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View Full Version : My new 12g Ap HQI.....wadda ya think?


Cldormer
12/05/2007, 06:46 PM
Ok so I thought I'd share my adventures in Reef keeping with you guys. Now this isn't my first reef- (I've owned and been succesfull for over 7years now all the following tanks-29g,72g,120g,6.6g and this 12g) Just my first post on here!

Anyhow like I said I've been reefing for quite a while now but I've notice since my daughter was born-($$$) the reefs I can keep have been shrinking too!! LOL. My first nano did unfortunately have to be dismanteled after I was injured on the job and almost died myself....

Anyhow here is the best pic I had of it when it first started:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f231/cldormer/IM000820.jpg

It was a 6.6g Bookshelf Aquarium from Aquatic Gardens with HOB filter and a 32w PC retrofit.....really cool tank for like $50 from Petco. Sorry about the crappy pic but it was from a cell phone quality phone I've had forever.

Anyhow I was shot in the head with a nail gun.....(ouch!!) one year ago while on the job and to celebrate the anniversary I bought myself a 12g AP HQI from Drs. Foster & Smith. I used the dried out rock and sand from the old 6.6 Nano. I also added 5 lbs of the new Carib-Sea live sand and 3 lbs of cured live fiji from a LFS to seed the old rock.

Here's some a pic right after it's set up:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f231/cldormer/100_0079.jpg

Isn't my daughter BEAUTIFUL????

And now a couple of days in after the tank has cleared up a little:

FTS:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f231/cldormer/100_0084.jpg

Closer FTS:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f231/cldormer/100_0083.jpg

Right Side:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f231/cldormer/100_0089.jpg

Left Side:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f231/cldormer/100_0088.jpg


I haven't done ANY mods yet other than throwing out the bio-balls and ceramic rings.
I have been using the carbon as the old rock still had some dead things in side I'm sure.

I just used distilled water from Walmart and Reef Crystals for the intial fill up. I've had to top off @ 16 oz. of water each day with the temp holding steady at 77.9 f. I won't bother even testing until 3 weeks out so I won't bore you with that. More to come in the future.

I am Looking to goahead and set up the fuge and get a skimmer in h

Devtech
12/05/2007, 06:52 PM
u kinda like tripple posted! but amazing tank u have there cant wait to see it stocked!

ladi8t3r
12/05/2007, 07:15 PM
Looking good. I like your aquascape. What are your plans for stocking?

Cldormer
12/05/2007, 07:28 PM
ooopppsss on the triple post......lol. Not too sure on the stock list yet but my wife really like the Gold stripped maroons we had in the 120 reef. I know they aren't recommended for a tank this small but I have a feeling this will not be my last tank.....lol.

I'm thinking SPS but not too sure since it would require so more mods on the flow side of things. I'll dfinitely be keeping stony corals though since I have the MH. Maybe LPS?? Acans??

ladi8t3r
12/05/2007, 08:09 PM
Modding is half the fun with these all in ones!!

Cldormer
12/06/2007, 02:52 PM
What is everyone using to block off the lower intake vents? I'm getting a film on the top of the water.

I've also thrown some rock rubble in the 2nd chamber but now after thinking about it- I don't think it would be much better than the ceramic rings or the bio balls since it was old dried up rock. Anyone care to chime in on this?? I may pull it back out.