JDigital's 75G RR. (Updated)

[JDigital]

Hey all,

I have been going through countless tank journal threads, and they are so inspiring I couldn't help but start my own.

However I never planned to do a journal so my pics will be starting from the time I already had water in the tank. :lol:

Anyways, I am running the following so far:

Standard LFS 54G 36"x18"x18"
2x Koralia 3 Powerheads
30lbs Aragonite Sand
20lbs Caribsea Live Sand
Instant Ocean Salt
T5HO Lighting 2x39W 18000K (Lighting will be getting revamped now that I have done more reading this weekend. haha Any suggestions would be great)
Whisper60 with LR Rubble.

I am waiting until next weekend to add the LR.. Looking at about 50-60lbs.

With Flash:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/SWReef1.jpg

Without Flash and T5 18000K.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/SWReef2.jpg

Thanks for Looking!
Josh.

[Myka]

T5HO Lighting 2x39W 18000K (Lighting will be getting revamped now that I have done more reading this weekend. haha Any suggestions would be great)


I have the exact same T5 unit you do. It does the job. :) I have a Giesemann AquaBlue+ and a Giesemann Actinic+ in my fixture, and I think it looks really good. I've tried a few different bulbs in it, and I'm happy with the current bulbs.

[JDigital]

Not a huge update at all, but decided to reinforce the stand that I am using. Now I just need some black cloth to wrap the stand in. Its an eye sore! Haha!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/SWReef3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/SWReef4.jpg

[Parker]

If my better half saw one of her pots next to my tank she would beat me with it! lol

Looks good so far, be sure to keep updating!

[JDigital]

If my better half saw one of her pots next to my tank she would beat me with it! lol

Looks good so far, be sure to keep updating!

LOL. I don't have a better half to keep happy, so I am pretty safe.

Added the first batch of live rock on thursday, was 16-17lbs worth. Really nice porous stuff. Was a bit of work to get it down to the glass, I think my sand might be a bit deep.. haha.

Murky Tank Shot.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/SWReef5.jpg

After it had settled.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/SWReef6.jpg

[JDigital]

Picked up another 17# batch of LR today and an Actinic bulb to swap out with one of my 18K bulbs. So running 1x18K and 1xActinic T5s... Really like the new color of the tank with the Actinic light!

I changed my aquascape today after getting the new rock home... I like it ALOT better. Still got some more to add next weekend.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/Reef7.jpg

[JDigital]

Well.... my sumpless build is coming to a screeching halt!! After a discussion this weekend with a friend who is a running a 90G setup, and basically getting ripped a new one about not running a sump, my plans have changed. (sucks to be a newbie... even when you do as much researching/reading as you can)

So....... I had pondered the idea of a Herbie style overflow system after some discussion with the guys at Red Coral.. and had decided on going that route, but I didn't like the idea of the external overflow.. and I got directed towards this style instead, and its the way I am gonna go.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1310585

I prefer the internal overflow to save external room around the tank, should allow for alot more surfacing skimming (24" across 4" at either end) compared to the screened bulkheads required for the herbie style.

Picked up the acrylic tonight, and got my pieces cut to size. Cutting acrylic is something I don't want to do again!!

4 Panels
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/4pc.jpg

And the mess that is creates... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/mess.jpg

Tomorrow..... Silicone!

[JDigital]

Well... after countless headaches trying to figure this out to add a overflow/sump, and hitting numerous roadblocks.... I have caved.. I went to a LFS today, to look at some 23-29G tanks for a sump, and saw a 75G RR (Single Cornerflo) tank tucked into the corner (even comes with some of the plumbing hardware)...... So......... I bought it (lay away till the weekend).. :razz:

75G will be the new display tank, 54G will be a sump/fuge.

In the end, i think it will only be a difference in cost of about $50 more... which in mind will be worth it, bigger display, no worries about drilling my 54, no headaches trying to add an overflow... etc etc. I think I will be much happier with this setup.

EDIT:
If your curious what I am gonna do with the "wasted" acrylic... I am gonna build myself a viewing box for my camera. :D

[untamed]

Did you cut that acrylic with a knife?!!!

[JDigital]

Did you cut that acrylic with a knife?!!!

Yea.. It's made for scoring plastics and acrylic sheets. 1/4" max thickness.

You score it down about 1/16" then set it along a solid straight edge... grip, and SNAP it...

Like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzHnjo2K3Nw

[Red Coral Aquariums]

Great start!! Bigger is always better with a reef tank.
Kevin

[JDigital]

Tank stand is pretty much framed.. I've got a few finishing panels to add..
Thanks have to go out to a friend of mine for the help, and tools! haha!

Pretty much built the whole stand out of 2x6.. The thing is bomb proof! :mrgreen:

During the Build:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/IMG00242.jpg

Finished, and back home:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/IMG_0042.jpg

Just need to pick up the tank this weekend.. get everything set in place, plumbed.

I think the transfer of LR and Sand is gonna be tricky. But that is a few days away.

[ElGuappo]

looks good coming along nicly.

[Boomboy]

nice stand, that thing could hold up a car, cant wait to see the rr tank, looks great, keep us posted. cant wait to see more.

[JDigital]

Well, things are rolling along. Got 2 extra holes drilled in the back for my returns today (Thanks to fishytime aka Steady Hands Doug!)

I have gathered most of my plumbing parts, just need to pick up a return pump, and skimmer (Euro-Reef RS100). I'm going to be running a single corner Herbie style overflow system. (also why I need to punch the 2 new bulkhead holes in)

I also need to get a few pieces of glass cut to add to the 54G sump.. Hopefully I can get those this weekend, but I'm not holding my breath.

Anyways, couple pics!!

75G when I first got it home, checking to see how well it fits on the stand:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/75onstand.jpg

fishytime drilling 1 of 2 holes this morning:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/tankdrill.jpg

Finished holes:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/bulkheads.jpg

Alot of my plumbing parts, PVC tubing not in the pic but I got it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/plumbing.jpg

Anyways, gonna go work on some of the plumbing. :mrgreen:

[Boomboy]

Nice, i was waiting to see this tank, coming along nicely. man ive tried to drill a 10G with glass drill bits and it just goes everywhere and scratches the glass( lucky it was just a test). The check valve will put alot of head pressure on your return pump.

[JDigital]

Nice, i was waiting to see this tank, coming along nicely. man ive tried to drill a 10G with glass drill bits and it just goes everywhere and scratches the glass( lucky it was just a test). The check valve will put alot of head pressure on your return pump.

I really like the tank.. Nice clean looking overflow corner (even though it will be covered in coraline in 6 months.. haha)

[Boomboy]

Make sure you keep us updated with lots of pictures, cant wait till see this puppy with water.

[JDigital]

Well.. I hit a roadblock tonight with my return plumbing... I over looked how long the final section, with 2 ball valves to control the return bulkheads flow, a reducer T... in short... my bulkhead holes weren't drilled wide enough apart and I can't fit the T with ball valves between them... :question::question::question:

Hmm.. gotta figure something out now..

I pretty much copied fishytime's plumbing...

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1655.jpg

I got one idea, and that is to T it off down lower, to 90 corners, run the ball valves vertically, and then 90s into the 90's at the bulkheads... but worried its going to affect my flow too much with the 4 extra 90's.

[Boomboy]

ok so i was thinking about it for a bit (its 1:30 at night) at first i was thinking run the plumbing from one side into the first locline then continue down, but then the ball valve would stick way out in the back of the aquarium, and we dont want that because that takes up to much space. then i got stuck and the remember that you wanted to have the ball valves in there for possibly 2 things, one to control how much flow and 2 to close them if needed. not really sure if this works for closing them, but just get those things that go on the loclines that you can turn, im sure after a while you wont mess with them here is a link to show what im talking about, not to many options here, just an idea.
the name is ball valve there are a bunch that are different for whatever you want. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Plumbing-and-Pumps-Schedule-80-Plumbing-loc-line-modular-pipe-3/4%22Loc-Line-modular-hose/c14_15_34_36/index.html

[JDigital]

Thanks Boom for the idea's, but in the end after discussing with with fishytime, I scrapped the ball valves all together on the agreement that I would rarely/if ever use them, and they aren't REALLY neccessary.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/plumbing2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/plumbing3.jpg

[JDigital]

Mini update...

I got as much of the plumbing done as I can, until I get the sump setup... which still needs the baffles installed.. I don't know how I'm gonna find time to get the glass for it!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/tanknstand1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/plumbing4.jpg

Talk about a tight fit... this is my drain... 1 or 2mm of clearance between the bulkhead at the stand frame.. haha! TOTAL FLUKE!!! :lol:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/tightfit.jpg

[JDigital]

Bit of an update:

Probably doing some of this *** backwards, but I added water to the 75 last night, mostly to leak test my bulk heads and to start getting my salinity up to par...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/firstwater.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/tankfull.jpg

Tonight I got my LR, PR's, transferred over to the 75. Also emptied out the sand and cleaned the "old" 54 so I could start getting the baffles in, but I got some glass cut a TAD too long (we're talking like 1/8"-1/4" too long.. DOH!!)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/rocktransfer.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/oldempty.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/55sand.jpg

And I also swung by Red Coral Aquariums this afternoon, and picked up a few new goodies. :biggrin: Thanks Alot Kevin!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/or6500.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/errs100.jpg

Until I can get the glass sanded/grinded down to fit, I'm kinda at a stand still.. Again! :lol:

[Boomboy]

your farther along than me im at a stand still, want to spend money on equipment but have to be wise how i spend my money. looks good so far its coming along nicely.

[phillybean]

Hey JD, nice build!

For the glass, I made the same mistake, having them cut too long. I ended up putting them in on an angle. It was a big harder to silicone in place, however came out nice and I think I was able to swing more space for my fuge. The narrow part of my skimmer doesn't need as much room as where the pump and everything still fits. Here are some pics:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i158/phillybean/sump-1.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i158/phillybean/Sump2.jpg

[JDigital]

Hey JD, nice build!

For the glass, I made the same mistake, having them cut too long. I ended up putting them in on an angle. It was a big harder to silicone in place, however came out nice and I think I was able to swing more space for my fuge. The narrow part of my skimmer doesn't need as much room as where the pump and everything still fits. Here are some pics:

Haha! I thought about the angle thing, but I am a picky SOB on things, and having my baffle straight seems to be one of those things.:lol: I borrowed a drill bit from Red Coral, and I am currently half way through grinding down the extra 1/4"... What a pain in the butt!!!!!! 2 more panels! 2 MORE!!!

I'll be back.......

[Zylumn]

Come on !!! Come on!!! the suspense is killing me.
Kevin

[JDigital]

Come on !!! Come on!!! the suspense is killing me.
Kevin

Kevin, If it wasn't for that 90' elbow I grabbed from you tonight, the following update wouldn't be getting posted till later..

Sump and plumbing are done.. I am gonna let the silicone cure till tomorrow before leak testing everything. Here is how it all looks as of 20mins ago.

Sump in-place awaiting piping. (I really suck at siliconing, but the baffles all feel pretty darn secure, so I'm not to worried about how it looks :lol: )
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/fullsump.jpg

All the plumbing shots..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/moreplumbing1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/moreplumbing2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/sumpplumbed.jpg

Full System shot:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/fullsystem.jpg

[fishytime]

Scweeeeeeeeeet.

[JDigital]

^^ Thanks for the plumbing tips Doug! That black hose threads on perfect with the 1" adapters. :biggrin: Hopefully so good I won't need zipties or hose clamps..

My only problem was that I NEEDED that 90' elbow to get the plumbing to line up into my tank... otherwise it was straight down beside the OUTSIDE, which doesn't do me any good. haha.

[JDigital]

Well... I added water today to the sump, fired up the pump and found 1 leak on my return line, prolly due to a lack of teflon tape, so I picked up a hose clamp and the problem is gone. :biggrin:

It a bit cloudy cuz I had to add the sand back into the tank, and still got a bit more to add, now that I can sorta see where more is needed... lol

Anyways.. I got flow and its set perfect right now. No fluctuation in the overflow height. :mrgreen:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/FLOW.jpg

[JDigital]

Small piece of coral that I got in my tank..

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a196/JDigitalPhotography/Coral.jpg

[JDigital]

All my LR is finally bought and aquascaped. I got a 70-75lbs, 3 way mix if I remember right of Fiji, Tonga and one other than starts with an M.... Kevin, you remember?

Anyways, the pics.

FTS:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/FTSJuly7.jpg

Right Hand Tank Shot:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/HRTSJuly7.jpg

Left Hand Tank Shot:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/LHTSJuly7.jpg

Right End Tank Shot (No Lighting, was taken in the pitch black):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/RETSJuly7.jpg

And the Tank in "Fish Eye Vision"
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a196/JDigitalPhotography/Abstract/fishy2.jpg

[JDigital]

Couple shots of my first corals in my tank.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/TorchCoral.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/OrangeZoas.jpg

[JDigital]

And my two angels.

First is Uno.. My Midnight Pygmy Angel.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/Uno.jpg

Secondly is Singapore Sam, my newest addition as of today. He is a Singapore Angel, and slightly timid right now.. :lol:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/SingaporeSam.jpg

[JDigital]

Finally caught a good photo of Sam today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/SingaporeSam2.jpg

[JDigital]

Haven't had much changing in my tank worthy of updates, other than Sam picked up and bad case of Ich... I lost him a few days ago, so I won't be adding much to the tank for a week or two until a couple WCs have been performed. I can concentrate on the 23G build for a bit I guess.

[christyf5]

Bummer, he was a pretty fish :neutral:

[JDigital]

Bummer, he was a pretty fish :neutral:

Yea... I'm sure it was a bit of my fault.. I was dosing with Para-guard, and the first night i dosed, my corals all retracted, and did not look good, so I skipped dosing the 2nd day, then half dosed the 3rd day, then full dosed 4th day.. LFS said that i needed to full dose for the recommended period, so Im sure I just fueled the fire.. :cry: Lesson learned the expensive way I guess..

[JDigital]

Picked up a couple Yuma Rics @ Red Coral today!

EDIT: Seems like the highlights got blown out a bit after uploading... the color is alot deeper than these pics show.. weird.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/YumaRic1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/YumaRic2.jpg

[Boomboy]

you takes some pretty good pics there.

[JDigital]

Thanks...

[motokorth]

Looking good, nice to see your tank after talking about it at RC today.

[JDigital]

Looking good, nice to see your tank after talking about it at RC today.

It's progress has been alot slower than I would like, but the red nuisance algae keeps me from adding much, as it can over grow some corals.

I think I am more excited about my Nano tank at this stage.. :confused::silly:

[JDigital]

Well, This hasn't been the best build to say the least.. I have decided to tear the system down and start from scratch, plus make a couple upgrades to make life easier. I am really just not happy with the way I did things (as it was my first attempt at a tank, and I rushed in head strong)


I am getting rid of the nuisance rock (not going to mess around with cooking or scrubbing) and replacing it with clean Tonga LR, Powerheads are going to be gone completely in the system and plan to setup a closed loop system thru the floor of the tank, I am going to pick up an RO unit and start this system on RO water from the first drop, LR and LS with lights out for 2 months. Completely redoing my aquascaping with a pvc sub-structure. I am going to add a drain system to my sump for easy water changes, ATO system, redoing the plumbing (in hopes of tracking down the reason for my bad microbubble problem). Things I should have thought about from the beginning I suppose. I figure now is the time to do this as its not fully stocked, most of my corals can be moved to my 20G nano (as long as they don't have any of the nuisance algae attached to them) including the pygmy angel (not sure if I will move the cleaner wrasse in there yet, or just sell him)

Live and Learn. :mrgreen:

[karazy]

dont be too anxious on that tonga, unless ur LFS has some in right now ur not getin any

[JDigital]

dont be too anxious on that tonga, unless ur LFS has some in right now ur not getin any

My LFS has a couple 1000 pounds... :wink:

[karazy]

srry, double post

[karazy]

then your all set

just makin sure u werent getting your hopes up to find out no mores being shipped:wink:

[yeeg]

I used Conduit piping...It was about 1/2 the cost of PVC and for the sub structure, it was all I needed...

[JDigital]

I used Conduit piping...It was about 1/2 the cost of PVC and for the sub structure, it was all I needed...

Oh right on! Thanks Glenn. I will remember that! you just get it at home depot/rona?

PS: Again, thanks for the tank tour. I'm looking forward to coming back and photographing it for you. :mrgreen:

[yeeg]

yep..HD down the hill from you has it...

[JDigital]

The tear down is coming along, Tank is empty as of today, just need to get some help to move the tanks outside so I can drill some new bulkheads for my Closed Loop. I'm going to be running a Reeflo Dart on the CL, to 4 seperate returns in the floor of the tank. My sump return is going to return back where it was originally.

Picked up a Bulk Reef Supply RO unit from Red Coral couple days ago, and a Dual TDS meter, finally got it installed today with no leaks. TDS reading as of today is 000ppm :mrgreen: I wasn't gonna start this tank with a single drop of tap water.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/ROUnitwTDS.jpg

[karazy]

im in calgary too and i am very pleased to hear you get 0 ppm with this filter.
how much did you pay for it?

[JDigital]

I payed $109.99. I was pretty happy to see 0ppm too.. was expecting 1 or 2ppm... It does fluctuate between 0 and 1.. but mostly 95% of the time i check it, its reading 0..

[JDigital]

Ordered my ligthing today:

Galaxy Dual 250W Electronic Ballast:
http://www.tfjpetcenter.com/ProductImages/galax250.jpg

2x Reef Optix 3 Plus Double-End HQI Reflectors:
http://www.prairiereefsupplies.ca/images/Reef%20Optix%20III%20Plus%20prodshot_reflectors_ro 3.jpg

Drilled the bulkheads for my closed loop today in the pouring rain.. :mrgreen: 2" drain and 4x 1" returns, will be running on a Reeflo Dart.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/CLbulks.jpg

Also picked up some Adhesive vinyl today from a fellow reefer (thanks Glen). So will attempt to put that on tomorrow.

[JDigital]

Small Update:

Vinyled the tank... I did the sides to hide the substructure of the rock.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/background1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/background2.jpg


And installed the CL Bulkheads:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/CL1.jpg

[Boomboy]

i was thinking about the same idea, so is the bottom returns for the pvc structure?

[JDigital]

i was thinking about the same idea, so is the bottom returns for the pvc structure?

No, the substructure will only be covering my 2" drain, the returns will have flared ends directing flow 'up' my two walls and around my centerpiece rock formation/overhang.

What do you think about the vinyl? Im still unsure about it..

[Boomboy]

is vinyl a piece of plastic that is coloured like what you get at petsmart or something, i would personally( just speaking for myself) just spray paint the back with krylon fusion, and i wouldnt do the sides because i like to look down the sides but if you only want to look at the front the also spray paint the sides, i think it last alot longer and you wont get salt creep between. of course that's if vinyl is what i think it is.

[yeeg]

is vinyl a piece of plastic that is coloured like what you get at petsmart or something, i would personally( just speaking for myself) just spray paint the back with krylon fusion, and i wouldnt do the sides because i like to look down the sides but if you only want to look at the front the also spray paint the sides, i think it last alot longer and you wont get salt creep between. of course that's if vinyl is what i think it is.

This vinyl is the type that is used to make signs on cars, airplanes and such...

[JDigital]

Picked up the plumbing for my closed loop today. :mrgreen:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/plumbing75.jpg

Just need the actual 2" and 1 1/2" pipe.

[JDigital]

Things are a bit slow with this re-build, but I got my lighting today. Thanks to the guys at Red Coral!

I had originally ordered the Reef Optix 3 reflectors, but the shipper screwed up and sent the Lumen Max 3's instead. So I went with them instead, being the better reflector supposedly. And then the Dual 250W Galaxy Electronic Ballast.

Need to exchange one of them tho, as they came with two different reflector patterns, one is fully dimpled, the other is only dimpled in the corners. So waiting to hear back from Kevin about the 3rd one he has at the store.

Not sure which bulbs I am going to use yet... I am thinking about Ushio 14K with 1x54W KZ Fiji Purple and 1x54W Giesemann Super Actinic on TEK Retrofit units, but I'll have to see how things go.

Anyways, enough talking... PICS!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/250MH.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/250MH2.jpg

[fishytime]

Very nice! So where ya gonna put the chiller:mrgreen: Glad we had a matching reflector for ya.

[JDigital]

Well, I started putting some of my CL plumbing parts together last night and ran into a ever so slight problem... The holes I drilled near the back of the floor for the CL, are too close together, and I can barely squeeze the T to split the flow, let alone the T with 90s to line up with the bulk heads... it just ends up being to wide.. I have NO idea what I am gonna do to get around this problem.

[motokorth]

Could you post a picture of the problem? It would help with troubleshooting.

[Delphinus]

A picture might help, because I'm probably imagining this way wrong. But a couple ideas do come to mind. If the T is too large, hacksaw 1/4" off the ends to make it a smaller T. Also instead of regular 90's, use street 90's, you'll save on a lot of space with those. (For example: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Plumbing-and-Pumps-Schedule-80-Plumbing-Schedule-80-Fittings-Schedule-80--Steet-90's/c14_15_20_23/index.html ) Good luck!

[JDigital]

Yea, I will try and get a pic or 2 tomorrow..

[JDigital]

I think I figured out what I'm gonna do regarding the CL plumbing issue... I'm just gonna run the CL return to 3 of the 4 bulkheads, and then T off my return pump from the sump to take the place on the 4th CL bulkhead.. Should keep my plumbing fairly clean.

[sphelps]

So the holes in the tank are too close together? I've seen this in the past before and I actually cut and welded a PVC elbow and tee together to make a custom fitting, however that's last resort kind of stuff. Can you move the tee further from the tank to allow for two 45 elbows or some spa-flex to fix the problem?

[JDigital]

Well I solved my problem... I decided to scrap the forth CL return hole with a piece of scrap acrylic and LOTS of silicone...

This made it possible to plumb the 3rd CL return in the back... All three CL returns have a ball valve at the base of the bulk head, to control individual flow..

Got 2 joints to glue, that I just gotta plumb into the pump. I think I will have a beer when I finish it... It's been an headache.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/CLreturns.jpg

And a quick shot of the underside... which should be finished tomorrow.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/CLplumbing.jpg

[fishytime]

Good luck with the patch....that would make me nervous. I see a rebirth af a reef tank...a seriously kicked up reef tank:lol: When do you think you will have water in it?

[JDigital]

Good luck with the patch....that would make me nervous. I see a rebirth af a reef tank...a seriously kicked up reef tank:lol: When do you think you will have water in it?

I'm pretty confident in that patch job :lol:... I know the acrylic won't crack, and the silicone sealed up smooth and tight (and plenty was used)..

As for water, I'm hoping to leak test the patch and CL by end of the weekend, I just need to get my sump moved out, cleaned out, and put back in.. Which is a big task when the roommates aren't around. LOL

[JDigital]

Couple updated shots from tonight...


Got most of my return plumbing done, just a quick link up to the return pump and I'm set. Not sure what to do with my closed loop pump though... I was thinking of scrapping my Fuge (on the right hand side of sump) in the sump and just placing the pump in that section to keep all the plumbing under/in the stand... just not sure if thats a good idea, and it can't go above my sump on a shelf because I don't have the clearance for it.. I'm also contemplating on moving the tank somewhere else in the room so I can place some bar stools infront of the tank, which obviously would affect my decision on the placement of the CL pump.

Any ideas on the CL pump??

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/newplumbing.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/ftsshot11.jpg

[sphelps]

It might be a good idea to lift the CL intake up a little, otherwise it'll be prone to suck up sand which will damage the seal on the pump causing the bearing to fail.

[JDigital]

It might be a good idea to lift the CL intake up a little, otherwise it'll be prone to suck up sand which will damage the seal on the pump causing the bearing to fail.

Oh, you mean in the Display? Wasn't planning on having sand tight around that bulkhead... I'm putting a pvc structure in both corners for my scape... and whereever my rock footing is, is where the sand stops so a good 6-8" I'm thinking.. I'll have to keep it in mind tho

[JDigital]

Plumbing update......

IT'S DONE!!!:mrgreen:

... and I must say, I think it turned out quite well. I decided to take the Snapper out of the "old" refuge section in my sump, and added a "deck" to the right side of my stand which is up against the wall, so should keep the pump fairly hidden, and also will allow me to incorporate the refuge still.. Win/Win!

Pics:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/75plumb1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/75plumb2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/75plumb3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/75plumb4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/75plumb5.jpg

And I also ended up moving the tank from where it originally was:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/75plumb6.jpg

[lorenz0]

Which is a big task when the roommates aren't around. LOL

oh wow thanks. lol you did it when i was at work

but that patch is sealed. and i am sure it will be able to hold the load otherwise its going to be a fun mess to clean up. i'm sure it won't come to that

[JDigital]

oh wow thanks. Lol you did it when i was at work

but that patch is sealed. And i am sure it will be able to hold the load otherwise its going to be a fun mess to clean up. I'm sure it won't come to that

lol..

[JDigital]

:mrgreen:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/Filling.jpg

[JDigital]

^^^ That came to a quick stop after finding a few leaks in my Closed loop.

1 @ 2" Bulkhead (Drained the tank, dried, seal with silicone)
1 @ 1" CL Return
1 @ CL pump intake
1 @ CL pump output

The last two weren't exactly as easy to fix... but probably a blessing that they did leak, as it provided me the chance to add in 2 ball valves before the union couplers, so I can prevent my tank from emptying when it comes time to service the pump.. DUH,:bad-word: can't believe I forgot those. :silly:

Just need to let the newly cemented joints cure, and I can take a run at round 2 of filling the tank.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/75plumb7.jpg

[JDigital]

Got my canopy framed this weekend, still need to get it skinned though.. and test fitting my MH's today...

All in all, I'm pretty happy with it... need to order my T5 retrofit soon.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/lights.jpg

[Boomboy]

looks really good i have that same fixture but with an icecap ballast, really good reflectors, cant wait till its loaded with everything. keep it up.

[fishytime]

Do you smell something burning?:mrgreen: Lookin good bud.

[JDigital]

Anybody up for some aquascaping? :lol:

1.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/aquascape.jpg

2.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/aquascape2.jpg

3.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/54G%20Reef%20Tank/aquascape3.jpg

Now I just need to get some sand in there..

[fishytime]

Its Alive!!....Alive!!

[JDigital]

Its Alive!!....Alive!!

:lol:.... And now I wait. :microwav:

[fishytime]

:lol:.... And now I wait. :microwav:

:lol: Looks good bud. How are you finding the flow from the CL? Microbubbles?

[JDigital]

:lol: Looks good bud. How are you finding the flow from the CL? Microbubbles?

Nothing... the system is pretty clear. Much happier this time compared to originally.

[syeve]

Looks awesome DJ! PM'd a newb question.

[JDigital]

Looks awesome DJ! PM'd a newb question.

Thanks!

replied in fairly good detail.

[JDigital]

So, I liked my old aquascaping... but it DID have a few things that bothered me, which I rectified today, and now I am REALLY liking my new scape. :mrgreen:

8 Photo Update!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/newscape1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/newscape2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/newscape3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/newscape4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/newscape5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/newscape6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/newscape7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/newscape8.jpg

[Skimmerking]

Well done buds looks great Love you rock where did you get it from

[JDigital]

Well done buds looks great Love you rock where did you get it from


Thanks man!

The rock was mostly if not all from Red Coral.. it's a mix of Fiji and Tonga.

[Ken]

Nice work JD, I really love the layout in the rocks. Can't wait for more pics when the livestock arrives. Regards Ken

[Chaloupa]

LOVE the aquascape! Can't wait to see it full of corals!

[karazy]

i can just imagine an angel or atleast a dwarf angel loving that rockwork

[JDigital]

Nice work JD, I really love the layout in the rocks. Can't wait for more pics when the livestock arrives. Regards Ken

LOVE the aquascape! Can't wait to see it full of corals!

i can just imagine an angel or atleast a dwarf angel loving that rockwork


Wow.. I know I liked the change.. haha didnt think it would go over this good.. :lol: Thanks.

[JDigital]

Not much of an update, but now that my sand has settled after adding it, and raising up my CL intake, I fired up the CL again, and just wanted to show the surface agitation... I think I should be good for Oxygenation. I'll try and get another vid when the lights are on... I've only got them running 2hrs/day right now..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTSvhijwORY

[tang daddy]

looking good man like the lr layout how many LBS?

[JDigital]

Aquascape w/ Sand Bed. I love it! :mrgreen:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/newscape9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/newscape10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/newscape11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/newscape12.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/newscape13.jpg

[Trigs]

Looking good there! did you just stack the live rock or did you use acrylic rods or nething?

[JDigital]

Just stacked and a very small bit of Epoxy..

[fishytime]

Lookin good Josh. What are your water parameters? Gonna put something in that box soon?

[JDigital]

Lookin good Josh. What are your water parameters? Gonna put something in that box soon?

Haven't really been bothered to test it, to be honest. I'm working on running this cycle based on a method by Eric Bourneman (thread is HERE (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=249112) on RC if anyone wants to read about what I'm doing) Might add some snails/crabs in about a month from now. Then the system will sit again for prolly 2 months before the first coral goes in, when that time comes, I will start adding some good photosynthetic corals. The tank won't see any fish for minimum 6 months.

I became really intrigued with this write up by Eric, so much soo, that I want to see what happens with the absence of predators in the tank.

[JDigital]

I know its awhile before I start stocking the tank, but I think I have put together my stocking list, but would like some advise on some possible changes. (especially regarding the tangs)

Stocking list in order of addition (First to Last)

- Red Lip Blenny
- 6 Line Wrasse
- Gold Stripe Maroon Clown
- Flame Angel
- Kole Yellow Eye Tang (my maybe tang)
- Yellow Tang
- White Cheek Powder Brown Tang

[Chaloupa]

Personally, I would not add that many tangs. 3 in a tank that size is too many. I would stick with one as there will be too much aggression. I have 3 in my 150g and there is a ton of aggression.

[Parker]

Haven't really been bothered to test it, to be honest. I'm working on running this cycle based on a method by Eric Bourneman (thread is HERE (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=249112) on RC if anyone wants to read about what I'm doing) Might add some snails/crabs in about a month from now. Then the system will sit again for prolly 2 months before the first coral goes in, when that time comes, I will start adding some good photosynthetic corals. The tank won't see any fish for minimum 6 months.

I became really intrigued with this write up by Eric, so much soo, that I want to see what happens with the absence of predators in the tank.

Very interesting article. Something to think about for sure, I'm just not sure I have the patience that would take.

[JDigital]

Very interesting article. Something to think about for sure, I'm just not sure I have the patience that would take.


I'm not sure I do either... LOL but I'm gonna try..

[JDigital]

What are your water parameters?

November 20, 2008 Parameter Test

Elos NH3/4 : 0.5
Elos NO2 : 0.05
Elos NO3 : 0.00
Elos PH : 8.3
Temp : 26'
Salinity : 1.025

[Red Coral Aquariums]

Stocking list in order of addition (First to Last)

- Red Lip Blenny (good choice so much personality)
- 6 Line Wrasse ( good for worms and bugs)
- Gold Stripe Maroon Clown ( aggressive but interesting)
- Flame Angel ( pretty but could munch on corals)
- Kole Yellow Eye Tang (my maybe tang) ( I think one will get too big for your tank)
- Yellow Tang (again same as kole and get aggressive when larger)
- White Cheek Powder Brown Tang ( a good choice for your size of tank)

a chevron tang might be nice as they stay smaller but would have to be put in before the PBT.

Kevin

[JDigital]

November 20, 2008 Parameter Test

Elos NH3/4 : 0.5
Elos NO2 : 0.05
Elos NO3 : 0.00
Elos PH : 8.3
Temp : 26'
Salinity : 1.025

Was expecting a bit more of a change going into to the 4th week.

November 28, 2008 Parameter Test

Elos NH3/4 : 0.5
Elos NO2 : 0.1-0.2
Elos NO3 : 0.00
Elos PH : 8.3
Temp : 26'
Salinity : 1.025

[JDigital]

looking good man like the lr layout how many LBS?

Completely missed this post.. sorry.

I've got about 80lbs in the display. and will probably add about 20-25 in my fuge.

[JDigital]

Here's a better video of the surface agitation I said I would post up.. since the lights are on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ0apUTIc7k

[JDigital]

So, I never planned on having anything but a small clean up crew in the tank for atleast another 1-1.5 months, but with my 10G contest tank breaking on me this morning, I had to save some stuff out of the tank.

So I swapped over the GSP tower and positioned it next to the left locline with the plan of it overgrowing it and hiding it, Also pulled the Fragspawn out as well as a small patch of zoa's (next to the right locline).. and then I had to move the Pom Pom crab and the Black Hawaiian Percula (as he would get sh*t kicked in my 20G by the Angel).. The rest of the corals from the 10 on in my 20 on the frag rack, while I decide what to do with them.

Anyways, quick FTS and a shot of my Pompom crab.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/75PomPom.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/75Dec08FTS.jpg

[karazy]

haha, that clown is so small in that tank.


i didnt know that there were clowns in hawaii?

[JDigital]

haha, that clown is so small in that tank.


i didnt know that there were clowns in hawaii?

Nor did I, but they came in on a Hawaiian shipment to Red Coral 2 weeks ago I think... I'm not really too bothered if its not hawaiian, its a nice freakin' clown. :mrgreen:

[fishytime]

Be forewarned. My clown was about the same size as yours and he spent the first few weeks getting caught in the overflow every night. It took a while but he finally learned not to get sucked into the overflow at night. Hope yours is smarter than mine was.:lol:

[karazy]

im kinda confused, because i thought there was no clownfish in hawaii because their larval stage doesnt last long enough for them to drift to the islands. but i could be wrong

[JDigital]

Be forewarned. My clown was about the same size as yours and he spent the first few weeks getting caught in the overflow every night. It took a while but he finally learned not to get sucked into the overflow at night. Hope yours is smarter than mine was.:lol:

You just HAD to say that.... Figured I would go take another look at the tank, for no reason... and I notice the clown missing... Hmmm, Where did he go??? Looked all over the tank, the floor, the overflow.... No where to be found. That's because he went for a ride... All the way to the sump and into my dirty filter sock.. Poor lil guy.. :lol:

So needless to say the make-shift drain cover didn't work to well... So I have draped my fish net over it for the night so atleast if his dumbass gets sucked into the overflow, that's where he will be in the morning..

[JDigital]

Figured I'd add this shot of the GSP in the 75.. Macro..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/75GSPMacro.jpg

EDIT: Wow did that ever lose ALOT of color after uploading.. Looks like crap..

[spoot]

Did you get photobucket to resize the pic for you? If so, then that is the reason. I believe they increase the jpg compression during the resize. What you should do is change your upload size to "1 meg upload" and then resize before uploading.

[JDigital]

Did you get photobucket to resize the pic for you? If so, then that is the reason. I believe they increase the jpg compression during the resize. What you should do is change your upload size to "1 meg upload" and then resize before uploading.

I resize to 800x600 on my own before uploading, and then upload at "800x600", so I think it is still getting processed a second time... I'll try switching to the 1meg upload.

[Boomboy]

Hey J , what did you build your canopy out of?,im going to build mine so i need some help deciding how to build it. did you skin it yet? anything new in the tank or is it still cycling?

[JDigital]

Hey J , what did you build your canopy out of?,im going to build mine so i need some help deciding how to build it. did you skin it yet? anything new in the tank or is it still cycling?

Canopy frame was just 2x2 and 2x1 "sticks".. lol I haven't skinned it yet, not sure what I want to skin it with yet.

Only new stuff is what I posted yesterday that I saved from my 10G tank.

[JDigital]

Couple new additions today:

Enjoy!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/ArmyGreenZoas2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/ArmyGreenZoas.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/SemiFTS.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/10G%20Contest/PinkButtons.jpg

[JDigital]

These guys are starting to open up... slowly... Got them the same day as the greens one above.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/75Newzoas.jpg

[christyf5]

OK I'll admit that I haven't read the whole thread :razz: My contacts are almost done and I'm too lazy to get up and put my glasses on. I linked here from another thread after seeing that you have lumenmax reflectors? Which ones and how are you liking them?

[JDigital]

OK I'll admit that I haven't read the whole thread :razz: My contacts are almost done and I'm too lazy to get up and put my glasses on. I linked here from another thread after seeing that you have lumenmax reflectors? Which ones and how are you liking them?

hahaha... the main part of the rebuild starts around page 6-7 I think...

as for the lights... I got the Sunlight Supply Lumenmax 3 reflectors with Ushio 14K bulbs... Loving them so far, only thing I might change is how I have them hanging because right now they have the cords running parallel with the tank, then bending out to the back. I been considering spinning them 90 degrees so the cables go straight out the back without any bends.. I don't think it would affect my light spread on the tank, if anything it might make it better I think..

But yea, great reflectors, will probably upgrade my 175W SE on my 40G to a 250 Lumenmax..

[JDigital]

Starting to swap a few pieces out of my 20G that I want to keep in my 75G, so figured it was time some pics.

My very unhappy (with me) Torch..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/torch.jpg

Bright Green Yumas (its starting to split and spawn, just can't get good pics) also a red yuma in the background..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/greenyumas.jpg

Finally,
My Orange and Green Tongas.. Got it when it was just one, and it has now split into 4.. :mrgreen:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/tongas.jpg

[fishytime]

What! No watermarks on the pics? Someones getting lazy:razz:Are you still wanting to modify your primary drain? I can lend you the dremel anytime. Exquisite pics as always Jman.

[lorenz0]

oh maybe i can buy a coupe more SPS colonies and store them in there lol

[JDigital]

What! No watermarks on the pics? Someones getting lazy:razz:Are you still wanting to modify your primary drain? I can lend you the dremel anytime. Exquisite pics as always Jman.

Being it was my bday yesterday... I was VERY lazy about doing anything. :lol:

But, yea, I should mod this stand-pipe... I'll get back to you about the dremel:mrgreen:

[JDigital]

Couple new additions today..

First is a new Mille colony.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/Mille.jpg

as well as a new resident to the tank.. Spike. Not the best pic, but he was hiding in behind some rock and the overflow.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/foxface.jpg

And an FTS:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/FTSjan15.jpg

[karazy]

looking really kool! the sort of yellowish tinge to the lighing reminds me of hanuama bay. that little clown looks like he's having a hell of a good time in that big ol tank

[JDigital]

looking really kool! the sort of yellowish tinge to the lighing reminds me of hanuama bay. that little clown looks like he's having a hell of a good time in that big ol tank

Yellowish tinge?? I don't see any yellow man.. These are 14K bulbs. Maybe its just the color of the rock throwing you off.

The room is flooded with a blue hue from the lights at night.

[karazy]

welll then it must be the rock :)

[OCDP]

Awesome looking tank, man. I love the structure, gives you lots of room for coral placement. And as always, fantastic photography!

:mrgreen:

[JDigital]

Awesome looking tank, man. I love the structure, gives you lots of room for coral placement. And as always, fantastic photography!

:mrgreen:

Thanks Scott.. I re-arranged 2 rocks tonight to give myself a bit more stable setup for coral placements.

The tank is doing well so far.. I don't have any nuisance algae to deal with (...yet? :lol: ), the Foxface is settling in quickly and know who I am after only 48hrs.. "Hey, you bring me food again??". The clown doesn't seem to want to leave the back corner where the closed loop intake is, so he must enjoy the flow, there will just never be anything to host though.

Took a ton of shots tonight, as well as a few shots of the new Acro colony I brought home today.

The new colony today:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/YellowAcro2.jpg

2:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/YellowAcro3.jpg

3.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/YellowAcro1.jpg

Paisley Maxima:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/paisleyclam1.jpg

Frogspawn:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/frogspawn2.jpg

Crocea Clam:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/crocea2.jpg

Orange Skirted Zoas (ID??):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/darkzoas2.jpg

Army Green Zoas:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/ArmyZoas.jpg

Orange/Green Tongas:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/Tongas2.jpg

[JDigital]

oops... double posted

[fishytime]

The newbie sure looks different in your tank. Those orange skirted zoas are actually lunar palys (methinks) surprised Kevin sold them.(was kinda wondering where they went).

[JDigital]

You sold them to me! :lol:

Really liking the coloring of that Acro under my lights.. I still want to get some T5 supplementing though.

[JDigital]

Just finished making a top down viewing box for my camera. My "Yellow" Acro isn't so yellow from top down.. :lol:

Only shot I've tried so far, but I am already addicted to top down shots. :mrgreen:

EDIT: Damn, I loose alot of color using photobucket!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/YellowAcro4.jpg

[christyf5]

EDIT: Damn, I loose alot of color using photobucket!!!



really? what does the original look like? can you just attach it with the paperclip icon?

[JDigital]

really? what does the original look like? can you just attach it with the paperclip icon?

The original is alot more green..

EDIT: paperclip doesn't look to be any better... hmmm i gotta figure this out.

[JDigital]

Finally got a good shot of "Spike" today...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/fosface2.jpg

[JDigital]

Whoohoo!! I think I figured out the problem with the pictures being less colorful when I upload them.

Compare this shot and with the 1 above.. WAY better color. :mrgreen:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/GreenSPS1.jpg


Oh, and this little addition....:razz:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/CBB3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/CBB2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/CBB1.jpg

[Carmen]

Beautiful CBB!! How's he/she doing? Eating?

[JDigital]

Beautiful CBB!! How's he/she doing? Eating?

It's the first night home for him. Doing good so far, hasn't been off trembling in any corners... stayed up at the front glass as soon as I put him in. Ate with the other 2.. Nipped at the mysis (Michika's food), and loves brine (even tho not high in nutrients).

Promising so far... got him at a VERY good price too. :mrgreen:

[Delphinus]

Very nice! Good luck with him. Mine is a mysis fiend, but did not take to it right away (but ate brine from the get-go). So hopefully it will be about the same for you. Other things I feed mine are oysters, mussels, Manila clams, etc. - loves it.

What was the deal with the pictures losing colour though? I'm very curious what was up with that?

[JDigital]

Very nice! Good luck with him. Mine is a mysis fiend, but did not take to it right away (but ate brine from the get-go). So hopefully it will be about the same for you. Other things I feed mine are oysters, mussels, Manila clams, etc. - loves it.

What was the deal with the pictures losing colour though? I'm very curious what was up with that?

Yea, I want to trying leaving an oyster or clam on my frag rack for him to nip at.. Hopefully my foxface can't get his fat beak in the shell and steal it. :lol:

As for the photos, when I was saving them in photoshop, I didn't realized I was saving them with "embedded Adobe sRGB 1998" color profiles... So while it looks good on my own computer, when I uploaded to websites, it was using the embedded color profile which was causing me to loose the accurate color of the photo.

[fishytime]

And you fixed this how???

[JDigital]

And you fixed this how???

I de-selected the "embedded Adobe sRGB 1998" box before clicking "Save".

[fishytime]

I de-selected the "embedded Adobe sRGB 1998" box before clicking "Save".

*goes right over his head*

[JDigital]

*goes right over his head*

Do you have photoshop?


So I scrapped the Clarkii clown pair today.... Just didn't feel comfortable after everyones "nasty fish" comments. :lol:

Picked up the following stuff today.

Not sure the name of this, I presume it's a monti of some kind.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/unknownmonti.jpg

Lawnmower Blenny, he's got some sweet design to his marking. :D People say they are ugly, I think they are pretty sweet.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/LMB1.jpg

Coral Beauty Angel:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/CBA1.jpg

[Rbacchiega]

FYI I've named your Blenny "Miagi"

[Carmen]

Oh I love your blenny - so cute. They have such neat eyes! Is your copperband eating well?
BTW My new Gramma is so awesome, great personality, always out in the open and hilarious at defending her home! Opens her mouth as wide as she can to scare away the others. Funny when it's my foxface about 10X the size of her!

[Chowder]

I don't think the first picture is a monti. My guess would be enchino or chalice.

Chris

[JDigital]

FYI I've named your Blenny "Miagi"

I prefer Barney.... :wink: haha

Oh I love your blenny - so cute. They have such neat eyes! Is your copperband eating well?
BTW My new Gramma is so awesome, great personality, always out in the open and hilarious at defending her home! Opens her mouth as wide as she can to scare away the others. Funny when it's my foxface about 10X the size of her!

Yea, LMB's aren't the prettiest blennies around, but I really like this "army camo" coloring... CBB is doing well.. I am soaking his Brine shrimp is Selcon. He nips at the mysis, but I think they are just a bit to big for him still.

I don't think the first picture is a monti. My guess would be enchino or chalice.

Chris

Hmm. Thanks Chris, I'll do some more digging around to see if I can find it.

[JDigital]

Couple new photos.

Pick up a couple frags from fishytime this week.

Green w/ Blue tip Staghorn:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/greenstag.jpg

White/Red w/ Green Polyp Milli:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/grnpolypmilli1.jpg

Blue Tip Acro:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/Bluetipacro.jpg

Then a couple other random shots:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/redmilli2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/redmilli.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/LMB3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/LMB2.jpg

[Lance]

Beautiful shots.

[rocketlily]

Your photography is amazing. Are you a professional photographer? Do you have a website?

[fishytime]

Your photography is amazing. Are you a professional photographer? Do you have a website?

I think there is just a sign that reads "will take pics for frags":mrgreen:

[JDigital]

Your photography is amazing. Are you a professional photographer? Do you have a website?


I wouldn't say professional, but I have been into alot longer than aquairums.. haha. I have done some studio photography on the side, but I certainly don't make a living from it. Nope, no website right now. Aquarium photography is a pretty new area for me, still learning better ways of getting the shots.

Thanks for the compliments. :)

Here are some examples of my other work though (Non-studio work)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a196/JDigitalPhotography/Troll%20Falls/TallDrop.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a196/JDigitalPhotography/Troll%20Falls/Rush.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a196/JDigitalPhotography/Devonian%20Gardens%202006/Simple-Beauty-2.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a196/JDigitalPhotography/Devonian%20Gardens%202006/Devonion-Gardens-6.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a196/JDigitalPhotography/Automotive/Yellow-Ferrarri.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a196/JDigitalPhotography/Automotive/BigMotor.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a196/JDigitalPhotography/Abstract/Stairway-to-Heaven1.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a196/JDigitalPhotography/Abstract/NaturesArk.jpg

[rocketlily]

Really nice, Thanks for sharing.

[JDigital]

Gotta love a fish that is willing to "pose" for a couple photos... :mrgreen:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/LMB4copy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/LMB5.jpg

[Lance]

I think you should come to my house and take some pics of my tank for me. All my photos are garbage.:redface:

[Carmen]

Incredible close up josh!!

[JDigital]

I think you should come to my house and take some pics of my tank for me. All my photos are garbage.:redface:

Send me a plane ticket! :mrgreen: Your photos look good too..

Incredible close up josh!!

Thanks Carmen.. I really like seeing the detail to his face. BTW, do you have a build thread?

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Wow! Your photography is beautiful. Self taught or school/course?

I would love to see some more :D

[JDigital]

Wow! Your photography is beautiful. Self taught or school/course?

I would love to see some more :D


Self taught.. been doing it seriously since about 2002..

Thanks, I'll see what else I can get posted.

[JDigital]

Incredible close up josh!!

I see you.... thought you might like this one Carmen! I actually missed the focus, but its rare that he is right up at the front glass, so not sure when my next chance will be.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/icuLMB.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/anotheredit.jpg

[karazy]

whoa!
your picture taking skills are amazing!
and that blenny has such a cool pattern

[Rbacchiega]

can I use the closeup of the blenny for my desktop...puhleeeeeeaaase???

[JDigital]

can I use the closeup of the blenny for my desktop...puhleeeeeeaaase???

Yea, sure... :)

[Carmen]

OMG! Josh that is amazing! Gorgeous details on that Blenny! See if you pay attention to details it is truly a beautiful fish. And some people think they are ugly?!:wink:
Love your photography Josh!

[syeve]

that blenny is macro-licious. :biggrin:

[JDigital]

Totally wasn't thinking today when I edited my pics, completely forgot my border. :razz:

Not really much of an update. Added what I think is my last fish... if I add anything else it would be a wrasse of some sort. Anyways, introducing for the first time... 'Kush'!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/Kush.jpg

And a couple shots of my up and coming frags.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/greendigi.jpg

This mille is finally starting to encrust over the epoxy.. :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/millifrag.jpg

Same with this Tricolor...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/tricolorfrag.jpg

Starting to see some good throw on this piece, no idea what type of Acro it is though.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/unknownfrag.jpg

Detailed shot of what I think is Enchino.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/enchino.jpg

And of course a FTS...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/FTSFeb09.jpg

Thanks for peeking. :lol:

[rocketlily]

Fantastic pictures as always. How do you keep such a clean tank?

[JDigital]

Fantastic pictures as always. How do you keep such a clean tank?

I dunno?...lol Religiously magfloat the glass every day, and usually scrape the viewable parts of the back pain once a week... any parts of the back that aren't seen I leave as a food source for my lawnmower blenny.

I think I've been pretty lucky with little to no GHA on my rock... I think the way I cycled the tank helped to with reduced lighting for the first 2 months, and slowly built up to my current lighting period.

[Rbacchiega]

I saw that tang last time I was at Red Coral. Nice and fat.

Good looking tank! I do the same (leave bits on the back pane) for my Blenny and Tang. It works out great, especially because they seem to be terrified of the Nori

[JDigital]

I saw that tang last time I was at Red Coral. Nice and fat.

Good looking tank! I do the same (leave bits on the back pane) for my Blenny and Tang. It works out great, especially because they seem to be terrified of the Nori

I think I could drop an entire sheet of Nori in the tank and this White Cheek would gobble down every last bit of it. :mrgreen: My lawnmower refuses to eat prepared food though, including nori on a clip, so I hope he is getting enough food elsewhere in the tank.

[fishytime]

I wouldnt worry too much about the blenny. My first bi-color took forever before I saw him eating with the rest of the fish. Pretty soon he looked like some of the pics you see of the obese blennies.

[fragNplug]

i have the same stand as you do expept for my hamster, sticker on it said good for 250pnds only.
and as i side note your photos are amazing everywhere i see them.
http://fragnplug.com/22.jpg

[Snappy]

Looks great!!

[Carmen]

Love the pic of the Powder Brown Josh!! What a beautiful fish!! Glad he is eating well for you!

[JDigital]

I wouldnt worry too much about the blenny. My first bi-color took forever before I saw him eating with the rest of the fish. Pretty soon he looked like some of the pics you see of the obese blennies.

Yea, I just worry he might be missing something in his diet, that the algae on the glass might be lacking..

i have the same stand as you do expept for my hamster, sticker on it said good for 250pnds only.
and as i side note your photos are amazing everywhere i see them.

That stand was for my FIRST tank I decided to do, a 54G, but I built a proper stand for this tank. I garuntee you could put a full size pickup truck on this new stand and it wouldn't break. It's heavy duty.

Looks great!!

Thanks Greg. I'll have to get some photo's of those frags from you, posted up. :mrgreen: Btw, do you remember which one you told me should be placed lower in the tank... I completely forgot after I got home with all those bags. :redface:

Love the pic of the Powder Brown Josh!! What a beautiful fish!! Glad he is eating well for you!

Thanks C. It was definitely worth the wait to get him. Not a single sign of stress from the time I added him to the tank. Eating like a pig, and I'm guessing in a week or so he will claim his position in the tank as 'Boss!!'. My Foxface currently holds it, but I can't see that lasting. :mrgreen:

[JDigital]

While I was doing some work on my tank today, figured I'd take a few shots of the frags I got from Snappy.

Rainbow Stylo:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/rainstylo.jpg

Special K - Killer Cerealis:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/SpecialKCerealis.jpg

Alien Freckles:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/Alienfreckles2.jpg

And a quick shot of Kush in action:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/kush2.jpg

[rocketlily]

Once again, your photography never ceases to amaze me.:hail:

[JDigital]

Once again, your photography never ceases to amaze me.:hail:

:redface:.. Thanks.. I appreciate the comments.

[JDigital]

Well, I know I said I wasn't gonna try anymore clownfish in that other thread about "hard to keep" fish etc... But I wanted a pair of these Australian Black Percula's the last time Red Coral brought them in, but I passed on them and I have been kicking my self since... Must have been my lucky day, as I was in there today when a fish shipment came in...... Surprise Surprise, couple more Aussie Black Perc's, and I wasn't passing them up this time.

When I added the smaller guy first, my PBT, Coral Beauty and Foxface thought he was food for about 3secs... then left him alone, I added the 2nd bigger one, and she didn't didn't get charged the same way, but the copperband was sure checking her out.

Anyways, couple pics.

They seem to have paired up almost instantly... Hopefully the "female" doesn't attack the male, time with tell.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/blackauspercs.jpg

And because "she" wouldn't get out of the frame for any shot, I figured I might as well snap her portrait as well.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/CBB3-1.jpg

[fishytime]

They kinda look bad-a$$ for a nimrod of a fish very nice!

[JDigital]

They kinda look bad-a$$ for a nimrod of a fish very nice!

Yea, they are pretty nice, unfortunately they seem to have found a comfy place in the back right corner of the tank next to the CL intake... I don't know what it is about that back corner but my last clown LIVED back there too... must be the flow or something... Maybe I need a nem' to lure them out... :wink:

[fishytime]

I know someone who has a green bta:mrgreen:

[OCDP]

Nice clowns! From the picture anyways it looks like one is fairly larger than the other. Should work out perfectly.

Maybe there's some good vibration in that area of the tank? My clowns used to live in my Seio's , I assumed it was the vibration.

[JDigital]

Nice clowns! From the picture anyways it looks like one is fairly larger than the other. Should work out perfectly.

Maybe there's some good vibration in that area of the tank? My clowns used to live in my Seio's , I assumed it was the vibration.

The clowns were a bad idea... I KNEW IT!!!! WHY DON'T I LISTEN TO MY OWN ADVISE!!!!!

I lost the smaller guy yesterday I think.. I noticed the side of his face was white, gave the LFS a call and they told me to bring him back in when I got a chance, so I went to go bag him up about 1-2 hours after I saw him, and he was no where to be seen.. I have looked in every part of the tank that I can see and can't find him anywhere, not in the sump, floor, overflow, nothing... The female still looks great though and hope it stays that way.

[christyf5]

Aww that sucks. I was just going to post how cute they were.:neutral:

That copperband face on pic is awesome (the one with the clowns).

[JDigital]

Aww that sucks. I was just going to post how cute they were.:neutral:

That copperband face on pic is awesome (the one with the clowns).


Well, I still got the female... So it wasn't a completely loss *knock on wood*.


Bit of a system upgrade earlier this week. Finally got a chance to add a Tunze ATO to my system. 77 liter reservoir with a Seio 620 powerhead suctioned to the bottom pointing vertically to the water surface to circulate. Would really like to get the 2 stands skinned someday soon so it doesn't look so ghetto. :lol:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/tunze2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/ato1.jpg

FTS shot for March.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/FTSmarch1.jpg

[fishytime]

Not ghetto......you've taken the minimalist approach:mrgreen: FTS looks wicked man.

[JDigital]

Not ghetto......you've taken the minimalist approach:mrgreen: FTS looks wicked man.

Touche, but I still don't like seeing the "brain" of the system ALL the time.. Kind of an eye sore after awhile.. :wink:

Anyways..

New addition to the tank today, and some misc. top down frag pics.

Picked up a Blue Tuxedo Urchin today:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/urchin1.jpg

Pink Mille:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/pinkmill2.jpg

Green Digitata:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/greendigi2.jpg

Green Acropora.. still trying to get an ID:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/greenacro2.jpg

Alien Freckles:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/alienfreck3.jpg

Blue Stag:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/Bluestag2.jpg

[rocketlily]

Your photography skills never cease to amaze me. Beautiful pictures and nice additions to your tank.

[fishytime]

Agreed (pics would look better with some actinic in there:razz:)

[JDigital]

Your photography skills never cease to amaze me. Beautiful pictures and nice additions to your tank.

Thanks..:)

Agreed (pics would look better with some actinic in there:razz:)

Haha... someday man..


Decided to bust up a big piece of live rock I had in my fuge today, and with the great Zoa frags at Red Coral, I made a "Zoa Island" rock.. as well as added a larger piece of the LR just to the left, which has opened up alot more room for frags/coral. Also took Carmens advise after loosing my last perculas, and am trying 2 normal, bone head, occelaris clowns. Gave them a slow acclimation, added them and within 10-15 mins they were hosting my Torch... both ate tonight as well with everyone. *Fingers crossed*

Here is Zoa Island, I will get some close ups once they start opening up fully:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/ZoaIsland.jpg

and 2 shots of the clowns, just incase anyone in curious, the butterfly doesn't bother the clams, just picks stuff off the shell:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/Action1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/Action2.jpg

[JDigital]

Added some lighting to my fairly bare refugium on monday.. its a 4x24W Aquamedic T5 (normal output) light, thanks to fishytime.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/fugelight.jpg

Also going through a bit of a Clown/Zoa photo frenzy lately.. haha..The Clowns are enjoying my Torch quite a bit. Will probably be adding a Green BTA for them in the coming weeks though, hopefully they vacate the torch, as I would hate for them to kill it off since it was the first coral I ever bought.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/zoas4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/zoas3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/zoas2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/zoas1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/zoaisland-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/paisley.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/clowns4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/clowns3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/clowns2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/clowns1.jpg

[rocketlily]

WOW. Could you please just once post a picture a little out of focus or showing a wee bit of dirty tank?

[fishytime]

WOW. Could you please just once post a picture a little out of focus or showing a wee bit of dirty tank?

:laugh: Josh is a little bit OC about the glass on his tank:mrgreen:

[JDigital]

WOW. Could you please just once post a picture a little out of focus or showing a wee bit of dirty tank?

I'd rather not.... ;) LOL!

:laugh: Josh is a little bit OC about the glass on his tank:mrgreen:

:lol: ... What can I say... I like perfection. :first:


Red Coral got some new SPS colonies in today, and when I went in to do my weekly photos, I ended up coming home with one. I gotta admit, I HATE the rocks/cement that most of these colonies come in on, so I decided to remove the colony from the rock and mount it on 3 frag stones.

It's a deep water acro of some kind... I'm gonna have to see if Snappy can ID it for me. :mrgreen:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/deepacro1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/deepacro2.jpg

[Carmen]

Very Nice as usual Josh! And I happen to really like the BASIC occelaris Clowns!:razz: Very nice little pair. Hope they work out for you.:wink:

[syeve]

Awesome pics dude! Tank is looking amazing

[rattler]

see! it pays to get there before doug gets off work !
Cheer's
Geoff

[JDigital]

Very Nice as usual Josh! And I happen to really like the BASIC occelaris Clowns!:razz: Very nice little pair. Hope they work out for you.:wink:

They are looking great so far.. I think they will hang around longer than any other ones.. I named them Zac and Miri, i expect them to make a porno someday! :mrgreen:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/clowns5.jpg

Awesome pics dude! Tank is looking amazing

Thanks man..

see! it pays to get there before doug gets off work !
Cheer's
Geoff

LOL!! I've got plenty of time these days... I've taken lots of photos this week with the amount of free time I have.

[JDigital]

New addition to the tank... :twised:

Photos coming soon...........

[JDigital]

So I added some new lighting to my tank today...:mrgreen: I've added a 2x54W retro kit to supplement my MH's (Ushio 14K). I am running the 2x54W Hagen GLO retro ballast with TEK2 T5 Retro Reflectors, and I went with the Giessemann Actinic+ and the Giessemann True Actinic for bulb choices.

Pretty impressed with the look of them when the halides are off, will have to wait till tomorrow to see how they look with the halides on. :biggrin:

Anyways, a couple Actinic photos for you guys... (Sorry, I REALLY suck at actinic photography, still working to get the right "white" balance...):redface:









VOILA!!!!!!!:faint::jaw:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/Actinicson.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/ActFTSmar2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/alienfrecact1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/greenacroact1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/gspact1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/specKact1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/tongasact1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/tricolor2act1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/tricoloract1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/zoasact1.jpg

Thanks for looking.

[fishytime]

Well that didnt take long for you to bang those up. I beg to differ....your actinic shot look kick-ass to me.

[JDigital]

Well that didnt take long for you to bang those up. I beg to differ....your actinic shot look kick-ass to me.

Thanks Doug, really wish I had an extra few inches in width on the tank though. It's a pretty tight fit between the T5 reflectors and the MH's.. 20-22" tank width would have allowed me to mount the reflectors pointing straight down, without blocking the halides. Oh well, next tank. :)


EDIT.. Just adding the comparison.

I shot these with IDENTICAL camera settings.

My Lighting Info:

Metal Halides: Bulbs - Ushio 14K (5 months old) powered by a Galaxy Electronic Ballast w/ Lumenmax3 Reflectors.

T5's: Bulbs - 1x Giessmann Actinic+ & 1x Giessmann True Actinic powered by Hagen GLO Retro Ballast w/ TEKII Retro Reflectors.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/ComparisonFTS.jpg

[Hairytank]

The tank is looking good Josh.

HT

[JDigital]

The tank is looking good Josh.

HT

Thanks Aaron... funny thing is I am already wanting to upgrade. :mrgreen:

[JDigital]

So based on THIS (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=14667272#post14667272) Thread over at RC, I am going to run a 4-6 week experiment on 3 different pieces of SPS in my tank. Documented with photos of course, providing the camera setting for each coral as to show the true changes of the coral. Quoted below is my original post on RC, explaining the lighting cycles I am changing. Todays starting photos below that. :)

Some dosing info that I forgot post on RC though would be:

- Pohls Coral Vitalizer: 2drops/daily
- Pohls Coral Snow: 4ml/daily
- Reef Plus Vitamins & Amino Acids every 3rd day (recommended dosage).

Well I am going to try this theory on my 75G tank. I will take some shots later today of a couple piece of "test" coral while they are still on my old schedule. I think I will use 3 different pieces to watch over the course of 4-6 weeks.

Previous Lighting Cycle:

MH - Ushio 14K : 2-11pm Mon-Sun
T5's - Gmann Actinic+/True Actinic : 12pm-1am Mon-Sun (T5's only added 2days before test)

I have gotten what I think is good growth up till now... Average at least IMO.


New Lighting Cycle (as of March 23):

MH - Ushio 14K : 3pm-10pm Mon-Fri
MH - Ushio 14K : 5pm-11pm Sat-Sun

T5's - Gmann Actinic+/True Actinic : 2pm-12am Mon-Fri
T5's - Gmann Actinic+/True Actinic : 4pm-12am Sat-Sun


Let you guys know how it goes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/testcoral1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/testcoral2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/testcoral3.jpg

[rocketlily]

Very interesting experiment. Looking forward to seeing how it goes.

[Delphinus]

Indeed, I'm watching with keen interest here too. :)

[JDigital]

Very interesting experiment. Looking forward to seeing how it goes.

Indeed, I'm watching with keen interest here too. :)

Thanks guys... In the meantime while I wait, I went into Red Coral and dropped off a tank design for a quote. This picture is missing a few holes, specifically, the 2" overflow holes, 2 returns thru the floor, and 6 CL holes in the floor. The only hole I did add will be for the CL intake. It was my first time using this design program, so took it easy. As you can see the glass thickness is a bit out of wack.. haha.

I am planning this now as it would probably take the rest of the year to get "built" (stand, plumb, purchase gear, etc). It is my planned upgrade for the 75G, as long as the price is right. :lol:

Tank Dimensions: 60"x36"x20"
Tank Volume: 187G

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/theupgrade.jpg

[rocketlily]

Didn't you just start the 75 gal less than a year ago?:biggrin:

[JDigital]

Didn't you just start the 75 gal less than a year ago?:biggrin:

Haha, yea but like I said this is going to take me a year to build to the point where I can transfer everthing from the 75G, give me plenty of time to grow it out. :mrgreen: And I'm only going ahead with it if the tank price is reasonable.

[Lance]

Those are sweet dimensions. You're gonna love that 36" of depth.

[JDigital]

Those are sweet dimensions. You're gonna love that 36" of depth.

Yea, its going to be fun rockscaping it.. :mrgreen: Got a few ideas brewin' in my head.

[banditpowdercoat]

What is the V part on the end? Built in Overflow or something?

[JDigital]

What is the V part on the end? Built in Overflow or something?

External overflow box... at least that's what its suppose to look like. :lol: The reason I decided to go with the angled style, after Red Corals suggestion, is so I would have a space for my closed loop intake high enough off the sand bed (the only hole in that design pic).. Plus I hope it will help in keeping detritus from settling on the bottom (of a traditional flat bottom style overflow), that's the idea anyways.

I also modified that overflow again today from this design, so I can eliminate the Sump returns through the floor of the tank, and I am going to narrow the overflow (at the top 8"s) from 36" (full width) to 24", So i have 6" on either side of the overflow to run my sump returns. I wanted them higher in the tank to avoid a catastrophic tank drain if the power goes out, I trust a good check valve, but not with that much water. :peep:

[Boomboy]

sweet design, good call on shortening the overflow. that thing is going to be a best, it looks so short when you look at the picture, but its 20" tank. this thing is going to rock, hope the tank is a good price.

[JDigital]

sweet design, good call on shortening the overflow. that thing is going to be a best, it looks so short when you look at the picture, but its 20" tank. this thing is going to rock, hope the tank is a good price.

Yea, I asked for two quotes. 1st was regular glass all the way around... the 2nd was Starphire panel for the end piece of glass (purely for photographing the long length of the tank).

I think I will be going with the 2nd choice after getting the prices back. :mrgreen:


Tried something new today for an FTS...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/animated2.gif

[Chaloupa]

Cool idea! The fish look fantastic!

[Rbacchiega]

Good luck with getting the new tank...hope everything works out. That will be rad with the front to back dimensions. Any reason why you don't want to go acrylic?

[JDigital]

Good luck with getting the new tank...hope everything works out. That will be rad with the front to back dimensions. Any reason why you don't want to go acrylic?

Red Coral doesn't do acrylic.. haha but even if they did price would probably be way outta budget for me.

Thanks..:)

[JDigital]

So this past week has been a bit of a rollercoaster with my tank, mostly all the down part of a coaster.. :lol: just not as fun.

I've been having troubles getting my triangle of 3 up (Ca, Alk, Mag) to where I would like them.

Test results from this week past week... I've been dosing Taylored Aquatics Mag, Kent DHK buffer, and Calcium in small daily doses to bring it up and it just won't budge..

03/24/2009 Ca: 380-390 Alk: 6.4 Mag: 1155
03/25/2009 Ca: 370-380 Alk: 6.4 Mag: 1260
03/27/2009 Ca: 370-380 Alk: 6.4 Mag: 1110 NO3: Undectable
03/29/2009 Ca: 330-340 Alk: 7.4 Mag: 1230

Yesterday's tests were done after an all day 20G water change with H2Ocean salt, which I thought would help bring my levels up a bit more, but no real changes.

I also dosed with chemi-clean a few days ago to fight some cyano, and regretted doing it later as I had to shut down my skimmer for a couple days, and all that did was put fear at the back of my mind all weekend. I should have just stuck to siphoning and Pohls Coral Snow.

3rd, and not least, Commensal Flatworms. I spent a good chunk of yesterday in between water changes siphoning and turkey basting as many as I could to attempt to bring down the population, which is large!

Tank was starting to look better last night, water needs to run through some carbon though, it definitely needs a polish.

Unfortunately I am thinking of adding a powerhead :neutral: As I think I am lacking on flow in my system. Not something I wanted to do, or have in my tank, but going to try it. I've noticed my tang is alot more active when he has a strong current to swim in... He will sit at the Closed Loop outlet and ride the blast of water for AGES... I adjusted the back nozzle on my CL to put more flow thru the front 2 outlet and immediately saw a difference in my Tangs behavior, in a good way, so I think adding a powerhead will be a good choice.

Sorry, no pics this update.. :lol:

[fishytime]

I love that sequence of shots man....cool. No mention of the recent addition???:razz:

[JDigital]

I love that sequence of shots man....cool. No mention of the recent addition???:razz:

I haven't seen the recent addition enough myself... :lol:

[JDigital]

I love that sequence of shots man....cool. No mention of the recent addition???:razz:

Well now that he is out and about alot more, I've had a chance to photograph him, which is a challenge in itself. Damn Mystery Wrasses are soo quick. I'm pretty sure he took some abuse when I added him to the tank, as his side fins almost disappeared, and he looks to have some scars or missing scales behind the side fins. Looks to be getting better though, and the fins are starting to come back.. His tail was pretty chewed up from the LFS when I brought him home and it has actually almost completely healed which I am glad to see.

I actually had picked him up in hopes of a chemical free solution to my Flatworms, and he didn't touch a single one of them. So it was a costly addition that didn't pay off how I was hoping for, but still ended up with a great looking wrasse.

Anyways, the only decent shot I have gotten of the new addition. (not so new anymore I guess... haha)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/mystery.jpg

[Ryan]

So this past week has been a bit of a rollercoaster with my tank, mostly all the down part of a coaster.. :lol: just not as fun.

I've been having troubles getting my triangle of 3 up (Ca, Alk, Mag) to where I would like them.

Test results from this week past week... I've been dosing Taylored Aquatics Mag, Kent DHK buffer, and Calcium in small daily doses to bring it up and it just won't budge..

03/24/2009 Ca: 380-390 Alk: 6.4 Mag: 1155
03/25/2009 Ca: 370-380 Alk: 6.4 Mag: 1260
03/27/2009 Ca: 370-380 Alk: 6.4 Mag: 1110 NO3: Undectable
03/29/2009 Ca: 330-340 Alk: 7.4 Mag: 1230

Yesterday's tests were done after an all day 20G water change with H2Ocean salt, which I thought would help bring my levels up a bit more, but no real changes.

I also dosed with chemi-clean a few days ago to fight some cyano, and regretted doing it later as I had to shut down my skimmer for a couple days, and all that did was put fear at the back of my mind all weekend. I should have just stuck to siphoning and Pohls Coral Snow.

3rd, and not least, Commensal Flatworms. I spent a good chunk of yesterday in between water changes siphoning and turkey basting as many as I could to attempt to bring down the population, which is large!

Tank was starting to look better last night, water needs to run through some carbon though, it definitely needs a polish.

Unfortunately I am thinking of adding a powerhead :neutral: As I think I am lacking on flow in my system. Not something I wanted to do, or have in my tank, but going to try it. I've noticed my tang is alot more active when he has a strong current to swim in... He will sit at the Closed Loop outlet and ride the blast of water for AGES... I adjusted the back nozzle on my CL to put more flow thru the front 2 outlet and immediately saw a difference in my Tangs behavior, in a good way, so I think adding a powerhead will be a good choice.

Sorry, no pics this update.. :lol:



Why dont you add a MP-40 or even an MP-20 to the tank?

The tank looks really good I really love the Copperband. Did I miss it or did you loose the female Hawaiian Percula?

[JDigital]

Why dont you add a MP-40 or even an MP-20 to the tank?

The tank looks really good I really love the Copperband. Did I miss it or did you loose the female Hawaiian Percula?

I thought about the MP's but ended up just adding a Koralia 4 for now.

Yea, I lost the female Perc as well, I won't be trying Perculas in any other tanks in the future, they just don't stay alive for me, yet my Copperband and Powder Brown are doing great, go figure!.. I tried some normal Occelaris and they are doing excellent..


So I am still trying to bring my Ca, Alk, and Mag levels up to where I want them, but it is a taking forever. I am dosing more than the recommended level with Taylored Aquatics products. Mag and Ca are slowing getting closer to what I would like to see, but Alk just won't budge out of that 6-6.4 range... So frustrating, as everything in the tank (especially the SPS) looks great, with excellent color, great PE, and solid growth. Starting to wonder if these numbers even matter... :lol:

Test Results:

03/24/2009 Ca: 380-390 Alk: 6.4 Mag: 1155
03/25/2009 Ca: 370-380 Alk: 6.4 Mag: 1260
03/27/2009 Ca: 370-380 Alk :6.4 Mag: 1110
03/29/2009 Ca: 330-340 Alk: 7.4 Mag: 1230
04/01/2009 Ca: 380-390 Alk: 6.7 Mag: 1260
04/14/2009 Ca: 360-370 Alk: 6.1 Mag: 1140
04/15/2009 Ca: 380-390 Alk: 6.4 Mag: 1200
04/17/2009 Ca: 420-430 Alk: 6.1 Mag: 1290
04/22/2009 Ca: 400-410 Alk: 6.1 Mag: 1260

Dosing daily 5 caps of Mag, 4 caps of Ca, and 4 caps of dkH Plus, just to try and bring the levels up... Using all Taylored Aquatics products. I'm looking for numbers around Ca: 440-450 Alk: 8-9 Mag: 1350

[JDigital]

Spent a good amount of time at Red Coral this afternoon, 1) Drooling over some new livestock, 2) debated bringing home this.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/aquacontroller.jpg

After about 2.5 hours of drooling and thinking, I ended up bringing it home. The full package I got consists of the following.

- Aquacontroller Jr Base Unit
- Direct Connect 8 (DC8) Unit
- Temp. Probe
- pH Probe
- PC Serial Interface Cable (which I hope to rig up to hook to my Macbook)

Hoping I can get this setup today and tomorrow before I go back to work for 2 weeks.

Huge Thanks to Kevin @ Red Coral! He really knows how to take care of his customers! :mrgreen:

[Lance]

I'm sure you'll be hapy with the Jr. I have one and love it. Jeff @ J/L recommended it and for the price I think it is a pretty good controller.

[Rbacchiega]

mmmmmm aqua controllers.

I'll be adding one to my 50...did you get the one with computer hookups as well? Kevin and I talked about that one today and it seems that's the one I'm getting!

[JDigital]

I'm sure you'll be hapy with the Jr. I have one and love it. Jeff @ J/L recommended it and for the price I think it is a pretty good controller.

Good to hear Lance.. I'm sure you will get 1 or 2 PM's from me regarding how you got yours running/setup... :mrgreen:

mmmmmm aqua controllers.

I'll be adding one to my 50...did you get the one with computer hookups as well? Kevin and I talked about that one today and it seems that's the one I'm getting!

Yea, I got the Serial Interface cable with it... unfortunately I have to install Winblows as a 2nd operating system on my Mac, as I don't think ACjr is Mac compatible... Not really concerned about computer hooks up as the Jr doesn't support email notification or web server options like the AC3 and AC3 Pro.

[JDigital]

Couple new SPS photos.. Been awhile since I posted any coral pics I think..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/spspolyps.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/newsps1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/75G%20Continued/greenspsxx.jpg

[Rbacchiega]

Looks great, as usual.

Are you going to be running your controller on the new tank or this one?

[JDigital]

Looks great, as usual.

Are you going to be running your controller on the new tank or this one?

I'll be running it on the big tank as well.. but that's a ways away so I will hook it up on this tank too. :mrgreen:

[rocketlily]

Would you mind sharing with me info on the lens you are using to shoot these.

[JDigital]

Would you mind sharing with me info on the lens you are using to shoot these.

Camera: Canon 40D
Lens: Canon EF-S 60m f/2.8 Macro

http://www.thecamerastore.com/products/catalog/macro-lenses/canon-ef-s-60-mm-f28-macro-usm

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=293&sort=7&cat=2&page=4

[JDigital]

Sad news today...

I lost my Copperband Butterfly sometime between last night and this afternoon..:sad: I had a creeping feeling that she wasn't doing well, as she stopped eating 2 days ago, and has been swimming around kinda "spaced out" not hunting in the rocks anymore and such...

I really enjoyed her while I had her though... I suspect she was cyanide caught based on how quickly she deteriorated. So that was my last attempt at trying one.

[fishytime]

Dude...that sucks:sad:.....seemed like it was doing really well:question:

[JDigital]

Dude...that sucks:sad:.....seemed like it was doing really well:question:

The worst part of it is, you KNOW there is something wrong that you can't do anything about to help, a QT wouldn't have helped, and there were no physical signs that could help me determine meds (not that any could be used for cyanide though). Just kinda feel helpless. :sad: