Rusty busted a 55! Now for his next victim, a 40br! (Tank Diary of a madman)

[Rustylugnuts]

Bout time I got around to this. My 40 has been built, tore down, stored and partially resurrected with no updates. With all the spongin offa RC and not givin back I should be ashamed of myself. Well to assuage my guilt I've decided to get active.

Here is my 1st thread (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1181557) that didn't quite get off the ground for lack of updating.

Since I started with a shoestring budget (which hasn't expanded too much since graduating) it's been a long drawn out build for me. Even though the tanks not much larger than a nano its taken a couple years to save up for and accumulate most of the parts necessary.

I started out with a 29g a while back and I used that to get me along till the next upgrade (kinda like the 40 is doin right now!)
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/29g.jpg.
When I first got it I was kinda fumblin around buying useless equipment and making bad livestock purchases. Luckily I found RC about 4 or 5 months later. I had a lot of fun learning the basics with this tank

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/401stsetup2.jpg
Eventually I got the 40 up and running for the 1st time and while I experienced great growth in my corals there was an even greater growth in maidens hair algae which I'm taking steps to avoid this time.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/401stsetup.jpg
The anthia ended up carpet surfing most likely because the tank was too small and it was probably being pestered by the clowns. When I moved about 5 hours away, in the midst of unpacking and job hunting, it took me too long to get a tank running. I ended up losing the clowns and about half of my corals to a cycle in the trashcan :sad2: .

Well now that I'm all settled in and able to grab a part or two a month it's time to get to reefin! Next part is the refractometer (after that some fresh test kits are in order).

The tank is cycling as I type. Right now I have a magenta dottyback and some softies waiting out the cycle comfortably in a 20L.http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/20gFTS.jpg.

I've read some horror stories about this guy being super aggressive. It was #7 on Top Ten Cutest Little Creature Added To Your Tank Only To Have It Turn Into A Homicidal Killer The Moment It Touched Water... (http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/tt/index.php) so it's definitely going to get traded for something more peaceful when the 40 is ready to go (I know I know READ before you buy. LFS quote "he's only agressive towards fish that look similar").
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/MagentaDback.jpg

Here is the 40 connected to a 30 gallon sump via a calfo style coast to coast overflow.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/wettest.jpg
IMO the overflow takes up too much room. I made it big enough to fit my grubby mits in (Guess I never heard of toothbrushes and tongs!). I get great surface skimming at the cost of space. Next overflow I build is going to be minimally invasive (external).

In the canopy I'll be running 4x39w T-5HO retrofits the bulb config is 1 18k w/3 actinics for a nice blue look.

For flow I have a Mag5 return pump split off to 2 outlets with 3/4" locline and a pair of Koralia 2's.

My filtration will consist of a Typhoon III RO/DI for fresh water, 4"DSB in the display , a 6"RDSB in the sump along with some chaeto, 40lbs of LR , a seaclone 150 for the skimmer (which I'll be stuck with for a while but when budget permits a Octopus DNW-150 will be thrown in) , and 2 media reactors (1 carbon 1 GFO) which feed into the fuge.

My wife has kindly allowed me the use of the utility room for a fish closet in our small apartment. The ziploc bag shown below is where I have about 4 cups of LS left over from when the tank was runnin @ my cousin's apt before I moved here.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/fishcloset.jpg
I plan on trying to build a better shelf in an attempt to make space for phyto and pod culturing stations in addition to the spare parts that have and will accumulate.

Here's where I'm at right now. The temp and salinity is up to spec and I'm acclimating any critters left in the sand up to the tank temp. I see a few bristleworms crawlin around in the bag so it looks like there is some life still.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/Warmingsand.jpg

In my next few posts I'll get around to showing the build and after that I'll keep the log updated.

[Hunter21]

very interesting thread, please keep it updated! :)

[Bruno3047]

Definitely keep this thread going. You have some good experience under your belt and it'll be interesting to see how your new tank develops.

BTW. That magenta dottyback even LOOKS mean.

[mindytoy]

jesus is that a deepsand bed!

[magellan007]

looks great so far, can't wait to see updates!

[Rustylugnuts]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13276839#post13276839 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mindytoy
jesus is that a deepsand bed!

It's only 4" but it looks like a hoss in that shallow 40. The up side is that 4 T-5's should be able to support just about anything I'd want to keep. The downside is that with the huge overflow and the sand I essentially only have bout 30g for actual tank space :eek1:. With the rock work in place I'll likely have more water in the sump than in the display!

[Rustylugnuts]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13274171#post13274171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bruno3047
Definitely keep this thread going. You have some good experience under your belt and it'll be interesting to see how your new tank develops.

BTW. That magenta dottyback even LOOKS mean.

Its such a shame too cause its beautiful fish that been eatin like a hog in qt! I'm just going to have to trade it in for something more suitable for a community in a nano. Next time I'll be sure to wait for a P. fridmani orchid dottyback.

[Rustylugnuts]

Ok On to the build. A while back as I stated in my 1st build I tried to drill a 55g with bad results.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC00533.jpg
I got about as far as building the stand before drilling. This was what I originally had in mind. Luckily it was a used tank and the drilling attempt only smoked about 40 bucks.
When we tried to drill it the bit got about 1/16" down and BOOM spiderwebs. It sounded like a gun went off. Im surprised the pane stayed intact instead of having glass fly everywhere. I imagine that there are cheaper ways to find out if the entire tank is tempered. (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1442624)
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/whatsleftof55.jpg

So back to the drawing board. Eventually I got it in my head somehow that I wanted a 40br but I already had a stand built and everything.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/55to40conversion.jpg
My buddy to the rescue! The friend with a wood shop (who also planed and donated a bunch of cedar) modded the stand to fit the 40. What I thought was especially slick was that he put this together in such a way that I could throw a 75 or a 90 on it with minimal work :D.

