My 10g -> 30g Upgrade

[Hopeful Reefer]

I have had a 10g Nano tank set up since just before Christmas…after aquiring some nice corals, I realize the same thing everyone else does…MY TANK IS TOO SMALL!! ;) :D

So, it has been a long time in the making, but I’m finally am going to upgrade…this upgrade isn’t a huge one, but I’m going to a 30g tank…a friend of mine gave me the tank and stand for free so I can’t beat that. (my 75g will be set up after this one)…the stand was pretty basic, so I skinned it and used the decorative boards that were the previous legs as molding around the bottom…

As for the tank, I had a LFS drill a 1” hole so I could have an overflow…I then built an acrylic corner overflow box and siliconed it to the inside of the tank…the overflow and the back of the tank were painted with black Krylon paint…

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Equipment/Tank1.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Equipment/Tank2.jpg

Notice inside the tank I have a Durso…I’ll be using that method versus that Stockman Standpipe…I used my Dremel tool to shave off about half of the T and the Street El so that I could have a more compact unit…

I have an equipment list I want to post as well as more pics, but for now I’m gonna call it quits and head to bed…I’ll post more tomorrow…just remember, once I’m done I should be able to keep anything in this tank including Acro’s… :D

[smketyr]

Jason, great start! What are you going to use for a sump?

Tom

[Michael Mota]

Looking good!

[Hopeful Reefer]

Hey Tom and Mike...good to see you guys... :)

You are getting a little ahead of me here Tom...my sump was going to be my next post...after work...but I guess since you went there I'll throw that up really quick... ;)

I am using a 10g tank...standard Wal-Mart bought 10g tank...it will house just a refugium, because my skimmer is a Remora HOB skimmer...so I will not need room in sump for a skimmer...this also gives me more room for macro algae...my return pump is a Quiet One 3000 which I am going to run external, also giving me more room for macro...one of our LFS owners gave me the acrylic to make the baffles...he makes sumps for people all the time and he gave me the appropriate dimensions to use...so, I'm confident I have plenty of room for overflow (if not, I will explain my backup plan later. ;) )

Here are just a few quick shots of the sump...I will have to take a fourth shot when I get home tonight (as I'm running out of time now)...it will show the custom bubble extractor I made for the sump...should work well...anyway, here are 3 shots of the sump as I made it...please excuse the silicone mess, as this was the first time I tried to silicone something in place... :eek: ;)

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Equipment/Sump1.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Equipment/Sump2.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Equipment/Sump3.jpg

Ok...I'm off to work...more to come later...

[EWC88]

I'm tagging along for this one, I watched your other builds and I love your work.. Can't wait to see this up and running!!

[2639]

tagging along too :D This should be nice!

[Hopeful Reefer]

So where did I leave off...oh yes...my equipment...here is what I have purchased/ordered for this upgrade...

Skimmer - Remora HOB Skimmer (will run HOB of sump if enough room, if not the hood was build with enough clearance in the rear to accomodate the skimmer)

Lighting - I currently have a 96w PC Quad light on my 10g...I ordered another identical to it so I can put these side by side in the center. In addition, I ordered 2 T5's from Hellolights with individual reflectors...the quad lights are each 2 tubes of Actinic and 2 of 10k...the T5 tubes are a single 10k and a single Actinic (may be true blue, don't remember :p )

Auto Top Off - Here is where I'm still debating...I am thinking of a Kalk reactor ( this one (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=14716&N=2004+113458) ) which will be fed to the sump by an AquaMedic Niveaumat (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=14678) auto-topoff...I was gonna make a small shelf of sorts that will allow another 10g fresh-water tank to sit above the sump to provide the water for the top-off system...please, if anyone has any links for a cheap DIY top-off system, kalk reactor, etc. please post as I don't feel like spending this kind of $$$ for a topoff and kalk system...

