done
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/1.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/4.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/3.jpg

[Big_Pun]

my lil frag rack

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/2.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/6.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/8.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/7.jpg

[mabel_photo6]

Super cool! Looks like the rack works well. :)
Tank looks awesome.

[rockmp]

Hey Chris do you have any pics of the canopy?

[devonian]

tank is looking good

where are all the fish??

[Big_Pun]

canopy is just 3 sides of 6inch tall oak plywood and the rear is 2 pieces of one by one for support
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/canopy.jpg

[Big_Pun]

fish: copperband, yellow wrasse, mandarin, twinspot goby, 2x chromis, lawnmower blenny
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/fish4.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/fish2.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/fish3.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/fish5.jpg

[mabel_photo6]

Ohhhhhhhhhh is it difficult to keep a copperband?!?!
I've always wanted one!!!!!!!!!!
They refused to sell it to me at Alamo Aquatics but because my tank was about 4 or 5 months old.
They said they're difficult to feed. True??
(My tank is now 39 weeks old.:D)

[carlinsa]

i never had problems with copperbands. i was with chris when he got it and they seem to be hardy all the ones i have seen at least/

tank looks good. glad i taught you everything. next you can get a real size tank like a 250 or bigger. lol

[Big_Pun]

my rock came out of the 2 biocube 29's they where about 1 1/2 yr +, and yes hard to feed it just picks at my rock hasn't eaten anything I throw in

[devonian]

you have any live mysis? try scallops/clams from a grocery store

[Big_Pun]

thanks ill try that next, but it seems fine on the hunt all the time seems more active when the moonlight is on picking at more suff

[Shu]

Looking good

[Paul28]

Nice man :)

[Mr Cob]

Looks great Chris. I'd like to see a full shot.

[Mr Cob]

Nevermind... I just went back to page 6. Looks AWESOME man!!!

[Big_Pun]

thanks everyone i appreciate the comments, all i get at home is "how much did you spend now" lol but i got a new clam hope its open when i get home.

hey Rob where have you been lol i need to swing by and trade something with you so i can see the new setup

[ballardjr2000]

nice tank, also I love my clam, opened up right away and his been doing great ever since. I love the copper band really cool fish

[Big_Pun]

hey rob did you notice the sps (page 6) i got from you, i only lost one piece, due to a crab that likes to to pick at superglue

[Big_Pun]

not a good quality i used my iphone but hopefully ill have new pics up soon

cCY-5HV3-N0

[Mr Cob]

That's a nice looking little reef! The vid quality is pretty good too. Thanks for sharing Chris.

[Big_Pun]

from the biocubes to this what a journey lol, thanks rob

[Big_Pun]

I would like to thank Eve(pennies2cents) for taking time to take some great pics, this is my 65g re-setup at its new home(till i grad).more to come later.

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/211.jpg
green mandarin: Valintino Rossi
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/188.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/075.jpg
lawn mower blenny: Guido


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/050.jpg

Target Mandarin:Lady Gaga
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/183.jpg


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/077.jpg

[corruption]

Great pics, chris! Excellent representation of a lovely tank!

If you ever need to trim back some of that Rhodophyte algae you've got, let me know -- I've been looking for a sample of that stuff again for a few years now... just not very actively :)

-Corruption

[carlinsa]

stop posting and get your stuff ready to go hunting. your never ready when i get there so get it together

[Big_Pun]

Great pics, chris! Excellent representation of a lovely tank!

If you ever need to trim back some of that Rhodophyte algae you've got, let me know -- I've been looking for a sample of that stuff again for a few years now... just not very actively :)

-Corruption

it's growing all over I'll keep an eye for a big piece and get it to u

[Big_Pun]

took some pictures tonight hope everyone likes them, yes i know its cluttered i moved alot of stuff to make it easier to take to the meeting to frag

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/1a65.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/2a65.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/3a65.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/4a65.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/5a65.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/6a65.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/7a65.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/8a65.jpg

[Jarob]

looks freakin awesome!!! LOVE the rics and the dendros!

