Paddy's Ocean - 70 Gallon Mixed Reef **Phoenix Rebuild**

[paddyob]

I am starting a new tank. This one I will try post pictures regularily.

It is going to be 70 Gallon with sump (size to be determined yet)

I pick up the tank tomorrow. I am driving to Calgary to pick it up bright and early.

Attached are some pics. This is the beginning.



This is how it looked with the last owner....

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3567


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3568


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3569


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3570

[lastlight]

Those last 2 shots give you a nice idea of what your tank might look like dominated by green star polyps!

[snow1]

Looks good so far, it will be an interesting thread to follow for sure.

[paddyob]

So I drove to Calgary today and picked up the tank. It is just as shown in first pics.

It is almost new. There is a manufacturing sticker inside the frame that shows made in November 2009.

I paid $70 with stand and he threw in a couple pumps as he was not using them.

Now I need to plan for an internal overflow and sump.

I dont know best style of sump... or best size for a 70 gallon system.


Anyhow... the fun begins.

I move in 2 weeks so once I move the actual set up begins.

[intarsiabox]

You got a hell of a deal Patrick! BTW what did the actual dimensions of the tank end up being?

[paddyob]

48x19.5x18

[paddyob]

Also.... thanks Ned for driving and the use of your vehicle.

Tony... Tank. Nice. Clean. Great deal. Thanks!



So I drove to Calgary today and picked up the tank. It is just as shown in first pics.

It is almost new. There is a manufacturing sticker inside the frame that shows made in November 2009.

I paid $70 with stand and he threw in a couple pumps as he was not using them.

Now I need to plan for an internal overflow and sump.

I dont know best style of sump... or best size for a 70 gallon system.


Anyhow... the fun begins.

I move in 2 weeks so once I move the actual set up begins.

[abcha0s]

Now I need to plan for an internal overflow and sump.
My current tank is a 90G converted from fresh to salt water. I had to figure out how to make an internal overflow.

Take a look at Beananimals solution:

http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx

Have fun!

[Greenmaster]

Sorry about this it's just something that I feel needs to be done... I hate having to click on pictures to see them... I'll be following your set-up too :D

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=6560&d=1279430022
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=6561&d=1279430022
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=6562&d=1279430022

[paddyob]

Can someone teach me to post pics properly....haha. I only know how to make the little attachment links. If you dont wanna click.... let me know how to attach full pic!

Thanks

[Greenmaster]

where ever the image can be viewed you can right click it and click "Copy Image Location" then you can paste the link after clicking the "Insert Image" button of the post location (the one with the mountains and the sun or moon on it)

[paddyob]

Well the back of the tank is painted black.... too dark.

I have started to scrape the paint off with a razor and it is coming off beautifully. I will probably repaint it blue.... unless anyone else has a good idea for me.

I have been looking for more things needed and I am considering a Euroreef RS80 that has been offered to me by Kevotron. It seems like a good skimmer (considering the only skimmer I have experience with is a Rio Nano) based on what I have read.

I also started to plan my sump today.... probably going to make it 44x15x14 (roughly 40 gallon) this should fit nicely under the tank. Just not sure how I want to configure the baffles. For $150 a local LFS will build it practically anyway I want.

I still need to find lights as well. But in time I should be ok.

Well thats all for today. Set up in 10 days.

[fishytime]

Well the back of the tank is painted black.... too dark.

I have started to scrape the paint off with a razor and it is coming off beautifully. I will probably repaint it blue.... unless anyone else has a good idea for me.

I have been looking for more things needed and I am considering a Euroreef RS80 that has been offered to me by Kevotron. It seems like a good skimmer (considering the only skimmer I have experience with is a Rio Nano) based on what I have read.

Ive read about peeps painting the back white.......it supposed to really make the corals stand out and is also reflective......I thought about trying it on my next project.....

you cant go wrong with a Euro-reef:wink:

[paddyob]

So the scraping is going well... but now I wonder... is there a special type of paint I should use to paint the back a different color?

The paint coming off is almost metallic.... its black but sparkly.

[paddyob]

Well scraping of the black paint is done. It looks better already. Tank is in great shape for being "used". Over the next few days I will get it all cleaned up and prepare it for the set up!

[Greenmaster]

I have seen some nice air brushed scenes on the backs of tanks....

[paddyob]

I have seen some nice air brushed scenes on the backs of tanks....


I thought about that but probably wont. I am kinda minimalistic and think that air brushing would push my limits ha ha! Although my wife is talented... and has an airbrush kit ha ha... who knows. I would need to see how people did it. When I get a chance I will look around.

[Greenmaster]

I thought about that but probably wont. I am kinda minimalistic and think that air brushing would push my limits ha ha! Although my wife is talented... and has an airbrush kit ha ha... who knows. I would need to see how people did it. When I get a chance I will look around.

here is a couple pics
http://glassbox-design.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/img_8463.jpg
http://glassbox-design.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/uwe1.jpg

[paddyob]

here is a couple pics
http://glassbox-design.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/img_8463.jpg
http://glassbox-design.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/uwe1.jpg


Those are actually really well done! Food for thought!

[bignose]

I've seen this before and it looks really nice. This would be a great look but your would have to regularly scrape the back of the tank to keep it looking like that.

[paddyob]

My friend presented a possible issue with the tank.... it only has a single overflow hole drilled.

He said that it could potentially overflow the tank if it gets plugged. Anyone out there have any thoughts on this?

This is my first overflow/sump system and I will take all the advice i can get.

[abcha0s]

Your friend is right. A single overflow is a disaster waiting to happen. It woudn't even be necessary for the hole to plug up. All it would take is for the return pump to decide to pump a little extra water and the tank would slowly fill to the point of overflowing.

The good news is - all is not lost.

You're tank has 3 holes drilled in it, not just one. If you bring the return lines up over the tank rim, you can use these holes as part of your overflow system. There is no reason why the return lines have to come in through the back of the tank.

Plesae do read about the 'beananimal' overflow. You're tank has everything you need for this and it is such a great overflow system. I used it on my first tank and will use it on my new tank as well.

Basically, all you would need is a single piece of acrylic bent into a L shape to create an internal coast to coast overflow. Have the piece custom made and use a minimum thickness of 1/4" to avoid bending under the water presurre inside the tank. You can use silicone to hold it in place. Silicone doesn't hold acrylic to glass very well, but for this purpose it works fine.

I can show you some pictures of how I did exactly what you need to do if you would like?

The only disadvantage of this approach is that you do lose some realistate inside the tank.

[paddyob]

Your friend is right. A single overflow is a disaster waiting to happen. It woudn't even be necessary for the hole to plug up. All it would take is for the return pump to decide to pump a little extra water and the tank would slowly fill to the point of overflowing.

The good news is - all is not lost.

You're tank has 3 holes drilled in it, not just one. If you bring the return lines up over the tank rim, you can use these holes as part of your overflow system. There is no reason why the return lines have to come in through the back of the tank.

Plesae do read about the 'beananimal' overflow. You're tank has everything you need for this and it is such a great overflow system. I used it on my first tank and will use it on my new tank as well.

Basically, all you would need is a single piece of acrylic bent into a L shape to create an internal coast to coast overflow. Have the piece custom made and use a minimum thickness of 1/4" to avoid bending under the water presurre inside the tank. You can use silicone to hold it in place. Silicone doesn't hold acrylic to glass very well, but for this purpose it works fine.

I can show you some pictures of how I did exactly what you need to do if you would like?

The only disadvantage of this approach is that you do lose some realistate inside the tank.


THATS A GOOD IDEA!! I will be building my tank in so nobody would ever see the plumbing behind.... I will make it into a triple overflow and use pipe for returns (I assume) and bring them over the top in a hook-like manner.

If you have pics I would appreciate it!!

[bignose]

coast to coast overflows are way more efficient than a smaller overflow box in terms of surface skimming.

[Slick Fork]

Absolutely more efficient but they do rule out the use of a wavebox in the future so keep that in mind.

[paddyob]

On the way to pick up my skimmer.

Kevin here on Canreef has one for me... Euroreef RS80. Everything I read says this is a great skimmer and should be fine for a 70 gallon system.

I am not going to be over loading my bio load so hopefully it does the job!!!

[paddyob]

So I picked up the skimmer today. Thanks Kevotron!

Everything looks pretty good. There is a cover on the backside that appears to be "open" a bit but when I looked it seems that it is sealed inside so I hope its ok.

I will test it later... in the tub ha ha!!


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=124&pictureid=3470

[fishytime]

Euro-reefs rock!.....you wont be sorry you bought it.......

[bignose]

I run a older style RS135 and it skims out dark nasty skimmate. Not sure why the company shut down but they made awesome skimmers. The only problem I had with mine is the pump has trouble restarting. When you plug in the pump blow into the air tube and the pump will start.

[fishytime]

[QUOTE=bignose;539037] Not sure why the company shut down but they made awesome skimmers. [QUOTE]

the company still exists......they just re-named....they are now reef dynamics and should be available here soon:biggrin:...

[paddyob]

I am going to check out some lights in the afternoon.

2x175 halide with 2x65 watt T5. Hopefully everything goes well. I am not sure too much about them but this would be a great light for my 70.


Slowly but surely things are coming together.

[paddyob]

I am torn.

I can get a great deal on a metal halide/pc combo for my tank. 2x175 halide and 2x65w pc.

I am concerned it may generate too much heat on my 70 gallon as it will eventually be an enclosed canopy.

Anyone have any thoughts? I could use some advice.

On another note. I am going to get my sump built today. 40 gallons. And on Sunday I am going to pick up my salt. H2Ocean. I tried it in my 20 gallon and it seems to be working great. Its a little more pricey but seems to be worth it.

[intarsiabox]

I've seen people add computer fans on each side of their canopies. One fan sucks in fresh cool air the other exhausts it out the other side. Could also leave the back of the canopy open to disipate heat faster.

[paddyob]

I am having a sump built. about 42 gallons. H40xW15xH16.

four chambers with water level dropping slightly through each chamber. The chambers will be 8"-10"-14"-8". The refugium will be the biggest chamber at about 14" wide. the skimmer is set to go into the 10" compartment.

[paddyob]

Chambers changed.... 8"-12"-12"-8". want to ensure enough space for skimmer... after baffles are in chambers wont be same size as need to allow for space between them.

Depth of each also changed.... 13"-12"-10"-10". He is going to build a 2" riser for the skimmer to elevate it a little so the depth will be at 10" max.

[paddyob]

Picked up my salt today. I have tested H2Ocean on my 20 and works great... sooo might as well go H2Ocean here as well.

Anyone realize that the pail does 152-182 US Gallons?

Crazy.

[paddyob]

I picked up my sump yesterday. It is in my garage being water tested. I will post pics late today.

It was made roughly.... meaning it is not BEAUTIFUL and not a show piece (its a hidden sump)... but it was half the price of all other LFS in town and should do exactly what is required.

I could not find one used to suit my needs so I needed to have one built.

$180 at Aqua Giant. Took 3 days to build.

Also picked up a bunch of plumbing parts. I am lost looking at them ha ha!

[paddyob]

Here is a couple pics....

Sump and Skimmer.


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=124&pictureid=3498


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=124&pictureid=3499

[paddyob]

WTF?!?!? Thats all I can say.

I hope I found all the parts I presume I need. HOPE. I have been to hardware stores. LFS. Specialty plumbing. And then back to all again.

I am spending more on gas than parts haha.

If anyone has tips for assembly and order of assembly... feel free to leave your comments.

[paddyob]

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=124&pictureid=3500


After scraping and cleaning.... I repainted blue. I feel it is not soooo dark. Black looks cool in some applications but just really over powering being so bold.

The wall behind was recently painted as well.... I think it is going to look really cool together!!

(We bought the house... so colors are being chosen to go WITH the tank haha)

[Greenmaster]

I know exactly what you are talking about with the spending more on gas then parts... I just did my plumbing... go to the first place they have something that kinda works but isn't perfect so you go to the next 3 places that have worse or nothing so you go back to the first place and they are closed... so you start over the next day after work. It took me a week just to get all my parts...

[paddyob]

I know exactly what you are talking about with the spending more on gas then parts... I just did my plumbing... go to the first place they have something that kinda works but isn't perfect so you go to the next 3 places that have worse or nothing so you go back to the first place and they are closed... so you start over the next day after work. It took me a week just to get all my parts...


Ok.... so I think... THINK... I have all my plumbing... I made two more trips back to Rona as I "discovered" more required parts.

Yes the gas. Ouch.

But... after laying everything in sequence... I think I have it all... and more.

I am using multple unions to make it easy to replace things like check valves and old ball valves as necessary. So maybe more unions than needed but what the heck.

Tomorrow I do some dry fitting and pipe cutting.

[paddyob]

Well dry fit my plumbing and started gluing tonight. Parents are in town from Regina so I am cementing the PVC while they sleep. Ha ha! Maybe i am too excited to slow down ha ha.

[paddyob]

Well I received my overflow box today. Bob offered to build one for me and it turned out amazing! Thanks Bob... you saved me one head ache of attempting this myself.

Plumbing is almost done. Too tired to deal with pics for the day so hopefully tomorrow I can post some pics of my progress.

Thanks again to Bob, Jason and those who have helped out in my build so far!

It is going slower than I wanted it to, but it is going well.

[The Codfather]

Taken from one of my favourite movies....
"Good. Someday, and that day may never come, I'll call upon you to do a service for me. But until that day......"

No worries, some day you can help me out, I believe in Karma.

[paddyob]

Well I am adding water... its almost full. I need to add about 30 more gallons and I will see if my plumbing holds.

Sorry no pics in last bit... can't find the cable for my camera.

All said and done... things looks good. If all my plumbing is good... I will look to add rocks asap!

[paddyob]

Well I dont like the check valves I bought. Very noisy. I bought wrong ones with stainless spring inside and they rattle all to hell.

I guess there is a rookie mistake.

I am going to replace them. I saw loc line check valves for return lines. Anyone used these before?

$12/each through the reef shoppe. I may get these as easy to replace and just remove the inline ones and replace with pipe.


Asides from the noise.... no leaks (so far) and system is running.

[paddyob]

well water is mixed and running through the system.

I will be changing out the check valves in about a week as I ordered new ones from bulk reef supply (true union check valve).

I also ordered a tank heater as I was not finding what I wanted for a reasonable "used" price. I ordered the Finnex HMO series titanium heater. I wanted durable and least likely to break. So will try it out and see how it goes.

i am also pretty much ready for rocks. Trying to get my hands on some but things are busy.

I still need a light and some power heads but things are looking good as they are. I will try find cable for my camera and post current pics soon!

[paddyob]

Well I am going to pick up some rock today.... not sure on amount... depends on pieces available. Hopefully 30 pounds or so.

Might have a light. MIGHT. I was messaged third party about a TEK light - 6 bulb. Waiting on more details tomorrow.

Things are coming together. Tank is running but not "running" if you know what I mean.

[hound96]

your gonna like that tec i have a 6 bulb on my 90 and i love the colors it brings out

[bignose]

cross your fingers Paddy!

[paddyob]

Well I added roughly 40 pounds of rock today.

I do not think its enough. I will be adding from my other 2 tanks... roughy 20 pounds or so.

I hope this is enough.

[paddyob]

My Sump - approximately 40 gallons.... 30 gallons water.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3542


My Euro-Reef RS80.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3544


Overflow box... built out of acrylic by Bob

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3545


My tank as it sits today.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3546



It is a work in progress. The rock work is tentative as I have more rock to add. I am going for the dual masses look. Lights are still missing but hopefully soon!

[paddyob]

My Finnex HMA-300 heater and check valves arrived from Bulk Reef today.

Heater is in.

I will attempt to get the check valves done tonight as well. Should be an easy swap out.

[The Codfather]

Glad the overflow works, tanks coming along.

[paddyob]

Sooooo... after a long time looking and TRYING to find a good light... it looks like one is coming my way.

Sunlight Supply Tek Light 6 Bulb T5 Fixture (48 Inch, 6x54W).

Thanks Wes for hooking me up with your friend. 6 bulb T5 don't seem to come around very often on here so I committed to the purchase right away.

Although I do not have it in my hands yet.... it appears that John is willing to sell it to me. I am going to go see it Thursday... or so. He needs the light for about another 10 days as he is waiting for his new light to show up.

As I am still cycling... I can wait 10 more days for this.

My new check valves went in last night as well. Running great.


Thats todays update. Thanks for tuning in.

[paddyob]

70 Gallon display
40 gallon total sump volume - 30 gallons water
Euro-Reef RS80
Quiet One 3000 return pump
Finnex HMA-300 heater


60 pounds Aragamax™ Select sand
50-60 pounds live rock (at this time)

[Hawkaholic]

Nice set up...throwing two cents in. On the overflow box, put some eggcrate on the inside so it overlaps to make the holes smaller. I did that with my overflows...used acrylic glue to glue them together, works pretty ok...just a suggestion. Looks good so far though.

[paddyob]

Nice set up...throwing two cents in. On the overflow box, put some eggcrate on the inside so it overlaps to make the holes smaller. I did that with my overflows...used acrylic glue to glue them together, works pretty ok...just a suggestion. Looks good so far though.



Good thought. I may also use some on the inside to raise the water level a little more.... its about 3/8" below trim and I would like it to the trim at least.

[paddyob]

I ordered powerheads from Reef Pefection today. He had a great deal on Koralia 3's and 2's. He only had one 3 left so I also took a Koralia 2.

I hope one Koralia 3 and one Koralia 2, in conjunction with my return lines, is enough flow.

The Koralia 3 was $31 and the Koralia 2 was $27.

Too good of a deal and fit my current budget.

[reefwars]

I just set up my 50g holding tank with nothing but 2 koralia2's alot more flow than I thought I need to swap one outfir something smaller they really do pack alot of flow:) glad to see the builds coming along:) did you order dry rock after?? If so from where abd happy with it??? :)

[paddyob]

I just set up my 50g holding tank with nothing but 2 koralia2's alot more flow than I thought I need to swap one outfir something smaller they really do pack alot of flow:) glad to see the builds coming along:) did you order dry rock after?? If so from where abd happy with it??? :)


I did not go the dry route. I bought 40 pounds of nice cured rock form Codfather and have about 20-25 of my own to add.

It would have saved me only $10 on 40lbs so why bother?

[reefwars]

Yeah true and codfather had some primo rock I have a few select pieces making it into my newset up :) I also want to do at least one side in tonga branch as well:)

[paddyob]

My powerheads came today.

One each....Koralia 2 (600 GPH) and Koralia 3 (850 GPH).


SUBSTANTIALLY more flow ha ha!


Hopefully I have lights soon.

Cycle is going well. Had some detectable ammonia on Tuesday but it was still in the same zone. In two more weeks I should be adding fish from my 20 gallon.

[paddyob]

So all I am waiting for now is lights. I am supposed to be buying some off a fellow reefer in town. He is waiting for his new lights.... so in turn, I wait.

I hope it is soon as my tank is cycling well and in two weeks first livestock should be added.

From my existing tank I am adding 2 Ocellaris and a Six-line Wrasse.

I also picked up a couple new corals today in preparation for the tank. From Denny (reefwars) I acquired an awesome neon green Montipora Capricornis. I also a small zoa frag.... I am not sure what they are called by they are identical to pink panthers but with a blue mouth. very cool. I plan to put the panthers and this new one side by side as I think they would make a fantastic mixed colony. Hopefully they well!


It is in my 20 waiting the BIG day!

[paddyob]

So just a quick comparison of how the tank has progressed. One picture is how the last owner had the tank looking... the second is how it looks today.



How it looked before I came along….

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3567


How it is today….


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3546


I personally think it has come a long way and is looking fantastic! I am so excited for this to finish coming together! (Does it ever come together? Or is it constantly evolving? HaHa!)

[paddyob]

08-28-2010 - Water added to tank

09-05-2010 - Live rock added


So one month has passed since water was added to tank. The rock came a week later.

This is the second time I have tested the water... and I can say... it looks like the cycle may be done.


PH - 8.0
Ca - 580
KH - 180
NO2 - 0
NO3 - <5
NH3 - <.1


SG - 1.025

Temp - 78.7


I used only H2Ocean salt this tank build and so far it seems ok. I have approx 50-60 pounds of rock in there and does not seem to be sucking the elements out too fast. I have dosed anything in the tank.... nor have I done a water change.

Any thoughts?

[Skimmerking]

Patience is a virtue remember time time time patience patience

[paddyob]

So I added a Tail Spot Blenny last night and a small CUC (10 margerita snails and 10 blue leggers).


prices were very good at Red Coral Edmonton.... .99 cents for snails and crabs ( NICE!!!) and the tail spot was $24.... cheaper than online so I cold not resist. The tail spot is gonna be mad at e when I temporarily move is home to add more rock but I know he will forgive me when I drop mysis in ha ha!

[Wayne]

WOW the tank is coming along so well! What a transformation between before and after! That filter sock was pretty nasty looking :lol:

[paddyob]

WOW the tank is coming along so well! What a transformation between before and after! That filter sock was pretty nasty looking :lol:

Thanks! And I am so far from done!!!!!

[paddyob]

So I am still waiting for lights. I have a small light over half my tank as I acquired not one... but TWO beautiful RBTAs from Kona (Jason). These are absolutely amazing in color and they bubbled right up after they hit my tank.

Very bright red. I added my clowns and I am hoping that with the RBTA in there, and nothing else to distract them, that they will take to one of them.

They have a habit of hosting my frog spawn and bubble.... so why the hell should they ignore this beauty?!?! I hope they don't. I ma going to try some of the things people have posted in the past about hosting tips... picture on glass of clowns hosting or the flower pot.

Time will tell.

I also threw a couple more zoa colonies in as I am slowly moving stuff from my old 20G into here and if I can add some now... then when my light arrives it will not be such a huge chore.

Anyhow... I will try post pics of the RBTA later. Again they are beautiful... definitely a future show piece!

[paddyob]

Well awaiting lights but here are some things going into the tank....

Rose Bubbletip Anemone (Thanks Jason**Kona)
Acan Lord
Red Frogspawn
Green Bubbble Coral
Red Chalice (frag)
Favia (red with neon green mouth)
Montipora Capricornis (red)
Montipora Capricornis (neon green - frag)


countless Zoa and Paly

I am most likely adding GSP to the backside of my rocks as it is a swim around aquascape. I will let the GSP grow over the back to add dimension as opposed to putting something "nice" back there.


I have some more stuff.... but not sure what I am going to add.

This is a start and once my lights show up I am going to have a whole bunch of fun!

Patrick

[paddyob]

Soooo my Ocellaris finally started to host something asides form a bubble coral or frogspawn.

I set this tank up... and added the clowns and RBTA within days of each other. No action. I added a picture to the side of my tank with an Ocellaris hosting an RBTA and now 3 days later.... HOSTING!!!!!


This is the first time they ever took to an anemone!!! No I can add other corals with the hopes they stay in the RBTA forever!!!!


WOHAHHAHHAH!!!! Good day after all!!

[paddyob]

My lights will be here tomorrow! Its been a long wait but its finally time to shine! ha ha ha!

[paddyob]

Deal fell through. I am lightless and not happy.

[Rbacchiega]

are these comming from a supplier or a fellow hobbyist? (did I even come close to spelling that right? I dunno...not enough coffee yet)

Either way, I'd see if you can get some other lights pronto.

[paddyob]

are these comming from a supplier or a fellow hobbyist? (did I even come close to spelling that right? I dunno...not enough coffee yet)

Either way, I'd see if you can get some other lights pronto.


From another reefer.

[Rbacchiega]

hopefully you didn't pay in advance. I'd call it a wash and just order them from a supplier if you can then.

[paddyob]

Todays test results (last test results beside)

Temp: 78F ... (78F)
SG: 1.027 ... (1.025 )
NH3: 0 ... (<.1)
NO2: 0 ... (0)
NO3: <5 mg/L ... (<5mg/L)
Ca: 540 ... (580)
Kh: 120 ... (180)
Ph: 7.9 ... (8.0)




I have still not dosed anything. My last tests were completed on 9/27/2010.... so with H2Ocean things seem pretty stable so far.


Anyhow thats an update.


****ALSO.... lights may be coming my way after all. I will know tomorrow when I can get the lights!****

[reefwars]

glad to see things are looking up, looks like your on the high side of calcium but its going down so thats good news:)

[paddyob]

glad to see things are looking up, looks like your on the high side of calcium but its going down so thats good news:)


And again... no dosing at all since set up....50 pounds of rock and only a couple corals right now so not much to suck the elements out of the water yet.

We will see soon.

[paddyob]

Well my patience has paid off.

Sunlight Supply - TEK Light T5... 48" 6 bulb!!!


It is in great shape. Tomorrow I will test it out!!!!


FINALLY!!!!!!!:lol:

[paddyob]

So lights added today... Sunlight Supply TEK Light T5 (48" - 6X54W).


ACCLIMATED all corals from other two smaller tanks and added to tank.


Might take some time to learn the flow in the tank and position LPS in lower flow areas.

[Rbacchiega]

Um, pictures.

[paddyob]

Just to hold you over... a couple pics. For some reason I can't resize my photos small enough for Canreef today.... so I can only offer two pictures until I figure out what is the issue.

These are both from today... a couple corals that I have added.


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3688

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3689


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3691

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3692


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3693


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3694

[Wayne]

Great to hear about the lights! Nice to see some corals in the tank but we need more pics :)

[paddyob]

Great to hear about the lights! Nice to see some corals in the tank but we need more pics :)


I added a few more.... but cant seem to get tank shot to size properly. I will add one later.

I must add I used my Pentax W90 for these shots and it does not capture the best quality.

When I get around to it... I will use a better camera and get some nicer shots.

[paddyob]

So here is the initial rock work. I am going to change a few things as I am not completely happy. I ended up wit more rock than initially thought for the build.

Once I took it out of the other tanks I found I had trouble placing it in the manner I wanted. I really like the left side but the second mass on the right needs some arranging. There are not enough shelves for corals and the way I would like them. I am going to try make a cove of sorts to help shield my LPS.


I also found that by arranging the rocks so they are two masses eats up space quickly. I have swimming space on all sides and plan to put something like GSP on the backside to allow coral growth all around.

So anyways.... here is the recent tank shot (today). Give it some time to evolve! Let me know what you think!

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=416&pictureid=3696

[reefwars]

Very sweet looking buddy that's gonna be a nice set up indeed :)

haha if I squint or look at the picture quickly it knda looks like two palm trees where the seam hits the powerheads lol :)

[hound96]

looks good man , what other corals were you thinkin?

[paddyob]

looks good man , what other corals were you thinkin?


I need to rearrange to make the spaces first off... but I do want a couple of wicked SPS pieces.

I am not a huge SPS person but would like some to add to the mixed reef feel.

[bignose]

Nice looking scape Pat! Can't wait to see it in person.

[noirsphynx]

Looks great Patrick!

[Wayne]

Looks awesome! Nice looking lights :) Such a clean tank will be nice when it takes off.

[paddyob]

Fish:
Ocellaris Pair
Tail Spot Blenny
Rainford's Goby
Six Line Wrasse


Coral:
Rose Bubbletip Anemone
Acan Lord
Green Bubble Coral
Red Frogspawn
Red Chalice
Red Favia
Red Monti Cap
Green Monti Cap
Green Sinularia
Pipe Organ
Several Zoan and Paly colonies

CUC:
Margarita Snails (worst snails ever - no wonder they were only .99 cents)
Mexican Turbo ( my favorite - need more )
Blue Leg hermits


More to come!!!

[jphong]

Sweet looking tank! The scape makes it look so big :)

[paddyob]

Sweet looking tank! The scape makes it look so big :)


Thanks!

[paddyob]

Tests are still good.... KH is low but I have not dosed anything at all since set up September long weekend.


SG - 1.028 ( new salt mixed lower to 1.021 to help drop down. I like 1.024)
Temp - 78F

NH3 - 0
NO3 - 0
NO2 - 0
Ca - 540
Kh - 90

I did a 10% water change and will retest kh and then begin to dose with Seachem Reef Builder.


All said and done.... LOOKS GREAT!!!!

I have been adding corals and hope to get the time soon to add some more pics.

[paddyob]

Today I added a new wrasse to my system.

A Fairy Wrasse.... a Whipfin Fairy Wrasse based on my research.

So far my six-line likes to exert its dominance by swimming circles around it but so far not actual attacks.

Hopefully they get along. Size is comparable but colour is not even close. It is bright red with yellow fins. Very attractive fish and I hope it does well.

So far... after the acclimation... it has been swimming around a small area of the tank. No hiding or huddling in the corners. This appears to be a good sign as it was exhibiting the same behaviour in the store.

I will try get some nice pics up this weekend.

[paddyob]

Ugh.

So I ripped apart my tank to remove either the six line or the fairy wrasse.

