Spoon v2.0 - IM Nuvo 16 + Kessil + Apex

[spoon671]

I've been in this hobby for well over a decade now. I left for a few years and currently am trying to make a comeback tour. I feel like a complete beginner this time around..it's totally weird. I catch myself hanging around the LFS' asking all those annoying questions. LED lighting has me totally flipped...I came from Giesemann MH land.

This time, I know how to use the search function on the forums too. ;)

Below is simply what I'm starting with. I think I'm off to a pretty strong beginning..but who knows? I'm a little OCD about some things so I may swap stuff out as time goes on...I have come to grips that I may make a mistake or two. Forgive me in advance. I'll make sure to keep this thread updated.

:beer:

Equipment

Tank and Filtration
- Innovative Marine Nuvo 16 AIO
- Sicce Synchra 1.5 (357gph upgraded return pump)
- Stock return plumbing
- Deleted stock media baskets

Heater
- ViaAqua Titanium 200w

Lighting
- Kessil A350W
- Le Russo Designs Slim Line (glass mount, stainless steel hardware, CNC'd billet aluminum clamp and fixture mount)

Control
- Neptune Apex w/ Temp and Lab Grade pH Probes
- eShopps Magnetic Probe Holder

Inhabitants
- 11lbs Marco Rock
- 10lbs CaribSea Fiji Pink Live Sand
- Boring..sorry!


End Goal

Ultimately, not unlike everyone else here, I want to have my own little piece of ocean. I want a mixed reef, some SPS I'd love to have are Plating Montipora and maybe a Birdsnest. LPS I'm shooting for are those choice colored Hammer Corals, and I'll probably look into a small Elegance. Ugh, I am realizing it's going to be tough to fit all that in a small tank like this, so as time goes on I will of course roll with the punches and create what I can, while trying not to kill anything.

I may look into an Vortech MP10...once cycle is complete.

As for fish, I dunno. I really love those Gobies that take bites out of the sand. Those are super cool!


Here are a couple pics! Tank is in cycle.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/03/umumyzu6.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/03/eja6upun.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/03/ahatuvag.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/03/aqa5adyg.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/03/bupuve2a.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/03/uhe9ute5.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/03/u8ubamym.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/03/pyqeda7u.jpg

I love entertaining comments and suggestions. Thanks for looking!

[BattleAthletics]

8 wows, awesome looking build, doing it right.

[Hentz]

I'm FORSURE going to be following this awesome thread! Can't wait to see it all set up.

In the mean time, if you are trying to save a buck - WP10's are also a nice option compared to the MP10's and a fraction of the price. One in a mixed-reef Nuvo 16 will be nice.

[wmitchell96]

Looks awesome!! Excited to see more

[terrypercula]

Tank is looking great! While the wp10 may or may not serve it's purpose you gone 110% on everything equipment wise you should do the same with your pump ;)

Can't wait to see it all stocked up.

[spoon671]

8 wows, awesome looking build, doing it right.

I'm trying, believe me. I remember when I first started out in the hobby, going through 3 sets of lighting before I finally ended up with what I really wanted. We've both been there huh? ;)



I'm FORSURE going to be following this awesome thread! Can't wait to see it all set up.

In the mean time, if you are trying to save a buck - WP10's are also a nice option compared to the MP10's and a fraction of the price. One in a mixed-reef Nuvo 16 will be nice.


I'm following your threads too, don't worry! It was fun to see you bouncing your Nuvo around. :)

I am actually considering a WP10, I mean they can be had cheap enough. You said that. Although, MP10 is attractive because it will have minimal intrusion in-tank, heat will stay outside, I can integrate it with my Apex eventually.

Looks awesome!! Excited to see more


Thanks! I had a choice between the fake purple rock, which I really really like, and the Marco. I ended up choosing the Marco because for some reason it just looks so clean to me. Has a modern look to it for some reason. Of course, give it a year and you probably won't see white anymore.

Tank is looking great! While the wp10 may or may not serve it's purpose you gone 110% on everything equipment wise you should do the same with your pump ;)

Can't wait to see it all stocked up.


Hey Terry, you've helped me out on a couple occasions with questions I've had. I owe some of this to you. ;)

I share same thoughts on the MP10. :thumbup:

[mussel and hate]

It looks like you're off to a good start.

I think you'll find it necessary to raise the light up higher. It's going to be very bright directly beneath. The spotlight style LEDs have a different dispersion pattern compared to the MH your familiar with.

The only real cause for concern is the stand you've improvised. The chest of drawers style has cost me a tank before. Your tank(full) will weigh about 160-170lbs. That's like an average adult male human standing up there 24/7/365. I don't think that piece of furniture was designed to sustain such a load. Worse yet I expect it's made of particle board with a veneer. A little water will change it's structural integrity for the worse in a dramatic fashion. If you decide to stick with that for a stand you might consider some sort of rigid waterproof surface like a stone countertop to protect the particleboard and help distribute the load.

[evo_2679]

Slick build - love that light fixture and the custom holder !!! *following this build*

[spoon671]

Very good points M&H.

The Stand

I was concerned about the stand. I thought back to when I had my 20L, and I remember the stand I had for it. It was just as you describe; compressed board with a veneer. I bought that stand at PetSmart many many years ago, and it was purpose "designed".

Flash forward to now. So I took all the drawers out and looked at how this new stand was constructed. Just as you describe again; compressed fiber board with veneer. The difference with this stand versus my old one, is that this one has reinforced corners (visible only on inside vertical posts), which the old one did not. The old stand was simply particle boards bolted together. Seemed chinsy tbh.

This stand has drawers, while my old one was only a cabinet, and had no drawers. The drawer slides are screwed to the vertical reinforcements at the corners mentioned previously.

In short, I thought exactly like you. I wondered if this thing can support the weight. I'm no structural engineer by any means but figured I am okay, particularly because the other stand I had years ago was chinsy-built and supported a heavier tank. Oh and had a sump underneath...so you know what moisture does to that particle board. ;) Oh and it was not very heavy. And wobbled slightly. LMAO!

EDIT: Just looked again, it's wood. Also, the four main posts are gusseted where they meet the horizontal framing members. The top itself sadly, is indeed compressed fiber, sealed with some kind of vintage looking paint/primer.

So you see how I used the Nuvo desktop stand thing? I thought along your same lines, in that the acrylic piece with posts will aid in load distribution along the top of the stand. Do you still think I should ponder a granite slab to top the stand? I might actually like that look.


Height of Kessil

A couple things I like about LED lighting in general; I can adjust spectrum, and I can adjust intensity. As it sits, my blue is down to like 5%, and my whites are only at 25%, IF that.

I wanted the light as close to the water surface as possible; this minimizes light spill and is my main and only concern when it comes to this Kessil placement. I had a Giesemann Nova II over my 20L, and I had it about 6" from the surface. Yikes! Yeah, the open top tank got really warm, but I lived in Monterey at the time so I rarely got above 84 on super hot days. Tank temps were managed by adjusting photo period.

The thing about that MH light, I couldn't adjust the intensity man. I mean, it was what it was. Lol.

I like how the light is right now with the low intensity. I honestly don't have any plans to heighten the intensity at all, unless I'm absolutely required to in order to keep something alive. With all that said, with me aiming to keep the intensity remaining at this low a level, do you still suggest I raise the Kessil? I can raise it 24".

[spoon671]

Slick build - love that light fixture and the custom holder !!! *following this build*


Thank you very much! Slick was pretty much my aim here. ;) I posted a link to the Kessil bracket up above. I've posted a pic of it a few other places and have gotten great responses.

That Le Russo Designs guy is gonna owe me.

[chicagoreefer20]

This is a beautiful tank! And I would vote for 2 mp10's

[spoon671]

Thanks @chicagoreefer20! We'll see buddy..powerhead costs sure have inflated in the past 5 years. I'm searching threads and trying really really hard to convince myself that I need ONE! Let alone two. ;)

I'm not drinking. :beer:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/04/uny5u8e3.jpg

RS tank shot. Two different exposures..one for the reefers that like the blue. I know how everyone likes to see new pics!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/04/8ynugu4a.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/04/terudeby.jpg

[terrypercula]

Two MP's would be insanely unnecessary :lol: I think I ran mine at 30% in the nuvo. It's only 40% in my 40 breeder and I still don't have any dead spots.

[Hentz]

Agreed with Dave, 2 MP10's will be crazy lol. One's enough. Even for SPS.

[spoon671]

Thanks for the suggestions fellas! Here's a view from the dark side.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/06/qapaqemy.jpg

[JN93]

what a clean setup, nice build

[spoon671]

what a clean setup, nice build


Thanks for kind words! I'm certainly taking things slow here in the beginning, trying to be patient. :)

[spoon671]

Day14 - Rock Saw?

Just adding a journal entry for today..I took the rock on the right side and laid it down...covered it with sand. I'd actually like to saw the rock flat on the bottom side. Is this possible? Pic will be posted later because cloudy. ;)


Apex Snapshot

For now, here's a recent snapshot of my temp and amp readings. Amps are in blue, and you can see the spikes when my heater cycles on. Looks like I have about a .25-.4 degree fluctuation when this happens.

Since I've been out of the game for a while, I don't quite have a baseline for what's considered normal, or within spec so to speak. I know that natural reefs can experience up to 4-5 degrees of temp fluctuation, right?

Comments and criticisms are appreciated! :beer:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/07/sy9uguta.jpg

[spoon671]

Here's pic I promised. Current FTS plus right side shot. You can see the 3rd stone laying on its belly. Enjoy!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/07/uge7aja4.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/07/enu9e4y9.jpg

[rvj]

that's a nice set up

[jaquesdp]

Looking good

[spoon671]

that's a nice set up



Looking good


Thanks guys! :)

[Ls2Goat]

Looking good

[56cbr600rr]

Like the stand; where's it from?

[muttley101]

Nice work man! Glad you didn't use a ironing board for a stand like some others do hahaha!

[spoon671]

Looking good

Thanks!! Getting diatoms now! Wewt!



Like the stand; where's it from?


I bought this particular stand at Cost Plus World Market. I have seen either te same or similar at target. Measurement is 29.5H x 28W x 14D. It's about as close to the tank's footprint as I was able to find without looking at too many stores lol. I was looking for a stand with drawers so I can hide my electronics within them. I did not want cabinet style. Thanks!!

Nice work man! Glad you didn't use a ironing board for a stand like some others do hahaha!


Thanks so much pal that means a lot! Haha wow omg has someone actually done that?

[spoon671]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/11/myvupy6a.jpg

Yes!! I have never been so happy to see traces of ammonia! Wewt! How much ammonia should I expect before I start seeing nitrites and nitrates? Forgive me, it's been almost a decade since last time I cycled.

Ugh, cycle is taking is damn time. I'm using pieces of shrimp, every 2 or 3 days.

[hlaalu]

Looking good! I think we are tank twins.

[spoon671]

Looking good! I think we are tank twins.


Yes we are!! Thanks for the comments. I'm following you too. :D

[hlaalu]

What are your plans for the media chambers? Customcaddy or something else? I'm still deciding on mine, just using the stock media baskets right now.

[spoon671]

What are your plans for the media chambers? Customcaddy or something else? I'm still deciding on mine, just using the stock media baskets right now.


I will snap a pic when I get home. But I took the stock baskets out on the first day and ran as fast as I could outside of my house and threw them as far as I could (not towards people of course). ;)

But I have bags of carbon on each overflow chamber, topped with floss double folded over.

[hlaalu]

lol. Yeah when I first saw them I thought it was a mistake, but then I realized IM does this to make extra money selling the nice ones.

[spoon671]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/11/zehudyqu.jpg

[Hentz]

I'm really thinking about getting this for my Nuvo 16. Though my LFS Just told me I can buy a brand new ReeferBreeder Photon 24 for $300. Hmm

[spoon671]

I'm really thinking about getting this for my Nuvo 16. Though my LFS Just told me I can buy a brand new ReeferBreeder Photon 24 for $300. Hmm


Those, especially at that price, might be the bestest option for ya depending on how aggressively you want your corals to grow.

It's funny I'm usually a guy that wants to buy the best, all the time. But in Kessil's case, although they are great lights but I'm not going to say they're the end-all best, I honestly bought them simply for two reasons: because I liked the way they looked (tiny footprint) with the custom CNC'd mount, and the company is run by 3 UC Berkeley grads which is the school my lady went to for her undergrad.

Now it's kinda one of those weird things...even if Kessil took a dump in a box and labeled it A100000W I'd buy it no matter what. I'm a Volkswagen/Audi guy. I'm a Chevy guy. I like MOPAR too, but I hate Ford. Ya know?

;)

[terrypercula]

Those, especially at that price, might be the bestest option for ya depending on how aggressively you want your corals to grow.

It's funny I'm usually a guy that wants to buy the best, all the time. But in Kessil's case, although they are great lights but I'm not going to say they're the end-all best, I honestly bought them simply for two reasons: because I liked the way they looked (tiny footprint) with the custom CNC'd mount, and the company is run by 3 UC Berkeley grads which is the school my lady went to for her undergrad.

Now it's kinda one of those weird things...even if Kessil took a dump in a box and labeled it A100000W I'd buy it no matter what. I'm a Volkswagen/Audi guy. I'm a Chevy guy. I like MOPAR too, but I hate Ford. Ya know?

;)

You know what FORD stands for? F***er Only Runs Downhill :lmao: ok jokes aside Kessil cornered a very interesting market and I can't know if they did it in purpose or not but if they did they're genius. They got the group of people who LOVE metal halide but are willing to move on technology wise if something similar the MH came along. How many times have you heard a MH lover say I wouldn't ever switch to LED's but if I did I'd buy Kessils.

The weird thing about Kessil is I've never been able to pull the trigger in one. As much as I love them and think they're phenomenal fixtures, something always held me back. It's not price because I think they're very reasonable. It's nothing against the light itself because they freaking pump out PAR. It's just one of those things. I guarantee I'll own one at some point though. Just not sure when.

[Scorpius]

Subscribed to a nice looking tank. Makes me want to start a build thread for my 25 gal. cube.

[spoon671]

How many times have you heard a MH lover say I wouldn't ever switch to LED's but if I did I'd buy Kessils.

Hmm, I never thought about it like that but you are totally right! Very interesting!! And I completely understand some folks reluctance to buy them as well. Coin definitely has two sides. You'll bite on one of these soon..you just watch. ;)




Subscribed to a nice looking tank. Makes me want to start a build thread for my 25 gal. cube.


Thank you very much!

[spoon671]

Testing the Big Three

I have been looking up my favorite corals, and what my water params need to look like if I want to keep them successfully. I went to my LFS and purchased a Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro test kit.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/11/hu7yza6y.jpg

Although my tank is still cycling, is it worth it to keep tabs on my alkalinity, Ca, and Mg parameters? I'd like to make sure all params are completely on point when I add my first coral. Does it even make sense to do this now? The OCD part of me wants to track everything, all the time. Thoughts?

Current Parameters:

No current supplements, no water changes, no livestock (only diatoms lol)

Salt - D-D H2Ocean Pro+

Specific Gravity - 1.026 (35ppt)
pH - 7.93 (7.89 low)
Ammonia - 0.50
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 0
dKh - 8.4
Ca - 340
Mg - 1280


Here's the viewable area from above. I heart Kessil. ;)

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/11/qenajuzu.jpg

[spoon671]

Got the MP10 in yesterday! I'll be playing with the modes today. ;)

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/14/esa8a9u7.jpg

FTS 5/13/2014
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/14/a3e3enem.jpg

I was given this Pumpkin Patch Chalice by a fellow reef club member. I had a spare Marco rock to give away, and he insisted that I take this in trade. Although I'm passing the 3/4 mark on my cycle time, I'm sure hopeful that I can keep this baby healthy through it. It took about an hours time and he was fully inflated, with his little polyps surrounding the mouth extended. Hopefully he likes the tidal swell!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/14/5u2uvuqa.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/14/gydyna6y.jpg

[spoon671]

Now it's stocking time! Gotta make a list. I'm really going to need some help here. I'd like one of those Gobies that sift the sand. Do they all do that?

I really like Green Chromis, but I don't think I have a large enough tank to have 3-5 that will shoal. More of a big tank thing I guess, right?

I like Flame Hawkfish. I like Lionfish, had one for years. It's going to be extremely difficult to stock this little tank.


RS tanks shot w/stand.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/14/daga7e2y.jpg

[terrypercula]

You have fish taste for big tanks lol I don't think all gobies sift sand but a lot of them do.

[spoon671]

^^I know. :(

Here's a quick vid of my small waves. Decided to play around with the modes on the MP10.

http://youtu.be/tB0yyXkeBoM

[Bman562]

Great looking tank and stand! Digging how you hid the wires and such in the stand.

If you don't mind me asking, but does "spoon" in your sn mean anything within the car world? Hondas to be specific?

[spoon671]

Great looking tank and stand! Digging how you hid the wires and such in the stand.

If you don't mind me asking, but does "spoon" in your sn mean anything within the car world? Hondas to be specific?


Thanks for the kind words!!

I am into automotive yes, love working on cars! German cars, more specifically Volkswagen and Audi. I come from Air-Cooled VW, had a '69 Type 3 Squareback as my first car. Been through a few other Volkswagens, but I now have a B6 Audi A4 3.0 quattro 6speed manual that I toy around with. Nothing too crazy, I want to focus on my tank now!

I have owned a Honda once, a little more than a decade ago. I did have some Spoon parts on it. And coincidentally a decade ago is when I started logging into various forums. "Spoon" is the name I stuck with for some reason.

Good catch! ;)

[Bman562]

Thanks for the kind words!!

I am into automotive yes, love working on cars! German cars, more specifically Volkswagen and Audi. I come from Air-Cooled VW, had a '69 Type 3 Squareback as my first car. Been through a few other Volkswagens, but I now have a B6 Audi A4 3.0 quattro 6speed manual that I toy around with. Nothing too crazy, I want to focus on my tank now!

I have owned a Honda once, a little more than a decade ago. I did have some Spoon parts on it. And coincidentally a decade ago is when I started logging into various forums. "Spoon" is the name I stuck with for some reason.

Good catch! ;)

haha. that's awesome. I'm on the same boat. I've set my focus on my tank rather than my car.

I have a civic with spoon parts. I figured it would be rare for someone to use 'spoon' as a screen name.

Nice to see a car guy on here. my name is Braulio, but call me bee.:beer:

[spoon671]

^^Nice to meet ya! I'm Justin!

---

I have been reading about these little beige colored cylinders, and how they are used to provide more surface area for beneficial bacteria colonization. I have an empty compartment, so I figured I'd toss a couple back there.

Anyone have any thoughts on these?

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/15/8u4a7e4u.jpg


Also, it was 100 degrees today. So I came home, and opened up one of these. Very refreshing! And the Giants won wewt!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/15/9udyrura.jpg

[JJ650]

^^Nice to meet ya! I'm Justin!

---

I have been reading about these little beige colored cylinders, and how they are used to provide more surface area for beneficial bacteria colonization. I have an empty compartment, so I figured I'd toss a couple back there.

Anyone have any thoughts on these?

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/15/8u4a7e4u.jpg


Also, it was 100 degrees today. So I came home, and opened up one of these. Very refreshing! And the Giants won wewt!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/15/9udyrura.jpg


Ahhh. Summer Shandy has such a refreshing lemon taste to it!
:thumbsup:


Awesome build by the way. I really like that arm for the Kessil.

[G_Sanab922]

Nice looking tank! I like the amount of rock you have in there. not too much and not too little. it looks good.

Also a car guy here lol Acura RSX

[terrypercula]

Are you a 49ers fan too?

[spoon671]

Ahhh. Summer Shandy has such a refreshing lemon taste to it!

:thumbsup:





Awesome build by the way. I really like that arm for the Kessil.


Yeah man Leine's very good on a hot day especially. Their Sunset Wheat tastes like fruity pebbles on the nose. Everything else bast that is like a traditional ale. I highly recommend it.

Thanks about the arm, I really like it too man. I haven't seen anyone with them posting online but I'm sure they're out there. I highly recommend it to you as well, it's very sturdy, and has many adjustments. I can pivot the light however I need it. Raise it. Whatever.. :beer:


Nice looking tank! I like the amount of rock you have in there. not too much and not too little. it looks good.



Also a car guy here lol Acura RSX

Thanks man I appreciate it! I tossed those bio cylinder deals in the rear chamber because I figured that It couldn't hurt, I don't have a great amount of rock in the display anyway. Car guys unite!



Are you a 49ers fan too?


Yes I am! Last few years have been painful. ;)

[terrypercula]

Give us back Stevie Johnson! Lol we gave him to you for free basically ha

[spoon671]

Give us back Stevie Johnson! Lol we gave him to you for free basically ha


Yeah that one kinda blew me away to. I don't know what the Niner's front office is doing to get loaded up like this. Not sure Kaepernick really needs another target anyway, he can barely make it to his second progression, he's already shuffling his feet getting ready to run right from the get go as it is.

Cornerback is where we need to load up. :/

I'm sure the suits know something we don't.

[terrypercula]

I don't even know who your corners are off hand lol I know you got an ex bill for a safety though. Paid him a pretty penny ha

[spoon671]

I don't even know who your corners are off hand lol I know you got an ex bill for a safety though. Paid him a pretty penny ha


And let him go. :/



I don't even know who our corners are off hand.

That tells you something, don't it?

[terrypercula]

Whitner?! You dropped him? He was so good ha

[spoon671]

Whitner?! You dropped him? He was so good ha


Yea we let Cleveland sign him. :/

[spoon671]

Thirsty Thursday! Finally broke out the camera. ;)

Pumpkin Patch Chalice
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2898/14193010671_b2deca6036_o.jpg

Electric Blue Hermit Crab
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/14196294205_486cbd4c5d_o.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2918/14193010901_fe2d9b76a5_o.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/14009697217_61632a5224_o.jpg

[kellerexpress]

Very clean tank

[terrypercula]

That's a sweet looking set up.you guys are making me want another Nuvo :lol:

[G_Sanab922]

Wow ! Sweet pics! You know photography don't you?... I see the rule of thirds in most of your pics lol. What camera do you have?

[Hentz]

That's a sweet looking set up.you guys are making me want another Nuvo :lol:

I went back. Now it's your turn! You know you wanna ;)
:beer:

[spoon671]

Very clean tank

Thank you!! The rocks are coloring up juuust a bit. The diatoms are about burned off, I'm hoping I get a green algae bloom at some point here soon. :)



That's a sweet looking set up.you guys are making me want another Nuvo :lol:


Dave dude, just get one. There are a couple threads on here of new and existing Nuvo 16 owners and they all look super nice or promising. We are part of an exclusive club with these things!!


Wow ! Sweet pics! You know photography don't you?... I see the rule of thirds in most of your pics lol. What camera do you have?


Thank you so much! And yes I dabble a bit in photography, although I can't afford the nice equipment tho. :/. I have taken classes years ago but the rule of thirds thing really came natural to me. Even before the classes. I have a friend that is a photographer and never took classes...some folks it just comes naturally to.

I currently use a Canon G15. :beer:

http://flic.kr/p/bEFTJt

http://flic.kr/p/dLsBuJ

http://flic.kr/p/ecoGaR

[G_Sanab922]

Thank you so much! And yes I dabble a bit in photography, although I can't afford the nice equipment tho. :/. I have taken classes years ago but the rule of thirds thing really came natural to me. Even before the classes. I have a friend that is a photographer and never took classes...some folks it just comes naturally to.

I currently use a Canon G15. :beer:

http://flic.kr/p/bEFTJt

http://flic.kr/p/dLsBuJ

http://flic.kr/p/ecoGaR

Awesome! Same here! Equipment can be pricey. Currently I don't have one but plan on getting one in the future.
It came naturally to me too. But when I took classes in high school I was like, wow I'm doing things right already! haha :D

Nice shots! That subie and FRS is sweet!

[terrypercula]

Lol my dad is a photographer is cannon body alone was like $2500 some of his lenses ok top of that were almost that much. On a positive note he can't say I waste money on fish stiff because he spends way more on cameras :lmao:

[spoon671]

Nice shots! That subie and FRS is sweet!


RHD with Bride interior. So sexy!

http://flic.kr/p/ecoG9F

http://flic.kr/p/ecoG8r


Lol my dad is a photographer is cannon body alone was like $2500 some of his lenses ok top of that were almost that much. On a positive note he can't say I waste money on fish stiff because he spends way more on cameras :lmao:


Exactly! :)

[spoon671]

Update - 5/22/14

Here are some iPhone pics..I'll try my best to take real pics later, I've just been too busy to get setup with the camera.

I'll also post my parameters tonight. I've been steadily trying to raise my alkalinity and calcium levels over the past week or so dosing B-Ionic, it's getting there nicely it seems!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/23/ysesaras.jpg


Got Glue?

CorAffix. I hate it. It worked though, and I got my pieces attached where I wanted them. I got tired of my crab knocking them over lol, poor guy doesn't know how big his shell is.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/23/9upygary.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/23/6yjyne4y.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/23/hy4ysaze.jpg

One of my X-Games Nassarius Snails slithered out of my tank and went skydiving, noticed the shell on the carpet the other day. That will work out though because I may need to remove them all, as I hear they tend to attack the feet of clams, and I want to pick up a Crocea or Maxima here in the coming weeks. Anyone know anything about that?

[G_Sanab922]

Update - 5/22/14

Here are some iPhone pics..I'll try my best to take real pics later, I've just been too busy to get setup with the camera.

I'll also post my parameters tonight. I've been steadily trying to raise my alkalinity and calcium levels over the past week or so dosing B-Ionic, it's getting there nicely it seems!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/23/ysesaras.jpg


Got Glue?

CorAffix. I hate it. It worked though, and I got my pieces attached where I wanted them. I got tired of my crab knocking them over lol, poor guy doesn't know how big his shell is.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/23/9upygary.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/23/6yjyne4y.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/23/hy4ysaze.jpg

One of my X-Games Nassarius Snails slithered out of my tank and went skydiving, noticed the shell on the carpet the other day. That will work out though because I may need to remove them all, as I hear they tend to attack the feet of clams, and I want to pick up a Crocea or Maxima here in the coming weeks. Anyone know anything about that?

Quoted to see the pics

[spoon671]

Quoted to see the pics


Hmm, do the pics not show up?

[Hentz]

Loving your tank man!!

What do you run your Channels on?

#TeamNuvv

[spoon671]

Thanks!

The Kessil is on about 15-20% blue, if that. 50% or so white. As I'm adding SPS, I'm slowly bringing the intensity higher and higher. I don't like blue tanks. But I will say that the colors in some corals are getting addicting, and I'm slowly playing with adding more and more blue.

:)

[terrypercula]

Thanks!

The Kessil is on about 15-20% blue, if that. 50% or so white. As I'm adding SPS, I'm slowly bringing the intensity higher and higher. I don't like blue tanks. But I will say that the colors in some corals are getting addicting, and I'm slowly playing with adding more and more blue.

:)

I don't like blue tanks either...but the coral look so much better IMO with the lower wavelength lights. You'll be 50/50 before you know it :lol:

[Hentz]

I'll be having Zoas and Acans, so I want my tank to be more blue than white for color reasons and plus they tend to grow better with bluer light.

But I agree with Dave, you'll be 50/50 or maybe even a little bluer than white before you know it!

[G_Sanab922]

Hmm, do the pics not show up?


Yea they don't show up on the computer when you upload them through tapatalk. So it has to be quoted , then the people from their computers can see them.

[spoon671]

Let's see if this works. Here's a pic of my Chalice eating mysis!

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2908/14245937111_77d8b01761_b.jpg

And a pic of my new drinking buddy!

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/14226115536_cb6cfa690b_b.jpg

[bobbravo2]

Let's see if this works.
Yep! We hear you loud & clear!

(Some of your Tapatalk stuff cam thru, some didn't :confused:)

PS - Subscribed. Looking forward to watching your build!

[bobbravo2]

PPS - I did the same thing with my username: came up with bobbravo2 in 8th grade, when we were all getting AOL screen names. It stuck!

[spoon671]

Thanks @bobbravo2! :)

[spoon671]

Here we have just a few pics that came out from tonight..hope you guys like!

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2902/14256473125_12b105179c_b.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/14253155941_c0b8b9ff5a_b.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/14069852320_4f8a98aa05_b.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/14256089614_2f9b2bf756_b.jpg

[terrypercula]

Super sweet! This tank is going to look awesome.

[spoon671]

Super sweet! This tank is going to look awesome.


Thanks Dave!


The Foreshadowing

On another forum, a member suggested that the shadowing at the ends of my tank may look ugly. I happen to like the shadows, and if anything I am designing more of them into my coralscape. Shadows create depth and contrast.

As a matter of fact, you see how I have the three pieces of Monti Cap, and I'm placing them in a manner that they will even further create shadowing underneath them. My aim with this type of coral scape is maybe to place NPS or other very low light corals below them in the shaded areas eventually.

What I like about this is that I will be placing low light corals near the center of the tank thanks to the shade provided by Monti Caps...some of these low light corals you might most commonly see out toward the edges of a display tank, and never in the middle. I'm sort of creating my own challenge here, I sure hope I can pull it off!

On the Acro note, I really like the yellow Acro's and Birdsnest's that I'm seeing at the LFS. I may pick up a colony in the next two weeks! Tempting!

[bobbravo2]

@Spoon slightly OT - what camera are you using?

[spoon671]

@Spoon slightly OT - what camera are you using?


Canon G15. You can probably tell, but most of the photos in this thread were from my iPhone. But the "good" ones are from the G15.

[Fishy 1]

hey spoon:wave: just read through your thread and your looking good.
subscribed:)

[UMass14]

Simplicity at its best! Keep up the nice work.

[spoon671]

hey spoon:wave: just read through your thread and your looking good.
subscribed:)

Thanks for the nice comment! I'm trying.. :)



Simplicity at its best! Keep up the nice work.


Thanks! I really wish I had an update with pics, but my water has been cloudy..bacteria bloom. It's clearing up now so hopefully I'll have pics this weekend.

I added a few corals. I'll have the list up hopefully tomorrow. :)

[terrypercula]

I could use some pointers with the camera! Your pictures are beautiful!

[spoon671]

Thanks Dave! Although it's trial and error for me. It's not so easy sometimes because I'm using a point-and-shoot camera, know what I mean? It's difficult to deal with what the camera gives me, especially when I'm trying to capture difficult shots. I really wish I had an SLR. But if you have this same or similar camera, maybe I can give you a few pointers, no problem.

The pictures I last posted, the tank looked dark. What I did was had only the blues on 100%. Then, I played with the white balance on the camera to take the blue out, and what resulted was a real clear image of what the eye actually see's when all lights are on.

[spoon671]

Can anyone spot the differences between last update, and this FTS?

:beer:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3826/14122930508_370f5a44cf_h.jpg

[terrypercula]

Thanks Dave! Although it's trial and error for me. It's not so easy sometimes because I'm using a point-and-shoot camera, know what I mean? It's difficult to deal with what the camera gives me, especially when I'm trying to capture difficult shots. I really wish I had an SLR. But if you have this same or similar camera, maybe I can give you a few pointers, no problem.

The pictures I last posted, the tank looked dark. What I did was had only the blues on 100%. Then, I played with the white balance on the camera to take the blue out, and what resulted was a real clear image of what the eye actually see's when all lights are on.

I am using a DSLR now and shooting in RAW and adjusting the white balance from there. The pictures are looking a little better as I start to figure out what I'm doing. I could use a tripod though most of my issues are coming from a not so steady hand :lol:

[spoon671]

Fixed the photo above.

@Dave!! Tripod is a must! Make that your next purchase! :D

[terrypercula]

Fixed the photo above.

@Dave!! Tripod is a must! Make that your next purchase! :D

Sir yes sir ha

[spoon671]

And here's what beer looks like under blues ;)

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/14123828027_9e8af30d41_b.jpg

[spoon671]

More beer. Just trying to keep things going in a positive direction. ;)

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2906/14131010529_23deab1995_h.jpg

[spoon671]

Got both clowns to eat! The black one ate right away, the orange one is more timid and took him until yesterday to eat.

They still sort of confine themselves to a "corner", which I hope they will grow out of soonish. But the black one is much more adventurous for sure; he came out in front and chased a mysis around, and I got them both to eat out of tweezers!

[Scorpius]

Got both clowns to eat! The black one ate right away, the orange one is more timid and took him until yesterday to eat.

They still sort of confine themselves to a "corner", which I hope they will grow out of soonish. But the black one is much more adventurous for sure; he came out in front and chased a mysis around, and I got them both to eat out of tweezers!

My two orange Ocellaris clowns share eating. One time the big one eats and then the second time the little one eats. Nice of the male to let the female eat first. They both sleep next to eat other by my heater too. It must be love. :lmao:

[spoon671]

My two orange Ocellaris clowns share eating. One time the big one eats and then the second time the little one eats. Nice of the male to let the female eat first. They both sleep next to eat other by my heater too. It must be love. :lmao:


:)

Yeah these two have been "cuddling" since acclimation. Do they usually do this? They were from totally separate tanks at LFS.

http://youtu.be/jR5Cc3AYs_Q

[Fishy 1]

Yeh mine do that as well, the male let's his wife eat first and they sleep right next to each other every night as well.

[bobbravo2]

Yeh mine do that as well, the male let's his wife eat first and they sleep right next to each other every night as well.

Yep! Mine like to cuddle too. It's super kyoot! :smurf:

[spoon671]

Yeah I'm beginning to think they're not the fish for me. They're cute and all that..but they huddle in the corner all the time.

The big one bites my finger when I stick it in the tank..he's pretty brave. They are starting to figure out when I get close to their side of the tank that it's feeding time, and they get visible excited.

Maybe they'll grow on me. Any chance I can keep a really small Niger Trigger with them?

[Scorpius]

Yeah I'm beginning to think they're not the fish for me. They're cute and all that..but they huddle in the corner all the time.

The big one bites my finger when I stick it in the tank..he's pretty brave. They are starting to figure out when I get close to their side of the tank that it's feeding time, and they get visible excited.

Maybe they'll grow on me. Any chance I can keep a really small Niger Trigger with them?

Mine swim all over the tank. Give them time. ;)

[G_Sanab922]

That was a nice update! The corals and clown pair look to be doing good!
And like usual, impressive pictures!

[G_Sanab922]

Mine swim all over the tank. Give them time. ;)

+1 give them time.

Btw niger triggers are BEAUTIFUL, but don't think it would be a good choice for your tank.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+44+257&pcatid=257

Get too big and aren't reef compatible.

[Lilmatty5dimes]

Awesome tank. Any update?

[G_Sanab922]

Awesome tank. Any update?


I agree. Updates??

[spoon671]

Haha guys! Thanks for checking in on me. I've added a bunch of corals since last update. My two-part dosing is not keeping up with the uptake, so I just started Kalk in my ATO.

Current Livestock

Fish -
Black Oscellaris Clownfish
Orange Mis Bar Oscillaris Clownfish

Inverts -
Fire Shrimp
Turbo Snails
Nassarius Snails
Trochus Snails
Red Leg Hermits
Blue Leg Hermits

Zoas -
Mohawk
Mohawk Morph
Tubs Blue
Fire & Ice
Miss Scarface
Miami Vice
Red Hornet
Rasta


SPS - (all Monti are hurting, I lost a couple pieces already due to Monti eating nudibranch)
Neon Green Monti Cap
Pink Monti Cap
Green Acropora Millepora

LPS -
Pumpkin Patch Chalice (actually looks more like My Miami)
Blue Duncan
Hot Pink Goniopora
Meteor Shower Cyphastrea
John Deere Leptastrea
Green Tip Branching Hammer


Other -
Green Ricordea Florida
Ultra Orange Ricordea Florida (Orange on Purple field, with teal mouth and outer tentacle tips, hint of green on inner nubs)
Red Tree Gorgonian

-----

Apologies for iPhone pics!

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/14573957592_675821ebe8_b.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3840/14573002654_ae7051338b_h.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2905/14573956562_f07000a339_b.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3900/14574751215_0c870b7095_h.jpg

[Windirmere]

Looks amazing! Ive been thinking about a nuvo softy/lps tank that uses the water change water from my 57g sps tank : \, Love these nanos so much!

[G_Sanab922]

Sweet!!! Looks perfect! How is the red gorgonian? Do you like it? Easy to maintain? I'm thinking about getting one, my LFS has a yellow/goldish one. And how much it cost if I may ask?

Thanks for the update btw . It really does look good for you

[spoon671]

Looks amazing! Ive been thinking about a nuvo softy/lps tank that uses the water change water from my 57g sps tank : \, Love these nanos so much!


Thanks buddy! I wasn't too much of a fan of LPS, but now the cool colors are starting to get me addicted!


Sweet!!! Looks perfect! How is the red gorgonian? Do you like it? Easy to maintain? I'm thinking about getting one, my LFS has a yellow/goldish one. And how much it cost if I may ask?

Thanks for the update btw . It really does look good for you


Thanks man, I appreciate that! I'll try to keep things updated. The frag rack is just temporary. The corals on the rack I'm just making sure I am keeping them healthy prior to glueing them down onto my rock work.

The red gorgonian is really cool. It's more orange, with dark red polyps. All the polyps open together, and close together, throughout the day. When I get home from work they are always closed for some reason. But then an hour later I look and they're open. I bought him for $29.99 at an LFS. The guy travels a lot and collects specimens himself. I'm on the hunt for the yellow one too.

The gorgonian is non-photosynthetic, so in low light area they do great. Even in bright light they will do fine, as long as you don't have an algae breakout, in which case you'll have to watch out for algae growing on and smothering the gorgonian. I feed every other day, mysis and Zooplanktos-M by Brightwell. The polyps will catch food as it flies by and the polyps will close. So far so good!

[G_Sanab922]

Cool, thanks for the awesome info. Very useful. My LFS is selling them for $20. I could probably collect but need to get more info on that lol. To measure correctly and everything. I see them often.
Seems like it's not too hard to maintain then.

[wewin]

Nice tank! I recently picked up a A350W and love the results. Keep up the great work Spoon, loving this setup. *Subscribed*

[Its.Evannn]

This tank deserves endless praise. Everything I think is done right! I'm debating buying a Kessil 350 lighting. Going to keep following this thread! Keep it up

[spoon671]

Thanks fellas!!

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5561/14398305659_fa8b1639fb_b.jpg

Talisker 10yr on the rocks!

[awdjosh]

Spoon671, how is your two part not keeping up? What were you using? Just wondering as I also use two part and have a ridiculous amount of sps in my nuvo16 and my Ca is staying up around 510 but swing to around 470 daily but other than that have not problems. Just wondering thanks man!

[Lilmatty5dimes]

Tank looks stunning. Keep it up.

[spoon671]

Spoon671, how is your two part not keeping up? What were you using? Just wondering as I also use two part and have a ridiculous amount of sps in my nuvo16 and my Ca is staying up around 510 but swing to around 470 daily but other than that have not problems. Just wondering thanks man!


Well, I don't have dosing pumps. I was dosing b-Ionic by hand, and to keep up with the demand I would have to dose too much in one shot (or even three shots) that it would spike PH and Alk too high. I could still dose 2-part (which I will probably in the future) but I would have to use dosing pumps, and spread my doses out over the course of the full 24 hrs.

The Kalk was free and sitting in my garage, and it was just easy for me to add into my ATO. Thanks man, no worries!

Tank looks stunning. Keep it up.


Thank you very much!

[kevinrf]

Sweet looking tank.
I'm looking to get back in the hobby with the nuvo 16g!

subscribed!

[Pankake232]

tank is starting to look really nice

[michelo]

Very nice tank!....any updates?

[xiaoxiy]

Very nice tank!....any updates?

:( Spoon hasn't been on since July. I hope he's ok.