Tidal waters glorified frag tank

[tidal_waters]

So I've been creeping the board now for a few months and thanks to everyone who contributed to making this such an informative and friendly board!

So I bought this here Solana from a fellow reefer back in February??? and started stocking late March, and I think the stocking stopped about a month ago! *L* I wish I had started this journal back then, just to see the growth of the tank. Everything is still on the small side in terms of size, however I'm imagining a definite upgrade in the next 6 months or so. Consider my tank now a 100 gallon in the making!

As this is my first SW aquarium I had my ups and downs ( more downs it seems) but things are picking up and looking good with the exception of a few pieces in my tank.

So a little about my current tank,

Solana 34 Gallon
250watt retrofitted sunpod
Modded stock skimmer
40ish pounds of live rock
2 clowns
Black Sailfin Blenny
Blue Assessor
Cleaner shrimp
Porcelain Crab
and the regular clean up gang

And here's a little aquarium porn for ya

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/3332323233.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/323232323232.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/3232323232.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/323232322232.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/2323232232323.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/2323232223232.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/2323223222323.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/2323223.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/22322232232.jpg

hope you enjoyed and will have plenty of more pics and questions for everyone!

Tidal

[Borderjumper]

That's a beautiful tank! What bulb are you using?

[tidal_waters]

Its a Coralife 250 watt 20K

I also have some Current USA powerbrite led strips supplementing the halides, pretty blue!

[tidal_waters]

I also have some pretty sweet looking actinic shots

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP1257CA.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP1259CA-2.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/4546554654.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/46546565.jpg

[lastlight]

That's a color-filled and seriously stocked Solana wow! So you're upgrading to 100 gallons too? My Solana isn't that stocked but I found myself wanting something a little bigger.

[tidal_waters]

yeah they sure do seem to get cramp pretty quick! *L* But I'm going to let this one fill in as much as possible before I get the bigger tank.

[tidal_waters]

Well three hours later and its done!

My solana now has a 10 gallon sump!

pics to follow!

[tidal_waters]

Took a bit but here are the pics of the final outcome if all the chaos of sumping a solana.

So here's a top down shot of the back of the tank, you can see the 1st chamber with the stock skimmer, the second with the overflow intake, and the third chamber with the stock return pump and the sump return line

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP1822.jpg

this is a little further down into the madness. you can see the two recently added reactors, one with pro bio and the other carbon. you may also notice the ass end of the sump sticking out the back of the stand. A cut to the back of the stand was in order to accommodate the sump.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP1824.jpg

and the inside and it is just as bad as it looks, however is functional! *L*

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP1826.jpg

and a little closer

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP1825.jpg

and the final FTS

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP1829.jpg

[tidal_waters]

Well my 34 is no longer and in the wake of all the chaos my 75 gallon took its place. I didn't take any pictures of the build process, but I wanted to post monthly pics of the growth and progression of this here new tank.

75 gallon
48" x 18" x 20"
Mag 12 return
Vertex 100 skimmer
2 phosban reactors
Fuge 10 Gallon
30 Gallon Sump


First the FTS

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0117.jpg

The hidden stuff

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0120.jpg

And each rock formation

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0113.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0114.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0115.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0116.jpg

Thanks for looking!

[tidal_waters]

A few more pics from December 1

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0147.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0163.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0171.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0174.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0181.jpg

[tidal_waters]

Well its been awhile for some new tank shots,

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0362.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0363.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0365.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0366.jpg

Brain is still looking a little worse for wear since the move, but its definitely coming back. Needs a little dusting!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0367.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0368.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0369.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0373.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0377.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0370.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0376.jpg

[fishytime]

Oh my gorsh.....theres a couple pieces there we should talk about:wink:.....lookin good guys:biggrin:

[Vancouver Reefer]

That tank layout is going to look awesome when it grows out!!!

[tidal_waters]

Oh my gorsh.....theres a couple pieces there we should talk about:wink:.....lookin good guys:biggrin:

Thanks Doug! once everything fills in a little more, I'll be more than willing to hook you up!

That tank layout is going to look awesome when it grows out!!!

Thanks man, I want to be able to fast forward another 18 months! There's a few SPS frags in there that I would love to see at a full colony size!

[tidal_waters]

I forgot to mention, in picture eight the acro colony in the picture has this crab residing within its branches. Not like any other acro crab, this one is translucent. Maybe its a shrimp?? I havent been able to get a good look at him, just every so often I seen one of his claws. Wish I could get a clean picture

[tidal_waters]

Okay here's the mystery whatchemacallit, and this would be the best pic i can get and unfortunately its a mug shot. The body seems to be translucent and I can't seem to see any distinguishing marks. The colony is doing well and growing, so its not chowing down on it. I'm thinking shrimp?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0396.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP03961.jpg

scratch the distinguishing marks comment, this other picture shows a little more of its claw

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0395.jpg

[tidal_waters]

So its been awhile for a tank update, everything is doing well after the tank move. Hopefully will not have to do that again anytime soon, but a definitely learning experience!

Time for some photos! The first two are with the halides on, the rest are the atinics
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0505.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0507.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0522.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0525.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0526.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0528.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0529.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0530.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0542.jpg

And the FTS
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0536.jpg

[BlueTang<3]

Looks really good, got some very nice stuff in there.

[tidal_waters]

Some some new updated shots, have a few new additions to the reef and starting to look pretty good!

FTS
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP05681212.jpg

My pink birdsnest took a bit of a dive, which im assuming from neglect, as I guess I should have been pruning this coral on a regular basis. I've been removing some of the branches that have algae on them but its not looking to good.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0571212.jpg



Thanks for looking

[chris88]

The tank looks great and is going to be amazing when they all grow into large colonies. what is the bright green acro left center?

[tidal_waters]

to be honest I totally forgot to ask!! I just picked it up from a fellow reefer a few days ago!

[tidal_waters]

Its been a couple of months and everything is looking pretty good at the moment!
First have to give an update on a pretty sweet frag I just picked up!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0585.jpg

and some other sweet zoos
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0617.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0594.jpg

and some other just randoms
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0611.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0604.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0614.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0608.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0625.jpg

And the current FTS
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/IMGP0631.jpg

[fishytime]

Wow the tank is looking pretty dang sweet there yous two...... And that frag is killer:mrgreen::wink:

[tidal_waters]

So I just picked up a Nikon D3100 and being my first DSRL I have been learning things as I go. Take a looksy!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_038165464.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_0376654654.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_0368654654.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_0367635464.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_0362354654.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_037713216.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_036135464.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_03746546.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_03665464.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_03656546.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_03646464.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_03605464.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_03596546.jpg

[tidal_waters]

Picked myself a couple of new additions!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_0603.jpg

[Nano]

mrsaltwatertanks sexy tank can suck it, this is a really sexy tank!

[fishytime]

did you guys change out your bulbs or is the difference in appearance from the new camera?

[tidal_waters]

did you guys change out your bulbs or is the difference in appearance from the new camera?

Picked up the radions a month and a half ago or so, and was the evening lights were coming so the lights were more on the blue side of things.

[fishytime]

Picked up the radions a month and a half ago or so, and was the evening lights were coming so the lights were more on the blue side of things.

oh ya!.....I had forgot that you went LED.........so, whats the verdict....are you happy with the Radion?

[tidal_waters]

Well to be honest, the tank is taking a turn for the worse and losing some sps. Now, I can't pin it on anything yet, as there's two pieces of new equipment that could be the root of my problems, or neither. Going to be checking my parameters in a bit to see if anything that is off that may shed some light.

The lights seem to be doing okay and loving the color Im currently getting on some corals, namely my red planet. I have finally gotten the darker red and green colors. Some look paler since the new lights, and of course the ones that are starting to rtn or brownout.

Im leaning towards the Skimz, this thing is driving me absolutely insane! I have been constantly adjusting for the last two months, with a couple of times where I thought I had it dialed in and was getting some good skimmate for a few days and just before I empty the cup, the Skimz decides its going to empty itself and overflows a good half a cup of dark nasty into my sump. This happened three times so far. I have followed online/forum/messages instructions on tuning this thing and have yet to have one full week of not having to adjust this thing. dare I say it, but Im comparing this thing to a coralife super skimmer!

[tidal_waters]

Well its been awhile and figured I would throw up some new shots of some zoo's and the odd SPS shot. My tank is still recovering from whatever happened a couple of months ago but things are starting to turn for the better.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1517.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1519.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1518.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1515.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1516.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1520.jpg

Got a frag of this from Argentiner awhile ago, and lost 90% of it to RTN and grew this out again
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1524.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1522.jpg

And a pink milli I lost all but a smear on a plug that's finally making a comeback
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1529.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1528.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1523.jpg

Thanks for looking

[tidal_waters]

And my FTS to date, you can see how I lost quite a bit of color in some corals.


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_15531.jpg

[JetJumper]

Sweet tank man! I am curious about something you have in your sump from your earlier posts. whats the container on the wood on top of your sump? Phyto?

Also the mystery hitchhiker you had posted a picture about (I didn't see any replies to it) but it almost looks like a Coralliocaris spp. Just thought I would toss that out there.

[tidal_waters]

Sweet tank man! I am curious about something you have in your sump from your earlier posts. whats the container on the wood on top of your sump? Phyto?

Also the mystery hitchhiker you had posted a picture about (I didn't see any replies to it) but it almost looks like a Coralliocaris spp. Just thought I would toss that out there.


That was my refugium, which is currently offline. Figured it was a little overkill with the biopellets

[tidal_waters]

Just a little update! After a vacation/tank sitter near miss, I've lost three fish, a near tank crash and a flooded basement ceiling. My tank sitter apparently was messing around with things and had closed off my return ball valve separating off my sump from my display, thankfully my heater is in my display! Then as I was stepping in the door, he greets me with towels in hand and tells me one of my reactors hoses slipped off spilling a few gallons of water onto the floor, flowing through the heating vents into the ceiling in the basement causing a bunch of damage. After a few water changes, a great landlord repairing our ceiling without any costs, and a reactor overhaul things are turning around pretty good!

In the overhaul I decided to take the bio pellets reactor offline and just run GFO and carbon. Since then alot of my corals have been showing great color improvements leading me to the conclusion that Bio pellets are the devil! LOL!

Anyways here's some updated shots! Enjoy

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1195.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1192.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1191.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1190.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1189.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1188.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1187.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1186.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/lklive/DSC_1185.jpg