Laguna Matata

[MainelyReefer]

  Welcome to the Laguna Matata, I realize that likely translates to the lagoon of trouble but it sounds better than Laguna Hakuna Matata haha
Equipment List

Tank: Innovative Marine 25g Lagoon

Light: Aquaticlife T5 hybrid with 16” decorative end caps supported by the floating suspension kit.  
2x ATI blue+, 1x ATI Purple+, 1x ATI Coral+

2x Kessil a80’s with kessil spectral controller

Heater: Cobalt Aquatics Neotherm 75w 
Return Pump: IM mightyjet 538gph

Return Nozzles: 4x 1/4” RFG’s

Media Baskets: 2x IM custom caddy (returned intank as it didn’t fit)

Refugium: IM magnafuge paired with an Intank refugium basket(may upgrade to chaetomax but had the magnafuge)

Rock:  Pukani, bleached and acid washed, seeded with a single rock from my drop off(very clean system). Rock work held together with Reef Welder, Scapefix, and superglue gel.

ATO: Auto Aqua Smart ATO Micro paired with an IM hydrofill 5g ATO reservoir

Stand: IM stand not the APS but the old particle board one, know the name? Let me know thanks!

Salt Mix:  Reef Crystals mixed to 1.026-1.027

Refractometer: Milwaukee MA887
Skimmer: TBD

Lid: IM Aqua Gadget DIY Pro series

Glass Cleaner: IM aqua gadget Micro Mag

Dosing: Jebao DP4 w/ eshopps 2 chamber dosing container and eshopps 5-hole tubing holder.  Additives TBD

Controller: Reefkeeper lite for temp control redundancy, also have an apex lite but the display never worked out of the box.  I loath technology and have been soured by their customer service but it’s essentially new and if the reefkeeper breaks at least replacement parts for the apex can be found.  I can maybe get a more tech savvy reefer from my local forum(BostonReefers.org) to assist me in set up.
Misc.: Intank Filtration Cover
self installed handles w/ sliding lock to baby proof

Tons of pipettes and turkey basters 

 

 

Tank got wet 1/11/20

[jack1978]

....... about time. 

[MainelyReefer]

Right now only the heater and return pump are running, and of course the heater I have on hand is stuck set at 88 degrees so will have a replacement tomorrow.  I will likely keep my spare 200w neotherm in the display until then to keep it at the right temp.  Using a product named Smart start complete to supply bacteria beyond the small liverock I am adding in a few days.  I am transferring livestock and existing equipment from my reefer 250 I am shutting down.  The reefer proved to be too large of a system for me to maintain and I honestly find the quality of the Red Sea systems to be lacking and overhyped.  So slowly the remaining equipment will be added as the transfer takes place. 

[MainelyReefer]

The Kessil 360we’s are definitely way overkill when combined with the t5’s and will certainly be ramped down.  I am considering selling them and buying one more Kessil a80(already have one brand new in box) I just threw it over the tank and it’s spread hits side to side when centered.  It also has that 90 bracket that will mount up to the AI mounts for the aquaticlife hybrid.  Really I just want the shimmer and the ramp up and down.... so two little 15w lights combined with 96w Of T5 will likely meet my desires.  Opinions?  I also have a spare AI prime HD that could be centered between the two a80’s if more LED is needed down the line.  The reason I am really thinking it makes sense is because the a360we bracket on the hybrid fixture just have the Kessils sit with gravity in the bracket they aren’t actually screwed into the mount.  The floating suspension kit I have for the t5 makes the whole fixture tilt at a 45 degree angle for easy access to the display and my main concern is the 360’s will fall out without some kind of reinforcements.  Not to mention I have a 3 year old boy and a  1 1/2 year old boy who are only growing rowdier.  Whereas the a80’s would be screwed/bolted into place so more reliably fastened IMO.  Again am I crazy for thinking this would be preferable, my wife looks at me like I have three heads so I just need a reefers opinion. Thanks

[jack1978]

3 hours ago, GraniteReefer said:

The Kessil 360we’s are definitely way overkill when combined with the t5’s and will certainly be ramped down.  I am considering selling them and buying one more Kessil a80(already have one brand new in box) I just threw it over the tank and it’s spread hits side to side when centered.  It also has that 90 bracket that will mount up to the AI mounts for the aquaticlife hybrid.  Really I just want the shimmer and the ramp up and down.... so two little 15w lights combined with 96w Of T5 will likely meet my desires.  Opinions?  I also have a spare AI prime HD that could be centered between the two a80’s if more LED is needed down the line.  The reason I am really thinking it makes sense is because the a360we bracket on the hybrid fixture just have the Kessils sit with gravity in the bracket they aren’t actually screwed into the mount.  The floating suspension kit I have for the t5 makes the whole fixture tilt at a 45 degree angle for easy access to the display and my main concern is the 360’s will fall out without some kind of reinforcements.  Not to mention I have a 3 year old boy and a  1 1/2 year old boy who are only growing rowdier.  Whereas the a80’s would be screwed/bolted into place so more reliably fastened IMO.  Again am I crazy for thinking this would be preferable, my wife looks at me like I have three heads so I just need a reefers opinion. Thanks

The T5s alone should be plenty for the tank.  So if you’re just after the shimmer and a little boost in par..... I’d just run the 80s.  

[MainelyReefer]

Flashback post to a few weeks ago

Switched my dining room and living room, and consequently moved a massive hutch which left an empty spot that looked perfect for a reef.  

first the ceiling needed to be repaired(notice duct tape from previous homeowner) and the walls and ceiling painted.  I scored a purple my wife loves in the clearance section of Lowe’s for 9$ a gallon, luckily whoever originally bought it didn’t love it!  I had a real professional helping me so it went smoothly, he could hardly reach the high spots though.

I exchanged an old 70’s receptacle with a new 20amp GFCI and put on a weatherproof cover to protect it from the kids.... and water I guess.

Notice it is lockable

Next course of action was installing the aquaticlife floating suspension kit.  Luckily the builders actually put studs 16” on center(surprising in this house).  Again I had the best in the business helping ensure I didn’t hurt myself.

The tank was then put in place with the intank filtration cover on so I could set the T5 height as low as possible to reduce spill and limit eye damage in my kids(still need a light guard per the wife’s request)

The light was fastened in

The functionality of the hinges tested and confirmed the floating suspension kit was worth the money.(not the finalized scape, just put rocks in for fun). Also notice I added handles to the stand so I could add a baby proof lock.

To be continued 

[Pjanssen]

Sweet. 

[jack1978]

That is a cool setup! 

[MainelyReefer]

Here is the scape when it was dry

 

[MainelyReefer]

Added the small piece of liverock from my drop off to inoculate the tank with goodies like green film algae, coralline, snails/stomatella, bristleworms, copepods, amphipods, and any other unknown hitchhikers.  Here is a closeup of the liverock
topdown, lots of space for my scoly and some plates!

side view visible as I walk in from my kitchen, my scoly should take up the spot here which will receive nice indirect flow and have perfect viewing 

from the front, definitely uglier without the intank filtration cover on.... ewww cords! Also flow is off in all pictures 

from the other side which has a 16” space just big enough to squeeze into for viewing and servicing 

ohhhh ahhhh 4x 1/4” RFG’s!  

when laying out the scape a focus was placed on space between each rock making lots of nooks, caves, tunnels , overhangs Etc..  I want the fish to feel like they can swim through the reef rather than around it, plus flow will benefit.  The tank has ~10lbs of Florida crushed coral that I used a magnet on and removed about 30 pieces of magnetic materials, sad how humans are ruining the world when clean sand can’t even be sourced.  A finer sand will be added to appeal to the pistol and yellow watchman who likes to sift through and eat the goodies within by discharging clean sand out his gills, love watching it.

[MainelyReefer]

Added some test frags today.... all 7 floating cups were new to me blastos also introduced from my existing collection one kryptonite green trumpet, my scoly, a white goniopora, a ricordea, an Acan, and a browned out Hawkins echinata.  Guess it’s more than a modest test haha. 

also took my first attempt at making a wooden light spill guard so my kids maintain their perfect vision.  Needs to extend a little lower to make it below the waterline or else you can make a direct path of sight to the light from their height.  And I have to either have it almost touching the light fixture at the top to stop the LED reflection from the water reflecting off the reflector of the t5 or flare it out on top. Basically lots of reflecting and I am thinking it’s wisest to put a decorative flare on the top to get well out over the edge of the light to maintain space to limit heat trapping. This is with only the single kessil a80 on it’s lowest intensity 

Face blasting t5’s with kessil at max, still haven’t installed the decorative end caps to conceal power cords on the fixture etc. until I’m confident it’s at the right setup.

final product will be painted black, any paint recommendations will be considered!  No marine paint was available at any big box hardware stores locally but might check a boat shop/ use krylon fusion as last ditch effort as it’s not hard to rebuild the wooden framework if it rots, I’m mostly concerned with poisoning the tank

[Pjanssen]

Really coming along. Love the wood light valance. How is it supported? C’mon, get those unsightly cords covered up will ya! (JK)

[jack1978]

18 hours ago, GraniteReefer said:

Added some test frags today.... all 7 floating cups were new to me blastos also introduced from my existing collection one kryptonite green trumpet, my scoly, a white goniopora, a ricordea, an Acan, and a browned out Hawkins echinata.  Guess it’s more than a modest test haha. 

also took my first attempt at making a wooden light spill guard so my kids maintain their perfect vision.  Needs to extend a little lower to make it below the waterline or else you can make a direct path of sight to the light from their height.  And I have to either have it almost touching the light fixture at the top to stop the LED reflection from the water reflecting off the reflector of the t5 or flare it out on top. Basically lots of reflecting and I am thinking it’s wisest to put a decorative flare on the top to get well out over the edge of the light to maintain space to limit heat trapping. This is with only the single kessil a80 on it’s lowest intensity 

Face blasting t5’s with kessil at max, still haven’t installed the decorative end caps to conceal power cords on the fixture etc. until I’m confident it’s at the right setup.

final product will be painted black, any paint recommendations will be considered!  No marine paint was available at any big box hardware stores locally but might check a boat shop/ use krylon fusion as last ditch effort as it’s not hard to rebuild the wooden framework if it rots, I’m mostly concerned with poisoning the tank

Setup looks great.

