Smiddy's Reef 360 Peninsula

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Angel Fish
M.A.S.C Club Member
If there is any way possible to add a floor drain do it. That is the one thing i would change with mine. I know its expensive but after flooding my basement a handful of times i kick myself every time for not doing it.
I have a floor drain already in there!
Just not visible in the photos I showed. It is closer to the sump. It is the same on for my water heater and furnace.
 

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Angel Fish
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Yes! More progress! What are your plans with the 30 gallon (?) aquarium on the back table?
Well that tank is very old and most likely needs to be re siliconed up, but the thought process was to use it as a QT tank. Unfortunately I think it might be to small of a QT tank for some of the fish I am wanting to have.
 
Well that tank is very old and most likely needs to be re siliconed up, but the thought process was to use it as a QT tank. Unfortunately I think it might be to small of a QT tank for some of the fish I am wanting to have.
Gotcha, I thought maybe a QT but I wasn't sure. What size are you debating on for a QT?

Do you have a fish list (or fish wish list) put together?
 

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Angel Fish
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Gotcha, I thought maybe a QT but I wasn't sure. What size are you debating on for a QT?

Do you have a fish list (or fish wish list) put together?
I would like to have a 55 gallon QT system, but not sure how it is going to turn out.

I do not have my fish list put together yet. I probably should. I have a few fish that I absolutely want but not a full list.
 
I would like to have a 55 gallon QT system, but not sure how it is going to turn out.

I do not have my fish list put together yet. I probably should. I have a few fish that I absolutely want but not a full list.
That's a good sized QT, I don't see any problems with getting fish that are too large for that.

Oooo what are your must have fish!?
 

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Angel Fish
M.A.S.C Club Member
That's a good sized QT, I don't see any problems with getting fish that are too large for that.

Oooo what are your must have fish!?
Yeah I agree with the 55, but the 30 gallon might be on the small side. Mainly for large tangs or angels.

Currently ( Always subject to change) the must haves:
1) Achillies Tang
2) Powder Blue Tang
3) Ornate Leopard Wrasse
4) Watanabei Angelfish pair
5) Skunk Tilefish
6) Bimaculatus Anthias
7) Redtail Tamarin Wrasse
8) Pink Margin Fairy Wrasse
9) Copperband Butterfly

That is a good enough start. I have a separate list for the display refugium
 
Yeah I agree with the 55, but the 30 gallon might be on the small side. Mainly for large tangs or angels.

Currently ( Always subject to change) the must haves:
1) Achillies Tang
2) Powder Blue Tang
3) Ornate Leopard Wrasse
4) Watanabei Angelfish pair
5) Skunk Tilefish
6) Bimaculatus Anthias
7) Redtail Tamarin Wrasse
8) Pink Margin Fairy Wrasse
9) Copperband Butterfly

That is a good enough start. I have a separate list for the display refugium
Agreed, definitely go with the 55 since you've got the room for it.

I really like the list so far, I have always loved the genicanthus angels. I used to have a pair of Genicanthus melanospilos in my 180 gallon aquarium, and they were my favorite inhabitants. I almost picked genicanthus watanabei

View attachment 16577

View attachment 16576

Are you hoping to pair as many species as is possible (leopard wrasses, tile fish, etc) or stick more to single fish?
 

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Angel Fish
M.A.S.C Club Member
Agreed, definitely go with the 55 since you've got the room for it.

I really like the list so far, I have always loved the genicanthus angels. I used to have a pair of Genicanthus melanospilos in my 180 gallon aquarium, and they were my favorite inhabitants. I almost picked genicanthus watanabei

View attachment 16577

View attachment 16576

Are you hoping to pair as many species as is possible (leopard wrasses, tile fish, etc) or stick more to single fish?
I have room for a 55, so I will do it.
I really enjoy the reef safe angels to be honest. I wish the Regal angel was predictable. I would for sure have one of those! I really like pair species. So I think I will end up with a mix. I am not sure if it is really possible with even a 360 to get a "schooling" type reef safe fish. Usually that never truly ends up that way, they pick each other off over the years or don't actually school.
 
I have room for a 55, so I will do it.
I really enjoy the reef safe angels to be honest. I wish the Regal angel was predictable. I would for sure have one of those! I really like pair species. So I think I will end up with a mix. I am not sure if it is really possible with even a 360 to get a "schooling" type reef safe fish. Usually that never truly ends up that way, they pick each other off over the years or don't actually school.
Perfect! I agree, the regal is probably my favorite species of angel. That or the masked angelfish (Genicanthus personatus), but I will never be able to afford a pair of them haha.

I also like the pair/trio framework for fish. I can't wait to see the angels, tilefish, and wrasses paired. They will look great cruising through the aquarium. Getting species to truly school is more difficult in small home aquaria (size relative to their natural habitat). Hopefully the anthias you like will have some sort of schooling behavior, I think part of the picking off has to do with lack of feeding. Normally anthias would feed in the water column all day and most aquarists feed such a small amount of food throughout the day that it's only a small fraction of what would normally occur. As advancements in automatic feeding technology continue I think it'll be easier to stop this from happening.

Do you have thoughts on how you would like your rockwork to end up? Are you thinking more open space/columns or more of a centralized mound that corals can grow off of?
 

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Angel Fish
M.A.S.C Club Member
Perfect! I agree, the regal is probably my favorite species of angel. That or the masked angelfish (Genicanthus personatus), but I will never be able to afford a pair of them haha.

I also like the pair/trio framework for fish. I can't wait to see the angels, tilefish, and wrasses paired. They will look great cruising through the aquarium. Getting species to truly school is more difficult in small home aquaria (size relative to their natural habitat). Hopefully the anthias you like will have some sort of schooling behavior, I think part of the picking off has to do with lack of feeding. Normally anthias would feed in the water column all day and most aquarists feed such a small amount of food throughout the day that it's only a small fraction of what would normally occur. As advancements in automatic feeding technology continue I think it'll be easier to stop this from happening.

Do you have thoughts on how you would like your rockwork to end up? Are you thinking more open space/columns or more of a centralized mound that corals can grow off of?

I will not be able to afford a pair of regals ever either haha. One can only hope they will have some of that schooling behavior, but I do not have high hopes.

No actually I do not yet. I have all the rock already, just haven't had the time to sit and think about what I want it to be. to much work and basement remodel. I have never had 4 ft wide tank so I kind of want to see how that feels in size in real life, same goes for a pennisula. I am going to start the rock work in two weeks. This week and next is all fish room construction.
 

MuralReef

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Like I’ve said before I have pretty much the same tank at least it’s a 6”x4” peninsula. I did an island of rock at the front and one in the back. Mine was all live with corals and nems already so I didn’t take the time to glue it together if I had been able to glue it I probably would have made some pillars and arches.
 
I will not be able to afford a pair of regals ever either haha. One can only hope they will have some of that schooling behavior, but I do not have high hopes.

No actually I do not yet. I have all the rock already, just haven't had the time to sit and think about what I want it to be. to much work and basement remodel. I have never had 4 ft wide tank so I kind of want to see how that feels in size in real life, same goes for a pennisula. I am going to start the rock work in two weeks. This week and next is all fish room construction.
I definitely understand that, one step at a time! It will be exciting to see the fish room come together in the ensuing week. If we weren't dealing with all the coronovirus stuff I would offer my hand to help with rockwork if you needed it!

A few thoughts and things I've found over the years that have helped me, and I hope are at least a little helpful for you (in no particular order).

1. I think deciding what you're going to do for flow first (type/placement of powerheads) is critical. Once you know this you can start to build the rockwork around the flow limitations of a given setup. In the end I think this helps to keep dead spots to a minimum and reduce the need for extra equipment later on.

2. Remember that sclerectinians get BIG. Mature colonies can easily take up a 12" cube of space. Leaving both vertical and horizontal room for growth is key to filling in space and allowing for colonies to mature without having to waste energy competing for room. I think the biggest "mistake" (I put quotations because it truly is preference) I see people make is having their aquascaping too close to the top of the water. Inevitably branching corals reach the top and need to be trimmed extensively to keep from shading others.

3. Keeping rocks away from the glass helps to keep maintenance from being a pain, and corals growing into it or impeding flow further down the aquarium.

4. For me utilizing a good bonding agent helps make intricate 3D structures and keeps any burrowing fish from knocking over stacked structures (E Marcos 400 is supposed to be amazing).

5. To go along with 4. If you're using sand, I suggest placing the rock on the glass first. This will give you peace of mind that it will stay sturdy over the years as corals add weight to them.

6. Don't forget the small guys. Smaller/shy fish and inverts like to have bolt holes to hide in. I think small caves or crevices build specifically for those species helps to keep everyone feeling safe and happy.

Again these are only thoughts/suggestions, and my 2 cents on aquascaping. No matter what you end up doing I know we're all excited to see where it ends up!
 

Andrew_bram

Tiger Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
E Marco's 400 is what I used on my rockwork. I think it is a form of hydraulic cement with a polymer in it. This is just a guess but it really does work well. If you need another confirmation ask drdisilicate.

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Angel Fish
M.A.S.C Club Member
Like I’ve said before I have pretty much the same tank at least it’s a 6”x4” peninsula. I did an island of rock at the front and one in the back. Mine was all live with corals and nems already so I didn’t take the time to glue it together if I had been able to glue it I probably would have made some pillars and arches.
I have some acrylic rods on the ready for arches and over hangs.
 
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