The Radium Reef

[Wrangy]

Introduction:
With a new upgrade in sight I thought I might make the first post to begin the official and documented planning of the new tank :) I will hopefully be getting the tank this week which means ther should hopefully be some pictures to go with all the shitty ramblings that I'm about to make you all suffer through :P
System Objectives: This will be my second reef tank after over two years with my wonderful CADE cube, having learnt a lot and knowing a little more abut what I want in my tank. Not that has changed really, just a **** load of sps, zoa's and a few clams too!
System Type: SPS, SPS and a few more SPS!


Display System:
Strike up Date: TBC
Display Tank: 3x2x2, 340L DT volume.
Display Lighting: Back to some old school methods! A single 250w Radium Blue metal halide bulb with 4 24w T5's. 2x blue+ and 2x actinic t5's.
Stand: 900x600x1000mm or 1200x600x1000mm, I have decided yet.
Hood: Negative! But eurobracing so not quite as rimless as my CADE!
Sump: No designs yet but nice and simple, skimmer > LR + Reactors > return
Refugium: No weeds here!


Support systems:
System Water: Blue bucket, I've had a lot of success with it over the last year so I'm going to continue rolling with it!
Display Water circulation: A combo of RW-8's and 4's, plenty of acro friendly flow,
Return Pump: Waveline DC6000
Skimmer: RLSS R6-i
Evaporation Top Up: ATO all the way, I haven't decided whether I continue using my Tunze ATO or if I give the ATO on my Kore 5th doser a go!


Chemical Support:
Well I'll definitely be getting the calcium reactor online for the new tank to get some killer growth and colours but for the moment until that happens I'll be continuing along with 3-part which is doing well so far :)

As you all know I've been using Zeo for quite some time now and because of what I feel has been many great benefits I will be continuing along the lovely zeo path! Dosing will on be a minor increase so no stress there at all :)

Planned Water Chemistry:
Nitrates: 0ppm
Phosphates: 0ppm
Alkalinity: 7.5dKH
Calcium: 420ppm
Salinity / Specific Gravity: 35ppt
Magnesuim: 1200ppm
Potassium: 400ppm

Scaled Friends:
With the extra space shall come extra fish! :D the one thing I'm really looking forward to doing with this tank, oh and all the new corals and clams it shall bring!
As you can imagine all my wonderful friends will be coming across with me :) so this means my stock will be as follows to begin with:
2x Flame Hawkfish
A Bellus Angelfish
A Black Eared Wrasse
A Mandarin
And maybe my dwarf although he's turned into a bit of a wanker so maybe not lol

As you can well imagine some thoughts have been given as to a few of the new additions that may be coming soon!
The number one on my list is a kole tang and I'm pretty settled and certain on getting a kole as they're just about the only tang I actually like, the rest are pretty much just ehh to me haha
The other major additions that I'm looking to make are some anthias! I really do love them as fish and they're such nice fish too! Although I'm not quite sure as to what species yet! Some of the species that are high on my list are the few following ones :) Red Saddled Anthias (Pseudanthias flavoguttatus) and Sunburst Anthias are my easy choice anthias lol but the species that I really really want are Pseudanthias ventralis or some Pseudanthias tuka are the species that I really want to get though, despite their obvious difficulties, with the right care and treatment I am reasonably confident that I would be able to keep them! Especially if I get a find pointers from Singapore Aquarium who have the most amazing anthias that I have ever seen in my life! :D
For the moment that's about all the thought I've given towards fish and it might all the fish I add depending on the amount of anthias that I do add haha

Well for now that's the first post it's late and I may have missed a few things so I'll re-read it tomorrow and fill any gaps that I come across lol

All thoughts and suggestions as per usual are very welcome :D

[markalot]

Can't wait to see it take shape Dom, following along.

[pstank1]

Good luck with the new tank. I've been lurking on the boards for the past few years and you Aussie's always put together some amazing tanks. I'm looking forward to seeing how this one turns out.

[reefmutt]

Love the thread title and the lighting!
I'll be following!

[this is me]

The title is already a win in my book. Will be watching this also.

[cugly]

Cool bud this is going to be cool

[biggles]

Love your new journal title Dom, really pleased for you mate. :)

Lots of fun times ahead :dance:

[plyle02]

Yep,
So it is going Dom, I like your choices, this should be a stunner mate!

[M007]

Love your new journal title Dom, really pleased for you mate. :)

Lots of fun times ahead :dance:

+1, what he said :celeb2::celeb1::celeb2::celeb1:

[slin1977]

Let's get my frag donor farm up and wet ASAP !!!!
Checking in daily for updates.....

[Wrangy]

Can't wait to see it take shape Dom, following along.
Thanks mate, hopefully we can turn this tank into an sps marvel!

Good luck with the new tank. I've been lurking on the boards for the past few years and you Aussie's always put together some amazing tanks. I'm looking forward to seeing how this one turns out.
Thanks and thanks for stopping by, it's always nice having a lurker post :) lol we do tend to have a few nice tanks on the boards here, with a little love and hard work hopefully this will become one of those super awesome Aussie tanks!

Love the thread title and the lighting!
I'll be following!
I thought it would be a good title for the reef! Something a little different lol

The title is already a win in my book. Will be watching this also.
haha I'm glad, it certainly seems to be attracting some attention lol

Cool bud this is going to be cool
Thanks mate!!

Love your new journal title Dom, really pleased for you mate. :)

Lots of fun times ahead :dance:
The title is in honour of our crime fighting, acro blasting, reef growing Radiums haha
Lots of fun times indeed! :celeb2: I just need to work out when I can go and get the tank lol I have a mate with a decent boot lined up for Thursday but he hasn't confirmed with me yet haha

Yep,
So it is going Dom, I like your choices, this should be a stunner mate!
Thanks Perry :) with some luck and a little care hopefully it'll be as colourful as your tank mate!

+1, what he said :celeb2::celeb1::celeb2:
Thanks :D When are you starting a thread?? You've been pestering us long enough now it's required!! hahaha

Let's get my frag donor farm up and wet ASAP !!!!
Checking in daily for updates.....
:celeb1: I'll try to space my updates so I can make them daily for you haha

[Wrangy]

Well as I continue thinking, planning, plotting and conspiring about the new tank and I have to start with the basis of the reef and that's those lovely rocks will all take for granted! lol It's what's going to be crested with glorious acro's! :D
There are a few different choices that I'm thinking about, which is basically every choice there is lol. So I think going through the how will be more appropriate first rather than the what! The plans for the rock before they go anywhere near the tank will be to give them a very good old fashion cycling in a tub of darkness! I have a nice large tub that all the rock will be going into and along with a couple of powerheads, a good amount of GFO and then the addition of regular bacteria dosing in the form of ZEObak. What I'm hoping to achieve is similar to what the awesome Scotty has done with his new Entrance Reef, cycled and somewhat capable rocks to run the tank on! This cycle will probably be 1-2 months in length as I really want these rocks to not only be spotless and clean but also nice and seeded with bacteria. A good start!

The real decision is in what rock I use! There are several options I've been looking. Marco reef rock, West Mariculture Bonsai (for something different) and of course live rock! I'm currently leaning towards a very large portion of the tank being purely marco rock with some key seeding live rock placed in the tub for diversity and some base :) However for curiosities sake and because I want something a little different, I would love to add in some of the new rock by West Mariculture. The bonsai reef structures look quite interesting and would make for some really interesting acro-scaping!

Overall the plan is mostly macro rock with a few pieces of live, along with a few pieces of pre-cycled live that will live in the sump as well. Then on top of that I might order a few small structures from West Mariculture to see what they look like and try and create some interesting Biggle-inspired scaping!