[sharkboy]

nice variety!!! what did you use to hang the eggcrate?

[Europhyllia]

Very nice! Glad to see your halves look great already :)
WHat's that big dark thing? Is that a walking dendro?

[HoppyBunny]

Great pictures. Those dendros look HUGE!

[Europhyllia]

That's because they ARE. lol (actually they'll puff up even bigger in a couple of days)

[Big_Pun]

looks freakin awesome!!! LOVE the rics and the dendros!
thank you!


nice variety!!! what did you use to hang the eggcrate?
just small Magnets, i had some left over from using them to hold the skin to my cabinet


Very nice! Glad to see your halves look great already :)
WHat's that big dark thing? Is that a walking dendro?
thats a small rock anemone, i think its from Corpus


Great pictures. Those dendros look HUGE!
they are huge and not even fully open, when i took that pic they where only in 2 hours

[hobogato]

tank is looking great chris, good job! nice pics too :)

[Big_Pun]

tank is looking great chris, good job! nice pics too :)


just trying to keep up with you :shades: lol, thanks Ace

[dclegern]

That's the exact same set up I have outside of an overflow on mine.
Very nice.

How much rock LR are you planning, and is it just a sump or a fuge?

[Big_Pun]

That's the exact same set up I have outside of an overflow on mine.
Very nice.

How much rock LR are you planning, and is it just a sump or a fuge?

all that live rock came from 2x29 biocubes i had, which where 1-2yrs old very mature rocks, so what you see is all i have might add some base rock to lift an fill in, but im in no rush to do that, my fuge is just like yours i run a coralife 225 skimmer(yes big but i run a dry skim), second chamber has lots of cheato and featherduster and sponges, fuge is bare bottom, i also have about 6 red mangroves in there as well, the good thing about the internal is no worries on loosing the syphon and all plumbing is inside, but it does take up some room

[roscozman]

Looks Great Chris...

[Big_Pun]

Looks Great Chris...
thank you, i know yours will better, its allready bigger lol, cant wait to see you and Eve's tank up and running

[Big_Pun]

so i finnaly finished my skin for my cabinet and one for my ATO so heres a actual full tank shot

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/cabinet1.jpg

[hobogato]

nice work chris :)

[Big_Pun]

ok not the best pics(iphone) but heres some new ones. i need to stop buying stuff and let stuff grow out or buy a bigger aquarium :lightbulb:

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/67834ff0.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/014f13a5.jpg


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/9d2a2969.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/b3cb5390.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/353a13f3.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/dadeb8aa.jpghttp://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/50e601ea.jpg

[Big_Pun]

took a quick video with my new koralia evo1400 it's alot of flow but everything seems to like it

9zcRMYkMjR4

[Kristy]

Wow... that thing is packed! You've been adding like crazy the past few months. :hypnotyized:

Your dendros really pop. Look great!

[Big_Pun]

Wow... that thing is packed! You've been adding like crazy the past few months. :hypnotyized:

Your dendros really pop. Look great!

lol and i just sold the big toadstool, but thanks thats a good idea i need a bigger tank:lightbulb:

[Europhyllia]

looks great. love what you did with the cabinet and the ATO

[hobogato]

looks great chis - very nice mix of corals you have. i know you are addicted to stix, but it really makes the tank more natural the way you have kept the softies and lps. gotta love all that movement!

