My New Marine Tank

[Pearsondesign]

Well as some of you know im starting an epic journey into marines again.

i set up a reef tank back t start of april and now ive just emptied my vision 180 of freshwater tropicals and converted it to marine.
got new filters, new internal filter media, completely cleaned tank with mix of saltwater and vinegar, filled, emptied and filled and emptiede again lol
now its full of saltwater, the temp is right and the filters have been going 2 days.

im off to my lfs to get some LR and add that to help the cycle.

but, i still havent decided what to put in this tank yet lol

im tempted by a wartskin angler tank, or a chromis tank, or seahorses (im also breeding these soon you see) or something totally different.

anyone suggest anything super cool and great to have in a display tank in my living room?

tank is running an external filter, internal box filter (the built in jewell one) and a skimmer.

heres some pics so far

comments welcomed

 

[ian]

what were you watching on TV ?

 

[nick87]

no one has put any suggestions for fish/livestock so im probably gonna go for some seahorses.
seen a few nice setups to work with so gonna give it a go.
as i wont be breeding in this tank, not intentionally anyways, i can add some pipefish and small blennies to the tank too

Is this your first marine tank?

Seahorse and pipes are not the easiest to care for, i have been keeping reefs for a few years now and have only just decided i am ready for them.

 

[Pearsondesign]

hey,

no this isnt my first marine tank
ive kept them on and off for about 15 years now.
used to keep h.kuda years back, but now going for h.barbouri for the breeding.

the new tank im setting up now is gonna be cycling for a few weeks with live rock and caulerpa and filters etc.
still indecided what to put in it.

basically i have 2 tanks in my living room, both 180 litres.
one is the reef setup, which is doing very well
the other one i want a really amazing display tank. something different.
no corals in this one, just fish and live rock etc

heres some more pics

added more live rock today

 

[seffieuk]

What about a british biotope tank - I have been waiting for someone to do one of those for ages

Seffie x

 

[Pearsondesign]

what does that entail?
can you explain a bit more?
id be up for trying anything as long as its a really nice set piece in my living room

EDIT - ive just googled it and it would be coldwater, with stickleback, minnows etc.
im looking for more colourful, tropical saltwater fishies

i already have a 5ft tank in my garden with stikleback and minnows in. plus some frogs and tadpoles and used to
have crayfish too

here it is at the moment

a baby stickleback, bred in tank

a couple of the tadpoles and frogs

full length shot, from top

and finally full tank shot

i know its not related to my marine tank, but still, just showing you i had it to add to later if i need to

 

[seffieuk]

I remember there was a feature in Ultra Marine last year, boy was it special I will try and have a look through my back copies to see if I can find it. You would be amazed at what lives off our coastline.

Seffie x

 

[Pearsondesign]

heres my reef tank as it is now

 

[seffieuk]

No, not freshwater fish, marine

I tried google but couldn't find what i mean - i will look for the magazine later

Seffie x

 

[Pearsondesign]

ok, well i have now added a cardinal to the new tank,, helping it mature along.
he is happy and water is coming back perfect nitrates were at just under 10ppm yesterday, so looks as if cycle is almost over

 

[Pearsondesign]

ok, i went to Amwell Aquatics today to have a look at some fishies and came home with a red toothed trigger and a large black and white clown

this tank is going to be my "predator" tank as such, so once it settles down and as long as water stays clean ill be looking to add a fuzzy dwarf lion, a puffer (maybe) and then im looking for other "predatory" fish to add.

can any suggest some good ones?
this tank is having nothing but live rock and fish, no corals and im not intending on buying any polyps etc either.

heres a pic of the new fish

PS - i realise the clownfish isnt a predator lol, but he is huge and i like him a lot

one thing im thinking of adding is a small snowflake eel, would this be ok with my fish? the "marine expert" at the shop said yes, but i want to double check with you guys first

 

[seffieuk]

Oh I love Odonus niger, the Niger trigger, super guys, but have you covered any wires you have in the tank?

Seffie x

 

[Pearsondesign]

they are awesome
not covered wire as yet, but intend to lol

added more live rock after the fish too, heres a pic

 

[seffieuk]

What are your plans for the Niger in a few months time when he out grows your tank? He needs a tank of at least 75 gallons as he will grow to approx 10/15 inches

You need to get those wires covered now, if he bites through them also be careful that he doesnt bite you, they have a very strong bite and can cause a fair bit of damage saying that, they are lovely fish, like little puppies. Must admit I am surprised that he was sold to you with the tank that you have

Seffie x

 

[Pearsondesign]

im intending to upgrade my tank to a 6ft or more like my old 7ft by 3ft by 3ft i used to have years back

the shop i got them from isnt best for selling fish properly.
while i was in there once they sold a full grown foxface to someone with a 140litre tank, and said it would be fine!!
i think not!!

Dont worry, im not a novice with marines, so everything is planned out
and if i dont manage to get a larger tank i know people with 1500 gallon reef and fish only setups so he can easily go to a new home


oh and the only wire in the tank is the heater wire, so it will be easy to cover up