Alex's 20 High Mixed Reef

[Alex0219]

After a few years of being out of the hobby I decided it was time for another tank, so without further ado my 20 High Mixed Reef!

Equipment:
20 Gallon High by AGA
20'' 150 Watt Sunpod W/ 14K Phoenix Bulb
X2 Koralia Nano 425 (425GPH)
100 Watt Marineland Stealth Heater
Aquatic Life Internal Mini Protein Skimmer 115
Coralife Digital Thermometer
Double Underwater Light
AquaClear 110, with Heater & Skimmer and modded for additional filtration


Livestock:

25-30lbs LR (Mostly Fiji)
20lbs CaribSea Aragonite Reef Sand

Fish:
-None Yet-

Planned:
X2 ORA True or False Perc Clowns
Yellow Candy Hogfish
and possibly a
Bicolor Blenny


Invertebrates:
-None Yet-


Corals:
Green Paly Hitchhikers


Macro Algea:
-None Yet



Current FTS Updated April 5th 2010

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20GallonHighReef024.jpg

[Alex0219]

The Build

This is my first build thread so bear with me!

So after reading many threads and I have decided to try my hand at another reef. So of course I read and read and was torn between a 20L, 20H and 29 and ultimately decided upon the 20 High because it had the perfect foot print. I decided upon a false wall to hid most of the equipment and hide the intake to my AC110 as well as serve as a fuge. The back as well as the piece of acrylic that serves as the false wall are painted with Krylon Fusion. Their is also a baffle behind the false wall that serves to separate the fuge and filter intake. In the fuge are 2 under water lights that will be on a reverse cycle from the Sunpod. The Sunpod is also suspended over the tank making it an open top and sits right at above 6 1/2 inches above the water and runs from 11AM - 11PM.

Ill post up pics and updates as I go and below are some pics of the build.

First FTS

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef008-1.jpg

Cutting Acrylic

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef003-1.jpg

Cut and in the Tank

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef011.jpg

Baffles Cut out with Dremel

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef007.jpg

Ready to Paint

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef003.jpg

Painted

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef008.jpg

False Wall in Tank

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef026.jpg

Top View

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef032.jpg

With dividing piece in

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef048.jpg

Modded AC110 (The plastic piece is removable)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef054.jpg

[Alex0219]

Light Up

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef060.jpg

Sand In

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef058.jpg

Adding Water and LR

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef063.jpg

And luck would have it I cut the baffles to small so I had to break them off to get a good flow going. I will be putting a piece of mesh to block critters from getting in the fuge.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef064.jpg

My View

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef082.jpg

Filter Top View

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef002.jpg

Filter Front

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef003-2.jpg

Behind the False Wall

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef006.jpg

Left Side

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef007-1.jpg

[AwkwardParrot]

Impressive. It is a nice clean build. Congrats!

[fstar25]

welcome back, looks good.

[Sinful Aquatics]

Looking good!

[got2envy]

Nice!!

[Alex0219]

Thanks :D I appreciate it!

[Nano Chris]

Looks great, now you need some corals and fish!

[Alex0219]

Looks great, now you need some corals and fish!

That's the plan! Just gotta wait for the cycle :rollface:

[AwkwardParrot]

That's the plan! Just gotta wait for the cycle :rollface:

Awesome, looks good and being done right! :bounce3:

[Alex0219]

Awesome, looks good and being done right! :bounce3:

Thanks! And that is the plan!

So here is my aquascaping adventure!

1st Scape

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20GallonHighReef089.jpg

2nd Scape Version 1

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20GallonHighReef107.jpg

2nd Scape Version 2

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20GallonHighReef017.jpg

2nd Scape Version 3

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20GallonHighReef012.jpg

3rd Scape

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20GallonHighReef001.jpg

4th Scape

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20GallonHighReef006.jpg

5th Scape

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20GallonHighReef020.jpg

6th Scape Version 1

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20GallonHighReef024.jpg

6th Scape Version 2 (Same as above just slightly left) Current Scape

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef006-1.jpg

[Alex0219]

And some more shots from today.

Current FTS

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef005.jpg

View from Left Side

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef008-2.jpg

Right Side

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef009.jpg

Top Down

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef010.jpg

Paly Hitchhikers

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef003-3.jpg

W/ Flash

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef001.jpg

Also a little update the tank was running a little hot and with the lights on got up to 82 Degrees so I ordered a Azoo cooling fan and a few other goodies from Marine Depot today. Also I am in the market for an ATO since with the evaporation due to the Sunpod is more than I expected. I have had to add quite a bit of fresh water to keep the salinity down and the noise from the flow to a minimum. In addition I have ordered a small Mag-Rack from Black Rock Reef :D

[AwkwardParrot]

Personally, I like the 3rd scape, just a little more left (so you can clean the glass). But at the end of the day, it is your tank and you are the only one that needs to like it! And it is still looking very good. How are your perams?

[Alex0219]

Water Parameters as of this evening.

Temp - 80.1
Specific Gravity - 1.024
PH - 8.2
Nitrate - 0
Nitrite - 0
Ammonia - .10

Marine Depot order looks as if it'll be here in the next few days and Mag-Rack is on its way. Also tomorrow I am picking up some Chaeto from a local reefer!

[sweetleaf]

Looks great, think you picked a good choice, I liked #3 and 6.1

[Alex0219]

Looks great, think you picked a good choice, I liked #3 and 6.1

Thanks! Glad you like the scape! :)


Water Parameters as of this afternoon.

Temp - 78.3
Specific Gravity - 1.024
PH - 8.2
Nitrate - 0
Nitrite - 0
Ammonia - 0


So everything seems to be doing good so far, I have a hair algae bloom and was going to pick up the first members of my CUC either today or early next week. Also I got my Azoo fan in the other day, it didn't fit on the side of the tank so I ended up putting it on my AC110 blowing inward and it seems to be working well. The temp is down to 78 and it hovers right around their throughout the night and day. I also got the Chaeto in my fuge and am running my duel underwater lights 24/7. It looks to be happy and healthy!

I have a few more projects in the works such as an ATO which I should hopefully have done in the next week or so. And I am setting up my QT tank on Tuesday and will post pics and specs when it is up and running!

And of course here are a few pics!

FTS as of 4-10-10

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef003-4.jpg

FTS W/ Blue LED's

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef001-1.jpg

Hair Algae

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef004.jpg

AC110 W/ Fan

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef007-3.jpg

Fuge W/ Lights on

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef010-1.jpg



Let me know if you have any comments, concerns or questions!

Alex

[Alex0219]

Alright it is time for an update! Sorry for the delay I have just been swamped with school. On Tuesday I picked up my current CUC which include 2 Turbos, 5 Dwarf Blue Leg Hermits and 4 Nassarius Snails. They seem to be doing a good job so far of cleaning up all my unsightly algae but I do plan to add a few more members. Namely a Cleaner and Peppermint shrimp. I also got rid of the Paly Hitchhikers and got a new rock to replace it. I did go to a local FRAG meeting this past Saturday and picked up a few things for myself. Just three little frags and I got them for a steal. They include a small piece on Idaho Grape, a 1 inch Incredible Hulk Arco and 1 inch semi branching Army Green Stag. They are all in my QT at the moment and seem to be doing well after a minor temp swing, but the 6 inch clip on fan is working its magic and all is well. And as far of the Auto Top Off goes I set it up but the float switch is not working that well so I will be getting a new one in the next week.

Here are my water parameters as of tonight.

Temp - 79.7
Specific Gravity - 1.025
PH - 8.2
Nitrate - 0
Nitrite - 0
Ammonia - 0

And some pics!

FTS as of today

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef006-2.jpg

Acclimating CUC

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef003-5.jpg

Some random shots, notice the algae is getting kind of bad so I'll be adding a few more CUC members to take care of it.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef007-4.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef008-3.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef009-1.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef002-1.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef014.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef015.jpg

And here are some pics of the Auto Top Off so far

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef010-2.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef011-1.jpg

[Alex0219]

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef012.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef013.jpg


And as far as the details of the Quarantine Tank go it is a Standard AGA "Leader". I am running a 24'' 130 Watt Coralife Compact Florescent Aqualife unit at the same time interval as the 20H which is now 12 Noon - 11PM. And is sits on three pieces of Redwood to prop up the light. I have a Whisper HOB Filter running carbon and an AZOO powerhead which puts out 180GPH and that will soon be upgraded. It does have a 6 Inch Clip on personal fan I got at Walmart to keep the temp down and a cheapey thermometer in their as well. Also before any corals go into the QT they are dipped in Revive and I will soon be using Interceptor to treat for red bugs.

Water parameters as of tonight in the quarantine tank.

Temp - 78
Specific Gravity - 1.024
PH - 8.2
Nitrate - 0
Nitrite - 0
Ammonia - 0

And some pics of the QT.

First FTS

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef004-1.jpg

Current FTS W/ Lighting

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef017.jpg

Dipping the coral in Revive and then acclimating.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef005-1.jpg

Top Down shot

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef018.jpg

My three frags on the right

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef019.jpg

Mag Rack with all the frags on it. Only three are mine all the others are a fellow reefers, I am keeping them till he has his own QT set up.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/lex0219/20%20Gallon%20Reef/20GallonHighReef020.jpg


Let me know what you think if if you have any comments, concerns, suggestions, advice!

[supertech99]

i am dying to know how the AL skimmer is working for you, i am thinking for using it on a 20L FOWLR that I am working on

[Alex0219]

i am dying to know how the AL skimmer is working for you, i am thinking for using it on a 20L FOWLR that I am working on

It is doing pretty well actually, I just emptied the cup this morning so I will take some pictures of the skimate in a day or two and post it up for you. But once you get it situated in a good spot, generally higher than they recommend, you get a much more dark and dryer skim. So really for the money I would say its worth it.

[JonReef]

Good start, I like the false wall, I also like to see your not sticking within the boundaries of mediocracy. Keep it going and dont quit no matter what and this may end up a great nano.

[Alex0219]

Good start, I like the false wall, I also like to see your not sticking within the boundaries of mediocracy. Keep it going and dont quit no matter what and this may end up a great nano.

Thanks! I really appreciate it! And welcome to RC!

Also Supertech99 I will have some pics of the skim for you tomorrow or Monday.