monkdaily Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 It has been a little over 2 weeks since I got the tank started so I thought I would share a diary on it. This is my first nano and first tank back in hobby after about 5 years. Its pretty simple a regular petco tank with a aquaclear 70, heater, and coral compulsion 18k par30 bulb. I made a diy egg crate media basket that runs filter floss, purigen, a home mix of rox carbon and gfo, and more floss. The tank was seeded with a piece of rock from my lfs display tank and bio-spira. The tank is being run bare bottom (spray painted) because I wanted the flow of the AQ70 so I can have a mixed reef. The goal with limited space is to use it wisely and fill with premium corals. Something like strawberry shortcake, pearlberry, really any ORA sps, superman monti, rainbow monti, any purple rim monti, a chalice or two, some acans, and possibly a colony of zoas or two. So if anyone knows of a quality reefer on DFW let me know. This is a pic of the tank the next day after filling it. Hopefully it's enough to hold you over until I get home to take some more. The tank has perfect parameters but has a crazy infestation of GHA. Sunday is my tank maintenance day but honestly it has taken every ounce of will not to put my hands in the tank all week as I have seen it double and triple and quadruple in size or the past week. So today when I get off work it's time for a water change and I am taking a brush to the rock. If there are any questions or anything I may not have covered let me know. Link to comment
monkdaily Posted September 28, 2014 Author Share Posted September 28, 2014 So this is the battle I am currently fighting. This is my current diy media basket And my painted bottom. Just snapped a couple before lights out Link to comment
Mr. Microscope Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Nice looking rock. Do you have a lot of experience with SPS? What's your plan of action for dealing with the GHA? Link to comment
monkdaily Posted September 28, 2014 Author Share Posted September 28, 2014 Honestly no experience with sps. Just doing as much research as I can. As far as the alge I have cut the light time to 8hrs I just got done scrubbing the rock. But I can still see some so I'm sure I'm going to have to do it again in the future. My nitrate and nitrite are both 0 and I also run a got and carbon mix so I don't know what else to do Gfo* sorry Link to comment
monkdaily Posted October 1, 2014 Author Share Posted October 1, 2014 So a few updates on Saturday after work 9/27 I got home and scrubbed for my GHA problem which I didn't completely get rid but it's a start. After doing a water change and looking at the clean tank and testing this week for parameters I decided it was time for a zoa. While at the LFS there was this structurally amazing acro that I couldn't pass up. While talking to the guy I asked what it was. He said purple bonsai acro I didn't either way and had to have it. So I continued shopping and while there I decide to get the red sea reef foundation kit and supplements. During the check out I asked again what the acro was and he said purple bonsai but also said it was brought in as a garf but while tracing the lineage leads dries up so it's just a PBA. I really didn't know what he was talking about till I got home and did a little research. Now I pray everyday I colors up and looks half as good as an actual garf. Right now my levels are Ca 440 Alk 10.6 Mag 1400 Now 3 days after accumulating the new acro and getting levels correct I still have no polyp extension but and seeing growth and encrusting. Tonight after some inspection... Red bugs! So tomorrow I am doing a bayer dip and will keep y'all posted and try to post pictures of the process and results for those who care to see the process for now her are a few quick pics before lights out. Day I got it Today. You can see a bit of growth around the base and a tad more PE. Link to comment
Sk8n Reefer Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 How are you running your GFO- it works much better if you can run it in a reactor to tumble it. It will pack up and become hard usually in media baskets. How's your water source- phosphate free? Have you tested your phosphate levels. My bonsai usually extends his polyps more in the evening - really good once the whites start ramping down and when the blues are only on- I usually feed the coral around that time- every night. Ck out my build thread- my bonsai is at the top back part of the tank! I like the spray painted bottom - looks good? Link to comment
