20 Long Bar Build

[SushiGirl]

We're setting up a 20 long on the bar between our kitchen & dining area. It will house mostly corals that we can't have (SPS) or don't have room for (larger LPS) in our 55 gallon softy tank. It will also house a pistol/goby combo since the ones in our 55 never paired LOL. Sexy shrimp are a must for him, and everything else is still undecided.

It took 3 stores & calling 3 or 4 others before we could even find a 20L in this area, as Petco's $1/gallon sale was over fairly recently LOL. This area has a LOT of reefkeepers! I still got it for that price with my Petco card! :spin1: I'll water test it tomorrow.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7601478506_f51b73b181_c.jpg

He cut a board to go under the tank, and I painted it with white exterior pint we already had from doing the inside of the 55 canopy.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8283/7601477478_2f54ceb9e3_c.jpg

On the way back from buying the tank, we stopped at a nearby LFS & got sand. 10 lbs of Bimini Pink with small bits of shell (a pistol shrimp will love that), 20 lbs of regular aragonite, and 20 lbs of Fiji pink aragonite will be mixed for the substrate at a good depth for the pistol/goby. We got home & mixed 14 gallons of water for tomorrow.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/7601479016_089451e0f4_c.jpg

We have 25 lbs of cured Vanuatu rock coming tomorrow from Vivid Aquariums. It's the same rock I bought in 2000 (different vendor) that's in my 55, which is my favorite rock. Pics on their site actually look nothing like the rock you get LOL, it's beautiful, porous rock with great shapes & colors. We bought 15 lbs from Vivid to seed the 55 when we set it up with my old rock. We told them what size the tank was & the planned aquascape so they could send appropriate pieces. My boyfriend wants 3 separate sections of rock in the tank. Of course, we'll have to see what works with what is sent & how I can manage to fit it together. I'll take pics when we get it before I set it up...and of course after.

We also have a protein skimmer coming tomorrow that I don't have details on. LED lights & powerheads have already been ordered & will show up in the next few days. Exciting!
:bounce2:

[Tasler]

I also have a 20L and am intrested to see how your tank turns out. What LED set up are you going with?

[Meus]

Good luck SG!

[SushiGirl]

Tasler, I don't know yet. My boyfriend ordered it & told me, but I'm on pain meds & can't remember anything anymore LOL. I'll post as many details as I can when it arrives in a couple of days. He got a really good deal on it from a local guy, Unique LEDs. We have an LED fuge light on the 55 from him & it's great. I do remember that it will be completely adjustable. We'll be hanging it over the tank for a cleaner look & that way we can also adjust the height exactly where we want it.

Thanks, Meus! This is going to be a really fast build. I didn't know until he wanted sand so bad today that he'd already ordered rock LOL. This will give me a lot to play with/look at in the coming weeks after my 2nd back surgery next week. We're hoping for a faster initial cycle with all live stuff.

[TX..r33f]

Looks good so far 'SushiGirl'! Are yall going to do a sump or anything?

[SushiGirl]

No, no sump. Don't have a place for one in this setup. Out of 4 tanks over the years (3, 10, 38, & 55 gallons), the 55 is the first time I've ever had a sump LOL. We will have a 10 gallon coral quarantine tank set up somewhere in the house, though, to keep any pests out of this one that we can.

[SushiGirl]

Leak test was begun this morning. I have to ask the experts...the ground is flat, but its at an angle. Is having it sit at this way (flat slope) going to affect the test in any substantial way? My boyfriend set it there because he didn't want me lifting it & was afraid I'd try to tip it to empty it (we have pumps for that LOL).
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8009/7605011188_ef4891cc94_b.jpg

The reason I ask is...yeah, it appears to be leaking from the downslope side. It's over 100 degrees today, the sidewalk should not be wet at all. I soaked a couple of papertowels on the right corner because water was between the rim & the glass. You can push on the rim & it moves.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7605014044_d27079e4be_b.jpg

It also is obviously leaking from the left corner on the bottom of the tank. The water underneath has significantly spread. A while before I took the pic, there was not that much water under there. It was just a spot under the left side, now it's almost all the way over to the right.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7267/7605012910_f5f1482a34_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

I may be needlessly worrying, the water on the sidewalk was dry when I just went out. It was still trying to spill over the edge, so I scooped more out & of course got more in the rim LOL. The sidewalk is already drying again, but it will take a while for it to dry in the rim, I helped it along with another 2 paper towels. It just seems a lot of water to soak 2 paper towels (again) from between the rim & the glass.

Anyway, the rock came. I took pics of the packaging, took it all out, took pics of it & put it all back. I need to process the pics & I'll post them.

I'm gonna go pump the tank dry & move it to a flat surface in the garage.

Edit: Done. Dried it off & set it up, seems to be fine so far. Heavier than I should have been lifting, but I got it done.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7605495394_8d92020669_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Rock was packaged very well. Styrofoam box, more styrofoam inside to keep anything from moving, insulating sheet, then wrapped in wet newspaper & fitted into the box very securely.

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[SushiGirl]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8288/7605632628_6de187bd05_b.jpg
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[SushiGirl]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7605843316_dffcd20e50_b.jpg
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[SushiGirl]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/7605857652_e1a9e5f3df_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8018/7605860022_4b4933fd22_b.jpg

None of the rock has the brilliant coralline colors of the uncured or pre-cured since it has been sitting in tanks for a while. The orange thing on the branch piece is an empty bivalve. You can see a couple of others in another rock that are also dead, since only rock, not live animals, can be shipped out. Hopefully there will be some hiding in the deep pores though ;). He got fully cured so we'd have less chance of hitchhikers like hydroids like I got on my uncured years ago and my pre-cured in 2010.

[G4546]

You finally started the 20L! :) :) Awesome! I'll be keeping up with this thread :) Good luck 'Sista!' :) Keep those pics comin'! :)

[SushiGirl]

This is where the tank will be going. It will be viewable from 3 sides, skimmer will be on one side. Lights will be hung above the tank.

View from the living/dining room.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7605975192_82ac465b3a_z.jpg

View from the kitchen.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7605974030_17b5a18850_z.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Thanks G! Should have the rock & sand in the tank tonight!

[thebanker]

Looks good so far. So the verdict is: it's not leaking?

[Ambition]

Great build so far SG! I will be tagging along for this quick build.

[G4546]

What a beautiful spot in a home to view what we do :) Can't wait for this thread to develop! :)

[SushiGirl]

Definitely is not leaking. Just checked it again & it's as dry as the weather!

Maybe now we'll fight over who loads & unloads the dishwasher :lmao:

[Mrs. Music]

This is going to be the perfect set up for viewing the shrimp goby pair SG.

[SushiGirl]

As long as they don't home on the side we're trying to hide the heater & skimmer on! :lmao:

Gonna eat dinner, then break open the sand & rock!

[cas]

Sushi, that is very similar to the rock I just got for my 28g Nanocube.

[SushiGirl]

What kind did you get, Cas? I wish I'd had a digital camera when I got my first ever Vanuatu rock. It was nothing short of beautiful. Back then you could get uncured, and it was totally covered in pink, purple, orange, red, yellow, green, tan & even white coralline. Of course most of those don't last in our tanks. I can only imagine how beautiful it must be completely live & full of life!

Tank is up & running, we didn't even use the 20 lbs of Fiji Pink, but the Bimini pink is freaking awesome! I can't wait till morning when it' all clear & I can get better shots. We also had 2 rocks too many. One was useless anyway, light but no holes, and the other was the 2nd ugliest LOL. We'll just save them for the next build. As we got close to getting it filled we suddenly realized the bar wasn't level! We put 3 shims under the low side & are good to go. I'll post the standard cloudy "how's my 'scape" pics as soon as I get them processed. :lmao:

Skimmer should be here tomorrow & lights in a few days. We still need to get a small heater, I'd forgotten the one I had was an old-school hang-on LOL.

This is gonna be one fancy frag grow-out tank!

[SushiGirl]

We also have powerheads coming. And I hope I'll remember to clean the glass better tomorrow!

Dining/Living room view.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7607498756_6715a75cd0_b.jpg

Kitchen view.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7607497824_c28292b211_b.jpg

[G4546]

Ahh! Sweet! and now for the lights ;) Love the sand bed :)

[SushiGirl]

Got something today, not addressed to me so I still don't know what. Probably powerheads, too small for skimmer or lights.

Water cleared up!

Kitchen view.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/7611434342_5d64dfc5f2_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8003/7611430778_4b60def1a9_b.jpg

Left
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7109/7611435844_1d3ec7dd57_b.jpg

Right
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7251/7611437240_78bfaf2aff_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Living/dining area view.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8166/7611431972_aec196a362_b.jpg

Left
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/7611433274_18fc7110ff_b.jpg

Right
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8011/7611438684_91e18de458_b.jpg

Emmy was on a wild streak & got partway up the cat tree when she heard the water, then slowly climbed to the top & checked out the new addition. A couple minutes later she was back to napping on the floor.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/7611449266_b7b0135f70_b.jpg

[Meus]

Looking good Sushi!

Any stock plans?

[SushiGirl]

So far the only plans are a goby & pistol and a few sexy shrimp. Probably another candy cane pistol like we have but unsure on goby type. Gonna look around tonight to see what good pairings are. We had talked at first about maybe small swimming gobies, but the tank is uncovered & we want the bioload small. Really this is going to be a hopefully "clean" grow-out tank for corals. All corals will be dipped & quarantined for pests before going in.

Ammonia 0.5 & no nitrite yet.

[G4546]

Off topic, but I absolutely love that cat post. May I ask where you got it? We have a petco cat post mansion that I'd trade for that one you have :) :) Very coolio ;)

[SushiGirl]

My ex-husband & I bought that back in 1992 at some cat store/cat kennel in Dallas that doesn't exist anymore. I had a brochure type thing from the manufacturer for a long time. I'll see if I can remember the name/find them online if they even still exist. It's a little torn up after 4 cats on it (3 at once for years), but it's really held up well compared to my mom's regular store fancy one she got the same year. It weighs like 250+ lbs LOL.

[SushiGirl]

After looking around I'm pretty sure this is the manufacturer (http://cattreekingdom.org/home). I could swear ours was by Angel Cat, but I guess not since I actually remember the Pagoda house one LOL. Ours was the best layout so we lived with the carpet color. It has a barrel on the bottom, a house that looks like a house, then 3 cradles (so 5 levels) and is 6 feet tall. Ours was probably $300 or more back when we got it, something outrageous for a cat tree anyway, but it's more than paid for itself after 20 years & 4 cats! The carpet on the roof of the house is pretty much gone because I had a cat that liked to hang down from the cradle above & scratch it...that & the one branch with soft bark. He tore the bark off. This cat only claws the platform but will sleep on the top 2 cradles or in the house & will hide for pouncing in the barrel. It's an awesome tree & we always get that comment even from non-cat people LOL.

Edit: I just read their About Us on their site...in business 9 years, so not them...probably Angel Cats is where they got their ideas from.

[SushiGirl]

Just waiting on lights now. Heater, skimmer, & powerheads all added today. View from living/dining area.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7269/7616351628_d0b2e083b9_b.jpg

One of two Hydor Koralia 425's for water movement.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8007/7616352922_cd08ccb4c5_b.jpg

AquaticLife Internal Mini Skimmer 115 protein skimmer.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/7616353512_3f7ace0f2b_b.jpg

[TX..r33f]

tanks lookin good:thumbsup:

[SushiGirl]

Thanks! I just stirred it all up evening out the sand LOL. We want the goby & shrimp to live under the bigger rock structure & all the sand was piled up on the other side. I'm gonna finally look around online for small goby/shrimp combo ideas.

[Titan1790]

How do you like the aquatic life skimmer so far? I am thinking about getting one for my 20 long.

[SushiGirl]

We like it so far, but it's only been on there like 2 hours LOL. We got that one because at the LFS we frequent most they have a small (maybe 30g, maybe less) tank on the counter & theirs is always pulling gunk out like crazy.

[SushiGirl]

Parameters today:

Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5

On our way! This will be the fastest build I've ever done LOL. My first tank I was told to set it up & leave it for 3 months. My 1st 3 tanks i never tested during those 3 months, only after. I've never set up a tank without waiting 3 months. I've also never had ich or any other fish disease. Hmmmm...

[SushiGirl]

Parameters today:

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10

Yay! We put 5 stomatellas & 5 white micro stars in.

[Ambition]

Looking good! What kind of goby/pistol ideas have you got floating through your mind?

[SushiGirl]

After looking for hours last night, I'm pretty sure it will be a Yasha goby/candy cane pistol. We like our candy cane pistol because it stays small & would love to see one paired with a goby & not afraid to come out. I would just pull the one I have, but I'd have to tear the tank apart to get it so we'll just have to get another. He originally wanted a tiger pistol, but they're big & pretty aggressive "architects" & hunters for a 20L LOL.

[TX..r33f]

i like the idea of haveing a candy cane pistol. You were saying that this will be your quickes cycle. Check out my build/experiment on cycleing my small build http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2190554 , I had no cycle with mine...feel free to check it out might be intresting.

[SushiGirl]

If we'd gotten the live rock locally we could've gotten away with no initial cycle, but it was shipped.

[TundraGuy]

I would like to see you mount one row of track lighting about this tank and run PAR 38s in them. You would not have any trouble growing coral with them even if the bulbs are 3 feet from the tank. Just get some tight spread lenses on the PAR 38s. The reason I am making this suggestion is it would be way less money than buying a fixture for the tank, would still leave the tank uncovered, upgradeable, easy to change the lighting colors, and once you decide to move up to a bigger tank you just have to move the lights to it and add more sockets to the track. In the pix you can see how I did mine. Par at the bottom of the tank ranges from 120 to 310. This is just two PAR 38s in some IKEA paper shades. Hope I inspired you to break out of the box of using enclosed over priced “fish lighting”.

[SushiGirl]

Too late, lights are already ordered, but I did suggest track lighting there the other day. The deal/discount we're getting on the LEDs is quite good, I can't imagine being able to buy everything for regular track lighting for less, and since he won't mess with electricity we'd have to pay someone to install. It is a great idea, though.

[G4546]

Heya Sushi, thanks for the link... I did a little diggin' around ;) Very coolio kitty stuff! :) I believe that we are all ready for more pictures 'sista'... Lights in yet!? Let's get some new photos up here! :) :) (ps. who was in the pic prior sporting the post?)

[SushiGirl]

Nothing new going on to take pics of unless I can manage to spot one of the stomatellas or starfish in there. I didn't do any testing yesterday & had back surgery again today. This is the first time I've been able to move without bawling my eyes out in pain. Lights should be here next week. Not sure what you mean by the last question.

[KafudaFish]

Things are looking pretty good and glad you are feeling better.

[SushiGirl]

Thanks, Kafuda. Can't wait till the lights gets here. And can't wait to be able to turn over in bed without screaming LOL.

[Speaker73]

Sorry to hear about your back surgery. Hope things go well for you. BTW, what lights did you get for your tank? I'm in the process of setting up a 20 gallon long as well and am looking for lighting options.

[SushiGirl]

Speaker, we're still waiting on the lights & my boyfriend never sent me the email with the details LOL. It's I believe a 24" LED fixture from Unique LEDs with separate controls for dimming the blues & the whites. We're getting it for about half price, which is awesome!

I tested again today & the parameters are still the same. We'll need to do a water change for the nitrates. We're trying to find a yasha goby/pistol pair that are already paired so we don't have to worry that they won't pair up like our other pistol & goby LOL.

[G4546]

had back surgery again today. Not sure what you mean by the last question.

I'm sorry to hear of surgery. That is never good. Hope you are better :)

By that question I was just asking who was the kitty in the picture ;) What was his/her name, hehe.

Ready for more updates!

[SushiGirl]

Ohhh, that's Emmy (due to the M on her forehead) but we call her Little Girl or Kitty Cat Girl LOL. I've had lots of cats, but she's something else personality-wise!

[SushiGirl]

Rocks are starting to get some color. We put in 5 white micro stars & 5 stomatellas a while ago that we spot rarely right now. Added an astrea snail that we got on a frag Tuesday since we didn't want to feed the polyclad hiding in the 55 LOL.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8286/7744540940_031ffdfdf2_b.jpg
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[SushiGirl]

Foraminiferans are always the first to show up.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8303/7744540284_2377d7dca1_b.jpg
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Burgundy coralline from scrapings we put in.
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[SushiGirl]

Other coralline is coming in, starting bright green first.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7744539678_8bef8e6898_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8299/7744538386_27985ee218_b.jpg

Not sure what this will be, I think it is spreading.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8282/7744539266_0e38651319_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Got the 10 gallon coral QT set up late last week. Have an AquaClear Power Filter for 5 to 20 gallons on it & just got 2 8 watt LED Skkye Lights Tuesday with 6 1 watt 10k daylight & 4 0.5 watt 456nm actinic bulbs with independent cords for daylight & actinic. Only trouble is that they're for rimless tanks, so we had to rig them for when corals are in the tank LOL.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7246/7744803236_a4191fccde_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8433/7745081952_06c1acd39f_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Got corals on Tuesday as well, from World Wide Corals. Packaging was great, an air-filled "box" with paper stuffed in to keep anything from moving, and cute labels on everything LOL.

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[SushiGirl]

I pulled a free astrea snail off the frogspawn, which was great since I was just considering snails for the 20L LOL. Pulled off what I thought was one mini brittle off the ricordea plug. When I looked at the pic I realized there were 2, which is awesome because they're different than what we have, these have red striped legs & black bodies. Now they can breed in the 55 fuge.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7129/7744807106_b47d8f2fbc_b.jpg

Everything looked great right out of the bags! I dipped them in CoralRx for at least 5 minutes, then put them in the tank.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8439/7744807534_73438cce41_b.jpg
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[SushiGirl]

After a couple of hours, everything perked right up.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8295/7744809338_ebefeee715_b.jpg
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I love how the color in the frogspawn tips is in streaks on some. My boyfriend was inspired to buy this by a thread here I showed him of a bi-color hammer.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8448/7744808816_d0db9ec059_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

The lights came while I was handling the corals, this is after we got them rigged up. I'll have to put the good flash back on for better pics.

On the bird's nest, you can see how the polyps are green on the newest growth. Very cool!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8435/7744810130_6486e59f8b_b.jpg
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[SushiGirl]

Figured I can update now since there's something to add!

We put a Yasha goby & a candy cane pistol shrimp in the 20L August 17th. August 20th we got the lights & put them up, man they are bright! We have them dialed down for now. Sorry, I never did see any specs for the lights.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8169/7887310090_bb58de9b6d_c.jpg

We put the frogspawn & the ricordea in the tank on the 20th, but the birdsnest stayed in QT for a while longer due to algae on the frag plug that I finally managed to kill. They all lost color in the QT, and the birdsnest was losing tissue that it's trying to recover from. The frogspawn & ricordea are both eating mysis now. Oh, and we're getting my first ever hair algae outbreak in 6 tanks...it's going nuts under the lights!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8435/7910546456_acc10ba0c8_c.jpg
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[SushiGirl]

On August 28th I decided that the fish must have died because we haven't seen it since I put it in. $60 down the proverbial drain. We knew the shrimp was there because it's been excavating like crazy, creating several burrow openings, plus we heard it snap twice. I put a little mysis in the tank at 2 burrow openings. An hour later it was still there, and as I sighed & went to turn the powerheads back on, I saw a flash! There he is!!! I dropped a pellet by the hole & the shrimp came out & got it! They have already paired up & are coming out. I'm soooooo happy!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/7884203210_13a98e1f39_o.jpg

A little size reference.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8447/7910591812_52003269dc_c.jpg

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[SushiGirl]

Oh no! Mr. Billlllll! LOL
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/7910593122_c3a861a53c_o.jpg

[pleuralplexus]

Really good looking tank so far! I noticed you've been getting mail order shipments. Wondered if you've heard of This place. It's a LFS near you that I found while I was in the metroplex last week. It's the best SPS store I've ever been to so I thought I'd share. But you probably already know about that place. http://www.google.com/search?q=aquarium+fort+worth+tx&hl=en&safe=off&prmd=imvns&source=univ&tbm=plcs&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=epxDUJn7Aeqw2QX_-YGYDQ&ved=0CCwQtQMwAQ&biw=320&bih=416#mldd=2

[SushiGirl]

That link brings up a search of all LFSs in the area. We buy 90% of our livestock from Fish Paradise. The only stuff bought online were 3 coral frags.

[roninmagik1]

nice tank, cool pics!!!

[pleuralplexus]

Sorry.. Must've hit the back button before copying the URL. I meant this place:
http://fish2morow.com/

[SushiGirl]

We go there to look as they have some great display tanks, but the size of their frags for the prices they charge aren't really what we want to spend money on.

[pleuralplexus]

Really? Wow, they're a clear 75% cheaper and 200% better than anything we have way out here. So there's somewhere better in FW? Fish Paradise I guess. I'll have to check that out next time I head east.

[Mr Cob]

that bi-color frog looks great

[SushiGirl]

Pleural, there are a lot of good stores in this area.

Thanks, Mr Cob. It lost a lot of color in QT but it seems to be getting it back now. It sure does love to eat!

[james3370]

been following this for awhile....good looking tank ;)

I'm thinking about doing something similar...where it would be view-able from 2 different rooms, except I'm thinking about doing it with a 40breeder & making it an all-in-one style tank by sectionalizing off the back end for filtration areas & covering it

something like this:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=193455&d=1340172085

[SushiGirl]

In my old house I had my 38 set up penisula style between the dining & living areas. We just don't haveroom in this house to do any of them that way. I think that will look great.

[james3370]

I've also considered doing it more of a cube-shaped tank in the area against the wall where a couch & love-seat would be if placed in a L-configuration....if that makes sense?

[SushiGirl]

That was how mine was. It was on the wall where the hallway started with a chair at the short end, then on the long side there was the couch. It was where a shared end table had been. You could look at it from the couch or the chair (the fish would follow you LOL) or stand at look at it from the dining room side. I never did take an overall distance shot of it in the 4 years I had it!

[alberthiel]

This thank is going to look real nice !!

[SushiGirl]

Haven't taken too many pics lately, we're in the hair algae phase LOL, the few I've taken I haven't processed yet. I guess I'll do that now since I have nothing else to do! We added 3 sexy shrimp when we added the trochus and I put the 2 smallest cardinals in there because the larger one was beating the crap out of them in the 10 gallon. He's all alone in the 10 now, not sure for how long. He's too small to go in the 55 with the big orbic cardinal...the orbic is a bully & will probably kill it quickly. He bullied the slightly smaller orbic that was originally in there with him, scared him between a rock & the overflow & it spent 8 hours there before I got home & found it, had to remove the rock to get it out & it died that night because it was all scraped up.

Since we didn't have lights for so long, we didn't have the usual algae outbreaks until we got the lights & are getting them now. Diatoms came for about a week or 2 then went. Truthfully, this is the first time I've ever had a hair algae breakout in a tank. All my other tanks weren't stocked for 3 months after setup, as opposed to stocking as soon as they were cycled. Not sure if that's the difference or not. There are a couple of very small patches of hair algae in the 55, but certainly nothing like this. Sure does get long overnight! I guess the tiny hermits are too tiny, and of course the snails will eat some then go to invisible film algae. I keep moving them back onto the hair algae when I can reach them heheheh.

Here are some pics I didn't post originally.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8299/7910590924_e5b3ae4d81_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8300/7910592890_67cf7dd77a_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8297/7910681340_dc9e213047_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8448/7910593472_939e9ebf76_o.jpg

[Dellyjoe]

i really really love the place where you put your tank, and love your cute little fish,.

[SushiGirl]

Thanks, we really like it right there too & I love the fish.

[derekjmd]

I feel your pain on the Hair Algae... I am battling it right now too... I just put a lawnmower blenny in my tank and he is going to town on the stuff... I am hoping that cuts back on it a lot because i want to put more corals in my tank but the algae is in all the good spots.. lol... anyone know of some good tricks to get rid of the stuff?

[SushiGirl]

If it's a new tank, time & continued good water parameters.

[SushiGirl]

Some updates: We put a filter with a surface skimmer (and mid and lower level intakes too) on the tank. It's really helped with the crud the hair algae was putting out. Cleared up the surface so light gets through (the corals were suffering for that), and I think the hair algae is on the decline. We put a small conch in there, but it didn't do anything & has apparently died. We ended up moving the fighting conch from the 55 that stayed buried a lot into the 20. It has been really happy in there & is having a ball eating all the hair algae off the sand & stirring it up.

The frogspawn has another head now, both heads are eating.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8175/8058289377_e02ef6da43_b.jpg

These are under just the blue LEDs with the flash. I like doing this because you get color pop even with the flash.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8319/8058289600_f6fb24bfa6_b.jpg

This is the opposite side, you can see the new head. Still under blue LEDs & flash.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/8058289934_67b12d13e2_b.jpg

The female sexies like to sit under it. They run the little male off LOL.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8030/8058300974_7cd9b4e94a_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

The monti cap that almost died in the 55 is starting to come back now in the 20.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8042/8058282028_9a1d94f077_b.jpg

The ric has gotten its color back too.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8461/8058278223_8c91cb5c0c_b.jpg

Under blue only with flash.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/8058278512_23fdafd0da_b.jpg

Other side.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8039/8058278294_1602d034bf_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Zoas we picked up at MACNA from our fav vendor. Other than a new heater for the 10, all we bought were 7 corals from him LOL.

One of the polyps is darker than the others, kinda weird. There are also some smaller brown zoas with small blue centers on this frag. We bought it because it had lots of polyps & 2 different kinds. Oh, and he liked the long skirts!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/8058261227_968a52c6a2_b.jpg

Under blue only with flash.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8319/8058260802_7d91751412_b.jpg

I can't seem to get a good pic of these. I love their bright neon green speckles!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8318/8058268455_4d854622cd_b.jpg

Victoria's Secret zoas. Had to take the pic from the surface. Someone moved them all from where I had them after dipping & not in good spots for pics LOL.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/8058268504_b3d82a8232_b.jpg

White People Eater. It ate yesterday so I'm expecting good things!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8033/8058268328_262f4c6093_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Loved the orange hues of these.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/8058265665_b84e4677e8_b.jpg

Under the blue with flash.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/8058265842_70fdbf855f_b.jpg

Can't get a good pic of these either. Maroon with a bright green rim on the mouths.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8320/8058265558_ecdc55940b_b.jpg

2-headed acan we really liked. It had a nice blue stripe in it. It didn't like being in a cup all day & ended up with lots of tissue recession. Both heads are eating mysis, though, so it should pull through pretty quickly.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8169/8058272954_1f64a82dbd_b.jpg

Under blues with flash.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8316/8058273117_28e4023a61_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Couple of shots I couldn't resist. These little sexies are hard to get pics of too, they're always just past something else the camera wants to focus on.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8316/8058302709_78861727db_b.jpg

After a few days "treeless" and being run off from on or around the frogspawn, the male decided the zoas were good to stand on.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/8058302871_f1c8121c06_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Went to our favorite LFS today to pick something up, and he told me the white branching bubble coral I wanted was in...wow! Amazing piece. Way larger than I thought a frag of this would be (other places would frag the crud out of it). 5 heads going on 6. It's in the 20 until the 140 is ready. Amazing that I'd never heard of nor seen this until this past July! I wanted one immediately when I saw the small frags at a different LFS, but they were gone when I was finally ready to buy. Thankfully I had the cash today LOL. I also bought a recovering fox coral for the 55.

This was taken immediately after putting it in the tank.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8183/8084463216_d06ce8ec8e_b.jpg

FTS from the living room side.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8187/8084464318_62104a59af_b.jpg

FTS from the kitchen side. You can see the size of the coral in this shot (lower left).
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8463/8084463638_c9ded3c1fc_b.jpg

I jokingly wondered how long it would take before a sexy shrimp decided to take it over. The answer? A few minutes shy of an hour and a half :lmao:.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8329/8084467471_93b69c4869_b.jpg

It was open very nicely at the store, can't wait for it to do the same here!

[SushiGirl]

This pom pom crab was added a couple of weeks ago. We see it every once in a while.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8338/8193232193_01c97777e4_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8489/8193232419_d194baa59a_b.jpg

We added this porcelain crab yesterday. Love watching her wave insanely when I squirt thawed food juice her way LOL.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8194324874_59eef8ec46_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8210/8194325478_6689fd9663_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Bubble coral is eating well. The sexy shrimp like to get on it and hang out.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8067/8193235071_5dec67edd5_b.jpg

This shrimp has a name. It's written right above her tail. HARN. I freaked out when I was looking through pics while talking on the phone & noticed it! This is the only shrimp that has obvious lettering on her.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8062/8194062516_11daccf7a1_b.jpg

These tiny featherdusters are growing on one side of the bubble coral. I had to take a pic to figure out what they were. They're completely encrusted and there are several spionid worms living there too.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8203/8193232293_2db118c66c_b.jpg

The frogspawn has grown increasingly. It gets fed every day. The sexy shrimp love to hang out under it, too.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8487/8194323772_1fa15830c5_b.jpg

This was taken under the blue LEDs with a flash.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8063/8194062224_d9c7b00903_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

The ricordea has overgrown the frag.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8348/8193233201_e16e28d456_b.jpg

The acans have recovered very well except for coloration. Both heads get a piece of mysis every day.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8194322730_13a1d75049_b.jpg

The White People Eater has another polyp (on the other side, sorry!). It eats periodically.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8192974143_15aa217d9a_b.jpg

Victoria's Secret zoas. We've noticed that most things aren't very vibrant in this tank under LEDs. When just the blue lights are on, some of the green things glow orange, like the green-tipped bird's nest, the clove polyps, and the monti cap polyps.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8192973987_b8a0706202_b.jpg

One of the Trochus snails.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8062/8194324420_a6b163c808_b.jpg

[G4546]

Sushi! :) Looks Grrrrrreat! :) But, could I request a photo? I'd like to see Miss Emmy in one of those shots! :D Like James, I've been also following this thread for some time now and have to say, it was a fun quick build of a coolio little reef! Cheers :)

[SushiGirl]

This is Emmy waiting for me to turn the sink on back in July. That's the most recent pic of her.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8428/7665223994_201397a4c2_b.jpg

[RadicalReefer]

looks great!

[iwishtofish]

Looks like a fun tank! Pictures are great, but the shrimp thing is really weirding me out. :bigeyes: What does it mean?

[SushiGirl]

I guess it means that's her name, iwishtofish! I need to surf around the net & see if this is a common thing or not. The other female has marks kinda resembling letters, but nothing clear like this one. The male just has markings. I was talking to my mom when I noticed it while looking at the pics & I interrupted her with "Oh my god! My shrimp has writing on its butt!" :lmao:

I did catch Mr. Bill & his big fisted partner Sluggo out last night.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8198704918_b5cce97b8d_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/8197612445_33fdbaf377_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/8198704570_c36cca87c3_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8338/8198705106_bd79706701_b.jpg

[iwishtofish]

I guess it means that's her name, iwishtofish! I need to surf around the net & see if this is a common thing or not. The other female has marks kinda resembling letters, but nothing clear like this one. The male just has markings. I was talking to my mom when I noticed it while looking at the pics & I interrupted her with "Oh my god! My shrimp has writing on its butt!" :lmao:

I did catch Mr. Bill & his big fisted partner Sluggo out last night.

I'm surprised the female shrimp doesn't say "PINK."

Love the pics of the dynamic duo! Maybe when I get a bigger tank I'll look into a pair.

[petere1989]

nice tank so far. i too have a 20g, along with the skimmer you have. do you have any plans to mod it so you'll have a larger catch tray? i have to empty mine every day and that doesn't work if you're going out of town.

[SushiGirl]

We don't have any plans to mod the skimmer. When we go on vacation we have to have a tank sitter. 3 tanks with stuff that has to be done every day precludes just leaving them alone.

[SushiGirl]

Here's a few pics I took the other day.
Some zoas are recovering (from what I don't know) or still doing well/OK, one set melted away & another is on its way out.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8479/8239082727_78c95b2a6e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8239082727/)

There was a 2nd baby White People Eater, it either disappeared or is on the other side of this one.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8203/8239080203_7a782a2180_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8239080203/)

Yes, we're still having cyano issues. I can't wait till this tank matures some more LOL!
The acan has recovered very nicely. It's been fed every day & has gotten some great color back.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8239082481_58e44bfe7f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8239082481/)

The green-tipped bird's nest is doing fine, and the cloves we removed from the 55 because they were dying are now recovering very nicely in this tank after some struggling.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8489/8240147020_6de5a9b468_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8240147020/)

We have 3 pieces of Neomeris growing. First time I've ever had it.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8208/8240144586_a5058a3685_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8240144586/)

[SushiGirl]

The ricordea is still doing well.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8070/8240144370_bb63c5ca8d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8240144370/)

The shrimp are still doing great, including HARN.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8058/8240143994_26354b3e98_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8240143994/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8060/8239077485_aafc069fdd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8239077485/)

Bought these Saturday (and another frag with blue cloves & some orange zoas for the 55). Having a hard time getting a pic because of how they're placed. The side you can see the purple ring on is the side farthest from the glass on one side, the other side closest to the glass they're tilted the wrong way LOL. Fell in love with the ultra long skirts & the purple ring just inside the skirt.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8480/8239078837_5d345c8d30_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8239078837/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8067/8239083035_f342cf1de7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8239083035/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8490/8242251723_b08c0103bc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8242251723/)

[iwishtofish]

Thanks for sharing the new pictures. The orange long-skirted zoas are cool, and that acan is looking great!

[reefscape15]

That tank looks great!

[SushiGirl]

Thank you. It's still just a few months old so we're having the usual new tank issues. Can't wait till it matures more!

[rivvir]

great looking tank Harn the shrimp is awesome!

[SushiGirl]

A few new pics. Been fighting cyano since fall, it's now gone. Guess the lakes are through turning for the season! LOL

Getting new babies on the acan, which has gotten really huge from daily mysis feeding.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8052/8399671422_648d8077a3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8399671422/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8398590009_0ecacfcaf2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8398590009/)

Bubble is doing well, apparently it loves me (anyone know if this is a sign of anything more serious than love?).
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/8398589617_e4843a321a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8398589617/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8231/8398590353_fc4f2bc4df_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8398590353/)

Not sure on the weird brown algae. Of course only on the high LED light areas.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8399673238_f5a28186bb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8399673238/)

[SushiGirl]

A few new pics. Been fighting cyano since fall, it's now gone. Guess the lakes are through turning for the season! LOL

Getting new babies on the acan, which has gotten really huge from daily mysis feeding.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8052/8399671422_648d8077a3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8399671422/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8398590009_0ecacfcaf2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8398590009/)

Bubble is doing well, apparently it loves me (anyone know if this is a sign of anything more serious than love?).
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/8398589617_e4843a321a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8398589617/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8231/8398590353_fc4f2bc4df_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8398590353/)

Not sure on the weird brown algae. Of course only on the high LED light areas.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8399673238_f5a28186bb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8399673238/)

[SushiGirl]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8330/8399672070_694772b1a8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8399672070/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8050/8398587429_7fe32c59e7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8398587429/)

This has grown a LOT. We already have a 2nd head. As large as the original one is, I think it's about to split again.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8325/8356504314_e463e88797_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8356504314/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8331/8398588797_30e5ae3e91_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8398588797/)

That's all I've got, haven't been taking too many since the cyano was so unattractive!

[SushiGirl]

Forgot this one from last night, when I noticed a tunicate on one of the snails. Odd, never seen that before, nor any tunicates in this tank. Cool!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8476/8399830692_7d1ae67cb5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8399830692/)

[SushiGirl]

Just some updated pics of the 20L.

Branching bubble is doing fantastic!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8529/8560072189_5da413daf1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8560072189/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8518/8561179098_c10aca8fba_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8561179098/)

The acan that almost died is growing new heads like crazy.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8368/8560072457_aae06c8f48_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8560072457/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8561178198_b59f3c2ff1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8561178198/)

The cloves have grown off the plug. Ooops! LOL
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8560071481_5d57e6074f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8560071481/)

[SushiGirl]

Frogspawn is growing more heads. Started with one and now I think it's working on a 4th.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8228/8552943613_78a90807b3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8552943613/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8552942965_aa4e4242b4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8552942965/)

Ricordea seems to be splitting, I think. The green is only on edges, and I'm seeing it i the middle. There are at least 3 mouths, but it seems to all still be one big shroom.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8111/8552942471_c9cbef2c81_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8552942471/)

The shrimp are all doing just fine.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8552199671_0ef1760ec4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8552199671/)

The White People Eaters have gone from one to five.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8088/8552943189_510a66f956_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8552943189/)

[SushiGirl]

Really thought this was a goner, but it's recovering now that we've dimmed the white LED lights. All the zoas are gaining their color back and even multiplying now! Yay!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8560072561_5fc73ece0c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8560072561/)

Eating zoa/LPS food.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8560072961_1c5a067796_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8560072961/)

These are my favorites. When only the blue LEDs are on they look like tiny yellow stars in the tank.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8237/8561178842_8e0bb50064_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8561178842/)

These lost their long skirts, but are spreading, so that's good. We can't seem to keep long skirts on any zoas, not sure what the issue is, probably nitrates (the 55 runs 20 and this tank runs 5 or 0).
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8561177538_d75d26fe78_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8561177538/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8561177046_660e035e51_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8561177046/)

The Victoria's Secrets have always stayed open & not melted, but boy are they getting their nice pink/bluish color back!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8112/8560070499_015df7ec7a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8560070499/)

[SushiGirl]

A couple of the white micro stars. They're breeding like crazy in here too, and I've seen a couple that have WAY longer legs than I've ever seen on these before. Not these 2 in particular, though.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8561179434_0b832ebf71_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8561179434/)

The little male shrimp.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8552199163_f8c7c955d3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8552199163/)

Mr. Bill is a lot braver now. Soon as I turn off the powerheads to feed he pops out. He darts back in when I put the food by the burrow, Sluggo (pistol) sneaks out & grabs some, then Mr. Bill comes back out & eats. Sometimes he carries it back & several times leaves some hanging LOL.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8095/8554059616_5cc07a3fcf_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8554059616/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8252/8552956355_59a5ca8031_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8552956355/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8369/8554057346_1dc6b59f76_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8554057346/)

[SushiGirl]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8554057250_60044571da_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8554057250/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8552211453_081948b1e8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8552211453/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8373/8553315194_4992d4d57e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8553315194/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8554088946_09ce92a904_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8554088946/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8094/8552987043_f5615ab50e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8552987043/)

[bdevillier]

tank is looking good. i'm in the process of building a 20L with a 10G sump using the same skimmer you have. just ordered my LED light, now just have to finish my stand. i read somewhere that zoas have long skirts when they are in high flow areas to help collect passing particles. dont know if thats true or not though

[SushiGirl]

I heard that about the zoas too, but it hasn't worked for us.

Our skimmer runs wet & you can't adjust it, so you'll have to let me know if yours does too.

[bdevillier]

I heard that about the zoas too, but it hasn't worked for us.

Our skimmer runs wet & you can't adjust it, so you'll have to let me know if yours does too.

i'm still about 2-3 weeks from adding water, my light should be here around the end of the month hopefully. once i get it up and running ill let you know. even after break in, it still skims wet?

[SushiGirl]

Tank's been up since July, so it's had plenty of break-in time. I also forgot to mention it expels microbubbles into the tank like crazy. We cut a piece of sponge to put in front of that part so the tank's not full of tiny bubbles.

[SushiGirl]

Some new pics.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8247/8592089416_a50fdd85f8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8592089416/)

The monti polyps have turned from brown back to green under LEDs.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8592088968_c7628e2e99_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8592088968/)

Zoas are spreading & colors are looking great.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8089/8590986709_08985d34e4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8590986709/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8106/8589976717_426a23e7ce_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8589976717/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8591076552_5ea177bb3f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8591076552/)

[SushiGirl]

Working on 4 heads now.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8591076252_5582cd2e80_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8591076252/)

One of the heads has 3 mouths now. The growth on this thing is crazy. It's so full!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8589977109_ecd49ba899_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8589977109/)

Right after lights-out.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8530/8589991865_42e85fabac_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8589991865/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8515/8589991221_c3483b96e0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8589991221/)

Pardon me, just passing through!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8589955489_465be2b9ac_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8589955489/)

[SushiGirl]

Noticed Mr. Bill trying to cough something up.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8590995189_5149c7ef54_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8590995189/)

Have no idea why he ate bubble algae. Didn't even know what he coughed up until I saw the pic LOL.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8373/8592095132_a92f809c1b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8592095132/)

Oh noooo!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8096/8592089112_d952d22142_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8592089112/)

Going through a bubble algae phase now.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8530/8590987263_70ed3e7dd0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8590987263/)

One of the female sexies.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8235/8590986483_f9ca0fcfdb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8590986483/)

[SushiGirl]

These 2 are usually chasing each other and doing the aggression kiss. Not sure what they were doing this time, but it looked romantic LOL.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/8590000731_b769575e28_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8590000731/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8375/8591103850_fafc5e9e85_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8591103850/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8590004857_a2edb01a1d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8590004857/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8590000585_6a45c29374_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8590000585/)

[SushiGirl]

I discovered new "bait" to get Sluggo out. Rubble! He can't resist.
Here he's carrying a little rock.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8591005257_b58578edef_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8591005257/)

Now he's touching the shell to see if it's suitable.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8505/8592106446_eee9829473_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8592106446/)

I managed to catch him dropping the little rock before it even hits the sand LOL.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8592105654_5c99cf234c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8592105654/)

Want!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8090/8592104236_f966ce70b4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8592104236/)

Camera battery died after this shot. He flipped the shell and used it as a roof.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8380/8592103402_69409f5c6b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8592103402/)

"I want shrimp that shoot freaking laser beams!" Pew pew pew! :lmao:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8595819595_a624f50190_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8595819595/)

[jacob.morgan78]

love this tank! just found and skimmed the thread!

Did you stop using the koralia nano pumps? It looks like you're using something else in the more recent pictures. I may be wrong!

Thanks for the updates!!!! looking forward to following along now :)

[nanomania]

Lovely tank...... :) can we get a FTS from far? ;)

[SushiGirl]

Nanomania, there are a couple of FTS further up this page. The only one from afar is in the beginning of the thread.

Jacob, we did replace the Koralias. They were really weak flow-wise. We have Aqueon 500s now. They have much better flow.

[SushiGirl]

Sluggo has been really active the past several nights since I discovered the rubble thing. Of course, we bought this sand because of the rubble specifically for a pistol, but he's used all the rubble or buried it near the latest burrow. Last night after the whites went off I watched as he came out of the burrow & ran all the way to the glass to dig around for rubble and kick sand back toward the burrow. I haven't downloaded those pics yet, I know some of them didn't come out but I'll see what I got. The entire time, Mr. Bill hovered over him to protect him.

It's really funny because Mr. Bill wants to go to bed when the lights go out, but Sluggo is busy busy busy & won't stay in the burrow. Night before last Mr. Bill kept whapping him with his tail trying to get him to go in. He finally gave up & just wiggled in backwards on top of Sluggo to force him in! I love that they're so active now instead of rarely seeing them, THIS is why we got this duo!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8085/8595819967_b13ba1f4a5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8595819967/)

He turns on his side to turn around LOL.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8511/8595820113_cb63497cc3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8595820113/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8596922664_d9f0c76519_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8596922664/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8368/8595820359_3e38d43ea0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8595820359/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8595820597_0edf715eb1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8595820597/)

[SushiGirl]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8528/8595821299_3f39f92a7a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8595821299/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8384/8595821845_0c4634183a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8595821845/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8596924052_0e1598b1cc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8596924052/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8596923934_e6cc25543d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8596923934/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8515/8596923818_5d903c784b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8596923818/)

[SushiGirl]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/8598038317_30bc65fca1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8598038317/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8234/8598038071_7365ce2cf3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8598038071/)

Going for a big rock.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8229/8599139340_8a67b8ae8e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8599139340/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8226/8598038795_695c633179_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8598038795/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8510/8599139706_48a4bac53c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8599139706/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8596924872_b4958f6e00_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8596924872/)

[nanomania]

Nanomania, there are a couple of FTS further up this page. The only one from afar is in the beginning of the thread.


I ment was since uv added corals and live stock, the tank where uv kept mus be looking fantastic, so wanted to see how its looking there.... thanks

[SushiGirl]

Some crappy phone vids. Didn't know it was set to the smallest possible until after I uploaded them LOL. I fixed it for the last one. My phone doesn't have enough memory to send some of them to myself, so I can only send ones that are small enough in kb. I'm trying to get more, but it makes it tough.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sXliMdvNq7A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AVk7TEys4xk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TU96a9NoLf4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[G4546]

Wow Sushi! Looks like it turned out great! :) Thanks for all the vids and pics... Haven't seen emmy much though :D Keep it up! :)

[SeanPrice]

Awesome tank! Keep up the good work, I am in the process of putting together a 20 long AIO with BadFish Reefsystems kit.

[calistyle]

very nice setup and well documented.

[SushiGirl]

Thanks y'all! Here are some vids from a few weeks ago.

View from the kitchen.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/g_DeQ_IEs7Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

View from the living room.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/z_W7_3EfWBE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

White PEs & branching bubble coral.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/G0ouWcPMrxg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Zoas & frogspawn.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pHtqpx1xNrw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Crappy vid of the acan. I have no idea how many heads it has now, it's crazy!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IBshGpdlYAc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[SushiGirl]

Cloves that are going crazy & are beautiful now.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jJ74ua0PUEI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

One of the cardinals.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/teZYuKkxlKY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

One of the sexies with an appropriate song :lmao:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hO6LGgn5LVg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I have some other vids uploading now.

[SushiGirl]

Updates with the corals we bought at MACNA & some shots of previous corals that are growing like crazy.

MACNA purchases I made:
Palys that I bought because they looked cool closed & I had to see what they looked like open LOL.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/9988031215_4f856f13d6_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/9986296263_f907bfaac0_b.jpg

Mushroom that I liked.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7303/9986176944_9fa6b33830_b.jpg

Finally got the shroom to eat.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5329/9986753666_9f3070922a_b.jpg

Favia with shocking green.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7360/9988048314_10f37c6e6d_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

I guess I never updated that we lost Mr. Bill the Yasha. Once we put an emerald crab in the tank, he wouldn't come out because it was always by the burrow. We didn't see him for a month, and one day we came home to find him completely emaciated & swimming in circles. Sluggo wouldn't let him back into the burrow. He died shortly after. We haven't yet replaced him.

[SushiGirl]

My boyfriend's MACNA purchases:

Acan #1
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5335/9986177854_4022356c4d_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/9988153303_2df9b85134_b.jpg

Acan #2
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2821/9986174724_8aaf378612_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/9988032724_8107a177c3_b.jpg

Acan #3
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7419/9986217096_4101d86cd7_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/9988038655_911329f2d4_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Chalice
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/9986290723_1511d4213c_b.jpg

Monti
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/9988089696_3b1991ce8b_b.jpg

Leptastrea. There's green in there that the camera can't pick up. We'll use the coral flashlight next time LOL.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3805/9986291263_cf7d59e7ce_b.jpg

Zoas
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/9986157885_95e25c0cde_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

The frogspawn is huge now, about baseball size.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/9988042754_cd32c84b8d_b.jpg

The ric has split. A lot. This part is now 4 shrooms and another part broke away that is 2 shrooms.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/9988024935_ea817ab793_b.jpg

These zoas are still struggling. I have moved them all over the tank & they just don't like it anywhere. At least they're open in this spot. The Green Bay Packers are like the ones in the 55 that have taken over the world in there. Not enough nutrients, I guess, or they don't like the LEDs. Dunno, just can't figure it out.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/9988169223_589ed7667a_b.jpg

These are still struggling. I moved them because they were closed a lot again & I put another frag in their place. They stayed open in this spot for a while, but are closing again. I'm gonna give them a peroxide dip again, I guess. I love these tiny little guys, don't want to lose them. And yes, we know we have bubble algae, it's everywhere LOL. The emerald did nothing after the 1st 2 days. There's currently a scarlet in there that's been working on it for a week.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/9988035374_0c5f5a2941_b.jpg

The White People Eaters are very happy, even though bristleworms & micro stars try to steal their food all the time!
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/9988034974_658542a65e_b.jpg

Thought I was gonna lose these, I moved them because they were staying closed & they opened up & were happy for a couple weeks, then closed back up for 2 weeks. I moved them back & they're open again. Another week or so & I believe they would have disappeared.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3698/9988029494_989e156ef3_b.jpg

The Victoria's Secrets have gone crazy. I read that they would eat, so I started feeding them. They went from very small to large & have multiplied like crazy. Love it!
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5451/9988046604_1774484785_b.jpg

The cloves we almost lost in the 55 have taken over the top of the highest rock in the 20. They're very happy!
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/9988175423_d8689b6252_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7438/9988044125_445023bc11_b.jpg

The monti cap was plating like crazy close to the bottom of the tank, but it started losing its color so someone suggested we move it up. Well, the only place to go was the very top up with the cloves. Seems to be getting a little color back, but it's going to end up plating right out of the water LOL.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7380/9988053034_d140ea70d1_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

The "vacuum cleaner" is still loving being in the 20L. It sleeps at night then roams all day. One day I caught it on the glass...couldn't believe it LOL. I've seen it stretch & try to pull up on the silicone before when it was in the 55, but it really climbed this time!
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2827/9986657456_7a33250d97_b.jpg

I took the digital thermometer off to get better pics.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/9986657866_b9f1144eda_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/9986658176_1832446b6f_b.jpg

Couldn't maintain LOL.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/9986734313_3101bb48db_b.jpg

Still have the sexies. They each get a piece of mysis a day (if they'll take it) from the tweezers.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/9988082966_f73995034f_b.jpg

And I forgot about the insane acan. This is the one we bought at MACNA last year that was in horrible shape by the time we got it home. It turned into a huge ball on the rocks, so I moved it to the sand upon a recommendation. This thing is pure glutton. I accidentally dropped a tiny dwarf cerith on it a couple weeks ago while adding them to the tank & it ate it. *shiver*
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/9988166973_a4a0a3595b_b.jpg

A new limpet & some eggs. I assume its eggs since they're not in a very cerith-like pattern.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/9988053864_4ba635c3bc_b.jpg

This snail amuses me (there are a few). I have a sweater just like that! LMAO
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7331/9988048045_8b910ef1b5_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Our hitchhiker chiton that we discovered after the tank was a year old. It stays in this area & leaves nice clean rock behind. I wish it was faster!
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/9988948616_ff0edbbdf6_b.jpg

One of the 2 limpets I put in the 20. They look like monks LOL.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2867/9988895985_762ae04ec7_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/9988899864_a0abc799dd_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Well, was looking in the tank, taking some more pics...neither limpet survived, I just found 2 empty shells. Sigh.

[iwishtofish]

Sorry to hear about Mr. Bill and the limpets. Love your crazy green acan. Great pictures! :) Still have HARN?

[SushiGirl]

Yeah, still have HARN but a couple molts later & her name changed to, well, nothing LOL. Took some more pics with the coral flashlight & full lighting and just now with only blue LEDs and using the flash so I get a little color pop. Need to fix them up & get them uploaded, then I'll post 'em. The new palys are INSANE with the coral flashlight!

[igot2gats]

Great build thread, Sushi.

I love the updates, and the Yasha!

[2_zoa]

You have one nice little tank there. Very cool shots of the pistol/goby pair.

I'm interested in your skimmer. Do you have or have you had issues with micro bubbles with that skimmer? I have that skimmer and I have yet to make it work without a bubble issue. I don't like the filter floss mod as that leaves it prone to over flowing.

[SushiGirl]

Yes, we get micro bubbles with that skimmer. We have a small block of filter foam in front of the outlet that really helps. We rinse it in saltwater every eater change.

[SushiGirl]

Thanks, Jeff. The Yasha was my favorite fish ever. I cried when he died, which is unusual for me. Although I was under a ton of stress @ work & still recovering from back surgery, so that certainly contributed. I felt so bad for him, though!

[2_zoa]

Yes, we get micro bubbles with that skimmer. We have a small block of filter foam in front of the outlet that really helps. We rinse it in saltwater every eater change.

Darn. Haha. I was hoping you had a fix for the skimmer. That way I could pull mine out of the closet and use it again. It works great.

[SushiGirl]

Well, it works & isn't hard to do LOL. Ours fills up really fast, lots of foam but not very dark skimmate.

[2_zoa]

With the foam in front of the outlet. The flow is restricted. You might try to raise the skimmer up out of the water a little bit. I know the mount for the skimmer doesn't allow for that very easy. That might help dry up the skim. Just a thought.

[SushiGirl]

We have it raised some, he put a pen under the hanging mount LOL. Doesn't seem to restrict flow much, it acts the same when the foam is off.

[conradryaan]

hey I've been reading through this post, trying to gain wisdom. I just started my first saltwater tank(lots of experience with freshwater) it's the same size as yours. I have one post and it has pictures and everything in it. anyways, you seem like you know what you are doing and are trying to do the same thing I am. I have the skimmer as you do in the mail now. so any tips or wisdom shared would be greatly appreciated(:
thanks, conrad

[conradryaan]

and I'm also curious if you did the mod on the skimmer? thanks

[SushiGirl]

I thought someone asked me about modding the skimmer, we haven't done any skimmer mods. I have more pics I need to post, but haven't gotten around to getting them uploaded to the pic site yet. Not sure how much wisdom I have to impart, I pretty much leave stuff alone other than water changes & feeding.

[conradryaan]

haha that's about all I do. I've heard that the skimmer puts off lots of micro bubbles ...do they go away?

[Sugar Magnolia]

Hey Deb, I noticed a lot of valonia. I had an outbreak and per Brandon's instructions, injected the bubbles with hydrogen peroxide. Poof! No more bubble algae.

Your corals are all looking fantastic!

[SushiGirl]

The micro bubbles don't go away, at least not in over a year.
Sugar, we have several scarlet hermits that are doing a good job cleaning it up now. A lot is an understatement. I would never be able to inject that many, and i can never get an answer of the ratio of peroxide to use to just dose the entire tank. I gave up asking.

[troopa]

very nice. cool journey so far.

[SushiGirl]

Some coral updates. Couldn't get good pics of all of them.
Zoas from MACNA 12/15/13
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/11537259765_fe49602918_b.jpg
9/3/13
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/9986157885_95e25c0cde_b.jpg

Acan from MACNA 12/15/13
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/11537396313_4834b550cd_b.jpg

9/3/13
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7419/9986217096_4101d86cd7_b.jpg

Leptastrea from MACNA 12/15/13
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/11537337196_72847b5e76_b.jpg

9/3/13
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3805/9986291263_cf7d59e7ce_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Chalice from MACNA 12/15/13
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/11537309244_5085433b7f_b.jpg

9/3/13
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/9986290723_1511d4213c_b.jpg

Palys from MACNA 12/15/13
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/11537273995_0a3ac315e6_b.jpg

9/3/13
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/9986296263_f907bfaac0_b.jpg

Acan from MACNA 12/15/13
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3774/11537409163_0e9bc1c0cb_b.jpg

9/3/13
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2821/9986174724_8aaf378612_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Acan from MACNA 12/15/13
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3800/11537310264_a8a521bef6_b.jpg

9/3/13
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5335/9986177854_4022356c4d_b.jpg

Acan from MACNA 2012 on 12/15/13
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/11537340426_69dab2f60e_b.jpg

10/3/12
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8169/8058272954_1f64a82dbd_b.jpg

White People Eaters from MACNA 2012 on 12/15/13
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3719/11537411563_d332b3287a_b.jpg

10/3/12
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8033/8058268328_262f4c6093_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Ricordea from World Wide Corals 12/15/13 (there are 3 or 4 more nearby).
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/11537352976_6cdc4c3895_b.jpg

8/29/12
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8179/7910549432_546b74278d_b.jpg

Frogspawn from World Wide Corals 12/15/13
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/11537272005_9f171d6494_b.jpg

8/29/12
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8435/7910546456_acc10ba0c8_b.jpg

Zoas 12/15/13
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/11537414073_94f4b5687a_b.jpg

12/1/12
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8205/8239078609_0f6b725fbf_b.jpg

[johnike]

Looking healthy, Sushi!

[SushiGirl]

Victoria's Secret zoas 12/15/13
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/11537308744_677c460ee0_b.jpg

10/3/12
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/8058268504_b3d82a8232_b.jpg

Monti cap from 2010 or 2011 in my 55 gallon. Almost died, so moved it to the 20L. 12/15/13
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/11537347586_ce29f670aa_b.jpg

10/3/12, barely alive.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8042/8058282028_9a1d94f077_b.jpg

Favia from 2010, we call it a drama coral instead of a war coral because it's almost died so many times, then comes back. Moved it from the 55 to the 20L about a year ago, I think. 12/15/13
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/11537395093_2dd1e65087_b.jpg

1/27/11 in the 55 when we first got it.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5056/5442521135_8bc45dc79d_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Thanks, John! The bubble algae has been severely beaten back, finally. Still battling, but it's sooo much better since we got the scarlet hermits & nerites. We got this urchin to help, but it only moves around at night in a limited area. The scarlets constantly eat the bubble algae, it's awesome!
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3698/11538040796_ebd7d27d62_b.jpg

Busy, busy, busy!
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/11538094136_c9c0ee8345_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2832/11538156713_825cc07bf4_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/11538057284_1837b06386_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Virtually every rock surface (and powerheads LOL) was covered with bubble algae back in September. There are just pockets here and there now, pretty much around corals that snails, the urchin, and the scarlets don't get too close to. Little rubble rocks on the bottom are still covered, but the scarlets pick at them every day.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/11538173454_1ba740b013_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5521/11538132755_2f252b3bbf_b.jpg

[SushiGirl]

Brutus & Sluggo still enjoy jacking with the sand by the burrow.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3688/11538210175_5c2fbcb312_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/11538284196_1e94574941_b.jpg

Still have both pajamas.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/11538209005_1d05eb74a4_b.jpg

Scoots has grown a TON. When we got it, it was barely larger than a standard Nassarius snail & now it's actually a fish LOL. Man, talk about a fish that just don't care...thought about calling it Honey Badger! It eats right out of the baster & doesn't care if you get right next to it with your hand or tweezers.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/11538417883_7651c6bc33_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2874/11538417193_589cdf651e_b.jpg