Teddy's embarkment on the 55gal reef boat. Lets sail away! [Archive]

teddyzaper

11/29/2016, 01:18 AM

Hey guys, so i've been poking around a bit here. Many moons ago I was fairly active here (not so long when you look at some other people on here) and now i'm back, and going bigger! My last 2 salty tanks were what i'd consider a failure. I believe this was really due to my lack of effort and a very restrictive budget. I now have a paying job and no one telling me no, so lets go crazy!

I thought now would be a good point to start a build log as it's pretty close to getting wet (hopefully next week). To catch you guys up, so far i've picked up the 55gal from petco $1 per gallon sale, built a frame for it, and purchased most of the hardware. Still looking for dosing pumps for 2 part dosing, and test kits (thinking salifert).

The plan for the coming week is do plumbing, pick up salt water from LFS, and get rock/sand in her. I just want a very thin sand layer, so not much sand and probably 40-50lbs to start with. The nice thing with buying rock at the LFS is that i can pick the exact pieces. Not sure whether i'll go 100% LR ($5/lb is a good price) or maybe a mix of LR and dry.

Anyways, here is my parts list, still waiting on things to come in the mail.

Reefkeeper lite plus
syncra silent 2.0 return pump
osmolator nano 3152 ATO
BRS reactor
reef octopus NWB-110
eshopps eclipse S overflow kit
2x Hydor Koralia evo 600gph
Bashsea 30x10x14 bio-Fuge sump BLUE
Eheim Jager 250w
2x Marsaqua 180w full spectrum (they arent actually marsaqua, but same thing)

One thing i quickly realized is that my heater is huge. I'll be returning it and getting a 125/150w one. This one doesn't even fit the sump. Also the reef octopus is left over from my previous tank. I managed to lose the pump for it, so a new one is on its way...

Here are some stuff to look at.

I'm ordering custom sized italian boards for the front/sides so thats why the stand is nice and ugly. Part of the benefit of just covering it all up is that i don't have to care what it looks like! I also applied silicon in all the gaps so no water can sneak in. The tank has the Koralias in it. Plan is a white background, but waiting for the overflow before that.

http://i.imgur.com/m5MbA3L.jpg?1

Osmolator and BRS reactor. Probably will put carbon in it for the first bit, then GFO/carbon mix later on.

http://i.imgur.com/ifF7o3r.jpg?1

One of the requirements for the tank was for it to be as quiet as possible. I went for a nicer pump (biggest that fits in the sump) so hopefully it would be near silent.

http://i.imgur.com/MzVFYtU.jpg?1

And here is the beauty. The bashsea sump is actually really nice. I like that they opted not to use the traditional baffle system as this saved me a TON of space. By having this bubble catcher it basically gives me a huge fuge. I'm debating between going for macro algae or just some marine pure blocks and other bio media in the fuge section. I'll probably go for the macro algae as i think it may be fun.

http://i.imgur.com/1FckhVV.jpg?1

A cool thing is that bashsea sent a top down acrylic viewer and a tshirt. To bad i'm a medium and not an extra large. guess it can be a shirt to do aquarium water things with!

Don't know whether i want to spend the extra money just for blue tubes, instead of just getting home depot schedule 40. It does look awfully nice. I am by no means on a real budget, but $10 on colored tubing is a $10 frag im missing out on!

Any thoughts on cleaning that skimmer?

Also looking for a good ATO reservoir, ideas? Thinking about going to the container store to look around, or look around at home depot when i go for plumbing fittings.

jonnyu

11/29/2016, 02:10 AM

teddyzaper

11/29/2016, 01:47 PM

I would do the blue tubes. Either ways your month or more from frags. Now for skimmer run it in vinegar. That seems to work the best for cleaning. Are you going dry sand dry rock?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm still not sure on blue tubing. I priced it out and its actually about $40 more for the blue. I'll definitely be doing schedule 40 fittings as schedule 80 would nearly triple the price for something i don't really care about. Schedule 80 for anything visible though.

By run it in vinegar you mean like actually running it with a pump and all? I don't have that much vinegar! Time for a dollar store trip. Should i mix the vinegar with water? Like 50/50?

Live sand for sure, just a very thin layer so i don't need much. As for rock, i think it will be 80% LR and then 20% dry. My LFS has LR at $5/lb which is a great price, and it all looks decent. It supposedly has no serious pests, and from just looking at it i haven't seen anything negative about it. They also have some dry branch rocks which i want to try out, so i'll grab some of those.

Thanks for the reply!

jonnyu

11/29/2016, 02:32 PM

teddyzaper

11/29/2016, 06:54 PM

I would do blue tubing and fitting just use the regular white schedule 40 and paint it black prior to glueing them. So it matches the sump. Yes 50/50 mix and just put it a bucket and let it run over night. It will be good to go after that. I really think live sand a great idea. Live rock bad idea. You will have all sorts of stuff growing all over it good and bad. Hitchhikers can cause you more headaches then it can be worth. I would buy dry rock and cycle tank. I like using fritz turbo start as I have looked at many differ type of bacteria products under microscope and only fritz have had live bacteria. Pick up some clear ammonia and dose tank will it's about 2-3ppm. Keep track of ml's used to get tank to that amount. Then dose same amount every time the tank gets to 0.0 ppm. When your tanks is 100% cycled it should eat through that doses ammonia in less than 24hrs. For reference I used 30ml for my 180.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't know what dry costs at my LFS so i'll check it out. I really like that fake purple dry rock, looks really real, but its basically the same price as LR. I really don't like that bright white rock at all. Do you have any opinions on other purple rock? So far i've found the BRS one, Marine depot, premium aquatics, and vivid pet supplies (my favorite).

With dry rock do i need to clean it? I live in a very small apartment where i don't really have room for a large trash can, or even many buckets really. Can i just spray it off in my shower and let it dry and call it good?

What would you think in terms of pounds for a minimal aquascape? I was thinking 50lbs of LR, but dry rock is much lighter right? Maybe 40lbs so i have some choices?

I'll do what you said with the skimmer, seems easy enough once i get the pump for it.

What do you think about putting some tigger pods in along with the fritz? I read it could help start a healthy colony in the tank.

jonnyu

11/29/2016, 07:31 PM

teddyzaper

11/29/2016, 08:49 PM

I would dose cycle tank first then do pods. So you don't kill them. Algae barn was pretty good service and in a couple weeks I can see them crawling all over the tank.
I would do the purple stuff. I went with white as I did Tonga branches. I think 40 lbs would be good. I went to WWC and they had some purple rock for sale and it's already cured. So that might be a option. I think $5 lb if I remember right. What kind of aqua scape are you doing ?
Here is a quick pic of mine when I was building.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161130/52dc88d29ea6d438e706ea3f3e9095c6.jpg

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thats really a beautiful aquascape, but doesnt leave much room for corals? Got a picture of it stocked?

I'd like to do an island style. I really want to keep xenia but i dont want it to take over the tank, so a xenia island, and probably a zoa island as well. I want lots of open space as i think that makes the tank really attractive (and keeps costs down since i dont need to fill all the rocks with coral). I'd also like a space to experiment with SPS, so something closer to the lights and relatively flat. I LOVE acroporas, so i think i'll do those and maybe a plate of some kind.

