Drew Mendez WTR

In other words I dont know what I want but I know I need one

This one seems pretty sturdy it was 25 from lowes...I see these all over at Aqua Dome so I got the idea there...

Im not sure what I'm going to do yet, however I know I would like that extra 20-25 gallons. I dont really have that much money so I would like to just start with something I could work with to move foward.

I was thinking of putting the macro algae in there with the the clamp light. So basically a refugium. I just started thinking maybe I could incorporate a 5 gallon bucket with bioballs and drill holes on the bottom so it could filter aswell, throwing the heater in there, a protein skimmer later. What if I took a new pillowcase and put bio balls in there rigged the siphon line to flow in the bucket and drain into the 30 gallon tank and back to the main tank?

Bill B I just looked up what those where...and being powerheads I'm not sure they would have enough juice to shoot it up from the floor to the tank (I may be wrong) I have a maxijet 600 that I dont think is gonna be enough I havent tried it yet.....Im thinking I would need at least a 6 ft head does anyone know? correct me? oh yeah the powerhead 50 is for 40-70 gallons Thanks for taking the time to reply and offer your help

Hello all,

My name is Drew Mendez, I got out of the Marine Corps last Summer (4yrs) 2 deployments overseas...

I did work at Cabelas selling guns during xmas time (Aug-Jan) I was very good there. I work for a Security Company now and comute from Teri Rd to Round Rock. Hope to get out to this months meetings.

Were at the Onion Creek Dog park about every other day (Big German Shep named Ram and 2 weenies.

Ive always had freshwater tanks when I was a kid I started back again 2 years ago with a 10, then 20, then 30, then 55. I only bought the 10 kit everything else was free. I've always wanted saltwater. My cousins whom I consider like a mom and dad are both biology teachers in south texas. So i've grown up around them. I used to love going to Port A (see "Port A"post in off discussions) and throwing things in the tanks at home and school.

My wife and I came across what appeared to be a good deal due to the closing of Amazonia Aquarium

a 150?? Gallon Hex Tank with stand and ehiem. Water, Sand, and live rock. for 600 bucks.

My roomate went half with me in exchange when he moved out I would give him everything for the 55

So even trade. 300 bucks for my setup

We have mostly bottom guys right now the only swimming fish are the blue damsel, and the 6 line wrasse.

Im working on a sump this week

, lighting I've created my own using T-8 fixtures way cheaper (for now)

I have a 4 ballast with Plant Growth, Coral Sun, and 2 regular Flors on a timer

Then a 2 ballast with a Actinic and a Ocean Sun) for moonlight

Clip on grow bulb in my overflow

working on lowering my nitrates so I can put some guys in there.

I know I need a protein skimmer

I have 2 powerheads on the top of the tank on each side that creates a good water flow

I would like to cut a piece of plexi to make a lid, So I dont lose so much **** salt water

I was buying some, I've since switched to making my own 35 cent RO at HEB and Instant Ocean

I would like to invest in a RO system so it can pay itself off

(I've heard it takes a few gallons to make 1 gallon of RO)

I picked up a dragon eye at Petco (near brodie) for about 10 bucks I think and another rock with some sort of red/orange zoas for 7 bucks

I have lots of anemones, Just added some Caluerpa and Chaeto to lower the nitrates.

I'm feeding every other day to help 1 cube of mysis or ocean pack #2, maybe a few pellets, theres mostly algae eaters and there eating pretty good. I have some stuff (kinda like marine snow) to spot feed the zoas and the anemones

What I have

Blue Damsel

Longnose Hawk

6line Wrasse

4 Seaweed blennys (wildcaught)

1 black widow blenny

1 Pink spot goby

a dozen or so peppermint shrimp (wildcaught)

some hermit crabs

what I think is a black sally lightfoot times 2

and a scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp

oh and a pistol shrimp I have seen him once

Had a Diamond Goby a swimming crab killed him, an algae blenny (brought him home and wouldnt eat or move around much)

I sent about 6 seaweed blennys to aquadome FYI

I've done alot of things from computers, admin, engineering, intelligence stuff, sales, website, sharepoint

The rock is very porous its not concrete or granite lol however I do agree in retro it wasnt wise to throw it in there. I was really excited about all those anemones. When I took it out to clean it, it was really brown but those poors cleaned out nicely. I just hit it with the water hose then let it sit in saltwater bc I didnt have that much RO water to pull that off...

