Stichaeidae's Twin Coldwater Tanks~ 200G

[Stichaeidae]

System status November 2019

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Build: Starting in 2016, this was my first personal saltwater tank. The whole system was planned and purchased on a tight budget. All of the fish and inverts were collected legally and locally, aside from a few exceptions purchased from collectors.

I have had the original acrylic 75G tank set-up since late 2016. It has been through three moves across the state. I found the second tank (75G cube) on Craigslist locally two years ago, but did not have the space for setting things up, but the price was too good to pass up. I have finally moved into a long term home with a garage and been given the go ahead from the 'boss' to set-up my multi-tank system. I will be updating the build here over time.


System specifications (build in progress)

Aquariums/Sump
- Envision Acrylics 75G Standard
- Envision Acrylics 75G Cube
- Igloo Cooler w/ lid removed

Flow
EcoPlus 1056 GPH Pump (PVC plumbing delivers flow)

Filtration
Reef Octopus Classic 150 Space Saver
Filter socks (as needed)
XP4 (trays filled with Matrix)

Lighting
36" Aquatic life LED (discontinued model)
36" Ecoexotic blue stunner (discontinued model)

Cooling
EcoPlus 1/4th HP Chiller

Livestock:
Green Surf Anemone
Aggregating Anemone
Moonglow Anemone
Metridium Anemone
Corynactis californica
Beadlet Anemone (UK)
Black turban snail
High Cockscomb
Shiner Perch
Striped Perch
Fluffy Sculpin
Tidepool Sculpin
Blackeye Goby
Rock Gunnel
Bay Shrimp

 

[Stichaeidae]

I purchased the original tank from a friend. The acrylic was fairly scratched. He was planning on using it as a sump.

I had never buffed a tank out before, and it did not go perfectly, but it was an big improvement. I would be using a Melamine 75G stand I had from a previous set-up that I had purchased for $50. This original build took about 3 weeks of polishing after work.

Polished test area vs original state

Tank polished and set up on stand

Drilled tank overflow, cut background panels to fit, testing original plumbing. Changed plumbing many times.

Attempting to level the tank.

Initial rock placement

I would be using a cooler for the sump set up, it fits perfectly in my cabinet.

FTS: After my first collection trips (2016)

 

[Devaji]

fun!

 

[Stichaeidae]

Here is where my tank had been sitting the last two years. My landlord refused to install curtains. So I had to shroud the tank with a blanket half the time to ensure it was not an algae mess. The tank was looking relatively poor and I had not collected anything in over a year. However, it was the day of the move and freedom from a less than ideal living situation. We broke the tank down at 3pm and arrived at the new house at 5pm.

I did not take too many pictures during the set up as I was preoccupied. I was working on the tank until about 3am.

 

[Stichaeidae]

This was the first time I was happy with my tank after my first move. I had a few cool anemones that I had bought from a collector. I made the mistake of adding a few spot prawns. They tore up my UK anemones. Lesson learned.

Tank circa 2017

Here are two side shots of the tank prior to the last move (2018).

 

[Stichaeidae]

Livestock pictures

Crevice Kelpfish

Tidepool Sculpin

Fluffy Sculpin

Monkeyface Prickleback

 

[Stichaeidae]

I have been waiting on bulkheads to arrive before continuing the plumbing. They have arrived and I will be working on moving forward over the next two weeks. Here's a few pictures of livestock.

Shiner surfperch (they never stop moving)

Striped surfperch, beadlet anemones

Sculpin, Black Turban Snail, Corynactis californica

 

[Jamo7]

This is awesome! Don’t see to many cold water tanks.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Love it. I had a temperate temp tank years ago which I stocked with locally caught critters in So. Cal. Many of the same as you have now. Question, by dual temperature in the title, are you going to replicate warmer tide pool environments?

 

[Stichaeidae]

Love it. I had a temperate temp tank years ago which I stocked with locally caught critters in So. Cal. Many of the same as you have now. Question, by dual temperature in the title, are you going to replicate warmer tide pool environments?

My current plan is to integrate the 75G cube into the main system. It's a work in progress. I am thinking the 75 will remain a rocky Biotope and the cube will replicate an eel grass bed. If I can source enough from biomodels.

 

[Stichaeidae]

Plugged the extra drain bulkheads (were drilled when I purchased). I will be using the other two bulkheads for return flow. I need to run to home depot and grab a few more miscellaneous PVC parts. Maybe I will have time to get it plumbed by the end of the week,

 

[Stichaeidae]

The next step was setting up the 75G cube (technically holds about 60). The tank has unusual footprint, so finding a stand was a challenge. This will be going in the garage, so I did not want to pay for a furniture grade cabinet and I do not have much skill when it comes to woodworking. I was originally going to put it on a cinder block stand, but found two 29G metal stands that would fit the footprint well.

Planning spot

Leveling the stand

Tank is up

 

[Stichaeidae]

Last Wednesday, I found that one of my true union ball valves had a drip and needed some silicone grease. The drip was slow, but probably had been going on for a few days. My beat up MDF stand was already a little water damaged after years of use, but I had lost faith in it. I contacted a friend for tips. I know 75G stands are widely available, and if I had more faith in finding quality 2x4, I may have tried building. However, I was in a bind. The tank had been moved, the biologic cycle was out of wack. I did not want to add more stress then was needed. My friend offered a 150G stocktank to use as stand and sump.

I did not take many pictures during the change over. Final result, wire management will still need to be optimized.

75G standard

75G Cube

Pod Tank

 

[dbraun15]

Looks great...always wanted to try the cold water stuff but no/limited access to inhabitants. Love the different nems!

 

[Jamo7]

Anything new here????

 

[Devaji]

yeah we want updates!