Enigma13

Go with the biggest sump that you can reasonably fit. The extra system capacity will help stabilize the system and you will be amazed over time how much sump space you use.

Recently moved my tanks and the new setup on the FOWLR didn't require as much pump as the old setup did (less head feet). Also had less space to work with as I didn't drill through the wall to the garage as had been the case in previous home. Therefore, I took out the Barracuda and went with a SuperDart Gold. The Barracuda still works great, though seal is a little tight and sometimes it needs a screwdriver turn to startup after poweroff (manufacturer says this is fine/can be normal).

Asking $175 OBO. Flow info/tables can be found here: http://www.reeflopumps.com/flowbiasedpumps.html

Heat without airflow can make the problem worse. While it is probably not want you want to hear, Caferacer has the right idea in removing at least part of the sheetrock. Then find a way to use fans to introduce airflow into the space between the upstairs floor and garage ceiling. Start with removing a smallish section to evaluate what it is like in that space (how much moisture, etc.). Then you can decide how much circulation needs to be introduced and how much sheetrock eventually will need to be replaced.

Since it is outside now, it will no longer be a problem, but wanted to add that as we all know float switches alone are not the answer. I keep a 55 gallon reservoir with a float switch in the garage, but I also connected a line about one inch from the top that will transport water outside if the float switch fails. Always best in this hobby to have redundant safeguards.

How are the lights mounted/hung etc.? Just trying to figure out what the options would be for mounting fans and creating airflow specifically in the the space between the lights and the water. A number of options are available: http://www.aquacave.com/searchresult.aspx?CategoryID=372. I have used just about everyone of these options depending on the location where I was needing to get some air and the capabilities for mounting. Some have worked better than others (for example the Azoo fans have some exposed wiring inside the fan that seemed to corrode after about 8 months). With a picture or description of your lighting setup I may be able to give a more targeting suggestion.

Before you start adding fish I would really plan out what you ultimately want to keep in the tank. For a number of fish the order that you add them to the tank may be important to avoid issues of aggression. Also, as different fish can create considerably different bioloads even if they are similar in size. If you plan ahead you can set your priorities so you don't run into the situation of really wanting a fish, but not being able to add it due to others you already have in the tank.

How many fish is going to be tank specific, given the equipment that you use and the bioloads and needs of the species that you pick. Once you have a plan on what equipment you will use and a list of potential occupants I think that you will find that a number of very experienced people on this site can give some good and specific feedback.

Added Polleni Grouper (thought I had a home for him, but it fell through) and adjusted some prices.

Nice - I happen to only live a few miles away I have next weekend off, and would really like to see/pick up your yellow leather. I know you said the fish aren't coming out til next week, but just let me know what evenings would be good to come check out that leather.

Either evening this weekend will work or Monday-Wednesday between 6-9. By Thursday night the reef tank will be broken down to Rubbermaid stock tank.

Halides are off for the night. Colors aren't coming out right, but this is my best shot.

Hammer w/ flash

Hammer

Digitata

Blue acro to right, stylo in middle

Do you have a pic. I will take it if is the kind i want.

Of which one? I will try to take pics shortly.

Moving both my 144 gallon reef tank and 240 FOWLR next week as part of a house move. Have decided to part with certain livestock and will have lots of coral frags. The reef tank has been set up for about five years so some colonies have gotten very overgrown. All of the fish have been with me for over two years and are very healthy. I take horrible pics, here is my best shot at the fish.

FOWLR, where angelfish and grouper reside will be broken down on July 2. Fish will be in stock tanks after tank breakdown through the weekend. After that they will likely be taken to LFS or placed with maintenance contractors for their accounts.

4" Neon dottyback= $30-pending

6-7" Majestic Angelfish (show quality size and coloring)= $100

7" Polleni Grouper= $250

3" female Ocellaris clownfish= $20-pending

Large (nearly 1' diameter) Yellow Fiji Leather= $75 (this coral has been in tank for five years)-pending

Branching Hammer coral (8-9 heads)= $45

Frags

Blue acro- $20 for 1-2" frag

Purple stylopora $10-20 based on size of frag

red cap- $5 for 3"X3" section

tri-color valida- $10 for 1-2" frag

orange digitata- $5 for 2-3" frag

Here is picture of refugium. It is dirty now, but will clean for purchaser once system is broken down.

Do you have a picture of the sump?

I will take one tonight and post it. It is currently being used as a refugium instead of a sump.

Your link is bad.

It is working when I click on it. Can someone else confirm.

We are moving next week and in the process of moving the tanks we are going to make some equipment changes. Since my wife does not want me drilling through wall of the new house, the six foot protein skimmer is out on the FOWLR, along with a couple of other items. Here is the hardware for sale. These should be available on July 2.

Aquamedic Turboflotor 5000 Twin. Asking $500

Here is a link with some details:

http://www.aquacave.com/turboflotor-5000-twin-proteinbrskimmer-by-aquamedic-1060.html

65g acrylic sump/refugium (45X20X17) and is equally partitioned in two halves. Bulkheads in front of tank for each side (partition).= $50

I will be posting some livestock in a separate thread tonight.

Thanks Jason! Would you do anything different? Mike doesn't like it and wants to come over and "fix" it. Maybe he'll do some sort of live rock endoscopy or some other medical procedure to make it look better!

Thanks again for you help, there is no way we could have done it without you. I'll return the favor with frags once I get some myself. Hope all is well.

I was happy to help and just glad that our community will have you back. I really like the aquascaping and wouldn't do anything differently with it as I look at it now. I can not see really well from the pics, but one mistake I made in my FOWLR was having the rock too close to the side glass that made cleaning the glass difficult. As long as you can magnet and scrape easy enough I like the way it looks.

One suggestion I have, that probably fits into the category of either: (1) I should have said it sooner; or (2) you already decided it is not an option; is the location of the chiller. I have my chiller for the reef tank in the tank room similar to how yours is currently positioned. It draws constant complaints from my wife for adding heat to the room when it is running. It looks like you have easy access outside from the tank location and it might be worth plumbing through to keep it outside. For my FOWLR the chiller is in the garage and that has added to household accord.

Can't wait to see the setup in person as you start stocking the tank. Talk to you soon.

I like the revised aquascaping. Having it clear out in the middle makes it look more natural to me and provides variation. Can't wait to see it once you start putting some corals in there.

I was having the same problem when I finally broke down and got a calcium reactor. It was well worth the investment and now I rarely need to supplement (it can still very slowly inch down, so that a little supplementation is need approximately once every 2-3 months).

Welcome back. Keep us updated as you put the system together.

I would recommend an Eheim 1260. Sometimes hard to find people selling them, but they are quiet and reliable.

I use Little Fishies PhosBan. Change it approximately every three months.

Do you have a pH controller? You do not absolutely need one, but it makes it easier. Also do you have a CO2 regulator? You will need one of those.

I have had this lying around for a while and have decided I probably will never need to use it. It was working fine last time I used it in February. Been stored under my bar since.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~act...es~vendor~.html

$75

PM sent. I can help.

Aaron,

I have some. Will trade for a frag of some acro that you have. I have a nice frag mounted on a disc that is about 3" high and about 2" wide, with three main branches and buds of about ten branches. I will get a pic sometime tonight it you like.

Two fish I really have enjoyed in my reef tank are a Blackcap Basslet and Pyramid Butterflyfish.