The LAST big upgrade [Archive] - Page 3 - Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board

reefwars

11-09-2012, 02:37 PM

It was bent after being heated with a plumbers torch and then put into the bulkhead (friction fit) then adjusted and held in place for about a minute to cool. Took about 10 minutes total. It kept its shape and diameter.

I've previously tried doing this by heating the section in the oven, this way is much faster and more precise.

Anyone know where I can go buy salt in town? I've just made it through my last bucket and I need 4 to fill up Tibet to start her on her maiden voyage.

we got all kinds at concept drop over and see us:)

michika

11-09-2012, 02:46 PM

Awesome. I'll come after work!

lastlight

11-09-2012, 03:50 PM

I need 4 to fill up Tibet to start her on her maiden voyage.

Music to my ears it's about time!

mseepman

11-09-2012, 06:16 PM

I think this is music to everyone's ears.

:pop2:

michika

11-13-2012, 12:44 PM

Got my salt!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/9960C498-7CF1-41AB-89C6-844A88E65654-1932-000001BF98D00BAB.jpg

The sump base got sealed

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/BBFDE188-4847-4DA2-8102-16C5D8CE729B-1932-000001BF7CA40574.jpg

Now the sump is in place along with one of the three pumps.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/4AF50F37-DDD1-4CD4-A987-49445E7E7979-1932-000001BF5F20A366.jpg

JDigital

11-13-2012, 12:49 PM

TIBET's getting wet? :surprise: Yaaaahooo!

mseepman

11-13-2012, 03:17 PM

Love to see this finally filling up.

kien

11-13-2012, 03:35 PM

That's a lot of salt yo! What does "scientific grade" mean?

michika

11-13-2012, 05:31 PM

That's a lot of salt yo! What does "scientific grade" mean?

Yeah, 4 boxes, plus 2.5 pails...it better be enough. I haven't used Coralife in YEARS, so maybe I'll stick with it, or maybe not; who knows.

I imagine my little grains of salt arriving dressed up in their little lab jackets and googles all ready to get down to being all science-y and such.

JDigital

11-13-2012, 07:40 PM

I'm using that same salt on the 180 here at the office. Seems pretty good. Mixes up really quick from what I can tell and mixes fairly clean too, haven't seen much residue left in my water change container, and its CHEAP! :mrgreen:

michika

12-04-2012, 06:47 PM

I have my final shopping list for turning Tibet on, and I'm hoping I can pick everything up before the holidays so that while I am at home I can be working on the tank, or at least watching her fill up with water.

- HRV (arrived, but requires install)
- Rock - I need another 100lbs, my cooking process is taking forever.
- Sand - need more course aragonite and some crushed coral
- Bulbs - T5 and/or MH
- 1.5" valves (out of stock)
- A celebratory cigar

The question I've been playing around with in my head is how am I going to cycle Tibet. Do I want to help it along, dose, or do nothing?

Delphinus

12-04-2012, 07:04 PM

I went with mostly dry rock and some cooked rock in my tank and went with the Zeovit 14-day tank cycle. If memory serves my nitrites took a hair longer than the actual 14 advertised days to hit zero, but it was only a day or two later. I was skeptical but it worked and I started transferring livestock over and there were no nitrite bumps for any of the transfers (I waited up to a week in between transfers for some of the bigger fish.)

Only problem at 280g for me, it was a costly purchase of zeovit products (in my case I didn't mind TOO much as I had intended for the tank to be zeo anyhow) and it will only be that much worse for your tank's volume. But hey it was a 2 week cycle from 0% to 100%. It is a given of course that given more time it will cycle on its own so it comes down to how patient you are in that phase..

michika

12-05-2012, 06:08 PM

My original intent was to cook my old LR and then use it through the display, and sump, supplimenting with new dry rock. Unfortunately the cooking process on my old LR is taking WAY longer then anticipated, like months longer. I'm at the point now of deciding if I should a) buy more dry rock or b) just keep waiting. It could mean Tibet would start up with only about 150lbs of rock, which while I love the minimalist look, I'm not sure my otherhalf will take to it.

If I did Zeostart 3 I'd be looking at dosing about 8mL/day.

Did you do the whole Zeo line Tony or just a few?

Skimmerking

12-05-2012, 06:18 PM

you are so out of it Kien.................:surprise: Be careful with that big bad boy. You could hurt someone with it! :surprise:

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/pump.jpg

JDigital

12-05-2012, 06:36 PM

Delphinus

12-05-2012, 08:42 PM

Did you do the whole Zeo line Tony or just a few?

Do you mean for the 14-day cycle thing that I did, or the day-to-day permanent tank routine?

I ended up picking up most of Lobsterboy's zeo bottles so I ended up with more or less a full set. As some have emptied I've replaced a few things but I'm at the point where I find I don't dose any of them anymore except for sporatic bursts of this or that. I figure I'll just let them run empty at this point and see what happens. For the time being however I am still running the zeolites in a reactor.

For the 14 day cycle routine I think you only need zeostart, zeobak and sponge power. But the amounts are measured in terms of several ml per 25 gallon so you end up pretty much dumping the bottle contents in, or even several bottles worth depending on what size you get ... which kind of hurts when you take into account the retail on those things, but at least it did cycle in 14 (ish) days .. I dunno what the best call is.

Getting some more rock in now might not be a bad idea either ... easier now than later if you don't have to rescape anything..

brotherd

12-05-2012, 11:40 PM

I'm curious about the hrv unit. How expensive is it to buy and have installed? Could you pm me?

michika

12-06-2012, 04:16 PM

The unit itself was $950+tax. Install will be done ourselves with the help of a friend and our good buddies Beer.

I'm sure there will be some more parts we need to buy but that was just the unit itself. I also bought the one with advanced filtration because I have a lot of shedding pets. The regular unit without the pet add ons was between 800 and 850.

mseepman

12-06-2012, 04:42 PM

Which HRV unit did you end up getting?

The build is coming along nicely...I'm just around the corner from catching up with you though. :)

michika

12-06-2012, 04:51 PM

Just as I was about to hit the submit button on a lighting order I had an epiphany; why am I buying MHs and T5s if I have intentions to take my tank to LEDs.

So now what? Do I just buy 3 MH bulbs for "basic" lighting and heat and go with that while I finalize my LED decisions? I have all the parts for MH and T5 lighting already, all I need is new/replacement bulbs.

michika

12-06-2012, 05:27 PM

Which HRV unit did you end up getting?

The build is coming along nicely...I'm just around the corner from catching up with you though. :)

Not a clue. I just paid for the sucker and made metion of my excessive pet managerie. I also bought the beer to pay for the installation, but quality control took a few too many bottles for inspection purposes. :redface: You know checking for poison and all...

mseepman

12-06-2012, 08:00 PM

Haha...I know exactly what you mean! Looking forward to some more pics!

brotherd

12-06-2012, 11:01 PM

Thanks for the hrv info.We have pets as well so that helps. When I had my little 110 gal tank the windows in the winter were always iced up. Really need to address that problem before I fill up the new tank.

michika

12-14-2012, 05:19 PM

I'm sad, I can't support Eco-Reefer.com for my rock purchases. I've gotten rock from them in the past and it is beautiful looking stuff, amazing, great shapes, sizes, etc. Unfortunately the shipping is really expensive, $80 on 150lbs. :( Maybe they'll run another free shipping promo or something.

michika

12-14-2012, 05:37 PM

I keep thinking I'm done with ordering plumbing parts...yet somehow...

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/order.jpg

FishyFishy!

12-14-2012, 07:04 PM

I swear that it never ends!!!!!!

kien

12-14-2012, 08:43 PM

I swear that it never ends!!!!!!

That's not true. Unless your handle is "lastlight", it ends when you shut the tank down.

FishyFishy!

12-14-2012, 08:56 PM

That's not true. Unless your handle is "lastlight", it ends when you shut the tank down.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/oh-snap-90414794228.jpg

michika

12-16-2012, 09:57 PM

Lol

Speaking of stating the obvious; on the lid of the container of NLS pellets I just bought. Sometimes I wonder about people...

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/86E956C5-9014-4F36-8056-E124B5B59070-28614-00000EFA760DE0B8.jpg

Delphinus

12-17-2012, 01:09 AM

I'll tell you what's weird, I just bought some new NLS flakes, Optimum or something-or-other for Saltwater, to replace my about-to-be-empty one, and it's the same lot # (101) but whereas my old one said "Expires June 2015" the new one says "Expires June 2014." But the same lot#. Me no compendy that. Not a biggie, mind you since I know it will be empty way before that but still worthy of a raised eyebrow for a few seconds.

mrhasan

12-17-2012, 02:04 AM

michika

12-17-2012, 02:21 PM

Maybe the stamp machine expired or something? :lol:

Wouldn't that be ironic, the expiration date stamp on all our products has nothing to do with the actual product you purchased, but is infact the expiry date of the stamp machine.

I think I'll duck out of work on time today and head over to Concept to do some shopping. I need me some sand, and lightbulbs!

JDigital

12-17-2012, 07:29 PM

When you get around to making a batch of SW with that coralife salt, I'd like to hear what your dKH readings are. :) See my PM for more details.

michika

12-19-2012, 02:59 PM

I can check a skimmer off my list! Picking up a RLSS R10-U skimmer for my tank soon. I can't wait to play around with this. I'm going to run two skimmers on this system eventually, but it only needs one for the initial start up and breakin period.

Now I'm just waiting for sales, there isn't much left to buy, sand, 150lbs rock, and light bulbs now.

I'm now starting to wonder if I should have a salt party like I originally planned, or if this is just going to end up being one of those, hey its 2am, lets fill the tank kind of days.

kien

12-19-2012, 03:47 PM

michika

12-19-2012, 03:55 PM

Bath salts party?

Maybe, maybe not, I feel somewhat attached to my face.

JDigital

12-19-2012, 04:09 PM

I feel somewhat attached to my face.

So do people on bath salts. :twised:

michika

12-27-2012, 05:35 PM

lol

Continuing with the WTFs, this was a free floating piece of cardboard in the top of my HRV box, it had absolutely no purpose.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/6BDC7469-7C15-4505-A002-1FF8908D599A-3663-0000027840DC543A.jpg

Picked up a sweet little Hanna checker. Two thumbs up on ease of use!
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/93F3AC85-048E-4066-B2DC-DDBC98D7A948-3663-0000027833EBE7D7.jpg

Working with the RKE.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/757454C1-4CEF-4613-92AE-3B17526063ED-3663-00000277D6967361.jpg

Got the rest of the dry rock need from Concept
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/47CD9213-83C4-4663-B8BD-9895F15D0C31-3663-00000277E68ADD79.jpg

Then this happened.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/291D439B-FFBB-4340-8770-627E63E8B01C-5438-0000038A54DB1857.jpg

Sump
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/83CD90A6-C091-4ACE-A1B3-932AE7A988C2-5438-0000038A5CFA19D1.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/11D3A7BC-09CB-4A03-9053-46CEA746C550-6061-000003E8FCA41D44.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/32807779-ACD9-4AC8-B018-54F5A5762D1C-6061-000003E908161ED0.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/7FF5042E-5D67-49A5-8049-3210CCCB4783-6061-000003E928CC4635.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/BFA792B0-3098-4CB3-949B-ABF5FFC1C547-6061-000003E9391B3BAE.jpg

JDigital

12-27-2012, 07:30 PM

ZOMG!! SHE'S WET! :mrgreen:

Congrats.. This has been a LONG time coming!

