Welcome to our little build thread for this Alaskan 55 gallon tank! I'll be using this first post to house photos of tank stages, equipment listing, livestock & coral statuses, links, etc. In this thread we'll focus on the tank (our second 55 gal), with a slice of Alaskan scenery and shenanigans sprinkled throughout. Thanks for tagging along!
Updated April 11, 2023
-------------------- Tank Photo Updates --------------------
April 10, 2023 (Electric Toothbrush > GHA!)
March 29, 2023 (GHA outbreak)
Feb 22, 2023 (1 month after moving)
January 3, 2023 (before move)
August 17, 2022
May 1, 2022 (initial setup)
Color Legend: Currently installed/alive in tank, under watch/having issues, no longer in play
-------------------- In-Thread Links --------------------
First Livestock & Corals (May 8, 2022)
Tank move, new house! (Jan 18, 2023)
Northern Lights Show (Feb 27, 2023)
Project E-TAP (Electric-Toothbrush Algae Patrol) (April-ish, 2023) Run 1 / Run 2 / Run 3
-------------------- Original Intro ---------------------
April 13, 2022
Hey All, well it's FINALLY time to get back into saltwater. This will be the wife and my second tank, we had to sell our first and only 55 gallon back in 2013 when moving to Alaska. We've traveled around this state a bit, and finally settled about an hour from one of the only saltwater stores that I know of in the state. Game on!!!
I enjoy any opportunity to get my tools out, so I'm building a custom stand. It's my second stand - first was for a freshwater 46 gal acrylic (still have it in storage). Since the new tank stand is almost completed, I figured it's a good time to get registered on the forum and start the build thread!
We will be using:
Custom Stand
55 Gallon Long Tank
BRS 4 Stage RODI
PSK-100H Skimmer
Radion XR15 Blue Lighting (x2)
Vortech MP10 QD Pumps (x2 or more if needed)
etc..
We'll be doing live rock with mostly coral, but some fish also - learned on the last tank to keep it simple with fish! Really hoping we can find a mated pistol shrimp and goby, that was our fav from tank #1! And of course there will be a few clown fish and anemones..
Stand progress, I love 2x4s. I'm no architect but if a single 2x4 can hold 1000 lbs vertically, 20 of 'em plus cross bracing should put me over 25,000(?) lbs. I think that will cover my needs lol:
Added a little trim and moulding, why not lol - just wingin' it here!
Great excuse to buy a new router for the doors . Kreg Jig drilling used to secure the 1/3 pine, 5/8" brad nails for the 1/4" plywood backing:
RODI installed yesterday and ready to start pumping:
That's where I'm at currently, finishing paint on the doors, hanging 'em, and bringing her inside. Looking to grab our live sand/rock next week and get this party started!
More to come!
Updated April 11, 2023
-------------------- Tank Photo Updates --------------------
April 10, 2023 (Electric Toothbrush > GHA!)
March 29, 2023 (GHA outbreak)
Feb 22, 2023 (1 month after moving)
January 3, 2023 (before move)
August 17, 2022
May 1, 2022 (initial setup)
Color Legend: Currently installed/alive in tank, under watch/having issues, no longer in play
Equipment | Date Installed |
---|---|
55 Gallon Long Tank (no sump) | April 21, 2022 |
Eshopps PSK-100H HOB Protein Skimmer (Retired to spare parts) | April 21, 2022 |
Reef Octopus Classic 90 HOB Protein Skimmer | March 6, 2023 |
Radion XR15 Blue Lighting (x2) | April 21, 2022 |
Vortech MP10 QD Pumps (x2) | April 21, 2022 |
Eheim 150w Heaters x2 | April 21, 2022 |
BRS 4 Stage RODI | April 21, 2022 |
Jebao OW-10 Wavemaker 132-1057 GPH | June 15, 2022 |
Inkbird ITC-308 Temp Controller | June 15, 2022 |
Tunze Osmolator 3155 ATO | December 20, 2022 |
Reefing Art Frag Rack | January 24, 2023 |
Avast Marine Plank Auto Feeder | February 1, 2023 |
Flipper Deep See Magnetic Viewer | March 4, 2023 |
Rock/Sand Bed | Date Added |
---|---|
Live Rock, 93 lbs | April 21, 2022 |
Live Sand, 120 lbs | April 21, 2022 |
Live Rock, 85 lbs (reused and reduced during move) | January 18, 2023 |
Live Sand, 80 lbs (brand new with tank move, reduced) | January 18, 2023 |
Livestock | Date Added |
---|---|
Mocha Storm Clowns (x2, paired) | May 8, 2022 |
Lawnmower Blenny (jumped after tank move :/ ) | May 15, 2022 |
Pistol Shrimp (paired w YWG) | May 15, 2022 |
Yellow Watchman Goby (MIA November 2022..) | May 15, 2022 |
Pinstripe/Tail Spot Melanarus Wrasse | June 29, 2022 |
Royal Gramma | June 29, 2022 |
Starry Blenny (re-homed, bullied by Lawnmower) | September 23, 2022 |
Pajama Cardinals x3 | January 30, 2023 |
Yellow Watchman Goby (paired with Pistol Shrimp) | January 30, 2023 |
