Morri Two Into One

[Morri]

Sorry I have not posted in a while been very busy with work and this project.

I will try andkeep the story short but basically I had 2 nanos but desired to keep some diffrent fish that needed a bit more space than I could provide in a nano.

So in January I finaly got the go ahead to get a new tank as long as it was no bigger than 3 foot

Hmm 3 foot I wanted 100 Gallons as Anthias are on my list, So with a bit of stealthy manauvering I ordered a 39" x 30" x 24" Seabray from SWM just over 100 Gallons this suits me as the tank is in a corner I wanted it to be viewable from 2 sides easliy.

Next up was the lighting I played around with the idea of a LED buils but the price to get the effects I wanted would be wayyy too expensive, Next was a DIY T5/LED build I started pricing this up and it was getting to expensive to do, Then I spotted the ATI Sunpower units very good price and some very good penatraion so I invested in a 6 x 39w unit with 3 blue and 3 white Ati tubes, I do intend to add 2 aquarays just for a shimmer and some addtional lighting as I want to keep a couple of Clams in here in the future

Heating I decided to use a ATC 800+ with 2 x Rena Smart 300W heaters will add 2 azoos for cooling in the summer

Flow was next up I have always liked the Vortechs so this was my chance to get one so off I pop and come back with a MP40W very impressed with this

Return pump was a bit of a mare I went with a Hailea as I have had good experience with the smaller ones in my nanos but the larger one for this tank vibrated like mad, I decided to change to a Tunze Silenze pleased with this unit cannot hear a thing of it.

After a long chat with SWM I decided to try a diffrent method than a Durso for a return and I am very pleased with this method the main outlet is just a bulk head with a ball valve at the bottom. and an emergency stand pipe that sits fractionally below the wear level. you just tweak the ball valve until the water in the overflow is just about to flow into the emergency pipe. There is no noise at all from the overflow

Sump wise very simple 3 section sump with skimmer in section 1 a 6inch DSB in chamber 2 chamber 3 is the return pump.

Skimmer wise this was the bane of my life I tried to buy a Bubble Magus but none where availble at all when I needed one luckily as I have since learned the one I was going to use has a cheap rattly pump in. I purchased a second hand TMC 400 I was not very impressed with this unit the foam was very watery even after a few days tweaking so sold this on. I wanted a Delted but could not justify the expense so I brough a Aqua Medic Turboflotor Blue it took a few days to sort out but this is working like a dream and some nice thick skimate and a huge cup.

I picked up an Aqua Medic Auto top off it does what it says on the tin

My current work is to build a power board not happy with the electrics everywhere so making a board that will store the loose cable as well

Current Stock

1 x Perc female
1 x Mandarin male (Lost weight since going in so heavily stocking pods now)
1 x Purple Firefish
1 x McKosker Wrasse
1 x Flymo Blenny
1 x Byno Goby (Sand Sifter)

To be added over the next few Months

1 x Small wild Perc if I can find one
1 x Red Mandarin Female
1 x Borbon Anthias
1 x Kole Tang
2 x Hawian flame wrasse (Maybe Twistii or something else if I see)

The Tank is mostly softies and LPS at the moment all my corals look a bit small as they came from the nanos so ivested in a stunning Lobo and a Gorgeous Silver Montipora Digitata

Also picked up a nice Green Bubble will post some piccies once I have clean glass and some time with the camera here are a few I have stored up

Early days

FTS Side

FTS Front

Australian Lobo

Antler Hermit Crab

Flymo in hiding

 

[ben1987]

great looking tank...from my readings anthias do best in larger groups. like 5+ which really would look stunning but take up a lot of room and deffo need an autofeeder"!

 

[Morri]

Yip I was orginaly looking at a group of 5 Scribbed but they limit any other fish in the tank but Borbon`s do well on there own and are in my opionion one of the best looking Anthias

 

[john.o]

That’s one really nice looking tank m8t

 

[Morri]

Taking a break tonight from all the jobs I have left to do on the tank but could nt resist a couple of quick photos

Montipora Digitata

Byno Goby

I will let people guess what this one is I know what it was sold as but not convinced

 

[seffieuk]

Glad to see you back me old mucker and boy have you been a busy chap whilst you have been away and you have spent a load of money too but wow, wow, wow what a tank and set-up

Seffie x

 

[Morri]

Thanks Seffie I am very pleased with the results still have a dozen corals to place a power board to build as my electrics are a disgrace

On a search for a Calcium Reactor to ensure my SPS grow up nicely but Deltecs are sooo expensive might have to dig deep next pay day not a fan of the TMC offering and cant find any reviews on the Aqua medic ones.

 

[ben1987]

There been a few dletecs pop up over on UR classifieds recently...

ive got the TMC one, got it for £30...its naff tbh. The pump took me a day to get it running right. The 600L one about maintains calcium on my 200L tank...not good.

 

[Morri]

I managed to get a TMC 1500 a bit of overkill but came with CO2, Gauges and Aqua Medic PH computer.

 

[ben1987]

how much did that set you back?

at least you got PH controller, most accurate way of adjusting it.

i found that if i dipped the feed tube in the water, right next to the pump and allowed it to get going, then i could move it - but slowly. If you try starting it with the tube really far away like i did. The pump will hum and nothing will happen. Although teh 1500 is going to have a bigger pump than the tiny thing on the 600

 

[Morri]

Have not had time to play with it got my media soaking at the moment to get the dust etc out will hopefully have time to set it up tommorrow

 

[ben1987]

Let us know how you get on.

oh btw, calor gas Co2 is the way forward. 6KG bottle is £15 a go. will last years. You have to pay a £30 deposit though. But TMC bottles are like £40 odd for 600 grams. The standard regulator doesnt fit them though

 

[Morri]

Found a guy thats fills fire extingushers for £4 topped it up already all fits etc.

 

[Morri]

I have a new addtion to the tank, I broke my rule of not adding new stock within 2 weeks of each other, but SWM had a stunning small single Perc in the shop and I have been after one of these for a while, so he was added Friday, I was half expecting carnage as my Female was very aggressive (Not my wife but then again I did come home from work with another bag ) so after floated the bag and watching for any signs of aggression the female perc was shimmying to the male and was warding of my McKoskers, after a while acclimitising I realeased the small perc into the tank and they seem to be getting on very well

Also seen my new Kole Tang in the shop in his QT tank looks very healthy and is feeding well 2 weeks and he will be added

After the disgrace of my electrics I have knocked up a power board just need to waterproof it and drill some holes for cable storage then I will install that into cabinet then add my Calcium Reactor.

Tank had a good clean last night all stats are looking good even my phosphates are undetectable even without frozen food being washed before being added for a week.

I thought i had lost my Antler Hermit not seen him for a week or so then this AM just as I was running out of the door late for work there he was sat at the front of the tank munching away

 

[Morri]

And here is the new addtion