Wretch's 54g Aqueon RR Corner Build

[Wretch]

Well I am finally getting around to setting my tank up so figured I would let everyone see what I am doing.

Started with a 54g corner tank and thats about it.

http://i.imgur.com/iKyBW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hmq58.jpg

From there I needed a stand. With the strange location I chose and I wanted more room underneath I needed to build my own stand. I don't have any pictures of the build but I do wish i had used something besides plywood as it didn't finish that well.

http://i.imgur.com/A1dfP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oQIxxCQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IiLjSN1.jpg

Here are some of the supplies I bought for my tank. Some of these have been changed out but this is where I started.

http://i.imgur.com/z8Fuy.jpg

[hillegom]

Looks like you have lots of room in that stand. Coming along nicely, keep up with the pics

[Wretch]

For some reason I didn't take any pictures of just the stand after painting or individual pieces of equipment as they came in.

I got a custom sump made from J&L Aquatics. Its 18x18x16. It fits nicely and allows enough room for a salt bucket or two beside it.

http://i.imgur.com/eTiNkyO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7tG9YAZ.jpg

As you can see in the pictures I am going to be running a vertex IN-80 protein skimmer. The way I have it setup now is not the final positions of everything. I don't like the heaters where they are but not sure where to put them right now.

My return pump is a Eheim compact + 2000.

I have been messing around with my Marco rocks trying to find a scape I liked.

http://i.imgur.com/jNO4w24.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/l9ddL1n.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2m9jpc8.jpg

I finally settled on the following formation and glued it together with epoxy. Hope I like it for a long time.

http://i.imgur.com/EeiA16D.jpg

[Wretch]

I had purchased a light last year I am kinda regretting it now but I will live with it until it breaks or I can afford something else.

http://i.imgur.com/m1TREfq.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/WzIrNts.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3WtNxxi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6hW4nDh.jpg

It is a Twilight 120w LED light. Its has a custom designed light spectrum. It also has an internal 3 channel timer/dimmer. The lights seem bright enough and look good but I am kinda worried about control.

I made a light hanger out of aluminum, its a copy of another reefers design. Its not quite finished yet but it has got the light over the tank now.

http://i.imgur.com/QO5idSF.jpg

I am not sure if I want to lower the light. I am open to any suggestions other might have about it. Right now I think it is about 9" or 10" above the tank.

[Wretch]

Well its finally that time, to check if the tank leaks. I got my ro/di hooked up to the bathroom sink and am filling the sump.

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

So far everything seems to be good. No leaks in the sump and I have started pumping water into the display tank.

http://i.imgur.com/KSDEmdT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PraAQJM.jpg

Damn I didn't really think about how long filling 60+ gallons of tanks was going to take. Oh well a late night it will be. Sorry for the glare in the pictures couldn't get rid of it. Stupid iPhone.

[Stones]

Great start! Do you have any pics of building the aluminium light hanger or a better profile picture of it?

[kien]

indeed this is coming along nicely !

[Wretch]

Great start! Do you have any pics of building the aluminium light hanger or a better profile picture of it?

I don't have any close ups of it but I will take some for you. If you do a search for thedoogan reef you will find were I got the idea from. Its just a piece of 6061T6 aluminum flat bar 0.375 x 2", with 2 smaller piece of the same aluminum flat bar but 0.250 x .75".I drilled holes into the two smaller pieces to match my light then drilled them to attach to the large bar.

[Wretch]

Here are the pictures of the light hanger. As I say its not finished yet I just wanted it attached and what not so I could get water in the tank. Still have to shorten the bolts and clean it up a little.

http://i.imgur.com/36lEYAM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/e1MjDsG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/JKUbuT1.jpg

Hope this helps.

[Stones]

Thanks wretch. I was curious if the aluminium bar had been bent at 90 degrees or if you had 2 pieces jointed together to make a 90 degree elbow.

That hanger looks really slick. If you have the equipment, you could always take a cutoff wheel to the tops of the bolts holding the fixture to your aluminium hanger and cut them off just above the fastening nuts. A hacksaw would work equally well but would just take a bit more elbow grease to get the job done.