I ended up catching the six line so he found a new place in my sump refugium for now. Well fuge in training.... no lights yet.... just some rock. I am pretty sure he will be fine.

NOW the question is.... do I try trade him for a small six line (as I love him) or say good bye to him forever as I cannot put him back in with the fairy wrasse.

I also am stressed out that I cannot find two of my fish since rearranging the rocks....one being the f***in Fairy wrasse I worked to protect or my tailspot blenny. I am really hoping they are hiding and not crushed under rocks.

Man what a shitty day in the reef.

[fishytime]

NOW the question is.... do I try trade him for a small six line (as I love him) or say good bye to him forever as I cannot put him back in with the fairy wrasse.

thats gonna be a judgment call on your part......you could try adding the sixline you have in the sump, back after a month or so, to let the fairy settle in...or if your sixline is one of those "bugger" sixlines then a time out in the sump wont likely help......a new sixline that is obviously smaller than the fairy might work out....but like I said, sometimes sixlines can be little buggers:twised:

[paddyob]

Well after a few painstaking hours yesterday I managed to "get the tank back together".

Does it look the same? NEVER! Does it look similar to my last aquascape? Yes. I am happy how it looks? I am not sure. Am I ****ed at my six line? HELL YES! HE has been banished to the sump with about 2 pounds of live rock.

He was the one I caught so he was the one to go. I am torn because he has benefits to being in my tank.... control of flat worms (if you get them) and control of pyramid snails (which I do have).

I am on the fence about adding a smaller one because of these reasons.

Can anyone tell me if there are any other options to rid your tank of pyramid snails as I plan to add a clam and know this can be an issue with these littls snails.

[Big Tang]

You could always add a banana wrasse(aka yellow coris wrasse).I find they work the best for pyramid snails.

[paddyob]

So the first 50% happy.... my Whipfin Fairy Wrasse came out of the rocks and fed tonight... appears for now he is the alpha fish as my clowns seem intimidated by him. He looks great and I am happy that my six line inflicted no physical damage to him. He has excellent coloration and seems alert. He is a little skittish right now but it is a new home so expected.

50% sad.... my normally greedy and super crazy active Tail Spot Blenny.... no where to be found. I am really hoping he is still hiding from the stress of the tank being upset yesterday.... but I am giving up hope on that theory. I am pretty sad as he was a great specimen and so personable. If he does not show his cute face in a couple days I will move on. I WILL definitely replace him with another if he has passed.

Sigh.

The six line is still in the sump as I am not sure what to do with him yet.

[paddyob]

You could always add a banana wrasse(aka yellow coris wrasse).I find they work the best for pyramid snails.


I will consider this. Peaceful?

[paddyob]

Woo tail spot found! he ended up in my sump! he went through the baffles And was in the skimmer chamber. man i am happy to find him!

[jphong]

Man I miss my tail spot! Congrats on finding him!

[paddyob]

Man I miss my tail spot! Congrats on finding him!


Yea I think he is my favourite little guy in there. :lol:

[paddyob]

For your viewing pleasure....

Whipfin Fairy Wrasse (in the bag - I have yet to get a good shot of him in the open)

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=3885

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=3884



Rainfords Goby

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=3877



Rose Bubbletip hosting Ocellaris Clowns

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=3880

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=3878

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=3879



Tailspot Blenny

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=3882

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=3881



Zoas

Radio Active Dragon Eyes Zoa

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=3876

KeddRedd Zoa

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=3874

KeddRedd Zoa Actinic

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=3875

Belle Zoa Actinic

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=3871


Frogspawn

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=3872

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=3873

[paddyob]

After rearranging... tank very similar. There are more pictures on the previous page. ;)


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=3883

[chris88]

Rescape looks much nicer. I am not sure if you answered this yet but what bulbs are you running?

[paddyob]

Rescape looks much nicer. I am not sure if you answered this yet but what bulbs are you running?

Here is my current equipment:

70 Gallon Display
40 Gallon Sump (4 chamber)

Euro-reef RS80 Skimmer

48" Tek Light T5 6 Bulb
- 2 x Blue Plus
- 1 x Fiji Purple
- 1 x New Generation 14k
- 2 x ATI 10k

Koralia 3
Koralia 2


Quiet One 3000 return pump

Finnex HMA 300 Heater

[Kevotron]

Nice Skimmer ;)

[paddyob]

Nice Skimmer ;)



Thanks for that Kev! It is working quite well.:biggrin:

[paddyob]

Added Blue Steel Zoas. Hope they do well.

[paddyob]

So I officially got my reservoir set up yesterday.

I went to Zeebest Plastics in Edmonton and picked up a 20 gallon - food grade bin for $56. Top and all.

I did not trust using rubbermaid as it flexes way too much for comfort.

I have my first batch of salt mixing as we speak.

Now I need to see what I can attach to the pump to pump the water out of the tank. I am sure this will be an easy fix.... as will running water lines to the bin from my laundry faucet. I will probably run a simple "Y" off the tap and run a hose into the bin. Its only about 10 feet from the tap.

This should cut down some time when preparing for water changes.

[paddyob]

KH - 90
Ca - 480
PO4 - 0
NO3 - 0
NH3 - 0



I have some diatom causing havoc. Joy. I am going to try that Chemi-Clean media in my sump to see if it helps clean it up at all.

[paddyob]

So I am dealing with a cyano out break. I don't really know what to do about it.

I am going to try Chemi-Pure Elite... as it is SUPPOSED to help.

Man I hate cyano. Covering all my frags. Have to clean them off daily.

Anyone have a fool proof way of killing this crap off before it starts to harm my corals? It is covering zoa frags mostly and they wont open. Boo.

[lorenz0]

Put a sheet over the tank for 2 days with the lights off. Works every time for me

[paddyob]

I had to replace my heater as the Finnex HMA 300 could not hold the temperature stable.

Steve at Red Coral had an Aqueon 250 Pro for what I feel is a good price and I am going to be trying it out! Hoping for 78F!

So today I will be starting to use Chemi-Pure Elite. I have two packages and will be setting them in my return chamber. I do not have a reactor so I will place them at the bottom of the chamber under my drain pipe so to benefit from the most flow possible.

I am also ready to start using my fuge. I am going to have Chaeto today sometime and hopefully it also adds to my system stability. Anyone care to shed light on the proper "refugium" technique?

I have been battling cyano. I siphoned some out yesterday... but what a pain. Hoping the Chemi-Pure helps.

[paddyob]

I picked up two new bulbs today so here is my current light combo in my 48" six bulb tek light.


ATI BluePlus
KZ New Gen 14k
KZ Fiji Purple
KZ Coral Light 10k
KZ New Gen 14k
ATI Blue Plus


I will soon replace the ATI Blue Plus with two KZ Super Blue.


I also picked up a new acan lord today from Aquarium Illusions... Neon Orange-Red with light purple trim. Once it settles in I will post a pic. Very nice and with the Canreef sale it was only $23!

[bignose]

They are very nice acans I'm liking the colors on mine. A great deal for a frag that size.

[paddyob]

So here is a bunch of shots from today. I decided to mess around with my Pentax W90 waterproof camera and see how it does in the tank.

You will see the issue I have been having in the past bit when you see the zoas.... cyano of some sort likes covering them all so some colonies are not fully opening right now. Either way... hope you like what I have to show.

If anyone knows names of the "unknowns" below... let me know. Thanks.

Blue Steel

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3936

Unknown Paly (from AI)

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3937

Pink Panther

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3939

Unknown Zoa

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3938

Unknown Zoa

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3940

Radio Active Dragon Eye Zoa

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3941

Belle Zoa

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3942

Green Monti Frag

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3943

Favia

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3944

Bubble Coral

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3945

Unknown SPS Frag

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3946


My new can lord… first shot full lights… second is ATI Blue Plus

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3947

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3948

Both Acan Lords I have

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3949

My Cleaner Shrimp

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3950

Yellow Tang ( not best picture - fast mover lol)

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=467&pictureid=3951

[reefwars]

tanks looking great pat, im loving the pinkm panthers and the unknown zoa in the 4th pic, if they take off i would love to trade for a frag of something i have:):) did the black and blueish ones i give you make it??if not let me know and ill make you a frag its grown quite a bit now and i could make a decent frag:):)

[paddyob]

tanks looking great pat, im loving the pinkm panthers and the unknown zoa in the 4th pic, if they take off i would love to trade for a frag of something i have:):) did the black and blueish ones i give you make it??if not let me know and ill make you a frag its grown quite a bit now and i could make a decent frag:):)


Yea they are doing fine. I ahve a few more Zoa colonies I failed to photograph. Awkward angles and what not. When the Cyano is gone I will add a couple more zoa shots.

As for the zoa Denny.... you talking about the green one with yellow in the center? If so I can frag it anytime.... I have about 100 polyps on that colony. Had it for a few years and it has done awesome in all conditions.

[Lance]

You will see the issue I have been having in the past bit when you see the zoas.... cyano of some sort likes covering them all so some colonies are not fully opening right now.


Yeah, I don't know why cyano seems to like to collect on zoas. All you can do is blow it away with a turkey baster until it's gone.

[paddyob]

Yeah, I don't know why cyano seems to like to collect on zoas. All you can do is blow it away with a turkey baster until it's gone.

Twice a day. But on the bright side... it looks like it is getting better.

[reefwars]

Yeah, I don't know why cyano seems to like to collect on zoas. All you can do is blow it away with a turkey baster until it's gone.


I get that here and there too i try to suck as much out as I can with a turkey Baster then blow off the rest :) good ol cyano lol:):)

[reefwars]

Yea they are doing fine. I ahve a few more Zoa colonies I failed to photograph. Awkward angles and what not. When the Cyano is gone I will add a couple more zoa shots.