[Rustylugnuts]

With that out of the way it was time to drill.

I used a scrap 2x4 originaly intended for another project as a guide to get the hole started.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DrillGuide.jpg
This made it pretty easy to get started by preventing the bit from chattering around and scratching the bejesus out of my tank.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/Drillin40.jpg

A few minutes later and we had a clean hole with just a little chipping on the inside of the tank. I'm glad it wasn't enough to interfere with the bulkhead.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/newhole.jpg

[Rustylugnuts]

Next on the agenda was the sump. I found this 30 made by glass cages when I was checking out some coral @ a LFS in marion. It's pretty heavy duty for its size, all 1/4" plate glass. I saw it sitting there empty next to the coral display so I figured I'd ask if it was for sale. 30 bucks later I'm walking out to the car with a sump!

Here's a couple shots of it's construction.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/30sumpincomplete.jpg

You can see that it was drilled and painted before I bought it.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/blurrysumpcomplete.jpg
Lucky for me I used the same sized holesaw as glass cages did and saved a puck. I just siliconed it in the same time I installed the baffles.

[Bruno3047]

Nice work so far. I like the idea of modding the stand for a possible upsize of the DT. Any time I build something, I always try to do it with a view towards future modification or expansion.

Sump looks good too.

[Rustylugnuts]

Now on to the canopy
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/canopyunstained.jpg

We were kinda flying blind cause I got the urge to have my buddy put it together before I had the retrofits in from hellolights.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/canopyopenoutoffocus.jpg

The original plan was to have the lights attached to the lid in such a way that a pair would swing with it when opened. Well the lights ended up being 1/2" too long for that to work so they ended up being fixed instead of gull wing.

[Rustylugnuts]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13279733#post13279733 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bruno3047
Nice work so far. I like the idea of modding the stand for a possible upsize of the DT. Any time I build something, I always try to do it with a view towards future modification or expansion.

Sump looks good too.

Another unintended benefit is that I could also fit this 40 in the bottom as a sump if a 75 or 90 is ever to happen:cool:.

[Rustylugnuts]

heres a couple shots of the painting the back of the tank.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC02581.jpg

Disclaimer: No motorcycles were harmed in the spraying of this tank :eek:.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC02584.jpg

[Rustylugnuts]

The overflow is something I would do different if I had the chance. I really like the surface skimming that I get from the calfo but having it internally just eats space.
Install pics

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/calfo1.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/calfo2.jpg
Does it bug me bad enough to tear it out and re-silicone and re-plumb? Uh ... no.

[singold]

Great progress. Anxious to see final results!

[Rustylugnuts]

On to plumbing.

Here's a shot of the dry fit before we glued everything in place.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/plumbingdryfit.jpg

I hard plumbed the drain pipes to the overflow and used flex PVC for the return line. The 2 1" lines join at a wye that goes out to 1.5" and from there is a couple 90's that go into the sump.


http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/returnpump.jpg
The flex PVC got 5 mins in the oven @ 200 and was nice and pliable afterwards. I just held it in place till it cooled (with gloves) and it held the shape nicely.
I haven't gotten around to adding a T and ball valve to feed the fuge. For now I'm just going to use the 2 media reactors and keep it low flow.

Another thing I just thought of is the fact that I need to get some support for the drain. The bulkheads shouldn't take the weight. I should have some plastic plumbers tape layin around for just such an occasion.

[Rustylugnuts]

That brings me to the finished product!

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/StandCanopyonwheels.jpg
A big thanks to John (the guy in the background) for the woodworking and other help w/the tank.

[Rustylugnuts]

After that I was able to transfer everything from the 29 over to the 40. I had to add a couple bags of sand as well as the sand in the other tank. I had NO idea how much crap can accumulate in 2 yrs in a small tank. I filled up a 5 gal bucket about 1/3 full w/sand just like it says on melev's site and agitated the sand by hand. Each load got rinsed 3x and dumped on top of the new sand in the 40.

FTS before the maidens hair really took hold.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/401stsetup2.jpg

Here are my green zoos which I started from 4 unattached polyps. I just threw em in a cup fulla CC while they were in the 29 and they grew like weeds.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/growinZoos.jpg

After being glued to LR in sections.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/Fragged.jpg

I only had the tank at this location for about 2 and a half months before I had the move and dieoff.

[Rustylugnuts]

I eventually did get the 29 back up and running while I was between places and living with my cousin. Nothin fancy just egg crate, sand, heater, HOT magnum w/carbon & chaeto. Turned out to be enough to nurse what corals I had left back to health.

I began cooking the rock while this setup was running. Couple months later and there are STILL patches of maidens hair all over the lights out barely touches this stuff! I thought that maybe there was some direct sunlight through the window that got on the trashcan and maybe was just enough to keep it goin so when I moved it to the new house I made sure to leave it in a closet with ZERO light. The rock looks better now but there are still some resiliant patches clinging to life. I recently did a 100% WC on the cooking bin.

Most of the LS was stored in buckets for a couple months before I was able to get going again. When I broke out the sand again I was in for a surprise.
http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/sick007.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/anerobicnastiness.jpg
Both buckets that weren't in use in the 29 went anaerobic bigtime. As soon as I dug in the most godawful raw sewage smell was there to greet me http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/sick015.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org).

I setup a heater and all of my flow including a maxijet w/a venturi.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/o2andflow.jpg
You can see some dark patches in the lower levels of the SB.

[atrox]

Great thread and I love your sense of humor. The stand worked out nicely now you have shelf space to help out with testing, and placing beers. Aquascape looks great wouldnt change a thing. Only question I have is how is the left hand side of the sump going to fill/ and or circulate? I assume that this is your fuge area.

[Rustylugnuts]

question I have is how is the left hand side of the sump going to fill/ and or circulate? I assume that this is your fuge area.
Yep thats the fuge. For now I have a couple of via aqua media reactors with enough tubing to reach from the outlet in the return section over to the fuge. I'd guess I'm getting maybe 100gph max from the two of them. I'm thinkin of using a mj 1200 to feed a spraybar or just grabbing a 600 and tie wrapping a hose to it.

[atrox]

Couldnt you T off the drain line?

[atrox]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13280286#post13280286 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by atrox
Couldnt you T off the drain line?

and add a ball valve to control flow

[Rustylugnuts]

At first I was hoping to slide by without another sand rinse but Sk8r advised against it. (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1448477) .

So I went and bought a mixing paddle from the paint dept @ HD about a week ago and man I was lookin forward to startin the tank. I was like that kid on a christmas story who just got that decoder ring. Then I got home and the bit was too big to fit in my el cheapo plugin screwgun
http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/gen141.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org).
A couple days later I was able to borrow my dads cordless and get down to it.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/Sandmixer.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/Rinsingoperation.jpg
This thing was great! I was able to burn through that SB in no time

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/Almostdone.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/Donerinsing.jpg
The paddle was like 5 or 6 bucks and saved me at least 2 hours over my last rinse. I would highly recomend one of these bad boys should you mysteriously find your nitrates creepin up a couple years after installing a DSB.

[Rustylugnuts]

Couldnt you T off the drain line and add a ball valve to control flow?
This would probably be the best option. If I snagged my dads sawzall I could have it done in a snap!.

[Rustylugnuts]

Well I'm pretty much out of old build crap so now it's on to the here and now.

Here's my cloudy tank after filling up with water.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/CloudyTank.jpg
Now the temp and salinity are where I want them. I've got the live sand I've saved dumped in the display and fuge.
Tomorrow I'll pick through the LR for some pieces that don't have too much nuisance algae and throw em in.
I'm going to give it till friday and then bring some water to my LFS for testing (my kits are over a year old and aren't going to get replaced till after I get a refractometer).

[Rustylugnuts]

The stand worked out nicely now you have shelf space to help out with testing, and placing beers.
Ah yes the beer shelf. Every stand I make will have one of these. In fact I want the next one to have one for the front too. Polyurethane is resistant to rings from the bottom of the can isn't it? I've splashed the shelf a couple times to no ill effect.

[Rustylugnuts]

Here's one thing I wasn't able to do last time the tank was setup, get water flowing over the entire length of the overflow.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/Overflow.jpg

I got it nice and level with a pair of cheap line levels from HD placed on the glass. Last time the tank was running only the right 1/3 of the overflow actually had water running down it.

[Rustylugnuts]

Here's were the tank sits at the moment. The pile in the middle is the sand I saved from when it was running the last time. The SB in what will be the fuge got the same treatment.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/FTS.jpg

The two rocks that are sitting in there are the only ones from the cookin bin that were free of maidens hair algae:mad2: . The one on the left still has some red lettuce looking algae surprisingly (deffnately a rhodophyte). It looked pretty cool before I threw it in to cook.

[Rustylugnuts]

Before I tore the 40 down the last time I was fighting a few pests. The red bubble algae seems to be completly gone and it looks like the vermetids are moved in for good. They don't really bother me since they eventually turn purple or a deep red I just have to be careful to not get poked when I pick up a heavier rock.

One of the pest I haven't identified is these hydra looking dudes that retract into a tube when disturbed.
Pic
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/identify.jpg
another angle
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/identify1.jpg

What are these and how do I get rid of em? Kalk paste, boiling water, blowtorch??

[Rustylugnuts]

As I mentioned earlier I've been fighting algae:uzi: .
The red bubble algae has been knocked out by the cooking completely. Now I have 2 different filamentous algaes that I'm working on.

The first one isn't that bad. It has a branching structure a lot like a small tree. They don't grow closely together so they never really crowd in on the corals and while tough there easy to grab ahold of and pluck.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/alga1.jpg

Whats been really drivin me nuts is this.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/maidenshair-1.jpg
you can see it growing in the background behind the clowns.

I'm pretty sure its maidens hair algae. It's very tough, grows in tightly grouped colonies and is impossible to pluck with much success. I've never seen anything picking at it either. Sometimes you can get a clump here and there but you can never get it all.

It's even growin between my zoo's? I can't win!
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/maidenshaironzoos.jpg


I've had the best luck harvesting with a pair of curved scissors.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/Haircut.jpg


When I first started cooking it the trashcan was in a room with a window that wasn't covered. A month here and it wasn't even dented! The light that made it through the plastic was enough for it to continue to grow :eek:.

Here is the piece that was hit the worst.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/maidenshairlarge.jpg
I don't have a before image but before it made it to the dark fish closet the covereage was much worse. It was much longer and thicker. Whats left is still impossible to pluck.
Another mistake that I see that I've made is to not harvest as much as possible before cooking. Tomorrow I'm going to take the scissors to everything I can get to and let it stew in the dark some more.

[Rustylugnuts]

Well I'm kinda excited. I recently got a pressure booster pump for my Typhoon III. When I got it there was no allen wrench included to adjust it for my water pressure. When I manually held the switch on the output for my RO looked like it at least doubled. It went from a rapid drip to a small drizzle. When I emailed air water ice they apologized for not including it and sent me a wrench no questions asked. These guys stand by their product and I would recommend them to anyone.
My water pressure isn't that high here and I didn't want to wait all day for water when the weather turned cold. I'm geekin about being able to adjust it and cant wait to try it out tomorrow. (I probably should have just borrowed a set of wrenches but I been too lazy to go grab em before work.)

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC03847.jpg

[timschmidt]

Very nice work!

[Rustylugnuts]

Well I posted an inquiry about the pests above. (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1465809) . We got a tentative identification of hydroids so far. I've got the offenders in the DT waiting for PE to try to get a better shot.


I got to try out the booster pump a while ago and @ 80 psi it filled up a gallon jug in about 12 minutes! I need to run a comparison run into the jug w/o the booster pump to see exactly how much improvement there was but (1440 min/day)/(12min/gal) puts me out @ 120gpd. Is this right? The filter membrane is a 100gpd filmtec membrane so this output is 20% above spec (not that I'm complaining). The tap water tested @ 368ppm and RO only was about 20ppm and RO/DI came out @ 0ppm.

[Al Bendiksen]

Wicked thread mate!

Bummer about the algae but i have a good feeling you'll end up kicking thier @$$. :-D

[timschmidt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13301798#post13301798 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rustylugnuts
Well I posted an inquiry about the pests above. (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1465809) . We got a tentative identification of hydroids so far. I've got the offenders in the DT waiting for PE to try to get a better shot.


I got to try out the booster pump a while ago and @ 80 psi it filled up a gallon jug in about 12 minutes! I need to run a comparison run into the jug w/o the booster pump to see exactly how much improvement there was but (1440 min/day)/(12min/gal) puts me out @ 120gpd. Is this right? The filter membrane is a 100gpd filmtec membrane so this output is 20% above spec (not that I'm complaining). The tap water tested @ 368ppm and RO only was about 20ppm and RO/DI came out @ 0ppm.

Careful about pushing the membrane to far. I don't have any personal experience with "overclocking" the filter but the TDS proves there is no change in water quality. Just my run the life of the filter down.

[FishNFun]

I'm curious as to why you went so deep with the sand? If you're not going for a DSB then my experience has been to go with just and inch or two at the most. That much sand might cause you problems down the road if you end up disturbing it and releasing some trapped gas. Just a thought.

[martinphillip03]

signing up

Marty

[Bruno3047]

Looks great so far Rusty. I agree with FishNFun on the sand bed. I don't think such a deep sand bed is desirable. I don't think it helps much with the denitrification and is not as esthetically pleasing as a 1" or 1 1/2' bed. Look at how much tank/water volume you’re sacrificing! If you want a DSB to help complete your nitrogen cycle, a remote DSB or a refugium DSB would probably be better.

Of course, it's all a matter of personal preference.

[Rustylugnuts]

The one on the left still has some red
LOL I just caught this. What I meant to say was the rock on the right! (Lysdexics Untie! Partial credit saved my bacon in calc1) You can see the dark red patches towards the middle of the rock that I was thinking of just not typing about.


Careful about pushing the membrane to far. I don't have any personal experience with "overclocking" the filter but the TDS proves there is no change in water quality. Just my run the life of the filter down.

I catch what you're sayin here. I was tryin to hit 75psi (which is recommended to keep the filter housings @ a safe pressure) but there is a delayed action when you adjust the knob. Give it a twist to a certain pressure and the needle moves just a bit more in that direction after you're done. I may just leave it @ 70 just to be safe. It's just nice not to have to wait 2 or 3 hours for 5 gallons worth.

I'm curious as to why you went so deep with the sand? If you're not going for a DSB then my experience has been to go with just and inch or two at the most. That much sand might cause you problems down the road if you end up disturbing it and releasing some trapped gas. Just a thought.

I've had some nasty gas pockets in the buckets already OMG I do NOT want to smell that again! The sand I used was seaflor grade reef sand which has ~ .5 to 2mm particle size. If this was sugar sized sand I would be much more worried about disturbing some H2S pockets. In a tank as shallow as the 40 4" does look like overkill but I've had this depth and particle size running for almost 2 years in the 29 without problems. The 29 had a little more height to spare so it did look better there. Where I really ran into trouble was storing it in a bucket without a thorough rinsing (I get a little queasy just thinking about it!)

signing up
Marty
Glad to have ya on board bud. I'll try to keep this one updated, I kinda dropped off the face of RC last time I tried this.

Looks great so far Rusty. I agree with FishNFun on the sand bed. I don't think such a deep sand bed is desirable. I don't think it helps much with the denitrification and is not as esthetically pleasing as a 1" or 1 1/2' bed. Look at how much tank/water volume you’re sacrificing! If you want a DSB to help complete your nitrogen cycle, a remote DSB or a refugium DSB would probably be better. Of course, it's all a matter of personal preference.

I'm going to have to agree with the aesthetics part especially when stuff starts to grow b/w the sand and glass. For me its kinda like a teddy bear, it makes me feel more secure. When I had the 29 running sumpless it had the capacity to accept the loss of a fish or shrimp and keep chuggin along w/o levels getting to where they'd cause problems. It's just there in case of something dying that I don't see. I tried to make up for lost volume by keepin the baffles tall in the 30. The worst case powerout tests bring the level up to about an inch below the plastic rim the problem I'm running into is that the stand isn't tall enough to place any decent sized skimmer high up enough in the water for optimal performance. The seaclown is skimming super wet I may have to set up a bucket next to or behind the tank for the skimmer. As far as the detritus trap factor goes I will have to keep an eye on that. The pair of koralia 3's keep things pretty kicked up here, the mag 5 return doesn't make as much of an impact but I switched to it in place of the mag7 to try to lower power usage.

[Rustylugnuts]

Well I've been wanting some ricordea for a while and I just happen to stop by the LFS yesterday when they had some in:).
Since I'm not loaded I could only get 1 @ $20 a head.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/ricordea.jpg

I did however have the good fortune to find one with 3 mouths (the 3rd one always seems to get covered a few minutes after lights on) and there is a piece of flesh next to the ric that looks like it could be the leftovers growing back from a head that was removed. I had a hard time deciding which to get because he also had some sweet green ones as well.

[timschmidt]

Rics spread quite nicely so a single frag at a time is the way to go! That is a beauty! I have a green one with a purple rim and I love it!

[Rustylugnuts]

a single frag at a time is the way to go!
I couldn't agree more. There is just something satisfying about seeing a colony grow from a small start. Growing out also hugely reduces the cost of obtaining a diverse spread of corals. Impulse purchases aside I think I'm going to try to stick w/frags (as if this build wasn't slow enough!).

[Rustylugnuts]

On a side note while we were at the LFS my wife saw a bio cube that the owner was cycling and fell in love with it! My efforts to convert her to a reefette are almost complete http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/devil01.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org). Hopefully I can whip up a 14 or 29g for her by Christmas. Apparently the owner sets one up, cycles it and keeps adding corals (without going crazy w/ the price increases) until it sells. That's pretty clever I would never have thought of that.

[skye144]

I am new to the hobby[at least the saltwater side of it] and was wondering what the purpose of having such a deep bed of sand in the tank?

[atwinparadox2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13310451#post13310451 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rustylugnuts
Well I've been wanting some ricordea for a while and I just happen to stop by the LFS yesterday when they had some in:).
Since I'm not loaded I could only get 1 @ $20 a head.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/ricordea.jpg

I did however have the good fortune to find one with 3 mouths (the 3rd one always seems to get covered a few minutes after lights on) and there is a piece of flesh next to the ric that looks like it could be the leftovers growing back from a head that was removed. I had a hard time deciding which to get because he also had some sweet green ones as well.

that's a good price, you'll be happy with that purchase!

[Rustylugnuts]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13311001#post13311001 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skye144
I am new to the hobby[at least the saltwater side of it] and was wondering what the purpose of having such a deep bed of sand in the tank?

I'm honored that you would make your first post here. Welcome to RC!

The DSB (Deep sand bed) is one method of filtration that is kinda widespread in this hobby. The deeper sand is basicly an extension of LR. It provides tons of surface area for the bacteria responsible for important parts of the nitrogen cycle in our tanks. Different depths of sand are better suited for different steps ( Heres a good place to start if you're interested in finding out more about sandbeds DSB summary (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=191688) & How sandbeds really work (http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-06/rs/feature/index.php) ) Since its a smaller tank I went with the minimum reccomended depth of 4" I have seen 6+" employed as well (usually as a remote deep sand bed in a bucket or other separate sump). While its not the only way to do it (there are a lot of successful shallow sand beds and bare bottom tanks here as well) DSB's have worked pretty well for me.

Here are two links that really helped me out when I was getting started New-First Time on RC-Look Here for Answers (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1031074) and Reefkeeping Acronyms (http://www.reefcentral.com/modules.php?s=&name=Encyclopedia&op=terms&eid=2&ltr=all) .

[Rustylugnuts]

that's a good price, you'll be happy with that purchase!

The LFS i go to in Pekin get's their deliveries on friday's and have had great selection of coral and fish every time I make the trip. If I need something that he carries then thats where my money's goin.

[Rustylugnuts]

We live right next to the river surrounded by woods so theres a good bit of life around where we live (even a couple of bald eagle nests I've heard). The spiders seem especially abundant too.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/spider.jpg
This little guy was just hangin out on my loc line probably wondering why the water tasted so bad.


http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/spider2.jpg

We also get some pretty good sized spiders too.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/spider3.jpg
Here's another shot of it guarding the feast. I don't think it liked the camera flashes.

I'm really glad my wife isn't afraid of spiders or we would probably have to move out. So far we haven't seen anything dangerous like brown recluse spiders but I've heard that they're around this part of the country. I think arachnids are beautiful so I hope you folks don't mind me going OT once in a while cause theres a pretty diverse spread around where we live.

[Rustylugnuts]

Ok back to the tank. I finally got around to harvesting as much maidens hair as possible. The stuff b/w my zoos getting to be a real pain. I'm not looking forward to removing the polyps and gluing em on another rock:mad2:. The large rock that was cooking also got a haircut.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/haircut-1.jpg
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/haircut2.jpg

I'm hoping the trimming will help speed the dieoff since this stuff is lingering like a bad set of inlaws.


http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/ric3mouth.jpg
On a brighter note I was finally to get shot of the ric that included all three mouths :D.

My xenia are also self fragging.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/xeniafrag.jpg
One of the branches sorta slid down the stalk over a few days and is working its way away from the main colony. I figured i'd help it along by placing some rubble next to it.

[aww_419]

looks awsome nice work

[timschmidt]

Nice shots! I don't know why but in my nanos all the corals I have are ricordias (four... :) ), well and one frogspawn frag.

[Rustylugnuts]

When my ric splits I'll be tradin for other colors. I also hope the LFS will get some more in w/1 head. If I could only pic 2 types of corals it be Rics n Zoo's.

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13321042#post13321042 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rustylugnuts
We live right next to the river surrounded by woods so theres a good bit of life around where we live (even a couple of bald eagle nests I've heard). The spiders seem especially abundant too.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/spider.jpg
This little guy was just hangin out on my loc line probably wondering why the water tasted so bad.


http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/spider2.jpg

We also get some pretty good sized spiders too.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/spider3.jpg
Here's another shot of it guarding the feast. I don't think it liked the camera flashes.

I'm really glad my wife isn't afraid of spiders or we would probably have to move out. So far we haven't seen anything dangerous like brown recluse spiders but I've heard that they're around this part of the country. I think arachnids are beautiful so I hope you folks don't mind me going OT once in a while cause theres a pretty diverse spread around where we live.
:lol: at least they are the "outside of the tank" kind. Spiders could crawl all over the outside of my tank... They wear out their welcome as soon as they start munching on my zoanthids though.