[Big_Pun]

looks great chis - very nice mix of corals you have. i know you are addicted to stix, but it really makes the tank more natural the way you have kept the softies and lps. gotta love all that movement!

thankls Ace, all my stix are growing out, but yea i tried to keep the coral mixed and i keep alot of macro in the display also for the natural look lol, i think i have a lil of everything, elegence is on top of my list for next coral, just dont have the right spot for it

[aquasport24]

Looking good Chris, i think its time for an upgrade:bigsmile:

[Big_Pun]

found some pics to compare growth first pic is from april of this year and second pic is from 3 days ago


APRIL 2010
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/67834ff0.jpg

AUG 2010
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/a92ed84b.jpg

[Europhyllia]

Looks great! Very full and great colors

[alton]

I like the Cap on the overflow, I may have to borrow that one

[Big_Pun]

Looks great! Very full and great colors

thank you, see you should do sps see how fast it grows lol


I like the Cap on the overflow, I may have to borrow that one

yes that seems to be one of the first things everyone notices, i just stuck it there because at the time i had nowhere else to put it

[funkyseamonkey]

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/7a65.jpg



What are these? And where can I get some? They are beautiful

[Big_Pun]

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/7a65.jpg



What are these? And where can I get some? They are beautiful

those are large dendros i got them from cherry corals here's a link

http://www.cherrycorals.com/home.php?cat=140

[Big_Pun]

took some pics today, the big toadstool is gone rearanged rocks. some sps isnt back to full color yet but for you new reefers keep up with water changes, nitrates got a lil away from me, so im going the bio pellet method with more water changes, all other parameters are good.

pics taken under 2 x 96w cf lights, Mh not on yet. maybe i can get my buddy Corey to come take pics since he missed my tank on the tour lol

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/86b01060.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/2c435548.jpg


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/0106e4f0.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/761bc5ec.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/bbaf8b77.jpg

[RayAllen]

Looking good Chris.

Some constructive thoughts..

Why not take advantage of the height you have in the 65tall and have a pillar on the right approaching the surface? Your rockwork and coral are all in the lower half of the tank. From the pics all the fish seem to swim near your rockwork, adding heigth would encourage them to swim higher in the tank plus give it a natural look.

I know rockscaping can not be much fun especially when you have a bunch of corals to move around, your corals obviously do great or I wouldnt keep getting them from you :)

[Europhyllia]

so much stuff! I hardly know where to look. lol
It's all looking super! :)

[RayAllen]

On 2nd thought you have all of your SPS on the right, so you are probably leaving the upper half open so those Sticks have room to grow...

[Big_Pun]

On 2nd thought you have all of your SPS on the right, so you are probably leaving the upper half open so those Sticks have room to grow...

that's the plan, I started out stacking high and then noticed there wasn't much room for the sticks to grow height and width so I stacked low and as far back as I could. it's a pain to move rocks after the sticks have grown out, it was a headache to get the rockscape looking that ugly lol. might be gettin a lil bigger tank soon so we will see what happens

[RayAllen]

Sounds good, after my 1st post I looked again and didnt realize you had as many sps as you do.

[Big_Pun]

and the fish just like being camera hogs, did you notice I have 3 clowns and not one in the RBTA. look closely and you will see one hosting some zoas. doh!!

[Big_Pun]

new pics, now that tank has settled after bio pellets where added

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/de07474f.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/3dc8f7f0.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/ff13d229.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/560a74a7.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/3a12931f.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/807c224e.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/fab13cc0.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/4e661bbf.jpg

[txg8gxp]

looking good...

[txav8r]

Looks great as always, Chris. Nice tank!

[Big_Pun]

looking good...


Looks great as always, Chris. Nice tank!

thanks i appreciate it, especially after all the bio pellet "fun"

[Big_Pun]

took some shots this evening love actinic shots

mini carpet
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/019906de.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/609441e3.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/2588622d.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/c7059574.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/1e4a0100.jpg

[marissa21]

looks very nice chris

[txg8gxp]

looking good man.

[kkiel02]

Looks even better in person! Very nice Chris.

[Big_Pun]

Ok time for an update, tank has been doing great

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/ceb9b9de.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/a46b3d5e.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/db65716e.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/0346a3f9.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/8035e07a.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/44acc019.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/67d3e85e.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/bb4743cf.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/8ef3e061.jpg