As for the zoa Denny.... you talking about the green one with yellow in the center? If so I can frag it anytime.... I have about 100 polyps on that colony. Had it for a few years and it has done awesome in all conditions.

Yeah that one looks nice , would love a frag if you make one let me know I could either buy it or trade for it:):)

[paddyob]

Well today I picked up not one... but TWO TLF Phoban Reactors.... for $45!!!


Thanks Saltynuts (Ed).


I am not sure if I should run both, or just one.

Anyone have input? I have seen you can run them inline or "t'd" with one maxi jet power head. Which way is best and what do I need to hook both up?

[paddyob]

Yellow Tang
2 x Ocellaris Clowns
Firefish
Rainford Goby
Tail Spot Blenny
Six Line Wrasse
Cleaner Shrimp


Anyone have suggestions of any other suitable additions. Maybe one... two more?

[paddyob]

I am currently building an oak canopy for the tank. It seems to be coming along well. I will try post some "in process" shots today.

I am wondering though... I need to make a nice skirt out of oak to match the top and I am not sure what to do.

I am not a "wood worker" if you know what I mean. I work with steel and find wood a new territory.

I am not sure if I want to make a skirt with doors or something I can just move to have sump access.... perhaps in a "C" shape and pull away in one piece or something.

Anyways.. I am hoping to pick some brains and perhaps get some ideas from you all.

[Dez]

I had one skirt I made out of Oak years ago that was attached via magnets. I cut out openings for "doors" and then put some molding around it and used the cut out as a door except it wasn't a door but a removable panel held on with magnets. Hope this helps, I don't know if I explained it well enough.

[paddyob]

70 Gallon Display
40 Gallon Sump (approx 25-30 gallons water volume)

Tek Light - 48" x 6 bulb
-ATI Blue Plus
-New Gen 14k
-Fiji Purple
-KZ 10k
-New Gen 14k
-ATI Blue Plus

2 x TLF Reactors (in-line) & MaxiJet 1200
- #1 running carbon
- #2 undetermined

1 x Koralia 3
1 x Koralia 2
Quiet 3000 return pump

Euro-reef RS80 Skimmer

Aqueon 250 Heater

[paddyob]

Today I added 3 more corals....

Purple Gorgonian.... (Frilly I believe Denny?)

Purple Monti Cap... (Thanks Dez)

German Blue Polyp Digitata... (and Dez again)


Pics soon. Just added to tank so will let them settle in.

[reefwars]

Today I added 3 more corals....

Purple Gorgonian.... (Frilly I believe Denny?)

Purple Monti Cap... (Thanks Dez)

German Blue Polyp Digitata... (and Dez again)


Pics soon. Just added to tank so will let them settle in.


yes it is a purple frilly gorgonian:):) cheers

[paddyob]

Eye of Rah - Green/Blue/Orange
Green Implosion Paly
KeddRedd
Heart of Atlantis
Blueberry Fields Forever/Papa Smurfs ( Green/Blue/green)
Blue Steel Zoa
Radio Active Dragon Eyes
Belle
Lily Pads
Pink Panther
Purple People Eater (Sold as, but not completely sure it is - look more like the Purple Puddle)
Purple Fission (lost color under PC but seem to be coming back under T5s)
Super Nova





Partial list from zoaid gallery of what I have

[bignose]

Purple People Eater (Sold as, but not completely sure it is - look more like the Purple Puddle)
I have to agree with you there Pat. Mine doesn't look anything like purple people eaters. I'm hoping ours color up and turn out to be what we expected.

[paddyob]

So the cyano is virtually gone. Appears the Chemi Pure Elite did a great job.

All my zoas have definitely began to flourish again.

My pride is also beginning to grow.... African Blue Steel Zoanthids (Thanks Myka)



Here is my updated fish list:

Yellow Tang
Coral Beauty Angel
2 x Ocellaris Clowns
Tail Spot Blenny
Rainford Goby
Six Line Wrasse
Firefish


I am considering adding 2 Banggai Cardinals and a Blue or Red Mandarin.

Anyone know if it really is possible to determine sex of Banggais?

I love the life my tank has. I know having a high bio load means more work... but I have seen other tanks with much MUCH higher loads that do great.

If anyone has any ideas on compatible fish that I should consider, let me know!

Thanks for reading!

Patrick

[intarsiabox]

I have similar types of fish and added a solar fairy wrasse rescently. Very pretty and docile fish. My bi-color blenny has plenty of personality as well.

[paddyob]

I have similar types of fish and added a solar fairy wrasse rescently. Very pretty and docile fish. My bi-color blenny has plenty of personality as well.

The last fairy wrasse I added was NOT accepted by my Six line. :2gunfire:

I don't think I will add another Blenny at this time. I really love my tail spot.

I am thinking more along the line of something that will swim around a lot (great description ha ha - a fish? Swimming?)

[intarsiabox]

I have a foxface and yellow tang in the tank and between the two of them they make the tank look busy. My clowns tend to stay in one small area and most of the others just climb around the rocks. I did get a red dragonet a couple of months ago. I expected him to stay hidden but he is always out where he can be seen.

[paddyob]

Well I picked up new fish today.

1 x Large Male Lyretail Anthias
2 x Small Female Lyretail Anthias

So new list is:

Here is my updated fish list:

Yellow Tang
Coral Beauty Angel
2 x Ocellaris Clowns
Tail Spot Blenny
Rainford Goby
Six Line Wrasse
Firefish
3 x Anthias (1 male, 2 female)

This puts the stock list to 11. I will be adding no more fish. If I do decide to add another.... the last one will be a blue Mandarin. This will not be added until the tank is more mature.

My tank is alive with color ad I LOVE IT!!!

In the past 4 months it has come a long way. I will add more pics after New Years.

[Wannabe]

Well I picked up new fish today.

1 x Large Male Lyretail Anthias
2 x Small Female Lyretail Anthias

So new list is:

Here is my updated fish list:

Yellow Tang
Coral Beauty Angel
2 x Ocellaris Clowns
Tail Spot Blenny
Rainford Goby
Six Line Wrasse
Firefish
3 x Anthias (1 male, 2 female)

This puts the stock list to 11. I will be adding no more fish. If I do decide to add another.... the last one will be a blue Mandarin. This will not be added until the tank is more mature.

My tank is alive with color ad I LOVE IT!!!

In the past 4 months it has come a long way. I will add more pics after New Years.

When will we get pics of the new additions?

[paddyob]

Coral Beauty
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=4007

Male Maldives Lyretail Anthias
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=4008


Full Tank Shot 01/2011
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=4009

And a couple more kinda repeats....

Some fish...
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=4013

The Beauty (Quite my possibly my favourite fish of all time)...
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=4011

Two outta three ain't bad… the other clown is usually out and about the tank...
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=4012

Another tank shot...
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=4010

[Wannabe]

The new fish look great.

[paddyob]

The new fish look great.

The blue one is from you guys :lol:

[paddyob]

I am happy to see my new additions all seem to be fitting in nicely. They all actually had varios stages of Ich, but you would have to look really close to see it now... if you could find it.

The Coral Beauty does not seem to be touching any corals... so as long as she continues this way, she can stay. :twised:

[fishytime]

I am happy to see my new additions all seem to be fitting in nicely. They all actually had varios stages of Ich, but you would have to look really close to see it now... if you could find it.

The Coral Beauty does not seem to be touching any corals... so as long as she continues this way, she can stay. :twised:

Coral Beauties are one of my favs too......they always seem to have that "halo" around their little heads at first:twised:..... great shots BTW

[paddyob]

Coral Beauties are one of my favs too......they always seem to have that "halo" around their little heads at first:twised:..... great shots BTW

Thanks!

Yea... this is what I have heard. I hope mine remains an angel.

[Funky_Fish14]

Pat Buddy! This is looking fantastic! Great job, and nice and clean!

Cheers,

Chris

[paddyob]

Pat Buddy! This is looking fantastic! Great job, and nice and clean!

Cheers,

Chris

Thanks Chris!

[paddyob]

So I am up to 11 fish, 1 Shrimp, Hermits and snails... 38 or so corals. Coming together quite nicely.

I can say, I will not be adding much more for fish. Maybe a second cleaner shrimp and/or Blue Mandarin in a couple more months, but that would be the last.

As for corals... I am getting edgy about what I should add now.

Jason (Bignose) keeps bringing me SPS frags (So I guess he wants me to get into SPS ha ha). And I have "enough" zoas for now (except for a few choice ones that might come along).... but I need some more moving/branching corals.

Anyone have suggestions for kick ass corals to add some more "life" to the reef?

I am probably going to avoid clams for the next while as it seems there are a lot of them dying for one reason or another. I really want one of the Cook Island clams that Ken at BW is trying to get but man I am scared to drop a $100 and see it pass on to the great fishbowl in the sky. Maybe its good that they are delayed as much as they are. Gives my tank more time to mature and HOPEFULLY the clam issue passes.

[reefwars]

Elegance are my all time face but I'll prob not try one again for a long time I've lost three so fAr and I just find they are so picky and sensitive ..... Another one of my faves are duncans and i like toadstools as well:):)

[bignose]

sps

[paddyob]

Well I finished my canopy last night. It actually looks pretty good for someone who does not work well with wood.

I will post pics at another time.

[paddyob]

well today I added (or shall I say I am in the process of acclimating) Purple Hornets.

My buddy bought some from Red Coral on the weekend and said they were Blue Hornets, but Red Coral has Purple Hornets on the tank... so let's assume they are :wink:

Once they are in the tank I will try get a shot when they open and hope for genuine purple hornets. We all know they are hard to find... and these were priced much, MUCH lower than you would expect to find Hornets for.

Either way... they look like Purple Hornets... so crossing fingers they are... and that they grow!

[azulikit]

Nice job on the build, looks fantastic!

