My new 252 gallon stingray tank build

[klwheat]

Well, here we go. The tank survived the move to my house. I've got the first 50 gallons of water in the tank, the plumbing is started, and I'm excited. Still waiting on the protein skimmer to arrive, the sump is setup, the overflow is installed, and my rodi should be here tomorrow. In the meantime, off to home depot for PVC, and Polly's pets for water. Thanks to all the guys at Polly's for the help!
I'll try to post pics as I go with the cleanup and install (as soon as I figure out how to upload here).

[KING]

:applause::photo:

[klwheat]

Hmm...first setback. Got everything hooked up (well, still waiting on protein skimmer, light hanging kit, and vortech, but everything else...lol), plumbing done, pumps in....turn on...and leak! One of the bulkheads from the CPR overflow box wasn't as tight as I thought it was. So, I had to disconnect the overflow box and fix and start over. While I'm working on that....the sump nearly overflows because, like a moron, i forgot to put siphon-break holes in my return side. UGH! Well, time for bed and the tank is at least flowing finally. Tomorrow....the saga continues.

[allan]

I hate those mistakes. So simple, an so preventable, and so often occur in when you least expect it too.

[hobogato]

frustrating, but better to have those problems now when you can fix them easily verses later when you have a tank full of livestock. looking forward to some pics of your progress...

[klwheat]

Okay, this weekend's project. Over the course of 2 days, we got it moved to the house (with a 6'x12'uhaul trailer), cleaned up and in the house, set up, plumbed to the sump, and filled with water and live rock. Now, let the cycling continue. Todays big problem - we added the first 40lbs of live sand...and all I can see is the MASSIVE smokescreen floating around in my tank. Someone please tell me how to make this stuff settle to the bottom!

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[Gseclipse02]

runs lots filter floss like tripple it up and should clear up in 25 hours

[Gseclipse02]

were did u get the tank from ? the stand would kill me being so short....(waits for allans jokes)

[Scutterborn]

10 minutes and Allan still hasn't made his witty comment! He must be in the shower...

I bet it will involve an Ewok this time...:bigsmile:

[klwheat]

The short stand was completely intentional. If we put it too high for my 7-year-old to play with the stingray, she'd probably kill me! LOL Where would I put filter floss (and where would I get some!?). Also, if I just shut the pump off, will it settle? TIA

[Squiers007]

What type of stingrays are you planning on having in there? Also, what are the dimensions of the tank? Its hard to tell from the pics...

[Tristan23]

Where did you get your sump from?


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?bh4czs

[klwheat]

It's 72" long, 32" wide at the small section, 44" wide at widest. We have a california round that will go in there. I think that's the only ray going in there.

[klwheat]

Where did you get your sump from?


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?bh4czs
The sump is a Trigger system ruby elite - order/purchased from Polly's Pets in New Braunfels.

[allan]

By now you've probably already realized that the dust cloud has settled. The filter media catches most of it. It's a temporary thing that usually happens when first setting up a tank.

Since your sump is in the open you can grow some mangroves in there and mount the grow lamp on the wall high enough not to burn the leaves. When they're tall enough JT can use one of the low branches as a springboard to leap into the tank to swim with the ray.

[klwheat]

Well, I'm still hoping to see the dust cloud settle. Thus far...still a 252gallon cloud. :(

[allan]

It will. I've always seen a reduction over night and nary a trace by COB.

[Big_Pun]

what sand did you use? when I used the special reef grade 40lb bags I rinsed the hell out if it, still a lil cloudy when I filled tank but after 24 hours it settled.

[klwheat]

I don't remember the brand of sand - caribsea or something live sand. I'm at work now and don't have the bags...lol. Gotta call my wife in a few a see if it's gotten any better. The upside is that I'm still waiting on my SRO protein skimmer, so I'm not putting anything else really in there yet anyway

[hobogato]

you can make a diy water clearer upper with an old plastic container and a powerhead. poke holes all over the lid and a hole in the side at the bottom just big enough for the output of the powerhead (the pump will sit inside the container in the bottom). fill the container with filter floss (the white fluffy stuff seems to work best) above the pump and put the lid on. change the floss often and it will clear up in no time.

here is a pic of the one i used on my 150 - cleared it up in a couple of days.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/cuttle%20lagoon/DSC05307.jpg

[hobogato]

actually, i think i just left the lid off all together on the one in the picture - pump in the bottom covered by lots of filter floss.

[350gt]

When they're tall enough JT can use one of the low branches as a springboard to leap into the tank to swim with the ray.


:lauging:

[350gt]

Cool looking tank......

I would have built the stand a bit higher too, but if it's just a fish room then thats cool... Would be cool to build a little reef drop off coming from the smaller section. You could hav corals on top and safe from the ray, and he would still have plenty of room to his own... Smaller fish would have a place to hide too...

Like I said very cool tank with lots of possibilities.... Good luck!

