[checker Jim]

Hello,
first post here I have been lurking for a while. I have a 50 gallon sea clear tube. just starting this tank. this is my 3rd marine tank and maybe my 50th tank in general from 10gal to my largest 240 gallon all glass. I have been in the hobby for around 13 years. anyway the problem I am having is I cant seem to maintina a consistant temprature in this tank. does anyone else have one of these tanks and have some advice on how to keep the temp the same between the two tanks? I have already frozen a CC star and suprisingly I scored a chunk of live rock from a lfs that has 3 green carpet anemones on it that have handled the temp roller coaster suprisingly well. I need to get this temp problem fixed so I can start adding fish. the tank is 4 weeks old nothing in there now but a small chunk of live rock and a yellow tail damsel. and one heater on the left side. here is a pic of the tank...and the anemones

thanks in advance for any advice and thanks for having me.

Jim

[checker Jim]

here is a couple more shots... i was playing with my camera and firgured out how to get closer pics... they came out so nice I had to share. this is a 4 dollar chunk of LR from petco came with everything you see on it..
rock1.JPG

rock2.jpg

rock3.jpg

[david6789]

I am sure the first thing they will ask is give more info. They will need to know ALOT more to help.

Are you using a sump?

Type of lighting, what cycle is the lights on?

Water conditions:
Phos.
Nitrite
Nitrate
P.H.
Calcium
DKH


The more info you put here the better the answer will get.

[stephaniesquires]

I don't know anything about your type of tank - is it two separate tanks that share water flow? Is there a sump?

[checker Jim]

I am running flourecent lights on the top as you can see in the pic. with coralife bulbs. I am not realy going for reef tank. I am facinated by live rock with little critters on it. I doubt I will put a lot of fish in this tank. I have not done water tests yet I am going to wait a few weeks because I just added the rock and damsel. I ran the tank with biozine for a week after the bacteria bloom I then waited a few more days and threw in a few damsels and one chunk of LR to try and introduce some ammonia for the bacteria to work on. right now I only have the under gravel filter with power heads and was planning on adding alot more LR to work on my filtration. maybe a sump also.. but for now thats what I have.

yes it is two tanks with two 6 inch round tubes that connect the two tanks

[checker Jim]

here is the tubes there is no sump yet
tubes.jpg

tubes2.jpg

[stephaniesquires]

This may seem pretty obvious - is the heater working? What about adding another heater to the other tank? I have a 240 gallon, and at the moment working on adding the sump and fuge, in the meantime, I put two heaters in the tank, one at either end of the tank, seems to be keeping everything steady...

[checker Jim]

yes the heater is working but the tank will be cold at one time and I will look at it later and it will be up over 86F ... just cant seem to regulate the temp between the two tanks. I diverted the power heads to flow water thru the pass tubes from one side to another. guess I was just looking for someone that has had one of these tanks that could throw some pointers my way..

[checker Jim]

I think I nailed it... the heater thermostat seems to be broken... I replaced the heater and looks good so far.. I will keep an eye on it and see how it go's

[jimw369]

Id like to see pics of the 240 Gal.

Can you post some?

[emccullough1]

Jim it is up to you and you have a lot more time in the hobby then I do but I like to use 2 small heaters. so if one fails the other there to keep it temp up or if the thermostat sticks it is not enough to cook the tank. You said you only have fluorescent light. I don't think you will be able to keep a Carpet Anemone alive with that only they are hard to care for anyway but you need high powered lighting here is a link with there needs and tips for there care.
Saltwater Aquarium Invertebrates for Marine Aquariums: Carpet Anemone, Assorted
Maybe you could add a compact fluorescent over it. I would just hate to see a post in a few days saying help my Carpet Anemone is dieing

[checker Jim]

one of the other members said he does not think its a carpet. and I think I am going to agree I also think it may be a mushroom. as far as the two heaters I think I am going to go for that run one in each side of the tank...

here is a pic of my 240 gallon ... its a fresh water tank with oscars large tinfoil barbs and a silver arrowana
240.jpg

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by jimw369

Id like to see pics of the 240 Gal.

Can you post some?

Thanks for the pic!!! More if you got em and have a little time. We love pics!

[checker Jim]

that is when it was set up at my old house. I had it here at my new house set up brackish with a freshwater stingray. I have a pic of it somewhere but cant seem to find it right now.
I ended up selling that tank a little while back to a guy in california so now my biggest is my 125 gallon. then I have my 55 tube. I have had soooo many aquariums I can even count anymore. this is only my 3rd marine tank though and its been a few years so its going to take me a minute to get all caught back up on terms and what not. but so far its been like riding a bike (wobble wobble crash) no just kidding been pretty simple so far. my last tank was a 40 gal. with a few anemones and 3 black volitan lions. I think with thins one I am going to go with more anemones and lots of little creatures.. tubes, corals etc. not full on reef but alot of reef elements..
when I find the pics of the 240 set up here I will be sure to post them