My Tanks

viperfish · #1 10-14-2009, 05:29 AM

I figure I've been lurking long enough, time to post some pics of my tanks.

14 Gal BC Mantis Tank 4 Months old. Entire rear compartment filled with live rock.

90 Gal Tank 2 Yrs old. Lighting 6x54 watt TEK. Aqua C Remora Pro HOB, Aqua Medic UV. Small sump installed.

110 Gal Tall Tank LPS/SPS 1 Yr old. Lighting 2 x 250 watt Aqua Medic Ocean Light Pendant, 4 x 54 Watt actinic. 55 Gal Sump/fuge w/ Mag 12 return. 33 Gal QT. AE USA 250 Skimmer. Aqua Medic UV.

Delphinus · #2 10-14-2009, 05:45 AM

Some great looking tanks there!!!

Mr.nintendo · #3 10-14-2009, 05:54 AM

Yes very nice!

Leah · #4 10-14-2009, 11:13 AM

Very, very, very, nice! Love how you did the aquascaping in the 90

viperfish · #5 10-14-2009, 03:07 PM

Thanks for the compliments. I have always had fresh water tanks, I tried planted, I also tried discus. I loved it but it just didn't do it for me. I got bit by the saltwater bug a year ago and I instantly fell in love, that love turned into an obsession and now everyone around me thinks I'm crazy...lol. It's like there is no end to the knowledge, the DIY projects, and the options are only limited by the time and money (and the Wife, ha ha!). After the first few thousand dollars my wife started to get a little uneasy, and now I think she's as involved in this as I am.

I was given the 90 Gal by a Doctor friend who spends most of his time travelling and just couldn't give it the attention it deserved. I was fortunate to get a free tank and LR but after the lighting, stand, skimmer, and all the other bells and whistles I think it ran me about $2K. I had been established for two years so I thought it would make for a great anemone/clown tank.

The 110 Gal. I bought, drilled, installed the overflow and did all the plumbing. I have it in my basement adjoining a small closet under the stairs which has become my sump room. in this room I also have a QT which is home to two Black Ocellaris, a powder blue Tang, a rose BTA, and a speckled green BTA.

The Mantis was a bit of an impulse buy. I have always been fascinated by the Peacock and one day I picked one up. I was lucky enough to get a used BC 14 with stand for $100. I reinforced the bottom, and two inches up with acrylic so she couldn't bust through. I then gutted the chambers and rebuilt it with black acrylic so it was the same as the Red Sea Max (much better design). I also changed the return pump to a MJ1200, added loc line, and filled the compartments with LR, Carbon, and Purigen. She has become sort of like the family dog. I have the tank in the TV room and whenever we are in there watching TV, she comes out and watches us!

I'll be sure to post more pics as time goes on. I do have to say after watching this site for a very long time, I think you folks are great! Every time I have a question, I can always find the answer here. It's also a great resource for local information. I have purchased from Paul at Oceanic, Greg at Coral Master, and the folks at J&L, all great people.

fishoholic · #6 10-14-2009, 04:15 PM

Great looking tanks

and I'm glad you signed up and shared them with us.

Delphinus · #7 10-14-2009, 04:44 PM

Any problems with the auriga butterfly picking at anything you don't want him to?

viperfish · #8 10-14-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Any problems with the auriga butterfly picking at anything you don't want him to?

I had some LPS in the tank originally and it picked at them like crazy. He was especially intrigued by the Favias, Acans and plate coral. I just keep soft coral and mushrooms now and it hasn't bothered any of them. My biggest fear was the anemones. I had heard it may pick at the tentacles but it hasn't up to this point. If it tries to pick at the carpet I'm afraid it will lose, my carpet has eaten two Bannerfish and one Saddleback Clown so far. I do a head count just about every morning to make sure it hasn't eaten anyone. I did shine my moon lights on it and that seems to have helped (I haven't had a fatality since).

andestang · #9 10-14-2009, 05:26 PM

Very nice ! They are all so...clean

I also like the rock work in the 110. Are the peices cemented/attached together or just piled ?

viperfish · #10 10-14-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andestang

Very nice ! They are all so...clean

I also like the rock work in the 110. Are the peices cemented/attached together or just piled ?

I piled the lower ones because they are quite large. The upper ones, especially the ones used to make caves, are cemented.