-Instead of painting the wood black, you can use black “Starboard”. ...used for decks on boats .... think cutting board material.  

Cut, predrill, countersink like wood.  Neat stuff. 

-What T5 bulb combo did you go with?

[MainelyReefer]

Corals seem happy, water is hazy as I am adding phyto daily

even the goniopora is happy, though it’s extension is bigger when the lights just come on so I am thinking it may want a lower light area

Getting nice surface agitation(plus I forgot how much I love t5’s even their reflection is nice)

Hungry Scoly this morning

Full scoly(fed with 15-20 Fauna Marin LPS pellets)

[MainelyReefer]

Forgot to update about a month ago that I got a firefish and a few days before that a mandarin. Also lots of good coralline coming in on the rocks as you can see, as well as the new tank fuzzies

I got the mandarin January 21st I guess, which I considered irresponsible and risky so I didn’t share it until I was sure I hadn’t f’ed up haha.  How could I say no to a $50 biota mandarin from a random petco?  Here she is on day one just over 1/2”, I’d say 5/8”.  Good thing algaebarn exists and local phytoplankton from granite state aquatics

never have had luck with goniopora and alveopora, but I got a frag of each for 12$ from my LFS so I figured it was worth a shot.  I am happy to say I am getting better PE than I ever have in previous attempts.

alveopora

Goniopora 

WWC rainbow blasto is starting to show lots of colors on one polyp no filter lots of blue though haha

Scoly Spaceship!

[A.m.P]

The rainbow's nice and all, but I can't get past how nice that dark blue-eyed and crazy-frilly one is lol.

[MainelyReefer]

1 minute ago, Amphrites said:

The rainbow's nice and all, but I can't get past how nice that dark blue-eyed and crazy-frilly one is lol.

Every time my best friend/reefer friend is over he says the same exact thing. Ones worth a few hundred(apparently) the other was 12$ haha!

[A.m.P]

A blasto like that would be worth $100 where I'm at if you found it on sale.

[MainelyReefer]

Whoa I haven’t updated in awhile! Tank has been on autopilot slowly maturing.  The initial SPS frags I added regained their lost color and began encrusting/showing upward growth.  So I pulled the trigger on a 12 pack of SPS for $150 from a local reefer.  Early 30th birthday present for me!  
Corals

Forest Fire Digi

Purple Digi(actually purple stylo I think)

Birdsnest

Green Slimer

Purple tipped slimer

Blue tipped Slimer

Blue Stag

PC rainbow 

tricolor 

red robin

generic blue acro

generic purple acro

The corals stayed on the rack all of 10 mins before I had enough looking at it, then they got glued in tentative spots and removed from the plugs 

Can’t wait until this “channel” gets filled with corals reaching into the void, this picture is before I glued in more too

[MainelyReefer]

Oh yea and the mandarin is still doing great, I don’t add pods, but have an Eheim auto feeder filled with assorted pellets and flakes going once a day at noon and then I typically feed once at night with my boys.  Here she is in my digitatas

[mitten_reef]

The sps look great!  That is some overkill lighting in a lagoon. 

[MainelyReefer]

Just now, mitten_reef said:

The sps look great!  That is some overkill lighting in a lagoon. 

I have to update the first post actually, I sold the kessil a360’s and just have two a80’s now much better suited to the tank size!

[MainelyReefer]

Stoked on the new SPS all their polyps were out last night!  Early morning appreciating how the scape slopes nicely to the front

letting the corals know I expect vertical growth by playing them Curtis Mayfield move on up.  Hoping it’s like plants and classical music in that their growth will be benefited haha

 

[MainelyReefer]

Mandarin always hunting near my display chaeto, I also keep a small refugium Of chaeto in one of the rear chambers.  Hard to see the Mandy 

Does anyone know what this red macro is? Recently taking off.... it’s kind of pretty so I’ve been leaving it, seems short and unable to choke the goniopora out so maybe ok

[Elizabeth94]

Wow so many sticks! I don’t know why I haven’t stumbled across your thread yet. But I saw it twice today on two different forums haha. What are the chances? 
 

Sorry, can’t help on macro ID. I hope its not a crazy grower, it is very pretty.