[lastlight]

How do you find the Maldives in a 70g? Beauty of a fish I'd love to have one.

[Lampshade]

Very nice tank, good build thred too. If you ever find out what that "unknown SPS" is from a few posts back let me know, i have the same one i think, BRIGHT green polyps and a dark green/brown base, i assume it's a pocci... but?

[paddyob]

Nice job on the build, looks fantastic!

Thank you!

How do you find the Maldives in a 70g? Beauty of a fish I'd love to have one.

I have only had them about 3 weeks or so. I feed them plankton twice a day and they gobble it up. They seem ok. No aggression. I might add an auto feeder as they also take flake. Would give me an extra feeding or two/day.

Very nice tank, good build thred too. If you ever find out what that "unknown SPS" is from a few posts back let me know, i have the same one i think, BRIGHT green polyps and a dark green/brown base, i assume it's a pocci... but?

thank you. I still don't know the name. I just got into SPS with my 70... so I do not know anything about them to be honest. My buddy has been hooking me up with frags when he comes by so I am trying to learn. It is growing like a weed in my tank though!

[paddyob]

Well my frag of "wanna be" hornets is dying off. All my other zoas are doing great... including my African Blue Steels... so why these are not, are beyond me. I guess sometimes things are poor shippers or something.

They are very nice, even though they are not the Hornets they were sold/promoted as, I do not like the fact they are dwindling away.

Any suggestions?

[BlueTang<3]

Too much light? My purple deaths have to be in the dark almost or they don't do to well.

[paddyob]

Here is a pic of my African Blue Steel Zoas. These came from Saskatoon compliments of Myka (Mindy).

They are doing great and I am happy to say it! For the record they had of dying off... mine look awesome. I have had them since remembrance day... so over 2 months. My last two frags died in a couple weeks max.


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=4061

[paddyob]

Too much light? My purple deaths have to be in the dark almost or they don't do to well.

I will move them to a shady spot asap! Who knows?

[paddyob]

NH3 - 0
NO3 - 0
NO2 - 0
Ca - 460
Kh - 90** Low


I am going to have to start dosing for Kh a little more frequently. I have never once dosed Calcium in this tank since its beginning in August last year. So that's not a bad thing. H2Ocean salt seems to be holding its own.

Corals are doing well... asides from a couple zoa colonies that seem to be struggling... Heart of Atlantis zoas and Hornet Morph. The Heart of Atlantis is from ages ago.. and never really grew in my 20. It started to grow when I moved it to the 70 last year... but then recedes again. Baffling me. Tough little Zoa.

[paddyob]

So yesterday I switched from powdered SeaChem Reef Builder to liquid Seachem Carbonate. I got tired of constantly mixing the powder before dosing. Now I just measure into a sump chamber and let my pump mix it up. So much easier.

I have been, and always have, fought with my Kh level. Usually sits around 90. I dosed the liquid yesterday and early this morning. Tested, and now, for the first time in who knows how long, Kh has risen to 120. Good start.

Today I only tested:

Kh - 120
Ca - 460


On another, more sad note... one of my female Maldives Anthias passed on. It was doing very well until the male of the trio settled into the tank. He became an Alpha fish very, very quickly in the tank and started to chase the females. I moved her to my refugium last night as she was still alive... but today... no sign of her. The male is VERY fat and eating well.. and again being Alpha male... eats before all others but tang

[paddyob]

Ca - 400
Kh - 90
NO2 - 0
NO3 - 0
NH3 - 0
Ph - 8.4

[BlueTang<3]

The alk is low you can get away with it for a bit but too long you can have major tissue losses. Its not good to have large swings dosing and then checking a few hrs later and it was 120 so it was probably higher and fell. I see you are using h2 ocean salt i had the same problem with that salt. It was actually some of the worst salt i had ever used.

[paddyob]

The alk is low you can get away with it for a bit but too long you can have major tissue losses. Its not good to have large swings dosing and then checking a few hrs later and it was 120 so it was probably higher and fell. I see you are using h2 ocean salt i had the same problem with that salt. It was actually some of the worst salt i had ever used.

No matter which salt I use, I always have Kh issues. At least with H2Ocean I have yet to dose calcium since this tank was set up last summer.

I am playing with dosing to see what I need to doe regularly to keep it up.

[BlueTang<3]

What kind of salts are have u used. I have used reefers best, royal nature, and instant ocean and had better results than h2 ocean.

[paddyob]

What kind of salts are have u used. I have used reefers best, royal nature, and instant ocean and had better results than h2 ocean.

I have used Instant Ocean (years ago - will never use it again), Bio-Sea, SeaChem Reef Salts and now H2Ocean. Asides from the Kh issue, H2Ocean has given me great results.

I don't foresee myself switching from it anytime soon.

[BlueTang<3]

Pat my only concern for u is I see you are not even checking potassium and magnesium. From my experience with the salt all 3 levels were very low and for the price and hassle of bringing them up I could buy a different salt.

[fishytime]

Ive been using H2Ocean for two years....love the stuff.....so much so that I nearly had to buy it from a competitor recently because RC was in between shipments......Ive used some obscure brand that came in a bag that I cant recall the name of now, Seachem (hated it), Reefers Best (liked it but switched because of availability) and lastly H2Ocean.....

sorry to hear about the anthia mang:sad:

[reefwars]

ive always like reefers best as well after switching from h2ocean.......now its sea water all the way baby so well see how that works for me lol:) ill ship you some if you want itttttt:):):):)

[BlueTang<3]

Ive been using H2Ocean for two years....love the stuff.....so much so that I nearly had to buy it from a competitor recently because RC was in between shipments......Ive used some obscure brand that came in a bag that I cant recall the name of now, Seachem (hated it), Reefers Best (liked it but switched because of availability) and lastly H2Ocean.....

sorry to hear about the anthia mang:sad:


Strange maybe i had some really bad batches, +1 on the reefers best usually buy 10-15 boxes at a time when ever i can find it.

[paddyob]

Just a couple pics from today.

Male Maldive Lyretail Anthias...he is doing very well. I installed a feeder on my tank and picked up some NLS Finicky Eater Pellets. The male eats anything I drop in the tank. The female is a little more frozen oriented right now.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=4116


Green Bubble Coral

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=4117

[paddyob]

Pat my only concern for u is I see you are not even checking potassium and magnesium. From my experience with the salt all 3 levels were very low and for the price and hassle of bringing them up I could buy a different salt.

I will test my magnesium today.. as I actually do have a test kit for it. I will try remember to pick up a potassium kit next week.

I really never considered testing them before.


I am working on my reservoir a bit as well. I have a 20 gallon food grade container from Zeebest and some plumbing parts. I have a relatively good size pump and a heater already running in the container. I am tired of messing around wasting time with water changes.

Soooo... to begin with, I am going to make the reservoir into a "gas tank" kinda pump system so I can simply turn a valve and fill pails with a flexible pipe. This for the time being will save me some time.

BUT... I got the go ahead from my wife to plumb the tank into the laundry room DIRECTLY BELOW!!

I am going to have two reservoirs set for water change and top up. Pump directly from the room below into the tank. I also need to do some work on my main drain (due to a recent drainage back up issue) so I am going to also set a drain from the tank up stairs directly into it so I can eliminate buckets from my daily life forever. Wohahah. I will also work with the water lines since my water tank is also directly beside my reservoir "area".

Now to find a salt system so I don't have to scoop the salt anymore. Anyone feel like coming over? I need... some help. Ha ha ha!

Anyhow. The build never ends. Planning stages right now. Once I finish renovating the bedroom... I have more time to begin this. :lol:

[paddyob]

So today saw a complete cleaning and water tests (that I had).

Looks fantastic!!

Tests:

Temp - 76.1 (lights off), 76.5 (lights on)

SG - 1.029 - ***Water change to lower to 1.025***

NH3 - 0
NO2 - 0
NO3 - <5

Kh - 130
Ca - 380

PO4 - 0
Mg - 1480

Cu - 0 (go figure - ha ha)


I have been dosing builder to raise my Kh and now that it is, it seems the calcium is actually dropping.

I believe the trace amount of NO3 is due to a heavier feeding regimen. I installed a feeder to give my Lyretail Anthias a couple extra feedings a day.

I also removed my foam pad from the sump. Going to go foam/filter sock free and see if it works for my system. So many people argue against the use of them "clean water through old S***" . So, removed. Why not try it out.

[BlueTang<3]

So are u moving your sump and system downstairs? If you are was in Calgary yesterday at someones house and he had like 3ft by 2ft by 18 tanks drilled on the bottom super cheap.

[paddyob]

So are u moving your sump and system downstairs? If you are was in Calgary yesterday at someones house and he had like 3ft by 2ft by 18 tanks drilled on the bottom super cheap.

No. For now the sump will remain upstairs. I am going to run lines for removing water and lines for pumping the salt mix back up. Also water lines and a small RO unit Jason is bringing over. Simplify my water changes. No more buckets.

In the next 5 years we are redoing our upstairs floors... hardwood... so then I will move the sump down as well and only keep the tank upstairs. Baby steps Wes. Baby steps. Ha ha. Its a start.

[BlueTang<3]

Lol ok. If you are getting a tub make sure to get a vertical one mine is horizontal and it starts to get dirty looking after a year or so and cant get in the 4x4" hole to clean it.

[paddyob]

Lol ok. If you are getting a tub make sure to get a vertical one mine is horizontal and it starts to get dirty looking after a year or so and cant get in the 4x4" hole to clean it.

Yea... I am using 20 gallon vertical tubs. Food grade from Zeebest Plastic. Lid and all. The really nice heavy white ones.

[paddyob]

NO3 - 0
NO2 - 0
PO4 - 0

Kh - 100 (dose builder)
Ca - 360

Calcium is noticeably dropping now that I am regularly dosing Builder.

I am going to need to get more regular in the calcium/Kh dosing schedule.

[paddyob]

Pat my only concern for u is I see you are not even checking potassium and magnesium. From my experience with the salt all 3 levels were very low and for the price and hassle of bringing them up I could buy a different salt.

Question.... where do you get a test for Potassium Wes? I was looking for one today. And why test it?

[paddyob]

Ooo Ooo Ooo!

I got a new brain coral. Blue and Red. I saw it at Aquarium Illusions and could not pass the tank twice.

BEAUTIFUL piece!

Pics soon!

Did I mention... this coral is FANTASTIC!!!

[paddyob]

Ah... here is my new baby...

It is a blue and red brain coral... but type I am uncertain of. Anyone able to give a positive ID?

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=461&pictureid=4192

The colors are amazing! I bought it at Aquarium Illusions yesterday. Could not resist. I love it!

Also... on another note... both the male and female Maldives Lyretail Anthias are taking NLS pellets. The pellets are in an auto feeder and give 2 extra feedings a day on top of the frozen dinner they get. They are looking very healthy and well!

[noirsphynx]

That's awesome Patrick! I'm glad you took that home. Nathan and I had been eyeing that one up for quite some time now.

[bignose]

Wonderful brain coral Pat. Looks very healthy and colorful.
I'm going to take it next time your gone and I'm maintaining your tank!:twised:

[paddyob]

Wonderful brain coral Pat. Looks very healthy and colorful.
I'm going to take it next time your gone and I'm maintaining your tank!:twised:

Jerk. Yes. You. Ha ha!

[The Grizz]

Question.... where do you get a test for Potassium Wes? I was looking for one today. And why test it?

I have been looking for one as well, only way I can find one is to order from J&L.

Nice brain as well Patrick.

[paddyob]

Current tank parameters:

SG - 1.025

PH - 7.9 (lights off)

Kh - 80*
Ca - 660*
Mg - 1320

NO3 - 0
NO2 - 0
PO4 - 0


* - Calcium and Kh out of balance. Dosing/Absorption rate not figured out yet.


Does anyone have Ca/Kh product recommendations? I have been using SeaChem's Builder and Calcium Advantage and would definitely be open to trying a better product (if there is one that actually makes a difference).


Thanks.

[paddyob]

Well unfortunately I lost the female Lyretail yesterday. She seemed to be doing fine over all, but the male definitely bullied her.

This I am sure contributed to her demise. The male is still fat and sassy. Running my six line around and eating anything he can.

I hope he continues in this fashion.

[bignose]

My male anthias is a PITA. :lol: Constantly chasing my midas blenny into his hole when comes feeding time. Annoying but funny to watch the blenny bite the anthias when he turns to swim away.

[paddyob]

I tested with 2 separate kits. My regular Hagen and API.

API...

Ca - 540
Kh - 179 - 1st test
Kh - 161 - 3rd test


Hagen...

Ca - 540
Kh - 120 - 2nd test
Kh - 160 - 4th test (1st new bottle)
Kh - 160 - 5th test (2nd new bottle)


Mg - 1440

SG - 1.025


As you can see the first Hagen test was off. The bottle was low and I guess they become unreliable. I had two spare bottles so I tested with both as well as an extra test against the API. As you can see.... fairly consistent.

The first Hagen bottle... garbage.

My tank is finally nice and balanced. Ca is high as is Mg, but its not the end of the world. At least its not low still!


BONSAI!!!!

[paddyob]

Todays results

Mg - 1360
Ca - 540
Kh - 150

Not bad.

[Myka]

It is a blue and red brain coral... but type I am uncertain of. Anyone able to give a positive ID?

Probably Symphyllia sp.

[paddyob]

Zoas and Palys in my tank.

Alien Eyes Zoa
Armor of God Paly
Eye of Rah/Blowpop Zoa
Blue & Gold Zoa/Blue Ice
Heart of Atlantis Zoa/Black Crystal Death Zoa/Blue Shuriken
African Blue Steel Zoa
Crazy Skirts Zoa/Purple Puddle
Eye of the Storm Zoa
EZs Zoa/Lunar Eclipse Zoa
Green Crossette Zoa/Lilypad Zoa
Green Implosion Paly/Emerald Paly
KeddRedd Zoa
KO's Nightmare Zoa
Pink Panther Zoa
Radioactive Dragon Eyes Zoa
Belle Zoa

Unknown ID:
Hornet Morph
Watermelon Morph
Orange face/Yellow skirt Zoa
Orange face/brighter orange skirt Zoa
Pink Zoa
Reddish skirt/Green ring/purple mouth Zoa
Mint Green/neon green mouth zoa
Neon orange skirt, blue ring, orange mouth

This last one I obtained from Denny a ways back... it had lost color and is now coloring. Appears...

Reddish skirt, blue ring, possibly yellow ring next and white mouth.

I will try attach pics to all when I get the chance.

[paddyob]

New fish yea!

I got tired if my Rainford not doing his job well enough. Great sifter for a nano , but not my 70.

I added a six spot sleeper goby. Already eating frozen and sifting the tank. And only added 30 minutes ago!

Pic soon !

[Wannabe]

Congrats on the new fish bro. Looking forward to the pics.

[paddyob]

Tonight I added a nice little Dragon Goby.

I need a good hardy sifter and figure this is the one. Normally I would not shop at the "big store" but happened to be there and they were only $19.99. Hard to resist that price. They fed it and it ate without reluctance.

Hopefully he fits into the community.

My six line is definitely investigating the new guy.

[MarkoD]

pictures picture pictures!!!

[paddyob]

Yes. Pictures are needed. Time for a new FTS.

I will try get some in the next few days.

[paddyob]

Asterina stars were getting out of hand so I added a Harlequin shrimp.

They were beginning to bug my zoas. SO I needed control.

It has been in there about a week and a half and today I actually saw it eating stars.

The funny thing was... it was eating a starfish off of a hermit crab.

[MarkoD]

pictures?

[paddyob]

My rose bubble tip has also split for the first time. Once it decides to start roaming, it will be up for grabs.

Under a rock right now and not about to rearrange to remove it. Not going to hurt anybody where it is sitting.

[paddyob]

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/621b6915.jpg

[noirsphynx]

There's the FTS :biggrin: Looks good Pat!

[paddyob]

crappy phone pic though. outta focus. too lazy to upload from a camera ha ha!

[paddyob]

My favorite Acan Lord...

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/910e324e.jpg


The beginnings of my auto water change system...

My reservoir. Soon I will begin the actual system. Plumbing fresh and salt reservoirs to the tank upstairs. The tank is directly above so it should be a snap. With this new build stage comes an " electrical panel" and stand I am building myself. The panel will have switches for isolating devices without unplugging... At say feeding time. Off off off go the circ pumps for target and sump return off for water change etc.

If anyone has ideas or help... It is welcome.

Here is my current mixing tank. 20g food grade. Large return pump and Heater inside. No residue as water ever stops circulating. Currently I do 5 minute water changes. But I stop carry the bucket.

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/1eb7d449.jpg

[paddyob]

My favorite Acan Lord...

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/910e324e.jpg


The beginnings of my auto water change system...

My reservoir. Soon I will begin the actual system. Plumbing fresh and salt reservoirs to the tank upstairs. The tank is directly above so it should be a snap. With this new build stage comes an " electrical panel" and stand I am building myself. The panel will have switches for isolating devices without unplugging... At say feeding time. Off off off go the circ pumps for target and sump return off for water change etc.

If anyone has ideas or help... It is welcome.

Here is my current mixing tank. 20g food grade. Large return pump and Heater inside. No residue as water never stops circulating. Currently I do 5 minute water changes. But I still carry the bucket.

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/1eb7d449.jpg

[Funky_Fish14]

Looking great Patty! Things are starting to grow in nicely! Keep it up!

Cheers,

Chris

[paddyob]

A few shots from today. iPhone takes pretty good shots all things considered. Recently discovered the photobucket app so photo updates will be much more timely.

Purple Death Paly
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/58285c37.jpg

LPS Random

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/21e80d64.jpg

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/122d14e1.jpg

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/932b6420.jpg

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/c55472a0.jpg

[paddyob]

My little pal. My neon will gladly sit in my hand if offered.

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/6a0fa6a7.jpg

[paddyob]

The next phase of the build has started. dedicated circuit and electrical panel / custom stand.

I have need to run a dedicated circuit for my tank. Old house with mixed up circuits. In order to work in the kitchen I must shut my tank down too. not ok.

I plan to have switches in place to isolate pumps or shut down for maintenance or feeding.

Anyone have a good source for plans or diagrams?


Involved as well will be a new custom stand.

[mike31154]

Run two circuits if you are able. Redundancy in case one circuit breaker or GFCI trips. That way you can split your loads & only lose half in the event of a mishap.

[paddyob]

Run two circuits if you are able. Redundancy in case one circuit breaker or GFCI trips. That way you can split your loads & only lose half in the event of a mishap.

Good plan. I'll run lights and power heads on one and return pumps and heater and skimmer on other. Ensures circulation in case one circuit pops.

Thoughts on that?

I have about 10 devices to plug in. And planning 4 extra openings.

[sphelps]

You can run multiple independent GFCIs or combination of unprotected and protected on a single circuit so unless your load is high you won't gain much with two circuits. The redundancy gained with two circuits is really only related to the actual breaker tripping which is highly unlikely and unless you have two return pumps with one on each circuit you haven't gained any additional protection anyway. You can also run 20amp instead of 15amp.

Also keep in mind anytime you modify a component related your household electrical you're technically suppose to bring that area up to code, this can be an issue with older homes.

[paddyob]

Also keep in mind anytime you modify a component related your household electrical you're technically suppose to bring that area up to code, this can be an issue with older homes.

Please explain. I would assume by installing new wiring and breakers that it would be up to code?

I bought the Alberta electrical codes book, but I don't get it ha ha.

I have a friend who is an industrial electrician. I am hoping to gain some help form him too..

[sphelps]

Please explain. I would assume by installing new wiring and breakers that it would be up to code?

I bought the Alberta electrical codes book, but I don't get it ha ha.

I have a friend who is an industrial electrician. I am hoping to gain some help form him too..
Should be OK if you're installing a completely new circuit in a new area but for example if you were say upgrading a circuit in your kitchen then technically I believe you're suppose to bring up all kitchen electrical to current code. The code now is very different from when your house was built. Safest bet would be to run external conduit right to the fish tank so the new circuit could only be affiliated with the tank itself.

Of course it doesn't necessarily mean much, I doubt you're pulling permit so you don't have to worry about an inspection, it's more if you do some other renos down the road that you do pull permits which anything you do now could come up later.

[lastlight]

I plan to have switches in place to isolate pumps or shut down for maintenance or feeding.

I'd suggest just running 2 x 15A to the tank and plugging a rack-mount dj switch thingy into each. beats messing with a wall of outlets.

I'd certainly run more than 1 circuit. I tripped mine already so I had the luxury of shuffling things around.

[mike31154]

I assume you already have at least one 15 A circuit near your tank now to run things? For safety if not already done, you should be able to have a GFCI receptacle installed in place of the standard receptacle for starters. Then you can think about running a second circuit for redundancy, or even check some of the other receptacles that may be in the same room/area. If you're lucky & they are close enough and on another breaker, then you don't need to do much at all, except maybe install another GFCI. After that, as lastlight suggests, some good quality, heavy duty power bars or dj thingys. If you don't mind opening up the drywall a bit, you could even install a double box in place of a single box and have four receptacles where there were only two before. Could be a code issue though as sphelps suggests. Sometimes what you find when you start opening boxes is not pretty, particularly in older homes.

https://blufiles.storage.live.com/y1pRKvb4Vi9TYQtHvWan-uXBIlOTQOa1Idbs9U32qCKk9naPNs5mHOuBGwgE6EBkPnpUHe0 kOClutw/DCP_2104a.JPG?psid=1

Some scary stuff I found in the basement hallway. Found some more in my bathroom for the light above the sink last week. Some days I wonder how my place hasn't burned down yet. I've got most of the electrical replaced except some of the circuits running through exterior walls.

[paddyob]

My basement has a false ceiling. I have to run new lines but will be the easiest part.

The current plug is in the living room but when it was done in the 70s they wired it to the kitchen circuit.

Not sure what you are asking about with being near the tank... Unless you mean the plug in?

[mike31154]

Not sure what you are asking about with being near the tank... Unless you mean the plug in?

There must be more than one plug in receptacle in the living room other than the one you're using now? How far away from the tank? If too far, then no good since you don't want a long extension cord running along the floor.

Might actually be a good thing that the current one is wired to the kitchen circuit though, because chances are, some of the other plug ins in your living room are on a separate circuit. If so and they're not already loaded up to the allowable power limit, you could run another branch from one of those to a new plug near the tank and have the redundancy of two circuits without having to run a whole new line including circuit breaker.

Probably a good idea to have your electrician buddy to have a look see before you get too far into anything.

[paddyob]

There must be more than one plug in receptacle in the living room other than the one you're using now? How far away from the tank? If too far, then no good since you don't want a long extension cord running along the floor.

Might actually be a good thing that the current one is wired to the kitchen circuit though, because chances are, some of the other plug ins in your living room are on a separate circuit. If so and they're not already loaded up to the allowable power limit, you could run another branch from one of those to a new plug near the tank and have the redundancy of two circuits without having to run a whole new line including circuit breaker.

Probably a good idea to have your electrician buddy to have a look see before you get too far into anything.



This is partially being done out if necessity. I am doing some renos and power
In areas needs turn off.

The plug being used is the only feasable one. Again. I am running directly from the breaker box.

[lastlight]

This is partially being done out if necessity. I am doing some renos and power
In areas needs turn off.


I'm in a similar situation. I ran the electrical to my fishroom first and then ran an extension cord from the fishroom through the floor to my tank upstairs. So the tank upstairs is on a dedicated circuit and I can shut all the other breakers off throughout my reno. Nothing's reliably labelled on my box either so this has made life much easier.

I've since drywalled around and finished around this cord going into my fishroom. It'll have to be cutoff at the end and just left in the walls at this point when I'm done lol.

[paddyob]

I plan to run right into a gangbox or whatnot that will be built into the stand.

Most likely the switches with a plug combo and one for each device. So I run the device plug into the cabinet, plug it in and flick a switch.

No extension cords what so ever. Also plan to seal the cabinet from moisture or potential tank leaks.

[paddyob]

I'd suggest just running 2 x 15A to the tank and plugging a rack-mount dj switch thingy into each. beats messing with a wall of outlets.

I'd certainly run more than 1 circuit. I tripped mine already so I had the luxury of shuffling things around.

is this what you mean?

http://www.topdjgear.com/gemsp19racmo.html

[paddyob]

Quality is not tops as taken on my iPhone. Much quicker to update this way. Sorry in advance to any critics ;)

German Blue Polyp Digi (from Dez)
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/ea454a22.jpg

Birdsnest
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/92d3fc1c.jpg

Unknown
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/9906dee4.jpg

Candy cane
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/abd20be4.jpg

Gorgonian. Polyps are never out but today I fed cyclopeeze and BANG! Polyps.
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/e4d93fc2.jpg

Orange tip torch
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/699b2517.jpg

Brain coral also loving frozen cyclopeeze
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/b7f393c0.jpg

Acan... Also feeding time.
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/63b5c08f.jpg

Greman Digi again
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/2174a36d.jpg

[paddyob]

AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF RUNNING BIO-PELLETS.... I can finally say "I think they are working"

I used to have a small cyano issue on my sand bed. I have gone through three sand sifters (rainford, sleeper, dragon) as a means to reduce it.

NOW, I have no sifters at all AND no cyano. Really not much algae to speak of either!

Any thoughts?

[MarkoD]

What about algae on the glass? Does it prevent that?

[paddyob]

What about algae on the glass? Does it prevent that?

No ha ha! I wish.

I should say... none of the usual nuisance type algaes.

I think glass algae is inevitable.

:twised:

[reefermadness]

good news....

ya glass algae is unavoidable.

[paddyob]

My new digi. Thanks Snappy!

Opened last night within hours of being home.

Bad iPhone pic. Sorry. :wink:

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/cf166f98.jpg

[bignose]

Very nice frag Paddy, looks healthy.

[gregzz4]

My new digi
Wow, that's purty
I am having so much tank envy with everyone's posts
I hope my new tank arrives soon

[paddyob]

Wow, that's purty
I am having so much tank envy with everyone's posts
I hope my new tank arrives soon

Nicer in person. This was an iPhone pic. Polyps are lavender in color.

And Jason it's healthy alright. Fat!

Hopefully it likes my tank.

[paddyob]

My Brain under Blue+

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/BrainBlue.jpg

My Monti... was given to me a Poker Star... but I do not believe it is. Anyone have a positive ID?

I was thinking Rainbow Monti.


http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/Monti3.jpg

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/Monti2.jpg

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/Monti1.jpg

[sphelps]

Found this on the web which I believe is accurate.

Pokerstar monti
The purple flesh is adorned with tiny green polyps with orange centers.

Rainbow monti
The Polyps of this Rainbow Monti are bright green within the corals center section. On the leading growth edge polyps turn orange/red. What makes this coloration change even more interesting is that polyps located in the area between the leading edge and center section have pigments with a spread coloration located spectrally between red and green. As you travel outward from the center section the pigments change from green to yellow to orange and then finally reddish orange.


Nice pics btw, you get a new camera or something?

[paddyob]

Found this on the web which I believe is accurate.

Pokerstar monti


Rainbow monti



Nice pics btw, you get a new camera or something?

Nope. The last ones were off my iPhone.

These i used my Pentax W90 and dunked my hand in the tank.

[paddyob]

Just ordered a JBJ auto top off.

[paddyob]

Shutting down the 20.

Considering adding my green mandarin to this tank.

Hoping it goes well.

[paddyob]

So I am shutting down my 20G mandarin tank.

She has been in that tank for about a year now, but the tank must go due to time limitations I have.

I can't handle the thought of selling her, as there is always a good chance it will go to someone who can't keep it alive.

Seeing she is healthy, and eating well, I am going to acclimate her into my 70G system.

I am adding the 30 pounds of LR from the Mandarin tank directly to my sump, as well as the Chaeto from my fuge.

Next few days will tell, and I have hopes she will be a fine addition.

[gregzz4]

Best of luck with the transition.
I can't remember ... were you adding pods to the 20? It's been awhile since I read through it.

[paddyob]

Best of luck with the transition.
I can't remember ... were you adding pods to the 20? It's been awhile since I read through it.

No. The 20g had a HOB fuge. Hugely self populated.

[paddyob]

Added a bunch more rock from my 20G system to the sump.

When the rest moves over I will have about 50-60 pounds of LR in my refugium

Adding the Chaeto from the 20G as well and a refugium light.

This tank has pods but I want to make sure my Mandarin remains happy once acclimated here.

Good times.

I love my Mandarin and can't wait to get daily viewing of her.

[paddyob]

Automation be thy friend.

I loved my ATO so much, I'm automating dosing now.

I ordered the Marine Magic doser from Elias. Can't wait to get it and start regular dosing.

[paddyob]

With the new doser, comes the need for a stand for said doser.

Here are a few pics from today's progress.

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/c48fcaa0.jpg

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/3197b035.jpg

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/paddyob/121f8505.jpg

[rhody605]

Looking good!