That's my basic rock thoughts so far :)

[sahin]

All good matey. Now where are the complimentary minimum of 10 pics that must be shown on the first page of the journal? Dont be slacking like Biggles and posting a single photo here and there :facepalm:

The last pics on the other journal look great. In fact, they look very close to Biggles's SPS colours. Really happy that you're doing so well with the acros mate. :beer:

[Wazzel]

Well as I continue thinking, planning, plotting and conspiring about the new tank and I have to start with the basis of the reef and that's those lovely rocks will all take for granted! lol It's what's going to be crested with glorious acro's! :D
There are a few different choices that I'm thinking about, which is basically every choice there is lol. So I think going through the how will be more appropriate first rather than the what! The plans for the rock before they go anywhere near the tank will be to give them a very good old fashion cycling in a tub of darkness! I have a nice large tub that all the rock will be going into and along with a couple of powerheads, a good amount of GFO and then the addition of regular bacteria dosing in the form of ZEObak. What I'm hoping to achieve is similar to what the awesome Scotty has done with his new Entrance Reef, cycled and somewhat capable rocks to run the tank on! This cycle will probably be 1-2 months in length as I really want these rocks to not only be spotless and clean but also nice and seeded with bacteria. A good start!

The real decision is in what rock I use! There are several options I've been looking. Marco reef rock, West Mariculture Bonsai (for something different) and of course live rock! I'm currently leaning towards a very large portion of the tank being purely marco rock with some key seeding live rock placed in the tub for diversity and some base :) However for curiosities sake and because I want something a little different, I would love to add in some of the new rock by West Mariculture. The bonsai reef structures look quite interesting and would make for some really interesting acro-scaping!

Overall the plan is mostly macro rock with a few pieces of live, along with a few pieces of pre-cycled live that will live in the sump as well. Then on top of that I might order a few small structures from West Mariculture to see what they look like and try and create some interesting Biggle-inspired scaping!

That's my basic rock thoughts so far :)

My upgrade plan is to use the rock in my 60 cube. I want a more open flat look this time, so I probably have enough already. I am also trying to keep cost down.

I went look at you cube thread, I would guess just by looking I have more rock than you in my tank. I also have a nice sized piece in my sump. It does look like you have enough to start with in your cube.

[Wrangy]

All good matey. Now where are the complimentary minimum of 10 pics that must be shown on the first page of the journal? Dont be slacking like Biggles and posting a single photo here and there :facepalm:

The last pics on the other journal look great. In fact, they look very close to Biggles's SPS colours. Really happy that you're doing so well with the acros mate. :beer:
haha I'll be putting some shots up today, not that they'll be mine or anything lol just some shots of the things I'm planning on adding so I can see the mixes of colours haha especially with my anthias choices! Fear not my friend there will be photo's, that and I'm getting the tank tomorrow arvo :D :celeb2:

Wow, thanks :eek2: I don't know if I'm getting quite that good yet but the colours really seem to be getting much better with the new lights and stable dosing (Mg is **** though lol I'm all out at the moment :( ). As long as my animals are happy and thriving I am too!

My upgrade plan is to use the rock in my 60 cube. I want a more open flat look this time, so I probably have enough already. I am also trying to keep cost down.

I went look at you cube thread, I would guess just by looking I have more rock than you in my tank. I also have a nice sized piece in my sump. It does look like you have enough to start with in your cube.
Due to some unwanted plant-like ride-alongs I have on my current rocks lol they won't be used in the new tank, I'll be starting over with completely fresh rock and water :) The new scape is going to be pretty minimalistic as I want to have maxium growing room! A small portion on one side of the tank will be left really low with mostly zoa's and clams to allow for a larger area of swimming room for the fish :)

[Wrangy]

As I would hate to slack and not have any pictures on the first page of my journal, here's some of the thoughts I've made towards some of the choices I now face lol
Coral, clams and inverts are easy and the choices have been made haha but it's the room for the extra fish that I'm really excited about! As I've mentioned above my existing fish will of course be coming across into the new tank which will start me off with 5 fish and I want to aim for 10-13 fish in the tank so that it's nice and busy with plenty of friends and colour swimming around!
The new additions I do want to make and am fairly sure on are a kole tang, probably the last addition or at least after the anthias. The other addition I would really love to make would be a cleaner wrasse :) I think they're wonderful fish with an amazing interaction with other fish too. Something I've thought about getting before.

The real fish decision that is plaguing me is which species of anthias I decide to get for the tank! These are all species my LFS can get and the best part if they're all ridiculously expensive, god I love my fish tastes :headwally: they're also all reasonably uncommon and rare but they're all absolutely stunning fish!

**none of these photo's are mine and if the original owners do not wish me to use them please don't hesitate to contact me a let me know**
Golden Anthias (Pseudanthias aurulentus)
http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r793/Wrangy/1556314_718655228177357_3032076949253139916_o_zpsmd3kz1gv.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/Wrangy/media/1556314_718655228177357_3032076949253139916_o_zpsmd3kz1gv.jpg.html)

Yellow-tailed Anthias (Pseudanthias flavicuada)
http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r793/Wrangy/pseudanthias-flavicauda_zpsjiq56v22.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/Wrangy/media/pseudanthias-flavicauda_zpsjiq56v22.jpg.html)

Sunburst Anthias (Serranocirrhitus latus)
http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r793/Wrangy/fathead-anthias-620x410_zpsgmye2mms.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/Wrangy/media/fathead-anthias-620x410_zpsgmye2mms.jpg.html)

Randall's Anthias (Pseudanthias randalli)
http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r793/Wrangy/p-80507_Randalls-Anthias_zpszedcbadi.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/Wrangy/media/p-80507_Randalls-Anthias_zpszedcbadi.jpg.html)

I'm rather stuck on the decisions as to which I go with but I think regardless of what I do I might throw in a lone sunburst as I love them so much and they do alright singularly :)

Another fish I've been thinking about is the extremely rare and goofy Ignatius-lepiggleious fish :lol:
http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r793/Wrangy/1432290055598_zpsevhywjfd.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/Wrangy/media/1432290055598_zpsevhywjfd.jpg.html)


I'm picking the tank up tomorrow afternoon so things will start to get real and I might kick the planning and buying into a higher gear now! I can't wait to get it and really start to visualise the scape and everything :artist:

[Wazzel]

Due to some unwanted plant-like ride-alongs I have on my current rocks lol they won't be used in the new tank, I'll be starting over with completely fresh rock and water :) The new scape is going to be pretty minimalistic as I want to have maxium growing room! A small portion on one side of the tank will be left really low with mostly zoa's and clams to allow for a larger area of swimming room for the fish :)

Gotcha, half my rock was dry and I have cleared away all the hitchhiker stuff by now. Well most anyway I got bubble algae and aiptasia to deal with when I tear down.

[ReefBum]

Love the title of your thread! I am a Radium guy as well and I am using them on my new tank. As for rock, I went with 100% Marco dry rock......so far so good. Sounds like you have a great game plan!

[gavinsepanik]

those golden anthias are sweet. You need 7 more pics on this page to fill sahins minimum haha.Look out biggles you got a new radium tank on the block.

[sahin]

Sunburst look great. Dont know what the survival rate is though.

The cat look very nice too. :)

[M007]

Thread will come in due time my friend. I snapped a few pics before I broke down the LEDs. The Cebu has been up and running since Aug 15 but everything looks rather ghetto at the moment as I haven't had the time to put the finishing touches on cables etc.... One thing I can honestly say, MH/T5 is where it's at, only been 4 days and i can see things starting to change in a positive way. Thanks to you and the Biggs for the push I needed to go back to my roots in reef keeping, if I ever get down to your part of the world I'm buying :beer:

[reefmutt]

Love the sunburst anthias.. Delicate fish, though.
Cute cat!
Nice rug!!

[biggles]

Any of those Anthias would look cool Dom, the golden ones are pretty awesome though........... :)

Cleaner wrasse kill black ear wrasse i'm pretty sure so best bring that guy over to my place before you add the cleaner wrasse mate. ;)

[Wrangy]

Gotcha, half my rock was dry and I have cleared away all the hitchhiker stuff by now. Well most anyway I got bubble algae and aiptasia to deal with when I tear down.
My issue is mostly bubble algae too lol bastard stuff! At least I'll have the new rocks spick and span!

Love the title of your thread! I am a Radium guy as well and I am using them on my new tank. As for rock, I went with 100% Marco dry rock......so far so good. Sounds like you have a great game plan!
Thanks mate, I absolutely love the Radium bulb so this will definitely be a key to the new tank! Good to hear another positive review of Marco, I'm definitely keen on using it, mixed with a small amount of live rock for a bit of diversity :) I've been thinking about an upgrade for some time so this if the culmination of it!

those golden anthias are sweet. You need 7 more pics on this page to fill sahins minimum haha.Look out biggles you got a new radium tank on the block.
They really are! The Flav's are winning at the moment both on colour and price lol. I'll have some more pics soon!! Tank is being picked up in a few hours :D Biggles has nothing to fear... yet lol

Sunburst look great. Dont know what the survival rate is though.

The cat look very nice too. :)
Given the quality of what my lfs got in the other night and how well he looks after the fish I would be confident in being able to keep them but my aim will be on the other anthias before adding a sunburst!

He's a pain but a loveable one :hammer:

Thread will come in due time my friend. I snapped a few pics before I broke down the LEDs. The Cebu has been up and running since Aug 15 but everything looks rather ghetto at the moment as I haven't had the time to put the finishing touches on cables etc.... One thing I can honestly say, MH/T5 is where it's at, only been 4 days and i can see things starting to change in a positive way. Thanks to you and the Biggs for the push I needed to go back to my roots in reef keeping, if I ever get down to your part of the world I'm buying :beer:
Looking forward to seeing your thread when it comes out :) and I'm really glad to hear that you're loving the Cebu and the Radium!! They're both fantastic aren't they! You can definitely buy us a beer when you come here haha

Love the sunburst anthias.. Delicate fish, though.
Cute cat!
Nice rug!!
haha thanks mate! Cat and rug are definitely both awesome! I have always liked sunburst but after seeing them in person, oh my god are they nice!

Any of those Anthias would look cool Dom, the golden ones are pretty awesome though........... :)

Cleaner wrasse kill black ear wrasse i'm pretty sure so best bring that guy over to my place before you add the cleaner wrasse mate. ;)
Golden one's are definitely very very awesome! $160 a fish though :blown: while the p. flavicuada's are $70 for imported fish so it looks like they're winning at the moment haha.

I completely forgot about that! Maybe no cleaner then :facepalm:

[pstank1]

I'm not sure what they cost, but have you looked at pseudanthias ventrailis. Some of the regional variants are spectacular.

[Wrangy]

I'm not sure what they cost, but have you looked at pseudanthias ventrailis. Some of the regional variants are spectacular.
I have definitely thought about vent's but they're not very suited to the high light and flow tank I want to run, they're a much deeper water species and while I would LOVE some, I don't really have the ability to adapt them to the higher light :(

[Wrangy]

GUESS WHO HAS A NEW TANK :celeb1::dance::celeb1:

Well after a long day of driving all around Victoria haha I was finally able to pick the tank up this afternoon and I am stoked with it :D I am so excited for the upgrade and having, what I feel is, a HEAP more room for activities!!

Enough with my silly nonsense and now for some photo's that I've actually taken of the new tank!
http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r793/Wrangy/Aquarium/IMG_20150820_184059_zpsytddhbh4.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/Wrangy/media/Aquarium/IMG_20150820_184059_zpsytddhbh4.jpg.html)

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r793/Wrangy/Aquarium/IMG_20150820_184108_zpszus0cqqn.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/Wrangy/media/Aquarium/IMG_20150820_184108_zpszus0cqqn.jpg.html)

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r793/Wrangy/Aquarium/IMG_20150820_184126_zpsmprusuhq_edit_1440062687864_zps4k4jbz0u.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/Wrangy/media/Aquarium/IMG_20150820_184126_zpsmprusuhq_edit_1440062687864_zps4k4jbz0u.jpg.html)

While I don't mind the corner overflow toooo much I'm definitely thinking about some work to make it external :hammer: I literally cannot contain my excitement here!

[M007]

Congrats on the new arrival, let the fun begin :lolspin:

[reefmutt]

Oh yeah!! Nice.
Can't wait to be bathed in computer screen Radium light!!

[Wrangy]

Congrats on the new arrival, let the fun begin :lolspin:
The fun has very much began! Next step is rock and stand :D

Oh yeah!! Nice.
Can't wait to be bathed in computer screen Radium light!!
I can't wait to be bathed in Radium light! Being a pale redhead I'll get a nice tan if I just laid in front of the tank :smokin:

[cFloor]

nice tank! This will be fun. And I consider switching back to radiums at least 2-3 times a week. I still feel they're the best

[joshky]

Nice looking tank, will be nice to watch this one progress. :thumbsup:

[Wrangy]

nice tank! This will be fun. And I consider switching back to radiums at least 2-3 times a week. I still feel they're the best
haha well it's one of the best swaps and choices I've made so far! Definitely the best lol

Nice looking tank, will be nice to watch this one progress. :thumbsup:
Thanks mate :) I'm definitely keen to bring a stunner sps tank to the table ;)

[glaukos]

I know what you mean regarding the corner overflow wrangy:(
I ended up removing mine.Seeing the overflow pipe is much better compared to that.
Lost tank space and makes your life hard in aquascaping.
Now that is empty it's the time to take some action:)

Good luck with the set up:thumbsup:

[sahin]

Man that looks real nice! Very happy for you. :D

Have a look at the start of my thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2449072

I had an internal corner overflow box/weir. I ripped it out and went external. Not only does it look so much nicer, I gained SO MUCH SPACE.

Prior to that, I'd never cut glass/drilled glass etc etc. You have a current tank in a very healthy condition, so there is no reason to rush things. Take your time and get the new one setup as best as possible.

[Wazzel]

You have a current tank in a very healthy condition, so there is no reason to rush things. Take your time and get the new one setup as best as possible.

I will second that. No reason to rush. Plan it out and get it how you want it from the get go.

[Wrangy]

I know what you mean regarding the corner overflow wrangy:(
I ended up removing mine.Seeing the overflow pipe is much better compared to that.
Lost tank space and makes your life hard in aquascaping.
Now that is empty it's the time to take some action:)

Good luck with the set up:thumbsup:
I'm thinking while it's sitting there nice and empty that I'll silicone over the holes and work on an external type overflow! I've been looking the ghost style overflows for the tank.
Your tank is stunning though, I never even noticed the pipes in the back of the tank! :D I'll definitely be taking lots of action with the tank happily empty lol


Man that looks real nice! Very happy for you. :D

Have a look at the start of my thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2449072

I had an internal corner overflow box/weir. I ripped it out and went external. Not only does it look so much nicer, I gained SO MUCH SPACE.

Prior to that, I'd never cut glass/drilled glass etc etc. You have a current tank in a very healthy condition, so there is no reason to rush things. Take your time and get the new one setup as best as possible.
I'm very happy for me too :lolspin: thanks Sahin :)
Your overflow seal up is exactly what I'm thinking so see your work on it helps quite a bit mate!

I have absolutely no intend of rushing this one lol going to take it really slowly. I definitely want to run with an external overflow as that precious room that it takes up will slightly ruin my aquascaping plans lol I've been looking at the ghost style overflows as they're nice and low profile and really easy to install and manage!
The plans for the scape is to have two thirds of medium height rock so that there's a massive area for acro room! But then in the last ft of the tank have it much lower with open sand and zoa and clam gardens mixed across that area. Giving me a heap of area for my beloved "flubber" haha but it also allows for a larger swimming area for my fish, especially my bellus and the anthias :) I'm sure the hawks will love a larger area to show off in :lolspin:

I will second that. No reason to rush. Plan it out and get it how you want it from the get go.
I definitely agree! I'm going to talk through every decision I plan on making so you'll all see my innermost reef thoughts :idea: