16 replies to this topic

[Anka]

Hey Guys,

Although I've just started fishkeeping I've been bit by the bug pretty hard.

I'm now starting to design a 1500-3000L marine tank that will house epaulette sharks, moray eels and a few fish (not use which). Which size would be appropriate? I read that epaulettes can be in as low as 1000L but I'd prefer to go bigger so that I can house them for their entire lives.

Just wondering on what sort of equipment will be needed and a rough idea of the cost in setting it up and the cost of maintenance.

Like I said - it's just an idea at this stage. I plan on doing my own research and starting smaller reef/marine tanks prior to this but am wanting to incorporate the design into my new house when I begin construction in a few years.

Cheers,

Anka

[Riggers]

Hey Anka

For reef shark species you want a nice wide and deep tank, height isn't so much of and issue. If it were for my house I'd build almost a touch pool style tank. Plenty of room for them to swim

As far as costs go the sky is the limit. I've mentioned in a previous thread that a mate of mine has put over 50k into his reef tank and it's simply amazing!! Go for quality IMO, I've purchased eBay specials for my tanks and with the exception of a couple of items most just don't cut the mustard. Deltec is a brand I have been looking into lately, a little on the exy side but awesome quality gear!

It's a great idea to set yourself up a 500lt or so marine tank and then learn from there, you can only learn so much from theory alone. I've killed all sorts of marine life so far but it's just about learning how it all works by trial and error

The beauty of such a large volume of water is stability. And you can keep some sick species!!

Pop in anytime we can sit and talk tanks mate

Rigs

[Anka]

Thanks Riggs, I've been meaning to come over but have been tied up with work and uni.

Might swing passed next weekend if you're free?

BTW - how big a tank do you think you would have needed to keep your port jackson for life?

[Peckoltia]

reefcentral.com is an absolute mecca of knowledge. Can answer just about any question you could ever think of.

That being said. I found my biggest downfall with the way i set up my marine set ups was I had very little capacity to store water for water changes. Make sure you have something that can store large volumes of water so you don't need to get water delivered every time. You will save yourself massive hassles.

[Anka]

Noted - thank you

[Evil_Boof]

my mate has a huge marine setup.. he brought a storage tank from bunnings, $1000 and it holds 10,000 litres. nice looking and small enough to fit in any back yard.

sounds like an epic build... hope it all goes well for u!

[Bowdy]

Bugger that just get the guy out to do changes for you. Costs stuff all and you don't need tanks or tubs full of water around your yard

[Peckoltia]

Bowdy, that is fine most of the time. But what if something urgent happens that you need to do water changes ASAP and you can't get someone out to deliver water? It does happen. Then your fingered.

It is also a pain; you need to have your tank predrained before he comes out etc, often he would run late, need to find times that suit both parties. I also had my live rock/corals stacked to the surface of my tank, and i would have to move certain corals that would be out of the water when I dropped my water level. I found it a MASSIVE inconvenience.

Has nothing to do with cost, it is just an insurance policy and a convenience issue.

[Bowdy]

I see what you say bout if you need a change straight away for what ever reason.

But the guy my mate uses drain's your tank for you and refills also tests tank water before and after the change. No pre draining and having exposed rock ect. He is very good.

[Peckoltia]

Sounds like a pretty well run service. I only ever used the one guy.

Was never interested in mixing my own salts either.

Will get back into it one day, as it opens up another fanastic side of fish keeping. Would have done a few things differently (water storage being the biggest one). But can pretty much say that everytime you try something new.

My uncle owns Kambo's, not sure who he uses for his huge reef tank. But they take care of his entire tank and they do a great job of it too. Doesn't come cheaply though.

Edited by Peckoltia, 13 April 2012 - 03:57 PM.

[Anka]

Is it possible to have the tank set up to the water mains so that you could fill and drain like that?

As in, could you set up a mini water processing plant to add salts, add RO water, trace elements etc so that you could refill with your own water as opposed to having to buy sea water?

[Bowdy]

You can mix your own water but you would want a decent water tank or couple Ibc to mix it in.
Salt isn't cheap ether.

[Anka]

lbc?

[Bowdy]

Intermediate bulk container you must have seen these on the forum surely.

[Anka]

:-\

Sure.... haha

cheers

[Riggers]

It's possible to run an RO unit running straight from the tap to your tank, I found the waste water was too much for my liking. 1lt of RO 8lt of waste water.....

Try the freo ocean farm for water..

Excellent service(with a smile), great price and knowledgable fella

PM me if you want his number

[Anka]

Not really at that stage yet Nick, but thanks.

May call him sometime in the future