Delphinus

12-27-2012, 08:47 PM

Water! :D

Re - the Hanna checkers -- yeah the Alkalinity one was such a huge win, I thought ... can't go wrong with also getting a Calcium checker! Yay me! .... Then I went to use it. :lol:

Hanna engineers in the different product divisions really need to compare notes more often.

(Don't get me wrong I still choose to use the Ca checker but compared to the Alk it's a total "WTF were you guys thinking?" moment. "Now add one nanogram of tank water to the vial..." ok ok maybe it's not THAT bad but it's close. Also you need lab grade distilled water. I've been using RO/DI instead, how ghetto!)

Glad to see water. It's such a moment of triumph isn't it!!

michika

12-27-2012, 10:27 PM

The water is now salted and almost heated. Yesterday evening/night was spent simulating various outages and a few blocked drains, minus one icy shower due to a missing valve (a duh moment), so far everything is working out well. Now its about getting the salt mixed in and then awaiting ye old slime coat so we can start tweaking the overflow for noise.

I still have yet to turn one one of the two 4-ways, the return pump alone is already providing amazing flow and surface movement. The only live bacteria in the system right now is from the live sand I added. I still have yet to truly seed the tank as I still have to plumb in a skimmer and fix two leaks that have popped up in my plumbing.

daplatapus

12-27-2012, 11:08 PM

Ooooooo, exciting!

Snappy

12-28-2012, 12:13 AM

Another big step closer to the fun part, congrats! :wink:

fishoholic

12-28-2012, 04:35 PM

:cheer2: water!!!!!

michika

12-29-2012, 07:06 PM

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/B0AD20DC-FAAF-4F3C-A576-51C6B41778C9-8457-000004D35A77B52E.jpg

DKH is reading high 16 with the salt at 1.022 and I need another heater, I can't my second titanium heater I bought for this system.

JDigital

12-29-2012, 08:47 PM

That red stand is cool.. :razz:

Very minimalist on the aquascaping eh?

And did I read that right... high 16 dKH, with the coralife salt? That's 11 points higher than my box of salt.

michika

12-29-2012, 10:19 PM

Yes, lots of minimalist aquascaping for now, the left side of the tank has more built up structures, but its hard to see from the photo's angle. We still haven't added anything specific to start the tank's cycle yet, it seems to be starting itself anyways, must be the live sand.

Yup 16 dKH, or 289ppm x 0.056 = 16.688.

New parameters from this afternoon though;
Temp: 75.7
Ammonia (NH3/NH4): 0 - 0.25ppm (yay a bit of an ammonia spike)
Nitrate (NO3): 0ppm
Nitrite (NO2): 0ppm
pH: 8.1
dKH: 289ppm, which again is still 16.688 dKH (wow! That is high! Coralife Marine Salt)

I am pretty indifferent to the salt's parameter given that there is nothing in the tank, but still...wow...

brotherd

12-29-2012, 11:29 PM

How's that overflow working out? I have a 1000 watt heater that you might like.

gregzz4

12-29-2012, 11:34 PM

I am pretty indifferent to the salt's parameter given that there is nothing in the tank, but still...wow...
It wouldn't hurt to get your Sg in check now for the bacteria

Nice to see some water :smile:

JDigital

12-30-2012, 12:43 AM

michika

12-30-2012, 12:50 AM

How's that overflow working out? I have a 1000 watt heater that you might like.

So far its awesome. I'm glad we went with something so wide as the sound of water flowing over it is difficult to hear at only 8ft away. It seems like the flow works as hoped, pushing any particulates towards the drains, nothing seems to be building up on the bottom.

I think the parameters is strictly just the salt. I'll look into if others have had any parameter spikes like mine or JDigital's. The SG is now spot on at our intended 1.024, and I have no reliable Ca test as mine came with no expiration date.

I'll address the issue as time goes on. I suspect its the salt having high dKH and probably Ca values. The only way I could find to reduce dKH though was muriatic acid dosing either directly into the tank (diluted with FW) or via auto top off. The other option I suppose would be to do WCs with a different, or lower dKH salt. I'm of the mind that I'll just let it run its course and see where things are at in a week or so. Should things still be running high then maybe I'll do a WC and use some of the AquaVitro salt I have.

Any other suggestions for lowering dKH?

michika

12-30-2012, 12:53 AM

I'm not 100% sure that dKH number is correct. I've had low dkh with brand new water, my 180, denny has low dkh at the store with that salt... all of sudden its through the roof. Something seems off.

I know its hard to mess up a test with that Hanna ALK Checker (i have it too) but that much variation in a tank the size of yours (which would take a few bags (or boxes even) just seems very strange to me.

I've only tested the tank twice for dKH;
1) SG 1.022 and the number was 289ppm
2) SG 1.024 and the number was 289ppm again

Maybe I just got all the dKH additives from the batch? I'll keep testing it as the system breaks in some more. :question:

gregzz4

12-30-2012, 01:23 AM

Any other suggestions for lowering dKH?
You could seed some coralline and let it fall naturally, without doing any WCs
By the time you have lots of corals you'll be happy with your New SW being high enough to save you dosing

michika

12-31-2012, 07:19 PM

True, and valid points.

Temp: 79.2 (up from last)
Ammonia (NH3/NH4): 0.25ppm (up from last at 0 - 0.25ppm)
Nitrate (NO3): 5ppm (up from last at 0ppm)
Nitrite (NO2): 0ppm (same)
pH: 8.2
dKH: didn't test

michika

01-02-2013, 08:39 PM

Added a small, two fist sized piece of coraline encrusted LR to the system a few days ago. It looks funny, the only purple rock in a sea of white.

Temp: 79.7
Ammonia (NH3/NH4): 0.25-0.5ppm
Nitrate (NO3): 5-10ppm
Nitrite (NO2): 0ppm
pH: 8.2
dKH: didn't test

Getting there...

michika

01-06-2013, 02:57 AM

Temp: 80.8
Ammonia (NH3/NH4): 0ppm
Nitrate (NO3): 5-10ppm
Nitrite (NO2): 0-0.25ppm
pH: 8.1/8.2 on the cusp
dKH: didn't test
Ca: didn't test
Mg: didn't test

I think this is the tail end of my cycle!

Just waiting on my skimmer now.

lpsreefer

01-06-2013, 03:21 AM

looks like a great start!
good to see your temp at the right spot.
those extra 2 300 watt heaters helped out!
i cant wait to see the one year FTS. (next year)

michika

01-09-2013, 07:30 PM

Put up some temporary lighting to see in the tank.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/F8230E50-9872-4B04-B04A-E0D9695FBCFB-18250-00000BD52161B58F.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/5FEDFDBB-2708-404E-A807-9A98BC3502AC-18250-00000BD51673D705.jpg

I need to do some more/new planning work for my QT system and organizational system for the fishroom. I also have to order some vinyl for the backglass. I'm on the fence for blue or black. 2 cents?

chaoticbliss

01-09-2013, 08:09 PM

Black. Its eventually going to get covered in other colours from the inside anyways lol.
Blue I have found takes away from the contents of the tank. Black goes unnoticed for the most part.

Delphinus

01-09-2013, 09:40 PM

I went with blue on my 280g because "the ocean is blue, whee! I like blue" or some such... In hindsight, my overflow is black, my corner silicone is black and I've never really gotten the sensation I was looking into the deep ocean blue when I stare at my background. OTOH, black makes colours pop more especially in photographs. I might change my blue to black at some point (it's only paint, and time ... haha. "One day").

I say consider black... You might even never go back.

Lance

01-09-2013, 10:23 PM

Lookin' good! I did one of my tanks black and one blue and I personally prefer the blue. A lighter blue though, like the background colour on this forum. To me, the lighter colour seems to give the tank more depth than darker ones.

brotherd

01-10-2013, 01:27 AM

lastlight

01-10-2013, 01:39 AM

For sure a black background made my tank seem it's actual depth vs the more blue look. In the end tho things looked and photographed so much nicer on the black that I had to go back.

lockrookie

01-10-2013, 01:49 AM

Go to a fabric store get some blu fabric and black fabric or whatever color you desire even try zebra lol but them drape it at the back and see which you like better this way you only paint once

michika

01-10-2013, 02:55 AM

Go to a fabric store get some blu fabric and black fabric or whatever color you desire even try zebra lol but them drape it at the back and see which you like better this way you only paint once

Good point! Thanks.

I was actually going to try and do some research on vinyl sheets as it can be readily found for a pretty reasonable price even if I'd have to ship it to me. I've seen quite a few tanks on RC use this method, but never really paid close attention as to the specific products, techniques, risks, etc.

gregzz4

01-10-2013, 03:02 AM

Go to a fabric store get some blu fabric and black fabric or whatever color you desire even try zebra lol but them drape it at the back and see which you like better this way you only paint once
'Tis what I did
$6 for waterproof nylon stuff, and some industrial velcro attached to 4 corners
Mind you, the velcro roll isn't cheap, and my wife sewed all the edges and velcro for me :wink:

Cons - splash water down the back and you have to clean the glass
Pros - you can pull a corner off and use a magfloat

Looks like you'd have some planning and sewing to do with all your bulkheads - and I guess you'd have to do the whole outside of your overflow
If you're a good sewer (fabric, not black water :lol:) I can picture a nice covering with velcro'd flaps and such
One in blue and one in black, WTH right

michika

01-12-2013, 02:45 AM

I need to go find some pictures of these back glass covers!

Video of air being injected into the pump and watching the interplay between the 4-way on the end of the tank and the 90 on the return. (http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/?action=view&current=4D851494-2535-453A-B3B5-54F8F9ACE053-24775-00000ECAEADFDE08.mp4)

reefwars

01-12-2013, 02:52 AM

I need to go find some pictures of these back glass covers!

Having some fun injecting air into the pump and watching the interplay between the 4-way on the end of the tank and the 90 on the return.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/4D851494-2535-453A-B3B5-54F8F9ACE053-24775-00000ECAEADFDE08.mp4

catherine i can cut you some vinyl and if you and kevin want to swing by the shop i can give you the 5 min course on putting it on its very easy to do and removable down the road if you need to.

i have black and blue vinyl:)

gregzz4

01-12-2013, 02:55 AM

Catherine, what's the link you tried to post ?

michika

01-12-2013, 03:01 AM

I think we just might!

Catherine, what's the link you tried to post ?

Photobucket link to a video because YouTube won't let me upload.

Here is the direct link:

http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/?action=view&current=4D851494-2535-453A-B3B5-54F8F9ACE053-24775-00000ECAEADFDE08.mp4

Pan

01-12-2013, 03:05 AM

Beautiful tank my dear....

gregzz4

01-12-2013, 03:06 AM

Really good lookin' flow

michika

01-17-2013, 06:54 PM

Thanks everyone.

Got in on that BRS group order this week and broke the proverbial bank. That sobbing you hear is my wallet crying in the corner.

Note how I STILL had to buy more plumbing parts.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/brs.jpg

Algae! But only on one side because someone forgot to turn on ALL the lights one day.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/43E68B65-40EC-4C0D-9EF0-E5E2D7AF55E9-3586-00000178790AD1D6.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/5CD2DD97-6711-47E5-ABBF-C1303668FE8E-3586-000001787EBFAB52.jpg

JDigital

01-17-2013, 07:56 PM

You doing the Zeo thing yet?

michika

01-17-2013, 10:42 PM

You doing the Zeo thing yet?

Yet! :lol:

Nah, looked into a few of the dosing regiments and had to pass for now. Too expensive to dose on such a big system long term. Maybe in the future I'll go back to using some of their additives for SPS, but for now its not really in the long term budget.

Pan

01-29-2013, 08:55 PM

Yet! :lol:

Nah, looked into a few of the dosing regiments and had to pass for now. Too expensive to dose on such a big system long term. Maybe in the future I'll go back to using some of their additives for SPS, but for now its not really in the long term budget.

Big Tank...long term bud...? what? :)

lpsreefer

03-13-2013, 04:13 AM

Update???

michika

03-14-2013, 02:08 PM

Ah updates...

We got our skimmer. This thing has just about made me sick so many times already. The skimmate that comes out of it is just plain old gag-worthy nasty.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/67353418-B02F-4275-B43A-3BC7A6D3ADD6-34613-000013C196E79597_zpsba14887d.jpg

I've added some Yellow tangs. Although yesterday when I came home I found two dead on the sand. :( They have been an excellent addition to the tank and have done an amazing job at helping clean up the algae blooms I've had since starting the system up.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/F85DFA37-EF89-439D-995A-5172BF11EEBC-34613-000013C187A8F7D0_zpsb167902b.jpg

Currently the RKE controls most of the system. I'm still working on getting the moonlights and the dosing system set up, but it coming along bit by bit.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/69B7E71F-8AC0-47F7-A8DC-ACF9E177D6AE-29615-00000ED00B7178E8_zpse8b89732.jpg

mseepman

03-14-2013, 03:09 PM

Wow, 9 yellows...that must have looked pretty cool. Any idea why 2 were dead?

lastlight

03-14-2013, 03:32 PM

That skimmer body and cup are massive!

Are the yellows grazing together?

JDigital

03-14-2013, 04:57 PM

Was it 11 and now 9? or 9 and now 7?

Either way.. that looks awesome!

michika

03-14-2013, 05:11 PM

The yellows are amazing together. They graze independently in a particular corner/side of the tank and then as a group they swim to the other side and begin grazing again. These fish were eating as they were acclimating and a few started eating as soon as they were dumped in the tank. They add a really nice splash of colour to the tank and it seems to liven it up some more.

There were 9 originally, then 2 went missing, bodies never to be found, and then yesterday the two on the sand. There are 5 left. I don't think they are picking each other off, there is/was no physical damage or evidence of any external problems.

The skimmer gets emptied every other day, usually every day. By day 3 it is overflowing and foam is coming up out of the air vents in the collection cup lid. This thing is amazing.

mseepman

03-14-2013, 05:43 PM

Which skimmer is that again...tried to find in your thread but no luck.

FishyFishy!

03-14-2013, 06:00 PM

Which skimmer is that again...tried to find in your thread but no luck.

+1 :lol:

michika

03-28-2013, 01:10 AM

The skimmer is the Reef Octopus Diablo 350 DCS. Can't hear this skimmer at all

Updated FTS from last night.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/A83ECAF9-9A98-4F9E-9870-72AE43F1C070-1773-0000016444CB9A3E_zps9a382431.jpg

Skimmer in question 3 hours AFTER cleaning:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/3812351C-BE8B-4F97-838E-C487DCE3D91F-1773-000001643D8DF144_zpsa0822253.jpg

Skimmer in question from tonight, about 24 hours:
The skimmate is actually black, not dark brown, or some variation on a shade of green, but nasty gag-me-I-can-taste-it black.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/F3CDBB34-E0DC-4507-BE19-5132A2A94781-2463-000001C56FF87870_zps408f1cf7.jpg

Frogspawn split in progress;
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/415D0637-EEF5-4BAE-B8AB-5E8434E4446E-1773-000001644AC4FB5D_zps999bc60d.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/CAF77BDC-E6A1-43B5-9598-FA5DEF3052B4-2463-000001C5825D6B64_zps585f3012.jpg

Parker

03-28-2013, 02:53 AM

Looks great.. Look forward to seeing it fill in.

Snappy

03-28-2013, 04:16 AM

YEAH! Glad to this beast up & running. :biggrin:

michika

03-30-2013, 03:05 PM

I'm in the process of adjusting the rockwork and getting a better feel for dosing. I've always previously used reactors, and typically only ever hand dosed magnesium, and way back in the day, some powdered additives.

There has been much discussion on organization for the actual fishroom itself. I have made it a rule that all fish stuff must find a home in the fishroom. I'm tired of boxes of fish stuff in the garage, the workroom, the fishroom, etc. I am very excited to have it all in one place. Part of this final clean-up push also includes re-homing my 180g grow out tank and Tony's old 90g cube. I want them out of my house.

I'm thinking the next livestock purchase I make should include a couple SPS frags to test the system. Probably something easy; birdsnest or digi?

fishoholic

03-30-2013, 04:27 PM

Looks great, glad to see life in it :biggrin:

michika

04-16-2013, 03:32 PM

April FTS
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/63E71D74-7D2A-4974-9A73-A0AF77E1546D-691-00000045275B1DD0_zpsa3edb37c.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/63E71D74-7D2A-4974-9A73-A0AF77E1546D-691-00000045275B1DD0_zpsa3edb37c.jpg.html)

End shot
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/3F07547D-6E8A-458F-8E0F-6C4D023CE13B-691-000000452E8B1488_zps62f22630.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/3F07547D-6E8A-458F-8E0F-6C4D023CE13B-691-000000452E8B1488_zps62f22630.jpg.html)

Billy Bob, King of All
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/9737563A-1FA0-4003-B112-05B53BD4CAAC-691-0000004534F8A9EE_zps47ca4bd8.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/9737563A-1FA0-4003-B112-05B53BD4CAAC-691-0000004534F8A9EE_zps47ca4bd8.jpg.html)

Squamosa clam I got
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/9F6767A0-2159-4044-A956-AA7F20375DA3-10319-00000687D2C02DC5_zps99f94b9c.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/9F6767A0-2159-4044-A956-AA7F20375DA3-10319-00000687D2C02DC5_zps99f94b9c.jpg.html)

It came with a bonus commensal shrimp inside!
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/E989391F-8A0E-4AF8-A284-5793471CEEF9-10319-00000687C9837576_zps0fede551.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/E989391F-8A0E-4AF8-A284-5793471CEEF9-10319-00000687C9837576_zps0fede551.jpg.html)

Unfortunately I only had an iphone with me to snap a shot.

Right now I'm working on dialing in my dosing regime and getting all my parameters where I want them via automation and less hands on daily dosing.

Off the top of my head;
Ca 430ppm
dKH 8.1
Magnesium 1100ppm

I've been working my way through the end of some different salt types here lately and its been playing a bit with the parameters. Its a bit funny to do a WC once and have your dKH increase with one brand of salt and have it decrease with another.

Delphinus

04-16-2013, 04:51 PM

It looks great!

Did you intend for your photo captions to sound like a poem? :lol:

"April FTS, End shot
Billy Bob, King of All
Squamosa clam I got
It came with a bonus commensal shrimp inside!
Unfortunately I only had an iphone with me to snap a shot.
"

One of my old big squammies had a commensal shrimp. It is so cool to catch a glimpse of those! (Unfortunately that clam is no longer with us :( ).

michika

04-16-2013, 05:13 PM

Thanks!

No, my poetry was unintentional. :lol:

Awe, poor squammie.

JDigital

04-17-2013, 04:31 PM

TIBET looks sooo good. Nice to see it going!

michika

04-19-2013, 02:09 PM

TIBET looks sooo good. Nice to see it going!

Thank you! :redface:

Yesterday the pump for the 4-way on the left side of the tank got swapped out from a Reeflo Hammerhead to a Waveline 2650 DC pump. The Ocean Motions is running the version of the drums where you have two outputs active at once, like 1,3, then 2, 4. The flow is not bad, good for this stage of the tank and the 2" inlet is now now longer sporting such a strong an undertow.

Also added on the moonlights last night, a combination of red and blue RKE LED moonlights. The balance is probably 75% blue and 25% red. I'd like to add more red I think.

Unfortunately it doesn't photograph well. You can somewhat make out the galaxy and the Pachyseris corals.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/045ECFB9-E3B8-4089-BE9C-90E662403EF5-4690-000002914940C334_zpscd0afc07.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/045ECFB9-E3B8-4089-BE9C-90E662403EF5-4690-000002914940C334_zpscd0afc07.jpg.html)

FishyFishy!

04-19-2013, 02:33 PM

The flow is not bad, good for this stage of the tank and the 2" inlet is now now longer sporting such a strong an undertow.

With the DC pump, did you reduce the 2" intake at the pump, or closer to the inlet?

mseepman

04-19-2013, 03:58 PM

Wow, a Hammerhead to a waveline? I assuming the Hammerhead was really throttled back because those two pumps don't really compare for flow.

kien

04-19-2013, 04:29 PM

Tank is looking great!

I'm in the process of adjusting the rockwork and getting a better feel for dosing. I've always previously used reactors, and typically only ever hand dosed magnesium, and way back in the day, some powdered additives.

Although you probably don't have a lot of uptake at the moment, I would imagine this would be a ridiculously large volume to be dosing. Have you figured out feasibility of dosing vs a reactor for your volume?

michika

04-19-2013, 05:02 PM

With the DC pump, did you reduce the 2" intake at the pump, or closer to the inlet?

On the pump side actually. The inlet was left alone. It will be getting a screen as I've been looking at smaller and smaller fish.

Wow, a Hammerhead to a waveline? I assuming the Hammerhead was really throttled back because those two pumps don't really compare for flow.

Hahahah yes. The hammerhead was TOO powerfu. Even dialed way back the suction on the 2" inlet was deadly. The flow was ridiculous too. I do expect to go back to the hammerhead though in the future when things start to grow in and I need the extra flow to overcome the growth.

Tank is looking great!

Although you probably don't have a lot of uptake at the moment, I would imagine this would be a ridiculously large volume to be dosing. Have you figured out feasibility of dosing vs a reactor for your volume?

Thanks!

I did look at reactors, and I've always typically used CA reactors and then had a kalk reactor for dKH. This time I'm trying the BRS two-part dosing method. The only reason I didn't stay with reactors is finding media consistently.

I did some back of the envelope calculations on the big three and what it would cost me to do dosing vs reactors and it really comes down to the prices and accessibility of media. Reactor dosing has somewhat fallen out of favour and so I'm not seeing things like ARM media or its equivalent around regularly, stores aren't really carrying it (that I've seen). Equipment for dosing is cheaper, media is more expensive. Equipment for reactors are more expensive, and media is cheaper, but hard to find consistently.

I've just started (last week) automating my dosing using the BRS peristaltic pumps and their 2-part instructions. Using the assumption that the total current water volumne is 550gal I'm already dosing nearly 1g of CA, dKH, and MG respectfully over a 24 hour period. This leaves me with two possible solutions; a) bigger dosing containers (ugh) b) stronger more concentrated doses.

I get a feeling that I'm going to end up with a fraken-dosing solution; half reactors, half dosing. But I plan to disguise it well with Pheasent balls.

Right now I go through about 30-40ppm Ca/day, everything else, is pretty flat.

kien

04-19-2013, 05:27 PM

I get a feeling that I'm going to end up with a fraken-dosing solution; half reactors, half dosing. But I plan to disguise it well with Pheasent balls.

Right now I go through about 30-40ppm Ca/day, everything else, is pretty flat.

Pheasant balls to the rescue!! 550g to dose seems mind boggling to me. I'm dosing on 150g and finding that just barely manageable. Good point about the lack of media though. I don't see it around as often. I don't know about reactors falling out of favour though. I still often read suggestions that on larger volumes reactors are more economical. I suppose it will be a bit of trial and error but you'll find your groove :-)

ps. Pics of pheasant balls once you bring them online.

michika

04-19-2013, 06:14 PM

You almost have to change the way you think about dosing to wrap your head around it.

For example, to raise Ca by 1ppm I have to dose 56.2mL. Which means to catch up from a 30ppm drop I have to dose 1686mL, or 1.686L. And it takes a little over 4 cups of Calcium Chloride to make up that batch. Its a little bit of a mind-blowing moment actually.

I know myself and my sanity will not hold out for daily re-mixing of additives, so the 1g jugs for dosing aren't really sufficient, but like you said...the optimal solution and all...

mseepman

04-19-2013, 07:56 PM

I would hope that a decent Kalk reactor in addition to dosing would balance that out a little. How much top off do you go through in a day?

michika

04-19-2013, 08:15 PM

Not that much actually and the amount has been dropping as overall temperatures have been rising. I'd say about 5-10g/day. In the beginning it was closer to 10g, now I'd say more like 4.5-6g depending on how dry the weather is.

michika

04-22-2013, 06:41 PM

This daily mixing up of BRS 2-part sucks. The products are great, my tank is just too big for the 1g jugs.

So I guess my question, before I buy bigger dosing containters, is can I make my additives more concentrated? I don't see why not, but hey, its Monday! Aside from the obvious cautions of dose into a high-flow area, and don't dose too quickly, etc. anyone see any downsides to mixing up my addives in more concentrated batches?

And cause everyone likes photos, here are some shots of the new in-stair lighting. Now you don't have to turn on the overhead lighting to go upstairs and down. I like it, it means less light disptions while watching television, gaming or enjoying the tank.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/3B9B3AF6-B47B-4625-82D4-DEEAE94E7843-8709-00000543194C4130_zps7b68da47.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/3B9B3AF6-B47B-4625-82D4-DEEAE94E7843-8709-00000543194C4130_zps7b68da47.jpg.html)

Playing with my phone.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/17D8A380-2DB2-44B7-BA44-AD07D2DFE43B-8709-000005437B3846A1_zps5641139b.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/17D8A380-2DB2-44B7-BA44-AD07D2DFE43B-8709-000005437B3846A1_zps5641139b.jpg.html)

Delphinus

04-22-2013, 10:45 PM

Delphinus

04-22-2013, 10:54 PM

As far as making your dosing batches more concentrated ... I don't see a problem with this unless you are already near or at the saturation point.

To give you an example, on my 280g (which I thought until now was reasonably hungry for Ca and Alk), I make up 1 gallon of Ca and 1 gallon of soda ash using 2 cups of each to 1 gallon. This is pretty close to the saturation point for the Alk in particular. It takes a long time to mix into solution (to the point I just have a powerhead mixing it all the time). However if I leave the lid off just a little askew, that little bit of evaporation that happens is enough to supersaturate the solution within a few days and it then flash freezes (or whatever the term is to cause a dissolved solution to precipitate out en masse, it's been too long for me since my chem courses so I don't remember. Plus, I kind of have a mental block because organic chem pretty much destroyed me as a human being. Stupid Chem350...). Anyhow. It's kind of neat because it looks like ice crystals but the whole bucket will be in this state and I pretty much have to dump it and mix anew at that point. So I don't think one would get much more than 2 cups of soda ash into 1 gallon.

As an aside, I'm using Eli's soda ash and calcium chloride, maybe that stuff is more concentrated than the BRS stuff. I dunno, I just find it too cost prohibitive and inconvenient to order from BRS when Eli is right here in the city, so I based that choice on convenience rather than how much I appeared to be dosing.

Also as an aside that 1 gallon of solution, assuming no weird flash freeze events, lasts me about 2 weeks. I dose 3 times per day of each using cycles in the 45 minute mark and using 1.1ml/min and 1.0ml/min dosing pumps so I guess I could probably do a better job of estimating how often I replace but it's longer than one week. I could not imagine having to mix the stuff daily, there's no way I would tolerate that myself more than a couple days before completely losing patience with that..

michika

04-23-2013, 03:13 PM

I have to profess I am sort of confused that your consumption rates seem to be so high at this point. Given my understanding on how the world works, I would expect that the initial dosing would be based on the gap between your target levels and and the leves of your salt mix, which, given the larger tank volume, would make sense that it may require an excessive initial dosing .. but once there, I would have expected that the nominal or day to day dosing would be based on replacing that which is consumed by coral growth and coraline and so on. Ie., it should taper off and then gradually increase to match the growth (ie. as corals get bigger, there is more corals to take more Ca and Alk, and stuff..). To be dumping in >1gallon of Can and Alk dosing per day just seems very surprising. Unless you have way more corals than I think you do .. maybe I need to look at them pictures again! :redface:

You're right. I overcame the hump of bringing everything into line about 2 weeks before I started dosing. I think I'd have to go back and really look to be sure though.

I think my fluctuations/usage are little parts of a few things; a) water changes, b) coraline, c) top off water, and very minorly d) corals/clam.

I've been tracking things pretty hardcore in regards to water changes and I've noticed that topping off over the course of a week brings up my dKH, and lowers my Mg. However water changes lower my dKH and raise my Mg.

I think most of the Ca and dKH in the system right now is going to coraline growth. Its starting to take off, and I think I'm starting to see a similar increase in uptake, but I only have a small data sample to guess with. Ca has the largest daily uptake by far, with Mg being next, and dKH being last.

I'm switching to Eli's products when I next need to refill my supplies. I agree the cost of BRS shipping makes it nearly prohibitive to dose their products. I have repeatedly heard and seen first hand that there is a quality (purity?) difference and it shows with Eli's stuff.

michika

04-29-2013, 04:31 PM

I've been following Hugo's SPS Tank (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2204097) (xjoyhugo1980) on Reef Central for a little while. Specifically I found his tank through research on additives. Given that I have a firm monthly budget for the tank I'm always looking for ways to reduce my carrying costs. Hugo uses diluted honey as a carbon/AA source.

A quote from another thread related to honey dosing;
BTW, addition of iodine and dilute honey (yes, those produced by bees) soluion is found to be helpful and efficient on maintaining the color. Sufficient amino acids which are the basic sources to build up a protein canbe found in honey. You can try to add to see if this method works!

Honey, which is rich in either sugar and amino acids, can be used as carbon source and protein synthesis source. For carbon source, might act as Vodka, should be helpful in removing nitrate and phosphate. As for the protein synthesis source, amino acids are essential compositions of proteins. Since the colors of the corals are lights emitted from the fluorecent proteins in the corals, providing sufficient amino acids should be efficient for the protein synthesis. The more the fluorecent proteins inside the corals, the intenser the color of the corals.

This is suggested and tested by myself. Any question or comment are welcome to discuss here!

Before dosing, I usually dilute the honey in fresh water in the ratio of 1:100 (honey/water). With the dilute solution prepared, 1 ml soultion is dosed per 25 gal (~100 liter). No negatives are observed to date. I start to dose honey since two years ago. Should be feasible to reef tanks. You can try this method with half the dosing amount in the beginning.

I'm gearing up to do my first replacement dosing chemical order for Tibet. I see a lot of 5g buckets in my future.

fishytime

04-29-2013, 07:20 PM

I keep meaning to ask you if you still have the three amigos I gave you a couple years ago?

michika

05-08-2013, 03:33 PM

I keep meaning to ask you if you still have the three amigos I gave you a couple years ago?

The clams or the fish?

May FTS. I dosed coral snow, then had an unplanned couch nap and woke up to all these pretty colours.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/BE08C1DE-99B0-4348-A9F6-A37C9785E8C9-3584-000001D9DF6C116B_zps4d547736.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/BE08C1DE-99B0-4348-A9F6-A37C9785E8C9-3584-000001D9DF6C116B_zps4d547736.jpg.html)

fishytime

05-08-2013, 04:07 PM

And I thought disco was dead:razz:

The fish..... Regal, yellow and naso

michika

05-08-2013, 08:26 PM

And I thought disco was dead:razz:

The fish..... Regal, yellow and naso

They're all at a friend's place in the south. I rehomed them last summer with the understanding that it was to be temporary, however Dory, Sunshine (the yellow) and Heyou (the Naso) have been adopted by a child who is rather attached to them. Heyou can eat an entire nori sheet to himself in about 2 minutes he is THAT much of an eater.

fishytime

05-09-2013, 03:35 AM

They're all at a friend's place in the south. I rehomed them last summer with the understanding that it was to be temporary, however Dory, Sunshine (the yellow) and Heyou (the Naso) have been adopted by a child who is rather attached to them. Heyou can eat an entire nori sheet to himself in about 2 minutes he is THAT much of an eater.

good to hear that they are all still alive and kickin

JDigital

05-09-2013, 05:18 AM

Where dem purps cathrine?:mrgreen:

michika

05-15-2013, 03:12 PM

In my tank eating all my algae! The big one is the docile one and the small one is "King of the Tank". Between my four tangs (yellow, blue eye bristletooth and 2 purples) they've eaten pretty much all the algae visible in the below photos.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/97D19D57-99BA-4D14-A637-62632E85F700-11797-000005EF95414384_zps7e448034.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/97D19D57-99BA-4D14-A637-62632E85F700-11797-000005EF95414384_zps7e448034.jpg.html)

End shot from earlier this month;
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/5EB6CF6D-D92D-47CC-B782-FE8EAEFB18ED-11797-000005EF84B396BF_zps2670ee6f.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/5EB6CF6D-D92D-47CC-B782-FE8EAEFB18ED-11797-000005EF84B396BF_zps2670ee6f.jpg.html)

Utility bill this month. You can see the point in time when I turned the 4x 250w MHs on and where we started to fill things like the sump, the water change system, etc.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/9F11D794-7AF5-47E4-9503-B1F6043E5708-11797-000005ECB6F3A42F_zpsbac60b7c.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/9F11D794-7AF5-47E4-9503-B1F6043E5708-11797-000005ECB6F3A42F_zpsbac60b7c.jpg.html)

New Clam from sphelps
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/EF3E2286-82E1-4ECF-A25F-E96E755801E1-11797-000005EFAB9346F0_zpsd0421442.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/EF3E2286-82E1-4ECF-A25F-E96E755801E1-11797-000005EFAB9346F0_zpsd0421442.jpg.html)

New other clams, adorable little maximas. They open extra wide after a dose of amino acides and look absolutely stunning when looking top down.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/1CEB8385-C6BA-4B17-9522-8924F8DE8786-11797-000005EFEF0C1015_zps75b40cdc.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/1CEB8385-C6BA-4B17-9522-8924F8DE8786-11797-000005EFEF0C1015_zps75b40cdc.jpg.html)

lastlight

05-15-2013, 03:17 PM

ouch 1 yellow remains from the 9 you added? :cry:

michika

05-15-2013, 03:30 PM

ouch 1 yellow remains from the 9 you added? :cry:

Sadly so. I feel terrible about it too. They just vanished sometime between lights out and when I'd get home from work the next day. I do want to try more, but I'm not rushing it because I'm so nervous about it. :neutral:

michika

05-22-2013, 02:17 PM

I picked this pair up last week.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/9EAD2ED8-A106-4500-B66D-E949B47B7E67-12546-000006600B676E47_zpse65bcad3.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/9EAD2ED8-A106-4500-B66D-E949B47B7E67-12546-000006600B676E47_zpse65bcad3.jpg.html)

This is the female, she just started eating (voraciously) yesterday.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/76F0BC0E-53C6-4618-AFA9-A57063CDB22F-18712-00000A80C17275BF_zpsd1434c54.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/76F0BC0E-53C6-4618-AFA9-A57063CDB22F-18712-00000A80C17275BF_zpsd1434c54.jpg.html)

They, but him mostly, spend a lot of time playing in the flow. I think she's starting to settle in though as she becomes more playful each day.

FishyFishy!

05-22-2013, 03:06 PM

SOOOOOO Awesome! Love those triggers. I think they'll be nice and happy in that monster home :-)

Delphinus

05-22-2013, 03:25 PM

Nice! Such gorgeous triggers, I love crosshatches.

mseepman

05-22-2013, 03:31 PM

Wow...I hear you also picked up the little Unicorn Tang as well? Beautiful fish,

kien

05-22-2013, 03:41 PM

wow, those crosshatches are gorgeous. Would love to see them swimming about in all that room they've got.

lastlight

05-22-2013, 04:01 PM

amazing looking fish! i'll bet they're going to eat you out of house and home!

fishytime

05-22-2013, 04:16 PM

I've always loved crosshatches too but could never pull the.... Um.... Trigger:mrgreen:

Delphinus

05-22-2013, 04:30 PM

I've always loved crosshatches too but could never pull the.... Um.... Trigger:mrgreen:
http://instantrimshot.com/index.php?sound=priceiswrong

JDigital

05-22-2013, 05:27 PM

I've always loved crosshatches too but could never pull the.... Um.... Trigger:mrgreen:

Sooo cheesy... but I am almost in tears laughing.. :lol:

reefwars

05-22-2013, 05:33 PM

Fish that big need names :mrgreen:

They look super happy :)

fishytime

05-22-2013, 06:13 PM

http://instantrimshot.com/index.php?sound=priceiswrong

Sooo cheesy... but I am almost in tears laughing.. :lol:

Thank you... Thank you very much *takes bow*

Fish that big need names:)

how bout Brad and Angela?.... Both pretty and worth a lot:wink:

michika

05-23-2013, 02:26 PM

Thank you!

Wow...I hear you also picked up the little Unicorn Tang as well? Beautiful fish,

Tiny little Vlamingi actually. He was about 1.25" in length, but I am sure he is growing, yesterday he looked closer to 1.5". He competes with the male trigger for shrimp. It's adorable. 1.5" tiny fish vs 9" fully fleshed out trigger.

amazing looking fish! i'll bet they're going to eat you out of house and home!

They already are; the triggers eat 3-5 large uncooked shrimp EACH every day. Yesterday 2 people and 1 tank ate shrimp for dinner, it was like $20!
Must go rub the lucky pheasent ball tree for more cash.

I've always loved crosshatches too but could never pull the.... Um.... Trigger:mrgreen:

Groan, but hilarious. I'll admit to my cheeks hurting my laughing.

:lol::mrgreen::lol:

FishyFishy!

05-23-2013, 03:13 PM

They already are; the triggers eat 3-5 large uncooked shrimp EACH every day. Yesterday 2 people and 1 tank ate shrimp for dinner, it was like $20!
Must go rub the lucky pheasent ball tree for more cash.

:lol::mrgreen::lol:

HOLY POOP. I'd go broke!!!

michika

05-25-2013, 09:24 PM

I feel broke. It's turned out its a great transition food actually and now the female readily takes krill and mysis.

I think I just picked up a Fowleri tang misidentified as black spot for über cheap.

It pays to go stock up on your QT and just in case medications sometimes!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/0467B29D-3296-493B-8064-14EF624ED155-25696-00000E3ECE431AD3_zpsb1995e90.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/BA927A92-E4DF-4A91-9616-1093938C3A63-25696-00000E3ED6BF3AC9_zps4c0f72a7.jpg

And in a completely unrelated purchase I bought a AI Sol LED fixture to try out.

The Codfather

05-26-2013, 02:26 AM

Nice score, here is mine right now, colours are starting to show, you'll love him.

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt252/codfather_2009/IMG_3595_zps2a4ecb73.jpg (http://s617.photobucket.com/user/codfather_2009/media/IMG_3595_zps2a4ecb73.jpg.html)

michika

05-27-2013, 01:50 PM

The colours look great!

Here is the King. He and his missus need some proper names.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/85B70356-0EF7-4E1B-BB03-0EB5E729EB96-26427-00000E94949BCBCF_zpsed61e75a.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/85B70356-0EF7-4E1B-BB03-0EB5E729EB96-26427-00000E94949BCBCF_zpsed61e75a.jpg.html)

michika

07-07-2013, 04:11 AM

I unfortunately have to report that neither the male or the female crosshatch made it. They both died within 24 hours of each other.

And then the Speedway DC pump on my 4-way Ocean Motions that runs the full 10.5ft of the tank died. Then there was the flooding...and then the water bans.

I have quite the cyano outbreak from rationing my water changes, pretty much I had to judge; water change with a limited supply of RO/DI given the emergency situation or not. I chose not to and the cyano got ahead of me. Bad choice, but it was the right choice at the time given I had no idea how long I'd have to top off from my reserve.

Here you can see the good stuff happening in my tank; clam growth and lots of it. This photo is nearly 3 weeks old already. The growth is wonderful. I just keep focusing on enjoying what I do have; happy fish, growing clams and SPS with no RTN or STN happening.

May 15th
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/EF3E2286-82E1-4ECF-A25F-E96E755801E1-11797-000005EFAB9346F0_zpsd0421442.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/EF3E2286-82E1-4ECF-A25F-E96E755801E1-11797-000005EFAB9346F0_zpsd0421442.jpg.html)

Late June
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/4CE3FFD2-5CFF-40A0-919E-AD94734B0343-55458-000021796E5763D8_zps9153a88a.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/4CE3FFD2-5CFF-40A0-919E-AD94734B0343-55458-000021796E5763D8_zps9153a88a.jpg.html)

brotherd

07-07-2013, 04:58 AM

I'm glad you have at least some good news. Really unfortunate about the cross hatch pair though. Damn!

Alberta-newb

07-07-2013, 04:18 PM

So sorry to hear a out the triggers, I always take a fish loss very personal even those times when it's out of our control :-( (I just lost a fish out of my own stupidity (uncovered pump intake), still mad at myself)

Any warning on the SpeedWave failure or did it just stop? I've heard of a few failures on RC as well, wondering if there is a common problem? I was thinking of getting a couple of the Waveline 12000 or 20000 (if they ever release them) not so sure now.

Francis

michika

07-07-2013, 04:52 PM

Any warning on the SpeedWave failure or did it just stop? I've heard of a few failures on RC as well, wondering if there is a common problem? I was thinking of getting a couple of the Waveline 12000 or 20000 (if they ever release them) not so sure now.

No warning, just died while I was sitting nearby the tank. Its unfortunate because I actually like the pump, however when I replace it it'll be going on a different 4-way return.

kien

07-07-2013, 04:57 PM

Sorry to hear about the cross hatches :-( they were beautiful fish.

fishoholic

07-07-2013, 05:08 PM

Sorry to hear about the triggers :sad: Glad the rest of the tank is ok though.

michika

07-08-2013, 12:09 AM

FTS for July 2013
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/0A8F25B5-D705-41F2-AAEC-B02BC6D17FD9-55458-000022041AA5CFC4_zps087297e2.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/0A8F25B5-D705-41F2-AAEC-B02BC6D17FD9-55458-000022041AA5CFC4_zps087297e2.jpg.html)

Ugh, saw an unhappy small maxima this afternoon and picked it up, and these were on it.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/B05B054B-EF57-40DD-AA69-3B921F5D6F43-55458-00002202D57A458A_zps8c033623.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/B05B054B-EF57-40DD-AA69-3B921F5D6F43-55458-00002202D57A458A_zps8c033623.jpg.html)

I removed these two and inspected the other 6 clams, these were the only ones found. Image search agrees they seem to be pyramid snails. My bad luck run agrees, its probably another nasty annoying thing to deal with. Today I somewhat dislike this hobby. So all I haven't hit on is flood or fire. Please please please don't let it be either of those next.

michika

07-08-2013, 02:57 AM

Video (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/66D28945-1E95-4F41-BB49-FD4234D8B04C-55458-000022190E932D6F_zpsed000d0f.mp4.html) of the tank.

Delphinus

07-08-2013, 03:33 AM

Seriously bummed about the triggers. :(

As for the pyramids - manual removal will deal with it. Also, what wrasses do you have? You might want to consider a canary aka yellow coris or a radiant wrasse..

lastlight

07-08-2013, 04:03 AM

sorry about your fish that's terrible news. the video really shows how sweet your scape is. fill that rock with coral and it's going to be breath-taking.

michika

07-08-2013, 04:29 AM

Thanks guys. I'm still pretty upset over the death of the triggers. I hmm and haw all the time over trying a second pair or not.

I don't have any wrasses, but I will definitely look into one or two especially given the number of clams I'll (inevitably?) end up with.

I'll soon be ready to start adding more and more SPS. I am dying to add colonies and start to see some measurable change from month to month. Any suggestions on where or what to start with?

michika

07-16-2013, 03:13 PM

Photos and a video (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/9264C9EA-C90A-481D-A07E-AF9C3F0C8F4D-1737-000000E9544EDD5B_zpsb575ac35.mp4.html) with a camera that doesn't do justice.

