18 Gallon High 2

SPECTACULAR. What type filtration and lighting do you use?
Do you use the deep live sand method? I see your sand is deep, do you vacuum the sand at all and do you use pleneum method?
Great tank. I was thinking of setting up a 20 gallon high tank want to use your method.
Thanks.
Rita

I use a Penguin 175 and a SeaClone 150. It's all live sand, about 40 pounds. It's about 6-7 inches deep. I don't vaccuum the sand, instead I put a few sand sifting snails in to keep my substrate from "settling." I change about 15% of the water every month and that's all I do. I scrape the front of the tank too. I have a 130 watt compact lighting system also. I add strontium, iodide, vitamins and amino acids, calcium, trace elements, and coral vital (good stuff) It maintains itself, I also have lots of plant life that absorbs a lot of the wastes. When something dies, I just leave it in there and never have any ammonia spikes or anything. It takes care of itself. Thanks for the complements.

Thanks a lot. I am going to order them this week. I was going to go with the Emperor instead of the penguin since I heard its better made and the water current is stronger. Do you think this will be a problem?
The sea clone the place has and all the other additives I checked. Though ofcourse will wait till tank is cycled(with live rock) and running for awhile.
The 20 high and stand I have allready.
Thanks
Rita

Sounds good. I would do an Emperor. Unfortunately, I wasn't aware of them at the time so I just got a Penguin. I also put a power head at the bottom forcing the water upwards. That way the water on the bottom would be pushed towards the intake of the Penguin. I just felt that would help filter the water more efficiently. I would add a small power head regardless if you go Emperor or not. Some people put the power heads on timers to create currents at random times to better simulate the ocean currents. Good luck and be sure to post pictures of your progress.

Derek

Thanks for the powerhead tip glad to know. Going to do that to. I will post pics once its all set up but dont expect it to look like yours not many acheive that heeeheee but I will do my best.
Rita

Yours will look fine. I kinda have an advantage though. I work at a pet store so I have easy access to all my supplies and get them for dirt cheap. Just take it slow, add a little bit at a time. And lighting will make or break your tank and you will get what you pay for. So make that your top priority. You usually don't need a protein skimmer right away, you can safely wait 2 or more months before you invest in that. Just make sure you get yourself a good lighting system. Again, good luck.
Derek

I ordered Pc light 50 blue 50 white for the tank because MH . I thought would heat it up to much in summer. Tho I have ac thought high PC would be enough.
If you work in pet store thats great the inverets must be great price and selection.
I am going to order them once have all the equipment set up. Rocks,sand first than once cycled the other inverts.
I wanted a nice smallish tank for the bed room so opted for the 20 high marinetank.
I imagine once its all set up adding a built in pool and tennis court might have been cheaper heeeheee.

I love your tank and having problems with supplements can you tell me exactly what you use and what brand I would appreciate it AAllard189@aol.com

wdf dude u need to get like an alge attack pack or sumthing cause u got a alge prob.

What you see is caulurpa, a macro algae. I grow this to prevent other less attractive algae from flourishing; brown or hair. It's also really good for keeping nitrates down. So, there is no problem, thank you.

Do you use a protein skimmer and do you also have a chiler unit?

I have a protien skimmer, but no chiller.