Felicia Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 Never! I live to see growth over time shots, and the slight week to week or month to month changes in a maturing reef. My tanks are still too young to have experienced this yet. True! I do like watching everything fill in in my tank. Its exciting when the tank is young and not full to get new corals frequently, but I definitely appreciate watching everything grow out now. I need to do a new video of clips of everything in the tank like Gena did. That would be something new and different to keep it interesting. Link to comment
gena Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Thanks guys! Glad you like the photos. Sorry for going so long since the last time I posted any pictures. I'll try to stay on top of taking photos every once in a while. It just seems redundant since I haven't added anything new, but I guess you guys can at least see all the growth Gena, I also really love that chalice. I only paid like $20 for it and it was one of the earlier corals I bought for the 10 gallon. I'm glad I stuck it front and center in the 30 gallon because its really become the centerpiece of the tank. It just keeps growing. I'm going to have to frag it at some point because its encroaching on the zoas, but I just don't want to ruin its nice oval shape. Also, Johnny (the black clown) hosts that chalice which is fun to watch. The coral beauty seems to be perfect with all the corals I currently have. I had problems with acans and open brains after moving things into the 30 gallon from the 10 gallon, so she could have been involved in that but I never actually witnessed her picking. Also, I still have other LPS corals like my duncan, candy cane, frogspawn, and scoly which are all super happy and I never see the coral beauty mess with them. I'm glad I took the risk and got the angel because she's super pretty and seems to be perfect with all my corals and the other fish. I just try to feed her lots of food. It truly has become your centerpiece, I agree!!!! One of my LFS's has a big chalice and it is hosting some clowns too. It looks awesome. I'm definitely gonna get one someday. I need to do a new video of clips of everything in the tank like Gena did. That would be something new and different to keep it interesting.You should definitely do that. I would love to see closeups of all the corals, etc. 1 Link to comment
Felicia Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 I'll work on getting some video clips over the next week or so and then try to edit together a video. Thanks for the idea, Gena! I just loved your newest video so much, I want to do the same for my tank Link to comment
Felicia Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 I'm up to something major Stay tuned for updates... Link to comment
gena Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 I'm up to something major Stay tuned for updates... What a tease!!!!! Don't keep us waiting too long Link to comment
Felicia Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 If you can wait about a half hour, I will reveal what I'm up to. Link to comment
Felicia Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 Ok, well it wasn't even that long. Here's what I've been up to... I'm starting a frag tank! Its a basic 10 gallon Aqueon tank. I'll let you guys know more detailed specs/plans in a later post. Its in the living room behind my couch. You can see where it is in relation to the 30 gallon on the left side of the photo. Lily, my project supervisor, had to inspect the new tank. And no, I did not put her in there. I went to get my camera and came back and she was in the tank. Also, my first question for everyone. Which size Koralia Nano powerhead should I buy for this? A 240 gph or a 425 gph? I'm going to be running an AC50 which will give some flow. This frag tank will be for softies, LPS, and SPS corals so I want enough flow but not too much for the softies. 1 Link to comment
Felicia Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 Ok, so time for some details on the new frag tank now that I'm done working on it for the night. I've been wanting to set up a frag tank for the last couple months because I want to start fragging and selling corals, but I don't have enough space on my little frag rack to keep very many frags while I list them for sale. I've been seriously considering setting up the second tank and debating, but I finally decided to go ahead and do it since the cost was really low. I had equipment from the old 10 gallon that could be reused and I had an AC50 from my old freshwater tank. The set-up cost so far has only been $110. Specs Tank: 10 Gallon Aqueon (20.3"x10.5"x12.6") Light: Odyssea 20" 72W T5 HO Fixture (2 18W 12000k whites, 2 18W actinics, and 4 blue moonlight LEDS) Filtration: AquaClear 50 Power Filter (200 gph) Powerhead: ??? Heater: 50W Submersible Tonight I put the stand together, mounted the light above the tank, and made frag racks from eggcrate. The stand I bought was only $35 from Target and is the perfect size but I realized after I put it together that it needs some reinforcing to make it stable. I'm going to buy some 2x4's and do some reinforcing on the inside of the stand to make it really solid. It should only cost me a few dollars for the wood, and I'll check out a power miter saw from the tool lending library in Berkeley. I'll keep you all posted on how my reinforcing goes. Once I get the stand really solid, then I can water test the tank and get it cycling. Once there's water in the tank, I'm planning to go pick up a few pounds of live rock to place beneath the frag racks. Here are a few photos with the light fixture and the frag racks. The little suction basket from Target will be used for any macro algae I'm growing out. I've also got another basket filled with rubble rock for mushrooms and other softies. There is open space for frags that need to be placed on the bottom of the tank and then the rest of the space is the frag racks. I realized I made them a tiny bit higher than I like, so tomorrow I'm going to make them a bit shorter but the layout will be the same. 2 Link to comment
gena Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Awesome!!!!! Brings back memories I had the K-nano cuz the others seemed like they would take up way too much room. If you have the AC50 and the K-nano that should be enough flow...I think. Lily looks so cute in there!!!!! Link to comment
Felicia Posted January 31, 2013 Author Share Posted January 31, 2013 Awesome!!!!! Brings back memories I had the K-nano cuz the others seemed like they would take up way too much room. If you have the AC50 and the K-nano that should be enough flow...I think. Lily looks so cute in there!!!!! Well both the 240 gph and 425 gph koralias are called "nanos" now. Did you have the 240 gph one? The bigger one is only like 2 dollars more expensive, so I was thinking maybe more flow would be better but I also don't want it to look too bulky. Lily is fascinated with this tank right now and keeps jumping into it. I kept hearing her jump in and out of it during the night last night. She's going to be sad when it gets filled up with water. Link to comment
Felicia Posted January 31, 2013 Author Share Posted January 31, 2013 Ok, so I made some more progress on the tank tonight. My evening turned into a lot of DIY work. That means time for power tools! I finished up reinforcing the stand which was the main thing I wanted to get done today because I couldn't put water in the tank until the stand was sturdy enough for the weight. The particle board top on the stand wasn't supported much at all, so I added 6 2x4's into the cabinet to support the top portion. I also added some reinforcement to the base. Here's what I did inside the cabinet. The other DIY project I got done tonight was a screen top for the new tank. Lily keeps climbing in the tank so I figured I should get the lid done to keep her out once I put water in the tank. I also leak tested the tank tonight. It passed so that means I can put water in it and get it cycling soon! Lily decided the tank filled with freshwater for the leak test was a waterbowl and kept drinking out of it. Ok the plan at this point is to get some black Krylon Fushion spray paint and paint the back of the tank. After that's done, I can get the tank all filled up with water to start the cycle. I'll then go pick up some live rock pieces to place under the frag racks. Then it will just be waiting for the cycle to finish. I ordered a power strip and timer that are supposed to arrive tomorrow so that I can get the light fixture up and running. Also, I need to decide on a powerhead to purchase at some point. 2 Link to comment
Spirofucci Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 The Mad Scientist is back at work!!!! Looks great. Women and power tools!!! Sexy! Link to comment
gena Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Well both the 240 gph and 425 gph koralias are called "nanos" now. Did you have the 240 gph one? The bigger one is only like 2 dollars more expensive, so I was thinking maybe more flow would be better but I also don't want it to look too bulky. Lily is fascinated with this tank right now and keeps jumping into it. I kept hearing her jump in and out of it during the night last night. She's going to be sad when it gets filled up with water. Oh...I got the 240. I think Danielle got the 425 and regretted it. She said the flow was too strong. I'm not sure if there is a size difference though. If you want lots of flow, go with the 425. Link to comment
Deckoz2302 Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Oh snap....I think ima make a frag tank with my old sump after I remove all the baffles and silicon. Then ill have to figure out what to do with my current rimless lol...aling with the two 12in deep blue pro cubes...I seem to aquire more fish tanks then I do equipment...I keep reusing my equipment for the upgrades lol Link to comment
ajayjack Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Oh...I got the 240. I think Danielle got the 425 and regretted it. She said the flow was too strong. I'm not sure if there is a size difference though. If you want lots of flow, go with the 425. I've got the 240.. two of them running in my 29 gallon. I'd get the bigger one. The 240 hardly does anything at all. Link to comment
Felicia Posted January 31, 2013 Author Share Posted January 31, 2013 The Mad Scientist is back at work!!!! Looks great. Women and power tools!!! Sexy! Thanks, Mark! I knew you'd appreciate me using power tools. The picture of the saw was for you. Unfortunately I couldn't take a picture of me using the saw since I was by myself. Link to comment
Felicia Posted January 31, 2013 Author Share Posted January 31, 2013 Oh...I got the 240. I think Danielle got the 425 and regretted it. She said the flow was too strong. I'm not sure if there is a size difference though. If you want lots of flow, go with the 425. Yeah I think they're about the same size and they're basically the same price. I do want to grow out a bunch of SPS frags in this tank so maybe more flow is better. I had a 240 gph Oceanic powerhead on the old 10 gallon that seemed sufficient for my softies and LPS, but I didn't really have SPS corals in there. I was just going to use that powerhead but when I got it out and plugged it in, it won't turn on. Oh snap....I think ima make a frag tank with my old sump after I remove all the baffles and silicon. Then ill have to figure out what to do with my current rimless lol...aling with the two 12in deep blue pro cubes...I seem to aquire more fish tanks then I do equipment...I keep reusing my equipment for the upgrades lol Yeah you need to use all those awesome tanks you've got just sitting around. Luckily when I upgraded I didn't use most of the equipment so I had spare stuff I could use for this. I also have random stuff from my freshwater tanks over the years. I currently own 4 AquaClear filters in different sizes. I think the oldest one is probably close to 10 years old and it still worked last time I checked it. I've got the 240.. two of them running in my 29 gallon. I'd get the bigger one. The 240 hardly does anything at all. Hmmm, ok yeah maybe the bigger one is the smarter way to go. I just don't want to end up with way too much flow and make any softies I throw in the frag tank super unhappy. I currently have 1500 gph worth of flow on my 30 gallon (not counting the AC70) so I guess I need about a 3rd of that for the 10 gallon so that would be the 425 gph Koralia. Link to comment
gena Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Yeah I think they're about the same size and they're basically the same price. I do want to grow out a bunch of SPS frags in this tank so maybe more flow is better. I had a 240 gph Oceanic powerhead on the old 10 gallon that seemed sufficient for my softies and LPS, but I didn't really have SPS corals in there. I was just going to use that powerhead but when I got it out and plugged it in, it won't turn on. No hum or anything from that powerhead? My mix bucket powerhead gets clogged up sometimes. I have to take it apart and soak it in vinegar. If you hear anything from it, you may just need to clean it out. Link to comment
Felicia Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 No hum or anything from that powerhead? My mix bucket powerhead gets clogged up sometimes. I have to take it apart and soak it in vinegar. If you hear anything from it, you may just need to clean it out. Yeah unfortunately I'm getting nothing. I thought it just needed to be cleaned and I tried that but the motor isn't running at all. Its a cheap powerhead so I'm not surprised it went out. That's why I'm getting a Koralia this time around since I know they're decent. Link to comment
Felicia Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 The frag tank is now wet! Let the cycle begin! I got the back of the tank painted black tonight which was the last thing left before I could put water in the tank. I also picked up 4 pounds of live rock today to place under the frag racks. Its cured live rock that looks pretty clean which is good for the frag tank because I don't want a bunch of hitchhikers or algae in there. My powerstrip and timer also came today so I got the light and other equipment all hooked up. Now all I need now is a powerhead but that's no rush since I've got to wait for the tank to cycle anyway. I've got the cheap powerhead I use to mix buckets of salt water in there right now. Here's a photo of the tank all set up with water in it. Lily has a nice view of the new tank from one of her cat towers/beds. 3 Link to comment
gena Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Woohoo....making money time!!!! Well, almost. Lily is looking darling as usual. Link to comment
Felicia Posted February 14, 2013 Author Share Posted February 14, 2013 Hi guys! Not much to say about the tanks at this point. The new frag tank is just cycling so it will be a few weeks before I do anything new with that. In the meantime I thought I'd share some dive photos. I went to Catalina this past weekend for a belated birthday trip with a couple friends to go diving at the Casino Point Dive Park in Avalon. Avalon is a super cute little beach town and the diving was awesome! It was a nice mini vacation Here are some photos from the trip. View of the harbor and the casino out on the point. Opalescent Nudibranch (Hermissenda crassicornis) Garibaldi Baby sea lion Jellyfish and Garibaldi Jellyfish And a fun video of a jellyfish: 3 Link to comment
eitallent Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Beautiful pictures of your dive trip. Thanks for sharing those. Lily is such a sweet kitty. Too cute. My cats are always checking out my new tank too. Your frag tank is looking great. Good planning. But your display tank is terrific, really beautiful. I am glad I found your thread! 1 Link to comment
Spirofucci Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 WOW! I love Catalina!!! Been there a bunch of times. A long time ago I lived on a 36 Sailboat with my Dad in Marina del Rey and we sailed over there all the time. I also have been to the isthmus and toured the chamber, very cool! Actually I have a bunch of Catalina stories, but that's for another time...... Great dive pics as always!!!!! Also, frag tank is awsome!!! 2 Link to comment
metrokat Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Beautiful underwater pics. How is the frag tank coming along? I'll take the Lily coral colony whenever you are ready to ship. Kthx. Link to comment
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