The digi is pretty much a neon orange in person, much brighter

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/736338BA-189B-43FC-BF02-8F2435CB9B00-1737-000000E8C8448C70_zps708925be.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/736338BA-189B-43FC-BF02-8F2435CB9B00-1737-000000E8C8448C70_zps708925be.jpg.html)

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/ACE1F187-25DF-4F18-8CCC-2855EB20F4F0-1737-000000E8D321B788_zps7f887ac2.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/ACE1F187-25DF-4F18-8CCC-2855EB20F4F0-1737-000000E8D321B788_zps7f887ac2.jpg.html)

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/D7DF5066-FA66-4BDC-9C2C-9AEF973A79DB-1737-000000E8CDCA142E_zps464d5cc0.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/D7DF5066-FA66-4BDC-9C2C-9AEF973A79DB-1737-000000E8CDCA142E_zps464d5cc0.jpg.html)

brotherd

07-16-2013, 03:33 PM

Wow you've got some nice pieces in that tank!

brotherd

07-16-2013, 03:50 PM

I picked up 4 pieces from Wai's.Bit of a sticker shock but man he's got some nice stuff.Sure wish Concept was open so I can stop bleeding $.

JDigital

07-16-2013, 03:52 PM

That really sucks to hear about the Triggers Catherine. :(

I think this tank would look amazing with a huge collection of wrasses and Tangs. :wink:

JDigital

07-16-2013, 03:53 PM

I picked up 4 pieces from Wai's.Bit of a sticker shock but man he's got some nice stuff.Sure wish Concept was open so I can stop bleeding $.

It's coming along well last time I was there.

kien

07-16-2013, 04:08 PM

I picked up 4 pieces from Wai's.Bit of a sticker shock but man he's got some nice stuff.Sure wish Concept was open so I can stop bleeding $.

"I'm losing money because my favourite LFS is closed" :lol:

Oh the irony! Yet, so true.. so true..

michika

07-16-2013, 11:54 PM

Thank you.

I do want wrasses, but have no idea what to get. Suggestions?

lpsreefer

07-17-2013, 01:44 AM

Thank you.

I do want wrasses, but have no idea what to get. Suggestions?

Cirrhilabrus rubrimarginatus do like 3 females and 1 male. great personally!
i have always been a big fan of the Cirrhilabrus lubbocki. if you get a harm of 5 or so females one well turn into a super male.
any of the Cirrhilabrus family tree! stay with females if possible.
just my two cents of the day.

JDigital

07-17-2013, 01:59 AM

Karsten

07-17-2013, 06:53 PM

michika

07-20-2013, 06:31 PM

The clam above didnt make it, it died on Thursday. :sad: It wasnt the one I got from you.

JDigital

07-20-2013, 11:29 PM

Thank you.

I do want wrasses, but have no idea what to get. Suggestions?

Multiple schools of Anthias?

A few different Pygmy Angels (Flame, Bi-Color, Golden, Coral Beauty)... The tank is 10ft.. you should be safe. ;)

School of Bannerfish?

I must have been half (or completely) asleep when I answered your previous post. I read that you "don't want wrasses". :lol:

Ocean Creations has a couple very nice Blue Sided Fairy Wrasses in stock. I've got one on hold but you can have the other 2. :wink: I think they are actually Blue Head Fairies, but Han called them Blue Side.

I would always recommend a Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon meleagris) as I think they are one of the coolest fish around.

Scotts Fairy Wrasses are pretty awesome too if you can find a good specimen. I personally like the ones from the Cook Islands.

Or a Lineatus if you want to spend a bit more of your hard earned simoleans. :razz:

michika

07-22-2013, 02:41 PM

I may have to go shopping after work today.

I badly need chemicals though. Magnesium mostly, but also Soda Ash. Hurry up and open already Concept. I have money to spend and I'd rather not spend half of it on shipping from BRS.

This is the colour of the left overs when I mx up soda ash. It does great for dKH maintenance, but I am grossed out by the remainders every time.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/E693F7F4-B496-413B-9716-1D7EFDAA992E-8315-0000047441AF1C7C_zps6db58474.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/E693F7F4-B496-413B-9716-1D7EFDAA992E-8315-0000047441AF1C7C_zps6db58474.jpg.html)

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/F8CC91FD-762C-4470-B663-D73F2A8D0A98-8315-00000474494C0DA4_zps927e87d4.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/F8CC91FD-762C-4470-B663-D73F2A8D0A98-8315-00000474494C0DA4_zps927e87d4.jpg.html)

Another video (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/CB3B69C8-403A-4667-A6F0-CECC8143C2C4-1867-000000F7D346DA3F_zps0f42d2f5.mp4.html) from last week that I forgot to link. You can see lots of cyano in the front of the tank here, its all gone now.

From Friday
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/D2D30053-7883-4457-B27B-82676DDEBA3B-8315-000004745E2AC31E_zps07ac4e55.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/D2D30053-7883-4457-B27B-82676DDEBA3B-8315-000004745E2AC31E_zps07ac4e55.jpg.html)

The cyano is finally receeding. I tried to help it along out of the tank with a 65g water change yesterday. I am hoping I have finally beat this, cyano is so unsightly.

JDigital

07-22-2013, 03:45 PM

That is a very nice Naso Tang!

Your water change is bigger than my display tank at home. :lol:

Skimmerking

07-22-2013, 04:03 PM

Catherine the rocks are coloring up really nice too. and you dont have any Red Turf lets hope it stays clear of your tank.

michika

07-22-2013, 04:22 PM

Thanks guys.

There is actually a male and a female naso in the tank! They like to trick you though by only showing one of themselves at a time.

michika

08-20-2013, 03:28 PM

Mini update;
- bought a second Diablo Octopus skimmer for the system for redudancy purposes and so I can start feeding me.
- Put Kalk reactor online to help suppliment 2-part dosing. Reactor decided to form a leak and now needs repairs. But it has made quite a difference already in keeping my dKH levels even more stable and consistent.
- One naso died on Friday evening, no obvious signs of illness or stress.

Now we're just in the process of getting things ready for fall. I'm hoping to find some airtight rolling bins that I can use for bulk product storage under my water mixing station. I've successfully gone through all my fish stuff and cleaned out and organized what survived my annual purging. Good organization systems make all the difference in the world.

michika

08-21-2013, 02:24 PM

Both chugging along side by side.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/EFCE7AFB-F09D-4B40-8A4E-F71271A6C197-10851-000005D212F1452E_zpsbf05fc85.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/EFCE7AFB-F09D-4B40-8A4E-F71271A6C197-10851-000005D212F1452E_zpsbf05fc85.jpg.html)

JDigital

08-21-2013, 03:53 PM

Damn! That's some dark looking skimmate!

Those skimmers seem to be performing as promised.

KrazyKuch

08-22-2013, 10:55 PM

Not Gonna lie, I have to say these are the best skimmers i have ever had.... the one on the right is after 3 days!!!

michika

08-30-2013, 04:11 PM

My tank woke me up at 3:45am this morning after having fallen asleep on the couch, the skimmers pronounced in a very oderous fashion that they required emptying.

As wonderful and excellent as these skimmers are, I am a bit concerned about what will happen come winter when I can't just throw open every window in the house to air our the foulness that is skimmate.

lastlight

08-30-2013, 04:13 PM

time to make a carbon filter to sit on top of your lid i guess.

michika

08-30-2013, 04:18 PM

time to make a carbon filter to sit on top of your lid i guess.

Yup!

And I need a more frequent alarm on my phone for emptying the collection cups. Every 3 days is too long.

JDigital

08-30-2013, 05:03 PM

Perhaps every 3 hours? :lol:

michika

09-06-2013, 02:48 PM

Perhaps every 3 hours? :lol:

Something like that!

Pump on my new skimmer seized up last night. Vinegar bath for both it and I ensued. Foul skimmate production is back on track again this morning.

I started 3D printing new probe holders as well for the tank. This is my first foray into this so its been a interesting ride so far.

Movie link (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/620209AA-C532-406A-88A8-3E716191EDC3-32632-00001178E7FBC9F6_zpsad225c68.mp4.html) to 3D printing in action.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/041E231D-DD92-4DF4-8905-D3EB92553CF6-34264-0000122E4E38A0D4_zpsb7a6d6ad.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/58E0CE2F-028A-46EB-BDE2-3E3E8E9C4E5E-34264-0000122E33DA1D9C_zpsbe99bf48.jpg

mseepman

09-06-2013, 03:29 PM

Am I the only one confused? 3D printing...that movie was awesome but what are you using to do that?

Reef Pilot

09-06-2013, 03:43 PM

They're getting pretty cheap now. Great for making plastic parts and soon metal alloys, too. Just scan and "print".
http://arstechnica.com/business/2013/09/meet-the-new-hotness-all-in-one-3d-printers-and-scanners/

michika

09-11-2013, 02:21 PM

Am I the only one confused? 3D printing...that movie was awesome but what are you using to do that?

The actual machine itself is called a Reprap. I picked it up for about $650 all in, and then another $150 or so for materials (PLA, PVC, Nylon spools).

I'll post some more videos soon. There is plenty more being printed, but my phone has no storage space left. :sad:

FishyFishy!

09-11-2013, 03:08 PM

Those things are so frikin cool! I kinda want to buy one.

Did you find yours locally?

michika

09-11-2013, 03:37 PM

Those things are so frikin cool! I kinda want to buy one.

Did you find yours locally?

No, out of Montreal for the printer and Ottawa I think for the spools.

However, if you're serious about wanting one, send me a PM. I can print you a nearly complete kit for probably cheaper than I paid.

Right now the whole thing is at the tail end of the calibration process. At first it had some issues printing circles and then getting the nozzle temperature right but I think it's all hammered out now. Essentially I am going to have my machine print a couple of copies of itself for safekeeping/just in case. I'd be happy to add a set for you if you're interested.

Magma

09-11-2013, 09:53 PM

Wait so your 3D Printer is going to print a copy of itself...??

JDigital

09-11-2013, 11:37 PM

I'd like you to print me a few nice big colonies of the most sought after SPS please. :mrgreen:

hillegom

09-12-2013, 05:29 PM

So if I am to understand this, you bought a used printer that had issues, and now you have solved most of them?
Nice work!

KrazyKuch

09-13-2013, 03:34 AM

Its a brand new printer but since it uses timing belts to move the nozzle and bed around you need to adjust the tension for it to print properly, it can be a bit time consuming trying to get it 100% calibrated but once its finished you just scan an object with a 3d scanner which is easy to build yourself with a camera and 2 laser pens, or you can use free cad software like google sketch up and design your own parts...all the software and firmware for the printer is open source which is awesome...

the printer can print all the plastic parts you need to build the machine...the rest is threaded rod, smooth rod some bearings nuts and washers....the electronics and motor's can be bought off ebay for pretty cheap!!

Magma

09-13-2013, 03:53 AM

KrazyKuch

09-14-2013, 03:14 AM

sounds awesome, where can you get info on these?

http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap here

Magma

09-15-2013, 04:44 PM

http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap here

The more I read the more I want to build it...I can think of so many things to make.

First stop...frag racks...lol

JDigital

09-15-2013, 08:54 PM

The more I read the more I want to build it...I can think of so many things to make.

First stop...frag racks...lol

Probe racks too..

KrazyKuch

09-16-2013, 01:32 AM

well if your interested in designing something in cad i can print it for you....for a small fee of coarse....( istill have to pay for the plastic) or give me a basic drawing and i can design and print it...

michika

10-10-2013, 02:07 AM

Mini update...it's dinner time.

11993

11994

11995

michika

11-25-2013, 03:16 PM

November Update;
- Had a flood early in the month due to a solonoid failing to close when filling the top off vessil. Damage included all of the drywall behind the top off container as well as drygoods/spare parts.
- Had the other Ocean Motions go on me; the magnet isn't staying seated and now there is a regular clicking when the flow is rotated. I need to order a new unit.
- Some issues presented themselves with our salt, but it was very quickly and easily fixed, minorly inconvienent.
- My naso tang passed away very quickly and without any warning.
- Powerbars on my controller keep burning out.
- Vortech MP40 died.
- Participated in a Mad Jelly order and I'm very pleased (actually it was late Oct)
- Found somewhere to get Calcium Reactor media - time to add a reactor to my system.
- Added a UV sterilizer to the system
- Continuing to dose some Zeo products; Coral Snow (for cyano and water clairity), Amino Acids and Zeobac

Issues I'm working on;
- red cyano
- neon green cyano
- making homemade fishfood again
- microbubbles is the display (caused by the returns on my skimmers)

This past year I've been plagued with equipment troubles, something happens on average every week or two that is a costly repair. I've essentially turned over this year my return pumps, I will have done both Ocean Motions by the end of the year, my controller accessories, lighting. Seems like I've had some sort of major issue with every piece of equipment this tank. Hopefully now that everything has been upgraded/replaced we can get back to the business of tank keeping.

I need to invite some peoples over to take some photos I think. Its one of the things I think every time I see my tank; I should post more photos. Especially so since we had such a big involved conversation on here about helping to draw in readership, and generally making this forum more robust and active.

the iphone isn't terribly good at capturing photos with a lot of LED generated blues. This is from last week.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/35D255DD-3FA3-457D-AB9D-1A559D1BC31F-19082-0000085D74DDB3AA_zps75fb69fa.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/39BE59D9-3331-425E-B82C-5D22B4763C1E-19082-0000085D7AA6BCC3_zps500d72af.jpg

FishyFishy!

11-25-2013, 03:19 PM

Oh man thats some bad luck!! Hopefully its all sorted and you can move onwards and upwards!

lastlight

11-25-2013, 03:31 PM

that was cringeworthy all the talk about equipment failures. made all the more terrible when you're talking about a system of that size. hope it's easier sailing now.

kien

11-25-2013, 03:49 PM

yikes. Sounds like you guys have had a challenging month! Hopefully less rough waters going forward. Would love to check out that monster tank some day!

Skimmerking

11-25-2013, 04:00 PM

wow I feel for you my dear. I hope 2014 brings great things. I know my tank had suffered huge losing everything to Marine velvet and oter crashes losing all my corals. this time the cube is setup and its looking really good.

Delphinus

11-25-2013, 04:00 PM

Bummer :(

Hope things turn around soon..

mseepman

11-25-2013, 05:42 PM

So what UV did you end up adding?

michika

12-03-2013, 04:14 AM

36w UV by Coralife.

Photos from this evening as I try to figure out my camera again.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0226_zpsd1d6a448.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0227_zps9002a501.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0241_zps6f91025e.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0280_zps4909030f.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0276_zps8e881273.jpg

JDigital

12-03-2013, 04:19 AM

TANGS!

michika

12-03-2013, 04:25 AM

STALKERS!

FTFY :lol:

JDigital

12-03-2013, 04:58 AM

We're due for a "Concepts random weekend reefer meet"....

brotherd

12-03-2013, 05:08 AM

I wish I'd stepped up to a tank that size...

michika

12-03-2013, 01:48 PM

We're due for a "Concepts random weekend reefer meet"....

Yes, we most definitely are. I'm thinking maybe this coming weekend or the next; I have some fish food to finish making first though.

I wish I'd stepped up to a tank that size...

Its a love-hate relationship; hate when the utility bills and broken equipment happens, love most of the other times.

JDigital

12-03-2013, 02:15 PM

Yes, we most definitely are. I'm thinking maybe this coming weekend or the next; I have some fish food to finish making first though.

Still?? or new batch?

michika

12-03-2013, 03:16 PM

Still?? or new batch?

This is new batch #3 or #4 since I've last seen you. :D

gqlmao

12-03-2013, 03:16 PM

Thats a lot of yellow tangs :) Holy! must look awesome from watching afar.

michika

12-03-2013, 03:25 PM

Thats a lot of yellow tangs :) Holy! must look awesome from watching afar.

Its only awesome when you're far enough back that they don't know you're there. Otherwise they're crowding around whomever is nearest to the tank begging for food. It's beautiful though to see them swim in a line though across the tank.

JDigital

12-03-2013, 03:31 PM

This is new batch #3 or #4 since I've last seen you. :D

I still want a bag... pleeeeeease. :)

michika

12-03-2013, 04:58 PM

I still want a bag... pleeeeeease. :)

Ok. Ill put one aside just for you!

michika

12-18-2013, 02:30 AM

FTS from December.

I'd link it inline, but its gigantic and I haven't a clue how to resize it.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/192494934/Dec2013_%20DSC_0058.JPG

eli@fijireefrock.com

12-18-2013, 03:10 AM

FTS from December.

I'd link it inline, but its gigantic and I haven't a clue how to resize it.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/192494934/Dec2013_%20DSC_0058.JPG

Here you go:biggrin:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PH6yQ4712qQ/UrEdawBlPTI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/zpOdGuwDf-Q/w309-h207-p-no/Dec2013_+DSC_0058.JPG

The Grizz

12-18-2013, 03:18 AM

I wish I'd stepped up to a tank that size...

You had a hard enough time getting the one you have up and going, if you went this big your still be working on it :lol:

Love the yellow tangs too!!!

brotherd

12-18-2013, 03:48 AM

You had a hard enough time getting the one you have up and going, if you went this big your still be working on it :lol:

Love the yellow tangs too!!!

Yeah that's true...but!!! Now that it is up and running I'm realizing possibilities that just won't happen in the wee oneeighty. :lol:

michika

12-18-2013, 11:45 PM

Thank you!

michika

12-22-2013, 11:29 PM

December update:

Things are going well; the tank actually showing some forward progres; growth in SPS, spreading of the coraline, and the continued fattening of up of the fish. I bumped my dally dosing levels earlier in the month, but from the looks of my weekly post-water change tests, I need to do it again. I'm finding myself going through a lot of magnesium and soda ash as of late.

I did lose TWO heaters within 2 weeks; 1x 800w titanium heater, and then 1x 150w glass one. I'm running 2 x 300w and 1x 150w and its its enough, but not enough for mental comfort. Time to diversify into 6x 300w I think. I'm most sad about the Jalli heater; it died 5 days shy of its 1 year in use anniversary.

Some photos from a week or two ago. Sorry for the links, I'm searching for a photobucket replacement.

Green Pocci
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/192494934/Dec2013_%20DSC_0036.JPG

Green SPS
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/192494934/Dec2013_%20DSC_0049.JPG

Topdown of one of my pre-existing clams
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/192494934/Dec2013_%20DSC_0084.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/192494934/Dec2013_%20DSC_0029.JPG

Brown digi
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/192494934/Dec2013_%20DSC_0033.JPG

Red digi
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/192494934/Dec2013_%20DSC_0051.JPG

End tank shot aka my that is some green water
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/192494934/Dec2013_%20DSC_0054.JPG

Bought it 'cause it was purdy
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/192494934/Dec2013_%20DSC_0082.JPG

mrhasan

12-22-2013, 11:53 PM

michika

12-23-2013, 02:20 PM

Thank you!

I'll look into Flickr. I've had enough of photobucket to last me a lifetime.

The Pocci I think is my favorite of all the pieces I picked up from you; the polyp extension is phenomenal every day. (knock on wood).

michika

02-06-2014, 02:53 PM

This is my new aiptasia muncher. He barely made it through QT, isn't one for prepared foods at all, prefers to graze 100%.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/D33A01A6-C831-413F-B574-6FB1929DE094_zpszk9uoopl.jpg

My galaxy coral is making a come back.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/135C0CE3-F5F4-4BB9-930D-C0D3595A0DC6_zpsaqpnw8fq.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/FAC747BC-36AB-429A-88FF-1988CF5B59AE_zpsonyngp03.jpg

These two pieces of red digitata grew into each other and made their own colony over a weekend.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/6B5021CE-5C99-495C-B310-26A272883678_zpsxnryj1hm.jpg

I found this guy last night as I was cleaning my tank. I'm not actually sure if it is commensile (sp?) or not. The clam doesn't seem to mind, but maybe he just moved in.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/AFADC64E-0500-4460-97EC-A79985AFA9C3_zpsxopukzrg.jpg

Ponape Birdsnest movie. I honestly can barely tell this isn't your garden variety green birdsnest. But I like the crazy polyp extension, so I'm torn. This is my dream coral, but I love it for its distinct tips, which I can't see in my specimen at all.

Pocci video (turn down your sound). This coral looked the worst after my vodka OD. I am so happy it is recovering. The polyp extension is probably only about 80-90% of its pre ODed state.

mseepman

02-06-2014, 03:10 PM

For some reason the video links aren't there. Otherwise all is looking up. Won't that galaxy sting everything close to it when it fully recovers?

mrhasan

02-06-2014, 03:49 PM

I was able to score a small frag of ponape birdnest (yellow thin branches with pink tips) and its growing nicely. I would have definitely given you a frag but my tank is velvet infected right now and am still struggling to get the last fish out before the 3 months timer starts. So if your dream coral is still a dream after 3 or 4 months, I will frag you a piece :D

michika

02-06-2014, 05:52 PM

Link for the Ponape movie (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/E5415972-A3CC-4F25-9017-B1B1F1746998_zpsxlia9z1c.mp4.html).

Link for the Pocci (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/C59011A1-057F-47F7-97B8-C645D07BE83D_zpsbbw5iyvf.mp4.html). And remember, TURN YOUR SOUND DOWN.

michika

02-09-2014, 02:40 AM

For some reason the video links aren't there. Otherwise all is looking up. Won't that galaxy sting everything close to it when it fully recovers?

The galaxy is actually kind of limited on where it can sting. Its sunken down in the rock, and its its pretty sheltered on nearly three sides with rock. I've actually never seen it extend anything, but I do try to remain conscious that it can and probably will eventually happen. I actually want the galaxy placed elsewhere, but this is the place it best thrives, so here it stays.

I was able to score a small frag of ponape birdnest (yellow thin branches with pink tips) and its growing nicely. I would have definitely given you a frag but my tank is velvet infected right now and am still struggling to get the last fish out before the 3 months timer starts. So if your dream coral is still a dream after 3 or 4 months, I will frag you a piece :D

I think my ponape frags actually came from you originally. :mrgreen:

January Update, since I didn't do one earlier.
- There was a Vokda OD, it sucked. Arguments ensued, which also sucked. Lost a colony, and 6 frags. Also had some STN and RTN. Nearly everything had retracted polyps for a week, and I still like Vodka dosing for a economical way to reduce (available) phosphates, but I'm still very against setting it up on a doser.
- Upside to the Vodka OD is that everything that survived responded with growth spurts. The growth I'm seeing is exceptional and I know its from the lowered phosphates. 0.03ppm in my system seems to yield OK and reasonable growth in my SPS, but 0.02ppm and lower seems to equate to phenomenal growth. I know 0.01ppm doesn't seem like much, but when your overall water volume is so large, it can be significant.
- Still have cyano, but its considerably less since the vodka incident. Funnily enough the cyano seemed to retreat the moment I spent money on chemi-clean as a last resort after 9 months of the maroon velour. Just looking at the thick layer on my sand used to make me want to talk in Zap Brannagan's voice.
- I added more clean up crew members; nearly all of them promptly vanished into the tank only to be rarely seen.
- I have two mandarins, a male and female and I think they've just finally come across each other for the first time. They both change their behavior and swimming patterns when they see each other, its actually very cute.
- I think I'm ready to cut back the amount of my weekly water change; I currently do 150g, I'm going to see if dropping the amound to say 75g/week is as sufficient, and maybe a viable long term option. My goal is to tune my system in so I only have to do 5% weekly water changes, which is ~30.5 gals.

mrhasan

02-09-2014, 03:36 AM

I think my ponape frags actually came from you originally. :mrgreen:

I think you are mistaking me for someone else :razz: You bought the red dragon (which is actually mr.packman), red monti, green birdnest, setosa and the pocci from me :smile:

michika

02-09-2014, 04:44 AM

Ah yes, that's right. The birdsnest is a very bright neon green now actually. Second brightest SPS in my tank too.

mrhasan

02-09-2014, 06:49 AM

Ah yes, that's right. The birdsnest is a very bright neon green now actually. Second brightest SPS in my tank too.

Awesome :D

JDigital

02-10-2014, 01:26 PM

Things are coming along by the looks of it. That Copperband looks to be doing well, doesn't look skinny. :)

I'd be concerned about that crab inside the clam, but that's just me, I have no idea what type of crab that is. Good or bad.

Food? :wink:

michika

02-10-2014, 02:05 PM

I'm making the 10th or 12th batch this weekend. It keeps going before I even get to take it out of the house.

I adore the CBB and he's far better at aiptasia control then anything I've ever previously tried. I just wish he'd show an interest in other foods too.

iceman86

02-11-2014, 04:31 AM

Amazing tank! Whats the thickness of the glass?

michika

02-15-2014, 09:31 PM

Amazing tank! Whats the thickness of the glass?

Thank you. 3/4" there was an option to use thinner glass but this way I have peace of mind.

Picked up some tanks which should be perfect for a frag system and for a less cumbersome fish QT.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/C14B0C32-958F-4E43-BD9A-76F5C695E260_zpshsrklbby.jpg

michika

03-04-2014, 11:53 PM

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/05/ebuvejam.jpg

Recently out of QT and into the big tank.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/05/basasuty.jpg

Clams that hate standing up.

pinkreef

04-07-2014, 03:47 PM

Your clams are beautiful!:biggrin:

michika

04-26-2014, 07:17 PM

Some top down shots I took sight unseen.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/27/evy5aved.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/27/ygaze2az.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/27/uvemeruj.jpg

My smallest clam at 2" with his buddy Bubbles.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/27/aqyvugyn.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/27/satupuna.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/27/yqeje7ud.jpg

FishyFishy!

04-26-2014, 07:47 PM

Beautiful!!!

kien

04-26-2014, 10:55 PM

Looking great Catherine! Those birdsnests look happy :-). Actually, everything looks pretty happy.

michika

04-27-2014, 05:50 PM

Thanks everyone.

michika

04-27-2014, 09:16 PM

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/28/4ymavyve.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/28/7y2ygehu.jpg

Floating in the display while the QT is topped up.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/28/za8ajumy.jpg

DIY leg tank scrubber. Regular maintenance is tedious, so anything to lesson the strain.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/28/e7ugybyj.jpg

Next up; just waiting on some addition LED fixtures for the left side of the tank.

I'd like to re-arrange some of the rock work and build upon some specific points, but since I have so many fish, I can't do any rearranging until I have more rock cooked to ensure there are enough hiding spaces for everyone.

I'm also making homemade fish food again. It's full of scallops, shrimp, krill, mysis, cuddlefish, bloodworms, squid, sometimes garlic, and sometimes silversides. It's too costly and I keep screwing up the proportions of different meaty foods on their own. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/28/5u4e9yta.jpg

My clams need to pull in their mantles the fish come darting out for the food that quickly.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/28/py6evu5y.jpg

I was also lucky enough to be able to pick up a Kalk stirrer from a local. I'm chomping at the bit to set this back up again. Here it is post clean. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/28/qara4yqy.jpg

I dose via two part and I use a stirrer/reactor to keep my dKH where it should be (8-9). It's a lifesaver because my tank is going through about .75 dKH/day.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/28/ysave4ag.jpg

Soon it's time for an SPS buying spree I think. The left side of the tank is looking mighty empty. Please ignore the bags, they were floating while I tested the QT parameters.

April FTS

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/28/e7azysu5.jpg

brotherd

04-27-2014, 11:13 PM

Looking good. What led's do you have ordered?

michika

04-28-2014, 12:28 AM

Thank you.

AI Sols and an AI Hydra.

michika

04-30-2014, 04:59 PM

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/30/utydy4e6.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/30/dynunynu.jpg

hillegom

04-30-2014, 05:31 PM

I have always liked a school of yellow tangs.

michika

05-05-2014, 11:24 PM

I find them so colourful and they really add a calmness to the tank.

Today has been productive;
- replaced the netting on my lid.
- set up two new light fixtures (AI Sols)
- did some in tank clean up; last minute colony moves before encrusting begins
- refilled my autofeeder and upped the frequency of feedings (I have pigs, not fish)
- refilled my dosing containers
- re calibrated my daily dosing to account for the upped usage lately.
- Added T5s to the refugium

Three more fixtures and I should be done adding lights. I'm just waiting for an AI Hydra to show up so I can decide if my last two fixtures will be Kessil 360s or Hydras.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/06/y9uve4ev.jpg

brotherd

05-06-2014, 03:05 AM

You are going to have first hand experience with different lighting simultaneously over one tank. Will you keep them all or settle with a favorite and sell the others?

michika

05-06-2014, 04:00 AM

I'm going to settle with LEDs, half blues and half full spectrums. I'll repurpose what I can and probably sell the rest. Whichever full spectrum LED fixture doesn't make the cut will become primary frag tank.

michika

05-18-2014, 06:34 PM

Added some rock to the display to fill in some of the empty spots. I'm still not happy with the left side, but I am getting closer to something I can live with. I'll keeping adding more rock every week until I'm pleased with it I guess.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/19/uqata3ez.jpg

After nearly a month in the tank my butterfly, the first fish to do so, has finally figured out what the shrimp are for. Now he is hanging out being cleaned all the time.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/19/sa6ybeha.jpg

Friday afternoon movie

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/th_B52715D1-27C1-4DFF-AC91-00F67D276FB9_zpsgu5hbwie.jpg (http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/B52715D1-27C1-4DFF-AC91-00F67D276FB9_zpsgu5hbwie.mp4)

Link; http://s21.photobucket.com/user/michika/media/B52715D1-27C1-4DFF-AC91-00F67D276FB9_zpsgu5hbwie.mp4.html

Post re-aquascaping movie of the stalkers I call fish.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/th_957CEC75-0985-4242-9E79-25B85DB7BDB9_zpsh4zdcarh.jpg (http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/957CEC75-0985-4242-9E79-25B85DB7BDB9_zpsh4zdcarh.mp4)

brotherd

05-18-2014, 11:45 PM

Looking great! Did you get the lights up you were waiting for?

michika

05-19-2014, 12:14 AM

Thank you. Yes, I did. The Sol Blues are up and running, the Hydra is here but not online yet. I'm just waiting for the Apex AI module to arrive, hopefully Tuesday.

kien

05-19-2014, 03:46 PM

love that mini-school of tangs! Looks great C!

michika

05-19-2014, 11:32 PM

Thank you!

Here is the hydra light. It's thinner than the SOLs, and the number of lenses are different, 4 vs. 8. Should be interesting when it goes online considering my SOLs are only at a 48% intensity.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/20/pyga2asy.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/20/ejumujyr.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/20/anynevet.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/20/a5azetyt.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/20/rubusy6y.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/20/y8y6e3ed.jpg

Somebody's going through a growth spurt!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/20/udu7u3u4.jpg

Madreefer

05-20-2014, 03:16 AM

You'll like the Hydras. I ran Sols for a long time and was always looking to supplement for more coral pop. Since I put the Hydras online i'm way happier and i'm betting you will be too. Good choice.

RSM

05-20-2014, 02:42 PM

I love how all the fish you bought are together in the picture! Looks great!

michika

05-20-2014, 03:40 PM

You'll like the Hydras. I ran Sols for a long time and was always looking to supplement for more coral pop. Since I put the Hydras online i'm way happier and i'm betting you will be too. Good choice.

I'm dying for UPS to deliver my package today.

I love how all the fish you bought are together in the picture! Looks great!

They integrated so very well and easily. They all eat and all the zebrasoma tangs follow the new yellow. I'm very happy with them, and they seem pretty pleased with their new home.

RSM

05-21-2014, 01:15 AM

So Happy they are in a good home. Those clams are awesome!

Nuttyreefer

05-21-2014, 05:43 AM

Hydra 52 looks good

michika

05-29-2014, 03:21 AM

Thank you. So far I'm very happy with it. One hydra balances out the colour, to the eye, of two SOLs.

Ch-cha-changes!

Top is before.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/29/gy6ajesa.jpg

FTS

Last weekend

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/29/u6e5a8en.jpg

Today, about 5-6 hours after I moved the rocks.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/29/udyjyda9.jpg

It's the heights of the left most structure I'm not happy about. It's too forced, and the flow sucks in some spots. But, there are lots of nice places for frags to take hold.

JDigital

05-29-2014, 05:46 PM

Looks great Catherine!

michika

06-17-2014, 06:19 PM

Thank you!

This mornings view from the couch.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/18/anedazeg.jpg

Had to bump the auto feeder up again last week. It keeps the peace and let's me realize my dream of colourful swimming sausages.

I need to add some more sand to my display soon. I'll start with 2 or 3 more bags but I think I'll need 4 when all is said and done.

I think I'm going to bite the bullet on a new calcium reactor too. This manual dosing stuff is a huge PITA as my tank goes through stocking surges and growth spurts. Frankly I'm tired of constantly recalculating my dosing and fiddling with this or that. I'll still dose to fine tune parameters but I need a reactor to set a higher baseline so I don't have to waste so much time and find ways to add more liquids then is needed. I need more stability in my tank's life.