[klwheat]

Cool looking tank......

I would have built the stand a bit higher too, but if it's just a fish room then thats cool... Yep, just an aquarium and a reading chair and couch to watch. The stand actually came with the tank. We wanted it low so our 7yr old can keep hand feeding her.
Would be cool to build a little reef drop off coming from the smaller section. You could hav corals on top and safe from the ray, and he would still have plenty of room to his own... Smaller fish would have a place to hide too...Like I said very cool tank with lots of possibilities.... Good luck! That's the plan. I've got LR coming from the back forward in a narrow line, and I'll add more from the tank she's in currently to the back for height. Then, I'll see how the corals do under the radions.

[350gt]

Awesome plan.....


Like I said good luck on everything...

[klwheat]

Thanks for all the support guys. I'll try to post a pic of the "sludge" currently in my system when I get home..lol

[klwheat]

Ok, it's starting to clear up :) My vortechs and radion hanging kits should be in this week. The SRO skimmer should be in next week. Can't wait to see her swimming in it :)
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[StevenSeas]

Starting to look good man. Glad it is working out well for ya! Looks like your vortechs and hanging kits will be in on the 10th. The skimmer is still waiting to come off of backorder, should be next week.

[ElChicano]

Sweet looking set up.. My next move is how to convince the wife to let me do this in the living room.. hmmmmm

[klwheat]

Starting to look good man. Glad it is working out well for ya! Looks like your vortechs and hanging kits will be in on the 10th. The skimmer is still waiting to come off of backorder, should be next week.
Sweet. I will probably call and come up tomorow then to pick them up :) Tell them to hurry up and get that skimmer off backorder! LOL

Sweet looking set up.. My next move is how to convince the wife to let me do this in the living room.. hmmmmm
thanks, and good luck...lol

[klwheat]

Okay, got the MP40w and the radion hanging kits. The vortech went on the tank last night, the lights will go up this weekend. Also added a couple of Chromis to the tank to keep things moving (and provide a tasty snack for the ray this weekend). This am, all still looks good.

[alton]

Make sure you post pictures as soon as the lights go up.

[klwheat]

Make sure you post pictures as soon as the lights go up.

Will do. I've already got the programming done, so I just have to sync the second one and hang the hanging kits.

[klwheat]

Okay, got the radions hung over the tank today. Hopefully she'll be going in later tonight or early tomorrow. The radions in the pic are at 50% and I think the light output is amazing.15168

[StevenSeas]

Looking sweet man. That lil ray of yours will love it in her own personal slice of the ocean. Did you ever get that loaner Skimmer working? If not should just be one week till urs comes in.

[klwheat]

She went in about 20 minutes ago. It's pretty cloudy now, but hoping to get some decent pics in the am. Couldn't get the skimmer working, so I put hers from the smaller tank in as a temporary. I'll have to have you over sometime to see it Steven.

[Zack]

I'm kind of in love with the shape of your tank. Very awesome, your ray will love it!

[klwheat]

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So, thanks to my wonderful wife, the tank and room painting was complete Saturday. Got the stingray ("slimer") in the tank Saturday night, yesterday added the 5-6"sailfin tang and 4-5" harlequin tusk wrasse. They look so tiny in here...lol. Guess they'll need some more tankmates. I'm trying to take it slowly now though. Waiting on my new big skimmer, making do with the old one for now. Hope the pics turn out ok. They don't do it justice. The radions light this thing up beautifully. The kids love the tank, because they can literally just reach in a play with the ray.

[klwheat]

Ok, now I'm looking for some suggestions. I've got the ray, the sailfin, and the harlequin tusk in there. The skimmer should be here soon. I have ordered a blonde naso tang (one of my favorites). With whats in there now...the tank looks BARE! What are some ray-compatible fish that have good color that you don't see all the time. Would love to do something unique or very colorful. TIA!

[Texreefer]

a small group of Squirrelfish
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15+42

[350gt]

Yes anything that schools will look cool in such a big environment....

[350gt]

Are you planning on adding more rock?

[klwheat]

yes, definitely planning to add more rock. Wanted to let the ray settle in first before taking up any more space. Looks like she mostly just swims around the edges so it shouldn't be an issue. Added the blond naso male (5-6") and a magnificent foxface (5"ish) last night along with a couple of new corals. This tank is turning out to be a great (although expensive!) project.

[ElChicano]

This tank is turning out to be a great (although expensive!) project.

Happiness is expensive my friend... LOL..

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

[klwheat]

So, I'm looking for some more advice...lol I've done quite a bit of reading, and it seems like there shouldn't be any issue, but I want second (and 3rd...lol) opinions.
I have a california round stingray along with a couple of large tanks in a large tank that is quicly becoming psuedo-reef...minus inverts of course.
I'm thinking about a large maroon clown with BTA up in the rock of the smaller part of my tank. Any issues with this combo with the ray that anyone knows about?
TIA for all help!