Ok as there is not too much on predator systems so I thought I'd make a journal as I go on my journey, so I can help people to not makes the same mistakes I probably will make at some stage... hum
I got my first fish when I was in year 2 and have had fish for most of the time since then. They have mainly been fresh water but I have had a couple of small 4ft ish marine systems for short periods of time. one was 15 years ago when I had a stripy, a blue dansel and a hand fish type thing(found it floating on the surface) all wild caught. they all lived for a good 6 month to a year and were released back health even tho it was a primitive system with under-gravel filter and air stone skimmer... they did get a 20L water change nearly every day... The other was quite recent as a bit of a test using the 5ft aquarium that is now my sump tank. I had 1 tarwhine, 3 butter bream and a few other smaller gobies and stuff. This time I ran a sump with filter mat, bio balls and small 1000L/H skimmer, I only had this system for about 6 month (again released to same spot) till I bought this second hand 6ft x 2ft x 2ft which had a small corner overflow already setup this had been running natives for exactly 1 year till now...
I them Modified my old 5ft tank into a sump tank and built this stand pictured bellow. (too be added as soon as i figure out how???)
System Objectives: Have a nice system that customers in my shop that can appreciate...
Display System:
6ft x 2 x 2 this aquarium has just been re-built with new face sheet and re-designed dual overflow (previously could only handle about 2500L/h)
another 3ft is viewable from my 5ft x 2ft x 1.5ft sump (this also had to be re-designed slightly to fit skimmer)
all up about 1100L
Strike up Date:
Display Lighting:
2x dual 4ft fluros
New tubes still to be purchased
Stand specifications:
Home made
Made out of F27 kiln dried hard timber apart from the surround and hood its all is made of 35 x 70mm
Painted with organ oil
Hood:
Same type of timber as stand
Sump:
the actual sump portion is 2ft x 2ft x 1.5 ft (the other 3ft is display)
has filter sock and 30kg of ceramic rings
I did not really know about the fluid bed filters so i may add one of those next year.
I should not need a calcium reactor as Its not a reef system...
System Water:
Natural salt water from the ocean (fishing trips)
Water circulation:
1 x Sensen 6800 L/H sump pump. *This pump has been replaced for 2x 5000l/h Eden pumps, much quieter*
1 x 5000L/h fan things (in display)...
Skimmer:
reef Octopus NW-200-6540B (suitable for 1500L) *The pump has a little rattle type noise in it... could be quieter...*
Evaporation Top Up:
Manual
Water temp:
my local area varies from around 16 - 27 degrees
this summer will be the test
Current Water Chemistry: Not yet
PH:
Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
Specific Gravity:
Livestock: So far just to cycle the tank
2x Southern yellow scads (Yackas used for live bait)
1x Silver Sweep
1x Slate sweetlip (juvenile)
1x Black spot snapper
4x Stripeys
and a few prawns ranging in size...
Live rock and coral sand for display tank
after it has cycled and summer temperatures observed I hope to add a couple of snapper (30cm) and something else
as it stands now:
hope to fill sump by the end of the week (14th oct 11)
it is now fully filled & circulating with a few small fish (21st nov 11)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated :-)