Lawnmower Blenny | February 21, 2023 |
CUC (I am not going to keep track of #s..) | Date Added |
---|---|
Tiger Cowrie | May 8, 2022, May 15, 2022 |
Emerald Crabs | May 8, 2022 |
Turbo Snails | May 8, 2022, March 29, 2023 |
Astrea Snails | May 8, 2022, March 29, 2023 |
Hermit Crabs | May 8, 2022 (Blues), March 29, 2023 (Reds) |
Margarita Snails | May 8, 2022, March 29, 2023 |
Cerith Snails (×5) | May 8, 2022, March 29, 2023 |
Nassarius Snails | May 15, 2022, March 29, 2023 |
Babylonia Snails | May 15, 2022, March 29, 2023 |
Sand Sifting Star | May 15, 2022 |
Peppermint Shrimp | May 15, 2022 |
Emerald Crabs | July 14, 2022 |
Stomatella (Hitchhiker, MIA after move..?) | April 21, 2022 |
Corals | Date Added |
---|---|
Wall Frogspawn | May 8, 2022 |
Goniopora "flowerpot" (lost frag during move??!?) | May 8, 2022 |
Plum Hammer | May 8, 2022 |
Favia | May 8, 2022 |
Favia (Dipsastraea) | May 8, 2022 |
Acan Lord | May 8, 2022 |
Clove Polyps (Hoarded by/rescued from Pistol Shrimp) | May 8, 2022 |
Zoas | May 8, 2022 |
Zoas | May 15, 2022 |
Zoas | May 15, 2022 |
Blasto Merletti | May 15, 2022 |
Duncans (4 heads) | May 15, 2022 |
Acan Echinata | May 15, 2022 |
Ricordia Florida Mushroom (orange) | May 15, 2022 |
Mushroom (unsure of type, hanging with the Sun Coral) | May 15, 2022 |
Aqua Lime Cyphastrea | May 15, 2022 |
Orange Leptoseris | May 15, 2022 |
Montipora | May 15, 2022 |
Candy Cane | May 15, 2022 |
Galaxea | May 15, 2022 |
Ricordia Florida Mushroom (green) | June 29, 2022 |
GSP (frag fell, hoarded by Pistol Shrimp) | June 29, 2022 |
Bicolor Hammer | June 29, 2022 |
Tubastraea Sun Coral (4 heads) | June 29, 2022 |
Mummy Eye Chalice | July 14, 2022 |
Pavona Cactus | July 14, 2022 |
Pagoda Cup Coral | August 6, 2022 |
Zoas (Purple People Eater) (down to 4 heads 2/23/23, 1 head 3/7/23) | August 6, 2022 |
GSP x3 | August 6, 2022 |
Rainbow Montipora (a little fading after move) | September 23, 2022 |
Black Tubastraea x2 | September 30, 2022 |
Ricordia Florida Mushroom (blue/green) | September 30, 2022 |
Zoas (Orange Oxide) | January 30, 2023 |
Zoas (Red Ring Purple Hornets) (Eaten by Asterinas!!) | January 30, 2023 |
Ricordia Florida Mushroom (blue/green/yellow) | January 30, 2023 |
Neon Green Cabbage Leather (bleaching 2/23/23) | January 30, 2023 |
Indo Ricordia Yuma Mushroom | January 30, 2023 |
Candy Cane (bleaching 3/7/23) | February 21, 2023 |
Goniopora | February 21, 2023 |
Rhodactis Mushroom (brown/orange) | February 21, 2023 |
Goniopora (the big one!) | March 29, 2023 |
Goniopora | March 29, 2023 |
Gorgonian | March 29, 2023 |
-------------------- In-Thread Links --------------------
First Livestock & Corals (May 8, 2022)
Tank move, new house! (Jan 18, 2023)
Northern Lights Show (Feb 27, 2023)
Project E-TAP (Electric-Toothbrush Algae Patrol) (April-ish, 2023) Run 1 / Run 2 / Run 3
-------------------- Original Intro ---------------------
April 13, 2022
Hey All, well it's FINALLY time to get back into saltwater. This will be the wife and my second tank, we had to sell our first and only 55 gallon back in 2013 when moving to Alaska. We've traveled around this state a bit, and finally settled about an hour from one of the only saltwater stores that I know of in the state. Game on!!!
I enjoy any opportunity to get my tools out, so I'm building a custom stand. It's my second stand - first was for a freshwater 46 gal acrylic (still have it in storage). Since the new tank stand is almost completed, I figured it's a good time to get registered on the forum and start the build thread!
We will be using:
Custom Stand
55 Gallon Long Tank
BRS 4 Stage RODI
PSK-100H Skimmer
Radion XR15 Blue Lighting (x2)
Vortech MP10 QD Pumps (x2 or more if needed)
etc..
We'll be doing live rock with mostly coral, but some fish also - learned on the last tank to keep it simple with fish! Really hoping we can find a mated pistol shrimp and goby, that was our fav from tank #1! And of course there will be a few clown fish and anemones..
Stand progress, I love 2x4s. I'm no architect but if a single 2x4 can hold 1000 lbs vertically, 20 of 'em plus cross bracing should put me over 25,000(?) lbs. I think that will cover my needs lol:
Added a little trim and moulding, why not lol - just wingin' it here!
Great excuse to buy a new router for the doors . Kreg Jig drilling used to secure the 1/3 pine, 5/8" brad nails for the 1/4" plywood backing:
RODI installed yesterday and ready to start pumping:
That's where I'm at currently, finishing paint on the doors, hanging 'em, and bringing her inside. Looking to grab our live sand/rock next week and get this party started!
More to come!
Last edited: