andy Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Wow, those planted tanks are beautiful... I've been reading a few FW/Planted blogs and I gotta say the idea of switching over has crossed my mind more than once. If I ever do, I'll be sure to pick your brains :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Welcome to the club! It sounds like you are off to an excellent start and you have picked out some nice equipment and a great tank! I love the freshwater tanks! Once you get into reefing, I am afraid that you are probably going to convert a few of those bad boys I didn't get a chance to chat with you at the meeting but next time I will definately say hello. This is a great place to learn and interact and thanks for joining! Garrett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 What diameter is the PVC on that set-up? I actually just redid it to make it smaller. Use 4 x 3/4" street elbows These and not these 1x 3/4" Tee saw off the T and a piece of 3/4" straight pipe. Cut off a 4-5 inches. I didn't really measure, just eyeballed it. The materials, not counting a saw or pvc cutter, should cost less than $10. Wow' date=' those planted tanks are beautiful... I've been reading a few FW/Planted blogs and I gotta say the idea of switching over has crossed my mind more than once. If I ever do, I'll be sure to pick your brains :-)[/quote'] ha ha, no worries andy. We'll trade planted information for reef information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 Just got back from Davey Jones Locker to check out the Jawfish... what a cute little guy he is. He's paid for, so no one try to snatch him out from under me >_> lol. I'm already starting to get the bug as I've decided to do a 5 gallon macro algae show refugium with a goby/pistol shrimp combo. ARGH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Just got back from Davey Jones Locker to check out the Jawfish... what a cute little guy he is. He's paid for' date=' so no one try to snatch him out from under me >_> lol. I'm already starting to get the bug as I've decided to do a 5 gallon macro algae show refugium with a goby/pistol shrimp combo. ARGH![/quote'] IT gets MUCH worse....just wait until you start in on the corals! (whistle)(laugh)(naughty) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 arrgh! I'm afraid that 34 gallons won't be enough if collectoritis sets in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Good thing we have monthly meetings for those that have it really bad. Ive seen all the classic signs! You try to start out small..... Then you start having yard sales selling off stuff so you can buy a larger tank. Then you set up a account with Lowes and Home Depoe, Next you have the local fish shops on speed dial on your cell phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidalsculpin Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 You have definitely got the bug. The macroalgae piece will be rewarding for a fw plant guy. There are sooo many colors of macro besides green. It is actually a whole hobby in itself to grow macros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 Good thing we have monthly meetings for those that have it really bad. Nooooooooooo! I'm finished! I sincerely hope SW doesn't start assimilating my FW tanks. The crazy thing is that 4 of the tanks can be drilled and 3 of those already use MH lighting. I thought I'd share a picture from nano reef of a jawfish using his man made home. Pardon my French, but the owner affectionately titled the picture GTFO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason7504 Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 welcome to the forum those are some nice FW tanks..my fav FW tank was when i had 2 red bellied piranhas but now the coral bug has bitten me and i love it ive had bigger reef tanks before but my solana is easier to maintain with school and stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 Thanks jason7504, good to hear! I was hoping for something large enough to be stable, but small enough to manage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefboy Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 I will just reaffirm with your exceptional talents at keeping planted systems which in my OP can be or are just as hard as any Reef filled with delicate to maintain corals and I think you will have no issues the most first timers have.If he have any questions feel free to pm me be happy to help out if I can and "welcome". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theJenchild Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 LOL! Love that photo of the jawfish! I also keep a nano tank. I actually haven't run into any of the instability problems that most folks do. The key for me was a sump and an auto-top off. I do regular water changes and keep the bio-load light. With the exception of the new tank syndrome at the beginning, I haven't had a problem. I think it all comes down to common sense. Don't put lots and lots of big fish in a tiny tank, and take all the steps to be sure that there aren't huge swings in your chemistry. You'll do great! I can't wait for a tank build thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 I will just reaffirm with your exceptional talents at keeping planted systems which in my OP can be or are just as hard as any Reef filled with delicate to maintain corals and I think you will have no issues the most first timers have.If he have any questions feel free to pm me be happy to help out if I can