|
10/31/2006, 12:57 PM | #26 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Southern Maryland
Posts: 141
|
here are the pics of the tank. I have a useless camera so the pics are not the best.
I will try to get some data from the prof. as soon as possible
__________________
Chris Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Display, 20 gal sump, 30 lbs LR, 1X seio 820, 1X seio 620, 1x Koralia #3, 1x Koralia #4, 2x 175W Halides W/ Ushio 20 K, 4x 55W PC's, Mated Pair of Ocelleris Clowns, 1 Cromis, LPS, SPS Frags |
10/31/2006, 01:58 PM | #27 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Southern Maryland
Posts: 141
|
T
__________________
Chris Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Display, 20 gal sump, 30 lbs LR, 1X seio 820, 1X seio 620, 1x Koralia #3, 1x Koralia #4, 2x 175W Halides W/ Ushio 20 K, 4x 55W PC's, Mated Pair of Ocelleris Clowns, 1 Cromis, LPS, SPS Frags |
10/31/2006, 01:59 PM | #28 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Southern Maryland
Posts: 141
|
__________________
Chris Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Display, 20 gal sump, 30 lbs LR, 1X seio 820, 1X seio 620, 1x Koralia #3, 1x Koralia #4, 2x 175W Halides W/ Ushio 20 K, 4x 55W PC's, Mated Pair of Ocelleris Clowns, 1 Cromis, LPS, SPS Frags |
10/31/2006, 03:50 PM | #29 |
*Zoa Freak*
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sioux City, IA
Posts: 752
|
That's an amazing tank. Looks like it should belong in public aquarium. Good luck.
|
10/31/2006, 04:52 PM | #30 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,322
|
Thanks for the pics ccoons43! I wonder if they need specimens? If I have extra when I collect I'd be willing to give them to the school.
The last two pics are Chasmodes bosquianus (striped blenny), which will probably be the dominant species in my tank (that is my plan anyway). Nice pics of the blenny too, probably as good as any that are on the net. Hopefully if my system is successful I'll have a male in breeding colors to post I also expect that I can get the skilletfish and the gobies to breed as well. I was hoping to get some Hypsoblennius hentzi blennies too, but the more I read about them the more I've determined that they are probably found a bit deeper than I'd be able to collect. Maybe this will inspire me to recertify for diving after all these years since my cert expired. If I happen on some of them then that would be a bonus, but I want a tank full of striped blennies for sure. Looks like the other types of fish that I can make out in there are banded killifish, mummichogs, spot or croakers?, small striped bass, and a toadfish. Intesting about the oyster reef, they built it like a wall. I was thinking about aquascaping the back walls in a similar way with a fake piling and a couple oyster rock islands over a sand bed. When I'm done making my DIY rock/oyster clumps I'll post a link to the pics that I'm going to post on the DIY rock thread I'm going to start making those rocks ASAP so they will be reef ready by the time my tank comes in. I need to find a supply of old oyster shells, that's my project this weekend. If I can get them quickly then I may have some time to make my first batch of rock/reef.
__________________
Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump |
10/31/2006, 09:15 PM | #31 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Southern Maryland
Posts: 141
|
The biology class collects stuff all semester, I always check the tank for new stuff. the two white tubs one with oysters and the one with crabs are in the lab and are an open system with water continuesly pumped from the river. They also use the lab to keep corals and some sw fish.
I didn't take the pics of the blenny that's why you can see him. The pics were taken by a co-worker who spends as much on his cameras that some do on their reef tanks.
__________________
Chris Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Display, 20 gal sump, 30 lbs LR, 1X seio 820, 1X seio 620, 1x Koralia #3, 1x Koralia #4, 2x 175W Halides W/ Ushio 20 K, 4x 55W PC's, Mated Pair of Ocelleris Clowns, 1 Cromis, LPS, SPS Frags |
11/01/2006, 07:35 AM | #32 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,322
|
It's my wallpaper at work now!
__________________
Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump |
11/06/2006, 02:16 AM | #33 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Southern Maryland
Posts: 141
|
__________________
Chris Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Display, 20 gal sump, 30 lbs LR, 1X seio 820, 1X seio 620, 1x Koralia #3, 1x Koralia #4, 2x 175W Halides W/ Ushio 20 K, 4x 55W PC's, Mated Pair of Ocelleris Clowns, 1 Cromis, LPS, SPS Frags |
11/06/2006, 05:08 PM | #34 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,322
|
Nice pics!
I found a good source of oyster shells and purchased some Portland I cement and some solar salt. I had some time to make some rock yesterday but football got in the way! I'll be out of town so it will be a couple weeks before I can start building the reef rock. When that is done, I'll have my first pics. I currently have a 55g that I was going to use as a QT. I may set that up as a temporary system and see if I can fill it with a few fish while I'm getting everything else done... I love to hunt for sharks teeth along the bay, so I'm thinking that I'll combine one of those trips with some collecting The other good thing is that I just purchased a nice pair of waders from LLBean!!!! I'm good to go as long as fish are still in the shallows!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump |
11/07/2006, 12:06 AM | #35 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Southern Maryland
Posts: 141
|
If you have not been to calvert marine museum in solomons you should go check it out. They have several displays set up to show the life of the bay and the attached bodies of water. They also have an oyster reef setup. If you ask and tell them your plan you can probably go behind the scenes for a tour. I was there for the reef symposium on saturday and a few members took a tour behind the scenes, But our local club is planning a trip for a behind the scenes tour.
the best place that I am aware of to find shark teeth is Calvert Cliffs state park Good Luck with the setup
__________________
Chris Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Display, 20 gal sump, 30 lbs LR, 1X seio 820, 1X seio 620, 1x Koralia #3, 1x Koralia #4, 2x 175W Halides W/ Ushio 20 K, 4x 55W PC's, Mated Pair of Ocelleris Clowns, 1 Cromis, LPS, SPS Frags |
11/07/2006, 06:49 AM | #36 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,322
|
Quote:
__________________
Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump |
|
01/24/2007, 11:31 AM | #37 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,322
|
Update! I’ve ordered and paid for an aquarium for my oyster reef. Rather than a quarter cylinder, I’m having a custom cubish style tank built. It’s going to be 36”x36”x18”, 100 gallon acrylic. The sump/refugium will also be acrylic, 36”x12”x18”. I’m going to have a mud style natural filtration system, no skimmer, with live rock (DIY rock as stated earlier). I’ll have pics once the tank has been built and delivered to me. I’m estimating 4 to 6 weeks or so. That said, I’ve been lazy on the DIY rock project. I made a batch of my oyster rock but it turned out poorly. I hope to make another batch soon. When I do, I’ll post pics of those rocks if they turn out OK.
I'm stoked!
__________________
Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump |
04/20/2007, 03:00 PM | #38 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,322
|
Update:
I recently heard that my tank is nearly finished and he's building my sump, which will actually be a bit bigger than I first posted which is fine because it's going behind a wall and in the basement out of site. He said it should be ready soon...I'm on the edge of my seat and can't wait to get started. I'm working on a design for my stand this weekend, if I can finish then I'll post it here. I have much to do to get this rolling. Once stand is completed, the tank and sump delivered, the equipment and plumbing are done, then I'll begin collecting some rock, sand, mud and eventually algae/plants from the Bay and get things cycled properly. If I can't find plants that are suitable then I may purchase some chaeto for the sump, which is probably what I'll wind up doing. Once the parameters stablize then I'll be collecting the critters, with primary focus on the blennies!!!! I am so friggin stoked! Oh, and I'll start posting pics when the tank arrives!
__________________
Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump |
05/16/2007, 08:44 AM | #39 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,322
|
The fun begins!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I am very excited about this project. I just picked up my tank which is 36"X36"X18", almost 100 gallons, thanks to Jeff (NAGA) who built these for me (awesome job Jeff!!!): Here's the sump, 36"X17"X18", fuge on the right, return on the left. Right now I'm leaning toward all natural filtration, so really the middle section will be involved in that fashion too. If I decide to employ a skimmer then I'll worry about implementation of that at that point. Next steps will be to complete the stand, install plumbing, purchase pump and lighting, and then the fun begins, collecting! Collecting will involve first establishing the biological filter using cinder blocks that I'll find along the shore along with some bay live sand. I also think that I may bring in bay water too. When I can find time I'll be making my own LR for the display to replace the cinder blocks later down the road.
__________________
Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump |
05/16/2007, 10:39 AM | #40 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Southern Maryland
Posts: 141
|
Looking good so far I can't wait to see it finished.
__________________
Chris Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Display, 20 gal sump, 30 lbs LR, 1X seio 820, 1X seio 620, 1x Koralia #3, 1x Koralia #4, 2x 175W Halides W/ Ushio 20 K, 4x 55W PC's, Mated Pair of Ocelleris Clowns, 1 Cromis, LPS, SPS Frags |
05/16/2007, 12:36 PM | #41 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 2,930
|
I'm so excited for you!
I'll really be following this with interest now that I will be constructing a very similar system, except reflecting Florida coastal oyster reefs. >Sarah
__________________
"Seaweed is cool, seaweed is fun, it makes its food from the rays of the sun!" |
05/16/2007, 02:38 PM | #42 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 215
|
the last bushel of oysters I bought I decided o add some of them to my tank. This was about 3 months ago or so. I acked them them by placing them in a larege bowl and adding a small amount of tank water all day until the bowl was full (thus slowly bringing them up to room temp). Then I placed a air stone in the bowl for about an hour before I went to bed. The next morning I did a app. 50% water change on the bowl from my tank. I then let them set for app. 4 hours and them added them to my tank. Of the 4 large oysters I added all of them all still alive and doing great! I also placed some little neck clams in my tank and they are also doing good. Hope the info helps....
