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kitenski
31-10-04, 22:04
Well it's taken months of planning since we bought a new house but my tank is now in the house, got to get the lights fitted tomorrow, test fill, then I should be up and running with the RO unit aiming for salt by next weekend :D

This is the room when we moved in, plan is to get the tank in the right hand corner

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/content1442.jpg

First job is to knock that fireplace down, fill in the window and fit 2 new rings to the fusebox for 6 double sockets

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/content1452.jpg

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1649.jpg

The simply get the wall skimmed, install new fireplace and decorate!

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1695.jpg

stand was built on saturday

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1696.jpg

and the tank went in today

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1697.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1707.jpg

cheers,

Greg

Smart82
31-10-04, 22:12
very smart mate ;) :thumbsup:

Martin

>>Marine<<
31-10-04, 22:17
Very nice tank Greg......Dont rush it !! ;) :)

Joe

kitenski
31-10-04, 22:19
Originally posted by >>Marine<<@Oct 31 2004, 22:29
Very nice tank Greg......Dont rush it !! ;) :)

Joe
LOL Joe, bought the tank at the end of the July and it's only just gone in today, so no rushing here!!!!

cheers,

greg

>>Marine<<
31-10-04, 22:36
:lol: :lol: :lol:

simonm
01-11-04, 10:34
That perc 120 looks nice, its a lot larger than I expected.....mmmmm tempting for my next upgrade !

Major Stare
01-11-04, 21:22
Looking good Greg, keep us all posted with pics as you go along.

Shame i dont live closer, i would have done your electrics far a few £££ and a :cheers:

kitenski
02-11-04, 09:38
cheers guys,

Ran the RO unit all last night to flush it out, hopefully will start to fill today!

regards,

greg

Anna
02-11-04, 11:11
Hi Greg,

Just a little tip, it 's worth moving the tank away from the right hand wall so you can get access to the pumps without having to reach right across the tank.

:thumbsup:

Anna

kitenski
02-11-04, 11:20
Originally posted by Anna@Nov 2 2004, 11:23
Hi Greg,

Just a little tip, it 's worth moving the tank away from the right hand wall so you can get access to the pumps without having to reach right across the tank.

:thumbsup:

Anna
ah, too late Anna :(

Fitted the lights last night and the missus wants it close up to that wall, so I reckon I'll be doing some leaning if access to the pumps are needed!

regards,

greg

kitenski
02-11-04, 13:12
right, the lights are on, and the RO is working, BLIMEY, it's slow, it's going to take weeks to fill at this rate!!

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1708.JPG
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1709.JPG

sprintfinish1
02-11-04, 20:11
Hi greg i have the same ro system ...If you have flushed this and just starting using it will become better with use ..As for the presure drop i think you may have this in your hose pipe ....I take it this is how you are feeding the ro system?

You can not compare to tinkering with a new set up !...
All the best with the new tank
D B)

mark-c-
02-11-04, 21:20
looks the biz mate.
cant wait to see it up and running,ordererd perc 90 last weekend as dont have the room at the mo 4 any bigger but your tank will look great
really impressive bow fronted i think.

good luck with it

Mark

kitenski
08-11-04, 22:06
Light test and first water line from 3rd November

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1710.jpg

Egg crate cut and ready, do people think the pipe off cuts I have will give it enough support?

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1717.jpg

Water filling as of tonight, not the fastest fill in the world!!

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1718.jpg

cheers,

greg

lee_d_m
12-11-04, 17:31
Gregh,

That looks fantastic, I'll be getting a Perc 120 also soon, and seeing yours makes the waiting that bit harder !

A couple of questions if you don't mind.

Do you see not being able to get to the right hand side of your tank as a problem. In my situation, I will not be able to get to the left hand side, but will be able to get to the right (if I position the tank where I'm planning to). Is access to the left hand side more important than the right ?

Your lights, where did you get the brackets from ? How much where they ?

How did you attach them to your wall ?

Is your wall plasterboard or brick ?

Sorry for all the questions mate, love your tank, can't wait to see it stocked

Lee

kitenski
12-11-04, 17:52
Originally posted by lee_d_m@Nov 12 2004, 17:43
Do you see not being able to get to the right hand side of your tank as a problem. In my situation, I will not be able to get to the left hand side, but will be able to get to the right (if I position the tank where I'm planning to). Is access to the left hand side more important than the right ?

Your lights, where did you get the brackets from ? How much where they ?

How did you attach them to your wall ?

Is your wall plasterboard or brick ?

Sorry for all the questions mate, love your tank, can't wait to see it stocked

Lee
hi there,

To be honest it's probably too early to say if not having access will be a problem. I can slide the lights back on the brackets, then lean across and get my hand into that right hand compartment. There are 3 things in there, 2 pumps and my heater. I think I could get them all out if I had a problem,which is the main thing!

The other issue I've been made aware of is that you need to be able to monitor the water level in the return section (about the middle). This is not easy to do from one side only!

If you can't access the left, you will need to be able to get the skimmer cup out, to clean it.

The brackets are Aqua Medics, I was going to attach them to the ceiling until I saw the brackets. They are £40ish I seem to remember, my LFS had them delivered and was going to send them back but I decided they were better for me, so took them!

Wall is breezeblock with plaster on top, we put in about 8" long screws.

regards,

greg

sowerby reef
12-11-04, 19:06
Hi Greg

Full system yet?

I don't think you will have access problems there. Like you I have only access to the left side. Once you have got the sponges off the circulation pumps the first time, it becomes easier from there on in. I would rather have clear access to the skimmer than the other side.

You will have no problem checking the water level in the return chamber from there.

Kev

kitenski
12-11-04, 19:37
Hi Kev,

About an inch below brace bar, so I've stopped, going to get LR tomorrow, which should bump the level up over the weirs hopefully!

>> Once you have got the sponges off the circulation pumps the first time, it >>becomes easier from there on in

Care to clarify, where are these sponges and how did you get them out, and how often do you need to get them out!!

cheers,

greg

sowerby reef
12-11-04, 20:59
Hi Greg

Each Ocean Runner pump in the circulation chamber on the right hand side has a sponge over the inlet.

I have removed and rinsed twice since setting up nearly 3 months ago. Sone folks on this board have completely remove the sponges, saying that they clog up too easily. They simply slide off the pump inlets. Mreans getting one wet arm to get to the bottom one though.

I think you will probably see the water in the tank rise as the circulation pumps / filter pump force water into the main tank area too.

Kev

scar
12-11-04, 21:06
ive took all of my pre filter sponges out as i find they get clogged for too easily they lasted about 10 days then i neeeded to rinse them too much like hard work especially the bottom right one and the centre one if i was you id take them out but leave the pump guards on just in case small fish end up in the pumps
scar

scar
12-11-04, 21:08
ive just set up a perc bow front with closed loop systems will post some pictures tomorrow :thumbsup:
:thanx: scar

kitenski
12-11-04, 21:21
so do I need to physically remove each pump to see these spomge
? if not do I just stick my arm down & feel around lol

sowerby reef
12-11-04, 21:34
Greg

Arm in, grab the sponge and pull it out. They are quite easy to get off without removing the pump.

Again, down to you whether or not you remove them.

Kev

scar
12-11-04, 21:36
just stick your arm down and have a feel :lol: seriously though feel for the top of the pump slide your hand further down youll then feel the plastic grid/housing this has got a few holes in it (so that water can pass through it) pull it down wards youll hear it click it has now come away from the main pump remove the housing bring it up to the surface youll then see a sponge inside remove this then if you want (i would recomend) put the casing back on the pump

sowerby reef
12-11-04, 21:40
Hi Scar

The prefilters you describe are different to my set up.

Kev

scar
12-11-04, 21:56
hi kev
my bow front perc is powered by ocean runner 2000 power heads whats powering your perc?

kitenski
14-11-04, 14:21
all salted up, topped her up last night, skimmer and return pump now working, need to do some work on the noise level!!


http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1719.JPG

peachys
14-11-04, 14:37
looking good greg :D

gotta get myself some of those brackets! B)

look forward to seeing some pics as it develops :D

Smart82
14-11-04, 15:00
Looks great greg :thumbsup:

With those brackets, does it mean that you can't move the lights lower or higher?

Looking forward to seeing it develop

I wish i had a digicam so that i could post some pics of my Perc120, oh well hopefully soon.

Allt he best :thumbsup:

Martin

sowerby reef
14-11-04, 19:14
my bow front perc is powered by ocean runner 2000 power heads whats powering your perc?

Mine are the same scar. But the sponge just slides over the pump inlet, not contained within anything.

Kev

kitenski
14-11-04, 19:16
Originally posted by smartmart1982@Nov 14 2004, 15:12
With those brackets, does it mean that you can't move the lights lower or higher?

correct, lights stay at fixed height.

kitenski
15-11-04, 16:35
Some more pics, 12kg extra live rock in takes the total to 42kg, which I may stick at.

Anyone idea what these are? I'm hoping the tentacley (sp?) thing isn't Aiptasia, from the pics I've seen it seems to have a stripe on each tentacle whereas this doesn't. I'm guessing the light blue thing is a sponge?

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1734.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1720.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1726.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1727.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1729.jpg

cheers,

greg

Anna
15-11-04, 16:43
Greg,

Picture #1 - I would say macroalgae of some description
Picture #2 - Looks to me like a smallfrag/finger of an acropora type species of sps coral.
Picture #3 - halimeda macro algae - loves calcium :)
Picture #4 - not 100% sure from the picture but it could be blue ridge coral - Heliopora sp unfortunately when it turns blue like that it's usually dead I'm afraid.

hth

Anna

digitise
15-11-04, 16:59
Picture #2 - Looks to me like a smallfrag/finger of an acropora type species of sps coral.

I'll be wanting that back!!! :lol: :lol:

simonm
15-11-04, 19:01
Originally posted by digitise@Nov 15 2004, 17:11


I'll be wanting that back!!! :lol: :lol:
tut tut the one that got away :o ;)

tramsden
15-11-04, 22:04
Neil

Best not tell Steve your giving away his frags again :D

.. Tony

>>Marine<<
15-11-04, 22:17
Hi Greg

Love your rock layout !!!!.......beat me to it

I also like the open look.....with lots of holes....highs and lows etc....

Why did you go low to high....left to right....was there a reason.....or did it just happen

Your doing good !!!!! :thumbsup:

Joe

kitenski
16-11-04, 09:08
the missus changed some rock around last night, to add some depth to it!

High right to left as right is pressed against a wall, and left is more in the room,so wanted open space to try and see the fish!

All the holes etc as I'm hoping fish will swim in/out and around them all!

cheers,

greg

kitenski
16-11-04, 13:07
re-arranged rock, the picture doesn't really show it but we've moved some forward and some back to add some depth perspective. Hopefully kept enough gaps and caves for fish to swim in and out of and hide

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1743.jpg

cheers,

greg

kitenski
17-11-04, 16:09
Well I think I've done all my tests, found it very hard to read the ammonia result. Do these mean my tank has started to cycle? I added 30kg LR on Saturday and another 12kg on Monday.

Salinety ph ammonia nitrate nitrite temp
1.024 7.78 0.25? 2.5 0.01 77.4

cheers,

Greg

>>Marine<<
17-11-04, 18:40
Keep an eye on your nitrite daily....First it should rise to max.....then will slowly come down to zero....this will be the minimum safe/ish level

Joe

kitenski
18-11-04, 16:20
cheers Joe, tested nitrite again today and I think it's going up, very hard to be exact with these colour kits!

Getting a light brown algae on the rocks, and found a very shy and small feather duster worm, maybe a salmacina, hard to tell as it's v small!

regards,

greg

kitenski
21-11-04, 18:12
tank not looking so good at the moment, green algae on the tank walls, and brown algae on the substrate, with what looks like hair algae starting to grow :(

I still have nitrite, so I'm assuming I have to get that down to zero before even adding a clean up crew?

regards,

greg

kitenski
24-11-04, 14:41
Tank on Sunday was starting to look a little green with algae on the rocks/sand.

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1749.jpg

nitrite was down to zero on Monday so 6 snails and hermits went in, hermits went straight to work :D

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1750.jpg


snails had a cuddle before I placed them in different areas

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1751.jpg

tank really not looking so clever at the moment, water is green/cloudy with what looks like a thin layer of something floating on the surface

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1754.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1755.jpg

I wonder if maybe my skimmer isn't turned up enough, so I've turned it up! Does it look ok now?

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1752.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1753.jpg

regards,

greg

Major Stare
25-11-04, 20:55
Greg, hard to tell on your skimmer, looks a little "wet" to me. It needs to be frothy.

Is your collection cup collecting any green/brown gunk? It may not skim at teh moment as your bio load isnt too high and skimmers can take several days to "bed-in".

Things will settle in time B)

kitenski
26-11-04, 16:21
well water/green issue seems to be getting better, got salifert PH and phosphate test kit, Ph is between 8.0 and 8.3, phosphate zero

So 5 green chromis went in, didn't hide for long and are already at the front of the tank!

cheers,

Greg

kitenski
26-11-04, 18:07
and here they are :D

http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/chromis.jpg

sowerby reef
26-11-04, 18:30
yipee...nice one. I got fiveof these little gems too. They won't stop still for a decent pic either.

Kev

kitenski
26-11-04, 19:34
..and guess who forget to get food for the little guys :idea: :idea:

back to essential first thing tomorrow!

regards,

greg

sowerby reef
26-11-04, 19:36
may see you down there. I'm thinking of going for my next soft coral this weekend.

Kev

kitenski
26-11-04, 20:27
I reckon I'll be there for 10ish as they open!

Do you have a thread with pics of your corals etc? Hoping to get to the open day on the 4th to pick up my first softies :D

cheers,

greg

sowerby reef
26-11-04, 21:17
I Just keepposting pics in the perc 120 share thread each time i get a new edition.

Latest pic:

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/per120sower.JPG

My avatar pic show 2 piles of lr when the tank was cycling. This above pic is the left one. The right one is the smaller, which currently has some pulsing xenia (a kind donation from Eric and start polyps (Isekiman). I intend to cover the hole of the left hand structure in different types of xenia.

May see you ther tomorrow.

Kev

isekiman
27-11-04, 21:14
Hi Kevin. The tanks looking good m8 did you buy anything at Neils today, i'm going tomorrow to have a look to see what he's got in. Are you still going next Saturday 4th give me a ring if you are and we'll arrange a time. Regards Eric.

sowerby reef
28-11-04, 09:24
Hi Eric

Yep. Picked up a nice little green anem. stone.

4/12/04. Will let you know by Wed / Thurs.

Kev

kitenski
28-11-04, 21:11
I ended up dropping the missus off in town and hanging around for her, so only got to essential about 11:45 and had to zoom straight off 'cos I was late for a hockey match, so guess I missed you Kev!

regards,

greg

>>Marine<<
30-11-04, 23:49
Hi Greg

Im going through a MASSIVE green algae bloom at the moment....How about you ??

Joe

kitenski
01-12-04, 14:47
Hi Joe,

My green bloom went a few days after all my panicky posts!! Tank is lots better now and the snails and crabs have hovered up plenty of hair algae off the rocks.

I'll try and take a pic so you can compare last weeks greeness with this weeks cleaness!

regards,

greg

kitenski
07-12-04, 10:27
tank is no longer green, going thru a brown hair algae stage at the moment, and some nice green growth off the live rock, all water params seem fine, ammonica, nitrite, phos all zero, 0.2 nitrate, ph 8.3.

http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1787.jpg

Got 3 Corals from the Acropora Open day on Sat, can anyone let me know the names of the corals? I think the flat one is devils finger, do they all have latin names?

http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1773.jpg
http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1774.jpg
http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1778.jpg

Tank now has 2 cleaner shrimp, but only 4 Chromis now, came home from work to find one lying on the little lid at the back of the tank :(

Also got 16 snails, and 12 crabs now.

Cheers,

greg

kitenski
19-12-04, 20:21
Piccie update, despite loosing two corals, the remaining one appears to be settling in nicely! I have loads of seaweed in the tank, is this anything to worry about? Also added a tunze stream which really appears to have helped the flow.

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1829.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1830.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1831.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1835.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1839.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1840.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1842.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1844.jpg

tabs
24-12-04, 12:55
hi greg..stunning mate.....

as im a newbie and love the look of what you have created could you do me a favour and list everything you have..ie skimmer ?, filter ?, is it a "sump" jobby ?...everything if you could please, so i can then go out looking .. hope you dont mind cheers :thumbsup:

kaos
24-12-04, 13:07
The tank is an Aqua Medic Percula 120. it comes with a skimmer, sump and circulation pumps witch is all in a chamber built in to the back of the tank.

Do a search for a percula 120 and you will get all the info you need. there is also a big 'percual owners' post, in members tanks. you will get more stuff from there.

HTH

Stuart

tabs
24-12-04, 13:13
cheers for that, just one more thing, is the stuff that comes with the perc 120, ie skimmer ect ect any good ? as i dont want to spend a fortune on one to find out the stuff thats in with the kit is not up to scratch, and need to spend more £££'s :thanx:

kitenski
24-12-04, 13:33
I think the Aqua Medic stuff is pretty well regarded. The only thing you will need to buy is a heater, + salt, rock, etc.

Oh, and the test kits, net etc ;)

The aqua medic site is here:

http://www.aqua-medic.de/


regards,

greg

tabs
24-12-04, 13:49
cheers greg...what amount of live rock did you use on yours ? :thanx:

also...is this in with the kit or did you buy it seperate......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/twentytabs/img.jpg

kitenski
24-12-04, 14:36
That is a Tunze stream, approx £100ish, it really improves the flow, it's not 100% necessary from day one but a useful addition I think.

I have around 42kg of live rock in there. This is a perc 120, they do a perc 90, which is smaller and cheaper.

regards,

greg

tabs
24-12-04, 15:17
cheers for all the answers mate..hope im not being a pain in the rear.. :( ...im just so "green" when it comes to this marine stuff..im at a loss....

does the "stream" require anything else..or is it just a plug in and go type thing..which model number is yours and are you happy with the output ? regards shaun

kaos
24-12-04, 21:47
Originally posted by tabs@Dec 24 2004, 15:29
cheers for all the answers mate..hope im not being a pain in the rear.. :( ...im just so "green" when it comes to this marine stuff..im at a loss....

does the "stream" require anything else..or is it just a plug in and go type thing..which model number is yours and are you happy with the output ? regards shaun
You can just plug and go but IMO your better getting a controller. You can then alter the speed of it, create pluses through the water etc. You also get a photo cell that detects when the lights go out and it slows the stream down so the fish can sleep a bit better ;) then speeds it up again when lights come on.

Hope this helps a bit, Ive just set up a perc 120 also, it is a good tank and an ideal starter tank as you get everything you need to get you started, minus water, rock like greg said.

This is my one >>>>HERE<<<< (http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=32132)

Anything else you need to know just ask.

:thumbsup:

Stuart

tabs
26-12-04, 05:41
are the heaters on the perc 120 hidden in the rear ?
also, can anyone recommend one, and which size :thanx:

kitenski
26-12-04, 09:48
Yup I put my heaters in the back right hand compartment where the two circulation pumps sit.

I have two vistherms from essential aquatics. I think my main one is 200 or 250w with a backup 150w in case one fails.


http://www.essentialaquatics.co.uk/acatalog/Heaters.html

Controllers and controllable pumps add a fair bit of cost, almost double the cost of a 6060 'standalone' pump, so I just put a 6080 in mine which appears to be fine.

regards,

greg

tabs
26-12-04, 18:35
call me old fasioned but i think a blue background really sets a marine tank off :blush:
by the looks of things with these perc's, it looks like theres no way of putting a background on the rear, or am i wrong ? :thanx:

mark-c-
26-12-04, 21:45
there are ways to get round it if you really want a blue background.
there have been a few posts on some of the other forums about it,try a search i think on reef forum on perspex.you could buy some reef safe blue perspex cut to size,cutting round holes etc and stick it to the black background it comes with,or places will supply exact size you want.

cheers

Mark

tabs
26-12-04, 21:54
superb, cheers mark, thats a cracking idea, :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

kitenski
01-01-05, 16:18
Some new additions for Christmas!

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0002.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0006.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0013.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0015.jpg

cheers,

Greg

kitenski
01-01-05, 18:26
Some more :D

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0098.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0099.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0101.jpg

Major Stare
01-01-05, 20:04
Looking good Greg B)

Just dont forget about your other interest.......Westfield !!! B)

peachys
02-01-05, 00:13
looking really really nice mate! :D love the aquascaping! :thumbsup: and those tiny clownsish look so cute! :P

mark-c-
02-01-05, 00:27
its taking shape gregh

looking good

:thumbsup:

Mark

kitenski
04-01-05, 15:52
Having a rest...........I'm assuming mythrax crabs don't eat softies???

http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/crab.jpg

regards,

Greg

>>Marine<<
04-01-05, 16:12
Tank is looking even better Greg :thumbsup:

Nice pics..keep em coming !!!

What are the green looking plants ???

Did you buy the Mithrax crab ??...looks cool !!

Joe

kitenski
04-01-05, 16:21
yeh I got 2 crabs from Essential.

The green stuff is seaweed/micro algae that has sprung up all over the place from the live rock!

cheers,

greg

>>Marine<<
04-01-05, 17:28
So now you grow your own !!!...Hmm

kitenski
06-01-05, 23:00
Shrimps getting greedy, not had any cockle for a fair few days !

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0248001.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0249001.jpg

scar
07-01-05, 14:25
hi greg
are you any nearer to solving the problems with your corals? if its any consolation i lost a large pussy coral during the summer months it just split open for no reason and dwindled away at the same time i also lost a pulsing xenia that just srunk and disapeared i just use plenty of iodine now and touch wood everything has been ok up to now
ATB
nick

kitenski
07-01-05, 16:12
Originally posted by scar@Jan 7 2005, 14:25
are you any nearer to solving the problems with your corals?
In a word, no!

I've decided I will never get to the bottom of it, so will let the tank mature another month or so and try again.

regards,

greg

kitenski
09-01-05, 20:00
First impulse buy :rolleyes:

Drove for ages (due to traffic jams, closed A1 etc) to a shop that had a Red Sea Mimic Blenny, then the missus really thought this guy was cute, so that was that!

He's feeding on mysis and brine that fell onto the substrate, which I've just seen him do in my tank, so hopefully he'll be fine. Does anyone think I should spot feed him?

He's a fantastic character!

http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/scooter.jpg

regards,

Greg

kitenski
09-01-05, 20:16
Amazingly managed to snap Chromis and tiny clowns all together at feeding time :D

http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/fish.jpg

pufferdaddy
09-01-05, 21:25
Originally posted by gregh@Jan 9 2005, 20:00
First impulse buy :rolleyes:

Drove for ages (due to traffic jams, closed A1 etc) to a shop that had a Red Sea Mimic Blenny, then the missus really thought this guy was cute, so that was that!

He's feeding on mysis and brine that fell onto the substrate, which I've just seen him do in my tank, so hopefully he'll be fine. Does anyone think I should spot feed him?

He's a fantastic character!

http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/scooter.jpg

regards,

Greg
hello m8
I have the same blenny in my tank had him for about 8 weeks now such a funny guy all he does all day is rock hopes & picks his food from the nookes & cranies
does,nt bother with any other than what he can find.Starting to gain size as well.
so i have,nt worried about him.

kitenski
28-01-05, 20:23
Trying my hand with two hard corals at the top of the tank

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0393.jpg

and added a juvenile Blue Tang, has just got whitespot, which I assume is the stress of the move, however is eating both green stuff in my tank and shrimp

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0433.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0444.jpg


Also got some nice luminous green star polyps which aren't out yet :D

cheers,

Greg

kitenski
24-02-05, 18:34
Been adding some new corals over the past few weeks.

Picked up these three from Acropora house last night


http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/DPP_0001.JPG
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/DPP_0002.JPG
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/DPP_0003.JPG
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/DPP_0004.JPG

and added some star polyps a few weeks back

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/DPP_0005.JPG

cheers,

greg

mark-c-
24-02-05, 18:47
looking good Gregh

like the tang and some of the corals look really good,its like a kid in a sweet shop going to Marks place :lol:

Mark

kitenski
24-02-05, 21:55
yeh I know what you mean Mark, I could have had one of everything he had, there are some great corals there!

regards,

greg

panda30
25-02-05, 18:40
Hi all

Any ideas how much water ya pec 120 holds?

cheers

Andy

P.S Great setup you got there :bow: :bow: :bow:

kitenski
25-02-05, 19:13
I'm working on the assumption that it holds a touch over 100g, its hard to work out exactly with the bow ;)

panda30
25-02-05, 19:59
The guys on here have talked me into going for one of these babies.
I am a complete novice when it comes to this.
What do ya think ? good move?
:cheers:

Was gonna go for a juwel vision 450 but think your tank doesnt hold much less that that 450 litres ??

cheers

Andy

kitenski
26-02-05, 09:04
hi Andy,

I started off looking at the Juwel range of tanks, however when you start removing the bits you don't need and adding in the skimmer, lights, trickle filters, 3 power pumps etc which all come with the Percula, the Perc suddenly looks good value, and is a better built tank and stand IMHO.

If your based anywhere near me (Leeds) your welcome to pop in for a chat and a look.

cheers,

Greg

kitenski
27-02-05, 20:38
Went shopping for some pipework and a pump and came back with a fish ;)

A spotless one spot!

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0596.JPG
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0623.JPG

and some other tank shots....

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0632.JPG
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0643.JPG
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0647.JPG
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0648.JPG

panda30
27-02-05, 20:43
Originally posted by gregh@Feb 27 2005, 20:38
Went shopping for some pipework and a pump and came back with a fish ;)

A spotless one spot!

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0596.JPG
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0623.JPG

and some other tank shots....

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0632.JPG
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0643.JPG
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0647.JPG
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0648.JPG
Whoa Kewl

REALLY really really cant wait to get my tank and get it up n running :wub:

If I get it looking even half as good as yours m8 I will be over the moon

:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

Andy

kitenski
27-02-05, 20:53
cheers Andy,

It takes time and you'll have some bad moments, but it's worth it!

a full tank shot:

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/fulltankfeb05.jpg

marineboy
16-03-05, 06:32
hey greg congrats on the tank man

just afew questions if thats ok

when did you start it?
how did you get rid of the hair algae?
and would you consider giving it to me?
hehe :lol:

good job man

kitenski
16-03-05, 14:33
hi there,

The first page of this thread has info on when it was started along with pics, but middle Nov 2004.

Hair algae went with a combination of new rowaphos, pulling out, a tang and the foxface

and your 3rd question - no ;)

kitenski
20-03-05, 17:40
added in a chiller and fluidiser for rowaphos, which has mostly cleared up any remaining algae.

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0687.JPG
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/phosban.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/phosban2.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0690.JPG
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0691.JPG

Have a calc reactor ready to plumb in when I get my saline level up to 1.026

full tank shot

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/smallfulltankmarch05.jpg

tired foxface ;)

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0755.JPG

kitenski
11-04-05, 09:22
some updated pics, think this was a colt coral? Seems to have taken well to it's new tank, and is starting to spread....

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0881.jpg

The tang is really healthy and happy, I love the bright blue edges to his fins

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0886.jpg

The two clowns and chromis are growing fast, one clown is definetely the female, has gone much darker and much larger than the other. The Chromis have coloured up and look fantastic in the lights

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0897.jpg

Both my shrimps seem fine and although they cleaned the tang when he first came in and got white spot, they really don't seem to do much cleaning at the moment, I guess the fish are healthy!

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0935.jpg

Finally I got a lovely green and purple ricordia, and here is a stomatella peeking under it's skirt! I got up sunday morning to find the rock the ricordia was on had been dumped upside down onto the sand, it's now been stuck in place!

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_0956.jpg

cheers,

greg

kitenski
01-05-05, 18:20
Some additions, a fine torch coral

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1027.jpg

A blue african coral, which I think is Cespitularia

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1033.jpg

My Montipora starting to grow nicely, lovely orangey/pink rims

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1034.jpg

and a full tank shot

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1031.jpg

Neil0968
01-05-05, 19:29
Im so envious Greg, wish we had the space since the little one was born. Still you cant play football with a foxface.

Aquastotty
06-05-05, 01:38
hey gregh just wondering how u managed to fit the chiller as im planning to get one and the biggie how many spondoolas was it? Ps like the aquascaping and coraline growth wtg matey

kitenski
06-05-05, 14:35
I got the chiller 2nd hand, added another pump into the recirc chamber which pumps water down to the chiller, which sits where the shelves are, then pumps it back up and into the main chamber where the return pump is.

Seems to do a good job, kicks in when the temp hits 80.5 and knocks it back to 80.1 in around 20 mins or so.

regards,

greg

kitenski
15-05-05, 11:39
Some nice birthday presents :D

http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1037.jpg
http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1042.jpg
http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1043.jpg

kitenski
19-05-05, 09:15
I've been thinking about adding actinics to my tank, and finally got some bought & fitted last night and am very pleased with the results.

Mine is a bow front, so the option of putting it over the front brace bar was a none starter, so I'm hanging mine from the light brackets that hold the main MH lights, 30cm+ from the water,so don't think condensation will be a problem.

I used an old brace bar from an MFI desk that collapsed, cut to size and used two L brackets to attach to the Aqua Medic brackets.

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1049.jpg

The only downside is you can see the blue light when sat on my sofa.

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1051.jpg

because they are on the bracket I can still slide them back for cleaning/access

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1053.jpg

Very happy with the result:

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1054.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1056.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1059.jpg

cheers,

Greg

kitenski
02-06-05, 20:36
Pic update :D

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1095.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1097.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1111.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1129.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1134.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1137.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1138.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1139.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1145.jpg

RIO
02-06-05, 23:47
hello ur tank looks great. :thumbsup:
i'm new to all this and am gonna change me rio 180 to marine at some point. i was wondering about how u are supporting ur rock. is it a layer o substrate with a grid on top and then rock. or the grid, rock and substrate around it. How do u stop crap going in the grid and then roting? Sorry to ask all this Ta.
:D

kitenski
03-06-05, 07:56
check this thread earlier on, have pics of crate & support. the percula has a "reef clean" pump in the middle which forces flow around/under the crate.

kitenski
11-06-05, 19:30
Some new pics, mushrooms and flame from katsura's tank breakdown

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1153.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1152.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/fulltankjune2005.jpg

mark-c-
11-06-05, 19:48
nice looking tank Greg

:thumbsup:

Mark

Mark L
27-07-05, 00:07
Looks awesome set up
Im placing an order for a Perc 120 bow soon and will be most happy if can achieve results like yours.

Been offered to upgrade the lights to include blue actnic lamps as well as the metal halides which i think ill be taking up will more than likely stock it from aqua world was in there today and has alot of decent corals and fish but will be buying the tank from cheshire waterlife.*fingers crossed*

Where do you get the egg crate from and is it purely to stop detris build up at base of LR?

kitenski
27-07-05, 09:33
I got the eggcrate from here, but they don't appear to stock it anymore

http://www.koivision.co.uk/acatalog/Koi_Shop.html

and yes it allows flow under/around the LR.

regards,

Greg

Mark L
27-07-05, 10:28
Originally posted by gregh@Jul 27 2005, 08:33
I got the eggcrate from here, but they don't appear to stock it anymore

http://www.koivision.co.uk/acatalog/Koi_Shop.html

and yes it allows flow under/around the LR.

regards,

Greg
cheers greg there are a number of koi specialist local to me ill see if they can supply (what is it used for in koi keeping circles?)

kitenski
27-07-05, 10:30
no idea, I think I searched on here for egg crate and found a thread mentioning the place I got it from!!

BlankFrank
27-07-05, 11:42
They've changed the site around but it's still there. I used the same stuff and they call it filter grid.

Filter Grid (http://www.koivision.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2ekoivision%2 eco%2euk%2facatalog%2fKoi_Shop%2ehtml&WD=grid%20filter&SHOP=%20&PN=Filter_Spares__Filter_Girds%2ehtml%23aAFS_2d001 #aAFS_2d001).

Mark L
27-07-05, 14:58
Originally posted by BlankFrank@Jul 27 2005, 10:42
They've changed the site around but it's still there. I used the same stuff and they call it filter grid.

Filter Grid (http://www.koivision.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2ekoivision%2 eco%2euk%2facatalog%2fKoi_Shop%2ehtml&WD=grid%20filter&SHOP=%20&PN=Filter_Spares__Filter_Girds%2ehtml%23aAFS_2d001 #aAFS_2d001).
Cheers Frank :thumbsup:

kitenski
01-08-05, 15:04
some updates, think I have all the fish the tank/I can cope with now, just need a nice big coral to fill a large gap on the lhs of the tank!

http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/11.jpg
http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/22.jpg
http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/33.jpg
http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/44.jpg
http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/fulltankaug05.jpg

cheers,

greg

jobr
01-08-05, 16:22
Lovely tank, if my Perc comes out half as good I will be chuffed.

kitenski
14-11-05, 15:56
Working on adding some colour to the tank, so had an expensive weekend!!

Added a yellow tubinara, green brain, pink hysterix, pink/green hammer, then a Rose BTA today :D

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1720001.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1721.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1724.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1725.jpg

and found some cyano, had my Tunze off a fair bit as I also sucked out all the gravel over the weekend, hopefully it will clear.

regards,

greg

Mark L
14-11-05, 18:54
some serious coraline algea there looks almost totally covered...
good contrast with the corals

kitenski
14-11-05, 19:48
I did start scraping it off, but ended up scratching the plastic at the back, so I then decided to leave it!

regards,

Greg

kitenski
15-11-05, 17:48
Some more pics, using a close up screw on adapter, a clam was added last week, nice sailfin tang and a BTA I got from someone who was breaking down their tank - seems to have settled in.

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1727001.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1729001.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1731.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1742.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1745.jpg

Midnight Tboy
22-11-05, 13:47
heya,

just stumbled upon this forum after scouring for info at reefland website.....I must say, congrats on a great tank.

I'm very new to this, I was tempted to wuss out a few times and save money by going the tropical fish route, but when I saw a full running setup in motion with corals swaying and the vibrancy of colours etc my jaw dropped and its a must, so I've spent the last umpteen days scouring for deals, tanks etc, and the last umpteen late nights reading up as much as I can...sometimes I learn, sometimes I lose the plot and get confused again....with little to no sleep, and some weird weird dreams from overindulging

I was initially looking at possibly a 3 or 4ft tank around the £3-400 mark then adding skimmers etc, but then I spotted this tank too, well actually I tell a lie, its the Percula 120 standard type, at a fairly local garden centre...and the price is on offer at £1123, which seems a bargain as I've not found anything remotely close to this price even on the net. However I have a few reservations, questions and worries about the tank before I take the plunge :-

1) I know it comes with halides, which I was originally going to intend finding some T5 setup perhaps....is there really THAT BIG a difference when using halides for an average home user that wants to have a lovely display in the front room, not start a competition for who can get the biggest tank etc (yet :P)

2) when using T5s or T8s on systems I've seen, you tend to get different types of lights to use, one for night, and one for daytime. Do the halides that come with the percula have some sort of light control etc to give you a nighttime effect? else how're you supposed to see it when relaxing late at night, without blinding yourself?

3) someone I spoke to said upgrading to 250w would be better for me. Would this be a bit of overkill (aswell as huger eleccy bills)?

4) From what I've read about the percula so far, it seems that some can 'upgrade' bits of their tank when bought to the next step up of halide lighting, or step down, by just paying/refunding the difference. would this be only at a LFS, or direct with aqua medic themselves? (suppose for that I should speak directly to the garden centre - just as the price from there is best I've seen so I'd rather order from there)

5) I'm very paranoid about hanging halides, be it from a wall or from ceiling, in fear that they would fall down as I've heard they're very heavy. I've only lived in this house I'm renting privately with my girlfriend for the last year or so and I'm not exactly MR-DIY so I don't know what kinds of strenth it would support safely

6) Because I'm renting privately, I'm expecting that in about a year or so time I'll be moving house. This could be a major problem - how the hell do you shift something that size? I know you can bag up fish etc for a short space of time, but how would you go about corals? and getting it all moved to the new house which could be some umpteen drives each time.. surely this would kill them pretty quickly. In this case, should I actually wait till I have a more permanent residence?

7) Oddly I notice my front room in this house is floorboards rather than concrete....would it be able to even take the weight...somehow I think I might lose my bond if that happened :P

8) on a typical setup like yours, cost of equipment aside, how much would you say a typical running cost is for food and treatments on a monthly basis? just if it ends up being too steep then I'd maybe have to consider dropping to a smaller tank to be able to afford it.

9) I seem to have read on here somewhere that it has a sump actually installed? now my basic knowledge of a sump is always pictured as a tank in the cabinet, but obviously this is not the case...only other time I've heard is that somehow a wet/dry filter can be used as one when not operating. How is there a sump in this tank? is the back compartment kept isolated from the main water then? do you have access to it like you can on made sumps that I've read about, so that you can experiment with things such as growing macroalgae etc?

10) I've read that on most sites it seems to recommend nowadays that if using LR then its actualy recommended not to use trickle filters anymore, something to do with it fighting with the rock to take the nitrites away so causing long term problems? this tank has a trickle filter...won't that cause problems? should I be unplugging that once I have setup fully?

lastly (for now :P) 11) I've heard that these can be quite noisy tanks....in that way, even tho I'm a newbie...would it be better if I just spent more time and learned how to fully make my own system from scratch, like drilling a sump in etc (eek that sounds scary and wet-carpetty)

sorry for all the questions, butI've just drank very strong coffee and am pretty hyper , be great to finally get some of the planning to a close and actually start the buying....

cheers,
Tuck

Crooked
22-11-05, 15:14
Hi Tuck,

All I can say is, the cost of the tank is only the beginning! most people research the subject of marine keeping for a couple of years or so before taking the plunge.

Having said that, you will not be dissapointed with the Percula 120 (or Bow).

I'll leave it to gregh to answer the questions that you have posed to him personally, but don't be shy in posting in the Reefs section even though there is a tendancy for certain people to respond negatively there are also many who will help you,

:thumbsup: Good Luck !

kitenski
22-11-05, 16:19
I see you've post in Reefs, so I'll answer there....

Midnight Tboy
22-11-05, 16:25
heh thanks

I made a new thread in reefs section earlier

http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/index.p...pic=53862&st=0& (http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=53862&st=0&)

just so don't repeat the same here and go offtopic :)

craighuckins
20-01-06, 11:55
Hi Greg! just had a look at your perc after you posted reply to my thread R.E. tunze ca reactor - tank looks great, convinced me to stop scraping coralline off back of my perc.... just don't have the time! I am quite regularly passing through Leeds at the mo as I am teacher training through Bradford college. Fancy a frag swap? I have some nice zoo's, a 3" metallic green fiji finger leather, red mushy with fluoro red stripes....Would be interested in swapping for a orange yuma and purple mushy :thumbsup: Through your way on 8/9th february, 27th feb - 2 march and then again for a day on the 12th march! regards, craig.

kitenski
23-01-06, 19:48
hi Craig,

Only trouble I sold on my mushies and my orange Yuma's ain't split yet, so no frags I'm afraid :(

regards,

greg

kitenski
13-03-06, 15:25
some updated pics

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1947small.jpg

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1946small.jpg

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1943small.jpg

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_1942small.jpg

Crooked
13-03-06, 15:40
Looking Nice Gregh,

I particularly like the blonde Goniopora in the last pic.

Keep up the good work,

Andy B.

gio
14-03-06, 23:30
just went through the whole thread

a great diary of the tank

berns
18-03-06, 00:49
looking nice gregh, also like the blonde Goniopora, gonna have to get me one of those

kitenski
12-04-06, 17:00
an "arty" shot with actinics on and a new wrasse which hopefully will eat my pesky pyramid snails that killed my clam over 5 months ago!

http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_2008.jpg
http://www.gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_2050.jpg