New 70g is home

J

Jaguar

Well. .I just wanted to dream out loud with the support from my fellow seahorse owners. After a long wait the 'big tank' is home. I can finally talk about my fish tank like it's real instead of just 20 gallons. It's big. . .well it is for the space I have it in. 3ft long, 1 1/2ft deep and just over 2ft tall.

It's empty and boring looking for now, but at least I can look at it about 10" away from me and plan for the time when I have my own herd in it.

The plan is 5" of sand leaving 20" of vertical space a few fish and 8-10 h.erectus by the time it is all fully stocked. I can't wait until this time next year when I can look back and see what my big glass box of water will hold.

Here's hoping to have it in cycle soon!
 
Hey when you get ready I will donate some cool macros to the cause. I can ship them to you. They get there in one day even regular mail. I got the majority of my rock from www.reeferrocks.com and was so pleased with it. It is awesome rock and cheap enough. I seeded it with about 30 lb of lalo live rock and now you cant tell the difference. Good luck with the tank and let me know if you need erectus babies! I would suggest a VERY deep sandbed. I think I made a mistake by not using one. I fight nitrates constantly. I just added a nitrate reducer so we will see if that helps. I can definately spare lots of macro though as it's going nuts so let me know when you are ready.

Angela
 
Aww that's awesome! I've heard alot of good things from them too. Perhaps I will do as you suggested and purchase base rock from them supplimented with live rock. Did your tank take longer to cycle this way?

Bah evil nitrates! That's rough since you have a totally planted tank, how insane. I was hoping 5" would be good, and I'd like to grow seagrasses and have a pair of jawfish so deep is good. I might yet go a full 6". I need base rock for under the sand anyhow so I might go that route. (reeferrock that is)

It currently has a wet/dry filter and skimmer for filtration, but will be upgraded with a sump, refugium, skimmer, canister filter, and possibly a UV sterilizer. Lots of LR rubble!
 
Congrats Jag! I'm still waiting on my tank, but it should be ready soon. If you're looking for rock right now, Jacob has some in the Sell forum.

I was wanting to do seagrasses too, but have read not to use skimmers on the tank then. :? So, now I'm thinking I might just go with macros.

Good luck with your tank!


Angela, do you often have erectus babies? I will be in the market for some, when I get get my tank settled. Of course, that's going to be a while!
 
Right on Ashlar! That's Samala's site That's where all my current seagrasses are from. I have stargrass, shoal grass, and a little manatee.

Karmic, I need to get all that sand and base rock in before I can buy LR. Then I want to have lights going before I purchase LR. I want minimal die off. If I can avoid much of a cycle that's the idea.

Angela I am definately interested in some babies. I'm waiting on the weather to cool some before having a pair shipped from Sunshine on the seahorse.org site. I will happily purchase more after the tank is setup. I don't imagine it will be soon. I'm shooting for 3 months.
 
I dont think it took longer to cycle because of the base rock. I do think the base rock might be part of the nitrate problem though. The reeferrocks rock is awesome. I like the shape better than any rock (live or base) that I have seen. I do have erectus babies a lot. I have 5 pairs of adults. Not all of them are breeding yet but I still get plenty of babies.

Angela
 
Jaguar

Your new tank sounds great. What lights will you use ?


I just set up a 46 BF for mine. Right now it has 40 lbs LS & 40 lbs of LR. I used old tank water to fill it up & now it is just sitting there waiting for more sand.

Angela

In my first pony tank I did a shallow sand bed & I am going to do a deep one this time. I need to get more sand becouse I used what I had for my mantis tank & now im short on sand. Plan on getting the rest in a few more days.

How much LR are you all using for your tanks ? I bought some LR a while back & am keeping the rock in my other tanks untill i set this one up. I bought 40 lbs more to make sure I have plenty. I put in the 40lbs & it looks ok the way it is & was wondering if I should go ahead & redo it & put the rest in. I will hook up the sump & the fudge when I get the rest of the sand. Sorry the HOB filter is there it is just there untill I get the stuff under the tank.

Do you think it will be enough or should I go ahead & add the other rock ?

The rock came with the GHA but I have a Seahare & its almost gone now. He is a realy good worker.
 
My tank has too much rock but the issue is a lot of it is base (not a lot of bacteria). It's about 35lb of lalo live rock and probably 60 lb of base. I'd just use whatever looks good to you. I wish mine was more open and spacey. My sandbed is only 2" tops and I think a DSB would make a big difference in the trates.

Angela
 
Do you think 40lbs of LR is enough for a 46g ?

You said you wanted more space in your tank. Will you be taking some of your rock out & change up the rock work ?

I havent made up my mind if i will leave mine the way it is or redo it. What do you think ?

Jaguar

Hows your new tank coming along ?
 
It's not doing nothing, hehe. I had to replumb a few things. ReeferRock order will be placed soon so at least I'll have some rock. I made a big spraybar and found out I now have to upgrade my return pump to actually get any use out of it. I'll be measuring the cabinet for a future sump to upgrade the wet/dry to.

I was going to go with 6 39w T-5s, and someone said I would melt my softies and that it was way to much light. So. . I guess I'll go 4 39w T-5s and a moonlight strip.

I'm looking at putting some purple montiporas in the new tank, but it's still sitting here doing nothing pretty much. When I get the base rock I can add it and the rest of the sand I have to see how much more I need for about 5"-6". I don't even want to add water until I can add the sandbed and rock, whether base or LR.
 
bump:
I would like to take some rock out but I'm too scared Ill squash somebody. I think 40 lb would be good in a 46 gallon. I wish I had about 40-50 lb in my 60 gallon. I really like the open look for seahorses and thats what I was going for. It didnt work out like that though. Honestly I doubt there are a lot of seahorse tanks with 0 nitrates regardless of how much LR they have because they just eat a lot and poop a lot. A DSB would definately help though. Macros help too of course.
Angela
 
I am wanting plants in my tank also but we dont have but one or two plants at the LFS here in longview. I hope to get some when I hit dallas in the next day or two. I have lots of soft corals for it already. Once I get all the plants then I will add the Girls.

What do you think of blastos in with them ? Do you know if they have sweepers like brains ?
 
Gee did anyone find out about the blastos? I've no idea, and I searched for a little while, but. . didn't find anything.

Except I have base rock, sand and blue in the new tank. I even have picked up some SPS frags that are in the 20g for now. Next step. . 5 (I settled in the middle) T-5s for light and then about 30lbs LR. When I'm done I'll have about 60lbs LR, except I have 30 in my 20 now and they're all covered in coral. I've no idea how much base rock is in there. There are 3 large pieces under the 4 you see though. None of the rockwork leans on the back wall or overflow, and is pretty secure. It passes the wiggle alot test anyhow. We'll see how things hold when I add in water and powerheads for flow.
 
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