Sheol's 180-Gallon Aquarium

**Coreyz** · 08-31-2009, 02:04 AM

Wow Carmie! I love that design! I have been looking for some thing like this to inspire me for the overflow out let on my skimmer. Thanks! I tried to add to your Karma yet like 5 other reefers I can no until I spread it around :-(....

**Sheol** · 10-30-2009, 05:12 PM

My tank is still limping along. My main pump broke a couple weeks ago. It was a 2000 GPH pump, and my tank is running with a 1000 GPH backup and a very ghetto fix on the other side of the plumbing tee. >.<

I can't find my pump in stock anywhere - it's obviously discontinued, which sucks. I'm trying to find an equivalent one now.

**Amphibious** · 10-31-2009, 12:58 AM

Jen,

What are you looking for in a pump? Brand, gph etc. Maybe I can find one at a decent price.

Dick

**Sheol** · 11-02-2009, 05:52 PM

Thanks, Dick.

I did find one site that claims to have it in stock for $150 after shipping. I'll probably be ordering it in two weeks when I get my next paycheck. I be broke.

The things I'm looking for are: 2000 gph (I'm pretty sure that gives me the circulation I need with my 180-gallon and the below sump/fuge), a 1 1/4 inch inlet & 1 inch outlet so I don't have to modify any plumbing, and the ability to run both in-line or submerged.

**Sheol** · 12-24-2009, 02:40 PM

For Christmas, I asked people for gift certificates to drsfostersmith.com so I could buy these T5 HO lights: Aquarium Lighting T5 Fluorescent Light Fixture: AquaticLife T5 HO and Lunar Light Fixtures

I received $200 so far... Right now, my tank has metal halides I can't even turn on, because they're too hot, and I still don't have a functional chiller.

312 Watts should be fine for my tank, yes? One day, I hope to ACTUALLY have coral in my tank!

**Sheol** · 12-24-2009, 05:00 PM

I'm really not interested in Metal Halide, even if they are cooler than normal (the site doesn't sell any useful non-MH fixtures by IceCap)... I have SERIOUS heat problems at my house (in California), and it's always a struggle for me to keep everything alive.

Yeah, you're right - 312 W is not enough. I probably should have just asked for cash instead of gift certificates to that site, because now I'm limited to only things that site has in stock...

**Sheol** · 12-24-2009, 05:39 PM

From that site, I've decided I should probably buy TWO of these (768 W total):
Aquarium Lighting: Coralife Lunar Aqualights Compact Fluorescent Strip Lights

**Amphibious** · 12-24-2009, 08:10 PM

Total watts or watts per gallon is not the most effective way to gauge a lights effectiveness. A better number is the PAR, Photosynthetically Active Radiation measured with a PAR meter. Not many reefers own a PAR meter, so the most common error in judging adequate lighting is W/gal. The result is very often disappointing unless you happen to buy the “right” light. A 180 not only needs lots of light because of the extra depth, it needs it spread wider front to back because of the extra 6” of width.

Getting the correct light coverage at the right PAR can be expensive. Do some research before reaching a decision. All lighting is expensive and you will likely be “stuck” with your choice for some time. Here’s some links to check out...

T5 Aquarium Lighting

T5 lighting

Google T5 lighting, you’ll get more info.

Good Luck, Jen.

Dick

**Sheol** · 12-24-2009, 08:20 PM

But Diiiiiiick (whiny voice) - I just want to spend $800 on lights and make coral grow. GOSH!

**Sheol** · 04-23-2010, 10:47 PM

One of my Green Chromis is clearly in trouble, but it's the weirdest thing I ever saw, so I'm wondering if any of you have seen anything like it? He's swimming around with his mouth STUCK in a yawn... It's been half an hour since I got home from work, and it's been like that the whole time. What could his "stuck" yawn be a symptom of? It's like this (obviously this pic is not my fish):

**Sheol** · 04-23-2010, 11:30 PM

I Googled it a bit, now, and from what I can tell, his jaw is either dislocated or broken and just stuck that way the last time he yawned. I'm guessing if he doesn't get it in place, his prognosis isn't very good.

What I read on Google tended to stop on what could have caused it, not on whether he will make it...
I got a couple actual pictures of him now:

**Amphibious** · 04-24-2010, 09:26 AM

OK, here’s what I did once with a fish suffering the same malady. I caught him in a net to get a better look using a magnifying glass. In the process of flopping around the net and getting him in position, the jaw unlocked. He had no further problem. It seemed that in opening his mouth too far one corner or both had switched position and locked it open. Being so small I couldn’t really see the malfunction so I’m only guessing as to what and how it happened. Never had the problem since.

Dick

**Sheol** · 04-24-2010, 01:15 PM

Oh wow - how fortunate for you (well, for the fish really

). I will try putting him in a net for a few seconds in the chance his jaw gets knocked back! It's worth a shot!

V · 04-27-2010, 10:23 PM

Has anyone considered they are whistling..lol

If that doesn't work, go the barbaric route, & flick it like a bug

gota watch chromis though, they are sensitive souls

**Sheol** · 04-27-2010, 11:34 PM

Just wanna start out by saying it looks like he' going to be fine.

There was no way I was catching this guy in the net... Any time he saw me come even a little close to the tank, he headed for the rocks. I could have caught any of the other chromis though! I felt really bad when I put food in and saw him swimming around stuck like that, trying to eat.

Thankfully, when I came home from work yesterday, his mouth was better. It's not completely back to normal, but it's almost closed and appears to be working properly, and he is swimming enthusiastically.

**Amphibious** · 04-28-2010, 07:33 AM

Hey, good news.

**rayme07** · 04-29-2010, 12:19 AM

I am glad to hear you chromis has gotten better.

V · 04-29-2010, 03:02 AM

awww, rats, i wanted to hear a freaky story of you flicking it across the room, ricocheting of the wall, bouncing off the lampshade & plonking back in the tank. The result, fixed!