The Fish Room Build

[SaltyWalty]

Got the canopy and lights mounted! Super excited on how it looks! No lense so it’s a bit more blue that it usually would be.
I have an aqua life t5 hybrid fixture. Big fan of the t5s
Also will be running 4 orpheks OR3 bars, still waiting on two more to be delivered. The others will be added in the front of the canopy and angled in, I also added two AI hydra64 angled in on the ends to eliminate some shadowing and get better coverage.
The plan is a high light SPS and clam tank. Will have a few other coral mixed in.

 

[SaltyWalty]

Someone decided she needed to help build the utility sink in the fish room.
PS it echos

 

[Ironwill723]

That return pump will last forever. I've had one running continuously in my basement filtration room since 2008. Good choice!

 

[SaltyWalty]

That return pump will last forever. I've had one running continuously in my basement filtration room since 2008. Good choice!

Oh that’s good to hear! It does seem pretty industrial! I was thinking of getting a second smaller on to tie in the frag tank but I don’t think I want to drill another hole in the sump. Any suggestions on reliable internal pumps? Doesn’t need to be super powerful it’s only a 40 gallon frag tank.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Got the canopy and lights mounted! Super excited on how it looks! No lense so it’s a bit more blue that it usually would be.
I have an aqua life t5 hybrid fixture. Big fan of the t5s
Also will be running 4 orpheks OR3 bars, still waiting on two more to be delivered. The others will be added in the front of the canopy and angled in, I also added two AI hydra64 angled in on the ends to eliminate some shadowing and get better coverage.
The plan is a high light SPS and clam tank. Will have a few other coral mixed in.

That light canopy looks awesome!

 

[SaltyWalty]

That light canopy looks awesome!

Thank you! I’m very happy with how it turned out! Still need to add two more orpheks and some cooling fans!

 

[Ironwill723]

Oh that’s good to hear! It does seem pretty industrial! I was thinking of getting a second smaller on to tie in the frag tank but I don’t think I want to drill another hole in the sump. Any suggestions on reliable internal pumps? Doesn’t need to be super powerful it’s only a 40 gallon frag tank.

I like AC over DC pumps. I prefer the Sicce ADV pump line or any of the Eheim pumps.

Syncra ADV - MULTIFUNCTION PUMPS - Products

us.sicce.com

universal

eheim.com

 

[SaltyWalty]

I like AC over DC pumps. I prefer the Sicce ADV pump line or any of the Eheim pumps.

Syncra ADV - MULTIFUNCTION PUMPS - Products

us.sicce.com

universal

eheim.com

Perfect thank you! I’ll look into both of those!

 

[SaltyWalty]

The first fishy residents are in the tank!
The planned fish list contains these two big boys and then a lot of small fish
-Yellow Tang
-One spot fox face
-Orchid dottyback
-Yellow tail damselfish
-Springeri damselfish
-Orange fire fish
-Midas blenny
-Royal gramma
Any other fish suggestions? All fish must be clam safe
I’ve read conflicting things about multiple fire fish, or mixing coloring of fire fish.

PS I have a tight fitting clearview lid so jumping isn’t and issue

 

[Mpdan]

The tank looks great

 

[SaltyWalty]

The tank looks great

Thank you! I definitely need to clean the glass, and I’m considering running ozone to maintain water clarity. Wasn’t sure if anyone had any input on ozone

 

[Ironwill723]

Thank you! I definitely need to clean the glass, and I’m considering running ozone to maintain water clarity. Wasn’t sure if anyone had any input on ozone

I run it. What do you want to know?

 

[SaltyWalty]

I run it. What do you want to know?

What unit do you run?
How long do you run it?
What size system do you have?
Are you running it through your skimmer? If so how do you know if a skimmer is ozone safe?

 

[Ironwill723]

What unit do you run?
How long do you run it?
What size system do you have?
Are you running it through your skimmer? If so how do you know if a skimmer is ozone safe?

~ I typically use the Ozotech Poseidon 200 unit plugged into a Milwaukee ORP controller set to turn off at 400mV. I would not recommend running it without a ORP controller.

