WMAS - Tank of the Month
Brain and Stacey Beck

Downloads: (right click and select "save target as" for better results)
A high speed connection is recommend for all downloads.
Presentation (1.01MB)*

Hi, Future Tank of the month WMAS member! Thank you for allowing us to showcase your tank on our website. To assist you in your write up, we have compiled a list of things to consider:

1) Your name, location and occupation. Include how long you have been an aquarist, how long you have been a WMAS member and how you heard of our club.
Name: Brian and Stacey Beck
Location: Spanish Fork
Occupation: Brian maintenance Stacey medical Billing
How long have you been in the hobby? 2 years this Jan
How long have you been a member of the club? (shawn you don�t have to read this whole thing)
I lurked for about two months to get the �feel� for the club, been on a ton of online websites and I know how the flamewars can be on some sites, but not here so I joined.
How did you hear about the WMAS? a google search found the club

2) Describe your tank. Acrylic or glass? Size in dimensions and gallons. How long has it been set up?
Acrylic / Glass: acrylic
Size in gallons: 90
Dimensions: 48x24x18
Age: (how long has the system been running) almost two years, 30 gallon tank was running for 5 months, the 40 gallon tank was running for 5 months(approx)and the 90 from then on

3) Describe your lighting system, including your photo-period. Add what you would change if you could.

2 250 watt se metal halides, one electronic ballast and one magnetic, 1 36 watt cf atintic bulb,

atintic on at 7 am off at 10pm
left metal halide on at 9 off at 9
right metal halide on at 9:30 off at 9:30

4) Describe your filtration system. Include: How deep is your sand bed, plenum, your skimmer size and model and how long you run it, your circulation pumps (how many and their size in gallons per hour), your sump/refugium including Reverse Daylight, biowheels and skilters, HOT systems, clean up crew.

Sand bed 4�
Skimmer asm mini(want larger one now that I have room for one) runs 24/7
Closed loop is a amp master 3000 on 1 � inch pipe approx 3600 gph (60 gallon per minute) on 5 nozzles two from the bottom and three from the top
Sump lighing is a 36 watt(100 watt eqv)sprial wrap full spectrum craft light running reverse daylight from 11pm to 6 am
Return pump is a mag 3 about 250gph
Clean up crew crabs and snails no idea how many, when things get behind I add more. I have more snails than crabs.

5) What are your maintenance techniques? Include water change schedule.
Water changes I try to change 10% every month, usually ends up being 10% every 6-7 weeks.
Usually change the water when the red mushrooms start to not be happy.(shriveled up)
Clean the skimmer twice a week to once a week.
Clean the front and sides, the snails get the rest.

6) What additives do you use? Kalkwasser, Strontium, Molybdenum, Iodine, Magnesium, Other
Randys two part when the calcium reactor is shut down.
Calcium reactor, idodine when the zenia act like they need it, baking soda, for alk, peladow for calcium

7) Describe your feeding philosophy. Include your schedule, and what you prefer to feed your system?

Reeds phyo- three times a week usually
Various frozen, and dried foods once daily to every other day,
Cyclopeze mixed in with the rest maybe 4 times a week.

8) DIY ie, Calcium reactor, stand / hood, skimmer, sump, ect. Any Do-it-yourself items of interest? Web-sites that you may have referenced?

Hood, calcium reactor, modified skimmer, lighting, reflectors, plumbing (have had many versions)

9) Stand and Canopy
Wood: oak
Color: english oak
Special Characteristics: stand built by Dion because I wanted it built right the first time.
Entire front cover removes in one piece for elbow room under the tank, and the entire front of the hood flips open for easy access.

10) Items of interest: Favorite or unusual Fish, coral, or invertebrate
(I think that you guys got this info already, I don�t want to contradict anything)

11) Can you include a table showing your elemental levels of Ca+, alkalinity, S.G., temperature, pH and other interesting testables?

Nope, sorry.

12) What experiences and challenges have you had with the tank? Any lessons learned? Is there anything you do differently than others (or differently than previously)? If so, why?
Chemical balance has been the most challenging thing to learn, the relationship between calcium,alk,
And thanks to all in the club that have given me guidance when I needed help.

The 30 gallon tank was difficult to keep the temp and salinity correct, didn�t know about calcium and alk,
The 40 gallon was the worst for keeping anything in balance, it had the built in area in the back, and was very difficult to maintain a good flow, ended up drilling it for a sump first sump) and then things were better.
and the 90 gallon has been the best, I believe because of water volume, and the learning along the way.

*You will need Adobe Acrobat to view the presentation.  If you don't have Adobe Acrobat you can download it free from www.adobe.com.  For best results save the documents to your local computer by right clicking on the file you want to download a select "save target as...".