*Mystic & Lucid's* - Coldwater Marine Tank ....
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: General Forums
Forum Name: The Fish Tank
Forum Description: Discuss fish species here - ecology, ichthyology, biology, habitats etc
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=29622
Printed Date: 10 Jun 2026 at 7:17pm
Topic: *Mystic & Lucid's* - Coldwater Marine Tank ....
Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Subject: *Mystic & Lucid's* - Coldwater Marine Tank ....
Date Posted: 26 May 2008 at 12:02pm
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Heya all,
I was asked to post sum info/pix of our Native Coldwater Marine Tank, so here it goes .... We have had going for a wee while now, our new Upgrade (again).
Tank is: 150cm x 70cm x 65cm (682.5L) 10mm glass. 3 sides for viewing.
Stand: Custom. Pine with 2 coats of a Medium to Dark Stain then 3 coats of Oil and then 2 coats of Wax. Doors on both sides of the stand for easy access to any part of the Sump. Steel Stand Frame. 150cm x 70cm x 85cm. Hood: Custom. Pine with 2 coats of a Medium to Dark Stain then 3 coats of Oil and then 2 coats of Wax. Open top but has boards for top also. Sump: 60cmx60cmx50cm (180L) 10mm glass. Acrylic Black Overflow Box. Plumbing. Durso Stand Pipe and Return Pipe - (both removable and both in the 1 overflow box) Skimmer: Reef Octopus DNW 200-6540 (1500L) Only 10mm clearance for the skimmer height, you can remove the cup still. Drainage pipe that clips into a Plastic Container with handle for easy cleaning. Return Pump: Ocean Runner - (rated 3600L) 862.5L all up. 1x 5ft Incased double Fluro Lights. 1x 4ft Growlux Light. Haliea Chiller 1HP) Golden Bay Sand.
Natural Rockpool/Subtidalpool Rocks. Perspex down the back of the tank for glass protection from the Wall of Rocks. Planning:
4ft Tank - for smaller stuff, like Pipefish, Baby Fish, Nudibrachs, Seahorses etc - ya know, like the more 'delicate' stuff? lol! :lol: Maybe not till we pass on a current tank, but:
Octopus Tank - (maybe Robsonella sp.) or some smaller species. Large Saltwater Fish Tank - (Maybe Carpet Sharks etc) We have had lots of info and help from our best friend Brent (Native Tanks), and also Victor & Judy from http://www.octopus.org.nz/index.html - Island Bay Marine Education Centre.
We spend a lot of time here, and are always at the Open Days they have once a month. They have some fantastic stuff there, even had Octopus Hatching last Open Day. Sometimes Baby Sharks, all sorts of huge fish etc. They also do a Display at the Wellington Airport! :mrgreen: Also had ID'ed a few Critters etc and spoke to a few Scientists at the http://www.marinebioblitz.wellington.net.nz/ - Marine BioBlitz here in Wellington a few months ago. I even got a Pix up on there! lol! :lol: http://www.marinebioblitz.wellington.net.nz/?q=node/5 - Pix As it is, our current tank is going very well, clearing up rather nicely, lots of ups and downs and lots of lessons learned (throu lack of web-knowledge and not much info out there about our Native Creatures etc)
Have loads of new Fish and Critters, a few now reside at the Island Bay Marine Education Centre also. 1x Large Trevally & 2x Smallish Kawhai:
(These guys we had for a fair while, and would hand-feed and were VERY friendly)       Only one this got put back into the Sea (only cause the Centre wasnt open at the time) and that was our very large 7 Armed-Starfish, that was released the night that Lucid proposed to me! LOL! :lol: :oops: 8)
1x VERY LARGE 7 Armed-Starfish:
(Around 60-70cm across - got put back because i felt he was too big for our tank, and began to haul down the back rocks in the tank because of his weight)        Man Im gonna miss those guys! :(
Anyways, heres a few pix:
                                There is juss a few pix for now (Im sure my butt would be kicked if I put up all the ones I was going too, as there are far too many! lol!) :lol: So hope these will do for now.
