Go

[reefsurfer]

I too will be tagging along. I lived in tofino for a few years and spent alot of time in the tide pools, where I would colect water for my tropical system. There are alot of tank worthy specimens in those pools which hopefully I will get to see in your thread soon

OH, and of course, love the cheap aproach your taking. Man, people spend WAYYYYYY too much money on this hobby! Do it up!!

[Dale]

Thanks all.
Temperate water tanks can be split into two sub sections I think:

Cold water. These tanks house flora and fauna found at depth in the ocean and require stable, cool temps. Steve Weast of "Oregonreef" keeps such a tank and maintains a constant 55*F.

Tidal or transitional zone tanks. This is what I'm after. These tanks house flora and fauna found on the margins of the ocean (tidal pools, mud flats etc...). While the overall temperatures are much cooler than tropical systems they do vary from season to season and from tide to tide. Some examples of these species are: Sculpins, Tubesnouts, Gunnels, various crabs and snails, Barnicles, Limpets, various shellfish, Pacific anemones, Starfish, various seaweeds and macro algaes etc...
Few people keep coldwater tanks and fewer, tidal zone tanks so this really is a bit of an experiment. My plans are modest for this tank; a few rocks with macro algae, some eel grass and some wildlife. I mainly want to see how all the mechanical components work together and gain an understanding of climate and feeding requirements while I construct a larger tank to replace the 135G.

Here is a sketch of the current plan



and the tank after cycling for two weeks



Here's the backside (no surge tanks yet). I've removed the workbench for more room. I also need (choke choke gasp gasp) about three more gallons of bio balls!



Here's a close up of the current sump



Notice how it sits on the 2X4's. In my quest to lower the tank temps passively I've decided that the sump should sit directly on the concrete to make use of its (the concrete) natural cooling effect. This sump won't fit between the 2X4's so I've put out my request to the hobo gods and soon expect a 55G. long to magically appear. When it does I will get rid of the temporary submersible return pump as it is adding heat to the system. The permanent return pump will be in line, not submersible. I will also do away with the small skimmer feed pump as it too is adding heat to the system. It will be fed by a line tee'd off of the main return line. Actually, everything will be driven off of one main pump with no additional powerheads etc... I want to reduce my heat input as much as possible to either avoid a chiller or, if neccisary, to use the smallest HP possible.

[Manny]

That pic. of the tank from the front is awsome. I really like how the tank is longer than the hole in the wall, it looks like it goes on forever. I also like the lighting you have as long as your not going to keep light dependant creatures.
What is your temp. running at so far?

[kari]

Will the capacity of the sump work with surge tanks?

[reefsurfer]

Dale, just to give you a heads up. Certain types of pacific anemones have zooxanthela which feed the anemone through photosinthesis especialy the ones found in the shalow tide pools. Surely they can tolerate many less sunny days than their tropical relatives but might require the same intensity of light just not as often. I would think your different types of algea will require the same intensity of light, again, perhaps not 8 hours a day year round but SOME intence light.

I like your skimmer. thinking about building one like it. How is it woking for you?

I cant wait to see the surge tanks and how all of that functions. Ive always dreamed of doing something like that.

Keep up the good work.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Dale,

I will be selling my 50g sump tank in a week or two. It's 48" long by 12" wide by 20" tall. PM me if you're interested, since you were asking for one in one of your posts.

BTW, what size is your current sump tank? Maybe we can just do a straight swap. Mine has single baffle installed already.

Anthony

[Dale]

Well, my substrate experiment just keeps getting better (not).
Apparently the "green diamond" grit isn't a granitic based substrate at all but Nickel slag!!! Argghhh. A quick check on the www.targetproducts.com website (which I should have done if it hadn't flown under the radar on me) tells me I have a metal based substrate with low to moderate toxicity to fish. It took me by surprise as I never thought that slag would look like that.
So... don't buy that stuff