Now...to the DIY bubble extractor I mentioned...here are some pics and then I'll explain...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Equipment/BubbleExtractor1.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Equipment/BubbleExtractor2.jpg

Here is the idea...the water will drain from the tank to the top of the acrylic tower...(please forgive it's crudeness, but it was built from scraps that weren't totally square for one reason or another and I had to reinforce the joint)...in the tower, between the plumbing and the acrylic walls will be live rock rubble...the 2 slots will be about 1/2" to 1" above the sand bed in the refugium to allow the water to flow out in to the sump...should work well if my idea is any good...we'll see... ;)

I made some more progress on the stand today...painted the inside of the stand white...and I put 2 coats of stain on the hood...can't get the front piece the color I want but too late to worry with that now...it will be fine I suppose...I will try to get the first if not both coats of poly on the stand tonight so that tomorrow I can start making the move...if not, I'll have to put the 2nd coat of poly on the stand tomorrow and then make the move after work Monday night...

That's all for now...I'll see about posting more tomorrow when I can get pics of the poly'd stand/hood...

[2639]

My ATO is simply a 6 gallon rubbermaid trash 'can' that holds my kalk and I have a float switch that is connected to an extension cord. A MicroJet pump is plugged into that cord and when the water falls, the float switch simply completes the circuit for the extension cord and the pump pushes kalkwasser to my sump.

This (http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html) is what I based mine of of. Here (http://www.aquahub.com/store/ifloatfloatswitch.html) is the switch I bought.
Here (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=AS1151) is the float switch.

Thought you might find that useful :D

[Hopeful Reefer]

2639 -

Thanks for the links...actually, after posting I read someone else's thread and they used an ATO from www.aquahub.com ...after looking at that package, I think I'm going to use that system with a few added extras (such as the buzzer) with either a MaxiJet 600 or an AquaLifter pump...I think that will be a much more economical alternative than what I was originally planning...

[smketyr]

Jason, looking forward to more pics and to see the bubble extractor working. How about a pic of the stand in progress.

The aqualifter works great with a floatswitch for a ATO. Putting one in my Bio Cube. I have to look for the link for a kalkreactor, or take a trip to my workshop and take a few pics of the one I had for the 120. Easy and cheap to make, about $25 with the pump.

Tom

[Hopeful Reefer]

Hey Tom,

I almost went with the AquaLifter but instead decided to go with the MaxiJet 600...I figure, if I don't like the MJ, all the LFS in this area have the AquaLifters so I can just go get one...and then mod the MJ for better flow in the display tank... :D ;)

As for the tank progress, ask and ye shall receive (this time ;) )...1st coat of poly actually just went on about an hour ago...waiting until about midnight for it to be dry so I can lightly sand and apply the 2nd coat...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Equipment/Stand5.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Equipment/Stand6.jpg

The next pic shows the doors in the bottom right corner and the hood on the left...after the 2nd coat of poly, all will be attached and handles put on the doors...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Equipment/Stand4-2.jpg

Tomorrow I can move it in to place and get my plumbing in order...I'll have the sand and stuff in it tomorrow as well as the plumbing...I will be able to then go to one of the LFS here and get some live rock...already spoke with them, and they got some Ultra Picani on Thursday...been in their tank under heavy skimming since then...with the live rock and live sand I already have that will go in to the tank, a few pounds of live rock will not really cause a spike...so I should be able to add it all in to the system with no problems...

[smketyr]

Jason,

The stand looks great! A tip I learned from an old timer (great grandfather) who was a cabinet maker for magicians. Wet sand the poly with 400-800 grit sandpaper for a very smooth finish. Feels like glass when your through.

Can't wait to see it with water in it.

Tom

[Hopeful Reefer]

Thanks Tom...wish you would have made that suggestion BEFORE I finished the stand!! :lol: :lmao: Anyway...the stand is done and I'm happy to announce that!

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Equipment/FinishedStand1.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Equipment/FinishedStand2.jpg

As you can see, there are a few things that will need correcting like the gap in the back, the front door doesn't completely close on the hood, etc. All this will be done courtesy of a run to Lowes this afternoon after I get my van towed!! :angry: Not perfect, but I think it looks good for my first shot...I may quite possibly build a new hood and correct several "unseen" issues that will really make the stand that much better...plus, I'm not happy with how the stain color on the front face of the hood turned out and I can correct that also...

