The not so slow 75 gallon Tattoo Shop build...NEW PICS FEB 3 2011

[Rbacchiega]

DUN DUN DUN
So fyi, quickest way to get what you want from a man (well besides the adult rated version)...home cooked meals. Just sayin. Nothing is going to be built until the next trip down here after New Years, which leaves plenty of time for me to save up the moola and make this tank spifferific.
Because this is in a tattoo shop it's got to be nice to look at but easy to maintain, so hello softy/LPS dominated tank!

Specs:


Tank and Stand:
Standard 20 Gallon Long AGA with Run of the mill black Stand.
- No Sump on the tank etc so doesn't have to be overly fancy!

Lighting:
Current 30" Sundial 4X24 T5HO fixture
- 2 Geisman Actinic, 1 Pure Actinic, 1 6000K Daylight
Shop is open for 8 hours 6 days a week, so that's going to be the light cycle. Will probably just run it on a timer for the 7 day cycle to make things easy.

Filtration:- 20ish lbs Live Rock
- Shallow Sand Bed
- Still up in the air on a skimmer...will probably get a small HOB one in the long run, but for now, regular weekly water changes will suffice.

Flow:
- 2 Koralia 2s....oh wait, what's this?!?!? A sale?!?! BAM Vortech MP 10...Figure Crest mode should do it.

Livestock list (well, what I'm shooting for anyways)

- Zoas, Rics, Mushrooms and an open brain or two...all obviously depending on availability.
- CUC Consisting of mainly snails...Hermits and I havn't had the best relationship...ha ha
- For fish...no idea. need movement and color....hit me with suggestions!

Dear self, welcome back. Sorry.

[Delphinus]

I wish you the best of luck but to be honest I'm not really worried about losing my title of the holder of the slowest build. If you really want the title I suppose we could thumb wrestle for it or something.

Neat little project in the meantime. Have fun!

[skabooya]

Hey nice to see another slow paced nano. I have one too. :) 2 years of research then bought the tank waited a few months, bought equiptment, waited a few months set up with water, waited a few months started adding livestock to the tank over a few months. Now, no more until next summer LMAO

[lastlight]

Haha right on. Nice thread title and I can't tell or not but you actually HAVE the mp10 or will waiti for a sale?

Tony owns that title. The only currency capable of buying it is TIME and you don't have that much sorry Randi.

[TheMikey]

I like this. My upgrade will definitely be in the running. I've been planning it since March but haven't finalized much except that I want to keep my current lights.

And people always figure nanos don't take much planning :p

[lockrookie]

following along

[Rbacchiega]

went in to price some stuff out and see if they could order in the lights and they were having a sale on the Vortech, so I bought it ha ha ha...I have a pump and no tank as of yet hahahaha

[Rbacchiega]

plans already have changed....
Hello future clean up crew
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=420+2791+1368&pcatid=1368

[lastlight]

Oh so now you're gonna toss that in our faces? I'm all American...can order from LA blah blah.

Phooey.

[Lance]

Assessor Basslet: either blue or yellow. (Awesome looking fish!) They are a little on the shy side though, so maybe a couple of clowns as well or something else that all the customers are familiar with. Clownfish are always a big hit in public viewed tanks.

[Rbacchiega]

Assessor Basslet: either blue or yellow. (Awesome looking fish!) They are a little on the shy side though, so maybe a couple of clowns as well or something else that all the customers are familiar with. Clownfish are always a big hit in public viewed tanks.

that's what I was thinking....both species actually. Clowns are personable and always out and about, so that'll be nice....and the Basslet is just a bad ass little fish

[Rbacchiega]

Saltwater in a jug *swoon*

[lobsterboy]

i think this tank is going to be pretty cool, especially when you start to add some baller acans, zoas, lets hope for a few smoking SPS too.

[Rbacchiega]

oh god...I knew someone would mention SPS...I want to keep this tank low maintenance....but I guess I could get a few easier ones....DAMNIT JOHN!

[TheMikey]

Everyone's tank eventually becomes an SPS one. Seriously.

The only thing more inevitable is an upgrade.

It's just much cheaper to do it now than later ;)

[gobytron]

get a yellow assessor.
The blues are really cryptic and dont like movement outside the tank.

the yellows are way braver and better bang for buck for that reason.

[Rbacchiega]

Everyone's tank eventually becomes an SPS one. Seriously.

The only thing more inevitable is an upgrade.

It's just much cheaper to do it now than later ;)

haha no room for an upgrade. We are a tattoo shop, so have to have the flash on the walls as the main focus of the shop...but what's nice about a 20 gallon long is the 30 inches of length that will give it an illusion of being a larger tank. I've even been considering doing a foam back wall with some ledges and then leaving the front open for swimming. Two things really stop it from happening...A) I'm lazy and B) well...I'm lazy.

[lobsterboy]

oh god...I knew someone would mention SPS...I want to keep this tank low maintenance....but I guess I could get a few easier ones....DAMNIT JOHN!

I would be all over some of those aqua cultured SPS from Doc. Foster some of those are pimpin.

I am sure which ever way you go, its goin to look awesome.

but IT would look way way more awesome with some ORA and Cherry corals SPS :lol!:

[Rbacchiega]

ha ha it would...and with the T5s I COULD realisticalls get some nicer SPS up near the top of the rockwork...afterall the tank is only 12inches tall...hmmmm....Damnit!

[TheMikey]

My 4 x 24W T5 is bleaching my new acros at the top of my tank. They're now on the sandbed acclimating to the lights. Shouldn't have any issue keeping SPS with T5s :)

[Rbacchiega]

Thanks Canreef members for spending my money ha ha. Looks like we're going Mixed Reef after all. Ernie saw some pictures of some mixed reefs on here and RC and went "holy eff...I want that"

[paddyob]

plans already have changed....
Hello future clean up crew
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=420+2791+1368&pcatid=1368

When did they start shipping to canada? Thought you lived in Calgary

[Rbacchiega]

When did they start shipping to canada? Thought you lived in Calgary

Nope. Live in New Jersey now..just too lazy to change it

[Rbacchiega]

So we figured out where the Nano will go. It's going to be viewable from front and back, makes things a little more difficult to start but in the long run will be a gorgeous tank. Have to build a small little support stand, as this will mainly be sitting on the front desk...once the build starts I'll post pictures so you'll get an idea.

Because of where it's going to be, I'm thinking two islands of live rock...lots of room for fish to move around. AND with the extra veiwing side I can cram more corals :D

OOOOOR...upload them from the black berry.

The tv will still stay on the bottom ledge.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/tank3.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/tank2.jpg

lots of room for electrical goods!
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/tank.jpg

[Zoaelite]

Everyone's tank eventually becomes an SPS one. Seriously.

The only thing more inevitable is an upgrade.

It's just much cheaper to do it now than later ;)

These should be two new laws of the universe:

1. Purchasing any SPS leads to an SPS addiction.

2. You will eventually upgrade, end of story :lol:.

Looking good Randy, ever thought of purchasing a set of designer clowns? You can then smack people who refer to them as "Nemo's" and promptly correct them that they are actually genetically modified "Nemos". You can get them really easy down in the states and breeding them leads to some pretty interesting morphs.

Picassos start @ around $100.00 per fish up here and are probably much less down there.

[Rbacchiega]

don't know if I'll get "designer" clowns, but definately a pair will be in there. Probably one of the more personable fish species out there, and that'll be good for the shop....BUUUUUT New Jersey has a reefer's site and I just so happened to see people selling some fancy fish...oh lord.

[Rbacchiega]

soooooo, the thread needs to be moved. Guess who got a 75 gallon RR drilled for closed loop, and stand for $60....that'd be me.

The 20 gallon long will make a good sump. Tanks should be delivered to the shop sometime this week, take me a week or so to plumb it and then the ball shall be rolling!

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/FishTank75.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/752.jpg

[lastlight]

Now that sounds better! You could try that swap/barter thing that kid did a few years back where he traded up from one red paper clip to a house. The gallonage creep doesn't have to end yet but preferably before you get things wet lol.

[Rbacchiega]

ha ha 75 is all I'm allowed. and being 48" allows for a small tang...

lots of NJ reefers are offering up great stuff for cheap and a tattoo...so that's the way I'm going! Now to find me some return pumps ha ha

[Rbacchiega]

SOOOOO got me a Mag 7 and a Mag 18. 7 for the sump, 18 for the Closed loop. That and the Vortech SHOULD be enough...me thinks

[Rbacchiega]

tank gets here today!!! yaaaaaaay! so my day will consist of cleaning it up real good, measuring the fittings and drawing the plumbing diagrams...and probably buying a protien skimmer....

[Rbacchiega]

got the fittings figured out...I think:

Closed Loop
-(4) 1" to 3/4" reducers
-(9) 1" unions
-(9) 1" 90* Elbows
-(1) 1" Tee Ball Valve
-(2) 1" Straight Ball Valve
-(1) 3/4" Female threaded to slip adaptor
-(1) 3/4" Male threaded to slip adaptor

Durso Standpipe
-(1) 1"-1 1/4" Reducer thingermajig
-(1) 1 1/4" Coupling
-(1) 1 1/4" Tee
-(1) 1 1/4" Street Ell
-(1) 1 1/4" End cap

Return Plumbing
-(1) 3/4" male adaptor to slip
-(1) 3/4" 90* Elbow
-(1) 3/4" Slip to threaded fitting for lockline

Sump Plumbing
-(1) 1" Male adaptor (threaded to slip)
-(1) 1x3/4" Male Adaptor
-(3) 1" unions
-(2) 1" 90* elbows
-(2) 1" 45* elbows
-(1) 1" Tee ball valve
-(2) 3/4" 90* elbows
-(1) 1/2" to 3/4" fitting (slip to slip)
-(1) 1/2" female threaded to slip.

[Zoaelite]

got the fittings figured out...I think:

Closed Loop
-(4) 1" to 3/4" reducers
-(9) 1" unions
-(9) 1" 90* Elbows
-(1) 1" Tee Ball Valve
-(2) 1" Straight Ball Valve
-(1) 3/4" Female threaded to slip adaptor
-(1) 3/4" Male threaded to slip adaptor

Durso Standpipe
-(1) 1"-1 1/4" Reducer thingermajig
-(1) 1 1/4" Coupling
-(1) 1 1/4" Tee
-(1) 1 1/4" Street Ell
-(1) 1 1/4" End cap

Return Plumbing
-(1) 3/4" male adaptor to slip
-(1) 3/4" 90* Elbow
-(1) 3/4" Slip to threaded fitting for lockline

Sump Plumbing
-(1) 1" Male adaptor (threaded to slip)
-(1) 1x3/4" Male Adaptor
-(3) 1" unions
-(2) 1" 90* elbows
-(2) 1" 45* elbows
-(1) 1" Tee ball valve
-(2) 3/4" 90* elbows
-(1) 1/2" to 3/4" fitting (slip to slip)
-(1) 1/2" female threaded to slip.

Your plumbing terminology sounds like my plumbing terminology :razz:.

[Rbacchiega]

I drew out about 15 diagrams ha ha each time I'd leave something out or add something I didn't need. I'm sure I'll end up taking more than one trip to home depot :S

[Rbacchiega]

no unions to be found...no big deal, got quite a bit of the plumbing done and realized I missed a few things ha ha oh well. Gotta hit the hardware store tomorrow again!

Here's where I'm at so far:

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/tanksetup.jpg

Please note Betta in his temporary bowl. We put him in there and told him "this is something you can NEVER have"...we broke hit little Betta heart

[Rbacchiega]

Macro Rocks is having a sale!!!! EFF YESS!!! 40lbs pre cured rock with 40 lbs sand for 119 bucks...free shipping. So I'm ordering 2. 80lbs rock and 80lbs sand should give me a nice open scape (extra rock can go in the fuge or I'll trade to someone on njreefers.org for some coral or something) and 80lbs sand should give me just under a 2" sandbed...nice and shallow...wooooopa!

[Rbacchiega]

pumps take up alot of space in the 20 gallon long...baffle-less sump it is! Plumbing is all dry fit, time to tear it all down and glue :S

Ordered 80lbs of rock and 80 lbs of sand...hooorah!

Next...ordering lights.

[Zoaelite]

Looking good, that plumbing came out pretty clean Randy nice job! You're right on the sump though, it looks like a 7' tall man with size 6 shoe :lol:. Why not save the headache and find something a bit bigger for cheap, I know 40g breeders are less than $100.00
Levi

[Rbacchiega]

Looking good, that plumbing came out pretty clean Randy nice job! You're right on the sump though, it looks like a 7' tall man with size 6 shoe :lol:. Why not save the headache and find something a bit bigger for cheap, I know 40g breeders are less than $100.00
Levi

Everything there is pretty much donated, and we gotta keep the tank low budget as possible (for now) realistically, if I want I'll add a HOB fuge later, but for now, fugeless. Skimmer fits nicely hanging on the side...and if I decide to upgrade it later there's room for either in sump or HOB as well. All additives etc will have to be kept under the stand too, so gotta leave room for there...but! Plumbing is done and glued...will let it cure today/tonight and add water tomorrow... I'm sore as all hell right now and I've got so much glue on my pants it looks like a friday night gone horribly wrong.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/tanksetup-1.jpg

[lastlight]

I don't want to be the downer here Randi but you have to turn the tank around. Otherwise very clean job you're getting close now!

[Rbacchiega]

ha ha you think? It'll be turned around before water I promise..

[Skimmerking]

oops DP

[Skimmerking]

Brett I don't believe her anyways She still has her place of residents in Calgary still. and not New Jersey USA ....................:biggrin:

[lastlight]

I had noticed that but I just thought she was trying to look cool. Didn't wanna out her.

Now that she's all live aquaria this...marco rocks that...whatever :smile:

[Rbacchiega]

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/haters.jpg

[Rbacchiega]

oops DP

*ahem*
that's what she said.

[lastlight]

*ahem*
that's what she said.

Ok that was so messed up. My mind had briefly molested the notion but I held my tongue.

[Rbacchiega]

that's why when I come back to town we must go for beverages.

So boss decided AFTER the plumbing was done he wanted the back painted...pictures of the debachery later tonight once I pull them off his camera....we went through 3 newspapers

[muck]

*ahem*
that's what she said.

Bwahahhahahaa.... I was tempted as well. :lol:

[Rbacchiega]

alright...pictures:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/1.jpg

we told the betta "this can NEVER be yours"
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/2.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/3.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/4.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/5.jpg

Ernie wanted to paint it...
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/6.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/7.jpg

[lastlight]

Lol that's pretty involved which is why i just brush my paint on! And Ryan grow up. You're just trying to fit in. You're ALREADY in clubPerv just relax.

[Rbacchiega]

normally I paint it before plumbing...and outside..which is what I reccomended...but nooooooo what does the little Canadian know about it....ha ha...ah well, it was fun and the tank is really starting to come together. Ordering rocks and sand tomorrow!

[Rbacchiega]

hey Muck...can you or another Mod move this from the nano section?!

[Delphinus]

Ouch... burn. I WAS all a-typing in "PHO, foo' !" in reference to your bevies comment but now I'm all sad and stuff. Oh this thread is gettin' moved alrighty .....

[Rbacchiega]

how is this in Brett's forum....wth!

[Delphinus]

Oops oops ooops. Sorry! I got this one. Try it now.

[Rbacchiega]

suggest a link? ha ha .... I think it's a miss on that attempt too Tony ha ha

[Delphinus]

Technically you just asked for it to be moved out of the nano section ... no need to thank me. :p

[Rbacchiega]

Technically you just asked for it to be moved out of the nano section ... no need to thank me. :p

:neutral::neutral::neutral::neutral::neutral:

and I thought it was just my clients and other tattooer's who were smart a**es

[Delphinus]

All better now ?? :p

[Rbacchiega]

much...thanks good sir

[freezetyle]

im sure with a shop full of artists you guys/gals could make that stand look pretty sick. most tattoo artists are equally amazing with an airbrush gun.

just a though...:mrgreen:

[Rbacchiega]

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/8.jpg

[lastlight]

My forum? What'd I miss?

Tony there's a dress-code there you should know better. :surprise:

[Delphinus]

Tank looks like it was meant to sit in that spot. Nice work! :)

[Rbacchiega]

I had noticed that but I just thought she was trying to look cool. Didn't wanna out her.

Now that she's all live aquaria this...marco rocks that...whatever :smile:

for what it's worth Brett....Marco ships to Canada.....just sayin

[lastlight]

Actually I recall knowing that at one point now lol. When I was in the market for rock his customer service was non-existent and he was sorta mia if i remember right. I thought BRS was a much safer choice.

[kien]

Gosh that's a long thread name :)

I'm a little disappointed that the back of the tank didn't get all "inked" up Ed Hardy like :( That would have been cool.. Although it would probably get annoyingly distracting after a short while :lol: now, that stand on the other hand, that's a blank canvas right there!!! :-D

:pop2:

[phi delt reefer]

change your thread name - I need to take that name. You started mid September and your this far. I have been buying stuff since June, just built my stand last week and am in the process of ordering a tank that will take a month probably.

I DESERVE THE SLOWEST HALF-ARSED TITLE!!!!!!


I too vote a re-do of the back of the tank - we expect more from artists :)


Just kidding :) - looking good!

[Rbacchiega]

Gosh that's a long thread name :)

I'm a little disappointed that the back of the tank didn't get all "inked" up Ed Hardy like :( That would have been cool.. Although it would probably get annoyingly distracting after a short while :lol: now, that stand on the other hand, that's a blank canvas right there!!! :-D

:pop2:

ha ha oh god. Funny story, Ernie (boss) knows Ed...they go way back. Started the Queen Mary tattoo expo in 1982 with Ed Nolte. But truth be told, alot of tattooers aren't big fans of Ed...not even Ernie. He sold things that didn't belong to him (flash images) and to be totally honest, he doens't even usually tattoo traditional work. He was all about fine line, or no out line tattooing...exact OPPOSITE of what traditional tattooing is all about. But that's another story ha ha

We're keeping the stand that color...goes with the floors nice and we want the main focus of the tank to be the corals and the fish....and we're redoing the walls of the shop so it'll be full of traditional, hand painted flash. Pretty much when I'm not working on the tank or tattooing I'm painting 11x15s or 15x20s full of tattoo flash. If I get some time today I'll post some in the lounge.

Water today!

[Delphinus]

Psssh! "Slow" builds. Tee hee! Snicker! I'm not worried about losing my title on this at all.

While we're on the topic, I agree that I don't see anything "half arsed" about this build so far. Looks pretty fine to me!

[Rbacchiega]

found one tiny drip...less than a drip every 5 seconds...seriously. I counted. On the bulkhead from the return line down to the pump....buuuuut it drips right back into the sump. going to silicone it just to be safe and then fill this mo fo up. Rock gets here early next week

[Zoaelite]

found one tiny drip...
TWSS

.less than a drip every 5 seconds...
TWSS

buuuuut it drips right back into the sump
TWSS

then fill this mo fo up
That's REALLLYYY what she said...

Okay back to school, your perverted thread keeps distracting me.

... or maybe it's my perverted mind...:neutral:.

[Rbacchiega]

I was all "wtf is TWSS"....then I got the end of your post...sssssh

[Zoaelite]

I was all "wtf is TWSS"....then I got the end of your post...sssssh

Haha, ya I'm shutting up now but the tank looks wicked where it is! Can't wait to see it full.

[Rbacchiega]

might've gone a little overboard on the silicone...every single bulkhead....front and back...no leaks now!

[Rbacchiega]

Ernie now wants a nano in our bedroom...so, going to use the vortech on that when the time comes. A customer of mine just gave me 3 Koralia 3s for free (well, tattoo trade) for the 75....hi lotsa flow, whats up.

[Rbacchiega]

ha ha tank has 15 gallons water. We're going to go with bottled RO/DI water and add Instant Ocean Salt for the first bit..mainly because bottled pre mixed is 8 dollars for 4 gallons...so we'll hit the store tomorrow and buy another 60 or so gallons and wait for the rock/sand to get here before we add anymore...wooooopah!

[lockrookie]

its 30 bucks for 4.4 gallons here for pre mixed but its ocean collected...if that makes a difference

[Rbacchiega]

ha ha! woooooow. I figure we'll go throught the 160 gallon bucket of salt I just bought and then once that's done used pre-mixed for water changes....I am lazy.

[lockrookie]

i get my salt IO 160 bucket from petsmart for 49.00 and when on sale i buy two 39.00 a pail. just have towatch for the sale they really dont advertise it.

[Rbacchiega]

JHC I love Jersey! trading two hours tattoo time for a MRC3 skimmer with pump...assuming I can fit it under the stand.....*fingers crossed*

[Zoaelite]

Where do you keep finding all of these people to trade with?!?? Is this whole entire forum tattooed like crazy also?

[Rbacchiega]

ha ha there's quite a few of them! Alot of them remember Ernie's old shop that burned down last year....lots of them have been clients of his for 20+years....so they're eager to help....dear god I hope there's enough clearance under the stand....mind you...I could always plumb it externally and have it sitting beside the tank...and build a fancy little fake wall thing around it.....oh sweet jesus.

[Rbacchiega]

so no go on the skimmer, which kinda sucks but is alright...the one I've got on there for now will suffice until I can bring the Vertex Skimmer down with me the next time I come back (how sad is that...)

Yesterday was a busy day for tattooing, so not much got done on the tank but I did cut the egg crate for the top as well as a fishguard for the overflow...threw some extra silicone on all the bulkheads because now I'm paranoid...ordered the remaining 60 gallons of RO water from Home Depot and should have it in the tank tomorrow or the next day....Order from Marco rocks should get here Tuesday or Wednesday...now just have to order the lights (do that online later tonight)...I think for now I'll just go 4 bulbs...eff it. If I decide in the long run to upgrade I'll just put pennies away for a tek or something. I like how this has become MY tank even though it's in the shop...

[Rbacchiega]

Today I fill the heffer with water. My back and shoulders hate me already.

[kien]

Wow this has been the quickest "slow" build ever! Coming along nicely I might add :-)

[Rbacchiega]

Wow this has been the quickest "slow" build ever! Coming along nicely I might add :-)

ha ha thanks BUUUUUT
I've never had so many freaking problems with plumbing in the early stages of a tank as I have with this one. Got the tank filled to the bulkheads for the closed loop (approx 30 gallons)...no leaks in the bulkeads, but leaks in some plumbing going down towards the return pump...great...so now I have to let them drip out (closed off the ball valves, so no extra water will get into the lines...but have to wait) I could have SWORN I glued everything. But I really can't risk this thing springing a leak when nobody is at the shop...solution? Silicone ever g'darned piece of plumbing...I hope I can get it all done and set before rockwork gets here. FML

[Delphinus]

Seriously Randi ... have you even READ through my 280g journal? Everything being relative your tank is going up like a dream. Change the title to this already would you! SOME of us with less fortune are starting to feel bad about their own bad luck, problem riddled builds. I'm not naming names to protect their identities and I'm telling you I'm not crying IT'S JUST SOMETHING IN MY EYE!!!! :cry:


(:p)

[Rbacchiega]

there. Changed just for you. I HATE PLUMBING

[Rbacchiega]

might have a deal on 2 Vortech MP20s instead of the 3 Koralia 3s....hmmmmm. Side not...aparently my siliconing skills leave much to be desired...I missed a spot..one stupid little spot...and THAT'S where the one drip left in this system is. JHC.

[Delphinus]

Sometimes you can fix a drip by putting PVC primer and cement over the spot. Of course you'll probably want the line to be dry though and then wait a day for it to gas off before water again.. can you put PVC plugs into the bulkheads so that you can drain the lines without draining the tank? That's probably what I'd do.

Good luck!

Nice deal on the Vortechs. Maybe I need to learn tattooing so I can have something I can barter with. When I encounter someone who has something I'd like and willing to trade I'll offer up stuff like "Well, I can surely program your Modbus protocol driver six ways from Sunday!" and then they all look at me funny and the conversation usually ends.

[Rbacchiega]

the lines are closed with the ball valves, so not too worried about it...just waiting for it to stop dripping and dry out then another glorious glob of silicone should do it. Thank GOD no body looks at the back of a tank.

[Delphinus]

:lol: "Glorious gob of silicone." There's a phrase I bet peeps not in the hobby would truly understand.

[lastlight]

While the answer is still 'no' I've been impressed (and half flattered) with your bartering skillaz in the past Tony.

[TheMikey]

Forgive me if I missed you mentioning it earlier, but what became of that initial MP10? :)

[Rbacchiega]

that will go in a nano tank that will eventually be in our bedroom....multiple tank syndrome...

[Rbacchiega]

got an email yesterday saying Rock should be here tomorrow *fingers crossed* Put a couple more gallons in the tank and now I'll just wait till the rocks and sand are in before I fill it the rest of the way. Ordered lights too! The guy I was going to get two vortech MP20s off of ran out (anniversary sale at an LFS here) so he gave me a screaming deal on a MP40....wooooopah!

[Rbacchiega]

one drip ends, another friggen begins. Figures the one spot I didn't hit with the silicone from the return in the overflow down into the sump would be it....damnit. Soooooo let the overflow drip out into the sump, silicone that before close tonight and let that dry...Saturday should be able to run everything.

But on a positive note, the rocks and sand showed up today and the tank is currently all cloudy and disgusting! Ended up going with probably 60lbs in the display tank and about 5 and change in the sump. Beautiful dry rock...full of lots of nooks and crannies and ledges etc....got a nice open scape going on too, complete with mini valley and overhang ha ha....

dear lord I hope things start going together easier.

[Delphinus]

Hang in there, champ. :p At least there rocks in the tank, that's not a bad place to be. :) Can't wait to see pics.

[Lance]

Beautiful dry rock...full of lots of nooks and crannies and ledges etc....got a nice open scape going on too, complete with mini valley and overhang ha ha....


Words, words, words................ We need PICS!

[Rbacchiega]

it's hard to really get a sense of the little cove and all the crevaces etc...but this is where we're at:

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_2433.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_2434.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_2435.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_2436.jpg

[Delphinus]

Lots-o-potential. :) So Saturday is the big day then. Well, at least there will be some settling time in the meanwhile. I can see why you're frustrated. I can't imagine a build where things have gone so horribly wrong. Oh wait, wait, are we talking about THIS build? In that case .. um, yeah, never mind.

Anyhow, yeah, in all seriousness ... looks good from here!

Where are the rocks sitting, off to one side? Any plans for the other side?

[muck]

MOAR OICS!! :lol:

[Rbacchiega]

took the scape that you see there and elongated it a bit...so theres a nice little valley and two islands....there is no piece of rock within 2 inches of the glass though so it'll be easy to clean with a magnet.

Everyone here is so anxious to get fish in there...I have to keep telling them "dont touch the effing tank unless I okay it" ha ha

[lastlight]

Lookin nice. That appears to be the mined-from-the-ground rock that's being sold all over now? Or is it actually dry rock as in fiji or whatever?

[Lance]

I like it! Lots of little hidey holes for critters.

[Rbacchiega]

thanks Lance...I was actually really surprised how porous it is...TONS of small holes and swim throughs etc...and for 65lbs there was a crap load of nice sized rocks next to no rubble.

Brett it's all Key Largo dried rock...going to grab a cup or so of live sand from a LFS in the area and away we go!

[Rbacchiega]

so yeah, no big deal...the pumps are running. A customer here who is a plumber said if more gph were going through the pipe than dripping the leak would get "sucked in" enough to stop the drip and I could glue it while the tank was running. Totally worked.

Lights should be here in a couple days!

[Delphinus]

Interesting. I would have thought that because the water was being lifted that it wouldn't so much suck in, as push out. Unless it was on the suction side of the pump?

Well whatever the explanation that's awesome that it did the trick.

[Lance]

A customer here who is a plumber said if more gph were going through the pipe than dripping the leak would get "sucked in" enough to stop the drip and I could glue it while the tank was running. Totally worked.


Huh! Learn something new everyday. Have to remember that.

[Rbacchiega]

I was a little nervous about it too...but the guy swore by it...so we tried it and it did! gotta be on an OUTGOING pump though...not a drain pump. Don't ask me why, cause I don't have the slightest clue...

[Rbacchiega]

having said that. The tank is still cloudy as all hell and I have to wait to get some filter socks....so got a couple of those nylon bags and filled em full of polyfiber. Slowly getting there. Got the tank up to a nice 80* and sg is 1.025 on the button....so got the current skimmer running which should help as well...

[Rbacchiega]

still a little cloudy...but you get the idea:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_2440.jpg

Top down of the right hand side of the tank, trying to show the little cove:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_2441.jpg

Top down of the left hand side of the tank
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_2442.jpg

[Rbacchiega]

fired up the closed loop, works like a dream. With the two pumps and the small heater I'm maintaining a steady 80* reading. SG is 1.025...forgot to bring in some raw scallop yesterday and today is a day off, so tomorrow we'll start the cycle. Scallop and a cup or so of sand from an established tank should do the trick.

Also ordered two TLF reactors, going to run one with carbon and one with Rowa-phos or something similar. Question...should a maxijet 1200 be enough flow to daisy chain the two reactors together??? Rowaphos in the first one, carbon in the other? or should I look at two separate pumps....

This low budget tank is officially breaking me.

[kien]

Also ordered two TLF reactors, going to run one with carbon and one with Rowa-phos or something similar. Question...should a maxijet 1200 be enough flow to daisy chain the two reactors together??? Rowaphos in the first one, carbon in the other? or should I look at two separate pumps....


I used to daisy chain the two together with a MJ1200 and it worked just fine.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3529.jpg?t=1250486267

[Rbacchiega]

sweet....carbon in the second chamber then? Assuming it would need less flow and more contact time to really polish the water?

[kien]

sweet....carbon in the second chamber then? Assuming it would need less flow and more contact time to really polish the water?

I don't remember why but I had GFO I'm the second chamber actually. I think someone recommended that to me back then. I don't run GFO anymore but I thought they both more or less needed equally slowish flow?

[Rbacchiega]

well I guess I can try em one way...if I don't like the results I can switch em ha ha...Thanks!

[Rbacchiega]

ha ha water WAS crystal clear until I decided to take out some polyfibre....now cloudy again...for a little bit anyways.

Tank was up near 82 degrees this morning when I got into the shop, so lowerd the heater (it's only a 50 watt for crying out loud)...and threw in a hunk of fresh scallop. It was hella hard remembering to save one last night and not cook it....we got fresh scallops and I wanted em all!

[reefwars]

a fast replacement for filter socks....panty hose:) works great untill you can get filter socks hooked up:)

[lastlight]

I've read that because carbon can clog easier it's better to run them seperate but I've never run both in reactors until currently. I do have mine seperate tho. MJ's are cheap and it's tough to tune flow for both simultaneously I think. Carbon is less fussy but if it clogs it affects throughput for the whole setup.

[Rbacchiega]

thanks. I've got extra room on the powerbar...maybe I will run em individually...my sump is pretty much just a tank that holds pumps ha ha...ah well.

[lastlight]

Sounds like you need one of these sexy options soon:

powerbar -> powerbar 2
powerbar -> externsion cord

Boost your connection count just don't tell Smoky the Bear haha.

[Rbacchiega]

ha ha sexy connections are how I roll! I have a 6 outlet bar plugged into one outlet on the wall...and a second 6 outlet bar in waiting. I'll be a.o.k....I think.

Used the little calculator thing on RC and so far this tank is only boosting the electrical bill about $20 a month. Not bad at all.

[Delphinus]

I would just T off the output of a MJ1200 and feed each TLF reactor individually off the one pump. Independent flow control and only one plug used. Done and done! :lol: The Mj12 should have more than enough flow for both reactors with media volume for this size of tank. I would think anyhow.

[lastlight]

I thought so too. I couldn't get my gfo to tumble in the BRS dual reactor when it was the ONLY thing in there (other canister empty) but I think it had something to do with the volume of that design and the sponges they come with. 2 x TLF though may be ok.

[Rbacchiega]

Vortech MP40 gets here tomorrow. lights on Monday. Gotta find 3 of the bulkhead strainer thingermajigs for the closed loop intake/outputs cause someone threw them out....and then we're good to go. Got about 3 lbs seed rock for the tank today, and it's coming along good now....won't be too much longer till 4 or 5 blue/green chromis find their way into the tank!

[Rbacchiega]

got the Vortech! oh sweet jesus I am in love. played around with it for a bit, got a nice wave going in the tank, but it stirred up alot of the fine sand, so we set it to random (reef crest) mode....going about 80% at most. You should see the stuff it's pulling from the rock!!

Light gets here Monday, Cleanup crew and a few fish get here Tuesday!!!!

small school of these:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/CHROMIS.jpg

aaaaand:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/WRASSE.jpg

and this be de clean up crew!:
http://liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=420+2791+1368&pcatid=1368

[lastlight]

Oh nice wrasse! You are hilarious...this build has certainly widened in scope and budget as we all predicted!

Why no MP60 tho come on haha?

[Rbacchiega]

shhhh....the MP40 was 400 bucks...

That wrasse is bad a--!....only $35 and is reef safe. I was a little worried that we might be going too fast but I tested the water before I ordered all the stuff and everything was where it should be...I guess buying dry rock has its advantages...I did see a small ammonia spike etc after the scallop, but with the addition of about 3lbs cured live rock numbers went back to normal.

Hurry up next week!

[Delphinus]

Rubriventralis is one of my favourite fairy wrasses. Totally reef safe and peaceful. A little timid as are most of the smaller fairies but over time will become bolder.

[Rbacchiega]

I am super excited for that fish. As of right now there is nothing to do in/with the tank until Monday or Tuesday...but I find myself cruising liveaquaria drooling over everything. PS! In the diver's den there's a pair of fish going for a cool 1600.00....are you kidding me?!?!?!?

Next up, cruising the local site for some free or next to free coral...dun dun dun

[Myka]

PS! In the diver's den there's a pair of fish going for a cool 1600.00....are you kidding me?!?!?!?

Ya, but they are Candy Basslets. Now that ladies and gentlemen is a badass fish! This fish has been my holy grail fish for years. I WILL get one...one day. :neutral:

Oh, and I totally LOL'ed as I watched the thread go from nano to 75 gallons! Too funny.

[lastlight]

Yeah the Candy is also one of my most desired fish. Ching Chai on RC with the 1000g has a pair I think. Stunning reef fish but not for this budget reefer.

[Myka]

Yeah the Candy is also one of my most desired fish. Ching Chai on RC with the 1000g has a pair I think. Stunning reef fish but not for this budget reefer.

Randy Holmes-Farley has a pair too (I think it was him...one of the "famous" authors anyway). Have you ever seen one in person? Pictures can't do justice for the fish. It is NEON. It is a shame they are quite cryptic though...better in a nano than a big reef.

[lastlight]

Never seen one no. K Randi you gonna nab'em? You've blown the budget already but maybe you can trade Dr's Foster & Smith a few bangin' tats for the pair?

http://blog1.ebates.com/ebates/Drs.%20Foster%20%26%20Smith%20Coupons.jpg

I mean look at'em. Bet they already have full sleeves done and are looking for that next big thrill.

[Delphinus]

It's a good thing I don't live in the U.S. because I'd probably bankrupt myself in 2 months with purchase after purchase from LA..

That said I think $800 per fish is a little ... well, my station in life would have to change a LOT for that ever to be in the realm of the possible .. To me it's a sort of .. I dunno what I'm trying to say. If a fish is so rare that it commands $1600 (or $800 even, really, what's the difference at that point), is it rare because there's that few of them? In which case .. isn't it better that they be left where they are so to let the species replenish itself? Or is it expensive just because "that's what someone will pay for it" in which case I totally resent the manipulation. Ok this is getting kinda deep.

I sure do love THIS fish. It has been in the den for a while. What a beautiful trigger:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=89679

Yep, a good thing I'm not allowed to buy from LA! :lol: YOU on the other hand though .. haha you're so screwed. :lol:

[Delphinus]

Look at that!

http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=89679 - $800
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1536+2994&pcatid=2994 - $40
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1536+2847&pcatid=2847 - $170 to $380 we'll just call that $200
http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+1&ddid=100957 - $300
http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=100131 - $170
http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=100312 - $650

Not even 5 minutes on there and I've spent > $2000 in my head. Haha! ... Yeah you're totally screwed. See if you can set up an automatic bank account deduction that just transfers funds from your bank account to them and they just send you "stuff" from the divers den every so often. :lol:

[Rbacchiega]

yeah ok Brett. They're totally the tattoo type ha ha ha.

I can tell we'll be spending lots of money at LA though...I did 4 tattoos today and all I could think was what I was going to spend my percentage on online

[Rbacchiega]

hahaha if they're still there next week guess who's getting a pair of McCullochi Dottybacks....

[freezetyle]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=89679 - $800



Be fair, this one is on sale for $749

[Myka]

hahaha if they're still there next week guess who's getting a pair of McCullochi Dottybacks....

Nice score. Very cool fish. You will find them a bit belligerent though.

[Rbacchiega]

how so? Just bossy? hmmmm might be a good idea to let that one go and wait until I've got the other fish in there first. Either way...this tank is going to be full of tiny fish and corals, with maybe the biggest fish in there being a small tang...like a kole or something.

[lastlight]

My Kole so far plays perfectly with all his smaller tank-mates. He's too busy polishing my rock, sand and glass like Mr. Clean on speed to notice them maybe.

[lobsterboy]

this thread is really awesome, cause it has one of own in the USA, and having access to all these drool worthy reef show pieces, its goin to be a cool tank, no doubt, I didnt hear anything about ORA and SPS yet..... huh ?

and Randi, Brett's right maybe trade some tats to the boys, i bet they got all that aussie (down under) piercings too.



http://blog1.ebates.com/ebates/Drs.%20Foster%20%26%20Smith%20Coupons.jpg

[Rbacchiega]

hahaha we"re definately getting some ORA corals next week...but it's gonna be a surprise. Suckas!

[Myka]

how so? Just bossy? hmmmm might be a good idea to let that one go and wait until I've got the other fish in there first. Either way...this tank is going to be full of tiny fish and corals, with maybe the biggest fish in there being a small tang...like a kole or something.

Individuals vary...some are mean, others are just bossy. I would imagine a pair would be more aggressive than a single. Orchid Dottys are generally the most docile of the Dottys. I had a Kole in my 90 and had to re-home it because he dive bombed my Jawfish and stressed them out too much. He also picked at Zoas as many tangs do. I would suggest a trio of Pearly Jawfish, they are thee coolest fishes to watch interact with eachother and other fish in the tank. How about Fairy Wrasses? Hogfish? LOL, I have all these fish in my tank. Hehe.

[Rbacchiega]

Ernie's a big fan of wrasses, so I'm sure we'll have alot of them. And LA's got a starry blenny in the diver's den for cheap...and corals and and and...hahaha this tank will be packed in no time at all.

I'm on the fence about a tang of any sort really...one day I want one, the next I don't. I think this tank would be bangerang with small to medium sized fish and some higher end corals...Pearly Jawfish sure are pretty...but the last trio I owned made home in the rockwork at the back of my tank...kinda grrrrr inducing. haha....stay tuned!!!

[Zoaelite]

I think it's time for some new photos Randi!

[Rbacchiega]

Levi, there's nothing to show! ha ha tank has been sitting with water and rocks and vortech for a couple days...and the shop is closed tomorrow...but you can bet come monday there'll be pics! lights!!!! and Tuesday...fish!!!

[Myka]

I'm on the fence about a tang of any sort really...one day I want one, the next I don't. I think this tank would be bangerang with small to medium sized fish and some higher end corals...Pearly Jawfish sure are pretty...but the last trio I owned made home in the rockwork at the back of my tank...kinda grrrrr inducing. haha....stay tuned!!!

Imo, 75 gallons is a bit small for a Tang of any sort. The Kole I had was only 2" and made my 90 look small by his constant lapping of the tank. I say stick to smaller fish, and you can get more of them. It will look fuller. If you design your rockwork with the Jawfish in mind they will make home in the front. Mine have always gone right where I wanted them because I made that the most prime Jawfish spot. :D

[Rbacchiega]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind...although I'm pretty much in love with the rockwork I've got now...and we all know to NEVER TOUCH THE ROCK once we like it ha ha. But there is a nice little cove that if I were a jawfish I'd TOTALLY make my home.

Tomorrow I'll be keeping busy cleaning the garage and milling machines so that it goes faster. I can't believe I'm actually excited for a Monday

[Rbacchiega]

Live Aquaria will be the reason I go broke. All of these (we hope) will eventually be in the tank. The male dotty back was bought already so we're not going to be buying those...frees up a couple hundred for some coral! Anyways...like I said...we have not ordered these, yet but will probably order some tomorrow.

PS - how the hell did this go from a nice, easy LPS/mushroom/zoa tank to an expensive friggen low to moderate light requiring SPS dominant tank. I blame John....and Brett.

PICS:

For sure ordering these tomorrow:

"Aussie Poppy Zoanthids"
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/AussiePoppy.jpg

Deep Water Lobo
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/DeepwaterLobo.jpg

Favia:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/Favia.jpg

Kryptonite Zoas
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/KryptoniteColony.jpg

Neon Green Rhodactis Rock:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/neongreenrhodactis.jpg

One frag of Each:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/ORABirdsnests.jpg


And these are all on the "probably will order tomorrow depending on availability" list:

ORA Bird of Paradise
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/ORABirdofParadise.jpg

ORA "Chips" Acro
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/ORAChipsAcro.jpg

ORA Green Acro w/ Yellow Coralites
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/ORAGreenAcrowYellowcoralites.jpg

ORA Peach Digi
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/ORAPeachDigitata.jpg

ORA Purple Rim Green Monti
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/ORApurpleRimGreenMonti.jpg

ORA Red Planet (friggen SWOOoOOOOOOOoooOOOOON!!!!)
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/ORARedPlanet.jpg

ORA Rose Milli
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/ORARoseMilli.jpg

ORA Stag
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/ORAStag.jpg

[Zoaelite]

I would welcome you to the Red Planet club but I think you have to be a Canadian border criminal to join :lol::lol::lol:.

Can't wait to see those frags in the tank, at least all us Canadians can live Live Aquaria vicariously through you :biggrin:.

[Rbacchiega]

that Red Planet is a MUST. Waaaaaaay too amazing to pass up.

Ernie was like "70 bucks for a piece of coral?!?!?" Then I showed him and he is successfully converted to a coral nut

[BWI]

It looks like its going to be a sweet setup!!! nice job!

[paddyob]

Sooo..... I am still wondering how us Canadians can get orders from LiveAquaria. I would like to order something from them as well!


Special connections??

[Rbacchiega]

I don't live in Canada anymore...well I do..but part time. Right now I live in New Jersey so therefore can order from them.

[paddyob]

I don't live in Canada anymore...well I do..but part time. Right now I live in New Jersey so therefore can order from them.


Let me know when you are coming back to Calgary!!! LOL!

[Rbacchiega]

Got the light! Overall I'm very impressed with this unit. A bulb was broken in transit...no biggie. I wanted to change them out pretty much right away anyways. Right now there are 2 "blue" bulbs and a 14,000K White bulb...pretty nice look to it. So I ordered a Powerchrome Pure Actinic to replace, which should bring out the purples and reds really nicely.

Ernie couldn't wait and went out and bought a mushroom polyp and a bicolor psuedochromis...not too impressed with him but whatever....let it aclimate and put them in the tank. The fish went straight to the back up near the over flow and I don't expect to see much of him. Silly Ernie. Camera was left at home, but I'll be sure to bring it in tomorrow so I can take pictures of what's coming tomorrow too!

EDIT:
Finally ordered filter socks too...silly me.

Also, had 2 no shows for tattoos, so no coral ordered today either. phooey

[Rbacchiega]

yyyyyooooink!

Just made a deal with a NJ Reefer for:
1" Tubbs Alien Eye Chalice (green)
1" blue/purple Alien Eye Chalice
4 head frag of Frogspawn
4 head frag of Hammer coral
10 Polyps Joker Zoos
10 Polyps RPE's.

[Rbacchiega]

LA order came today!

Currently floating in the tank are:
5 blue/green chromis...all about 3/4 of an inch...tiny little fellas
1 Bad ass wrasse (that's what it's called...well that's what I'm calling it anyways)

10 Nassarius Snails
20 Scarlet Leg Hermit Crabs
20 Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crabs
1 Arrow Crab (this thing is so funky looking...almost screamed a little)
3 Pepperming Shrimp
15 Turbo Snails
1 Sally Lightfoot Crab
2 Emerald Crabs
1 Coral banded Shrimp (beautiful bugger it is)

[lorenz0]

IMO your going WAY to fast. Slow down.

your tank has only had water in it for 10 days and your already putting fish in it?

[Rbacchiega]

alot of stuff (besides the small order of macro rocks) came from an established tank. Got seed rock from an established tank and another 5lbs or so live sand from an established tank. Tested water parameters, saw a spike (after I threw in a scallop) and watched the levels return to normal.

Also using Seachem Stability...which I know some people say is snake oil, but it's worked for me in the past....

So far everything is looking good...fish are actively swimming, CUC is actively cruising the tank...

[Rbacchiega]

Got the Geissman Powerchrome Actinic bulb....um, awesome. It doesn't make too much of a difference in overal color of the tank itself, but when you look at the inhabitants....waaaapow! The reds on the peppermint shrimp and the coral banded are epic!

Dark Photo...obligatory FTS:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_2520.jpg

One of the 3 Peppermint Shrimp:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_2517.jpg

[Delphinus]

Snail trails on the overflow! Woot woot! Er ... maybe I mean *swoon* ? Swoon? Woot? Bazinga? I dunno, take your pick.

[Rbacchiega]

hahaha yep...but they didn't make it through the egg crate tops...suckaaaaaas!....woot woot would be appropriate.

[Delphinus]

So noted. Er, I mean .. Duly notizzle - thizzle vizzle much!

[Rbacchiega]

I switched the Vortech settings...again. ha ha...Nutrient Transport mode set at about 80% is making a nice little wave along with a "calm" time etc....from where I sit in my station when I look over at the tank when it's surging I can see the water line drop about 1/2" below the trim....

Added a pair of False Percs....who, even though I said there would be no naming of fish...have been dubbed "Nemo and Nemette":crazy: By Roxy, who is Butch's 2 year old daughter.

Slight diatom outbreak on the sandbed, but the clean up crew seem to be taking care of it pretty damn well. The LFS I've been wanting to go to for a while is having a sale this weekend...uh oh.

[globaldesigns]

Wow, when you setup a tank, you sure set it up. Speedy Gonzales!!!!

Looking good though, even though it may be a little too fast. But again, aren't we all a little that way. It's hard to be patient in this hobby.

[Rbacchiega]

tell me about it. If this tank were at home, I'd definitely be taking more time with it...but because it's in a shop it's gotta be setup quick. I've been dosing daily with Seachem Stability...like I said, some people say its snake oil, but I've been using it for a couple years, either in tanks of my own or when I would setup/maintain tanks for others. One particular client (extremely wealthy...it was rediculous, had to sign a waiver etc saying I wouldn't ever tell names, or location of the house) had a 600 gallon in the bathroom (yep...bathroom) that they switched from a freshwater Amazon themed tank to a reef....took about a week to tear down and then about a week with just rock etc and Stability while I installed lights and ther gizmos....I think it was around the second week I added a school of Chromis and some other fish...tank was completely stocked fish-wise within about 2 months....do I reccomend it? no...but I guess when money wasn't an issue for them they didn't care...never lost a fish...but went through damn near 1 jug of Stability a day...Jug, not the little bottles hahahaha

ah well.

[Rbacchiega]

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_2555.jpg

FTS
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_2553.jpg

Ernie feeding the tank Rotifers:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_2551.jpg

And the damn near impossible to capture on Camera Wrasse....this guy is out and swimming around all the time...but is too damn fast for my camera taking skills:::
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_2542.jpg

[Rbacchiega]

Corals added today:
5 heads frogspawn
5 heads hammer
Mummy Eye Chalice Frag
Tubbs Alien Eye Chalice
Joker Zoas (about 8 polyps already open)
2 Polyps Red People Eaters (these things friggen GLOW under actinic)
Tyree True Undata Frag (guy threw it in for free)

When I come back to Jersey in March of next year the same guy is giving me a FREE 2-3 inch frag of Red Planet and a frag of ORA Chips acro....

Sweeeet

[Skimmerking]

Well that is great and all but where are the pic how about a pic of the crew standing besides the tank....

EX Canada GIRL.....:biggrin:

[Rbacchiega]

haha fine...I'll work on getting a FTS and group shot Monday when I get over this flu

[chris88]

everything looks great, can't wait to see it with corals in it. What is your full bulb line up?

[Rbacchiega]

everything looks great, can't wait to see it with corals in it. What is your full bulb line up?

front to back
Aquablue+
14K
Aquablue+
Powerchrome Actinic

will probably switch out one of the blues for another daylight bulb in the near future though

[Rbacchiega]

havn't updated because frankly, I havn't seen the tank in about a week. What I thought was the flu and an ear infection has turned out to be a severe case of strep throat. So I have been out of commision for the last 4 days. But from what Ernie has told me, everything is doing good...I hope to be well enough to be at work tomorrow, so I'll be able to grab an updated FTS shot then

[Lance]

I hate strep throat! Get well soon.

[Rbacchiega]

Warning...horrible photos to follow.

Joker Zoas:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/JOKERZOAS.jpg

Frogspawn:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/FROGSPAWN-1.jpg

I think this one's the Alien Eye:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/ALIENEYE.jpg

Which would make this one the Mummy Eye?:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/MUMMYEYE.jpg

Red People Eater Zoas:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/REDPEOPLEEATERS.jpg

Undata:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/UNDATA.jpg

FTS
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/FTSNOV4.jpg

[lastlight]

Hope you feel better. You've added some really nice stuff. So how will these chalices grow? Are they encrusted wherever they grow to or are they sorta ledging out over things?

[Rbacchiega]

Hope you feel better. You've added some really nice stuff. So how will these chalices grow? Are they encrusted wherever they grow to or are they sorta ledging out over things?

they were both encrusing the rockwork of the guys tank, so I'm assuming that's how these ones will grow too...and thanks...I hope I feel better soon too ha ha

[Zoaelite]

Looking good, just need a little growth on those bad boys and then you should have some real nice colonies.

[Rbacchiega]

that's what I meant to ask you...what's the usual growth rate for these fellas?
I've noticed that the RPE's already have 2 small polyps developing at the base and I'm pretty sure I see a couple more on the Jokers than when I left the shop for about a week.....
I hope they fill in quick....personally I don't have a problem with a tank of well placed frags waiting to grow in etc, but they boys at the shop are hella impatient

[Lance]

that's what I meant to ask you...what's the usual growth rate for these fellas?


I'm pretty sure Chalices are quite slow growing. At least they are for me. :sad:
I've got four pieces and they've grown very little in a couple of months.

[Rbacchiega]

I know chalices tend to be slow growing but the guy said they are growing quickly in his tank....
I meant more about the zoanthids though...I want more of the red people eaters' for crying out loud ha ha

[Rbacchiega]

well.....Ernie "accidentally" bought a Yellow Eyed Kole Tang.

Oh well, good looking fish, nice and fat, beautiful colors nice and active and already picking at the glass....

So much for having a tang-less tank ha ha

[lastlight]

I sure wish *I* had someone else to pin my purchases on. I've been eying a sohal, naso and vlamingi for the 97g lately but nobody to blame when the @#$% hits the fan. Hmmm...

[Rbacchiega]

you can blame me. I'll allow it.

[Rbacchiega]

Not too much to update really....I go home on Wednesday so I don't think anything will be added to the tank until I get back in March....also means this thread probably wont be updated much either...ah well. I've got the apprentice schooled in how to change water, what to feed and when etc...

But...the Joker zoanthids are taking off...seriously. There's 6 new polyps that I can see since I've put them in the tank....2 new polyps on the Red People Eaters too...so must be doing something right. The undata has grown some it's starting to spread onto the frag disc....who knew....I literally have done next to nothing in terms of dosing (just regular weekly water changes)

FTS NOV 13
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_2594.jpg

horrible photo of the new addition
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_2596.jpg

[Rbacchiega]

edit....also picked up 2 plugs of GSP and a Polyp of Candycane Coral

[Rbacchiega]

Ernie just took these on his phone and sent them to me to show me that he's not effing up the tank...his words, not mine:

RPEs...there's two more polyps growing, but you can't really see in the photo
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/RPE.jpg

Joker Zoas, you can already see the new polyps starting to cover the frag disk:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/jokerzoas-1.jpg

Little tiny disc of GSP...this thing didn't open for 2 days and I was getting mad...then I leave and boom, open and doing well:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/GSP-1.jpg

^^^^That blur in the bottom corner would be the kole tang...doesn't zoom around the tank often, just at a nice, chill pace until you try and get a picture of him...then he's gone.

[Rbacchiega]

Water Params:
SG 1.024
Temp 79-80*F
Ammonia:0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: less than 10 ppm

Problem: all but one fish (chromis) dead. All inverts thriving and coral growing like a weed.

10% water change done once a week

[Delphinus]

Sorry to hear. Ouch.

All at once or gradual? Symptoms? Basically I think this comes down to either disease in which case you'd think there be some lead-up to the event; or there was somehow a lack of O2 and they asphyxiated.

[Rbacchiega]

Sorry to hear. Ouch.

All at once or gradual? Symptoms? Basically I think this comes down to either disease in which case you'd think there be some lead-up to the event; or there was somehow a lack of O2 and they asphyxiated.

seemingly gradual, like over the course of a couple weeks. After the Kole died I had them test the water, params were good save for the salt was through the roof...because dip wit 17 year old WHO I TOLD NOT TO TOUCH THE TANK EVER was adding a cup of salt instead of the 1/2 cup. So they slowly brought it down over the course of a week with daily water changes.

Then, dipstick 17 year old turned the vortech up to 100% to show her stoner friends and never turned it back down, causing a sandstorm. So they shut it off for a couple days. But I don't think the lack of vortech would cause the oxygen to decrease to such an excent it would off everyone. With the return pump and the closed loop there's still lots of water movement.

In terms of symptoms, Ernie said there was no white spots or rabid breathing...no sparadic swimming etc. It was literally they were fine and swimming around/eating etc...and then started dying off.

He's getting a guy from the local LFS to come take a look at the tank tomorrow, but I"m at a loss

[Borderjumper]

That sucks.. The guys who are doing the water top offs do understand that they use fresh water?

Stirring the sand up can cause problems.. Maybe a combo of that and the sg being out of whack tresses the fish?

Also make sure they aren't using windex to clean the glass.. Also I bet there are few alcohol spray bottles around the shop too... Make sure they aren't using that as glass cleaner. Only vinegar :wink:

[Rbacchiega]

yeah, I mentioned all that to Ernie...same with the "make sure any incense garbage you guys are burning aren't close to the tank"....I'm thinking it's a combo of the high salinity and the sandstorm, but who knows. and it's kinda hard to tell a guy that the reason he's lost all his fish is more than likely because of his stoner, waste of skin daughter ha ha ha ah well.

[Rbacchiega]

OMG NEW PHOTOS!!!!!!

Everything has returned back to normal (still no idea what caused the mass death, but I have my suspicions). Anyways. Tank is doing great, maintaining at a steady 77 degrees, crystal clear and readings are where they should be! Surviving fish are one Chromis (whom I've decided to name Bill) and the Wrasse was found in the back of the overflow, still alive and doing well, just hanging out back there. The LFS will be going over there one day this week with a fishtrap to try and get it out...just glad that little fella is still around, thats one pretty fish.

Anyway...photos! (keep in mind these are all on a camera phone...a Droid2 to be exact)

The FTS. I am STOKED with how good the rocks look right now. They're starting to get some coraline on them and are nice and ...rock looking??? Anyways..they are good....also note the Coral Banded is still doing fantastic..easily the crowd pleaser of the tank as it is right now:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/FTS-1.jpg

The Hammer Coral (Photo was taken when the vortech was on the high cycle in the random mode) I assure you it is alot more full looking:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/Hammer.jpg

Frogspawn:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/Frogspawn-2.jpg

Torch (purchased only one head begining of November. Started with it mid way up in the tank and it has since been moved to the bottom, already splitting):
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/trumpetcoral.jpg

Joker Zoas (starting to grow on rockwork):
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/JokerZoas-2.jpg

Alien Eye Chalice (Started with 1.5 mouths..now has at least 6 and is starting to overtake the frag disc)....the other chalice is doing just as well (Ernie counted 8 mouths on it), but it is in a hard spot to take a picture of:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/chalice-1.jpg

Undata (growing slowly but surely...almost off the one side of the disc):
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/Undata-1.jpg

2 small plugs of GSP were put on the left hand side of the tank, on their own little rock so as to not overtake anything and still hit a good chunk of current for motion...they're just about to start growin on the rocks (purchased my last day in Jersey, with only a couple small polyps in the center of each disc):
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/gsp-2.jpg

wham!

[lastlight]

Glad to hear it's doing well even without your direct guidance!

[Rbacchiega]

um edit...torch = trumpet/candy cane...cause partially drunk self ids coral like a 2 year old