30 gal Coldwater Tank *Pics*
 

Hey guys. So this weekend I re-did my 30 gallon fry tank into a "coldwater" tidepool tank. I went to some local beaches to get everything from the sand to the rocks and the water. So far, everything has gone really smoothly. The water is still cloudy, either from the sand or the cycle I have no idea.

Temperature: The temp is sitting at between 70 and 73, but it went a bit higher yesterday cus of this hot hot hot weather we are having here in Van. I might need to get that chiller afterall!
Filtration: Aquaclear HOB 200 filter and a powerhead. I have these turned down a bit so there is not too much circulation.
Lighting: 40 watts of flourescent light, 1 20w Powerglo and 1 20w Marineglo Actinic. I keep the lights on during the day.
Inhabitants: About 10 little crabbies, these guys are so cute. A whole bunch of live barnicles and mussels. And a baby purple starfish! Also a bunch of seaweed macroalgae.

:mrgreen:

Now, for some pics!

Full tank shot (water still pretty cloudy):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...coldwater2.jpg

Full tank shot:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...coldwater1.jpg

Mussels:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...00/musells.jpg

Purple Starfish:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...purplestar.jpg

Barnicles on rocks:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../barnicles.jpg


Anyone have any input? I want to go slow with stocking because I dont know if this tank will cycle or not given I've taken everything out of the wild.
:)

More to come soon!
-Diana

I think getting a chiller is a good idea at those temps the animals wont last long ,maybe adding a sump and changeing over your light cycle for the hotter months might help lower the tanks temp slightly. = Test Kit

Also, you may want to investigate whether you are allowed to harvest any/all those creatures without at least a fishing license. I know when we collected in college, we needed permits for some stuff. And since you're posting "evidence" online....... :biggrin:

i wanna see the crabs :biggrin:

Looks pretty neat! Any idea of what else you want to add in the future?
(don't want to start out a debate similar to the "free anemones" thread though :razz: )

yeah im sure himself can hook you up. ha

keeping acold water tank can be awesome, but a chiller really is needed. Also, collecting without a permit can get you in a lot of trouble. Well, if you get caught...

i think you need some halibut in there.

I admit, I think it would be a nice system once all said and done. But....

I have to agree with others though, coldwater tank needs coldwater, not warm water, or room temperature water, etc, etc... therefore I would say a chiller is a must have if you want to keep everything alive longterm and successful.

Otherwise, looking neat so far.

Thanks Willow, but I think I will pass! :biggrin: