My First icle 125 liter tank

[gareth4778]

Just found out how to upload pictures on here took me ages but any way here is my first attempt of a marine tank, be it small!!!

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/gareth4778/phonepictures045.jpg

Any suggestions on how to improve will be welcomed as i know not alot!!! lol

[gareth4778]

Heres a few more pics

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/gareth4778/phonepictures053.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/gareth4778/phonepictures032.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/gareth4778/phonepictures031.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/gareth4778/tankpicturesaug06026.jpg

[akuku]

IMO put some blue background - it will look better

[gareth4778]

Any suggestions, i thought myself of getting some of that sticky back plastic stuff, What do you reckon?

Tried the stuff from lfs and dont think it is very good!!

Just had a overhaul, got rid of my fluval filter and replaced the mini sump that came with my skimmer to make more room.also repositioned everything to create more flow, i have bin having a lot of scum on the surface hopefully this will sort it out.

Looks much better

Just want to get that skimmer pump out, but am informed that i would need a differant pump.

I have got a 120cm halide light on ebay couse it's too big. Hoping to use the funds from this to purchase some t5's, then should be able to get some more intresting corals in there.

God this hobbie is expensive but it is well worth it, for sure.

I will place some pics of my tank as i go on

[cajen]

You could just paint the back of the tank. Avoid painting over the silicone if it's an oil-based paint, as it can weaken it.

Another way of reducing the clutter would be to replace the Maxijets with a Tunze nanostream (the 6025 would be plenty).

[kevo66]

Looking good mate, just paint the back :D

[gareth4778]

Is it a special paint and where can i get it from.

Whats the differance between maxi jets and nanostream?

[Rod130]

I used blue sticky back plastic from wilkinsons for only a couple of quid. I think it looks good as long as there's no bubbles nice colour anyway.

[gareth4778]

Think i will get myself to wilkinsons tommorow then!!!:)

[Rod130]

I think it's certainly worth trying for a couple of quid. but it does look junk if there are any bubbles in it. Best to make sure the glass is spotless and move any wires out of the way before you start cos it's awkward enough with the tank close to the wall.

What ever background you do go for i think you'll be surprised how much better the tank will look.

[gareth4778]

Heres my tank after todays tinkering, looks much better.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/gareth4778/Afterjanuarymaintenance001.jpg

Note the fluvel pump gone, and i have managed to get rid of the heater, well iv'e hidden it behind the rock. It wouldn't stick to the glass, after finding some new spare suction cups.

that skimmer pump still looks unsightly, gonna have to sort it it just spoils the aquarium.

I can see me getting a sump further down the line £££££££££ Dont like the look of the skimmer sump know, any suggestions how to make this look less unsightly.


mmmmmmm what next?????

[cajen]

Whats the differance between maxi jets and nanostream?

The nanostreams put out more flow (double or more) than the MJs and as importantly, the flow is emitted in a wide stream rather than a narrow jet, so more water is shifted without things blowing over! :D

[gareth4778]

The advise given by fellow reefers has been at last put into action!

Been to wilkinsons for backing paper

Got myself some proper T5's

Lost a load of cluter in the tank,Got a proper power head, although not a tunze

Unfortuanatly have lost a couple of corals and fish, but got on top now getting back to basics.

Will post some photos here very soon!

[salgar3176]

Hi Gareth
Im from south yorks i would agree get rid of the pumps or get some flat chunks of LR and cover them up and then just get 1 seio wave pump cheaper then the tunze and just as gd IMO

[gareth4778]

Yes did this a while ago need to upload some new pic's

[dickwilly]

If you can try to get something to cover the top front of the tank, in order to hide the thin strip of bright light reflected off the water surface. This really used to bug me on my old tank so ended up just sticking some black gaffer tape on the top edge. Made viewing the tank much better.

PS Get some more pics up :D

[gareth4778]

As long awaited, after the house move I have finally uploaded Some new Pictures!

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/gareth4778/090.jpg

Please view my blog In my signature link below.

[gareth4778]

Got a few corals in now and feel much happier. The esternal pump i bought is mounted at the left hand side just hanging, and it looks a mess, so i have ordered some plumbing bits and am now going to move the pump under the tank in the cabinet out of the way of my 19th month old boy, as you can imagine he is drawn to it.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/gareth4778/08012009146.jpg

These are some of the plumbing bits i have got to move the pump.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/gareth4778/07012009145.jpg

I am going to place the pump on a shelf at the top of the cabinet and moving the electrics

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/gareth4778/08012009148.jpg

[gareth4778]

Some updates pictures, looks a lot better, im sure you agree.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/gareth4778/22012009155.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/gareth4778/22012009158.jpg


Heres some of my first attempts of fragging

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/gareth4778/22012009161.jpg

[jennybugs]

Looking good! I love the pic with all those asterinias on the back glass :laugh:

[gareth4778]

An update with a couple of new frags, sorry about pic quality N95


Candy cane frag
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/gareth4778/candycane1.jpg


Duncan frag
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/gareth4778/duncan1.jpg