Ozotech Poseidon 200 Ozone Generator - Black Edition | Premium Aquatics

Aquarium & Fish Supplies Superstore. Guaranteed Low Prices. Free Shipping for qualified orders. Aquarium supply for your aquarium fish, saltwater aquariums, freshwater aquariums and ponds. The best aquarium lighting, protein skimmers, aquarium chillers, calcium reactors, aquarium pumps for fish...

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Milwaukee MC510 ORP Controller | Premium Aquatics

Aquarium & Fish Supplies Superstore. Guaranteed Low Prices. Free Shipping for qualified orders. Aquarium supply for your aquarium fish, saltwater aquariums, freshwater aquariums and ponds. The best aquarium lighting, protein skimmers, aquarium chillers, calcium reactors, aquarium pumps for fish...

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~ I have multiple systems but my largest at the moment is just over 400 gallons.
~ Yes, I tee the ozone output line into the venturi airline on my skimmer. I am currently running mostly Reef Octopus skimmers. Most better made skimmers will be ozone compatible.

 

[SaltyWalty]

~ I typically use the Ozotech Poseidon 200 unit plugged into a Milwaukee ORP controller set to turn off at 400mV. I would not recommend running it without a ORP controller.

Ozotech Poseidon 200 Ozone Generator - Black Edition | Premium Aquatics

Aquarium & Fish Supplies Superstore. Guaranteed Low Prices. Free Shipping for qualified orders. Aquarium supply for your aquarium fish, saltwater aquariums, freshwater aquariums and ponds. The best aquarium lighting, protein skimmers, aquarium chillers, calcium reactors, aquarium pumps for fish...

premiumaquatics.com

Milwaukee MC510 ORP Controller | Premium Aquatics

Aquarium & Fish Supplies Superstore. Guaranteed Low Prices. Free Shipping for qualified orders. Aquarium supply for your aquarium fish, saltwater aquariums, freshwater aquariums and ponds. The best aquarium lighting, protein skimmers, aquarium chillers, calcium reactors, aquarium pumps for fish...

premiumaquatics.com

~ I have multiple systems but my largest at the moment is just over 400 gallons.
~ Yes, I tee the ozone output line into the venturi airline on my skimmer. I am currently running mostly Reef Octopus skimmers. Most better made skimmers will be ozone compatible.

Beautiful thank you so much! I have a reef octopus skimmer as well so should be good there! I’ll watch some videos on these units!
Thank you again!

 

[SaltyWalty]

First corals are finally in the tank!
Added in the bigger, hardier lower light tolerant corals. Still have more to add, and not all will stay in the main display but just needed to add life to help get it stabilized and consuming element so I can get the dosing set up!
The tank will be predominantly acropora and tridacna clams, with the odd ball coral here and there. Definitely will be keeping a frag of my stratosphere and exosphere zoas in the main tank though. Just always loved those

 

[SaltyWalty]

She’s actually a very sweet cat. Just demanding

 

[Triggreef]

Thank you! I definitely need to clean the glass, and I’m considering running ozone to maintain water clarity. Wasn’t sure if anyone had any input on ozone

Hey I just came across this thread because I'm about to begin a similar project. I'm wondering if you have had any thoughts about the tank's evaporation and extra humidity in the basement? Wondering how crazy I want to go on finishing walls etc if excess moisture will be an issue in the end.

 

[SaltyWalty]

Hey I just came across this thread because I'm about to begin a similar project. I'm wondering if you have had any thoughts about the tank's evaporation and extra humidity in the basement? Wondering how crazy I want to go on finishing walls etc if excess moisture will be an issue in the end.

I didn’t go too crazy since I live in a very dry climate, humidity isn’t an issue. However, I did use an exterior weather proof paint, pvc trim, and caulked both bottom and top of trim so water shouldn’t get under the walls. Only used weather proofed boards on the base that touches the concrete, also my area building code requires gfci and tamper resistant outlets so I went ahead and got them all “weather resistant” as well since it was only a few dollars more. So they are supposed to be a bit more resistant to water. If you want more details and products I can get you a list!

 

[SaltyWalty]

Not much to update in the tank. Still slowly acclimating lights, and stabilizing dosing.
Did have a neat little coral warfare today, while doing a water change.
When lobo Mets hammer, lobo wins. Spotted it early and moved the hammer but never seen a coral try and digest another in person