thre3leven's 10G AGA [4/13/13 Tons of New Pics]

[swayd]

I am in Livermore but spend mostr of my time in Hayward. If you want a small skimmer that works really effin good I would recommend the one I am using. its only $9.99 but its an in-tank skimmer. other than being an in-tank skimmer it works great. Are you going to mod the ac70 for chaeto?

[thre3leven]

I am in Livermore but spend mostr of my time in Hayward. If you want a small skimmer that works really effin good I would recommend the one I am using. its only $9.99 but its an in-tank skimmer. other than being an in-tank skimmer it works great. Are you going to mod the ac70 for chaeto?

 

The AC70 will be modded for the chaeto/refugium. Depending on size I may try some other stuff out with it as well. I am also thinking of keeping the AC30 on the tank to put some Purigen/Chemi-Pure/Carbon etc in along with the Floss/Sponge for extra filtration. Between the Maxi-Jet 600, the AC30 and the AC70 there should be plenty of water movement.

 

What brand of skimmer is it? Any pictures? Depending on size and look I may be interested. Where did you buy it from?

[thre3leven]

Any one have any recommendations on what I should throw in the tank/on the rock? What softies would thrive etc? It is still cycling, but I am thinking ahead.

[sponginator]

townsville is pretty nice place to live if you can deal with the heat, but brisbane is ok if you can deal with living in the hustle and bustle of an 'australian' city

[thre3leven]

townsville is pretty nice place to live if you can deal with the heat, but brisbane is ok if you can deal with living in the hustle and bustle of an 'australian' city

What is Townsville, about 6+ hours north of Brisbane? To be honest, Brisbane is just a point of reference. Anywhere on that coast I would be happy.

 

EDIT: Ha ha nevermind, just checked directions. 18 hours eh?

[thre3leven]

Seriously considering your recommendation. The pictures look amazing. White beaches, turquoise water, great barrier, no hustle and bustle of the city... all very appealing. What's the cost of living around?

[thre3leven]

Let me know what you think of the attached sump design.

untitled.bmp

[thre3leven]

Anyone have any comments or suggestions for the sump design? Thinking of building it this weekend and want some input. What works, what doesn't etc.

 

Thanks,

 

-Mike

[thre3leven]

Alright, I have been busy. Below are the pictures of the updated tanks.

 

I scored at the LFS. The LR rubble bin had the duster in it. Owner was pissed that I walked out with it at the LR rubble cost: $0.76.

 

I received my AC70 and modded it into a refugium. Has some chaeto, the heater, and filter floss. Threw in a handicapped snail as well (keeps falling upside down).

 

I also have the AC30 on the back for the filtration with the sponge/floss, carbon, and Purigen.

 

I had two Maxi-Jet 600s in it. Too much flow. Between the AC70, AC30, and one Maxi there is a perfect balance.

 

For lighting I have the Current USA Nova Extreme 18" fixture and a blue led strip for moonlighting.

 

It is coming together finally.

 

 

And a FTS of the 3G Eclipse

 

[thre3leven]

Updated list of equipment:

 

10G AGA:

Filtration: AC30

• Filter Floss
  
• Purigen
  
• Carbon
  

Refugium: AC70 Modded

• Filter Floss
  
• Hydor 50W Heater
  
• Chaeto
  
• Snail
  
• Reef One BiUbe Light
  

Lighting: Current USA Nova Extreme 18"

• (1) 12K Daylight
  
• (1) Actinic
  

Powerhead: Maxi-Jet 600

Moonlights: Blue LED Strip

Live Rock: 20lbs+ Fiji

Sand: 10lbs Dry

 

3G Eclipse

Filtration: Stock Eclipse Pump

• Filter Floss
  
• Carbon
  
• Bio-Wheel
  

Lighting: 10G AGA Fluorescent Fixture (Temporary)

Powerhead: Maxi-Jet 600

Live Rock: 5lbs+ Unknown Origin

Sand: 5lbs Dry

Chaeto

[thre3leven]

So much for trying to trap the Bristleworm that was in my 3G.

 

I heard a funny buzzing coming from the tank, figured it was some sand in the pump. Nope. Instead I found what looked like a cactus exploding in my tank. The bristle worm for whatever reason thought it would be fun to squeeze into the intake tube of the Maxi-Jet. This resulted in a blender effect, and thousands of bristles throughout the water. Great. Tore apart the MJ, and found about 2" left of what was a 7" worm stuck in the impeller.

[thre3leven]

Alright, time for a long overdue update.

 

So as I mentioned, I was planning on moving to Australia in early 2011. I had two options with my tank: break it down and sell the livestock, or have someone take care of it while I was away. I volunteered my father to take care of it. He had no experience with fish at all, so the thought of handing my tank over to him terrified me, but if I was going to trust anyone to the job, it would be him.

