Exsequor's 45 gallon (mostly) soft coral reef tank (NO SUMP - ALL HOB)

exsequor · 02/21/2016, 09:58 PM

Purchased the tank December 10th, brand new from Petsmart on sale including stand and top and strip light for $168 including tax.

My 2 year old watching the tank get filled with salt water for the first time

Leila check's out the 45 gallons first rocks and livestock

Stock strip light that came with tank (used during cycle / when accumulating the better gear)

Ten days later the 120 watt dimmable reef LED arrives and also the current makers

Hung light with command strips (thanks rental house!)

120 Watt LED Plugged in and lit up

First hanging of light before deciding to center it

exsequor · 02/21/2016, 09:58 PM

Added 6" Starry Blenny aka Bubba:

Early Rock and Coral

The Beginning of AQUASCAPING the wall (added 50 pounds of dry, "dead" ocean rock, which I paid $.94 a pound for including shipping). I originally added it to around 15-20 pounds of live rock

Ordered in a Skimmer:

Skimmer hooked up HOB style:

Massive Polyp Rock I acquired for $45 including tax thanks to my great LFS

Added a 10 gallon, 4 stage, 1200 L/hr canister filter with 9 watt UV

Reef tanks 2 month "birthday":

exsequor · 02/21/2016, 09:59 PM

Reef tank at 2 months and 10 days:

Added a very small blue tang, which will be added into a 250 gallon reef being built at one of my companies show rooms within two years:

Reef tank yesterday, at 2 months and 21 days old:

3dees · 02/22/2016, 11:00 AM

nice tank, but you may be going a bit too fast. might want to remove the hippo while you can. tank is way too small for any tang.

exsequor · 02/22/2016, 11:53 AM

I was under the impression based on the previous tangs I've had, that he would take at least two years to grow to that 4-5" size from his current 2.25-2.5" size (I know they reach up to 1' by 4-5 years, from what I know, correct me if I'm wrong). Anyways, I have the tank and the financials to house him properly as he sizes, do you still think it's a problem to house him in there? I have 5 fish in there total including a neon goby.

Also, do you think I'm adding coral too quickly? This is only my 5th reef tank, and my 9th saltwater tank in general. I actually just back into the hobby in June with the start of my Fluval Spec V (which is going well).

I appreciate any input or suggestions, have a nice day.

exsequor · 03/04/2016, 12:13 PM

Tank update 3/4/2016

exsequor · 03/05/2016, 03:55 PM

Tank updtate 3/5/2016

\

exsequor · 03/07/2016, 12:45 PM

Added some cord management today

exsequor · 03/30/2016, 04:33 AM

Update:

Here's a picture of the tank on 3/23/2016

exsequor · 04/26/2016, 09:25 PM

4/26/2016 update / picture update

tank no longer is producing the red algae in the sand bed. Replaced the penguin 350 x4 filter cartridges and found at least 200 visible pods and mysis growing in them, so I am pleased with my pod population for not having a refugium and being all H.O. except my can filter with built in UV.

*knock on wood*.

Been dosing with the 3 part kent marine reef supplement kit, and also feed every week with a high quality phytoplankton I keep in my fridge.

I feed the fish 2-4 times a day, and feed them a large, large variety.

exsequor · 04/27/2016, 07:20 AM

[IMG]

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[IMG][img=http://s32.postimg.org/41xkq29m9/image.jpg][/IMG]

exsequor · 04/27/2016, 07:21 AM

Weene858 · 05/09/2016, 02:49 AM

Seems like you have quite a lot of bubbles floating around, or am I mistaken? Great tank nontheless.

jmbmmb27 · 05/26/2016, 09:32 AM

nice tank! thanks for sharing

exsequor · 06/01/2016, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmbmmb27

nice tank! thanks for sharing

Thanks and you're welcome...hearing that means a lot!

exsequor · 06/01/2016, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weene858

Seems like you have quite a lot of bubbles floating around, or am I mistaken? Great tank nontheless.

They may have been the camera. I did have the canister filter producing air bubbles for a couple weeks there, due to one of the hoses getting a small kink, but I got the kink out and haven't seen any air bubbles come out the return since.

exsequor · 09/29/2016, 06:44 PM

Here's a picture of the 45g as of today 90/29/2016

exsequor · 05/06/2017, 05:03 PM

5/6/2017 Tank Update.

free picture hosting for ebay

Gueeto · 05/12/2017, 03:57 PM

Wow beautiful tank! Thanks for sharing and showing the progress!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

exsequor · 05/15/2017, 08:44 AM

Thanks and you're welcome! I'd like to get more pictures of the progress up on this thread, and also create a complete build thread for my 150 soft reef!

exsequor · 06/30/2017, 06:15 PM

Picture update:

html image hosting

exsequor · 06/30/2017, 06:16 PM

html image hosting

exsequor · 06/30/2017, 06:17 PM

BaltimoreFish · 07/02/2017, 06:57 PM

exsequr,

Would love details on hang on growing algae for you. Pump, container, and light details would be great. I'm trying something similar and would like to leverage your experience.

exsequor · 07/21/2017, 11:51 PM

BaltimoreFish,

I use the Finnex, hang on LED refugium kit. I have set it up with the two partitions instead of three. I have live rock rubble and chaeto in the first partition, then I've got the more delicate red and calypto species in the second partition. Had some issues with cyano gunk/sludge build up on top in it's earlier days, but it's around 2 years old now, and the different macro's I have grow really well in there.

I think it's been essential in my zoa growth. My main zoa colony has been known to "spit" 7+ heads in 1-2 weeks. And I think the H.O. refugium is actually advantageous over the typical sump refugium, as the micro fauna does not have to enter an impeller housing to reach the "DT".

Hope this helps.

02/21/2016, 09:58 PM	#1
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	Exsequor's 45 gallon (mostly) soft coral reef tank (NO SUMP - ALL HOB) Purchased the tank December 10th, brand new from Petsmart on sale including stand and top and strip light for $168 including tax. My 2 year old watching the tank get filled with salt water for the first time Leila check's out the 45 gallons first rocks and livestock Stock strip light that came with tank (used during cycle / when accumulating the better gear) Ten days later the 120 watt dimmable reef LED arrives and also the current makers Hung light with command strips (thanks rental house!) 120 Watt LED Plugged in and lit up First hanging of light before deciding to center it

04/27/2016, 07:20 AM	#11
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	[IMG][/IMG] [IMG][img=http://s32.postimg.org/41xkq29m9/image.jpg][/IMG]

05/12/2017, 03:57 PM	#19
Gueeto Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NOLA Posts: 52	Wow beautiful tank! Thanks for sharing and showing the progress! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Jim Wanamaker Jim.wanamaker@gmail.com

06/30/2017, 06:15 PM	#21
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	Picture update: html image hosting __________________ DT: 150g w/ Trigger Systems Ruby 36 sump; DC12000 Return, G3 SKIMMER, RW8, WC15, MarsAqua 165w x2, 42 watt UV, Reactor, 4-way Doser, ATO 45g Softie reef all H.O.B - x1 MarsAqua 55g Softie Reef - Cu Current Tank Info: 45g softie reef (85 lbs rock), Penguin 350, Coralife 65g skimmer, 9 watt U.V., can filter, 120w LED light (chinese). 5.5 gallon spec v w/ modified overflow/return, 12lbs LR; BioCube29 w/ 36w Orbit LED w/ R.C. & 60lbs rock; 10g anenome tank

06/30/2017, 06:16 PM	#22
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	html image hosting __________________ DT: 150g w/ Trigger Systems Ruby 36 sump; DC12000 Return, G3 SKIMMER, RW8, WC15, MarsAqua 165w x2, 42 watt UV, Reactor, 4-way Doser, ATO 45g Softie reef all H.O.B - x1 MarsAqua 55g Softie Reef - Cu Current Tank Info: 45g softie reef (85 lbs rock), Penguin 350, Coralife 65g skimmer, 9 watt U.V., can filter, 120w LED light (chinese). 5.5 gallon spec v w/ modified overflow/return, 12lbs LR; BioCube29 w/ 36w Orbit LED w/ R.C. & 60lbs rock; 10g anenome tank

02/21/2016, 09:58 PM	#2
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	Added 6" Starry Blenny aka Bubba: Early Rock and Coral The Beginning of AQUASCAPING the wall (added 50 pounds of dry, "dead" ocean rock, which I paid $.94 a pound for including shipping). I originally added it to around 15-20 pounds of live rock Ordered in a Skimmer: Skimmer hooked up HOB style: Massive Polyp Rock I acquired for $45 including tax thanks to my great LFS Added a 10 gallon, 4 stage, 1200 L/hr canister filter with 9 watt UV Reef tanks 2 month "birthday":

02/21/2016, 09:59 PM	#3
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	Reef tank at 2 months and 10 days: Added a very small blue tang, which will be added into a 250 gallon reef being built at one of my companies show rooms within two years: Reef tank yesterday, at 2 months and 21 days old:

02/22/2016, 11:00 AM	#4
3dees Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago burbs Posts: 793	nice tank, but you may be going a bit too fast. might want to remove the hippo while you can. tank is way too small for any tang.

02/22/2016, 11:53 AM	#5
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	I was under the impression based on the previous tangs I've had, that he would take at least two years to grow to that 4-5" size from his current 2.25-2.5" size (I know they reach up to 1' by 4-5 years, from what I know, correct me if I'm wrong). Anyways, I have the tank and the financials to house him properly as he sizes, do you still think it's a problem to house him in there? I have 5 fish in there total including a neon goby. Also, do you think I'm adding coral too quickly? This is only my 5th reef tank, and my 9th saltwater tank in general. I actually just back into the hobby in June with the start of my Fluval Spec V (which is going well). I appreciate any input or suggestions, have a nice day.

03/04/2016, 12:13 PM	#6
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	Tank update 3/4/2016

03/05/2016, 03:55 PM	#7
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	Tank updtate 3/5/2016 \

03/07/2016, 12:45 PM	#8
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	Added some cord management today

03/30/2016, 04:33 AM	#9
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	Update: Here's a picture of the tank on 3/23/2016

04/26/2016, 09:25 PM	#10
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	4/26/2016 update / picture update tank no longer is producing the red algae in the sand bed. Replaced the penguin 350 x4 filter cartridges and found at least 200 visible pods and mysis growing in them, so I am pleased with my pod population for not having a refugium and being all H.O. except my can filter with built in UV. knock on wood. Been dosing with the 3 part kent marine reef supplement kit, and also feed every week with a high quality phytoplankton I keep in my fridge. I feed the fish 2-4 times a day, and feed them a large, large variety.

04/27/2016, 07:21 AM	#12
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224

05/09/2016, 02:49 AM	#13
Weene858 Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 18	Seems like you have quite a lot of bubbles floating around, or am I mistaken? Great tank nontheless.

05/26/2016, 09:32 AM	#14
jmbmmb27 Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Haughton, LA Posts: 16	nice tank! thanks for sharing

09/29/2016, 06:44 PM	#17
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	Here's a picture of the 45g as of today 90/29/2016

05/06/2017, 05:03 PM	#18
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	5/6/2017 Tank Update. free picture hosting for ebay

05/15/2017, 08:44 AM	#20
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	Thanks and you're welcome! I'd like to get more pictures of the progress up on this thread, and also create a complete build thread for my 150 soft reef!

06/30/2017, 06:17 PM	#23
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	__________________ DT: 150g w/ Trigger Systems Ruby 36 sump; DC12000 Return, G3 SKIMMER, RW8, WC15, MarsAqua 165w x2, 42 watt UV, Reactor, 4-way Doser, ATO 45g Softie reef all H.O.B - x1 MarsAqua 55g Softie Reef - Cu Current Tank Info: 45g softie reef (85 lbs rock), Penguin 350, Coralife 65g skimmer, 9 watt U.V., can filter, 120w LED light (chinese). 5.5 gallon spec v w/ modified overflow/return, 12lbs LR; BioCube29 w/ 36w Orbit LED w/ R.C. & 60lbs rock; 10g anenome tank

07/02/2017, 06:57 PM	#24
BaltimoreFish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 40	exsequr, Would love details on hang on growing algae for you. Pump, container, and light details would be great. I'm trying something similar and would like to leverage your experience.

07/21/2017, 11:51 PM	#25
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	BaltimoreFish, I use the Finnex, hang on LED refugium kit. I have set it up with the two partitions instead of three. I have live rock rubble and chaeto in the first partition, then I've got the more delicate red and calypto species in the second partition. Had some issues with cyano gunk/sludge build up on top in it's earlier days, but it's around 2 years old now, and the different macro's I have grow really well in there. I think it's been essential in my zoa growth. My main zoa colony has been known to "spit" 7+ heads in 1-2 weeks. And I think the H.O. refugium is actually advantageous over the typical sump refugium, as the micro fauna does not have to enter an impeller housing to reach the "DT". Hope this helps. __________________ DT: 150g w/ Trigger Systems Ruby 36 sump; DC12000 Return, G3 SKIMMER, RW8, WC15, MarsAqua 165w x2, 42 watt UV, Reactor, 4-way Doser, ATO 45g Softie reef all H.O.B - x1 MarsAqua 55g Softie Reef - Cu Current Tank Info: 45g softie reef (85 lbs rock), Penguin 350, Coralife 65g skimmer, 9 watt U.V., can filter, 120w LED light (chinese). 5.5 gallon spec v w/ modified overflow/return, 12lbs LR; BioCube29 w/ 36w Orbit LED w/ R.C. & 60lbs rock; 10g anenome tank