As you can see, the tank has changed a wee bit, and I still have loads of work to do. Water is now clearing better (after trials wif different Seaweed & Rocks etc) Enjoy. 8) ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Replies:
Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 26 May 2008 at 12:04pm
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Sea Hares have been put back (their food was making the tank murky)
But looking for any Divers that would be able to help out to get us some stuff like the awesome Anemones, Starfish, Small Fish, Blennies, Snails, etc???? (as we dont dive?) Please! Anyone!? lol! :) ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: JK
Date Posted: 26 May 2008 at 1:06pm
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Wow thats very cool. Nice tanks! ------------- LedgeNZ LBG |
Posted By: Moocha
Date Posted: 26 May 2008 at 8:08pm
Damn that is very impressive 
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Posted By: Bungel_
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2008 at 10:15am
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That really is impressive!~!! good job on getting that up and running. ------------- here fishy, fishy fishy..... |
Posted By: Carbine
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2008 at 2:41pm
Awesome idea having such a big live bait tank at home so you dont have to waste time catching them out there 
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Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2008 at 2:55pm
you have the permission to shoot him down Mystic---he's an evil man
 Wow, what a set-up
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Carbine wrote:Posted By: Rotowarriors
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2008 at 4:05pm
Awesome looking tank, Well done
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Posted By: Carbine
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2008 at 4:43pm
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lol that an awesome tank i wouldnt mind a freshwater one with fresh water crays and some small smelt n trout Not to long ago you could buy live crayfish on trademe saltwater ones - one of them would be awesome |
Posted By: tobez
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2008 at 6:02pm
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wicked!..got any goldfish ------------- Waikato North Harbourmaster...Got a Nav Safety question for the Waikato region?...call me 021705642 or download the app Marine Mate! |
Posted By: the croc
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2008 at 6:39pm
A few of us head out paua diving every weekend or so, so could potentially get you some stuff. |
Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2008 at 6:59pm
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"A few of us head out paua diving every weekend or so, so could potentially get you some stuff."
onya croc, that's what she has been waiting to hear
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Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2008 at 2:09pm
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Thanx so much guys! Yur comments are wonderful! (except a couple, lol!) but I have a sence of humour, so its all good. :)
We have tried very hard to get this tank and have it running, its our second biggest tank now. (the rest are Freshwater Tropicals - sorry no Goldfish anymore) :) Thanx so much Croc! Yur the only one so far thats offered! FANTASTIC! :) Where abouts are you ect? You can email me (or) pm etc .... Would love some of these:   ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2008 at 2:11pm
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http://rsrc4.bubbleshare.com/media/00/d1/83/5b/353f372d70fe42921e3773534ad02345bc1b6df4/580x435/NZ---Shrimp---Scampi----4-_580x435.jpg - Scampi? :) ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2008 at 2:29pm
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yeah Misty, send some of those slack Wellington divers out to the continental shelf, that's where the Scampi hang out
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Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2008 at 2:43pm
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LOL! To where? (not a Diver remember!) still learning about the Sea ect.
Hopefully Ill get a pm or email from Croc (when he can) and HOPEFULLY will get something good for the tank! Can anyone suggest some stuff that would go well wif yellow-eyed Mullet, Hermits (I want some Orange Hermits!) hehe! and things like that? I know there is some kool Starfish out there (have a yellow Ambush Starfish) and also you can get some cool sponges etc too? ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2008 at 3:13pm
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LOL! To where? (not a Diver remember!) still learning about the Sea ect.
The Continental Shelf is way, way out there....
past Somes Island, & even beyond Island Bay...
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Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2008 at 3:25pm
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And Divers go out that far?
You dont get them closer? ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: ThomasW
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2008 at 4:40pm
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People do not regularly dive the Continental Shelf. It is at quite extreme depths. I suggest asking for a big red rock crab, they live in the shallows and look cool. They often share holes/cracks with crayfish. I see them qutie often down on the Marlborough coasts.
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Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2008 at 4:46pm
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WOW! Thanx! Any other stuff people can suggest?
Maybe some links or pix? Wat do people normally see when diving that would look awesome? THANX SO MUCH! :D ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: ThomasW
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2008 at 5:12pm
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Looked for a photo but can not find any.... The second 'crab' on this site could be the one I mean http://www.seafriends.org.nz/enviro/crust/grapsida.htm - http://www.seafriends.org.nz/enviro/crust/grapsida.htm The crabs are probably the coolest creatures I have seen out diving, there are quite a few mussels, a few big snails and Paua. Seen the odd Sea Horse. Random small fish. |
Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2008 at 5:23pm
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Thanx so much for ya help! I love the Crabs, as long as they wont eat my fish! LOL! ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: KeriBOI
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2008 at 10:29am
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how cheaply could you set up a small saltwater tank? say 500mm in size? ------------- Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes; after that, who cares?! He's a mile away and you've got his shoes! |
Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2008 at 11:14am
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Heya,
Most expensive part is a Chiller, that you will need to keep most stuff alive. Chillers range from $500 and up. Or you might find a secondhand one cheaper (not by much) on Trademe. :) ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: puttputt
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2008 at 11:58am
Well well, fancy seeing you 2 here
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Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2008 at 12:02pm
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ARGH! Yur stalking me! LOL! :)
Hey Puttputt! :D ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: KeriBOI
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2008 at 4:09pm
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yeah, was told yesterday from the fish shop that the chiller was around $500 will stick to tropical and pretend Surinamen, Geophagus are baby snapper: :) ------------- Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes; after that, who cares?! He's a mile away and you've got his shoes! |
Posted By: long john
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2008 at 4:36pm
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couldn't ya just route the water through the beer fridge? seriously.....
------------- Proud member of the Glen Innes Spearfishing Club |
Posted By: Fizzlesticks
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2008 at 5:03pm
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Something like this might work? You might be able to convert it into a biofilter at the same time?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-farming-industry/Office/Other/auction-159131302.htm - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-farming-industry/Office/Other/auction-159131302.htm
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Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2008 at 5:08pm
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There is heaps of Topics on the net about DIY Chillers etc. I wouldnt trust them myself, and seem too much hassle for something that A) might not work, or B) is too risky and you could loose yur fish etc.
But up to you! :) ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: KeriBOI
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2008 at 6:19pm
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hey mystic, i see your on fnzas.org.nz and that you have/hadGeophagus surinamensis. Im a bit lost on these as some say they are so rare and that they wont be in nz and would be some other Geo. mis labeled I have two lined up in a petshop that look like the photos on the www. But both are males Any idea where to get some females? ------------- Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes; after that, who cares?! He's a mile away and you've got his shoes! |
Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2008 at 6:24pm
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No sorry I dont, you wont be able to tell the sexes till way bigger (althou some say they know) but I rasied some from small, they called them females, and turned out they males! So yeaha .... *rolls eyes*
Ill keep an eye out for you thou. :) ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: KeriBOI
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2008 at 6:32pm
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oh so you cant tell when they are small? they are about 3cm long  ------------- Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes; after that, who cares?! He's a mile away and you've got his shoes! |
Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2008 at 6:45pm
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Not really, as I said.
Nice fish thou.
They not rare fish, definatetly Geo. Suri. :) ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: KeriBOI
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2008 at 6:49pm
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coolies, hopefully pick my tank up tomorrow and have them by the weekend. ------------- Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes; after that, who cares?! He's a mile away and you've got his shoes! |
Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2008 at 6:53pm
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Awesome! :) ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: phantomdeviant
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2008 at 6:18am
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Thanx for sharing Mystic Vampire. I have 3 tanks and I breed Blue Rams. Really want to get into a saltwater tank one day though. Thanx for your in depth set up description ------------- Skirt Pulla |
Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2008 at 9:27pm
 ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: KeriBOI
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2008 at 11:21pm
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my new tank http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6p-OR8mAqA ------------- Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes; after that, who cares?! He's a mile away and you've got his shoes! |
Posted By: Doubie
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2009 at 5:08pm
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Hmmm..like the idea of a cold water local marine tank myself.
Not keen on a chiller at $500 though
 ...it kinda takes the fun out of a 'cheap' set up of local manine critters and living near the beach. I guess with indoor temps over Summer they are a must huh? I would have thought that those critters that lived in rock pools must suffer some extremes though?
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Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2009 at 5:28pm
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Its well worth it, and concider that you can spend $500 on not much Coral Rock, Corals, Fish etc for a Tropical, $500 aint much for a Chiller! For my tank, I used a 1 HP Chiller that should cost about $2000 new. :-) Its well worth all the effort when you know you caught the stuff yurself, or wif the family! :-)
Rock critters do get up in temp, but concider how cold it gets at night? :-) means the temp isnt staying that high constantly, and means the temp drops fast at night. ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: Doubie
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2009 at 8:35am
Ok, I take your point MV, but at the moment its all about enjoyment at minimal cost 
I admit I still have a lot to learn and will get into more research before 'taking the plunge'. Will stick with my freshwater tropicals in the meantime
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Posted By: Mystic Vampyre
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2009 at 1:46pm
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Fully understandable! Its not hard, if you need help juss email me ( mailto:[email protected] - [email protected] ) Always willing to help. :-)
We dont have these Coldwaters now, but do have Tropicals etc. (Fresh and Saltwater) Saltwater only tiny, but lots of Freshwaters! :-) ------------- * ><{{{°>¤ The Best Way To Get Over Someone, Is To Get Under Someone ¤<°}}}>< * |
Posted By: Doubie
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2009 at 1:57pm
Thanks kindly for the offer and the contact address - when I get sorted and ready to get into it, I may justl be in touch for a few pointers  
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