Stampede Toyota & Red Coral 400g Build

[Red Coral Aquariums]

Thank You all for your continued interest. I finally was able to take some pictures and take a close look at everything.

It will take some time to type everything as I am one of those 2 finger typists.


I guess to start I will talk about the cycle and how we accomplished it in a demanding 2 month period.
It started by having the Fish, the Live Rock, and the Water already cycled months in advance. Still there will always be a cycle period.
We had 350 lbs of rock and 75% of the fish in our store fish system waiting for the transfer.
Prior to this we set up the Stampede tank with salt water and ran it with krill and sand in it for 1.5 weeks. This started the cycle of the 400+ gallons of water and also broke in all the equipment.
Next came the Live Rock (400lbs), 300 gallons of water out of our fish system, and 7 of the hardiest of fish that was in that water and with the LR. Also we added 20 xl turbo snails and 15 algae crabs. This we maintained for close to 6.5 weeks before any more additions.
We have since added another group of fish, snails, and crabs.

Our List to date is:

7" changing Emperor Angel
7" changing Koran Angel
7" Yellow Tang
6" Powder Brown Tang
5" Regal Tang
8" Queen Adult Angel
4.5" Juv. French Angel
4" Blue Devil Damsel
3" Black Clown
5" Niger Trigger
5" Blue Throat Trigger
2 X 4" Orange Spot Gobies
30+ XL Mex. Turbo Snails
15 Algae Crabs
5 Red Legged Crabs
2 x Pillow Stars ( I found out the hard way they are not reef safe)
For corals that are doing great are some xl hairy mushrooms and GSP.

When I took a really good at the fish I noticed that something had picked on the 4" Blue Devil Damsel as it looked a little rough and the 4.5" Juv. French Angel had a white spot on one of it's fins. When I tested the auto feeder everything took their turn eating. I was very pleased with their health.

This picture is to show you one of the problems we face with sunshine.

Some different side views.


Top and Overhead shots


Our return plumbing.



Just a few fish shots but enjoy.


And my Favorite Pic is the Queen checking out some mudders.


Thanks for looking.
I will finish this update later in the week.
Kevin

[mseepman]

Thanks so much for the update. It looks great!

[lastlight]

Love the overhead shot. Classy build you guys are pros!

[kien]

wow, awesome tank! I love them peninsulas :-D Did you notice that there was a tire (or part of a tire) showing in every single photograph?

K.

[Snappy]

Looks great. Well done Kevin.

[mseepman]

Any updates on how this tank is filling out? How does the customer like it?

[Snaz]

Can anyone update this thread? Is the tank still running and how does it look? Thanks.

[Red Coral Aquariums]

Originally Posted by Snaz

Can anyone update this thread? Is the tank still running and how does it look? Thanks.

You Bet:

The tank is looking awesome.
I go in for maintenance once a week for 1 hour. I can do a 50 gallon water change, clean the skimmer, clean the glass, fill the auto feeder, in an hour and still have time for the million and one questions from customers there that are delighted with the system.

I do have 2 regrets and changes I would make if I was to start over.
1) They had the option of a coral (reef tank) or a Fowler and they chose the fish.
As the building is a complete glass house (perse) Stampede agreed to tint the upper windows around the building. This being agreed upon we went with T5 lighting and we ran only appropriate electrical to accommodate the T5's. Unfortunately the tinting did not happen and we are finding that during the mid day hours there is so much ambient light in the building that the tank looks darker than I would like. Mornings and evenings are great. Also we don't have enough amperage in our electrical lines to accommodate metal halides.
2) One of the fish that were chosen was a panther grouper. (what a mistake). I have spent TOOOO many hours trying to catch it as it has found a taste for any fish put in under 4 inches and I would like to put in some sand sifting Gobies.

I have a hard time getting pictures as when I get there the tank the tank needs cleaning and after I am done I stir things up to the point of (not good pics again).

The Fish:

Unicorn Tang 12+ inches (beautiful and very healthy)
Blue spot Naso 12+ inches (beautiful and very healthy)
Blonde Naso Tang 12 + inches (beautiful and very healthy)
Panther Grouper 10+ inches (beautiful and very healthy)(ARRRGHHH)
French Angel 8+ inches (beautiful and changing to adult)
Koran Angel 8+ inches (beautiful and changing to adult)
Blue Face Angel 8+ inches (beautiful)
Blue throat trigger 5+ inches (beautiful and very healthy)
Yellow Tang 6+ inches (beautiful and very healthy)
Blue Tang 6+ inches (beautiful and very healthy)
Sail Fin Tang 7+ inches (beautiful and very healthy)
Clown Fish Black and Red 4+ inches (beautiful and very healthy)
Couple Damsels 4+ inches (Healthy and laid back)
Long Spine urchin Quills are 6+ inches
Red Legged Hermit The shell is the size of 2 fists. A model citizen.
Numerous snails and crabs.

6+ colonies of Mushrooms (seems the only coral that survives the Angels)

I will try to get pictures one of these days. (no promises though) You need to go see their line up of Toyota's and check out the tank at the same time.
Thanks
Kevin