Thanks Teri for the help today, what was that macro you sold me? I threw in a dose of that Nitrate Reducer hope it works....Im working on a sump right now so I might be in and out next few days...Also I have a friend trying to get rid of a prob at least 8in pleco can you take it? Store Credit if any?

Whos gonna pick up those lookdowns in the back?

I would like one please and starfish, I live off Teri near 290...pretty close to aquadome.....I work from 3pm to 11 pm and I'm off on Saturday

303-847-9500

Thanks way cheaper...do you own any of these? quality heres my sump design

Forgive the picture whatever works thought right

Keep it simple, stupid.....the band KISS is looking for a roadie, my wife said I could apply (hmm) beside the point. now that I got your attention

Im planning a simple sump wanted to get thoughts, things im incapable of thinking. Any foreseeable problems. Whatever comes to mind. My concern is that I would like to get something going rather than nothing this seems alittle more affordable and I can expand later. I dont have a protein skimmer (need one) I have high nitrates right now due to my port aransas forum...no ones died but Im not able to add anybody else. I have 2 power heads great water flow

Hey y'all Im setting up a sump and need a utility pump...I'm thinking Max Head of 6ft at least its a 150 Gallon, the sump container is going to be 20-25 gallons....

Anyone having anything for sale or at the least the middle of the line...

I've looked at Aquatraders

Lowes in the Pond Section

liveaquaria.com

I dont think it would be cheaper at AquaDome...

I have cash or paypal...I live in South Austin on Teri and I work in Round Rock 3-11pm so whatever works...

Thanks

I have a maxi jet 600 the max head is only like 3 and something feet...dont think that will work

I am completely new to saltwater aquariums (fishwater for the longest time). My close cousins teach aquatic science at Tuloso Midway ISD. So I call them everyday with questions.

I went out to the south jetties a few weeks ago and brought much some good stuff.

At least 30-40 Peppermint Shrimp (wait until night scoop the rocks you can find them with a flash light)

what is crazy is the price these sell for at your LFS.

10 Seaweed Blennys (took some time to identify) the have some red branchi on their head.

I've kept about 3-4 and taken the rest to Aquadome

I had found a decorator crab he died the first day back and was eaten

Also beware I saw a smallish tan crab later identified as a juvi blue crab (swimming). I didnt do my research and I saw this guy holding my watchmen gobys head and eating it. He went to aquadome the next day. I've since replaced him with a pink spot goby

There were 2 black crab which my cousins believe are Sally Light Foot (there not the brightly colored ones)

Some Ulva came back

I brought a at least 50 pound live rock covered in rock anemones (blues, reds, blue/reds) those are doing good the peppermint have been feasting on most of them.

Point to take I was so eager and anxious I didnt do my research beforehand on what I caught. I rushed the process by throwing everyone in and overloading my bioload. My nitrates and phospates went through the roof. No one died from the overload, although It got expensive do water changes and mixing salt. I also cured the live rock poorly. I took it out again and cleaned it and so much brown came off of it.

So I lucked out and only lost a Watchmen Goby (20 bucks and my favorite fish) but it could have been alot worse. Learn from me I just added some microalgae in the hopes it can lower the nitrates.

Very Respectfully, Drew Mendez 150 Gallon Straight Back Hex with a Eheim. 2 Ballasts of T-8's Actinic, Ocean Sun, Coral Sun, Plant Growth.

Longnose Hawkfish, Black Widow Blenny, Blue Damsel, Six Line wrasse, Pink Spot Goby, some cluster of dragoneye zoa's and some orange red zoas??? Peppermint Shrimp, Hermit Crabs, Seaweed Blennys

How long until HEB adds this to their gulf shirimpin' expeditions

Upstairs in the giant coral tanks back left

There is what appears to be a flying jet sea moth

Anybody have any exp. with them

I know there related to the Scooter Blennys/Mandarins

What is the price also.

Thanks, Drew Mendez