I live in miami, so WWC isn't really a super far drive (4ish hours), maybe i'll call them and see if i can pick it up with a nice little getaway trip. What do you mean by already cured?

jonnyu

11/29/2016, 09:42 PM

teddyzaper

11/29/2016, 10:32 PM

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161130/17d2670fc2b7c8eb56132bad58f0b336.jpg

WWC has it all in a holding container with saltwater and pumps. Their stuff is very light so it work out great.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

thats really cool! What you planning on doing with the frags on the sand? or is that their permanent home.

So whats the difference between cured rock and live rock? Thats a pretty big drive to do, so i'd really want to be certain i'd like it. I'll call and see if they can send me pictures or something i guess. Do you know if cured rock needs to be kept in water for the 4 hour drive? If so that could be an issue. With actually dry rock do i have to clean it?

teddyzaper

11/29/2016, 11:32 PM

Some more items recieved. Eshopps eclipse S overflow. 600gph. Comes as a kit, so drill bit, drill guide, bulkheads, and slim overflow. Looks REALLY nice and i'm excited since it looks like there will hardly be anything in the tank. Gotta drill soon! (probably friday, as its my next day off from work)

http://i.imgur.com/A2Rw8Mu.jpg?2

Also less exciting, but still cool, got my pump for my reef octopus skimmer. I'll be running the skimmer through some vinegar soon (again, probably friday). did i set this up right? The airline is going to the front portion and the pump is screwed into the skimmer.

http://i.imgur.com/CVN4Yso.jpg?1

Also planned out plumbing. The overflow plumbing is pretty straight forward. As for return i have a manifold with 2 empty slots in case i want to add on, and a place for my BRS reactor that goes to the right as i will be mounting it on the right side of the stand. I think I'll go with blue tubing and get some of the fittings from BRS and the rest from home depot. I'll be doing 1" for the overflow and 3/4" for the return pump plumbing. Going to go for 2 locline outputs, as well as schedule 80 for anything visible in the tank (basically just a T connector).

http://i.imgur.com/agrLhzr.jpg?1

jonnyu

11/30/2016, 12:36 AM

thats really cool! What you planning on doing with the frags on the sand? or is that their permanent home.

So whats the difference between cured rock and live rock? Thats a pretty big drive to do, so i'd really want to be certain i'd like it. I'll call and see if they can send me pictures or something i guess. Do you know if cured rock needs to be kept in water for the 4 hour drive? If so that could be an issue. With actually dry rock do i have to clean it?

Well the rock would be close to being fully cycled so you would not have to deal with it. I think you would really like the shop. I drove from Pembroke Pines to visit them. It's amazing store lots of cool stuff to see. There display tank is out of this world. I think you will be more than happy with there rock. If I ever did another tank it would be that rock.
For the frags in the Sand they are being sold off as it's stuff from another tank.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jonnyu

11/30/2016, 12:38 AM

teddyzaper

11/30/2016, 08:45 AM

Your drawing looks good just valve should be on the short stand pipe not the tall one if you are doing herbie drain
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161130/a7a9d99aa6df7f67b744f01aadc0502c.jpg

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Right, that was what I meant, just drew it opposite. Thanks! Do you use a Herbie? If so do you think I should invest in a gate valve vs a ball valve? Ill probably go for it since its supposed to be much more accurate.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

jonnyu

11/30/2016, 02:51 PM

No problem. Gate valve the way to go. Very easy to fine tune it with a gate valve. I run a herbie with a synergy overflow and love it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

12/01/2016, 12:17 PM

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161201/f2cc6f523fbae3dc0ed5bec413b6210c.jpg

My first aquarium inhabitant.

teddyzaper

12/01/2016, 07:25 PM

http://i.imgur.com/vr7S05D.jpg?1

Just received the reef keeper. Lights come tomorrow and I'll make the hangers for it as well tomorrow. I'll be using painted galvanized conduit for it.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

12/01/2016, 07:30 PM

Gotta say, i'm a bit disapointed in the build quality. Very cheap flimsy plastic and uneven seams. Thankfully it goes in the stand. Maybe i'll 3d print some casing for it, but that would take a long time. I'll probably leave it. Lets hope it performs better than its built.

teddyzaper

12/03/2016, 10:02 AM

So yesterday I drilled the tank, and.... Success!
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161203/1906fac14b9bf6c6b77f363ef744daa2.jpg

Got the back painted, overflow installed and got some ideas for light hanging. Also if anyone buys the wattshine led fixtures on alibaba, the hanging kits don't actually fit them and you'll need some keychain rings to get them hanged.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161203/4ebde764212114f827fb409a7e4db112.jpg

Obviously will be painting this. Hoping it can hold like 40lbs since the lights are really heavy when they are 1ft off the wall

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161203/7297699d957a83c044eac74c941ec1be.jpg

teddyzaper

12/03/2016, 04:54 PM

Got more done today. Painted and mounted the lights. Looks great. Leak tested the overflow. It leaked. Retrying the bulkheads later. God an ATO container from the container store. Nice food grade thick plastic [emoji5] . Also got most of the fittings I need for the plumbing. The rest I've ordered from brs and also ordered the blue PVC. Should be full of water next weekend!

What do you guys think, should I do a freshwater test or just go all in. Getting the fresh water out would be a very difficult thing without buying an extra pump. Maybe I'll get that inline pump, but my sink is a good 25ft away...

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161203/70d279747ee46b5b4e60224d9d6bf248.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161203/7d91d5352e3208bd0bb28023bc8d75e7.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161203/5804ce2bf41ba0ce7d3589ad94329db8.jpg

sayitfast

12/03/2016, 05:34 PM

Devaji108

12/03/2016, 08:38 PM

nice build bud~ I do enjoy seeing other ppl builds :D
almost time to start thinking about your stocking list!

jonnyu

12/03/2016, 09:36 PM

teddyzaper

12/03/2016, 09:43 PM

I would go for it. As long as you can get to all plumbing without moving tank go ahead and fill. Are you going to fill with RO and toss salt in it? Also are you did you pick out what sand your going with?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No idea what sand. Thats research for the future, but i do plan like a 1" or less sandbed, basically only cosmetic.

I'm actually buying my salt water and RO water. The LFS is right down the street so i don't need an RO unit. I have one that just needs new filters if i end up wanting to use it, but for now going all LFS. I think i may go for it. I'm testing all the gasket fits and then i'll just smother the connections in pvc cement.

teddyzaper

12/03/2016, 09:48 PM

nice build bud~ I do enjoy seeing other ppl builds :D
almost time to start thinking about your stocking list!

I have some minor ideas. I actually really want a mated pair of golden maroon clowns, but then i wont be able to get much else. If i don't do that i'll be wanting to get 5+ clown gobies, and maybe a lawnmower blenny. Other than that not sure. Some smaller foreground fish like cardinals/anthias/chromis or something of the sort. Open to ideas!

jonnyu

12/04/2016, 12:08 AM

I will stay in away from reef flakes on sand. I'm having all sorts of problems with it looking bad. I had Fiji pink sand before and really liked it but it moves easy. So you have to be careful with the way you point power heads. FYI if you need powerhead there is someone selling some RW-8's on FMAS page on RC. I think like $30 or $40

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

12/04/2016, 03:17 PM

jonnyu

12/04/2016, 10:04 PM

Not really I just like smaller grain sand as it does not get algae growth on it like large grain ones

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

homer1475

12/05/2016, 06:34 AM

Caribsea special reef grade sand. It has a nice mix of fine and larger particles that are just right for a reef. If you want to keep wrasses and such that burrow in the sand, then a finer sand is whats needed. The only problem with fine sand is it has a tendency to blow around.

PH's, while I really like my set of mp10's(ecotech's CS is second to none), they are a bit pricey and your stuck with whatever ecotech decides as proper flow patterns.

I also have a set of jebao pp8's, and with a controller(apex), the option for control ability is endless. Also they are over half the price of mp10's if you don't mind the look of the entire PH in the tank.

Nice looking build so far.

teddyzaper

12/05/2016, 10:25 AM

teddyzaper

12/08/2016, 12:57 PM

Sitting at work and I get a notification that my brs box is at my house. Trying to find a way to sneak out early! (Just kidding, but I'm excited) heater, all the plumbing, a pad for my sump, and some other misc stuff! Next order will be testing supplies and then rock. Debating between brs pukani, TBS live rock, or Marcos rocks. Probably do Marcos and just buy a bunch extra so I have choices.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

12/08/2016, 06:45 PM

What are your guys thoughts on plumbing? The ball valve from return going right is just extra. The other is my reactor. I've made it so that you can disconnect most of it via the union's. If you guys say it looks good I'll go ahead and glue it up! Btw that locline is a pita...

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161209/7d2ca0711a8a244571993320196215b5.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161209/d0a104f0eb5ffd12e8fc424ece3cff75.jpg

teddyzaper

12/08/2016, 07:30 PM

Already fixed some minor issues, the union on the back side was right next to the directional thingy which has its own unions, so i moved it down. Everything looks really nice, very glad i did blue tubing. Going to take off all the bar codes and stuff with acetone, then i may paint them black. Not sure yet as i don't really want to paint the unions just incase some gets in them, same with the ball valves. may look strange with just black 45/90s and white valves/unions.

teddyzaper

12/09/2016, 07:55 PM

Finalized plumbing. Happy with the results. Also did a bit of wiring, figured out how I want everything plugged in. Next will be cable management then sliding the tank in and sticking stuff inside! I'm debating between reef cleaner, and Marcos rocks. Ill probably pick up 50lbs as I want a minimal aquascape. Really wishing I had more room in the sump area, but for now this is what I got. Eventually I'm going to order a custom ATO/dosing container that fits a bit better.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161210/e2ca80da82a009d7eecc3134028361a2.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161210/4d33c25b42c4a6f0145b630442e64d7f.jpg

Reef keeper online. I continue to be disappointed by it, but I'll at least give it a try for a while. May just swap to apex eventually. Also may not run pH probe yet.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161210/9fd5e0861e0bf59afe65d18a5d8f64b7.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161210/ce98475175b333e3093dea2c8dffb1bf.jpg

teddyzaper

12/10/2016, 01:43 PM

Ordered ocean direct original size sand, 30lbs, red Sea aquarium starter, and 50lbs of reef cleaner rock. John at reef cleaner sent me a nice email and I gave him a little idea of what the aquascape plan is, I have high hopes for this rock! Looking at other auto top off containers as I don't think this one will hold enough water. I'd like one that can fit in a little ottoman or some other decent looking storage container off to the left side of the stand.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

jonnyu

12/10/2016, 02:36 PM

Nice looking good. Apex is the way to go but your reef keeper will do it's job just a little more frustrating to program

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

12/12/2016, 06:18 PM

Quicky update. Scrapped the ATO container that i had from the container store. The cabinet to the right of the aquarium got replaced with something bigger and i'll be using that for storage/ATO. Got a 10g glass tank with a lid in there for ATO now.

Ordered NO3/PO4 and CA/ALK/MAG test kits from red sea and the BRS refractometer.

Rock and sand should be coming in the next few days and i'll be doing aquascaping then.

Went to the LFS and it looks a little down. All SPS was bleached out and no polyps extended at all. Not a huge variety of choices for fish or corals, but the rest of the corals looked healthy and the fish all looked pretty decent.

teddyzaper

12/14/2016, 10:21 PM

Got ATO tank installed. Cleaned up wiring, and pushed the tank into the final resting place. Received my red Sea cycling kit, my rock, and sand. Along with a huge thing of super glue which I managed to practically dunk my finger in along with it splashing all over my hand. That was a fun hour removing it...

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161215/a467bfdd90e78b9dd9b4ee58562438b9.jpg
FTS
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161215/de4787dfa966397b9e611d541447e84e.jpg
Right side arch. Really like this side. Notice the left most rock is a bit shady, should be. Nice spot for some really low light pieces ☺️
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161215/c4371858702ab21847e13cf8e0fa27cb.jpg
Left side, nice little cave network and a great flat piece for when I attempt sps
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161215/5f3d56443a93da6e1f9380983a55d9fc.jpg
From the top. A little disappointed with the light spread, but I can't really complain as they were cheap! Im eyeballing the ap700. Don't tell anyone though 🤐
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161215/474d2a58c88832923d9001af58b061b9.jpg

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

12/16/2016, 05:25 PM

She is wet and running! Had a crack in a 90degree fitting, but it was on the emergency so I just shut that off and opened the main all the way to repair. No leaks at all now! Figuring out the ATO and reef keeper, but mainly 😁. It's a huge relief to see it actually working. I love the sand I picked. I'll be starting the red Sea mature kit tomorrow. For now lights are on as per the directions. Gotta figure out the wavemaker setting on reef keeper along with heating probe.

Gotta say, it's very loud. I'll need to work on that. I know it's partly because i haven't started the Herbie yet and just have main fully opened and also the return pump is touching the sump wall. Gotta get some rubber piece for that. Next up is cycle, stand panels, and CUC!

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161216/d62fbb8940c57dc97da8fd04148624ee.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161216/6449723129e8d53c65559c6edff77e5d.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161216/933e4d59a414eebc83a3b714cb942745.jpg

Side note, my red Sea nitrate/phosphate kit came shattered/leaking. Thankfully brs was right on it and the replacement is en route! Great service as always.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161216/165d3cce018e1bf21564e65fef457fc6.jpg

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

12/16/2016, 07:58 PM

So looks like light upgrade will be coming very shortly. The amount of light in my house is too much, so looking at a hood + new lights. Suggestions?

teddyzaper

12/17/2016, 05:12 PM

I went out and purchased a canopy for my tank as the light spread is so annoying at night. $200 at my LFS, jeeze. To make it worse i had the front desk people take it up to my apt and they droped it! :furious: :furious: :furious: :furious: :furious:

There is a giant dent in the corner of it, that happens to be the most visible corner also. If it was the back i'd only be a little ****ed. Talking to the office monday about getting it replaced. Lets see how this plays out.

On a brighter note, just picked up 2 AI Hydra 26HD used on the for sale section here. Will be replacing these big chinese boxes with them. Anyone want some chinese boxes for a good price, let me know!

teddyzaper

12/20/2016, 11:05 AM

Very ****ed off right now. As I said, my front desk people dropped my canopy and it's all best up. The corner is crushed in and all the hinges got pulled out. I just figured out today they won't pay for damages. ***!!!! It's a $200 hood and now it looks like junk. Screw that. Anyways now I need to find a way to fix it. The hinges I'll just move to make new holes, but the corner is f***ked.

Anyone have any ideas on how to fix it? If I cant make it look like it used to I'll have to add trim on it which will look stupid.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161220/78c00c042f63b3381bb1edcd068a487b.jpg

jonnyu

12/21/2016, 11:07 PM

Do you have a chop saw ? I'm sure you can make a replacement piece no problem. Is it painted white or white Formica?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

12/22/2016, 08:40 AM

Do you have a chop saw ? I'm sure you can make a replacement piece no problem. Is it painted white or white Formica?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I live in a tiny apt. So no tools other than the necessary. I'm trying to fill it in by sanding it down and adding wood epoxy. I'm going to repaint the whole thing.

Tank is coming along, I see the first diatoms
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161222/eb79343c5f2532a9127315125cda21d4.jpg

And the skimmer is really sucking the gunk out.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161222/2526fb2c8b4de6295c39cb744f6209bf.jpg

I'm getting the new lights today so I'm going to try mounting them in the canopy tonight.

Charley Diesing

12/22/2016, 03:52 PM

Love the build. Subbed.

What made you go with a 55G?

Charley Diesing

12/22/2016, 03:53 PM

I'm considering going with a 40G long. Same tank just 4 inches shorter.

teddyzaper

12/22/2016, 03:58 PM

Love the build. Subbed.

What made you go with a 55G?
Largest tank during the $1 per gallon sale. I regret it a bit as it's quite skinny, wouldve gone with a 60g made by glasscsages with a stand and overflow about ($700) now that I see how much $$$$ I've put into the equipment.

40g breeder is a nice sized tank if you don't want to go larger. Also they have em at Petco :)

jonnyu

12/23/2016, 02:38 PM

Well if you live in SoFlo I can help you out.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

12/23/2016, 02:52 PM

Well if you live in SoFlo I can help you out.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sorry, with what? I'm in Sunny isles 😁

teddyzaper

12/24/2016, 12:08 AM

Got new lights, hydra 26HD. awesome lights. Finishing up the hood (repainting and fixing the broken parts). Last coat of paint is drying, the screws to mount the lights come this Tuesday so i'll probably mount the lights then unless i can find another way.

Will post pictures when they go up.

Other notes, looks like my cycle is already finished.

3 days ago ammonia was 1ppm, now 0. Nitrites are hardly readable, may be none as i'm using an API test kit for nitrites. Nitrate hovering around 10ppm. Got a big diatom bloom, but nothing unmanageable for sure. I'll take water to LFS and if they confirm my tests i'll be grabbing some CUC tomorrow.

alk is the only other thing i'm testing currently, which is holding steady at 8.4dkh.

teddyzaper

12/24/2016, 12:12 AM

jonnyu

12/24/2016, 12:55 AM

With the wood work. [emoji106]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

12/24/2016, 01:23 AM

With the wood work. [emoji106]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ahh ok, i got most of it done, even though im in a tiny apt i still manage. got a hand saw and a sander now, along with a whole bunch of glue materials and a 3d printer ;)

teddyzaper

12/24/2016, 11:27 AM

So got the hood done. Cannot mount the lights so it can't go up yet. What a shame, it looks really good.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161224/754811e8e36c4ebb8b0cceac02b4425b.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161224/b4b9591efd29df897abbf221ea20e80f.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161224/3168702838df3903138a1ec15d82afae.jpg

Diatoms in full blast now. Looks like I have a bit of nitrite still, so going to wait till Monday to put in CUC.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161224/cff3aaf59cbb911da3486d8e11482336.jpg

Question for you guys. I can already tell that these powerheads aren't nearly strong enough. I want to replace them. What would you guys do? I don't want vortech as I don't like the look of the drive with cable on the outside. I was thinking a gyre on one side maybe. Would it be enough for the whole tank? If not, should I supplement it with something on the other side or go for sicce/tunze?

teddyzaper

12/25/2016, 10:11 AM

So I couldn't wait and went out to home depot Christmas Eve and bought some bolts to mount the lights (also picked up an indoor palm tree for a Christmas present). Fixed the hood up, you can see the fixed corner in this picture. Not the greatest paint job.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161225/60486300dd76f6cafc119d3d12a2bd2e.jpg

Here are the lights. I've been having fun playing with them. The fan on one of them wasn't working so I opened it up and one of the plugs was broken. Got out the soldering iron and a quick solder onto the appropriate pads and we are back in business.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161225/cf9d8817cf4e416ea5f6037c6a8d8447.jpg

Here is the front in all its glory. Side and front panels for the stand are ordered, but as they come from Italy it will be a month at least. Hopefully worth the wait as air freight would've been hundreds more.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161225/75cd212960fbc1e0431e581398fd9fd2.jpg

I'll be adding a small cleanup crew to test tomorrow, probably a cleaner shrimp, a sea slug, and maybe a snail or 2. Next Friday I'll be adding fish. I think first addition may be midnight starry blenny. not sure there is enough food source for it though, I'll do some more research. Test yesterday showed 0 ammonia and a TINY amount of nitrite, I think it's a false positive from the API test kit. under 10ppm of nitrate, but need to test that again.

In front of my car yesterday was this beautiful iguana. While Florida and I have our differences, the wildlife is amazing.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161225/28dea1fa2288055e2b74165bfdf970b7.jpg

Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, happy holidays to everyone! [emoji9]

Anthony357

12/25/2016, 03:49 PM

Lookin sweet!

teddyzaper

12/26/2016, 01:28 PM

Adding the start of my clean up crew as I type this out. Picked up 5 astrea snails, a Florida cerith and a cucumber. Not 100% on the cuke species but I've seen them at work and know they do well. Going to get these diatoms under control!

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161226/da6380f0b92f0a470175656656ab5256.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161226/088514e2a1b2dee2ac86ba2332788695.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161226/b73bd037654bcd50b118a968f7af3197.jpg

The cuke putting his feelers out

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161226/15f167bc7168cf09df5c3d2997000b94.jpg

teddyzaper

12/26/2016, 01:48 PM

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161226/0a74d8ca988255c229447d3f10b18c29.jpg

teddyzaper

12/28/2016, 05:24 PM

I'm getting this bright green algae, anyone know what it is? Also tons of diatoms now. Going tomorrow to pick up more clean up crew

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161228/3fc9448ea65a21e8b528eb841af1db51.jpg

teddyzaper

12/30/2016, 12:48 PM

New toy in today. Maxspec gyre xf230. It's a little loud, I may purchase another one and have them run at lower speeds alternating. Also cleaned my glass (need a magnet scrubber) and filter sock. I think I'll add some carbon to my reactor today.

Also I'll be adding my first fish along with some more CUC. We will see what I come home with. Perhaps 2 fish.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161230/c05de169bb8c885eeca456eac1ea0a90.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161230/9f2d64b2187185239c4d1477eb5ebe19.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161230/4216e56f2d56005797531b17514273ba.jpg

Under the stand is getting busy!

Anthony357

12/30/2016, 12:56 PM

I was looking into the gyre's. They're about as expensive as the vortechs, but seemed like they could create more flow in all areas of the tank because of the long dimensions of the unit

teddyzaper

12/30/2016, 05:55 PM

New arrivals

Lawnmower blenny
Carpenter wrasse
Sand sifting star
Porcelain crab
Blue leg hermits x5
Astrea snails x5
Orange acan Lord (getting dipped)
Orange ricordia (getting dipped)

I'll get a better picture when I can
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161230/13b79f143c7a57bb0a714319c636e101.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161230/7153e583ed964fea21dece025cfe4e6d.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161230/bdccfe32222f7b71d1c67ada329fb555.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161230/42b7730852aaf8f855929f666fdc844b.jpg

All fish were eating, and all inverts look healthy. I know, but I simply do not have the space to quarantine. I will have to be very careful as I get more fish.

Did my second water change. Im continuing to follow the red Sea reef mature pro kit. Parameters looking good. 0 nitrites/ammonia, and 8-10 nitrate.

teddyzaper

12/30/2016, 07:01 PM

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161231/5f3563962cc0f89a6274d4a8af09df86.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161231/6bf67149427adaf63c8468ee0e05bfcf.jpg

teddyzaper

12/31/2016, 10:17 AM

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161231/a4c4b311201e1d1879a61665723e63fd.jpg

Here is the wrasse. Absolutely stunning. I love these fish. On a side not, can't get the ricordia to stick onto the rock...

teddyzaper

12/31/2016, 05:27 PM

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161231/6d45a6454972c42d82f7726f128f99a9.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161231/4909f8c2b5c772d4073059a1235b04de.jpg

teddyzaper

01/02/2017, 05:41 PM

Got a new fish and a new coral. Flame hawkfish and a very cool frogspawn. I'll get another pic when it opens up

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170102/ad7f958c9c8fd015e082643ac586d929.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170102/cfaa5986ef131185c11b1a4eff6f0d6d.jpg

teddyzaper

01/07/2017, 12:39 PM

Picked up some new corals and a new fish. My carpenter looks like he may have some kind of fungus or something. Noticed after I brought home the new fish. I'll just keep feeding well and keep the tank clean. I'll be adding pictures soon

teddyzaper

01/07/2017, 04:10 PM

As promised.

New fish. Red fin fairy wrasse. New one and the carpenter are good friends. Always swimming together.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170107/1b7faadb3c1194e12d668a54ef35bc62.jpg

Rock flower NEM. I love these and will certainly be adding a bunch more.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170107/96e182eee5e6fd51ee7525368f815c16.jpg

Season's greetings monti. Amazing coral, had to have. Hope it does well.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170107/9bb75a57a868aed3d1960511771df10a.jpg

Misc acro frag. Anyone know how to get it to extend polyps? (Parameters at end of post)

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170107/e63eb098f93fea493aa3b59e5b8a874c.jpg

A green echinata I believe. Fully puffed up and really pretty.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170107/92cc21951b29b740950a390135576fed.jpg

Orange echinata. Another pretty frag.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170107/bafd69c27c2cf237e8419d9155663516.jpg

This crazy colored acan Lord. Another must get. As you can tell, I like my acans. (Gotta get better at photography. Maybe I'll buy a camera.)

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170107/8dcbab97a7a578efb6481b44ecfb5f31.jpg

Some kind of scroll coral I believe. Turbinaria? Or is it something else. Please correct me.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170107/69d64d838628deb21923d1cd6317b76a.jpg

A pretty war coral (again not 100% on that)

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170107/8598ac2adf5410229037b2351ef1f44f.jpg

2 zoa frags that I placed on zoa island. Hope to get the whole rock encrusted with different types of zoa's.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170107/4e232f8f4ed7597a323b7677f52fd7d8.jpg

I just cleaned and tipped them over, so they are angry.

Parameters:
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 3
Phosphate 0-0.02
pH 8.2
KH 7 (dosing to raise, will measure again tonight)
Mg 1320 (minor dose as well)
CA 3755 (same)
Salinity 1.026
Temp 76

I've also added chemipure in my reactor. I'll see how I like it. They didn't have carbon at my LFS (well, no good carbon anyhow)

teddyzaper

01/07/2017, 04:11 PM

Fts

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170107/e86c3e4305f3b8bb4db196cc54466a47.jpg

Sump

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170107/dfb1777dc43f5d287f84b076e6fadd12.jpg

Dosing chems. Just manually for now

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170107/7c8f96634afad4fe6f3f3f5a8f53c752.jpg

teddyzaper

01/07/2017, 07:32 PM

https://vimeo.com/198519849

teddyzaper

01/08/2017, 06:08 PM

Just measured my alk/mg/calc and looks like alk is doing well, getting up to 8.4 soon, need to dose more calc per day, and more magnesium as well.

Bratyboy2

01/09/2017, 01:28 PM

tagging along like the rock work

teddyzaper

01/09/2017, 02:06 PM

tagging along like the rock work

Thanks! I think i'll never be 100% happy with my rock work, no matter what i do, but i think i got close.

teddyzaper

01/11/2017, 10:18 PM

Got a kamoer 3 head dosing pump. Doing calc/alk/mag testing to see how much my corals are consuming then i'll be setting it up! Exciting.

On a more sad note, one of the frogspawn heads died off, i hope the other one makes it, its looking ok. The 2 wrasses are getting bullied by the flame hawk. Hopefully once i add more fish it wont pick on them as much. I do plan on adding other aggressive fish, so i may end up removing the wrasses, which is too bad since they are very pretty!

Anthony357

01/13/2017, 08:49 AM

im with you, i always seem to want to 'rearrange' the rock work lol, its like a never ending battle!

I have the kamouer x4 pump and love it! How you liking the lights so far?

teddyzaper

01/13/2017, 10:11 AM

im with you, i always seem to want to 'rearrange' the rock work lol, its like a never ending battle!

I have the kamouer x4 pump and love it! How you liking the lights so far?
Yep, I read great things about kamoer. Haven't set it up yet, I got my VOSS water bottles and just finished drinking them (I ain't gonna waste $4 water!) So I need to make them into my dosing containers now.

It's to soon to tell how I like the light for growth, but I certainly like the light they put out and the features. My corals look stunning under them. I also played with the settings to make for a nice sunrise/set.

Going to the LFS today, want to pick up some fish and hopefully some LPS that isn't just acans. Love to get a lobo or scoly!

marleesan

01/13/2017, 01:06 PM

I think you need to slow down. You've already added quite a few fish this week, and need to let your tank adjust. I also recommend getting a quarantine setup to prevent parasites

Anthony357

01/13/2017, 01:15 PM

acans are nice, i have a few frags of those too. One of my favorite frags is my orange bam bam zoa's. They look amazing and have been multiplying faster than anything else in the tank lol.

teddyzaper

01/13/2017, 03:43 PM

I think you need to slow down. You've already added quite a few fish this week, and need to let your tank adjust. I also recommend getting a quarantine setup to prevent parasites
I simply cannot quarantine. It's not an option for me. Also I added the fish a while ago, I just update this post every once in a while. Most of the time I'll type half a post then come back in a few days and finish it.

Last fish I added was the red fin wrasse and that was last Wednesday, over a week ago. All parameters are stable as well which allows me to add another fish, or maybe 2 smaller fish.

As for corals, it was my understanding that adding corals can be done as often as I like, was I incorrect? Can adding a bunch of corals cause any spikes? I'll look into this

teddyzaper

01/13/2017, 03:44 PM

acans are nice, i have a few frags of those too. One of my favorite frags is my orange bam bam zoa's. They look amazing and have been multiplying faster than anything else in the tank lol.
I have 2 zoa frags, while they are pretty, they are so tiny it's hard for me to really appreciate them as much as the acans. I'm sure once the zoa's cover the rock it will be amazing.

Anthony357

01/13/2017, 11:05 PM

They multiply like crazy atleast lol

ComforablyNumb

01/14/2017, 11:46 AM

Add corals to heart's delight. They do not increase bioload very much...its the fish that do that.

teddyzaper

01/14/2017, 12:22 PM

Add corals to heart's delight. They do not increase bioload very much...its the fish that do that.
Yes I went and picked up some corals

A bird's nest, a nice brain and a crazy lobo. Bright scan and another rock flower NEM. Also got some nassarius snails which I've been looking for for a while.

teddyzaper

01/14/2017, 04:57 PM

New coral roundup!

Fts

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170114/9fbf430dba1314018981ff7c3abf52c2.jpg

Right side

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170114/ee88b230e598f855aa2f9fa35dd3815b.jpg

Left side

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170114/cd120249b913690fef1d9739e3466262.jpg

Crazy lobo, looks really healthy!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170114/4744033725f9a32ae8855495246db7fc.jpg

My new favorite acan

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170114/77780f888d745370bb2d22e87eca2161.jpg

Healthy brain. Hopefully it has enough room there to expand. May move him

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170114/450c95f08184cecaa226c46770ed55db.jpg

This mushroom was on a rock and the LFS just snapped the rock and gave me this lil guy. We will see how it grows. Don't want a mushroom invasion

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170114/81fcd464100c81b695ca345a03eb8b02.jpg

Another rock flower NEM. Quickly becoming one of my favorites, I'll most likely be adding a bunch of these.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170114/bf8e4dd6b44f72a0dee50539f64584eb.jpg

Bird's nest frag. Just another sps test piece.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170114/c9ce91a2ed61c7e72877da2fc4250323.jpg

I need to order rigid airline tubing to finish off my dosing containers, after that the auto dosing will begin. Looks like 15ml of alk and calc, and 50ml of mag.

For the future, I'll be adding 5 pajama Cardinals, another wrasse, a clown pair, and some kind of blenny/goby or another bottom dweller. That should make it fully stocked!

teddyzaper

01/16/2017, 01:58 PM

A happy healthy brain. He just ate and puffed up huge. Kinda looks like he's smiling!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170116/3604a46b2539e37e3c6a3ba2158e9efd.jpg

teddyzaper

01/18/2017, 10:36 AM

LFS called me and told me I should come in to see what they got. They weren't wrong. Came home with a beautiful exquisite wrasse and a nice sized purple long tentacle anemone! Also had to pick up a new acan frag and some zoa's. In the right to get white sand, I picked up a diamond goby. I'll be watching this guy closely to make sure he is eating enough.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170118/930d657008336bb2be86542daf08fde7.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170118/6a6c863315b52ff281af2240c9889d5f.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170118/7f79be4d89fba51d335ef56b4312f50b.jpg

And a blurry pic of the whole family.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170118/86b40d20076374085c0eb274399fb2c1.jpg

I also got some cool apps for my phone, one that allows me custom camera control, and Lightroom to edit my pictures. My new snap on macro lens comes today, hopefully this will up my picture game without breaking the bank!

falcona2552

01/18/2017, 06:11 PM

How did you convert the Eschopss Eclipse S into a herbie? Is it pretty quiet?

teddyzaper

01/18/2017, 06:20 PM

How did you convert the Eschopss Eclipse S into a herbie? Is it pretty quiet?
It comes as a Herbie. Just use a gate valve on the lower pipe. It's fairly quiet. Not silent, not loud

teddyzaper

01/20/2017, 08:16 PM

New corals. Got a nice filler coral with a colt softie. Very healthy and I wanted a softy in here somewhere. May add another, but they grow fast so not sure on that.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/5c0fd735622f4714c08a70da353f6903.jpg

Bought a large symphillia brain coral. Very cool, an Australian too which is nice. Hoping it colors up more, would be awesome!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/9ce1c7568b4603e87d34b1bc0b24be53.jpg

Also snagged this super bright pink/orange/grey rock nem.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/d6684cb8df8e2dd3abe482ffa3549904.jpg

Also picked up a free pocillapora frag and a serpent star. I'll add pics of them soon along with fts!

Bratyboy2

01/20/2017, 10:33 PM

Looking good! Like the new editions

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

01/20/2017, 10:39 PM

Looking good! Like the new editions

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
Thanks! Really loving the new LPS, it's huge, about 5" diameter

Bratyboy2

01/20/2017, 10:48 PM

I would have no room for that lol

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

01/20/2017, 11:44 PM

I would have no room for that lol

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
Truthfully I barely have room for it, but it is just such a nice piece. All its feeding tentacles are out tonight. Looking super healthy

Bratyboy2

01/20/2017, 11:47 PM

Impulse buy! Lol

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

01/21/2017, 09:11 AM

Impulse buy! Lol

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
Haha a bit of one. I LOVE anything LPS and a piece like this I just had to have. They have a nice scoly at the store too, but it's $500. If I can convince the owner to sell for $300 it's mine!

teddyzaper

01/21/2017, 09:20 AM

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/92229c443b3e56aa01a447b7e6b7f875.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/4929f98e8545d8f3cafaf0add26171bc.jpg

Phallic pocillapora
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/408aee7747dade9fb1bd657404f68599.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/c8af3755fc731bd998196bb9f0c1d35c.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/75c4208ffc70d39b002fcae32a5b489a.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/746cfee64172d691f3ffa8a9fa040a89.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/0740ae266148393c6b41323fdda7d6e5.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/4ca8446c91c4cdc7dcb53f8da5b636ff.jpg

teddyzaper

01/21/2017, 01:11 PM

Feeding time. Big boys hungry!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/5ad8b53707bbc89716cc71ad764d0969.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/aba6f92c2d109424345cca16b960db8d.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/530c9089a2cb5ca15a7eaa8463344928.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/03bb004e1fa9c5a83798a6dfcadff92e.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/78ccf72639ad31b412f3df78b9f828a8.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170121/bebfcd2ca718eab90c469656e587ba5d.jpg

teddyzaper

01/28/2017, 09:37 AM

New additions.

Right side
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170128/be9fc208ac65d6dde3d4161a5b19a187.jpg

Left side

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170128/c3fd8b5221ddf347a7477e1ba7b970d2.jpg

New neon green toadstool

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170128/be01213e323e7b6dcd470a6383749a6b.jpg

Mint green hammer. Very nice background piece!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170128/a1c4da79c0afdda2fd8dca176d158a0f.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170128/e92c23fe25290d125f37690c78542c24.jpg

Macros of my new brain. It's too close to the glass and not getting enough space to spread. A LOT bigger than I realized, going to move it in a nit

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170128/f72fc495b4000445bc064fdc4b70e80a.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170128/277cd340cfb3c051ef34c0a829ed396e.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170128/08ab131aa7f63a710055077b39dc76b0.jpg

teddyzaper

01/28/2017, 09:42 AM

The new brain

http://i.imgur.com/x5eYIh5.jpg?2

My new favorite addition, derasa clam!

http://i.imgur.com/XNNGX52.jpg?2

My acans all out and hungry

http://i.imgur.com/7vCpaMg.jpg?2

and another pic of the hammer with better color matching

http://i.imgur.com/RVMusHX.jpg?2

teddyzaper

02/08/2017, 11:16 AM

Just returned from a week long vacation. I've noticed an outbreak in some algae, and I lost a fish, and a coral. My new anemone isn't looking to great, I believe it has damage to it's foot and I didn't notice in the store.

The fish I suspect was getting bullied to much as it was the smallest fish, it never looked sick. Going to let the tank run a bit just to make sure.

The coral I lost was a small pocillapora frag that just fell off the rockwork and got buried in the sand while I was gone. A stupid mistake not to secure it better...

Clam wasn't all the way opened when I returned, but after a water change it's getting back to itself.

I'm probably going to be lowering my light intensity since I can't add any corals directly under the lights. Hopefully this won't affect my current pieces.

I've added a new anemone and a hairy mushroom. The new nem is a sebae Malu. Nice colors, and pretty big already!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170208/b414eca83ec83f290da86d843c834055.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170208/ed2337aaabfe7f784993bf25d2417e1b.jpg

Here is the clam not 100% open.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170208/3b79296280a94a86fbab90154e00cfad.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170208/ad8cc1fc45484dcc08fe92e8e83a8fe3.jpg

Close up of one of my rock flower anemones. Pushed itself up next to the glass

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170208/bf8844bd7d5b556cbda092f9e39347cb.jpg

teddyzaper

02/09/2017, 09:18 AM

I'm an idiot. Didn't realise the new anemone was so close to my toadstool and now the toadstool has been closed up for 2 days after I moved it. Still looks healthy, just closed so I'm hoping it comes around.

My long tentacle anemone doesn't look like it's going to make it sadly. As I said, I think it had foot damage because it never looked 100%. I'm hoping it recovers, but right now it is looking pretty bad.

My clam is getting sand dropped on it by the diamond goby. I think the goby is sadistic and likes to watch things suffer. It buried my zoa's and now it's trying to bury the clam. If the clam gets sand inside of it can it get it out on its own? If not would I need to "burp" it out?

In other news, I ordered a second gyre. So 2x xf230, one for either side. Hoping this can fix the low flow issue without stirring up sand. If I put my single one on over 70% it starts to bury my LPS section.

teddyzaper

02/09/2017, 10:13 PM

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170210/b21f2ee75cd6a25e86bdab9d5e5133b1.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170210/8390272c503cb9b2a524dd814e59d226.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170210/dd0b8bf5e1ed76a621990fc168be2334.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170210/999d6eee009d85fc55294d8bc0c82428.jpg

dcom

02/10/2017, 01:56 PM

Your aquascaping is amazing! Great piece!

btw ... if you need powerheads I am selling two koralia 1500, one of them unopened. Im in south maryland/washington DC area.
I bought them when I decided to downsize but then noticed I dont really need then and not planning on using them.

teddyzaper

02/10/2017, 09:41 PM

New fish

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170211/91d749bdba17c31e9a3889e8df020b83.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170211/31b9603d64c378281d645da23568f232.jpg

New corals

Super neon Bubble

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170211/fbb776174fa985d9e766bf134c2ddc73.jpg

Acropora (maybe green slimer)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170211/284a8679ab9169406e9dc6c9e120c452.jpg

Montipora

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170211/b31d702e6e93840a330c8176badcbd08.jpg

Rbta

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170211/7fd4607e7e880fd401b565d7420297b0.jpg

teddyzaper

02/12/2017, 11:23 AM

Not sure if my long tentacle anemone is going to make it. I have it an iodine dip to see if that would help, but it doesn't seem to want to dig in. All new additions are doing great and the toadstool has made a full recovery from its anemone sting.

The leopard wrasse is eating a tiny bit, but it's to be expected since I just added it. Hides most of the time.

teddyzaper

02/15/2017, 10:15 AM

Long tentacle died overnight. All other nems are doing great,so I believe it got injured or was injured.

Picked up some PE mysis, the mysis are huge! Fish don't seem to mind though. Leopard wrasse is eating, not the mysis but she eats the coral food.

Did some tank rearranging and picked up an amazing huge elegance from Australia!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170215/3c974f40468bdad77075d73f06bd12b1.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170215/552e048eb58d84b90931d7a6bbe822a4.jpg

Lobo is looking huge. Super puffed out and happy

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170215/e29c1e036cc5801c98f14808a9971535.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170215/a710c1e0356cdc5c18d6c42772d8d7a2.jpg

Raised the symphylia off the sand since the diamond goby kept burying it. Looks much happier now.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170215/058f26aa127fcb269f0e14cb9c81dab8.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170215/a3fff11a391c8f932db98a3a010ebd80.jpg

falcona2552

02/20/2017, 10:15 PM

teddyzaper

02/20/2017, 10:26 PM

Beautiful tank pictures!

On your eclipse, did you put the black weir box and the clear overflox box both flush to the glass and just use the rubber gasket between the clear box and the nut that tightens it?

I was told to do it this way by the retailer, and it has a slow leak between the clear box and the outer tank wall and it is as tight as the nut will go....

Did you have this issue?

I put the gasket on the inside of the glass, between the weir box and the glass, then the second one in the overflow box between the acrylic and the bulkhead nut.

Look at your gaskets, take a little razor blade and VERY carefully take off the moulding lines (little things that extend out a tiny bit), these can cause issues, and as long as you dont gouge the gasket this can only help.

Make sure all pieces of the overflow are COMPLETELY dry. wash everything then leave them out in the sun or to dry until they are fully dry. this is the only way to get a great seal.

falcona2552

02/20/2017, 10:59 PM

I put the gasket on the inside of the glass, between the weir box and the glass, then the second one in the overflow box between the acrylic and the bulkhead nut.

Look at your gaskets, take a little razor blade and VERY carefully take off the moulding lines (little things that extend out a tiny bit), these can cause issues, and as long as you dont gouge the gasket this can only help.

Make sure all pieces of the overflow are COMPLETELY dry. wash everything then leave them out in the sun or to dry until they are fully dry. this is the only way to get a great seal.

Wow I cant thank you enough for responding so fast! I am literally up late still trying to get this plumbing working since this afternoon.

My leak was very small but between the acrylic box and back of the tank, should I still put the second gasket inside the clear acrylix box tightened by the nut, or put it between the tank and the clear box?

teddyzaper

02/20/2017, 11:02 PM

Wow I cant thank you enough for responding so fast! I am literally up late still trying to get this plumbing working since this afternoon.

My leak was very small but between the acrylic box and back of the tank, should I still put the second gasket inside the clear acrylix box tightened by the nut, or put it between the tank and the clear box?

you dont need one between the tank and the clear box because water will never touch that gasket. If you try to visualize it, if you have the gasket between the weir and glass, the only other place the water could get out of the tank would be between the bulkhead nut and the acrylic box.

teddyzaper

02/22/2017, 12:01 PM

Well it's been a week without pictures, and that's just not acceptable!

FTS
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/64498a089e733020b7d76ed6c77bf1e2.jpg

Right
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/7f3733e851858bf66caad9744544d132.jpg

Huge elegance. Really amazing, just a huge brick of tentacles
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/eff636bb669a2257637bec1691519823.jpg

5 Bartlett anthias. I think one has worms (left side)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/a545ceaadc7d4f3ffab98a0af2ea1603.jpg

New chalice frag. Weird shape, but colored up a ton since I got it.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/a79daa320f6157af78d3ad1ac047e65f.jpg

New lobo
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/6731b409fee60a12dc2ff4130f34364c.jpg

Red/green bta
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/958167f484f6e35c1b3b7daca0119e1b.jpg

Funky chunky pocillapora piece, featuring cyano!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/47e213a0666d071dcf9315790ea46f6b.jpg

Bird's nest is getting a bunch of new growth!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/ab249ab9e86e816c6c71b997120a9daa.jpg

teddyzaper

02/22/2017, 12:02 PM

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/a236b708eca5f864895dcb73c6eb11b4.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/033832427d01c7be8cdcf70a0b002519.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/8656aabb67aefeedd6c00256028d9b00.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/affbdfb35a7685bd5a4bc943e80e4db4.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/06420805a9e907562a7bf789e82d2f96.jpg

kto17

02/23/2017, 02:23 AM

great tanks. Thanks for posting all the pictures.

teddyzaper

02/23/2017, 08:34 AM

great tanks. Thanks for posting all the pictures.
Thanks for the reply! Sometimes it's frustrating that no one replies, but then I realize I look at a bunch of tank builds and don't reply, so it's kind of silly for my to expect replies!

teddyzaper

02/23/2017, 08:38 AM

So I bought this urchin 2 days ago and yesterday it was dead. I went back to my LFS and they said they had a couple die as well, so probably a bad shipment. I pick up another one from a whole different shipment and it died as well! I hate killing anything so no more urchins for me. Gotta try a different algae control invert. My cucumber and hermits don't do anything it feels. And the snails can't keep up...

Bratyboy2

03/02/2017, 07:20 PM

Mexican turbo snails are the bomb. I personally go for trochus snails since they breed in the tank for me

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

Anthony357

03/02/2017, 07:55 PM

Definitely have some nice coral pieces!

teddyzaper

03/02/2017, 08:39 PM

Definitely have some nice coral pieces!

Thanks Anthony! I actually just picked up a job at my LFS and we are getting some really sick acro/SPS pieces in soon so i'll be filling up on those!

Mexican turbo snails are the bomb. I personally go for trochus snails since they breed in the tank for me

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

I picked up some margarita snails. We will see how they do, but for now the algae/bacteria isn't really exploding so i'm fine with it.

Bratyboy2

03/02/2017, 08:40 PM

Dont expect the margaritas to live long. They dont last long in warm waters

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

03/02/2017, 08:48 PM

So I added this guy. Not the smartest choice as is obvious in this picture. He took a fancy to my anthias. Oh well, one expensive meal!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170303/682760c508aa4fcf242f2dd705bd7c6a.jpg

I am attempting to rescue some NPS for a friend. So far most seem to be recovering.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170303/049e78579033374b8680b7473a42144c.jpg

Bratyboy2

03/03/2017, 12:41 AM

Well he is a rather cute eating machine lol poor anthias though

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

SeaMatt Nematocyt

03/03/2017, 04:46 PM

Hawkfish has always been a favorite of mine. Great personality. They always seem to be watching you...

teddyzaper

03/13/2017, 04:25 PM

Time for another update!

Got this new scoly today. First scoly, damn these things are expensive!

http://i.imgur.com/3Ghjt4w.jpg

I am saving some NPS for a friend, his tank crashed. Some die-off, but here is a very cool piece. Pretty sure its a big head dendro.

http://i.imgur.com/HEZBrTP.jpg

The fuzzy dwarf. He is eating frozen now, but 2 more anthias have disapeared. Oh well, he doesn't bother my wrasse. I've been trying to catch the anthias but they are so skittish that they may just end up as food...

http://i.imgur.com/kFHZsaC.jpg

New FTS

http://i.imgur.com/P1Ror6Y.jpg

Some fun pictures, playing with my new macro camera (D3300 + 85mm lens)

http://i.imgur.com/Q7nf3br.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/B8HUkmK.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/YtCcORI.jpg

Bratyboy2

03/15/2017, 09:05 PM

Looking good buddy

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

04/06/2017, 06:57 PM

Got a new phone. All pics are from my lg v20.
Fts

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170407/a5a00aeed5789e4e804ca11754cbbe00.jpg

New additions. A neon green finger leather and gsp

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170407/61c0c09be280975dadc8ef7b76564027.jpg

2 different gsp colorations on one magnet.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170407/0d53129c4ed5f7048062cb2d148bc481.jpg

Neon green clove polyps

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170407/2b7ee968024cd1e962bd2bac27fa1ff8.jpg

My elegance eating

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170407/ffd0f0630c88aecc3a3d602a414c7473.jpg

My derasa. She is growing!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170407/d089e4d752291d14eceb8d0c33c0d0d7.jpg

Brain 1

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170407/12d4d62e17a71fcab2682b26ddf8d3f9.jpg

Lobo

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170407/9a597fbfb4adbb403c4231896d71ca9a.jpg

Scoly

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170407/d9a63af76776f65af3ed03271d7b7d3d.jpg

Bratyboy2

04/06/2017, 09:05 PM

Wow looking good buddy

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

teddyzaper

05/02/2017, 06:25 PM

More pictures!

updates on growth and some of the new guys.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170503/a0286c2eda26627528bf98d4b0cf4a28.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170503/9a751e7f63a17a404d47ec8918182f68.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170503/907da8c89325a9b0516442bb810ce085.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170503/5307aab6f52b38abef4c726316beec40.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170503/fd6190e11aa468a5168f0c3fa487f18d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170503/f0c72cbfe603888aa38cc4bc0f84c043.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170503/efe5297f72a97641ec0ed773caf7d521.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170503/dda1b032d3ece2de542d2561506c4e9d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170503/3f029304b3e64a5e5611794498d34c04.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170503/3f71a6a8388e10e0329e2ba3376c09ec.jpg