I thought it was about time I started a thread for my tank. It is a 140 gallon in-wall style build. It is a 72" by 18" by 24" acrylic tank I found off of Craigslist for $100. I bought it to replace my 55 gallon fresh water planted aquarium in the living room. Once I got it I was looking at the clothes closet in my home office that happened to be 80" wide and about 28" deep. One thing became another and now I have an addiction and a reef in my office.
Full Tank Shot 12-20-2008
Tank Specs: 140 gallon Display
50 gallon tank converted to a sump and refugium
Dolphin AMP Master 3200/2700 for the closed loop
Oceans Motion 4-way wavemaker
Blueline 40 pump for the return
Octopus Model 150 Needle Wheel Recirculating Protein Skimmer
metal halide PFO dual 400 watt 20000k XM bulbs
I did as much of the setup DIY as I could. I drilled all the holes for the closed loop, built the overflow box, and converted a 50 gallon acrylic aquarium (also from Craigslist) into a three chamber sump.
I started out with duel 150 watt halides but just converted to duel halide ballast running 20000k XM bulbs.
I am a 3D modeler, video editor, animator, and interactive programmer by trade. I am learning some new 3D software and I decided to use my tank as a practice project. Here is a view of my tank that probably shows to much. It is still really rough but it gets much of the setup across. Yes I know that there are far to many 90 degree angles in the closed loop. I did not know better. Oh well live and learn. I still get a sick reaction every time I see the PVC section at Home Depot.
Overall the tank has been a mixed bag. I am really happy with the fish. The fish have been really healthy with no problems. I Have raised a Blue angel from a juvenile that has grown into a very regal specimen. I chave a couple lawnmower blennies, a flame angel, 2 clowns, clown tang and a 6 line wrasse. Other inhabitants include two cleaner shrimp, a banded shrimp, two conch, abelone, brittle star and the other usual suspects for a cleaner crew. Except for the Blue Spotted Jaw Fish I have had all the fish for about a year.
This build took me a full year to get up and running. It has been running more than a year since the build was completed.
'Agave' the Blue Angel
'Agave' as a juvenile
'Digger' the Blue spotted Jaw Fish
'Beaker' the Clown Tang
'Sparky' the Flame Angel
'Nemo' and 'Sidekick' the Clowns
'Convict' the Lawnmower Blenny with my sick zoanthids.
Sand sifting starfish (It did not find any sand climbing the wall but I guess it was worth a shot)
These feather dusters are everywhere (Is that good?)
Anemone (When I bought it was tiny and bleach white with purple tips. Now it is huge with purple tips but brown. Is that Good?)
So that is my tank. I am happy with it as a solid start but I have a ways to go. I will post more pictures as soon as I have some good news to report.