monkdaily Posted October 1, 2014 Author Share Posted October 1, 2014 How are you running your GFO- it works much better if you can run it in a reactor to tumble it. It will pack up and become hard usually in media baskets. How's your water source- phosphate free? Have you tested your phosphate levels. My bonsai usually extends his polyps more in the evening - really good once the whites start ramping down and when the blues are only on- I usually feed the coral around that time- every night. Ck out my build thread- my bonsai is at the top back part of the tank! I like the spray painted bottom - looks good? I am just running the GFO in the bag with the carbon I didn't know it would get hard like that. I really just wanted to make it as simple as possible keeping on top of parameters and weekly water changes. So I am trying to stay away from dumps, reactors,and dosers. My water is all rodi from the lfs but I haven't tested for phosphates I'm sure info did it would be 0 anyway do to the GHA. hopefully I can starve it out without feeding the tank because the bonsi is the only living thing in the tank. I am getting better PE now that I have dosed and levels are where they should be but the red bugs are just keeping it down right now. at least I figured out why because I can see it trying to color up and look well. Thanks I got the idea from someone here I can't remember their name they went white and I went charcoal but it is a textured spray paint and looks 100xs better than just clear glass. Link to comment
monkdaily Posted October 1, 2014 Author Share Posted October 1, 2014 By the way your tank is dope your monti cap is sweet but that encrusting one I think was light blue with pink polyps is extra nice. The lfs around the corner from me has 2 jedi mind tricks I desperately need Link to comment
Sk8n Reefer Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 You could go with a different phosphate remover also- phosguard would be a good addition for your application. Stay on the SPS path it is a fun one and very challenging ! I can appreciate the simple approach- I don't run a skimmer on my system but I am also changing 5 gal. a week. I have started to dose now to keep up with my coral growth. Looking forward to watching you progress with the tank By the way your tank is dope your monti cap is sweet but that encrusting one I think was light blue with pink polyps is extra nice. The lfs around the corner from me has 2 jedi mind tricks I desperately needThanks! Ya - the Jedi mind trick is sweet- I love the encrusting corals- my lfs store has some encrusting pieces that are over a ft. Long- very impressive! Link to comment
acrab78 Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Sweet start and I have always loved the size of the 5.5 gallon tanks... they are awesome... Would like some info on the DIY media basket for your aquaclear... I am trying to do something similar for my AC70 and am wondering how the water movement is manipulated in the media trays etc.... Want to be able to run floss and chemi pure etc... Thanks!!! Link to comment
monkdaily Posted October 1, 2014 Author Share Posted October 1, 2014 Sweet start and I have always loved the size of the 5.5 gallon tanks... they are awesome... Would like some info on the DIY media basket for your aquaclear... I am trying to do something similar for my AC70 and am wondering how the water movement is manipulated in the media trays etc.... Want to be able to run floss and chemi pure etc... Thanks!!! I wish I had taken it step by step to show it easier 1. Take everything out of AQ 2. Take the inside media basket and remove the 2 sides from the bottom 3. Take the bottom part of media basket and measure it to the egg crate (the AQ actually tapers and is narrower at the bottom) 4. Used that same bottom to measure the shields (be sure to cut in between to leave "teeth" for easy removal 5. Take the side of the AQ media basket to make the sides from egg crate. Leaving stretch and the bottom to super glue the bottom shelf to 6. The I took one sside of the AQ MEDIA basket and glued it to the egg crate to create a baffle and I stuff some media between the inlet tube and baffle. 7. Cut an inch of the tube that goes inside the tank for a better fit in tank. 8. 8 fill media basket with desired media and enjoy The water actually flows from bottom to top that's why I putt that baffle on the punt side of the media basket to help force the water down the bottom to the top I was going to do chemi pure but buying bulk carbon and gfo is more cost effective than buying new chemi twice a month. I got my ROX carbon and GFO from the filter guys and I just make my own mixture. I actually run floss, floss, more floss, purigen, carbon/GFO, floss, floss. You can always google "diy aquaclear media basket" and there are some better steps with pictures. I just did my own cheaper version of theirs Link to comment
monkdaily Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 So today was dip day here is my process. I gotta say I am grateful the red bugs got me on my first piece. I don't think o will add another piece without it. So..... Step 1 The goods Step 2 Bowls and safety. One dipping container. One to shake off the remaining pest. One for a rest. All filled with tank water. Gloves. This stuff is dangers even touching it. And a turkey baster dropper. Coral pre dip Coral in dip. I used 5ml for a touch over 2 cups and blasted with the dripper constantly for 10 mins. After 10 minutes of blasting in solution and shaking off in a cup of tank water it is resting before adding back to tank. Back in tank after dip. Freaking SCARY. About 5.5hrs after dip right before lights out.polyps already looking just a bit better than before dip and the flesh to the eye looks tons better. I hope tomorrow to see even more changes for the better sorry for the phone pics and photobucket really destroys quality also. But thanks for checking it out. Link to comment
Sk8n Reefer Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Great documentation- were you able to see the red bugs fall off? DId you let your lfs know they have a red bug infestation- I think I would stop going to that store or at least see if they are taking any measures to address the issue. Hope your Bonsai is doing well tomorrow! Keep us posted. Link to comment
monkdaily Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 Great documentation- were you able to see the red bugs fall off? DId you let your lfs know they have a red bug infestation- I think I would stop going to that store or at least see if they are taking any measures to address the issue. Hope your Bonsai is doing well tomorrow! Keep us posted. Thanks a lot. I actually didn't see them fall off because the water was cloudy and I was pumping that blaster like crazy. I did however save the remains and there were quite a few. I haven't gone back to tell them but I am planning on it because in a different tank they have a Jedi mind trick monti I really need. I have a red light I have been using to check on it and I can already tell tomorrow I should see some great results. I'm up 430 every morning for work light don't come on till 1230 And I don't get home till 230 And I am going to be going crazy all day waiting to see what's going on Link to comment
monkdaily Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 A little bit of an update. This past Friday on my way to get a Jedi mind trick frag I drove past a different LFS to check out the stock. While I was there the owner asked what I was out doing. I said just looking around actually on my way to get a JMT frag. he said what a coincidence I just cut I frag for a customer and he backed out. Long story short I gave me deal I couldn't refuse on a pretty nice size chunk. I was leary of the fresh frag but at the price I had to take it and if I lost it I lost it only now I have become supper attached to it and I by far my favorite piece. Right around the cut it started to bleach and recede for the first 24hrs. Is this normal? Since then I have seen and more damage but I also haven't seen any growth. Eveywhere else around the frag looks amazing with awesome PE and color. Should I be worried? I really want this piece to thrive and was considering buying the smaller already encrusting piece from the original LFS and gluing them next to each other to help facilitate growth from the fresh frag. Would that work? Link to comment
monkdaily Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 Sorry here is a pic you can see the back edge is the cut and where it bleached out and receded this is how it look 24hrs after the cut and not a change in the past 3 days other than that all color and polyps look amazing and I am very happy with it. Sorry about the pic I will get a better one when I get home from work. If I don't go to the fair! Link to comment
monkdaily Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 New update. Today I was home alone so you know what that means. I had to mess with the tank. Today I took extreme measures on the GHA outbreak and did a 100% water change. I scrubbed all the rocks and wiped down all the glass and heater anything I saw alge on. Then lowered my tank temp from 80 to 78. Hopefully with the new water carbon and gfo the GHA will get starved out. the bonsi, jedi mind trick and little zoa frags already look amazing. The problem is the acro always looks best at night. It always have the best PE at night. Any ideas how to get the PE during the day? I also reworked the scape but didn't get any pics before I had to leave. Then I got back and it was lights out. So tomorrow I will take some shots of the corals and a FTS!! Link to comment
Sk8n Reefer Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 New update. Today I was home alone so you know what that means. I had to mess with the tank. Today I took extreme measures on the GHA outbreak and did a 100% water change. I scrubbed all the rocks and wiped down all the glass and heater anything I saw alge on. Then lowered my tank temp from 80 to 78. Hopefully with the new water carbon and gfo the GHA will get starved out. the bonsi, jedi mind trick and little zoa frags already look amazing. The problem is the acro always looks best at night. It always have the best PE at night. Any ideas how to get the PE during the day? I also reworked the scape but didn't get any pics before I had to leave. Then I got back and it was lights out. So tomorrow I will take some shots of the corals and a FTS!! My Bonsai also shows best polyp extension when the whites start ramping down and really good once it's all blues. This is usually when I feed Link to comment
monkdaily Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 Yeah I just run a coral compulsion par30 so it doesn't dim like that. But I am thinking about a stunner strip to run at night the 453nm blue version because once it's lights out I use red wrap and a flashlight to check the tank Link to comment
monkdaily Posted October 10, 2014 Author Share Posted October 10, 2014 I feel like I haven't seen my tank in days so here ate some new pics. I think I have most of the kinks worked out and we're cruising now. FTS The o'lady's zoas not what I wanted but she supports the hobby so it gets the o.k. from me The bonsai trying to show some color and PE Finally the Jedi Mind Trick healing up Link to comment
Sk8n Reefer Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Everything is looking good- any more red bug sightings or did your Bayer dip take care of them? That Jedi is going to be a nice piece. I laughed on your zoos comment and your wife's choice of Coral. My wife chose some zoos and Clauvlaria- the Clavs grew so fast I would frag them and buy more SPS- they were out of control and I finally turned them all in. The zoos are multiplying good now too but they don't extend polyps as bad as the Clavs - so there staying for now ! Link to comment
monkdaily Posted October 10, 2014 Author Share Posted October 10, 2014 Everything is looking good- any more red bug sightings or did your Bayer dip take care of them? That Jedi is going to be a nice piece. I laughed on your zoos comment and your wife's choice of Coral. My wife chose some zoos and Clauvlaria- the Clavs grew so fast I would frag them and buy more SPS- they were out of control and I finally turned them all in. The zoos are multiplying good now too but they don't extend polyps as bad as the Clavs - so there staying for now ! Haven't seen one yet. I went pretty strong with the bayer and blasted it with the baster A LOT for luke 10 minutes. It was stunned for close to a week and now it is taking off and I see improvements and growth almost daily. I'm waiting for the JMT to heal a bit more then I am taking it off the plug and letting it run wild. Its funny you say that because that what my girl wanted first the Clavularia and I was like no so she want to the GSP and I was like no. So she went to the ugliest zoos and I was like are you sure. Then she said fine I can't get what I want I'm over it. So of course I caved and settled on the zoo's but its cool I'll probably turn that into a mixed zoo rock anyway Link to comment
Sk8n Reefer Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Haven't seen one yet. I went pretty strong with the bayer and blasted it with the baster A LOT for luke 10 minutes. It was stunned for close to a week and now it is taking off and I see improvements and growth almost daily. I'm waiting for the JMT to heal a bit more then I am taking it off the plug and letting it run wild. Its funny you say that because that what my girl wanted first the Clavularia and I was like no so she want to the GSP and I was like no. So she went to the ugliest zoos and I was like are you sure. Then she said fine I can't get what I want I'm over it. So of course I caved and settled on the zoo's but its cool I'll probably turn that into a mixed zoo rock anyway Hahaha! Sounds like my trips to the fish store! Link to comment
monkdaily Posted October 12, 2014 Author Share Posted October 12, 2014 New pieces yesterday. I got a great pearlberry piece and another freebie frag from a local. He said he didn't know the name but her got it from the president of dfwmas so I'm sire it's good. Anyway on to the pics Pearlberry in bag 10 minutes in the tank Unidentified piece in bag And Unidentified piece 10min in tank Link to comment
Smurf Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 What do you use to take your pics? Link to comment
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