and "welcome". Thank you for the vote of confidence reefboy, reefing is intimidating for sure. I'm sure I'll be picking a lot of brains over in the future. LOL! Love that photo of the jawfish! I also keep a nano tank. I actually haven't run into any of the instability problems that most folks do. The key for me was a sump and an auto-top off. I do regular water changes and keep the bio-load light. With the exception of the new tank syndrome at the beginning, I haven't had a problem. I think it all comes down to common sense. Don't put lots and lots of big fish in a tiny tank, and take all the steps to be sure that there aren't huge swings in your chemistry. You'll do great! I can't wait for a tank build thread! Great words of wisdom thJenchild. The bioload thing worries me some. I'm planning 4 fish for the tank, adding corals and a CUC seem like a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 For the most part, corals and CUC don't add much to the bioload -- though there are exceptions (non-photosynthetics and larger, well-fed LPS are a couple of examples). Like Jen says, keeping a low fish population and frequent water changes are key IME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason7504 Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 i have 5 fish but there small..and i do weekly water changes and dont over feed either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 A wise man once said, and I quote: "Stability + Patience= Success". Follow this sage advise and you will triumph in your reef keeping experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 Thanks Bob, the blue spot is awesome. He even came out to say hello to me yesterday. I will say the personal pressure is on regarding aquascaping this tank. There's a huge Solana owner's thread on reef central. I've noticed the majority of the Solanas (and nanos for that matter) follow the same general idea for the scape. There are obviously a lot of constraints with fitting a decent amount of rock in a tank this size. It kind of lends itself to a mound of rock in the middle. If I have a cookie cutter tank, I don't want a cookie cutter scape! Don't be disappointed everyone if my tank comes out looking "normal." I have every intention to do something different though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Welcome to the site! You got some MAD F/W skillz! I think you should keep the ADA 5g and get another tank for your fuge because that's one of the nicest F/W tanks I have seen! Well done on all of your other tanks too. I'm sure whatever you come up with in your new tank will be very pleasing to the eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 Thank you Chewie! I'm leaning towards the same tank or a tank of the same size to turn into a refugium. I'll push them together and do a "FW meets SW" set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAD Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Thanks Bob, the blue spot is awesome. He even came out to say hello to me yesterday. I will say the personal pressure is on regarding aquascaping this tank. There's a huge Solana owner's thread on reef central. I've noticed the majority of the Solanas (and nanos for that matter) follow the same general idea for the scape. There are obviously a lot of constraints with fitting a decent amount of rock in a tank this size. It kind of lends itself to a mound of rock in the middle. If I have a cookie cutter tank, I don't want a cookie cutter scape! Don't be disappointed everyone if my tank comes out looking "normal." I have every intention to do something different though. With as much experience you have I am sure your aquascaping will be great. If you want some practice you can help me with mine, as I am struggling getting mine to my liking. It seems harder for me because I have some rocks that have colonies of zoe's and some riccordias and shrooms so those rocks need to be placed just so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 Sounds cool TAD, I'll drop you a line when I get back in town. Heading to Washington D.C. tomorrow get fly back on Sunday... then leave for Alaska on Tuesday... fly back on Friday... Then leave for Seattle on Monday... drive back late on Wednesday. This is going to be a LONG month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAD Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Sounds cool TAD, I'll drop you a line when I get back in town. Heading to Washington D.C. tomorrow get fly back on Sunday... then leave for Alaska on Tuesday... fly back on Friday... Then leave for Seattle on Monday... drive back late on Wednesday. This is going to be a LONG month. Well I hope you get to drop a line while in Alaska. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted June 11, 2009 Author Share Posted June 11, 2009 Well I hope you get to drop a line while in Alaska. I have my priorities ;-) I'll be fishing that Thursday. The freezer will be full!(plotting) On a side note... does anyone see a potential issue with having a tail spot blenny and a Bluespot Jawfish? They have a similar body shape and attitude. The Jawfish is the star of the show. I don't want the Blenny to stress him out. picture of tail sot blenny: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theJenchild Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Those tail spot blennies are super cute, but TINY! No idea of temperment though. sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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