beau13 Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 It's back!After two tries at reefing, I think I've finally got it. The first tank was mostly destroyed in a bristle worm die off and ammonia spike during a 1200 mile move. The 2nd one was plaqued by aiptasia and then a variety of algae that started after I was gone for a week on a trip and I suspect the fish conned the fish sitter into feeding them copious amounts of food.Now, after another and final move to a our new house we bought, my tank is settled and I'm taking the things I learned and bringing it back, with some new ideas.1. While my previous scape of towers was very cool, it left a lot of shadowed areas, and about 2 inches of unused, unseen space behind them, which was good for flow but bad when real estate is limited. This time around (third time's the charm) I've decided to go with rocks against the back wall forming ledges and hiding spots but with a main arch coming out into the tank leaving empty space on either side for flow, growth, and clams. The back wall was specifically designed to hide my heater and funnel flow behind and around the rocks so I don't get a lot of detritus built up in the rocks.2. I finally broke down and bought a skimmer. I've always wanted the crystal clear water, and even with frequent water changes and carbon, I couldn't quite get there. Also, when I moved the tank it was pretty disgusting how brown the water was when it got stirred up. After a lot of research and since I don't have a sump, I went with the Reef Octopus, BH-1000 HOB. So far the best 3rd best thing I've gotten for my tank (1 and 2 are my MP10 and Radion).3. I've figured out a lot of my pH and alk swings have been related to low levels of magnesium. This time I'll be watching Mg from the start and dosing Thrive Aquatics liquid magnesium.I started this tank off with Dr. Tim's nitrifying bacteria. All I can say is this: it works! Because of our move I ended up adding six fish to the tank within a week of adding Dr. Tim's and I had no spike in nitrates, ammonia, or nitrite. Everything was off to a great start. Now, a month later, I have my first FTS, and an updated list of equipment and livestock since I lost a lot in the crash. Page 12 is where the new reef starts. Enjoy! July FTS [/url] April FTS March FTS February FTS January FTS November FTS August FTSMore pictures on Page 12!Equipment:28g (20lx17wx19h) AquaEuroUSA cube with Oceanic Biocube stand100w Aqueon Pro heaterEcotech MP10 (running at 75% reefcrest)Ecotech Radion XR30wReef Octopus BH-100025+lbs of Hawaiian rock20lbs of Argonite sandSPS CoralORA Bird of ParadiseOrange CapricornisORA Green birdsnestLPSMystic Reef Blueberry Ice Limited Edition Favia.Green TorchOrange acansSmall green plateSoft CoralPurple death PalysOther palysGreen star polypsInvertebratesAssorted regular hermit crabs, cerith, nerite, nassarius and bumblebee snails1 Crocea clamFishMidas Blenny2 clownfish1 firefish1 sixline wrassePrevious Reef Version 2.0 June FTS Link to comment
siwelk Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Hurry up and get paid already. Link to comment
beau13 Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 I am hoping to order it this week, although I am tempted to wait until Friday to see if I can get a deal on Black Friday. Champion already has 15% off on them. Link to comment
beau13 Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 FTS of my old reef The new reef! Corals in my 10g holding tank Link to comment
beau13 Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 All moved in to the new tank! I should have the Radion up on it by the end of next week and I'll get some good pictures once I've put all the corals where they are going to go. Right now everything is kind of in survival mode under the one PAR38 until I get the Radion. Link to comment
beau13 Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 Thanks! I can't wait for the Radion! I think it will also make it easier to take pictures under LEDs because I can turn down the blue's and get more accurate (visually) coral and tank colors. Link to comment
Spirofucci Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Hey! Way cool. How are you gonna hang the Radion? Link to comment
beau13 Posted November 22, 2011 Author Share Posted November 22, 2011 Hey! Way cool. How are you gonna hang the Radion? I think I am going to try something like this (thanks to ScottB for the idea) Link to comment
beau13 Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 I just ordered my Radion from Marine Depot using the price and coupon match from Champion Lighting Supply. Hopefully Marine Depot will honor the 15% off. Most sites were only doing 11%. Link to comment
beau13 Posted November 26, 2011 Author Share Posted November 26, 2011 Yayeah! Marine Depot matched the price and I just got my tracking number. I should have the Radion by Wednesday! Link to comment
beau13 Posted December 1, 2011 Author Share Posted December 1, 2011 My Radion has arrived! I got the stand built and the light hung and borrowed and friend's computer (I have a Mac) and got it programed. First impressions: The coverage is fantastic. I was still expecting the harsh shadows LEDs tend to produce and surprised to see very light shadows and light reaching all parts of the tank. I'd be hard put to tell the difference between this and a metal halide. The software takes a little bit of getting used to, and I am still trying to figure out how to switch between saved program modes. I am going to be gone for a couple days so I will play with it more later. It is extremely well built, and I can't hear the fan above the hum of my MP10 on reefcrest 75%. I think this is exactly what my reef needed and it was well worth the money, and even if I hadn't gotten the 15% discount. Link to comment
beau13 Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 Another picture with the light above it. Link to comment
Spirofucci Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Nice job man! Looks great. Link to comment
beau13 Posted December 3, 2011 Author Share Posted December 3, 2011 Thanks! I am really happy with it so far. My corals are responding well. I have it set as close to a natural cycle as I can but at about 35%. My corals are showing great polyp extension and my clam is loving it so far. I am going to boost it about 5% a week and see how it goes. Link to comment
beau13 Posted December 31, 2011 Author Share Posted December 31, 2011 Christmas has come and gone and my in-laws funded some new fish for me! I added a midas blenny (thanks Tron for all the pictures and finally convincing me) and two clowns to go with my single chromis and cleaner shrimp. Link to comment
howie1son Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Great looking reef tank!! Is that normal extension on your clam? Or is it extending more because of the light? Link to comment
beau13 Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 Thanks! The picture with the clowns around the clam is pretty normal extension for my clam. I haven't noticed a lot of difference between my Radion and any other light I've had it under, or that it lived under for a while at the LFS. Link to comment
SouthFlorida_Tron Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Christmas has come and gone and my in-laws funded some new fish for me! I added a midas blenny (thanks Tron for all the pictures and finally convincing me) and two clowns to go with my single chromis and cleaner shrimp. +1 Link to comment
howie1son Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 It just looks huge! lol Great looking clam though! Link to comment
Arkayology Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Great looking tank. The corals and clam seem to be enjoying the lighting. Link to comment
beau13 Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 They are! The coral have colored up nicely and between the lighting and the new MP10 I got a couple months back things are great! Link to comment
beau13 Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 A bit of a scare this evening. I was sitting in my living room watching tv and heard a splash and thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I went over and found my midas blenny had tried carpet surfing! I am glad I was there to put him back in. I have an acrylic sheet on top of my tank but it was for the old size from before I took out all the AIO stuff so there is about an inch of open water in the front and 3 in the back. Time to make a new cover! That got my heart rate up! I like the little guy! Link to comment
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