Driting into 120 gal professional maintainace. HELP

[Brice Wagner]

Hi Everyone, (scroll down to question to save time)

Background: I have been researching and "diving" into this hobby pretty hard for the last 2 years. I have pretty good success with my personal 20gal mixed reef and I have a good general understanding of the elements necessary for a heathly, if not perfect, reef aquarium.

Current: I am going on a trip to Cambodia and Vietnam in 3 months and want to get scuba cert. At the scuba shop they have a 120gal with plastic landscape and approx 7 fish in it. After I spouted off about aquariums for 15 mins, as we tend to do sometimes, she offer me free lessons for aquarium maintenance.

QUESTION:
What issues should I be aware of from maintaining my 20gal to helping with the larger 120gal. My plan was to add live rock scape, better lights, an ato, and establish a refuge with pods. Then give it some frags I have after the cure. Her main concern was cyano, but that should work itself out once I get the rest done and in my opinion, a little Cyano doesnt look to bad under good lights.

From a prelim look the system has a 20 gal sump, protein skimmer(cheap), crap lights, and bio balls.

Thanks for the help

 

[Brice Wagner]

Hi Everyone, (scroll down to question to save time)

Background: I have been researching and "diving" into this hobby pretty hard for the last 2 years. I have pretty good success with my personal 20gal mixed reef and I have a good general understanding of the elements necessary for a heathly, if not perfect, reef aquarium.

Current: I am going on a trip to Cambodia and Vietnam in 3 months and want to get scuba cert. At the scuba shop they have a 120gal with plastic landscape and approx 7 fish in it. After I spouted off about aquariums for 15 mins, as we tend to do sometimes, she offer me free lessons for aquarium maintenance.

QUESTION:
What issues should I be aware of from maintaining my 20gal to helping with the larger 120gal. My plan was to add live rock scape, better lights, an ato, and establish a refuge with pods. Then give it some frags I have after the cure. Her main concern was cyano, but that should work itself out once I get the rest done and in my opinion, a little Cyano doesnt look to bad under good lights.

From a prelim look the system has a 20 gal sump, protein skimmer(cheap), crap lights, and bio balls.

Thanks for the help

How do people feel about lava rock? We have a bunch, cured.

Are 2 1150 hydor korilias sufficient for a 120g?

 

[Hemmdog]

How do people feel about lava rock? We have a bunch, cured.

Are 2 1150 hydor korilias sufficient for a 120g?

Bad idea, full of heavy metals. No on the powerheads as well. You will need at least a total(returnpump+powerheads) of 12,000gph, if they want acros closer to 60,000gph total flow. Not set in stone but a good rule of thumb.

I’d take the client, sounds easy if they are willing to invest in there system with a few upgrades.

 

[Brice Wagner]

Bad idea, full of heavy metals. No on the powerheads as well. You will need at least a total(returnpump+powerheads) of 12,000gph, if they want acros closer to 60,000gph total flow. Not set in stone but a good rule of thumb.

I’d take the client, sounds easy if they are willing to invest in there system with a few upgrades.

Yeah I found the same Results in my research. She's had this lava rock in her tank for several years already with no issues. Ill present the information to her and let her choose. It would be different if she wanted SPS and acros but I she says shes happy with a Fish only system. I was looking into different kinds of sponges and encrusting corals to give the tank some character.

Currently she has:
Emperor Angel (adult)
Coral Beauty
Yellow tang
Melanurus Wrasse
2 clowns


First off is the Flow issue and Aquascaping. I need to give the fish a place to hide. Next time im there Ill turn off the sump and do the return flow calc. Even if she doesnt want corals I plan on advising towards a higher flow system seeing as her big concern in Cyano.

I also think she will benefit from the Refugium and some coraline algae.

Thanks for the advice. 12000-60000gph got it.

 

[Mark Gray]

I guess I am confused you are getting lessons to dive here or in Cambodia. I have not been there but want to go some time. I do Thailand often. Next quetion how are the water tests in the 120? and how does the tank look?

 

[Brice Wagner]

I guess I am confused you are getting lessons to dive here or in Cambodia. I have not been there but want to go some time. I do Thailand often. Next quetion how are the water tests in the 120? and how does the tank look?

We just hammered out the deal. Maintenance and overhaul of the tank for about 1 month. for the class fees which cost ~600 buckaroos. The class is here in the US. I need to complete it for my trip to Cambodia/Vietnam. On a side note we haven't decided which country to scuba in, recommendations would be appreciated.

Im going to do the water tests early next week. They have a oldschool filter-pad/bio ball system with a Sterilizer. The protein skimmer isnt working (air flow issues). There are 6 large lava rocks, 4-5 pieces of bleached coral, and a big plastic monti cap thing in the tank. All of this is just kinda thrown in the bottom of the tank and is covered in Cyano. Ill take pictures next week.

 

[Mark Gray]

We just hammered out the deal. Maintenance and overhaul of the tank for about 1 month. for the class fees which cost ~600 buckaroos. The class is here in the US. I need to complete it for my trip to Cambodia/Vietnam. On a side note we haven't decided which country to scuba in, recommendations would be appreciated.

Im going to do the water tests early next week. They have a oldschool filter-pad/bio ball system with a Sterilizer. The protein skimmer isnt working (air flow issues). There are 6 large lava rocks, 4-5 pieces of bleached coral, and a big plastic monti cap thing in the tank. All of this is just kinda thrown in the bottom of the tank and is covered in Cyano. Ill take pictures next week.

Ok cool I have not been diving in either country and I was in Vietnam but only for a meeting 1 fay I need to go back. I have been diving in Thailand I love it. I spent last time in Thai 500 dollars for 4 days of diving in a different place each time. We would go out in the morning and come back eat lunch and then go out in the afternoon 8 dives total for 2 people

 

[Brice Wagner]

Ok cool I have not been diving in either country and I was in Vietnam but only for a meeting 1 fay I need to go back. I have been diving in Thailand I love it. I spent last time in Thai 500 dollars for 4 days of diving in a different place each time. We would go out in the morning and come back eat lunch and then go out in the afternoon 8 dives total for 2 people

Wow thats a pretty awesome deal. Ill share photos when i get back in December!

 

[Mark Gray]

Wow thats a pretty awesome deal. Ill share photos when i get back in December!

Can't wait have fun how long will you ne there?

 

[Brice Wagner]

Can't wait have fun how long will you ne there?

19 days. The water festival is going on in Cambodia when we arrive. Very exciting. Then we have a family place in da nang, vietnam