[hillegom]

Cutting with a cut off wheel would only take a min total for them all.
If you bring it over, I could do it in nothing flat.
Pm me

[Wretch]

Cutting with a cut off wheel would only take a min total for them all.
If you bring it over, I could do it in nothing flat.
Pm me
Thanks for the offer I want to change the nuts out then I will cut the excess bolt off. I just haven't got there yet.

[Wretch]

Well the leak test was going well until I noticed the tiniest of leaks just above my gate valve. When I tried to tighten it up I twisted the bulkhead and made things much worse.

Sump filled great. Holds all the back flow of water from the display tank plus the overflow is drained as well.

http://i.imgur.com/TPvGX5P.jpg

Display tank with empty overflow due to leaking bulkhead.

http://i.imgur.com/o8pQSIh.jpg

Damn bulkhead leak. I can't access it at the moment without draining the tank. I don't know if I should drain the tank or try and cut a bigger hole on the bottom of the stand so I can access the nut without draining.

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

PITA either way I guess.

[newsaltfan]

Cutting the bolts off and using acorn nuts will finish them off nicely.

[Wretch]

Well I managed to cut an ugly hole around my bulkheads and get them tightened up. Looks ugly as sin but it will work. I got some more pvc to move my gate valve down it was really tight to the back of the stand at its current height.

http://i.imgur.com/LhXHt2B.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8LtYBMe.jpg

Damn dremmel left a lot to be desired but it worked in a tight space.

[Wretch]

Well after butchering my stand to get access to the bulkheads, I got the leak fixed and added a down pipe before my gate valve so it was easier to install.

http://i.imgur.com/O2iAHFc.jpg

Tank and sump are full. No leaks to be found. Herbie is pretty much dialled in. I am still tweaking it a little here and there but I could probably just leave it alone. It is very quiet.

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

Tank is just about up to temperature. I can add my salt tomorrow if everything stays stable over night.

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

[Wretch]

Blah. The fun of setting up a new tank. Finally got temp to settle in and salinity right on. Then my 1 day old ATO stops working. It seemed to be working well for the day it was hooked up. I unplugged it once to fill the ATO bucket after using some of the water to balance my salinity. When I plugged it back in damn thing did nothing :sad: Tried all sort of plugging combinations and checked the pump but nothing did anything. Email sent to the store I bought it from hope to hear something tomorrow but who knows.

Here it is in its box nice and new.
http://i.imgur.com/UUK9HiH.jpg?1

Here it is in the sump about half way down on the right with the green light, working fine just after I added my sand.
http://i.imgur.com/yqomuic.jpg

[Wretch]

Well I heard back from the retailer I bought my ATO from and they passed my email onto the head tech at the manufacturer. I guess I am just waiting for monday for them to get back to me.

In the meantime I had a cycling tank so I went and did a little shopping. Needed tests and picked up some bacteria supplements as well.

http://i.imgur.com/2Ky1qhD.jpg

My tank had finally cleared up after adding the sand then I made it half way cloudy again trying to even it out.

http://i.imgur.com/r9wJFHp.jpg

Just took my first ammonia readings and they were NH3 0.4 and NH4 5. Do I need more NH3 for my cycle? or is it good to go as is?

Going to add the bio-spira now and see how it goes.

[jordsyke]

That smart ATO is the one that broke? I was looking at these and they seem simple and easy to use, U should do a review on it once you get it running

[Wretch]

That smart ATO is the one that broke? I was looking at these and they seem simple and easy to use, U should do a review on it once you get it running

Yes its the Smart ATO that isn't working. It is very simple so not really sure what could go wrong or how you would fix it without replacing it. Just waiting to hear from the manufactures tech.

[hillegom]

Did you wash that sand before adding?
Seems maybe its very fine

[Wretch]

Did you wash that sand before adding?
Seems maybe its very fine

I didn't wash it cause it was live sand. Fiji Pink.

[michika]

I'm liking where this is going.

[Wretch]

Well with the cycle well under way and the bio-spira added I thought I would run all the tests to see were I was.

Yesterday ammonia was NH3 0.4 and NH4 5.
Today after bio-spira it was NH3 0.0 and NH4 0.12.(well somewhere between .10 and .15)
Calcium - 360
Magnesium - 1200
Alk - 7
Nitrites - 1
Nitrates - 6

Using instant ocean salt.

Here is a picture of what the tank looks like now.

http://i.imgur.com/mzX5x4L.jpg

[Wretch]

Well after testing my tank for the last few days I have come to the conclusion that I don't like seachem test kits. Much Prefer the salifert test kits. Not sure either test kit is overly repeatable though.

I also have come to the conclusion that an ATO is a necessity not a optional piece of equipment. Makes me wish mine actually worked.

It seems like my ammonia is almost all gone now just waiting on nitrites to go away and nitrates to lower.

Started dosing microbacter7 as well today.

[Wretch]

Well its been 8 days since I started my cycle and it seems as if I am done. I started off by bumping ammonia to 5ppm by adding pure ammonia. Then I added a bottle of bio-spira and then 48 hours after that I started adding microbacter7 daily as per directions. Now my readings are as follows.

Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 1

It seems in my rush to get my display tank setup I managed to skip the part of quarantine tank. So I just rushed and put one together.

10g tank
Glass top(no jumpers getting out)
100w heater
Marineland penguin 100(kinda noisy for a little power filter) filled with sponge
sponge filter and air pump
small powerhead
thermometer
Will add some pvc elbows when I find them

http://i.imgur.com/CsMjd35.jpg?1

Have added ammonia to 5ppm to get cycle started.
Temperature set to 78. stable at 77.9
Salinity at 1.026
Added a bottle of bio-spira.

Anyone think another sponge filter would be good for a permanent QT tank? or enough bio filtration as is for a 10g tank?

[Wretch]

Time for a little update.

Display tank is completely cycled and I have added a small cleanup crew. I have the light on full time for the first time and once again I am not happy. The light is supposed to have 3 channels but it seems like all the lights come on all the time no matter how set. The lights do appear to ramp up and down but I can't split the colours and the moonlights don't come on. Also seem to get a crazy disco effect because of the water movement. This seems to be turning out to have been a live and learn purchase. I guess I will run it till it dies as I am not sending it back to china.

The quarantine tank is just about done its cycle as well. Ammonia and nitrite are at 0 just waiting for nitrate to come down from 2ppm. In the process of deciding on what fish will be first. I have a terrible case of indecision.

As for my broken Smart ATO I am now dealing with the manufacture. I was sent a new power supply but that didn't do anything so I am waiting to see where this goes.

I am now in the market for my first corals. Zoas, palys and some LPS are on the menu. I will be going to look at some coral tomorrow and hopefully get some frags. Will I be all fragged out before the frag swap?

[Wretch]

Well I got my first corals today. I would like to thank member Ryanerickson for allowing me come by and see his tank and for giving me a great deal on some frags. He also hooked me up with some coral rx as well, so thanks to him again.

Temperature acclimating frags
http://i.imgur.com/1uSWJZd.jpg?1

Frags in Tank(Sunny Ds, Magicians, Green Paly, Hammer)
http://i.imgur.com/D3aY21R.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/oyNOHBa.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/2uSHc0W.jpg?1

The nice blue/purple light is from of a piece of junk twilight 120w led fixture. It seems while I was out getting my first frags the damn white channel blew out. So now I am down 2 channels(whites and moonlights). Not a very happy camper right now. Hoping I can mess with it tomorrow but its not looking good. Going to get some pictures when everything opens back up but the damn light makes it hard to get good ones.

[Wretch]

Well my 2 wp10s arrived last week from Nick at Reef Supply Canada. I was kinda surprised at the size, as they were so small. I am replacing 2 hydor koralia evolution 750s. I am currently running them on else mode at full speed. Below is a size comparison of the two powerheads.

http://i.imgur.com/FBq84M1.jpg

I finally got my ATO situation wrapped up. Ray from GoReef was a great help. I am currently awaiting the arrival of a new control unit from Coralvue. It just cleared customs so it should be here soon.

Here is a Pic of my two clowns I got from Timbits at the frag swap. One is a regular Ocellaris Clown and one is an Extreme Misbar Ocellaris Clown. Currently in my quarantine tank.

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

This is a picture of my tank right now. Slowly filling in.

http://i.imgur.com/w1Brt2y.jpg

[Timbits]

Lookin good Joe!! :mrgreen: following along

[Wretch]

Well I haven't posted anything on this tank for a long time but then nothing was really happening. Went through a bit of algae and still dealing with some diatoms but finally have water conditions where I want them. I hope.

Just picked up a couple fish from Oceanic Corals.

http://i.imgur.com/m0tEvD2.jpg

Was hard to get a good picture of the coral beauty its is much brighter in person.

http://i.imgur.com/VQ3G9Vq.jpg

These should be the last fish I add. Time to start filling in all the naked rock work.

[Wretch]

Well thought I would post a few tank shots. I will have some equipment updates to come soon.

Full tank shot.

http://i.imgur.com/ZhKyZg9.jpg

Right side of tank.

http://i.imgur.com/niO44Ah.jpg

Left side of tank.

http://i.imgur.com/7zCGeto.jpg

Back of tank from the right.

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

[WarDog]

Ahhhh, so this is your tank! I was trying to remember it yesterday. Awesome build and looking good! Nice to meet you buds!

[Bblinks]

Good stuff Joe! Keep em pictures coming. :biggrin:

[AquaAddict]

Hi,

I have a 92 gal corner tank situated in a corner of our front landing (too noisy for anywhere else).

I am wondering how you attached your powerheads. I can only use the old max-jets with suction cups because there is no access to the outsides of the corner walls of glass. The old maxi-jets have been discontinued and the new ones don't work at all. So, I don't know what to do to replace my Maxi's and they are getting older and noisier.

AquaAddict

[Wretch]

Hi,

I have a 92 gal corner tank situated in a corner of our front landing (too noisy for anywhere else).

I am wondering how you attached your powerheads. I can only use the old max-jets with suction cups because there is no access to the outsides of the corner walls of glass. The old maxi-jets have been discontinued and the new ones don't work at all. So, I don't know what to do to replace my Maxi's and they are getting older and noisier.

AquaAddict

I wish I could be of some help but if you look at my first post my tank doesn't sit in a tight corner. So I am able to get down the sides and use magnets.

[reefwars]

Looks awesome I love reef raft builds :mrgreen:

NSW for water changes? :pp

[Wretch]

Looks awesome I love reef raft builds :mrgreen:

NSW for water changes? :pp

lol. Thanks. When I bought the tank they called it an Aqueon Reef Ready (RR) hadn't even heard of Reef Raft yet. :redface:

[Fishy!]

Awesome scape. Can't wait to see it fill in. Tagging along!

[Wretch]

So I started to add some SPS to my tank and I figured I better get a doser cause I am kinda lazy and dont want to manual dose. I ordered a Jebao doser from fish-street last Monday and and it arrived last Thursday. I was also getting tired of using a 5 gallon bucket as my ATO reservoir. So I took a 10 gallon fish tank and fit it under the stand instead of the bucket. The tank didn't fit so I used to 2x4s to raise the tank and it fit perfect.

http://i.imgur.com/P5j6Xn5.jpg

I finally got time to set the doser up today and everything seem to work great. I calibrated all 4 pumps and they all seem to be spot on. I programmed the first 2 pumps for Calcium and Alkalinity as I had them on hand. They are set to dose 12 times a day. Calcium will dose on all the odd hours and alkalinity on all the even hours.

http://i.imgur.com/5xJIxki.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RZwk6IM.jpg

The magnesium bottle is empty as I didn't have any magnesium chloride or sulphate on hand. I have to run out and get some as I am a little low after a water change. Magnesium at 1260.

Here is what my tank area looks like now. Only blue lights are on in the photo.

http://i.imgur.com/cvYIuHh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Oao103M.jpg

Now I just need to acquire a few more SPS frags. :biggrin:

[Wretch]

Well I am slowly adding to my sps collection. Just picked up a few things from Ryan Erickson. Great guy to deal with.

Collection so far:

- Blue Tenius
- Red Mille
- Cali Tort
- Glow Stick
- Blue Mille (I think)
- Red Planet
- Purple Pocci
- Green Pocci
- Green birdsnest
- bonsai

Maybe another 5 frags, 10 at the most. :redface: Will try to get some pictures soon but my camera skills suck.

[Bblinks]

Picture of nothing happened. :mrgreen:

[Wretch]

Ok here are some pictures sorry they suck.

Cali Tort
http://i.imgur.com/YZcAq59.jpg

Blue Tenius
http://i.imgur.com/koxZ94v.jpg

Not sure on this one
http://i.imgur.com/XhTFA53.jpg

Red Planet
http://i.imgur.com/hq6bcCY.jpg

Glow Stick
http://i.imgur.com/MEDcdh5.jpg

Duncans
http://i.imgur.com/VKIZQzV.jpg

Elegance
http://i.imgur.com/rCYUXag.jpg

[Wretch]

A few more pictures of some zoas.

http://i.imgur.com/Jd9yXqD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dl1rOeM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/g0DCRAe.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9xNtDNB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/TY7JBxh.jpg

[Wretch]

A few more shots that aren't that good.

Sunny Ds
http://i.imgur.com/PbfjDK4.jpg

Acans
http://i.imgur.com/r5lnHhl.jpg

Red Mille
http://i.imgur.com/SbQFJgL.jpg

Green Palys that just won't die
http://i.imgur.com/EBI13Lh.jpg

[reefwithareefer]

Tank is looking good. I have those green palys as well. All the things I have done to mess up my tank and they are still around too.

[Wretch]

Well it looks like my Elegance is on its last legs. I think I am gonna give LPS a break and stick to SPS as they seem happier in my system.

Yesterday it looked like this.

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


Now it looks like this.

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

[Wretch]

Well after having a chat with Rich I have decided to take my gfo reactor off line and go with all in one biopellets. My nitrates are a wee bit high 10ppm :redface: I did a bit of reading online about them last night and seems people are having good success with them. My phosphates are unreadable right now so I took my gfo out and cleaned the reactor getting it ready for the biopellets.

The only place I found the all in one biopellets was reef supplies.ca. Since I was going to have to pay for shipping I figured might as well get some other stuff. So I ordered a tunze long cleaning magnet and a rw-8 as well. Ended up with free shipping which is good I think. :confused:

[Wretch]

Well all my stuff from reef supplies.ca showed up today as well as my chauvet power bar.

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

I couldn't wait to use the tunze cleaner as I hadn't cleaned my glass since I ordered it. The glass is as clean as it was when new, just about. Great product. Thanks Rich.

http://i.imgur.com/13FZIjg.jpg

The RW-8 is in the tank as well right now, as you could see in the above picture. It is currently kicking up a huge sandstorm and my tank is all white.

http://i.imgur.com/Jc2CjQP.jpg

Great flow, was a little noisy when it first started up but quietened down now. Getting this powerhead allowed me to take out koralia 750 and a WP-10 which I promptly broke while cleaning. :redface: So off to fish-street to order some parts.

The AIO biopellets are soaking in water for 24 hours before I get them on line. The instructions recommended 50-200ml of pellets per 25g but I started with 50ml. I figured I will run for a week then add another 50ml then check my numbers.

As for the power bar I am currently thinking about building/buying a box I can install both of them in outside my stand. I may still mount them in the stand but I can decide how to mount them in a way I like.

[WarDog]

Awesome sauce!

[Bblinks]

Any updates buddy? How's the tank doin?

[Wretch]

Any updates buddy? How's the tank doin?

lol. Just posted an update today, its on the other page. Biopellets going online tomorrow. Elegance seems to have returned to normal. Waiting on my order from fragbox. Tunze scraper is great. RW-8 Lots of flow. Will see you on saturday. :biggrin:

What do growth tips on red planet look like?

[Bblinks]

lol. Just posted an update today, its on the other page. Biopellets going online tomorrow. Elegance seems to have returned to normal. Waiting on my order from fragbox. Tunze scraper is great. RW-8 Lots of flow. Will see you on saturday. :biggrin:

What do growth tips on red planet look like?

Awesome sauce!

Usually white tips.

[WarDog]

Awesome sauce!

Hey!:evil:

[Bblinks]

Hey!:evil:

Yessss...

[Wretch]

Awesome sauce!

Usually white tips.

ok. I am getting some greenish white tips on mine.

[Bblinks]

That specific species changes quite dramatically from tank to tank, I don't think you need to worry too much about it. Just sit back and watch it grow unless it's white tips with green algae growing on it...then you gotta worry.

[Wretch]

That specific species changes quite dramatically from tank to tank, I don't think you need to worry too much about it. Just sit back and watch it grow unless it's white tips with green algae growing on it...then you gotta worry.

No algae in the tank really. Definitely none on any corals. I shall wait and see how it develops then.

[Wretch]

My AIO biopellets are up and running now. I think I am going to have to change the pump though as I am just barely correctly tumbling 50ml of the pellets now. When I add more I am sure it won't be tumbling at all. Currently running a 150gh pump looking at a maxi-jet 1200 or a Eheim Compact Pump 1000. Not sure which way I will go yet.

[Wretch]

Just a small equipment update. I finally figured out how to install my power bars in my stand. I ended up using some nylon coated galvanized strapping to hold the free floating ends of the power bars as there was nothing to screw to on one side. The other side I just screwed into the stand. Worked like a charm. Tried to organize the cords as well but what a pain in the butt with cords going all different places. Any ways here is how it ended up looking.

http://i.imgur.com/267Y9uc.jpg

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

[hillegom]

I like the way you organized that.
Looks good, clean.

[Wretch]

I like the way you organized that.
Looks good, clean.

I like the way I have most of the components installed. I still need to work on the cables a bit. When I add my next RW-8 I will try to clean the cables a little more.

[Wretch]

I have been thinking about doing an SPS only tank for a while now but I finally decided to do it. I made a frag rack out of my old mag float and some egg crate and pulled all my zoas out of my rock work. Some were overly attached to the rock work and were left behind, but not enough to worry about at the moment. Any way heres some pics of my rack and zoas.

http://i.imgur.com/f0TJlX4.jpg

Random green and orange zoa and Armor of Gods
http://i.imgur.com/329v6bT.jpg

AoG, Magicians, Pink and blue zoa, Nuclear Greens
http://i.imgur.com/UEI2Mmx.jpg

Sunny Ds, Cats eyes, Purple Deaths
http://i.imgur.com/IYhOFh4.jpg

Tubbs Blue, Purple and Green Zoa, AoG
http://i.imgur.com/H4xJyUA.jpg

Thats a candy apple red thats closed up at the back.

[WarDog]

Welcome to the dark side!

[Wretch]

Welcome to the dark side!

I am not sure how dark it is but it sure does look nice. :big grin:

Now I just have to let everything get acclimated again then I will be posting an add to sell off the zoas and other non SPS things. If anyone sees anything they like shoot me a pm. Ad should be up by next week I hope.

[gregzz4]

:biggrin:Welcome to the dark side!
+1 Dude !!

SPS all the way :biggrin:

[Bblinks]

That's awesome Joe. Just in case you want to get rid of those zoas I can take care of them for you...:mrgreen:

[Wretch]

That's awesome Joe. Just in case you want to get rid of those zoas I can take care of them for you...:mrgreen:

Whats going on here? You want to put soft squishy things in that tank full of hard sticks? :confused:

[Bblinks]

Whats going on here? You want to put soft squishy things in that tank full of hard sticks? :confused:

I like a variety....you know, keep
It interesting.

[Wretch]

I like a variety....you know, keep
It interesting.

Shoot me a text if anything looks interesting. Hoping to get an add up for next week.

[Wretch]

Just a small update. I have most of the softies out of my tank, so I finally get to run the two RW-8s at full power. I am currently running them in H mode. They are both switching on and off and running at 100%. Little bit cloudy in the tank at the moment but most of it should settle out. Waiting to order some sps so I will have some pictures after that.

[Wretch]

Another small update. I joined a group order from Incredible Aquarium and got some sps.

http://i.imgur.com/tmITQ4A.jpg

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

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

This terrible pick is of my brown jedi finally becoming blue.

http://i.imgur.com/2HuaxWV.jpg

And a few tank shots.

Right side of tank.
http://i.imgur.com/0qxcVo9.jpg

Left Side of tank.
http://i.imgur.com/X2lujQz.jpg

Full tanks shots.
http://i.imgur.com/KUaQDNP.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/qMmn4e5.jpg

[Bblinks]

It's filling up fast just like mine! Lol

[Wretch]

It's filling up fast just like mine! Lol

Well thats as full as its going to get for a while, as frag/fish money is on hold for a bit. I do have a few empty spots left and if you wish to donate some frags I would gladly fill them in. :biggrin:

[Wretch]

Just a quick update. My tank has taken a little bit of a beating with all the heat, new job/summer neglect. I have had a couple sps bleach out and getting more algae then I want. I have decided to change out my all in one bio pellets or at least mix them with regular ones as I can't get enough flow to keep them tumbling and I dont want to buy a new reactor. I am also going to augment them with the use of fozdown.

For some reason I have yet to discover my protein skimmer has stopped producing. I Have checked it and there are plenty of bubbles all the way up to the cup but they dont seem to spill over. I was thinking maybe the 2 fans I have pointed at it might be doing something to it but I dont know. Will have to give it a better look on the weekend. Set it to run a little wetter for now.

Fish all doing nicely. Most the sps are doing well besides the few casualties. I just upped the alk/cal on doser a little as well. Have to make a fish store run on the weekend and hopefully I can get everything back in order soon.

Hope everyone is enjoying our beautiful weather and not reading this.

[gregzz4]

Hope everyone is enjoying our beautiful weather and not reading this.
It's WC night, so I'm stuck in my sump room :lol:

Have you changed how you feed your tank lately? If your nutrients are ultra low your skimmer will basically quit. Also, if the venturi is plugging up on the air inlet side you won't get much foam and will in turn get a higher water level, or even an overflowing skimmer.

[Wretch]

It's WC night, so I'm stuck in my sump room :lol:

Have you changed how you feed your tank lately? If your nutrients are ultra low your skimmer will basically quit. Also, if the venturi is plugging up on the air inlet side you won't get much foam and will in turn get a higher water level, or even an overflowing skimmer.

First thing i checked was the venturi. Everything seems to be working, I will check it tomorrow again.

No changes in feeding.

[Wretch]

Well I guess its time for an update. My tank suffered complete die off when we had the big power outage a while ago. I have been neglecting it since then, only topping up the water. Seems I now have an algae garden that blows beautifully side to side as the water pulses. Long hair algae is growing all over the glass and sand. A little bit of tiny bubble algae on some of the rocks. Not the most pleasing site in the world.

http://i.imgur.com/S3yQzWK.jpg?2 (http://imgur.com/S3yQzWK)http://i.imgur.com/fZWdJPU.jpg?2 (http://imgur.com/fZWdJPU)

So now begins the quest to start again. Just picking up some salt today. Going to scrape everything off and sucks everything out then do a water change. Hopefully things look ok after that or I might end up changing the rock and maybe the sand not sure yet. Hopefully I can update this thread soon with something more appealing then the pictures above.

What does one do with used sand and rock? I live in a condo its not like I can put it in my yard.

[Wretch]

Well I finally got around to giving the tank a good old cleaning. I made up some water.

http://i.imgur.com/FfvpXRA.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/FfvpXRA)http://i.imgur.com/rnKXRAF.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/rnKXRAF)

Pulled out what dead frags would come out.

http://i.imgur.com/EJw2My5.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/EJw2My5)

Scraped as much gunk off as I could then changed the water.

http://i.imgur.com/Ip8bcPD.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/Ip8bcPD)

I just gave the tank another scrape and have another batch of water ready to go, so I will be doing a water change soon. Tanks looks 100 times better and I think I will be ready for another clean up crew next week.

[WarDog]

Looks better than it did last week, that's for sure buddy!

Watch out for the obvious ammonia spike and perhaps a mini cycle.

[Wretch]

Well I decided this time to try and keep my fish stocking on the more conservative side. If anyone sees anything out of place or order let me know thanks.

First additions: Diamond watchmen Goby and Royal Gramma
Second: 2 clowns most likely oce/percs
Third: Starcki Damsel
Fourth: Six line Wrasse(maybe a different wrasse but I do like six lines)

[Wretch]

Well I jumped on the group order and got a nice 9 piece frag pack from Fragbox. The sorta first pieces I put back into my tank. I got a few frags from Wardog before the other frags showed up later that day.

All the frags loaded on the rack
http://i.imgur.com/UrCDfQ3.jpg (http://imgur.com/UrCDfQ3)

Some closer shots of the frags.
http://i.imgur.com/uSWmxFM.jpg (http://imgur.com/uSWmxFM)http://i.imgur.com/u0IEfUs.jpg (http://imgur.com/u0IEfUs)http://i.imgur.com/64d0k4A.jpg (http://imgur.com/64d0k4A)http://i.imgur.com/FF7JCSS.jpg (http://imgur.com/FF7JCSS)

[WarDog]

You are back in the game buddy!

[rishu_pepper]

Nice to see you back, Joe. Whatever didn't kill you, gonna make you stronger!

I got some LR and chaeto you can have if you wanna grab some.

[Bblinks]

Yeah buddy!

[Wretch]

Well my tank is coming along slowly. Here is a shot of my frag rack. Thanks to Fragbox, Warren, Walter and Peter for the frags.

http://i.imgur.com/JV8cY4r.jpg (http://imgur.com/JV8cY4r)

These are the first fish I have added.

http://i.imgur.com/lH5Gwu1.jpg (http://imgur.com/lH5Gwu1)

A few close up coral shots with my crap phone.

http://i.imgur.com/Gdth2Zi.jpg (http://imgur.com/Gdth2Zi)

http://i.imgur.com/8GzNajG.jpg (http://imgur.com/8GzNajG)

http://i.imgur.com/VPJqsRJ.jpg (http://imgur.com/VPJqsRJ)

[maron6977]

Nice , looks good so far !
Glad to see it back up & running

[gregzz4]

Good to see you're still at it Joe :smile:

[Wretch]

Fish Update:

I have had just 2 clown fish in my tank since i got it up and running again, so I went and got a few more. In went 5 Vanderbilt chromis and 1 falco hawkfish.

Day 1 - everyone alive lights out.
Day 2 - 4 chromis found 1 hawkfish. (1 chromis found being consumed by emerald and scarlet crabs)
Day 3 - 2 chromis found 1 hawkfish (1 more chromis being consumed by crabs can't find the other)
Day 4 - Who knows.....

[maron6977]

That sucks

[Wretch]

That sucks

Yep. Not much I can do but hope the last 2 are fine and that the crabs enjoyed the sushi I served them.

[maron6977]

Curious , where did you get fish ?

[Wretch]

Curious , where did you get fish ?

Purchased locally in Surrey. Originated from Vanuatu.

[WarDog]

Purchased locally in Surrey. Originated from Vanuatu.

You mean Net Caught Marines Direct?

[Wretch]

You mean Net Caught Marines Direct?

That would be the place.

[duncangweller]

You mean Net Caught Marines Direct?
Where's that?

[Aquattro]

Where's that?

Surrey.

It seems these chromis tend to die a lot. I tried to order some, but by the time we could arrange delivery, they were all dead.

[The Guy]

Glad your back at it Joe, for what it's worth I've never had much luck with chromis either.

[Wretch]

Glad your back at it Joe, for what it's worth I've never had much luck with chromis either.

I guess if I look at it in a good way only having 2 chromis allows me to add more different fish.

[Wretch]

Well there is nothing good about losing fish but buying new fish is always fun. So I had to go to BCIT to pickup my books for school and it just so happened that J&L was on the way home. I have been looking for a nice little tomini tang for a while now and lo and behold they had two of the little guys. Both were small but paid the extra $10 for the nicer looking one. I had been looking for a diamond goby as well but no luck with that. I did see some six spot sleepers though so one of those came home as well. A good trip from not so great a few days. Its water change day so will try to get some pictures up after cleaning.

[The Guy]

I've had good luck with livestock from J&L.

[Wretch]

Tried to snap a couple pictures with my phone but the light is just awful. Since I tried I will post them any way.

My hawkfish just chilling on the sand. Love the personality.
http://i.imgur.com/osw6eqs.jpg (http://imgur.com/osw6eqs)

Couple shots of the Tomini. Its swims all over nibbling at everything already so hard to get a good picture.
http://i.imgur.com/HeKTvp0.jpg (http://imgur.com/HeKTvp0)
http://i.imgur.com/YLvfMLO.jpg (http://imgur.com/YLvfMLO)

[The Guy]

Hawkfish are very cool with lots of personality my long nose comes right up and eats out of my hand along with my Starry Blenny.
see you tomorrow at town hall pub.

[Bblinks]

Looking pretty sweet Joe.