 

I broke down my 3G Eclipse, as it had nothing in it except live rock and sand and there was no point in keeping it going while I was away.

 

I decided to move the tank to my parent's house 2 weeks before I left the country, in the event that any short-term issues came up. Moving the tank from our condo to my parent's house was a success. I typed up a "to do" list covering everything I could think of for maintenance, feeding, water changes etc., along with a monthly schedule for my dad to follow.

 

Talking about salinity levels, cycles, nitrates/trites, ammonia, PH, etc. my poor dad looked like a deer caught in headlights. I got to the point where I felt like if I told him anything else his head would explode.

 

In the end, I got on my plane, biting my nails, hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.

 

 

A week goes by, and the fish/tank are still alive. At around week two, my dad has a few questions about salinity. He says he is doing the top-offs, but can't seem to keep the salinity level right. Once I explain, again, that when water evaporates the salt content of the tank stays relatively the same, and he just needs to add freshwater to top-off, he finally understands.

 

A month goes by, no bad news. Another month goes by, and my dad is starting to get interested. While purchasing saltwater at our LFS, he starts talking to the employees about the tank and looking at the livestock. During one of our Skype sessions he starts telling me about all this coral he almost bought. I told him to never make an impulse purchase at the fish store, and to always research whatever you are thinking about adding. He asked what there is to research. I started telling him about lighting etc. and got the deer in the headlights look again.

 

At around month three, the first problem comes up. Sand got sucked up the AC70's intake tube and locked up the motor. Of all the things that could have gone wrong, this was probably the best. Motors are one thing my dad understands, so without an emergency Skype call, he fixed the issue.

 

A few more months pass, and that brings us to the present. All in all, it has been thankfully uneventful. It has been seven months, the fish are still alive, and the tank hasn't crashed. The tank is now a little over a year old.

 

Aside from a crappy phone picture shown over a #### Skype connection confirming the fish aren't floating, I haven't seen my tank. I have to live vicariously through all of you on the forums, looking at all of your tanks maturing, and wishing I had mine here. Then I tell myself to get the #### over it, I am backpacking throughout Australia, and having the time of my life.

 

Here is a picture of my two clowns before I broke down the tank:

[thre3leven]

After slowly walking my parents through the process of how to upload a picture, I received this pic in an e-mail the next day. Proof my fish are alive.

 

The tank itself is nothing to write home about (no pun intended), but at this point all I care about is keeping the fish healthy until I get back. Definitely needs some tlc, and some coral, and a top-off, and.. ok I'll stop.

 

[thre3leven]

After backpacking overseas for 14 months, I returned home to a somewhat healthy tank. My dad somehow managed to avoid a crash. That being said, he couldn't wait for me to move the tank back to our home.

 

The tank is now two and a half years old and has survived two moves. Current live stock include two clowns, cleaner shrimp, and a Kenya.

 

A coworker was moving and wanted to sell her tank. I bought the 60 gallon drilled tank with over flow, stand, sump, return pump, plumbing and light for $120.

 

I'm going to save up for an ro/di reactor, upgraded lighting, then the transfer will begin.

[thre3leven]

Had an aptasia outbreak over the last month or so. Bought a new addition for the tank to clear up the unwelcome guest: one peppermint shrimp. The first 24 hours it stayed hidden. The next day I woke up to only two of twenty+ aptasia heads remaining. By that night, my tank was completely rid of the pest. Very happy with the new addition.

[thre3leven]

So after a lot of shopping last night here is what the new setup will consist of:

• Display: 65 gallon w/built in overflow
• 20lbs live rock (transfering from 2 year old tank)
• 50lbs dry rock
• Bare bottom
• Circulation: Maxi-Jet 900
• Lighting: Current Nova Extreme T5HO 36" 6 Bulb
• Return Pump: Rio 1600 (will upgrade soon)
• Sump: 20 gallon w/filter sock
• Refugium: Chaeto, Live Rock, Sand
• Sump Lighting: Current Nova Extreme 18" T5HO
• Protein Skimmer: Reef Octopus NWB110
• RO/DI Reactor: BRS 4 Stage 75GPD Value Plus
• Heater: 300W

Thank you drsfosterandsmith, bulkreefsupply, and reefcleaners for some great deals that kept me under budget.

 

I worked on the sump today adding some baffles for the refugium and bubble trap. Can't wait for all the shipments to come this week.

 

Here are some shots of the 10 gallon:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here is the best $120 I ever spent:

 

 

[thre3leven]

Check out the new tank build by the link in my signature. Finally got the rock scape set up. I pulled a rock covered in Coraline from the 10G to hopefully seed the new tank.