Anyway...I have most of the plumbing done except for the run from the return pump up to the T that sends water back to the tank...I need 2 45-degree elbows to finish off that section though...once I get the plumbing done, the tank will go in to the bedroom for final positioning...then, I'll redo my electrical panel (which I will post pics of in the next day or two) and put the sand in the tanks...I will "hopefully" have water in there tonight but probably not cycling...

I will move stuff over tomorrow night after work...including a few new pounds of Ultra Picani live rock I will acquire on my way home from work tomorrow night...

Ok...that's all for now...I'm sure I forgot something, but you guys will be sure to ask questions that will remind me... :D

[smketyr]

Jason,

The hood door can be easily fixed. I see that the hinge was installed open. Install it so that the when the door is closed the hinge is closed. All in all we are our own worst critics when we build something. Looks good! Ready for water!

Tom

[Michael Mota]

what tom said. looks good jason

[Hopeful Reefer]

Tom,

I thought about that...AFTER I put it together... :eek: I have already decided that this hood is going to be temporary and I'll be building another one soon...in the mean time I got 3 cabinet door hingest versus the long piano hinge to rework the hinge...

Mike,

Thanks my friend...you tank build always looks spectactular and I love your updates... :D

Now...short update...no water is in the tank tonight... :( I ran in to a problem trying to change out the clutch slave cylinder and what little time I have to work on the tank got eaten up by the car...darn beater cars... :lol:

Like I said though, I did make it to Lowes and got the correct hinges I need for the front door...and some more wire to route my electrical outlets...this setup will utilize a central power center concept...single power wire coming in to 4 outlets (including GFCI), then going to 2 outlets each controlled by individual digital timers and then finally going to another 4 outlets which can be switched off by a shower timer (you know, turn clockwise and it does something for a specific length of time)...the dial for the timer will be outside the front face of the cabinet in one of the corners...this will allow me to turn off the pumps to feed...

So...we'll see how much I get done this week and how quickly I have water in the tank...I want to have water in and circulating for a while to make sure my plumbing is ok...I'll keep you guys posted...

[smketyr]

Jason,

Cool idea with the shower timers. I am eager to see it!

I know all about beater cars. My main ride is a 93 Buick with 302,000 miles on it, bought it with 37,500 for $600 (Thanks Grandma). Driven over 100 mile a day, both City and Highway. Only put a water pump on it. It rattles sometimes. The other car is a 95 Geo Metro, 265,000 miles, no headliner, dents, needs exhaust, tires and part of the rear suspension bracket needs to be replaced rusted through. Never replaced anything on the engine. Both only have had brakes and exhaust work. I do monthly oil changes and filters everyother month. It is all the other stuff that goes wrong, windows, seats, trim, rust, rust, rust, hood latches, rust, did I mention rust. :) Hey if gets you where you are going it is a good car!

Tom

[2639]

That looks totally sweet!

Did you build that 'on the fly' or do you have plans? I want to build my own hood but I have ZERO experience with cabinet making and even less with power tools LOL

One of my goals for my new 10 gallon is to make a sweet hood like that but just dont know how :(

[Hopeful Reefer]

Tom,

I used the shower timer idea on my 10g build...works really well...some people have said there is a shock/fire hazard with modifying the single pole timer but I've had no problems...down the road, I'll look at the double pole timers that instead of turning something on are actually made to turn something off...basically just need to swap out the timer which is easy...as for the car, it's a beater and at the moment seems to be running better than the family care... :hmm3:

2639,

The stand was built from plans...plans that are only available in my mind! :lmao: So, I guess you can kind of say I built it on the fly...the biggest thing I can stress to you is to use some sort of decent saw that has a laser guide...this will allow you to make precise cuts that will give you legs, supports, etc. all of exact measurements...otherwise, you stand will be slightly off-level...

*****************

Ok all...my T5's came in as well as my auto-topoff kit...unfortunately, after I have everything installed I realized that I ordered HO T5's instead of VHO T5's...oh well...I'll just have to upgrade the ballast and bulbs if I want any high-light demand corals...

