"Links"

 

Davis Family "Reef Tank" History

(started 26 Sep 03)

(a/o 25 Mar 04)

 

The purpose of this page is to record and all the fun, trials and tribulations (of which there will be "hopefully" few - "Insha'allah") of the setting up of our first Marine "Reef" aquarium.

Scott (Omar), Mayada, Mariam, & Sarah Davis

 

(Davis Family "Home" Page)

History

"CURRENT TANK "RESIDENTS"

Corals

Misc. Notes

New Tank Pics

Mar 04 Pics

"Links"

26 Sept 03

1st Note:  I am totally a "rookie" at this...lots to learn from...getting almost "overload" of info from those listed above and links below..

The Tank

Original 55 gal.

55 Gal Tank - 4' long on Stand

Skilter 400 filter/skimmer

AquaC Remora Skimmer

Rena Heater (300W)

CustomSeaLife "MoonLight" Hood/Lights

(Custom Aquatic) 48 inch PowerCompact with Moonlight fixture from CustomSeaLife. Comes with two 65 watt 10,000K bulbs, two 65 watt Ultra-Actinic bulbs, and four MoonLites. Black Powder coated extruded aluminum housing. Independent controls for dawn, dusk, and moonlight. electronic ballast built in. Comes with 3 inch 30 CFM ultra-quiet fan. Unit is 48.5 inches long by 8.4 inches wide by 4.5 inches tall.

Live Rock 

45 lbs Fiji Live Rock (LiveAquaria) - initial "cycle"

30 lbs "Deco" from Gulf View Marine

SAND

60 lbs Aragamx Sand (LiveAquaria) - add after initial "cycle" with initial LR positioning

Water "Movers" 

1 - Zoo Med Power Sweep 228  (270 gph) automatic rotating power head (backordered)

2 - Zoo Med Power Sweep 212 (125 gph) automatic rotating power head

(Getting two seemed like good idea at time of order - mount 1 high, one low, left/right, front back???)

 

EVENTS

 

2 Oct 03

Sarah (11) & Mariam (9) "testing" -(Started 09/26 - after 5 days "cycling") - doing daily - of course probably totally unnecessary to do so often, but gets them in "practice" - and all "anxious" to see some change & evidence "something" happening in tank...

Test Results:

Waiting For:

 

"Uncle" Paul G. Davis -  giving girls "lesson" on "molecular structure" and what is "really" happening in "Nitrogen Cycle"

 

2nd NOTE:  Made mistake of filling tank with water and rock before putting on filter/skimmer - tank too close to wall & too heavy to move so had to mount on front instead of back...will change after cycle complete & 1st "major" water change out.

3 Oct 03 

Draining, removing LR - moving LR/Filter/Skimmer tonight. (re: "Jakets" - 3Reef)

-Done-

"Moon-Lite" arrived w/ 1 Zoo Med "powersweep" - Water drained into 5 Gal buckets...LR removed - Tank moved out from wall, filter skimmer setup in back, replaced LR & Water (same as what removed) - Light/Hood setup...now looks like... (All of us...(esp. Mayada)...much happier with way new setup looks and "sounds" --- (took advice found here - I think - of adding small air pump & sandstone in "Skilter" Skimmer tower...MUCH MUCH quieter....THX "Jakets"

 

 

 

     

 

RE: "Jakets" (3Reef Forum) - "New Poster..." - Drained out about 1/2 water...removed lr (again) - added 60 lbs Aragamx Sand (LiveAquaria) - Replaced water/lr.

Also set up "Moon-Lite" - added timer, 2nd power strip...The light/hood has 3 power cords coming from it...one for two 65 watt 10,000K bulbs, one for two 65 watt Ultra-Actinic bulbs, and one for four MoonLites (have not seen so many power plugs coming out of 1 device since front of pickup truck while living in Fairbanks, AK)...connected the two florescent "light plugs" (separate cords & controls) to the "timer" and 2nd power strip...connected the "Moon-Light" cord to "continuous" power strip...They will stay on all the time, while the others turn on and off depending on timer...(hood also as elect. exhaust (quiet - but quite powerful) fan that turns on when 10K bulbs are turned on.

 

 

 

3rd NOTE:  Rinsed, Rinsed & Rinsed sand in bucket before adding to tank...still cloudy after 12 hours...lots of very "fine" particulate clogging filters...learned it was very important to "turn off" filter before trying to remove and rinse off...otherwise "matter" quickly just runs back in tank...is clearing but slowly...obviously in need of more lr...also...getting 1st "Nitrite Readings"...SOMETHING IS STARTING TO HAPPEN!!! - "WAHOO"!!! - on the way now...

Test Results:

 

9 OCT 03

 

 

Test Results:

 

NOTE:  Cycle nearing completion (I think) ---Ammonia way down...Added 2nd Powerhead.  Want to get in next lr as soon as possible...send status to Barger see what he thinks. (Some tiny little "duster" like creatures peaking out of holes in rocks - Jump back in when they sense movement/light change)...keeping lights on 12 hrs a day...maybe should reduce...some, what looks like algae showing up on sand.

 

 

 

02 NOV 03

 

 

Livestock Rec'd from Jeff's Exotic Fish 31 Oct.  All introduced to tank and doing OK as of today ... except maybe 1 coral (?) - which does not seem to be "responding" to new environment...will keep eye on.  Note:  Have back order at Jeff's which they will send out in couple of weeks...need to add any extra items wanted. (they will pay shipping).

 

15 NOV 03

 

 

8 DEC 03

11 Jan 04

New stand/Canopy under construction for "All-Glass" 120 gal. tank due to arrive in two weeks.  

On Order:

AquaC EV 180 skimmer

Dolphin 1200 return pump

"SCWD" wave device

250W HQI mini pendant (PFO)

250W HQI ballast (PFO)

250W HQI "Coralvue" Bulb (order not yet confirmed with CustomAquatic)

100 lbs Southdown Sand  ($24) - (60 lbs in current tank)

(4) 4 Sunon 120mmx38mm 4- Wire 108 CFM 550-001 ($11 ea) - For mounting in Stand/Canopy sides for "heat exhaust"

 

27 JAN 04

 

 

(finishing up stand doors - top)

 

(new canopy, work in progress)

 

1 Feb 04

 

"Jigsaw Puzzle"

 

05 Feb 04

 

"The Sump Monster"

 

A/O 14 Feb 04

 

 

 

 

New Tank Pics

"Casualty List"

  22 Oct - Blue Tang - "XXX" (too small - kept getting sucked up against water intake, then could not move off, likely injured in process). 

  24 Oct - "Colt" Coral - "XXX" (never "recovered from initial tank "shock" - poor "acclimation" procedure.  

  25 Oct - "Percula" (from "Shark Reef") -   ??? Water params OK...lasted two days...never saw "eat" - may have "poisoned" new tank by adding too much food trying to get it to....NOTE:  All further initial tank inhabitants going to be of "hardiest" varietes only.  i.e. "durable soft corals" - "Maroon" Clown instead of "Ocellaris"...all "tank raised&

  1 Feb 04 - Mandarin "disappeared" - found behind tank when moved (jumped out).

  13 Feb 04 - "Arrow Crab" "removed" - found eating snails, feather dusters, picking at clam.

 

History

"Current Tank Residents"

Corals

Misc. Notes

New Tank Pics

Mar 04 Pics

April 2004 Pics

May 2004 Pics

Seattle Aquarium Pics

"Links"

www.3reef.com

Puget Sound Aquarium Society

"OM"