Mikeymikemike's Shallow Reef Iwagumi - SPS Edition: Updated July

[Mikeymikemike]

 

Nice dude this skimmer is awesome and its design is elegant, grats on the skimmer. Id recommend replacing air adjuster though that this is jun

 

Thanks!

 

I took your advice in your review and used my co2 needle valve adjuster.

 

Quick question, since I use KZ coral snow, it tends to build up a fine layer in the neck of the skimmer at the top. Should I clean this neck for more efficiency or will it not make a difference? How often do you clean your skimmer as well?

[Michelos]

Look nice this skimmer!..what flow have you?

[Mikeymikemike]

Thank you, I have very low and gentle flow

[martinicu]

Can yo review your filter that you are running and the filter media that you are using. It's a beautiful looking system. Thanks

[Mikeymikemike]

Can yo review your filter that you are running and the filter media that you are using. It's a beautiful looking system. Thanks

 

My filter set-up is nothing special

 

A canister filter with phosguard and carbon. I use a fine wool pad to polish the water and clean the filter bi-weekly. It takes less than 10 minutes to clean the filter due to the deisgn.

 

Weekly testing shows my water parameters are

 

Nitrate around 2ppm (Salifert)

Phosphate 0.018ppm (Hanna)

[DaveFason]

Great looking tank man! Great to see a aquascaper like yourself in the reef world.

 

Keep up the great work!

-Dave

[BRN]

 

Thanks!

 

I took your advice in your review and used my co2 needle valve adjuster.

 

Quick question, since I use KZ coral snow, it tends to build up a fine layer in the neck of the skimmer at the top. Should I clean this neck for more efficiency or will it not make a difference? How often do you clean your skimmer as well?

 

The only thing that matters is if the hole gets clogged, so just pull the hose off when its getting a little dirty. Then stick a pipe cleaner in it; you dont even have to take the skimmer out of your water to maintain it!. I clean my skimmer when ever i empty my collection tray, so like 1-2 weeks

[martinicu]

Hi again. What did BRN mean about replacing the air adjuster ? Was that on the mame skimmer. I'd like to eventually get one of those myself.

Thanks

[Daniel Name]

Amazing tank!

 

I see that this lily pipe is different since it collects the water from the surface. Where did you get it from?

[Mikeymikemike]

Hi again. What did BRN mean about replacing the air adjuster ? Was that on the mame skimmer. I'd like to eventually get one of those myself.

Thanks

 

he meant the plastic airflow adjuster. I changed mine to a fine adjuster valve

Amazing tank!

 

I see that this lily pipe is different since it collects the water from the surface. Where did you get it from?

 

i got it online from hong kong. check ebay

[Mikeymikemike]

The latest FTS.

 

I consider this aquarium fully stocked now. All i have to do is swap out a few corals over time if anything comes up and watch my zoas slowly grow out .

 

I may make upgrades to hardware over time so stay tuned!

 

 

[ninjamyst]

those torch are beautiful!

[pewpewkittah]

That torch garden.

[RollaJase]

Nice update. Really like the torch garden, Euphyllia look so good when clustered together.

 

You mentioned that you use Coral Snow, check out this below thread, might save you a few dollars:

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/364821-diy-kz-coral-snow-with-97-purity/

I was hesitant on trying coral snow due to the cost but was more than happy to give this a try. Works great.

[Mikeymikemike]

I was given a 250ml bottle of coral snow from a friend so it will last me another year or two at 0.5ml dose for my tank haha. I will remember this thread when I run out!

[RollaJase]

I was given a 250ml bottle of coral snow from a friend so it will last me another year or two at 0.5ml dose for my tank haha. I will remember this thread when I run out!

Haha fair enough. Always good to save some money in this hobby, helps with getting some more eye candy .

[Mikeymikemike]

It helps to have friends in the industry and to have suppliers and importers in your contacts. This tank could not have happened with all their support.

[jstuver]

Gorgeous tank! Love all the torches!

[Mikeymikemike]

[Mikeymikemike]

I recently added a new fish. This guy took about one day to get onto pellets and now he's pretty happy with the clowns.

 

[HarryPotter]

A 6 line wrasse? Another benefit is that he will keep your aquarium pest free

[vlangel]

For such a new tank it looks phenomenal already. I love waving flowing LPS and the colors of the zoas are amazing!

[Mikeymikemike]

A 6 line wrasse? Another benefit is that he will keep your aquarium pest free

 

What sort of pests do they eradicate?

[HarryPotter]

 

What sort of pests do they eradicate?

All sorts! Wrasses are great. Flatworms, pods that are too large, and a bunch of other types.

[Mikeymikemike]

For such a new tank it looks phenomenal already. I love waving flowing LPS and the colors of the zoas are amazing!

 

Thank you

 

It is a new tank but this was all made possible with proper husbandry and products. I know my methods are not exactly conventional.

Here are some of the things i did that seem counter-intuitive.

 

Canister filter

livestock added instantly

low lighting

no skimmer for the first 6 weeks.

 

I'm also using a line of products that really help with feeding and cleaning the water column. They have been reliable and I have seen some effects of overdosing just to see how far i can stretch things.