So...I took Friday afternoon/evening and worked on finishing up the build...here are some shots showing the stand and canopy with lights in the canopy...these shots are prior to water or sand going in...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Tank/BeforeWater1.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Tank/BeforeWater2.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Tank/Bright.jpg

So, with all that done, I filled the tank with sand and water...came up about 2 gallons shy on the amount of water I already had on-hand...so I had to go to the LFS today and get some more...before I show you the tank, let's take a look at some of the other parts of the setup... ;)

First, my electrical setup...I have 2 sets of outlets on timers to control the light over the sump and the main lights...I also have 2 sets of outlets controlled by a shower timer (as described to Tom above) that controls all of my pumps so that when I feed I can turn them off and not forget to turn them back on...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Tank/Electrical1.jpg

Continued next post...

[Hopeful Reefer]

Now, before anyone mentions it I already know my wires are a jumbled mess...I ran out of time today to tack them all up and make it pretty...that will be done sometime tomorrow (Sunday) or sometime in the coming week...

Next is the sump...the bubble extractor is working, just not as well as I had hoped...still, for only having the one over-under combination for the baffles, I have no air bubbles hitting the show tank except for when the water gets too low in the return section of the sump...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Tank/Sump4.jpg

Notice all the chaeto...lots of good stuff there along with some of the smaller live rock pieces... :)

Here are the full tank shots...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Tank/FTS1.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Tank/FTS2.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Tank/FTS3.jpg

I have the rock set up with just a small island over on the right...

[Hopeful Reefer]

Now, for the new additions... ;)

First, we I got a Royal Gramma...I really love the coloring of these guys...he is kind of skittish right now and hangs out in the caves, but he is coming out more and more each hour...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Inhabitants/RoyalGramma1.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Inhabitants/RoyalGramma2.jpg

Next, I also got a hippo tang...as he outgrows this tank, he will end up in the 75g that I'm about to start...the pic is blurry, he didn't want to cooperate... ;)

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Inhabitants/HippoTang1.jpg

[Hopeful Reefer]

Can't grab fish without grabbing corals right? So I also got a few corals too...and, I'm arranging to possibly get more corals (small frags) from a friend...

I got a very nice, bright green trumpet coral...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Corals/TrumpetCoral.jpg

And I also got some Pom-Pom Xenia for my wife...she really likes them...no picture because they were still mad and not opened up yet when I took pics...

And finally, one cool thing I did was put my 2 feather dusters on the little island to the right...looks really neat when you see it...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Corals/FeatherDusterIsland1.jpg

The rock on top makes a small cave in the middle, about halfway up the rock...my peppermint shrimp and Royal Gramma spend their time in here... ;)

So with that, I'm off to bed...got lots done this weekend...can't wait till I can get more corals and see what I have now fragged off in the future...

[smketyr]

Jason,

Looking good! Did you add the live rock and sand from your other tank? Did you get a cycle? or did you just go for it. Great place for the feather duster!

One other question, are the shower timers are used to shut off the pumps when feeding? I think that is a great idea!

Tom

[Hopeful Reefer]

Hey Tom...

Yes, the shower timers are used for turning off all the pumps during feeding time...allows me to "forget" to turn them all back on without any harm to my tank...I am using the single pole ones right now, had to modify them to work in revers of how they are designed...they actually sell a double pole version that you can buy so that when you turn the dial it turns off whatever is connected to it without any modifications...I'll probably get one of those soon just to make sure I have no fire hazards...

As for the live rock and sand...everything from the 10g went in to this tank...I unfortunately had a slight delay getting the sump running because of a 1-2 gallon shortage of whatever to make the overflows work...and because of that I had ammonia at about 0.25 when I started the sump running...I'm not really worried though, because once I started the water running through the sump, the bacteria should have started taking care of whatever was dying off on the 13 pounds of live rock I added to the live rock and sand from the old tank...I asked 2 different LFS and they both agreed that with cured live rock already going and a live sand bed from the 10g that adding new live rock wouldn't cause a cycle...I haven't had a chance today to test because of getting ready for a test in the academy at work...but I'll test probably tomorrow night when I get home...don't expect to see any detrimental results though...

Besides...everything in the tank is looking good...only problem so far that I've had was with my toadstool leather...it started getting a funky color to it and a small patch began to bleach out...I caught it early on and put the thing on my sandbed (was about halfway up the tank)...the color has returned and polyps look to be getting ready to come back out...the bleached area is also getting some of it's color back so I think I caught it just in time...same thing for the trumpet coral, only the color had just started fading and no bleached spots had appeared yet when I put it on the sand...week or two and I'll move them part way back up to where I had them...

Ordering a few supplies tonight including a clean-up crew...can't wait to start putting more corals in here... :D

[smketyr]

Jason, I did it the same way you did when I down sized. The tank inhabitants had a few bad days when I had a mini cycle but was lucky nothing died.

Tom

[cherubfish pair]

Jason,

How did you make your built-in overflow?

[Illuminati]

Look awesome, really like the hippo. How big is it, I've seen them as small as quarters, makes me want to get one but I have no plans to upgrade so I always resisted the urge.

Can't wait to see this develop.

[Hopeful Reefer]

Tom,

So far, the problem with the trumpet and toadstool leather are the only 2 that look stressed...of course, I'm at work right now and can't comment on today, but as of last night everybody else looks good...

the cattleman,

The overflow was simple...I took 2 pieces of scap acrylic and measured them for the size overflow I needed...the bottom of the tank was drilled and then I took my measurements...I bonded the 2 pieces together and when they were totally cured I spray painted them with Krylon Fusion Black to match the back of the tank...I'm glad I did this because the skimmer surface skimming box is black also, so unless you are face in the water you can't see ANY of it...which is what I wanted...I then cut groves in the top with my Dremel tool...I then siliconed the overflow in to place...very easy DIY project if you ask me...ask for the drilling part, that was done for me by a LFS...

Colin,

Nice to see you my friend...were you able to view all the pics at work on broadband this morning? :lol: Good luck and congrats on the new job...as for the hippo, he is about 2" long...a little bigger than a quarter...I have heard that people have problems keeping them from really small, because they are so picky eaters and die off...mine is already trained to mysis shrimp and looks to be eating well... :D

Only concern I have with him right now is he is hiding in my rock work which isn't a problem...but the rocks are scratching him near his tail on his bottom half of his sides...is this a problem or not does anyone know? I don't want him to get infected, but I always seem to see hippos "sleeping" or lying under rocks and on bottoms of tanks...just want the best for my tank...as for size, the tang police will disagree with me on this one, but they grow in proportion to their feedings and the size of your tank...if you have another tank to transplant him in to then you'll be set...for example, I'm getting ready to start putting together my 75g next (get the stand and part of the lights this week - already have the pump, Seios and UV unit)

So, with that I'm off before the boss growls at me some more... :rollface: :lmao: ;)

[Hopeful Reefer]

Ok...quick update...

First, my ugly tank-is-maturing diatom bloom is in full force right now...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Inhabitants/Diatoms.jpg

Thank god I got my cleaner crew from Live Aquaria today...bunch of bumble bee snails (I think, maybe cerith - have to look but too lazy! :lol: ), a sally lightfoot crab, some scarlett hermits, some reef hermits and a green shell abalone (the thing is huge! It is the size of a small cell phone!! :eek: )

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Inhabitants/Cleaners.jpg

And lastly...of all things that my one clown has options of hosting in, he decides he wants to host in one of my feather dusters!

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Inhabitants/ClownHosting1.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Inhabitants/ClownHosting2.jpg

Sorry the 2nd pic is blurry, but you get the idea...

Just thought I'd update...come on now guys, I know you are reading...Colin, Tom, Steve... :lol: :thumbsup: :D

[Mrseptember15]

LUCKKYYY, Wouldn't the feather duster recede tho? Thats what mine do when something comes close to it.

[smketyr]

Jason,

Just been too lazy to reply, actually I made it over to Colins tonight. Man did he hook me up the zoas! Also, I had to work on the car tonight, the auto parts store gave me the wrong radiator hose. I am hoping that is it, could not find a hole in the existing but being under pressure it might. Over a 100,000 miles on that hose. Hoping it is not the heads or the head gasket. Don't want a car payment!

That is the coolest thing the clown hosting the feather duster!!!!!