__________________
“Give me your tired, your poor, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me— Current Tank Info: 75g, 2x175w mh, 4x65w pc |
05/16/2007, 02:55 PM | #43 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,322
|
Quote:
I have no idea what problems I will encounter. Algae blooms are a primary concern, also perhaps parasitism... I have a QT system already in place, so maybe that will help.
__________________
Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump |
|
07/27/2007, 10:48 AM | #44 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,322
|
Latest update:
Things are much slower getting this project together than I had planned. Hopefully I'll have everthing up and running and the tank stocked by October. Major progress made on the stand. It helps when you have friends with the right tools and knowledge. I have to give my buddy Bob credit, although I was there he did most of the handywork. I had designed a stand, roughly 3X3 and a sump stand using Google SketchUp 6, brought my plans to his place and immediately went out and purchased materials. The basic design is still there but we've modified it somewhat, so I'm posting some pics to let you know the progress. Cutting the 4X4 legs to accept the top and bottom frames: Attaching the top and bottom segments to the legs: More pics to come in a minute. My plan was to use treated wood, but we had trouble finding any that weren't soaking water logged wet and/or near straight. So, we found some straight lumber and decided to waterproof the frame after assembly.
__________________
Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump |
07/27/2007, 10:55 AM | #45 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,322
|
Here's the frame upright after adding supports:
Another angle showing supports: Here's after we've added the two sides and the top. It's laying on the back, front is up. We've removed the bottom front brace so that we can get this thing out of his place and into my house. Actually, later, we're going to install that front bottom brace and remove the back unfinished one so that we don't ding any of the finished areas: The sides and front door will be finished using formica then trimmed with dark wood molding, here's what I've picked: Here's the stand as it sits today, upright, front facing: This weekend we'll treat the wood frame and plywood in an attempt to waterproof it (we'll have to remove the plywood and replace it, of course). Also, we need to cut the back; cut, fit and install the door; cut, trim and glue the formica; and the cut and fit the molding. More info to come in the next post.
__________________
Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump |
07/27/2007, 11:11 AM | #46 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,322
|
After the "cube" stand has been completed, then we'll build the sump stand. Here are some facts related to the stand:
Legs = 4X4 Top and bottom frames and the bracing = 2X4 Top = 3/4" plywood Sides = 1/2" plywood Finish = stone laminate and wood trim Here's a pic of my original plan: At first, I had a 4" lip around the front and sides, but later decided to eliminate that and keep it flush with the tank. The door will be a bit different too, but the basic idea will be the same. The top frame in the plan used 4X4, but we used 2X4 instead. Here is the plan for the sump stand: The sump will be supported by the 4 legs furthest apart, made of 2X4s and the top will be 3/4" plywood. The rest will support my return pumps and any other purpose that I may come up with. Basically, the display tank will be in my recreation room downstairs and the sump will be plumbed on the other side of the wall adjoining my basement, in the basement.
__________________
Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump |
07/27/2007, 12:34 PM | #47 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: springfield
Posts: 889
|
Looks fun. Keep us updated
__________________
24x24x18 cube tank - set up 4/18/16 (from established tank) led, Jebao RW-4s, Eshopps 20 sump. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2575082 Current Tank Info: 24x24x18 cube |
07/27/2007, 01:16 PM | #48 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3,703
|
Truly original...I am subscribing. So cool to say hey this is what is in OUR back yard if you know what I mean. Tells a story about who you are and where you are from. I love the blue crabs by the way.
|
11/12/2010, 05:33 PM | #49 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,322
|
Sorry about the very long delay in putting this tank together. I've had a lot of things going on in my personal life that have put this on hold. Well, I can't stand it any longer so I'm moving forward. I found a very cool YouTube video that shows the biotope that I'm trying to simulate. I'm going to try and duplicate this environment as best I can. Most of the fish you see in this video are gobies, but you get a good look at the blennies at the end of the video (last minute). It would be very cool to exactly duplicate this with oysters and barnacles, but I don't think that it will be possible. Anyway, enjoy the video. In the mean time I have a lot of work to do to get this project going again...next update will be hopefully in the next month or so, maybe sooner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4ZtwoTbRfI
__________________
Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump |
11/12/2010, 06:28 PM | #50 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 353
|
Good luck! Can't wait to see it finished!
|
Thread Tools | |
|
|