[Rustylugnuts]

Oh yea I could take a bite or two but start messin w/ my corals? Thith meanth war!

[Rustylugnuts]

Well this is not the update I was hopin to write (seems like a lot of folks are goin through similar experiences unfortunately).

The illinois river is raising higher than it has since like '84 or '85. So the power is out AND I can't get to the tank to take care of it We won't be gettin power back until the river is off the road and its forecasted to continue rising for the next couple days.
.
It would be so easy to just go and make a simple battery powered airlift and heat up some saltwater on the gas stove to keep it warm.
The glass lid is still on so I'm guessing by early tomorrow (today now I guess) or so something is going to go down for lack of oxygen and start the nuking process. It could be much worse my apartment is on the 2nd floor and will be high enough up to keep everything we own from getting waterlogged and hey it is only a couple colonies and a handfull of frags. I really feel for those folks across the country that are losing well established tanks.

The 40 will go on and I imagine at least a few of the zoos or maybe a mushroom or two will be too stubborn to let go. I do have a trashcan fulla premixed water and the 40 is likely fully cycled so what may make it probably has a good chance of being nursed back to health.

When I can get to it I'll take the T-5's off of the 20 and install em back into the canopy. Then I'll get that refractometer and hopefully be able to snag a PH meter in the same order.

[Rustylugnuts]

Well I tried to see if I could make it through the woods behind the apt to get to the tank and no beans. I had 40 lbs of ice for the fridge to try to salvage our groceries in a duffel bag, a battery powered air pump for the tank and a machete with which to blaze a trail. Well I get to the other side of the tracks and see the water on the other side and think "Oh it doesn't look too bad". So I take a step into the muck and end up knee deep ****:furious:. Unfortunately I forgot my tiley hat and crocodile dundee accent and chickened out right there. The river is up over 15 higher than it usually is so even the alternate route is now at least waist deep by the time I would reach the apt :(. I called my wife afterwards and it was like listening to Alfred on Dark Knight " Well I did bloody tell ya". According to USGS National Water Information System (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/il/nwis/uv?cb_00060=on&cb_00065=on&cb_00055=on&format=gif_default&period=4&site_no=05558300) the water level is peaking about now. Power went of at 9pm last night and its not coming back until the river subsides at least 6 or 8 feet. It might be a bit smelly when I get home.

[Bruno3047]

Hang in there, Rusty.

[Rustylugnuts]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13378681#post13378681 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bruno3047
Hang in there, Rusty.
Thanks bud. What will be will be I guess. I should probably PM the guy from CIMA that I bought frags from a while back. He had some awesome zoos.

[Fish_wiz2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13378681#post13378681 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bruno3047
Hang in there, Rusty.

+1, that must really suck, but i have hope that everything will live!

[Rustylugnuts]

The load isnt heavy but a 20 without power or my assistance for days ain't goin to be purdy. But I can hope something may survive . It does kinda suck but even a total wipeout is going to keep me away from coral gardening (im just too stubborn :p).

[mindytoy]

any pics of the river?

[Rustylugnuts]

We got a few shots as the water started creeping into the parking lot but the water is now at least 3 feet higher and pouring into the 1st floor apartments :( (I'm glad I have an upstairs apt but I feel bad for the folks downstairs who have some expensive AV stuff getting soaked).

Here is a shot my wife snapped of me driving to work yesterday when the water level was about 28 feet. At this point there was only about 4 to 6 inches of water on the road and rising quickly.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/9269166.jpg

It's up to almost 31 feet now so we can't get to the apartment to snap any more shots.

[Rustylugnuts]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13381966#post13381966 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rustylugnuts
The load isnt heavy but a 20 without power or my assistance for days ain't goin to be purdy. But I can hope something may survive . It does kinda suck but even a total wipeout is going to keep me away from coral gardening (im just too stubborn :p).

Too late to edit Oops!

A total wipeout ISNT going to keep me from coral gardening. LOL

[timschmidt]

Good to hear the persistance is there. Tough on the tank though. Poor critters. Any updates?

[Rustylugnuts]

Here is where the water is at a couple towns north of us in Henry IL he depth here is probably a little different but the graph gives a pretty good idea where things are at.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/waterdata19sep.jpg

The best guess so far as to being able to get back into the apt is prolly Wednesday sometime.

[Rustylugnuts]

While attempting to catch up with the clubhouse thread I caught wind of a salt sale on Drs Foster and Smith. I have enough salt for another month of waterchanges (probably 40-50g worth) but the deal was too good to pass up. I figured that I may as well replace the not so trusty old hydrometer while I'm at it.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/fishorder.jpg

I was going to get one of those el cheapo "refraktometers" (is that the german spelling?) offa Ebay but I felt kinda squeamish about it . Wouldn't it be funny if
the one I ordered (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4690+9957&pcatid=9957) is exactly the same as the one that would have shipped from Hong Kong (http://stores.ebay.com/Gain-Express-Holdings-Ltd) ?

[Rustylugnuts]

Update
It sounds like my downstairs neighbors got very lucky. The water peaked mere centimeters from their front door (phew!).

[timschmidt]

WOW. That's some good news.

[Rustylugnuts]

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/waterlvl23sep.jpg

Well The water has been receding a bit. I'm going to give it at least another day and then grab the scuba shoes and wade to the apt to retrieve my wife's school books. She's got some tests to study for next week and the road should be passable on foot if not by car by then . I'll try to snap a few shots of the carnage when I get there :worried: :o .

[Tswifty]

Wow... I just popped in to see how the algae battle was going, and see this :eek2:

That definitely sucks Rusty... like others said, hang in there.

btw... Nice Truck :thumbsup:

[Rustylugnuts]

Yeah its been interesting for sure. I ended up picking up a battery powered air pump from wally world but kinda gave up when the water kept rising for days. It has however increased my awareness of the need to be ready for extended poweroutages. Since reading this article (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/aug2002/feature.htm) on advanced aquarist a couple of these (http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Air-B11-Aquarium-Pump/dp/B000256502) are on the list and I'll be sure to get make a pair of PVC airlifts and grab plenty of spare batteries as well. I do have a gas stove so I think I'll also grab some insulation for the tank and keep some spare 2 liter bottles for heating should the need arise again. As for the truck its so nice that I wish it were mine! I borrowed it from my dad when the water started rising. He got a killer steal on it too, brand new 4x4 with everything but leather and nav for less than a lot of cobalts run.

[Rustylugnuts]

My salt came in today too :D that has to be the cheapest I've ever paid for a bucket full! The refractometer though is still in transit.

[Rustylugnuts]

Well I got some good news and some better news! First the mail man brings me presents.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC04099.jpg
My refractometer made it in today.
Better still I made it home today and after 7 days without power and 9 days unattended my QT STILL LIVES!!!
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC04063.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC04065.jpg
My favorite coral, the ricordea made it through the ordeal. It's a bit faded but it looks like it will make it

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC04064.jpg
My zoo's look really ****ed but it seems that most of em should pull through.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC04066.jpg
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC04067.jpg
The magenta devilback and GSP's almost look unscathed. I'm very surprised that this much of the tank made it, I thought they all were going to be goners for sure.

Now on to the one casualty (starts playing Taps) The Xenia wasn't so lucky.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC04071.jpg
Before I left I did squeeze a detritus syphon/25%WC in. Tomorrow after cleaning the civilizations of bacteria and rotted food out of the fridge :mad: I'm going to transfer everything but the dottyback (who is getting traded in for something more peaceful after a few hearty meals) over to the 40

To recap the water was up for several days. Here is a shot of the maintenance guy who also has a tow truck on a rescue mission for a couple of the neighbors a couple days before the water level peaked.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC04062.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC04079.jpg
Here is where the water is at today, not even a foot below where the retaining wall starts. Thanks for all the rain Ike!

[m_wonnacott]

Well glad you made it back and that things did so well during the power outage.

[Rustylugnuts]

AARRGHH!! I leave to go get some fishfood to replace the stuff that rotted during the power outage and I miss the biggest comeback Michigan football has EVER pulled off! DANGIT! Ah well you can't blame me for leavin it was 19 to nothin when I left. I missed some good college football.

[m_wonnacott]

lol

[timschmidt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13437719#post13437719 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rustylugnuts
AARRGHH!! I leave to go get some fishfood to replace the stuff that rotted during the power outage and I miss the biggest comeback Michigan football has EVER pulled off! DANGIT! Ah well you can't blame me for leavin it was 19 to nothin when I left. I missed some good college football.

Get a DVR or TiVo? Those things rule! I don't even watch TV that much, but I will NEVER have television without a DVR.

[gookster]

things look great rusty! im starting a 40 breeder too

[Rustylugnuts]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13438283#post13438283 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by timschmidt
Get a DVR or TiVo? Those things rule! I don't even watch TV that much, but I will NEVER have television without a DVR.

Yea I hear ya those things make TV worth watchin again. I'd grab it in a heartbeat but I still need a set of test kits, a skimmer, a fuge light, ATO, a new mobo/processor/graphics card (not reef related but I DO like games other than tetris). Too many things to spend money on and not enough paychecks to cover em all!

[Rustylugnuts]

Ok Update time.
I'm still kinda licking my wounds after the powerout but things are progressing better than I had hoped.

The Ric is regaining its color, while not as bright as it was when I bought it has shown deffinate improvement. These little green shrooms are happier than I've ever seen em in the frag tank and GSP are still acting like the lights never went out. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC04199.jpg

The GFO looks like it's workin its magic! The maidens hair appears to be weakining. I was about ready to move 30 or 40 polyps to another rock and give the maiden's hair infested rock to someone willing to rescue the rest.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC04198.jpg

some of the zoos that were harder hit by the lack of power are beginning to show some signs of life.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC04201.jpg
I was worried that these would be goners but a couple orange polyps are open today that were shut tight a couple days ago. I'm hoping that some polyps on the rock to the left will follow suit.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC04200.jpg

The corals aren't the only thing doing better in the 40
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/DSC04202.jpg
I got some hydroids that are going to need some attention. Has anybody else dealt with these critters? Whats the best way to get rid of em?

[timschmidt]

I JUST noticed you are in Peoria, IL. LOL I work in Schaumburg, IL. Still a bit of a hike, but it's a small world after all!

[Rustylugnuts]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13485224#post13485224 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by timschmidt
I JUST noticed you are in Peoria, IL. LOL I work in Schaumburg, IL. Still a bit of a hike, but it's a small world after all!

Hey cool! I got some folks that live up in Schaumpton. I got to crash at their place before watching Northwestern pound the Saluki's into the mud :o .

[Rustylugnuts]

It's been too long since the last update. So here goes.

Trying to use this seaclone as an in sump skimmer is pretty much like running skimmerless. I haven't been able to dial it in and I can't run it HOB on the back of the sump due to a leak. I'm guessing that the water level in the sump is too high. My stand is too short to raise it much higher (Im going to have to work around this by placing the next skimmer in a separate sump next to or behind the tank) . The algae is slowly creepin in. I had to do a cleanin/haircut session today. The maidens hair that I thought was going away has made a slight comeback and I now have a diatom/GHA combination that is beginning to take hold as well. The GFO is slowing things down but I've also been pretty lax on cleaning the sponge on the mag 5 (which I'll probably get rid of tomorrow) I'm goin to snag either an octo 150/200 or try to find something used here on RC. I'll probably be overskimming but the reason I'm going overkill is so that I won't have to buy another skimmer when the inevitable upgrade occurs (hopefully to a 125) . Would it be a be a good idea to skim only a few hrs a day or shoud I just go ahead and run it full time?

[Rustylugnuts]

I'm excited :D
I placed my Bulk Reef Supply order late thursday night and it was been shipped out by 2:30 on friday.
Santa (well the UPS guy) is bringing me
a pair of 2 gallon 2 part mix (Ca alk &Mg)
Jugs (not those! the kind you store 2 part solution in, Jeez get your mind outta the gutter)
Dispensing pumps for the jugs
Measuring cups
Tropic marin test kits for Ca Alk & MG
10 Lbs of eco rox rubble for frag mounting
and
Last but not least a Octo DNW 150!:celeb1:

I've been in serious need of a decent skimmer the entire time I've been in the hobby. My nutrient export is lacking and I have the algae (and a small spot of cyano :eek2: ) to prove it.The seaclone did ok when it was just a pair of fish in a 29 but ever since the HOB intake plumbing sprung a leak I've only been able to get a quarter cup of skimmate the entire time its been running in sump. The new skimmer is rated for 150g so it can handle my next upgrade (that 75 that feels like its way off in the distance).

My main concern now is that for my softies, the octo would be overkill in a tank like mine. Should I run this skimmer only part of the day (like maybe on a timer) or would the critters be fine with a set and forget approach?

Some time this weekend I'll take a peek at the rocks cooking in the closet and see if they're ready to be re-introduced back into the general population (I'll try to remember to post pics).

[69camarogirl]

I am going to have my husband (owner of this thread) post some pictures of our corals now. I see he hasn't added pictures to show that we no longer have any of that crappy looking green hairlike stuff growing ANYWHERE, yeah!

[Johnny C]

haha camarogirl, your awesome!
i somehow predict your number of posts will vastly grow! ;)

SO glad to see you guys are pulling through, I'll keep watching!

[69camarogirl]

Until he updates with pictures, here are some micro shots of our frag garden we have going.
We have a few of these little guys. With only T5's, I am sure our camera and lights don't do these little guys justice. The lines on them allude to their potential under MH's.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l12/69camarogirl/Our%20saltwater%20aquarium/img_0565-1.jpg
I love little zoas when they're small. You feel like they're your babies, and when they get bigger it sneaks up on you, just like with your own kids!
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l12/69camarogirl/Our%20saltwater%20aquarium/img_0577.jpg
A side view of the shrooms, some baby zoas, and one of the ricordea
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l12/69camarogirl/Our%20saltwater%20aquarium/Picture016-1.jpg
See? No green hair! The phosban reactor (sp) really did its job. We have bare bones again, but it's much easier/better to add new stuff now than to have a lot of rock and all of it be covered in green hair!
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l12/69camarogirl/Our%20saltwater%20aquarium/Picture006.jpg
He has a huge mess of green star polyps!
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l12/69camarogirl/Our%20saltwater%20aquarium/Picture012.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l12/69camarogirl/Our%20saltwater%20aquarium/Picture005.jpg

[69camarogirl]

Oh, and the best ricordea (I don't know how I got the colors so accurately bright, as I can't seem to do it again!).
http://s92.photobucket.com/albums/l12/69camarogirl/Our%20saltwater%20aquarium/?action=view&current=DSC03903-1.jpg

[Rustylugnuts]

Heres the same pics again only with the [ IMG] [/IMG] wrapped around em (so nobody has to do all that clickin n stuff :p )

Until he updates with pictures, here are some micro shots of our frag garden we have going. We have a few of these little guys. With only T5's, I am sure our camera and lights don't do these little guys justice. The lines on them allude to their potential under MH's.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l12/69camarogirl/Our%20saltwater%20aquarium/img_0565-1.jpg

I love little zoas when they're small. You feel like they're your babies, and when they get bigger it sneaks up on you, just like with your own kids!

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l12/69camarogirl/Our%20saltwater%20aquarium/img_0577.jpg

A side view of the shrooms, some baby zoas, and one of the ricordea
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l12/69camarogirl/Our%20saltwater%20aquarium/Picture016-1.jpg
See? No green hair! The phosban reactor (sp) really did its job. We have bare bones again, but it's much easier/better to add new stuff now than to have a lot of rock and all of it be covered in green hair!
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l12/69camarogirl/Our%20saltwater%20aquarium/Picture006.jpg
He has a huge mess of green star polyps!
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l12/69camarogirl/Our%20saltwater%20aquarium/Picture012.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l12/69camarogirl/Our%20saltwater%20aquarium/Picture005.jpg

Ah man busted out by my own wife! As she said we pretty much have that maidens hair licked:cool:. I've been runnin without phosban for a couple weeks and I already see a couple patches threatening to bounce back:uzi:. We're back to the 20 once again since the illinois river was threatening to flood yet again a couple weeks ago . It came within a couple inches of the road but we ditched that joint and setup the 20 @ dads well before the river crested.

[Rustylugnuts]

All right update time (took me long enough eh?)

Ok in the last few months I've seen some changes and new additions to the reef. I found a great deal on a trio of clowns that get along (for now) from another reefer. The orange one is deffinately the female. and a size difference is becoming apparent between the black clowns as well so one is the male and the other is an adolescent.v

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/7March09016.jpg
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/7March09017.jpg
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/7March09020.jpg

Since I thought the 20 was too small for the new tenants I pulled the 29 out of storage and added a shallow sandbed.

Here's a semi FTS
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x227/rustylugnuts/7March09005.jpg
Some new softies have managed to sneak in somehow:D. I'm still figuring out this camera. Once I get some better shots I'll post some individual corals.

[timschmidt]

AWESOME!