I am going thru the diatom bloom now with the BioCube and it stinks!!! Water changes, clean up crew, brushing the rock and vaccumming the sand and bam right there again. Put in some Phosphate remover, chemi-pure and purigen. Nitrates still at 25ppm so I will wait to add the livestock.

How about a pic of the ablone? I love my sallyfoot hangs out on the base of the bigger leather.

What do you have planned next?

Tom

[Illuminati]

Go cleaners go! Gotta love new tank syndrome :)

That is the coolest picture of the fish and the duster, have to save that for a future reef related photography contest.

[smketyr]

Jason,

How it the tank doing?

Tom

[Hopeful Reefer]

Hey guys...quick update this morning before I go pick up my stand for the 75g and possibly some new frags (not sure, need to call the guy first)

Mrseptember15 - Believe it or not, the feather duster does not recede...he just sits there and "takes it"...I noticed that it is missing about 3 or 4 feathers from it's crown but otherwise is no worse for the wear...believe you me though, I'm keeping a close eye on it...not sure how I'd do it, but if the clown really starts irritating the feather duster I'll have to somehow provide it with another host...maybe a good reason to go to the LFS and justify the purchase of an anemone to the wife... ;)

Tom - I have the diatom bloom still going, but it is slowing starting to die away...I see just a little difference each day...I've tested my Nitrites and Nitrates and they are basically nill... :confused: Oh well...bigger algae problem now is a magenta colored slime over everything...and some bubble algae...did a 5g water change last night (which is about 16% roughly)...and I tried to blow some of it off the rocks so hopefully my skimmer can grab it up...

Colin - Yeah, definitely a cool pic...I think it is a little too blurry to enter in to a contest...I didn't take that one with my tripod so it's a little too blurry for my taste...next time I'll grab a few pics with my tripod and see how good they are...those can go in to a future photo contest though... ;)

Ok all...like I said to Tom, the diatom bloom is still going, but it is slowing starting to die away...I see just a little difference each day...I've tested my Nitrites and Nitrates and they are basically nill... :confused: Oh well...bigger algae problem now is a magenta colored slime over everything...and some bubble algae...guess this is a case of red slime algae...I'm gonna try to get some of the pads that draw out nitrates, phosphates, etc...if that doesn't work, I'll just start with daily 5g-10g water changes until there is a significant reduction in the algae...right now, I'm just at about 5g weekly changes...

Couple pics for you all...first is the pic of the abalone that came with my cleaner crew...I saw it out in the middle of the night a few nights ago and I threw on the lights really quick and snapped a pic... :lol: I'm sure he was confused, since I immediately threw them back off! :lmao:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Inhabitants/Abalone.jpg

Next is a pic of my frilly mushroom that I got last month...for some strange reason, it is suddenly drawing up at night...not sure why...the guy I got it from said they sometimes did that for him...he thought maybe it was working on a new mouth so it could split...either that or something is in the water it doesn't like...not sure...anyone have any experience with this?

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Inhabitants/FrillyMushroom-Receding.jpg

I'm trying to monitor it, but it seems to go back to normal during the day...we'll just have to keep an eye on it I guess...

Also, I tried to get a pic of my peppermint shrimp, my sally lightfoot crab and my black sailfin blenny...unfortunately, all of those pics turned out like crap...so I'll have to keep trying for more pics to document my entire build...

So with that I'm off...need to clean out the van so I can go get this stand...and I need to call the guy I'm getting frags from to see if he is ok to meet today...if so, I'm definitely getting some Kenya Tree from him...he also said he is gonna throw me some other stuff but didn't specifically say what...maybe some SPS to see how it does under my lights...not totally sure...guess we'll see...

Free frags always do seem to look better, don't ya think? ;) :D

[Hopeful Reefer]

Hey guys...I met up with the guy to pick up some frags...and boy, did I pick up some frags!!! :D

Let's just right in to it...first, I got 2 pieces of Kenya Tree...one piece he cut off today and another piece was already fragged off and lying in his sand bed...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Corals/KenyaTree1.jpg

Next, he gave me a piece of orange Monti Cap...it was originally 1 piece when he fragged it, but in the process of getting it to me, it broke in half...so, I have 2 decent pieces to start with...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Corals/MontiCap1.jpg

He also had this huge colony of neon green star polyps...I've been wanting some of this for some time...this small piece had broken off on it's own from the main colony and was beginning to grow just on the sand...easily fragged...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Corals/NeonGreenStarPolyps1.jpg

And finally, he got me a HUGE piece of unidentified SPS...this one was discolored and bleached in his tank...he moved it up high and it started to get some color back...hopefully after a few days in my tank it will start to color back up and the polyps will fully extend...he said the color is red to maroon...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Corals/SPS1.jpg

And finally, here are 2 more pics of the clown hosting in my one feather duster...these were just taken tonight about 2 minutes before lights out...I took these with my tripod so they definitely turned out better...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Inhabitants/ClownHosting3.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Inhabitants/ClownHosting4.jpg

Ok...that's it for now...I really made out today on stuff...these are my first SPS that I've gotten...the T5s should be enough light for them, especially since they are both up at the top (same as in his tank)...I just really need to keep up on my Calcium levels now...I have some Calcium that I can dose, but I should start considering topping off with Kalkwasser or spending the money for a Ca reactor...

Comments and suggestions...keep em comin... :thumbsup:

[smketyr]

Jason,

Looks good! Check out Randy Holmes-Farley two part recipe for Calcium and Alk and dose that. Instead of dow flake I use prestone driveway heat. Reefvideos.com has a video for mixing it as well. Works great and dos not cost an arm and a leg. You don't need a calcium reactor for your size tank. If you were all SPS then maybe. Good husbandry: water changes, keeping your water parameters in check, maintaining proper levels of CA, Kh, etc. , good skimming and a good reef saltmix should do the trick. I swear by kalk dosing, stable water parametes, healthy corals, keeps algae in check.

Tom

[kingfisher62]

I like the monti cap, if I get any SPS's that will be what i get!
I heard they are probably one of the easiest SPS's to keep. Great clown and duster shot!

[Hopeful Reefer]

Thanks for the advice...I am still trying to work on my top-off system...I want to try to dose kalkwasser, but I need to fine tune my top-off system to do so...I've been talking with a bunch of folks local to me to get their experiences with kalkwasser and also Randy's two-part to see which method I'll go with...

I really like the Monti Cap too...I want to also get a green one and a purple one...those may have to wait until the 75g is up and running...I'm still not sure what type of SPS the other coral is...I'll have to get someone to ID it for me...

Thanks for dropping by...more comments... ;) :thumbsup:

[kingfisher62]

I like your orange ones ,I have enough purples and greens in my tank I need some differant colors.

[Hopeful Reefer]

The color variety is the whole reason I wanted to get in to saltwater reefs to begin with...

Oh, and I forgot to mention in my last post that the new corals, ALL of the polyps are out today when I got home from work...looks great...just need to get some phyto now to start feeding my SPS and feather dusters...I'll probably get some Nori while I'm at it to suppliment my hippo tang as well...

[BAYONNEREEF]

nice tank

[jzdad]

Nice set up .I too am setting up a 30g and was looking for some Ideas on lighting and I'm gonna post by the end of the week so I'm following all 30G threads

[BAYONNEREEF]

what kind lights did you use

[Moonstream]

that is one funny clown... hosting in a duster ha. He deserves an award for most creative host. Nice tank, I really wanted to get a hippo tang, too small a tank though. How mature does a tank have to be for a hippo?

[Hopeful Reefer]

WOW! I can't believe it has been soooo long since I updated...guess I'll throw some pics in for those of you that were following along... ;) First, some replies...

BAYONNEREEF - Originally, my lights were 2 T5's and a 96w PC Quad light...about 2 months ago though, I traded the PC for a 150w 10k Metal Halide...

jzdad - Good luck on your 30g setup...feel free to share a link to your thread so I can check it out...

Moonstream - That clown is a trip...the feather didn't mind him hosting either...so much so that the clown ended up destroying the feather duster's crown...I thought it was dead but left it along...the crown is now starting to grow back and occassionally I see what little of it is there peek out through the end of it's tube...now, the clown is hosting in my frogspawn!! At least it won't kill that... ;)

***********************************************

Some updates on livestock & corals...my xenia, for some odd reason just up and shrivelled up after I put in my MH lighting...figure they didn't like that much light...I'll have to get more and acclimate them slowly to it...also, my hippo died...I believe that was caused from me not having Nori on hand soon enough...

Now for some pics...I recently picked up some more corals and such for my tank...

First, a small paly/button polyp...it's color is similar but slightly different than those I already have

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Corals/Button_Cindy.jpg

Next comes a small, Devils Hand Leather...it is about 1/2" tall...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Corals/DevilsHandLeather.jpg

This next pic shows some some Green Star Polyps on the right and a single yellow paly/button on the left...these stars are really rare because they are all neon green instead of just the tip...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Corals/GSPandYellowPolyp.jpg

[Hopeful Reefer]

Next comes a small piece of an ENORMOUS leather one of the locals here had...forget which kind, but it looks like a huge anemone...you can also see in this pic my baby tri-color ricordia I've been trying to find a good spot for...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Corals/Leather_Cindy.jpg

The next 2 shots are of some Zoas I got from the same local...

I think I know what they are, but can you guys provide ID's for comparison please?

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Corals/Zoas1_Cindy.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Corals/Zoas2_Cindy.jpg

In the first pic, I think these are firecrackers or starburst...

In the second pic, I am not sure what these are...it is a mix of 3 different types...I think one of them are gorilla nipples...

And finally, something I've wanted to get for a LONG time, an anemone...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/30g%20Reef%20Tank/Corals/Anemone.jpg

It hasn't found a home it likes yet and it right now is squeezing it's way through a small passage underneath the one big upright rock in the center of the tank...I think it is because of the flow hitting the cavern in the center...I think he will end up on the other side and be right at home, but if he does that I'll have to move the trumpet I have on the sand bed...we'll see where he ends up...regardless, hopefully my frogs (or at least the one not already hosting in my frogspawn) will host in the anemone whenever he finds a home... :D

[Illuminati]

Nice new additions :)

I can finally see the pics since I'm at work (Don't tell the boss), this thread is a dialup killer.

Is the unknown leather a Spagetti Leather?

Can't wait to see that Devils Hand grow, I always wanted one but never really had the room.

[Hopeful Reefer]

Thanks Colin...I promise I'll email your boss at once!! ;) :D

As for the leather, I think it is a regular toadstool leather like I already have...just a cutting of one that was a TON bigger than mine I already have...

As for the devils hand, if I ever frag it I'll keep you in mind... :)

[Moonstream]

NICE! that anemone is bleached though. make sure you feed it often and keep water quality up. that first zoa almost looks like a fire and ice.

[Hopeful Reefer]

Thanks Moonstream...I'll have to post an updated pic because he is nowhere near that bleached now...have been hand feeding him pieces of raw shrimp and he is coloring back up nicely...

I have aquired several new frags again at a local frag swap/store grand opening...I'll post some updated pics soon...

[Ocean In A Box]

What's going on with this project!?!?! ;)
Great stuff Jason -

[bigtyguyy]

great pics! any updates?

[Hopeful Reefer]

Hmmm...my update from the other day didn't post...darn gremlins...

Anyway, this project is no more...the rear bottom seam on the tank sprung a leak and I had to move everything out of the tank...I had a 75g that I had JUST gotten the light setup for, and was able to switch everything over to my 75g...

Wanted to do a build thread for it, but with the emergency switch over I couldn't take a bunch of pics...

Here is what the 75g looks like as of a few days ago...it has been up about a month now...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/Hopeful_Reefer/75g%20Reef%20Tank/75gFTS11-4-2007.jpg

I'll throw some updated coral shots on here soon...that is all I have for now though...just when I was starting to get some good growth on my corals too...

[kingfisher62]

Loooooking GOOOOD!!!!!

[Hopeful Reefer]

:smokin:

Thanks...but you already saw this pic in the other thread... ;)

I actually like the lights, especially how I came by them...but, I am not sure I like the color balance...I need to get it a little less blue and a little more white...gotta figure that out yet...

[Ocean In A Box]

Good to hear from you on this thread.... ;)