Flip's 30g Rimless Shallow Reef

[flipsideleo]

So, I figured I'd start up a thread here for the intents and purposes of keeping my RC buddies in the loop on what I'm up to these days. This is my first build thread here, and it definitely won't be my last. I'm a very indecisive individual and knowing that is half the battle (as they say).

So, a little about the tank:

- It's setup right now, but I have lots to do.
- GlassCages 24"x24"x12" Rimless with their glass-style overflow.
- Icecap electronic ballast with a Radium 250 mogul. Cheapy reflector (spider, I believe). All tucked up in a floating canopy.
- SWC Xtreme 160 Cone for skimming.
- 2 x BRS dosing pumps, and their two part.
- Neptune Apex controller.
- Gravity fed ATO using a Eshopps float switch.
- Teeny-weeny refugium with nothing in it right now.
- MP40 and Koralia K1 for flow. Temporary, though...

Livestock (as of today):

- Bangaii Cardinal
- Chromis
- LM Blenny
- Grade B Picasso Clown
- RBTA
- Cats Paw coral
- some other unknown named corals, too...

I don't have any pictures right now, but I will post some up as I go. I'm currently in the process of building a new stand for the tank, and finishing the floating canopy. Meanwhile, I will be adding more corals and redoing my rockwork as I go. Most of the inhabitants that I have in the tank now are from a tank I just took down. This nano is designed to keep me in the hobby until the wife and I decide what kind of house we want to buy. Right now, we're leasing a home and I don't want to rip a hole in my landlords crib!

Any way, wish me luck!

[ange062]

Sounds like a sweet setup, look forward to pics! As a fellow Houston reefer, I'm curious to hear who your favorite LFS is?

[flipsideleo]

Hey! Awesome to see another Houstonian on here!

Honestly, I don't really frequent the LFS' as much as I wish I could. I just don't have the time. When I'm in a pinch, I call around and go to the one that has what I want. Though, I'll probably be paying more than I want to spend... Especially considering gas costs... Ugh...

[ange062]

Originally Posted by flipsideleo

Hey! Awesome to see another Houstonian on here!

Honestly, I don't really frequent the LFS' as much as I wish I could. I just don't have the time. When I'm in a pinch, I call around and go to the one that has what I want. Though, I'll probably be paying more than I want to spend... Especially considering gas costs... Ugh...

Yeah, that's understandable. I fortunately have two cool shops between work and my house so no excuse not to stop by. Not to mention that between them I can get just about anything I want at a fair price. I don't mind spending a few bucks extra to support my local guys, but I am obviously not going to get taken to the cleaners either.

[flipsideleo]

They're all pretty reasonable. It seems the livestock fluctuates a lot in price, but the dry goods are all about the same price... too much! LOL! No, really... not that bad, but more than I want to spend.

Well, I have been to all the shops around here except All About Fish. That's just too long of a drive for me (I have a gas guzzler, too... as most of us Texans roll). I know Dennis/FJW really well. He's a good friend of mine and we used-to do a lot of trading back and forth before he went from his Liquor Store to a full-on reefin' business. I also know Q and Raymond at TNT enough that they know when "Flipside" is in their store. Donnie and David at City Pets have always been good to me and they know my face... I don't know if they know who I am on the boards though...

Now that I think about it, you're initial question is a loaded one, really. It would probably be easier to ask me, "which LFS do you avoid?" That's easy. That one up on 242 (Fish R Us, I believe).

[ange062]

Originally Posted by flipsideleo

They're all pretty reasonable. It seems the livestock fluctuates a lot in price, but the dry goods are all about the same price... too much! LOL! No, really... not that bad, but more than I want to spend.

Well, I have been to all the shops around here except All About Fish. That's just too long of a drive for me (I have a gas guzzler, too... as most of us Texans roll). I know Dennis/FJW really well. He's a good friend of mine and we used-to do a lot of trading back and forth before he went from his Liquor Store to a full-on reefin' business. I also know Q and Raymond at TNT enough that they know when "Flipside" is in their store. Donnie and David at City Pets have always been good to me and they know my face... I don't know if they know who I am on the boards though...

Now that I think about it, you're initial question is a loaded one, really. It would probably be easier to ask me, "which LFS do you avoid?" That's easy. That one up on 242 (Fish R Us, I believe).

I do a lot with Tran out at Fish Ranch on 59, he always gets me close to internet prices on dry goods, and although he doesn't stock a whole lot of "cool" livestock, he has been very successful in getting me awesome stuff on special order for a good price.

I know Donnie and David over at City Pets well too, I buy all my SPS from them because they always stock ORA frags and have the best selection around. They actually have pretty aggressive prices on dry stuff also.

TNT is a very cool shop (especially in their new location) but it's way too far of a drive for me to make on any kind of regular basis. Aquarium World has the MOST OUTRAGEOUS prices on dry goods, but a nice selection of fish (though above average on cost on those). Fish Gallery's new store is pretty aweful still (young tanks), but surprisingly their dry goods aren't priced that high even though livestock is. Only other one I have been to is Fish Land and wasn't that impressed.

Never been to FJW but will have to check them out because they are actually close to me.

Anyway, didn't mean to hijack your thread, just interesting to talk to a local. Look forward to pics of your setup!

[flipsideleo]

Oh, it's all good. I pretty much agree with you. I went to AW once... ONCE! LOL!

Thanks too! I'll try to get some pics up as soon as I can. My workplace has a block photobucket.

[mordibv]

Subscribed .

[flipsideleo]

Originally Posted by mordibv

Subscribed .

Woo hoo! My brutha' frum anutha' mutha! I'm honored!

[mordibv]

Sup bro

Looking good ... LOL

[flipsideleo]

Thanks P! I don't have eleventy-billion frags in mine like you do... yet... But, I'll get there!

So, here's a few shots of how the tank's looking tonight. I have about a 2" sandbed and I'm just trying it out. I like running my tanks BB, so this will be different. I'm not sure if I like it yet...


Pardon all the blue... still trying to adjust my white balance, with the Radium bulb.








Here's some new zoas I got tonight. These are Eagle Eye Zoas.


And "I think" these are Mean Greens. Love 'em both! I have another little colony of some blue one's, but they didn't open up tonight. I'll try to get a pic of them soon.

[flipsideleo]

Here's some pics I took the other day:

[flipsideleo]

Some fabrication shots:

[flipsideleo]

And that's all I really have right now. A buddy of mine is going to give me a sand-sifting cucumber here soon, as well as some chaeto. Hopefully the chaeto will seed the tank with some pods, and keep the bad stuff in the sump and out of my DT.

Again, most of these frags are from my old tank and I'm actually just nursing them back to health right now. I had a problem with my controller last week that forced my outlets to the dosing pumps to stay on all day. I came home to caked up glass, and some pretty ticked off corals! The guys at Neptune were great in assisting me with the issue, but my corals are still trying to bounce back.

[kcochran0010]

I love your tank!!

[hiendmusic1]

WOW. You make that small tank look very good, Leo

[flipsideleo]

Originally Posted by kcochran0010

I love your tank!!

And I love YOU for loving my tank!

Thanks for tagging along!

[flipsideleo]

Originally Posted by hiendmusic1

WOW. You make that small tank look very good, Leo

THANKS!!!!! I'm not used-to these little tanks yet but it's growing on me. My favorite part is the maintenance! My old water changes (last tank) were about 27-30 gallons/week. Now, it's like 5-10g/week. I'm saving tons in salt mix alone!

[kcochran0010]

I have a 34 gallon solana. I have always loved the "square" "cube" tanks. I am also a fan of 20G Longs and 40 breeders because of their Shallow appearance and yours is a shallow cube!!== Dream come true!!

[flipsideleo]

Originally Posted by kcochran0010

I have a 34 gallon solana. I have always loved the "square" "cube" tanks. I am also a fan of 20G Longs and 40 breeders because of their Shallow appearance and yours is a shallow cube!!== Dream come true!!

Oh yeah! I like the look of those little tanks, too!

Solana, huh? I love the way those look too. Makes for a great bonsai rockscape endeavor.

[ange062]

Lookin sweet man, corals look like they are starting to color up again and really like the spectrum of the radium.

[flipsideleo]

Thanks bro!

The white balance is off a bit on the full tank shots, but the macros are pretty accurate.

So, you all don't think a 250w Radium is too much for this tank? I'm 16" off the surface.

[ange062]

Originally Posted by flipsideleo

Thanks bro!

The white balance is off a bit on the full tank shots, but the macros are pretty accurate.

So, you all don't think a 250w Radium is too much for this tank? I'm 16" off the surface.

No such thing as too much light IMO.

FJW is a cool shop btw, thanks for the rec! Dennis is a cool guy and they have a great selection of the more exclusive stuff.

[mordibv]

[QUOTE=flipsideleo;19428967]Thanks P! I don't have eleventy-billion frags in mine like you do... yet... But, I'll get there!


Quit pouring the salt ur making my salinity go up .

Nah.................. as far as the Radium is . I don't think it's too much . I have the 250 LB mini over the 20 x 20 x 10 cube . Helios 20k which is similar to a Aquaconnect bulb .I am pretty sure I am punching more due to the Pendant and bulb and over driving . Radiums do not get that crisp color unless over driven . Favias are getting a beating but Acans and SPS are doing well .


!!

[flipsideleo]

Originally Posted by ange062

No such thing as too much light IMO.

FJW is a cool shop btw, thanks for the rec! Dennis is a cool guy and they have a great selection of the more exclusive stuff.

Wow! You're fast! LOL! Yes, Dennis has a passion for the game. That place of his used-to be a liquor store. He had all kind-of reef tanks going in there, though. We used-to do a lot of trading, buying, and selling from each other, and just developed a good friendship. I was glad to see when he converted his liquor store to a full-on reef shop, but of course, now I can't get my liquor and frags in a one-stop shop.

Good to hear about the light, too. My corals are responding nicely to it, so I'll keep it on there for a couple more weeks to see how it does. I have a DIY LED fixture as a backup if things get outta' hand.