lockrookie's 180g (build #3)

[Coralgurl]

I'm sure your wife appreciates the amount of time working on your own tank and pulling this altogether, don't need to add someone elses into the mix....:lol: Mind you, my guy doesn't bother with me and what I do with the tank, occassionally will help with lugging jugs of water (usually the last one...:twised:)

I would like to do my stand with my dad, but his health is not great. He would do the work with me and not stop until he was done, but it would end up doing him more harm than good. Also, for now, having all the equipment exposed so I can see what's going on is a good thing as I'm making silly mistakes that if not spotted, could be disaster. So for now, my fish room looks like a fish room instead of what I have envisioned for it, but that's ok.

[lockrookie]

I'm sure your wife appreciates the amount of time working on your own tank and pulling this altogether, don't need to add someone elses into the mix....:lol: Mind you, my guy doesn't bother with me and what I do with the tank, occassionally will help with lugging jugs of water (usually the last one...:twised:)

I would like to do my stand with my dad, but his health is not great. He would do the work with me and not stop until he was done, but it would end up doing him more harm than good. Also, for now, having all the equipment exposed so I can see what's going on is a good thing as I'm making silly mistakes that if not spotted, could be disaster. So for now, my fish room looks like a fish room instead of what I have envisioned for it, but that's ok.

you can always ...for now... buy some black fabric and velcro a skirt around the bottom of the tank. it would tidy it up until you are ready to do the skin you desire. its really an inexpensive remedy to allow you to enjoy the display without seeing the rest.

all my wife does to help with the tank is tell me she doesnt like the rockscape. and pick out really expensive corals. she enjoys the tank but too afraid to touch it. as fro the time its taken me i usuallyonly workon the tank when the girls(wife included) are asleep and spend most my time with them. they are the priorityover my obsession

[Coralgurl]

Ah, once it all comes together, I'm sure your wife will love all of it. For me as I have not a single ounce of creativity in my bones, its hard to picture what a finished product will look like. Maybe she's the same.:wink: At least she's got good taste in corals!!

Yep, family first. My dad always had projects on the go when we were growing up, he built a lot of our furniture in our house, children's furniture, rocking horses (one won an award at the Calgary Stampede) model planes, refinishing old vehicles, model trains for a while, endless pets, wine making (which started my brother's enterpreneural skills at 15 as he was selling bottles to all his buddies..lol). As we grew, we would help or hang out with him on projects. Hopefully your girls will want to share in some of your interests as they get older (I know they are still babies :biggrin:).

My dad said the same thing about the material around the stand....I'm considering it. It doesn't bother me or anyone else the way it is now.

[lockrookie]

the tank will look a bit wierd in the begining brown wall purple rock lol but as it matures it will be good. a little purple up will kick start that. yeah my wife has to drw out to get a picture she cant visualise. she has her hobbies mine tendsto be a bit more pricey. i basically gave up a few intrests to persue this one. but im happy with it.. for now lol

its nice to have something to keep busy if its not my tanks i kill ppl on xbox... it help me unwind. i can only hope they takean intrest .. they do now but allthey see is strange creatures floating lol. if they dont have any intrest it doessnt matter .. as long as i hve intrest inthier intrests and encourage thier creativity. i had a gf in the past that all she did was crochet.. da in day out.. so i said the hell with it and had her teach me.. i can make a mean pot holder. lol so no mater thier intrests ill do mybest to learn lol

main thing with your tank as long as your happy thats what counts if ppl dont like it kick em out... another idea i if you have young kids our your kids are artistic. take a chunk of plywood mount magnets and have your kids paint /finger paint the board and just attach it to the stand via magnets...

[lockrookie]

stand is in.... first set of latches installed... works great door opens with a press of a button love it. just working on the leveling and searching quietly for the wall studs as to not disturb the kidlets. should have power to the stand before bed maybe...

[gregzz4]

Ah, once it all comes together, I'm sure your wife will love all of it
Happy Wife and all that ....


its nice to have something to keep busy if its not my tanks i kill ppl on xbox...
Honestly, I spent too much time playing Half Life and should have been trying to advance my life

stand is in.... first set of latches installed... works great door opens with a press of a button love it. just working on the leveling and searching quietly for the wall studs as to not disturb the kidlets. should have power to the stand before bed maybe...
Nice to hear about some progress ...
You mentioned some secret stuff coming from china or such ?
You could build my next tank stand if you like .... :mrgreen:

[lockrookie]

Nice to hear about some progress ...
You mentioned some secret stuff coming from china or such ?
You could build my next tank stand if you like .... :mrgreen:

not secret as such just cool... i picked up some electronic latches to hold the doors in place to keep tiny hands out of sump and keep a clean look to the tank.. aka no hinge hardware or locks visible on the tank save for door handles if i chose to add them.. so in the end all ill have to do is press a button and the door to sump or electical door is opened. no searching for keys. or fighting with hinge doors the whole thing removes for easier working.

the tank should be on the stand tonight and ill take pictures of everything it needs to settle into the carpet before i bolt it to the wall/floor

[lockrookie]

so close yet so far my tank lifting help cancelled so i may implement plan b after all plan leverage lol

[lockrookie]

so a little sweet talking and i got my father over yet again to help with the tank. i feel so bad tho lifting stuff like this is not good for him. so i very grateful for the help.



pics uploading will post shortly

[lockrookie]

so here is the stand in the house

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/100_6672.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/100_6673.jpg

the electric locks for the doors

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/100_6674.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/100_6675.jpg

controller compartment

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/100_6676.jpg

tank on stand

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/100_6677.jpg

rock wall inside tank.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/100_6678.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/100_6679.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/100_6680.jpg



now time to plumb.. but not today to freakin tired.

[Paigee]

That looks so slick!

[lockrookie]

That looks so slick!

thanks im happy thus far still nervous of the fill and wieght

[Coralgurl]

That's a sexy setup, everything came together really well! Now get the plumbing done and fiiler up!

[lockrookie]

That's a sexy setup, everything came together really well! Now get the plumbing done and fiiler up!

i still have to hurry upan wait.. today i spend some qulity time with the kidlets clean up some messes maybe rinse out some sand. but nothing major will be done today only that which can be done through nap time. but i hope to have it filled by next weekend.

[Coralgurl]

Slow and steady! I love the rimless tank and a little jealous of yours :mrgreen:. You've got the apex lite, have you used this before? If so, pros/cons? I'm looking and really debating on what to get.

Enjoy the kiddies, I miss mine being small, goes so fast. My youngest turned 15 this weekend :sad:

[lockrookie]

the tanks not really rimless it has euro bracing but at the picture angle it looks it a bit and there will be a hood.

im new to controllers but so far i like the apex lite. i bought it off a sask reefer for a great price i couldnt resist.. but the savings are lost since i vacumed the display module.. other than that i enjoy turning stuff on and off with the pc. thats about as far as ive gotten. it seems simple enough to configure i think all in all it will be perfect for this system i like the 8 plug powerbars even thoh they are pricey. i need to ad one more power bar to control the lights. other than that the rest are toys for the future.

i also have a reefkeeper lite and the only difference i can tell are the powerbars and that apex is net built in. you just have to decide whats best for you but i do recommend the apex. more bang fro the buck. j&l has sales once in awhile keep your eye out.

i love my twinkies.. i fear teen years so im enjoying them now before i want to kill them lol

[lockrookie]

just had a workout lugged 10 5g bucket of ro upstairs..insert into tank.. so far no crackling of lumber beneath it lol.. it looks to be aprox 1/3 full of water.. will let it settle a couple of days bolt it on wall and insert sump finish plumbing on sump..comence filling,,,commence praying..lol

i was going to wait until the weekend but there isnt much else i can do without water.. its true what they say and especially with this hobby...without water there is no life..

[Skimmerking]

well come on why the heck are you lugging water Jeff. dont you have a line ran from the RODI unit to the tank. come on man:razz:

[lockrookie]

well come on why the heck are you lugging water Jeff. dont you have a line ran from the RODI unit to the tank. come on man:razz:

lol yes i do but i wish to hear wood splintering as i fill it just in case the floor doesnt hold.. im paranoid..im sure it will be fine but there is always that what if. senario. once im convinced that all is good then the ro/di line will be usefull. last thing i wish to do is have the tank fall through the floor onto my wife who sits below the tank in the daycare.. i kinda wanna keep her lol. bolting t to the wall this morning for added support and adding more water tonight.

[lockrookie]

80% full.... floor isnt crackling yet...plumbing....:laluot_21:... there is justnever enough room from what you think should be and isnt....back to the drawing board.. it is my mission to have salt in the tank come friday

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/100_6681.jpg

[lockrookie]

Good news:

tank is full
tank didn't fall through the floor
power heads and overfow seem quiet
did i mention the tank hasnt falen through the floor lol

Bad news:

a couple plumbing leaks easy fix
have to figure a way to reduce bubbles in sump with the amount of flow powering into tank
quiet one pump a bit louder than i would like
tank level is off by 1/8th of an inch which has the level 1/4 inch lower at one end of the 6 foot length.. may or may not empty it al un boltit and straightenthe tank out or just have hood trim cover it.. ill take a brief vid later and post

over all we are good to goish lol

[lockrookie]

plumbing issues fixed.. micro bubbles fixed...noisy pump not fixed. but as of now tank is running with ro water.. and salt going in tomorrow morning or shoud i say this morning.. contemplating throwing in prodibio startup to speed things up a bit after sand and some live rock is added just a lil leary of the product. ppl swear by it but who knows.. worth a try i guess.

[gregzz4]

So you're not going to level the tank
Mine's not perfect either, but close enough for me :wink:

I may bolt it to the wall though ...

[lockrookie]

So you're not going to level the tank
Mine's not perfect either, but close enough for me :wink:

I may bolt it to the wall though ...

i thought about it and no. if it really bothers me ill crank the telepost up a 1/8 of an inch in the basement down the road since thats where its unlevel . the trim of the hood will hide the evidence anyways.

and ps to all the readers yes the rock wall does float a bit lol but my return plumbing is holing it down 60 pounds of rock and althat foam its quite boyant lol

[lockrookie]

salinity 1.026
sand in .. live sand from 90 added to seed.. sand cloud dispersed...tomorow give skimmer a good cleaning and start rockscaping if i get a chance so far it lookstobe a busy workday which is good work has been a bit dry.

[lockrookie]

been busy the last 3 days and decided to put prodibio to the test with the start up kit ive added the live rock done to rock scaping not fond of the left side but when i find the right pieces ill fix it. for now the rockscape is functional. did a 50 percent water swap with the 90g added prodibio startup waited 24 hours instead of the recomended 12. and added my fish. so now i will be testing daily twice a day to watch for problems. with water changes ready just in case.

on a side note be very careful not to get spiked from your regal hand when numb for an hour.. learn something new every day but at least i can now dismantle the 90 after i catch the last couple of fish.

anywho here it is as it is at this moment hood will come soon as i figure out how tobuid it to work for me

fts
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/101_0007.jpg

right side
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/101_0008.jpg

right
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/101_0009.jpg

center
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/101_0010.jpg

left
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/101_0011.jpg

left to right
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/101_0012.jpg

dusk
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/101_0015.jpg

night lights not yet hooked up but possibely buy the weekend

thank for looking..

[Nano]

Looks wicked! Can't wait to see it once coraline takes over!!

[Coralgurl]

Woohoo, it's alive!! Looks great!! Great job on the scaping, came together nicely!

[reefwars]

good job budd looks great:)

[gregzz4]

And BAM the fish are in :biggrin:
I wasn't expecting it that fast

Scape looks great

[lockrookie]

Looks wicked! Can't wait to see it once coraline takes over!!

yeah me too i hate this sterile stage hopefuly it doesnttake long

Woohoo, it's alive!! Looks great!! Great job on the scaping, came together nicely!

thank you my wife will feel better when she has her kitchen backbut impeased so far.

good job budd looks great:)

thanks denny

[lockrookie]

And BAM the fish are in :biggrin:
I wasn't expecting it that fast

Scape looks great

lol seems like it it helps when you use old tank water and new water with precured rock im hoping the prodibio helps with any small spike to themits like a huge water change but look moreo swim room andcaves lol.. the trigger was teh first to investigate everything. but i did the same thing on my 50 with no issues whatsoever

i just wish my skimmer would set up right and stop spewing micro bubbles. but i cleaned the bajessesout of it so it needs to set in again...a few days it should be fine.

[gregzz4]

Ya, I'm a bit jeaous
Must be nice to have some established stuff to add to a new tank

[lockrookie]

dont be too jealous some of the established stuff has apstasia on it i still have a battle ahead lol or fish to buy wish im hoping to get begining of july but may wait till aug

[lastlight]

scaped background came out really nice!

Is that a hydnophora and is that trigger reef safe?

[lockrookie]

scaped background came out really nice!

Is that a hydnophora and is that trigger reef safe?

thanks it did but i already see a few things id change.. just the way i am but it isn't happening in this tanks life time


yes thats is a hydnophora i got it from a local reefer and damn near killed it tl ial i had was a small chunk left that grew in my 90 to that without dosing.. and in this process the stem broke thus the massive bondo job. but im very proud of it i know some ppl dont like it i think its cool.

and im not too sure how reef save the trigger is he seems to behave save for the odd snail eaten... and my cleaner shrimps/coralbanded shrimp are no longer.. and ill never own a clam again. it was funny to watch teh rega and yellow follow him around the tank to investigate they seem to rely on him for safety...the enforser lol. but hes cool and i can hand feed him gets a bit close and bit me once by mistake.

[Blue World Aquariums]

Good job on the rockwall. That may be the best faux background I've seen yet. What foam was it that you used?

[lockrookie]

coming from a guy who built my favorite nano in an xbox i thank you.. i used great stuff foam nothing special but smooshed it flat and bumpy as it dried to give it texture. then brushed on fiberglass resin from can tire (stinks like crazy but can give you a wicked buzz lol. sprinked on brown sand/shell mixture, you can use white as well, and mixed the sand and epoxy with a brush repeat 3 times..makes the wall rock hard to cut it you need a dremel.. be warned it can and will float even tho thiswall has 60 pounds of dry rock in it it is a bit boyant.. my return plumbing was the only thing holding it down now the rock holds it dwn so im good

[lockrookie]

so this morning i checked tank and the amonia was at .5 i started to worry a bit but it seemstohave dropped back to zero so far so good

[gregzz4]

I've never used probidio
Are you still using it ? I assume you would be for awhile ...
I gather it's like using Stability or such that you add daily for bacteria to get you over the NH3 hump ?

[lockrookie]

frommy understanding the startup kit is a one time use thing i couldbe wrong but at 60 bucks a shot al im usng itis once i may try other products later but ths faritseems tobe doing its thing


i just wish my #$%^ skimmer would dial in and stop spewing micro bubbles this is why i havent ceaned thoroughly in a couple years .. takes forever to settle down

[gregzz4]

$60 :surprise:
I like my cheap bottles of Stability :wink:
Like I said, I have no idea what Probidio does, but anything I've ever added to Freshwater never had any effect past NO3, so I'll stick to the simple stuff ...

You know that your skimmer will settle down soon
C'mon, you can't tell me you've never had one not react well to a tank change :razz:

[gregzz4]

So, no creaky floors and such ?
Joist deflection and all that ?

Again, a little jealousy here

Man, I could put a larger tank upstairs, but after seeing Bblinks's 300DD in person, I just don't see me doing ANY upgrade that my upper floor will handle :mrgreen:

[lockrookie]

ive had this skimmer for a long time it has been a long time since it has had a vinegar bath. let alone left the sump. it was full of critters. lol i shoulda took a pic now its new again and hating it. and my skimmer in my 50 seemed to setle faster. time will tell

[lockrookie]

So, no creaky floors and such ?
Joist deflection and all that ?

Again, a little jealousy here

Man, I could put a larger tank upstairs, but after seeing Bblinks's 300DD in person, I just don't see me doing ANY upgrade that my upper floor will handle :mrgreen:

no no creaky floors i even bounced around a bit and all seems ok hardly a ripple..well this is my last upgrade as such next project is frag tank two levels one for incoming frags one for outgoing but thats next years project

no reason to be jealous when your abe to you will get your dream tank... this still isntmy dream tank but its as cose as il get for now.. retirement years maybe ill get what i hope for.

[lockrookie]

so far im impressed with the prodibio no real spike other than that .5 that showed up everyone seems happy and cruzin. now i cant wait to add more fishes and critters. but i will wait at least a month before introducing anything other than a few snails and crabs. so i realy should think about stock list and compatabilities. i just can never decide so many choices.

[Coralgurl]

Do NOT get a red coris wrasse. This fish is making me hate my tank. I need to catch it and get it out.....otherwise...... What are you thinking for fish?

[reefwars]

Do NOT get a red coris wrasse. This fish is making me hate my tank. I need to catch it and get it out.....otherwise...... What are you thinking for fish?

whats it doing??

[Coralgurl]

whats it doing??

Flips all corals upside down. I put them back, he flips again, he's even managed to move glued pieces and knock them off the rocks. That said, I haven't seen him since yesterday morning.....:twised:

[lockrookie]

lol im not much of wrsse fan i have one in the 50.. we will see so many choices it makes my head hurt

[lockrookie]

my first loss in the new tank found my mandarin on the carpet... i didn't think they could jump they move so slow.

[gregzz4]

Well that just plain sucks

Thinkin' 'bout a screen or something ?

[lastlight]

Flips all corals upside down. I put them back, he flips again, he's even managed to move glued pieces and knock them off the rocks. That said, I haven't seen him since yesterday morning.....:twised:

standard behaviour which i had read about before purchasing. didn't think they'd be so good at it though! just imagine that fish over a foot long and the things it could relocate! mine often has a white streak across his nose... i think he scrapes it with all his mischief.

[lockrookie]

standard behaviour which i had read about before purchasing. didn't think they'd be so good at it though! just imagine that fish over a foot long and the things it could relocate! mine often has a white streak across his nose... i think he scrapes it with all his mischief.
no need for screen once hood is built just have to wait awhile before i try again let copods build up in system


and i definately wontgettha wrasse

[lockrookie]

i have a feeling my rockwall is the skimmers nemesis thus why it wont settle down the resin and skimmer are having issues. everyone seems happy enough in the tank so no ill effect there but i noticed a sticky residue on skimmer cup.. time will tell i guess

[gregzz4]

I had a bad episode with 'sticky residue' after using epoxy sticks
I had to remove it from my hardware with, ( ya, I know, bad, ) 99% alcohol ( scarred my skimmer cup for life with micro cracks )
I couldn't remove it with anything else, and it stopped my skimmer's production
Once I removed it, all was good

Hope you're not going to go through the same issues ...

Tank is lookin' stellar dude :wink:

[lockrookie]

well it could be glue as well now that you mention it i did use a total of 3 sticks to glue structures in place when i added the live rock and yes my skimmer cup has all the cracks too... i cleaned the cup with goo gone easy enough and rinsed the cup out but its acumilating again.. so that may be the culprit or partofthe culprit as well

[lockrookie]

and thank you to me it looks steril and bland atm... cant wait till it ge purple and gray

[gregzz4]

and thank you to me it looks steril and bland atm... cant wait till it ge purple and gray
Mine too !!!

[lockrookie]

in four to five months yours will be full of color it may take a year for this beast to blend.. and if this customer doesnt stiff me tomorrow and pays his bill ill be abe to afford another power bar and some lumber to build the hood if i can ever decide on a plan lol

[gregzz4]

Hold on there cowboy !!!
You already started with some great colonies, so you can't tell me mine'll look all colored up before your's is - unless I start throwing stupid money into corals when I should just let my tank mature :rolleyes:

It'll be nice to see your canopy finished
God forbid I ever get around to doing mine - I've blocked the light spillage for now with Glad garbage bags :rofl:

And no, I will not post pics of it as it's just too .... incriminating ....

[lockrookie]

Lol that's only due to they came from my old tank.

Never be ashamed of redneck fixes it gives the tank character and o e of a kind stature.

Sent from a pineapple under the sea...

[lockrookie]

so here is where i sit with the tank at the moment....today i did 2 50g water changes in hopes that will help dilute some of the epoxy residue that is gumming up the skimmer. as well i had purchased a new impeller months ago for the skimmer didnt think much of it and threw it in the pump.. yesterday i took the skimmer pump apart and checked everything and just for the heck of it checked the impeller against the old rust blistered impeller.. well ill be damned if the impellers dont match the new one has a longer magnet than the old one and t pegs are longer as well and slightly larger disk.. it fit fine although a tad tight but had locked in place and ran so i didnt think much of it. i have a feeling its meant for a 250 not 180.

so i had a dilema.. what now.. got p-oed... took old impeller to the garage cleaned rust out of blister.. gave it a few wacks with a hammer (not only are hammers fix alls but ever try hammering a magnet its quite interesting and slighty comical) flattening the blister as much as possible. filled thecrack with gel crazy glue.. let it set. took the magnet tothe grinder roundeditallout smooth.. all in all the skimmer is substantially quieter and running quite nice..still producing microbubbles but not as much as before im hoping this and the water change will help things along ..time will tell

happy canaday weekend to you all btw

[lockrookie]

just a quick update before the weekend..skimmer still ****in me off going to have to bite the bullet and get new one. added my first new fish to the mix a copperband butterfly (thanks pat for bringing it in). everyones biggest fer with these fish is thier survival rate.. and getting them to eat.. i will say onday two of its life in our house i saw him eating mysis.. yeah so thrilled. purchased some sps from jaredf and they seem happy already as well.. so walkinginto the the weekend in a good mood..ish.lol few pics later

[reefgirl189]

just a quick update before the weekend..skimmer still ****in me off going to have to bite the bullet and get new one. added my first new fish to the mix a copperband butterfly (thanks pat for bringing it in). everyones biggest fer with these fish is thier survival rate.. and getting them to eat.. i will say onday two of its life in our house i saw him eating mysis.. yeah so thrilled. purchased some sps from jaredf and they seem happy already as well.. so walkinginto the the weekend in a good mood..ish.lol few pics later

Can't wait for the pics. Sorry to hear about the skimmer but now you get a brand new one! You're going to love the CBB, they are beautiful fish to watch that generally mind their own business. It's good to hear that he's eating already.

[lockrookie]

im extatic that its eating right away ive heard so many nightmares.. the yellow tang is a lil bt upset he is there but sowly getting better.

i was going to post pics but with the skimmer screwing up i have t do another huge water change in hopes to clear up the water a bit the skimmer isnt taking anything out of the tank and just clouds the water with micro bubbles. and spews out water and sprays it everywhere... i forsee a sledge hammer in its future

[lockrookie]

small update nothing great finally tuned my overfow and i hear nothing its silent no more running water.. less time in the can ..lol anyways been tinkering with a calcium reactor i got from jhammer and i think i may actually have it figured out and will be putting this thing online shortly. also my replacement display module came in and hopefully next month i can order the powerbar i need. if i have time i may start the hood too and get this thing completed. a little concerned with the lights i had a 70w bulb pop on me it was fairly new but it has me thinking of alternative options...no fun when you cant findthebulb locally..

anyways thats all for now trying t get a vid together of both tanks and updated pics

[fishytime]

well, chop chop....we wanna see!:wink:

[lockrookie]

its difficult getting a vid with the girsl banging thier toys and stuff durring the day.. i will try tomorrow night. busy day today..

[gregzz4]

well, chop chop....we wanna see!:wink:
:mrgreen:
Ya, get on it already :smile:

[lockrookie]

noone wants to see dead frags either i hve to remove some failed attempts.

[lockrookie]

quick vid of the 180 as it is today definately need more corals sooooon

click on pic for this vid this was done before livestock
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/th_100_6684.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/?action=view&current=100_6684.mp4)

and this one on youtube as it is today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WySQFMdNoU&feature=youtu.be

[Snaz]

Video +1 and commented.

[lockrookie]

thanks snaz for the comment as well. i see so many nice tanks out therein here andall over. i had so many ideas that i threw them all together since i couldnt decide. still lots to do andim glad to be able to share it with everyone

[lockrookie]

tonight i plugged in the calcium reactor.. it has a bit of a leak i will tend to later just a drip really.. my calcium was at 320 before startup so in 24 hours i will check and see where its at.. i did it at the slowest rate to start for fear of overdose and will adjust as needed. hopefully it works and i can grow me some sps..

also in the news im putting together a skimmate resevoir tonight if i can find some silicone. this way i have additional gunk storage incase i go away (wishfull thinking) and i won thave to worry about an overflow issue.. eventually i will put a float switch on it to shut down the skimmer just incase of skimmer flu and it upchucks on me.

i was informed as well that the curve 9 may be here this week or early next week and i will start my review...im guessing since i didnt hear from aqua-digital it will be the unauthorised version.. so be it heres to hopeing im satisfied... i will most likely post some pics on my thread. but will make its own thread for questions comments anyone may have.. if i dont know the answers i will try to find out the answer iven if i have to contact BM themselves somehow. im hopefull that this skimmerwill perform. it is infact the first "new" skimmer ive purchased.. other than the seaclone 100 that suffered a very painful end.. still peeved about wasting money on that after 4 years.

anyways thats all for tonight will post picsof my skimmate collection cup . i have an idea for it that i hope works.. thanks for lookin

[gregzz4]

Following along and wanting to see how your Ca reactor works out

Hope your skimmer works out too :wink:

I wanted to say something stellar, but I can only come up with ...

Momma, momma I'm comin' home !!!

[lockrookie]

Following along and wanting to see how your Ca reactor works out

Hope your skimmer works out too :wink:

I wanted to say something stellar, but I can only come up with ...

Momma, momma I'm comin' home !!!

im hoping it works out too i hate wasting money.. and if the skimmer is crap well....i will be violent lol

as for stellar....no comment at this time

[gregzz4]

Ya, I know how you feel ...

I could let you have a go at some stuff I haven't smashed yet if you like ... ya know, the kind of things that don't stick to hammers ....

More pics of your build please :mrgreen:

[lockrookie]

i wish i had more pics .. haven't done much just waiting on things..but o appease you i will leave you with someone elses build cause it sure as sh... not me

http://www.2fit4you.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/bizeps_muscle.jpg

[gregzz4]

Better watch that, or I'll have to come over there and do something ... :mrgreen:

http://blog.zisboombah.com/wp-content/uploads/skinny-boy.jpg

Umm, not me either ..... :wink:

[lockrookie]

so ive always wanted to do this with skimmers puking and contaminating the tank or overflowing cause i forgot to empty the cup. but mostly if i go away for a weekend or 2 weeks i want to be able to not worry about an overfowing skimmer cup. so i made a glass box 8"x 9" by 12" high drilled a hole for a valve and a hole on thetp ofthe cube.. but i wanted a lid so after posting jancame through fro me andgot me a large pickle jar that was perfect.. cut the top off of it attached it to the top of my box and voila i have a skimmate overflow container.. now i will have skimmate on tap for all those future reefing bbq's in the future.

here it is just need to make a quick stand for it and its ready to go for when the new skimmer arrives..

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6692.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6691.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6690.jpg

i will be drilling into the cap for hookups and later a float switchto shut down skimmer in case of overflow or random skimmer issue.. butfor now it is what it is

thanks for looking

[fishytime]

well, your a crafty bugger aren't cha?:biggrin:

[lockrookie]

lol ya i guess.. why buy something when you can recycle..and i still have glass laying around...whats next... coast to coast frag tank??? with waterfall into QT tank.. mmmm maybe :)

[lockrookie]

im really hoping my new BM curve 9 skimmer shows up tomorrow and that it performs like its rated.(think the worst he for the best) i will still post in my build thead and a seperate thread my review of this skimmer. all in all im just excited to be trying something out of my comfort zone.

as well new bulbs should be here shortly. im planning on re wireing the lights so that i can unplug them close to the fixture then move the balasts to a close by closet to help with some heat issues ive been having. with the ballasts under the stand and no fans under there it get quite warm during the day.

[gregzz4]

Looks like a great skimmer

Like the overflow tank you built

Keep us posted ...

[lockrookie]

bulbs and skimmer hath arrived ..yeah!! my first impression of the skimmer is this.. i quote "HOLY BLEEP the box is huge.." and now i forsee some modifications to my sump. will post pics later and also begin my review of this skimmer. i havent heard from A-D on that matter not that i really care at this point.(long story) i was told, to get my answers to my question, is to review this skimmer.. so that is what i intend to do even thou it would have been much simpler for the distributer just to answer my questions. anyways that will all be in my review thread .. back to the important stuff yeah new bulbs for both tanks and a skimmer woo hoo.. off to do a photo shoot...

[lockrookie]

my new skimmer that i cant fit into my sump...yet lol a little modification and we will be good to go

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6709.jpg

[Coralgurl]

Great looking skimmer, been following your review....not that I need a skimmer but its interesting.

Can you post a pic on how you notched out your stand? I can't get my skimmer out either, and I either have to cut a notch out of the sump or completely drain it and push it out the end of the stand. I like the drawer idea and I think I'll look into it, there's no way to get the sump out of the stand without draining everything.

[lockrookie]

i can.. its not pretty lol my stand is made of all wood and i believe yours is made of metal.. i was able to quietly...(as quiet as one can be with a hand saw) .. cut a chunk out of the hindering 2x6. then i had to remove the water level control valve to manipulate it into position andcarefully twist and adjust until the fellinto place ..then i had to assembl the skimmer in a 112" x 12" area lol it took me, after cutting the 2x6 30 to 45 min to get the body then skimmer together. maybe longer with various curse words leading the way. but i will post a pic for you as ugly as it is .. i haveno shame hehe

[Coralgurl]

Ya, my stand is steel, so there's no cutting there. My only option for removal right now is to drain and slide, but it makes me nervous to do this as the sump ages....I haven't done a flood test since adding in all the equipment to see how much of a difference it makes for levels if I were to notch the sump.

I love ghetto fixes, you are probably the only one who would even notice how it looks, others will just oooo and ahhh over the tank :lol:

[lockrookie]

well yes and no skimmer king has a good idea about rolling the sump you just have to make sure you have room for rollers. i do have one other suggestion for you if you have the room you could plumb a second tank into your sump and have that tank just for the skimmer it can be hidden in a cabinet beside the main tank...which candouble asstrage for tank stuff..if you have the space for it

[lockrookie]

skimmer is installed barely but we got there. took a bit to get it to settle down and running ..decentlly pleased. also hooked up my resevoir. i can sleep easier at night knowing it wont puke on the floor of the stand. i stillhave to pickup some float switches for backup. but over all pleased. nuff babbling here arethe pics

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6729.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6730.jpg

[gregzz4]

Like that green beer keg :smile:

[lockrookie]

its my fish poop slushi maker

[lockrookie]

so in trying to get a pic of my toadstool everyone came out to play

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0002.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0003.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0010.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0035.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0049.jpg

[fishytime]

holy hydnophora batman! that colony is huge!

[lockrookie]

yes it is ill see if i can find a pic of what it started as for ya

[lockrookie]

here is what it was when i got it in 09 off another reefer...

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/100_6164.jpg

[lockrookie]

mooooore pictures of old and new additions in the tank

old stock

duncan started out as 3 heads

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0076.jpg

mushrooms

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0074.jpg

fuzzy shrooms and palys

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0073.jpg

paly and zoa rock

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0069.jpg

pearl bubble coral isnt as happy these days hopefully it perks up

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0068.jpg

frogspawn again not so happy may have to adjust placment

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0067.jpg

[lockrookie]

new stuff



thanks to some kind reefers



galaxy coral

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0080.jpg



unkown sps colony

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0075.jpg



green palys from jan cant rememer the name

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0072.jpg



capt colby from shroom

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0065.jpg



unknown monti i thnk possible superman with blue base red polyp

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0066.jpg



green fuzzy stick

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0061.jpg



green torch

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/103_0058.jpg

[gregzz4]

Nice
I want that torch :wink:

[Skimmerking]

looking good Jeff really liking the tank

[lockrookie]

Nice
I want that torch :wink:

it is a cool torch but ya cant have it

looking good Jeff really liking the tank

thanks bud ill try and get a fts since its been over a month that its been running.before and after pics lol hoping to see your soon all fixed up

[lockrookie]

fts 2 months in

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/fts2m.jpg

[fishytime]

looks seamless, now that the background has colored up:thumb:

[gregzz4]

May we see it from the ends ?

[lockrookie]

sure tomorrow.. lights are off now

[lockrookie]

looks seamless, now that the background has colored up:thumb:

yeah im quite pleased how it turned out i will be honest and was scared it was going to look like a bad stage background from a high school musical...

[lpsreefer]

does your trigger nip at any of your corals?

[lockrookie]

not as of yet but i avoid things like clams... and snails an crabs he likes to toss around the tank but for the most part he is good and likes to come and nudge me to pet him im still nervous tho i fear his bite.. in the 90 i failed to glue down a frag and he and the regal played catch with it both flung it around the tank untill i glued it.. lil buggers

[lpsreefer]

They won't bite you. They become very attached to a person.
Symbiotic connection. My pink tail trigger was like that always wanting to be touched and played with.
At first it's a bit scary as was all heard story of Zeus.
I miss it.

[lockrookie]

They won't bite you. They become very attached to a person.

Symbiotic connection. My pink tail trigger was like that always wanting to be touched and played with.

At first it's a bit scary as was all heard story of Zeus.

I miss it.


I will have to get brave.. He always comes up to day hi as well as the new cbb. Thanks for the info.. Of I lose a chunk of skin ill blame you lol


Sent from a pineapple under the sea...

[lockrookie]

not too fond of these pics tanks a lilfuzzy but you asked you shall recieve... gonna have to see what i can do with the fuzziness later

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/100_0120.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/100_0123.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/100_0114.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/100_0113.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/100_0116.jpg

[gregzz4]

Thanks for the shots Jeff
Your tank is SO kool :mrgreen:

[lockrookie]

np im stll not happy with teh left side rockwork but havent fount the live rock that will make me happy i think i may have to build something or order some dry branchingrock and replace it all..but fornow it will have to just annoy me

[gregzz4]

I'll post a pic soon of my tank for you to laugh at ...
Your's is awesome :smile:

[lockrookie]

yours will get there give it time one day you wll look at it and say damn i need to go bigger and the cycl begins.. but thank you for the compliments i still dont feel satisfied with it .itneed more corals more something

[gregzz4]

I did the 'I need more corals' today
I added a colony of Frogspawn ...

Still wish I had your Torch :razz:

[lockrookie]

i usually buy corals when someone is shutting down the torch is cool but the big score lately was the superman monty.. so stoked about that.. i try not to buy corals from stores unless i must have it senario.. id prefer to buy out of ppl tanks.. help a fellow reefer out if possible so it take me awhile to accumilate.

[gregzz4]

I agree
I would have rather bought from a reefer ...
When I saw this one colony, I had to have it .....
Besides .... I am supporting a LFS :smile:

[lockrookie]

yes it is important to support the lfs... im excited fo the changes coming soon to ours but i remind you .. im a cheap bastard thus why all teh diy stuff lol

[lockrookie]

adding new powerbar = epicfail... awaiting customer support @ neptune.. yeah me lol my conclusion is i got a dud powerbar.. as loon as it was turned on it made my light fixture light up like a bad lightning storm...it was kinda cool to see halides do that but....not the effect i was going for.. we will seewhat neptune says on the matter not to mention the apex doesnt ee it anymore..

[gregzz4]

Hmm, that stinks
Let us know what happened

[lockrookie]

neptune surprised me by replying tome today i didn't expect anything until monday maybe and are working on it as i type..here is for hoping...

[lockrookie]

So it turns out my powerbar is a dud lol sizzle.... But they are replacing it for me...I will say their. I will say so far their customer service thus far is great


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lockrookie]

So I'm thinking a bit of an update on this build is in order. I really haven't done much but care for the inhabitants as of late. Busy summer and all and since its getting cold no real urge to work in an in heated garage. The main reason for the stall is my hood I don't really want to build it without my future LEDs but having a hard time choking the cost of the heat since I want and contemplating making something myself. Not to mention the whole ups power bar fiasco is still not resolved. I have to contact Neptune to see why they haven't come to deal with my claim

But all in all I'm happy with how things are running skimmer is working decently had a small cyano outbreak I remedied. Contemplating some livestock additions just can't make up my mind.

For now that is all if I get a chance ill take some pics this weekend

That is all


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

[kien]

What is it they say pictures or there is no proof.....


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

.. Just sayin'.

[lockrookie]

Touché lol


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

[Skimmerking]

Jeff the tank is looking great. Hey your rock is like mine WTF all that green and red Crappy Algae

[lockrookie]

Yeah I know it would help if I had more than 10 snails in the tank lol I have about 50 to 100 snails coming soon. Just waiting for pat to make an order


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

[jorjef]

Just waiting for pat to make an order


I understand it's also going to snow sometime.... Not sure which would be easier to predict, snow or Pat:lol:

[lockrookie]

Some times this can be true but he tries it was his idea to bring in a fresh batch for me next time he makes an order so :p


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

[lockrookie]

So finally my claim with ups is settled they didn't even come to the house to Check investigate. I tried the whole twitter @ups thing. What a gong show that was. But in the end it was Neptune systems that came through for me. They emailed me today that the claim came through yesterday and they are shipping out a new eb8 today. I can't say enough nice things about Paul. He was quick to respond to my emails and always kept me updated. Even when he was at Macna.
So Neptune systems is definitely on my A list of companies to deal with.

Shortly after reading the email I get a call from ups on the matter. And the person who calls me is a customer of my own company( I know where he lives ). I discussed all the issues explaining everything. And he has put me on the non ring and run policy. Whatever that entails. But assures me it will never happen again and if it does I have his direct line. To contact him if a situation arises. We will see how this goes when the new eb8 arrives.

On a happier note picking up my Fragalot frags in a bit hopefully all is good to go. Will post pictures as soon as possible. And update on their status

Have a great weekend


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

[lockrookie]

4 month update only changes is I retired the 750gph koralias in exchange for 2 1400gph and now there is flow. And an updated pic...

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/image-2.jpg


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

[lockrookie]

Had to do some adjustment regarding my new flow. But everything is settled down now. I'm going to start getting serious about my led build soon. I would like the lights build before I finish the canopy in order to make the necessary adjustments. And I need to order a new refuge light the one I had went poof. May just use a clamp on light even tho its a tad ugly.



Sent from my porcelain aquarium

[lockrookie]

Led build on hold I cannot commit but ill keep research hing and redesigning until I'm committed. So instead of saving on my power bill. I'm going to add to it and upgrade to 250w halides. And play with LEDs for my 50g until I'm happy with the outcome before I attempt the 180. Light should be here thurs or fri just before Christmas and new bulbs just after will update photos for comparison as it happens


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

[lastlight]

that hydno is so sweet and massive too! your rockwork has really aged well looks awesome man.

[lockrookie]

that hydno is so sweet and massive too! your rockwork has really aged well looks awesome man.

Want some.. I can send you a chunk it's grown since that pic I may have to smash it and start over lol I don't want to but I predict by summer it will be out of the water


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

[lockrookie]

And thank you for the compliment just have a few algae issues to deal with dropped 50 snails in the other day see how it goes lol


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

[kien]

Seriously, that hydno is a show piece! It must glow like a nuclear reactor!

[lockrookie]

This is it march 2010

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/100_6164.jpg

And as of this morning just with the 2 70w halides on amen with my iPhone

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/3F5F016B-76DF-44DE-AA84-88FB15154CF1-4282-0000049357AC7AF6.jpg


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

[michika]

Very nice growth. The colour looks great too.

[lastlight]

you should rent that beast out. just set it down near any nuisances and boom they're history!

[kien]

you should rent that beast out. just set it down near any nuisances and boom they're history!

Hydnophora vs. Blue Mushrooms - FIGHT!!

[lastlight]

Hydnophora vs. Blue Mushrooms - FIGHT!!

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/28/mk.jpg

[mseepman]

Someone has waaaay to much time on their hands!!

[lockrookie]

Lol I'd say so. Surprising enough I have never seen any sweepers but I'm sure the day will come


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

[lastlight]

Someone has waaaay to much time on their hands!!

or knows photoshop better than kien's... tank build. :mrgreen:

[kien]

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/28/mk.jpg

a blue 'shroom never looked so hot..

[lockrookie]

New additions... Manderin dragonet can't get a pic of him yet and a sailfin tang testing out my new lights tonight as well will try to get a pic but for now the sailfin

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/50E2A820-DD2E-4026-A4B2-413EECD85C4E-10880-00000B3217484A90.jpg


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

[lpsreefer]

New additions... Manderin dragonet can't get a pic of him yet and a sailfin tang testing out my new lights tonight as well will try to get a pic but for now the sailfin

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/50E2A820-DD2E-4026-A4B2-413EECD85C4E-10880-00000B3217484A90.jpg


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

nice sailfin!

[lockrookie]

Thank you I just hope the yellow tang gets over his angst and leaves him be soon

Didn't take long to temporarily switch the lights to test it out the pic looks alright but I definitely need to change some bulbs the atinics t5 make it look green with them alone so I need to find some deeper blue ones. But for now here it is with what I believe are 10k bulbs maybe 14k just very yellow

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/ABD06CA9-4F79-4A1A-8FCA-FE8DB3C9AB10-11091-00000B624034805C.jpg


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

[lockrookie]

Pics of the new fixture well new to me 3x 250w mh & 8x 39w t5. I no longer need any other lighting in my living room.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/339AD3C7-FA8F-4B03-AEF5-8721E37AF214-11899-00000C4A691C0983.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/156D14A1-2DD5-4BD9-A6F4-BC847B0DA820-11899-00000C4A619E20A1.jpg


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

[lockrookie]

So..... This is what's newish.. Built part A of my 2 part hood which makes me happy will try to snap a pic or two in a bit.. Mounted light on said hood. Even more spiffy. Tested everything last night... Good to go...and today it agent down hill.

Woke up to the t5s all fired up ready to go so I waited until 10 for the halides to fire. And they didnt. For some reason my apex isn't keeping good time. So I have to look into why its doing that but I fired them up manually all was well with the world. Until 6:00 tonight the halides shut off. It seems to be o reheating the water... Bugger so now I have to figure out a plan to cool the water without the use of a chiller and keep it below 82. Let the thoughts begin...

Got my doser from Doug today as well much appreciated. So now I have to make some media storage containers as well as finding a good source to purchase the media from

I know I posted his on the full tank bread but just for journal purposes here is the beginning of the year pic with new light

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/B87496D7-A706-4F81-B392-F6291DDD3000-2137-0000022737D9CEAB.jpg

[Doug]

Wow. Now thats a light. :D Glad the doser arrived.

[tim the toolman]

Have you tried simply running a small fan across the surface of the water to blow some of the heat away. Thats what I doin the summer when my tanks heat comes up and it helps reduce the temp by about 2-3 degrees. Just a little 5" clip on fan is all I run.

[lockrookie]

Wow. Now thats a light. :D Glad the doser arrived.

Yeah it's a but overkill maybe... But when a red deer reefer posted it I couldn't resist I am hoping the sps like it and I can get some better colors. The doser may help with that too since my calcium reactor is a bust.

Have you tried simply running a small fan across the surface of the water to blow some of the heat away. Thats what I doin the summer when my tanks heat comes up and it helps reduce the temp by about 2-3 degrees. Just a little 5" clip on fan is all I run.


Fans are going to be my first try. I am not sure a clip on fan will suffice by itself but I have an idea just have to dig up some cash to implement. For now the fish and corals get a shorter light period which is ok too to get them used to the light.

I do thank you for the suggestions any and all are welcome as always

[lockrookie]

Tank maintenance day so I enlisted some help...

They checked every inch

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/C025ED0F-00FB-4E31-92F4-548A2452E6C8-3771-0000042706279E7B.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/4D75E908-C193-4EDD-B755-BCD114F32BB2-3771-000004270B4784D8.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/028ED81C-875B-43D4-ADE6-E1AACA325E47-3771-0000042712ED0817.jpg

Here the problem dad it needs a bum change

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/49A34B37-4E35-4DA7-8536-DF0B2B82ADAD-3771-00000427207EDA22.jpg

[lockrookie]

It's always sad to see a fellow reefer have to shut down for whatever reason. Especially since they have been in the hobby since 07. I am glad I was able to help him out and purchase his corals in hopes he can return to the hobby when things get better and I can give him frags to start up again.

Some frags came in from a recent frag box order ill tag them but I have to apologize my very blue lighting made taking pics with my I phone difficult so once it's done uploading ill post a vid later as well.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/97CD0EB3-B266-4D87-8B56-865996836D4F-857-000000A8581D4B75.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/4A0B78FD-3A11-49FC-A9B9-CBF2931DDF92-857-000000A81F31ED6E.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/A201B2A5-1228-4A95-9DC0-15018F197AE3-857-000000A7FB607BDA.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/E849C417-AC9D-4F18-92FA-01451E4C7C21-857-000000A78E10033F.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/8303A1D3-2C80-4F4A-85FC-92AB62E1ED39-857-000000A77301DF96.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/97B629FF-7A85-43A8-8DCF-B826290B536C-857-000000A7404F447B.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/71FC75DE-DDD6-435A-880B-EB2808548C57-857-000000A72B439616.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/CE2BB11B-273A-454A-8D76-8993E05CB9B0-857-000000A6FA6F6401.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/5C9107A3-6F64-4EE9-B02E-30A2D640CCA8-857-000000A6E28F57EA.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/A860F5EC-4B56-4A95-BF25-636370F64D4F-857-000000A6A3392E30.jpg

There where 23 corals in total I couldn't get suitable pics of most. Ill try with my wife's camera.

[Skimmerking]

Well look at you mister SPS guy

[lockrookie]

These are a couple of the fragbox corals again I apogee for the pics

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/B8562B51-ECC8-4E33-A25C-06296FE40489-857-000000A7130E5C60.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/4DEA0E4C-F018-471C-BB58-BD1D33FCF1A5-857-000000A75B21E3F8.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/2EA78783-EA6F-4F1E-8690-CD84A7DC3808-857-000000A7A3AF127C.jpg

[lockrookie]

Well look at you mister SPS guy

I'm trying... Really hard this is why I bought my monster light lol

[wreck]

Nice tank! Would be cool to see it in person sometime

[lockrookie]

If your in town and I don't have things on the go your more than el one to come and see my algea infested tank lol seriously tho just give me a heads up and ill see what I can do. Busy household

[lockrookie]

And a quick video to end the night

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/DSCF0241.mp4

[wreck]

Hey that's sounds great, I'm in Regina mon- fri every week. So I will send u a pm sometime

[Parker]

Tank maintenance day so I enlisted some help...

They checked every inch

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/C025ED0F-00FB-4E31-92F4-548A2452E6C8-3771-0000042706279E7B.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/4D75E908-C193-4EDD-B755-BCD114F32BB2-3771-000004270B4784D8.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/028ED81C-875B-43D4-ADE6-E1AACA325E47-3771-0000042712ED0817.jpg

Here the problem dad it needs a bum change

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/49A34B37-4E35-4DA7-8536-DF0B2B82ADAD-3771-00000427207EDA22.jpg



Love these pics!

My daughter loves all things fish tank...my son could care less.. Lol

[lockrookie]

They love getting into anything and I have to teach early. Thanks for the compliment

[lockrookie]

Hey that's sounds great, I'm in Regina mon- fri every week. So I will send u a pm sometime

Sure just be sure to plan a day ahead some days it gets crazy around here.

[lockrookie]

Since I'm up here is an update and a couple fun photos

I have had a huge algea outbreak I intend to eradicate by any means necessary. A week ago I bought a sea-hare from our lfs. And it's the first one Ive had that actually survived when introduced to my tank. Two years ago I tried two that didn't make it through shipping. At first I didn't think it was going to make it do to it barely moving about but tonight it seems to be chewing down so there is hope.

I also Received my bottle of algae fix by API on Friday and did my first dose on Friday. So far the only thing I've noticed is there is less film algae on the glass. I realize it won't happen overnight. But it does seem to be doing something at the least. It says to dose every 3 days but I promise not to post each time.. But will try to take key pics is possible.

Here is a pic with a small sample of the algae featuring my manderin whom prolly loves the algae for hunting purposes

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/167B6984-5431-4069-9C4D-14562DE69EEE-15607-00001538741169CB.jpg

Secondly I've been slowly getting ready to dose calcium and such and still have to finish the lid for my dosing container. I have been using a reactor but no matter how much I tweak and play with it I can never get the reactor to keep up. So I'm going to re purpose the co2 canister and make my own soda.

In the meantime this is what Ive done to a small tank given to me with no less than a broken pane (I think in this thread it's a given to have) fixed the broken piece with some glass I have hoarded. And cut a couple more for dividers. I was going to build from scratch something different but got lazy for now may change it down the road. I was hoping to have more space for some future upgrades. But for now this will do

The pics...

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/18B7B4B1-50E2-415F-AAB3-E2E1C2C9BB4C-15607-00001538533A4491.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/590FD9A7-CF73-43CF-B931-1660F4F7CAC9-15607-000015384B03FDED.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/EA016882-967C-4DB0-BA3D-FDCE477B7F3D-15607-0000153842AA4E91.jpg

Hopefully I can get it finished this weekend along with some trim work on the stand. I know I bought parts for the hood but for the life of me can't remember where I left them

Lastly a. Couple random pics

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/D758E540-591E-4499-81AE-7275DC59DFBD-15607-000015385DE94658.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/054B55C4-55D7-4946-9759-EA16A7BFE9F6-11116-00000F3CEE3CB9D6.jpg

Oh I forgot I thing my hydroponics whatchamacallit is ATM IMG lower branches are turning white flesh receding I may have to frag it and start over... Really sucks

[lockrookie]

Today's newest addition is brought to you by bayside corals...well it his pic too cause I suck lol

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/16583C3C-27FB-4FEB-88D9-4C21E848EBE4-2619-0000031754E69C3D.jpg

[ensquire]

Wow Very nice.

[lockrookie]

Wow Very nice.

Thank you bayside always has great stuff. This time I actually had money to get something lol

In other news I got ambitious and finished my hood. I still have to lacquer it and seal the inside so I guess my next project will be the cooling fans. I also have to make the corner trim and back trim and attach the baseboard but if I'm lucky it should be completed this weekend. Here's a couple pics tell me what ya think.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/D3901E9A-1B1A-4865-B182-5E3779DD8CD4-3548-00000439BED0467D.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/9F3938A5-4304-45D2-A8BE-7A0AF706EF32-3548-00000439B46F7C95.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/CD04C53D-02DD-4ABA-B94D-21ACBAE74DB9-3548-00000439CAA8A1A7.jpg

The 8 t5 only I think I need to add a bit of white lol

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/7BE64FC6-7863-4980-B34A-706F797B6FA9-3548-00000439AB44A5DA.jpg

[Coralgurl]

Wow! Seriously this is gorgeous! Your tank and stand are just amazing!! Gotta say, I'm jealous!

[kien]

Ya that turned out really nice man! Wish my canopy looked that sleek!

[ensquire]

That is a very nice setup. Well done on the woodwork. Your a crafty kinda guy..
180 looks like a nice size to work with. Lotsa tang room.

[lockrookie]

Lol thank you but don't be. I have hours of toothbrush scrubbing ahead of me. My green hair algae has exploded to epic status my left side of the tank looks like a woolly mammoth. Even my seahare eats an inch square then goes to the sand bed for a nap till the next day.

[lockrookie]

Thanks guys it helps that my father is a carpenter but I did goof up a little in a couple spots lets hope the wood filler does its job lol

I should also mention as you may have seen from the photos the front pops off for tank maintenance as well and is held in place with a couple of these

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/DD936361-EF1B-4552-A5AB-781A486A5A4B-3548-0000044426796BDD.jpg

[lockrookie]

Ya that turned out really nice man! Wish my canopy looked that sleek!

Kien doncha know its not what's on the outside but what's on the inside that counts. And your tank and others like it is my inspiration to try and achieve awesome color and coralscapes

Until then I own a flowing hairy armpit lol

[kien]

Kien doncha know its not what's on the outside but what's on the inside that counts. And your tank and others like it is my inspiration to try and achieve awesome color and coralscapes

Until then I own a flowing hairy armpit lol

I didn't really need to know about your armpit but thanks for sharing?

I keep meaning to re-do my canopy to be more sleek and house my lights just like yours but I never seem to get around to it. Instead I consider my canopy kinda ghetto.

[lockrookie]

at least i didnt describe it as a hairy A##.... Sometimes simple is better. If I coulda I would have kept it simple but the tank had to match the following pic or else..

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/4910B569-79EA-4935-AD3C-D633300D0C59-3548-0000044CAC1F59FC.jpg

[lockrookie]

Just came home from opening a house for a drunk lady whom peeved me off royally. And my tank actually cheered me up. I peeked down one end and saw an amazing photo op. and I must say my iPhone did this justice. My new favourite pic of my tank

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/7B7A67B5-A69D-41B0-9C69-E2A8BD17DBE7-3842-00000473FF96B540.jpg

[lockrookie]

So it was a sad day today as my fave coral and centerpiece was rotting away and dieing he hyndophoria has been turning white and my water quality has been going down hill due to the die off. I have fragged it now which was not a fun feat firstly I had to remove it from the tank and surprise it didn fit my opening I had to have the wife hold it while I removed my light enough to lift it through the top. She was a real trooper putting it on my work table until one of the two emerald crabs residing in it crawled out and nipped her. But all fun aside from the fun and games my poor colony has now become a forest to chose which frag if survives will be the mark 2 I ran out of frag glue as well if they dont die some will be available for sale for a time.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/3F5F016B-76DF-44DE-AA84-88FB15154CF1-4282-0000049357AC7AF6.jpg

My now hydnophoria forest and full frag rack

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/279B3A72-DE89-4982-AC9E-8B9B5DEC4F52-4792-000006C58962497F.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/88A572ED-1939-4AA4-AD0B-E1E81F0B5087-4792-000006C5958181D3.jpg

[Whiston]

That really sucks, but on the plus side, you have a bunch of great looking frags there!

[kien]

whoa.. didn't nobody tell you not to feed hydnos past midnight?

[lockrookie]

That really sucks, but on the plus side, you have a bunch of great looking frags there!

Yeah they are of great size the main issue is no one really likes them lol so most will more than likely get thrown away I just want to wait and pick the nicest one to replace the mother colony

[lockrookie]

whoa.. didn't nobody tell you not to feed hydos past midnight?

Lol

[lockrookie]

So as I posted awhile back I was fighting algae by the mother load. I was determined to wipe it out as soon as possible and ordered a seahare from pat as well as algae fix made by API. Regretfully algae fix isn't sold in Canada and you have to order it from the us.

Anyways not completely sure if it was the seahare or the chemical or both but I am happy with the results the algae is basically eradicated now most turned white and disintegrated and what didn't the seahare. My bed up. Anyways ill post two pics as a comparison so you can see the results

Before

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/1A41EBE3-EE3A-4509-BB3F-123E03FB916C-15607-0000153883EF8F01.jpg

After

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/079F21B5-DA67-4778-9517-2251F3AD7696-6793-000009E607E343DD.jpg

[lockrookie]

And since my needle nose pliers rusted I decided I needed one of these for future endeavours

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/9A1CA702-8F53-4665-95F3-8D42A7D1ADF5-6793-000009F36309D99C.jpg

[Kryptic4L]

I wish you luck on not wrecking any more tools, nice kit.

[lockrookie]

I wish you luck on not wrecking any more tools, nice kit.

Lol well I can fix the rusty tools just don't want rust in the tank. And thank ya I e wanted a kit for awhile.

In other news Tested my calcium today as I'm getting ready to put my doser online and it reads at 320 so slowly getting it up to par alk is at 9. heres hoping I can figure this all out lol

[lockrookie]

Here is a pic of everything in place under the stand

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/E7B187EE-6919-4AC4-932B-08BDC2F00BF0-9039-00000D066E22D52D.jpg

[Kryptic4L]

Looks clean dude good job

[lockrookie]

Thank you and since I removed the calcium reactor I now have room for a pellet reactor ... Maybe

[lockrookie]

Just a few iPhone pics. I have come to the conclusion I need more white in the system

First my newest addition a potato chip coral. Had to have

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/EBB6A81E-573D-4DCF-A843-843DE4F3404E-3254-0000047850FB2EC4.jpg

And a few random pics

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/730BE63D-16F2-4EBC-AC31-01E48D166338-3254-00000478430A7710.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/479C551F-482C-4E02-9E3D-94AA99D8A64A-3254-000004782B91F2DA.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/AEC40587-C364-44F2-A6CB-C34D412EF7A9-3254-000004781CADA19E.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/544075D7-461E-4D31-959D-FBFBA6D36014-3254-000004781136EC28.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/CAE8204B-2584-454B-BA5B-BC8BE3C3BA2F-3254-0000047807252E75.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/8C42F107-5FF9-440C-8200-E5E8EC117B73-3254-00000477F5490766.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/F924229C-E860-494A-82B4-748B7EFEDDBE-3254-00000477CD66A7A6.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/AB108342-3C5D-4C93-B50C-4F8257CA567F-3254-00000477BFA00C2A.jpg

[gregzz4]

Nice job on the tidy under stand stuff Jeff

Gotta love the iPhone camera ... I think I'll tuck away my Canon for a bit now that I've an i5
It's just too easy to use, and seems better than my WX-5 :sad:

[kien]

Whoa that chip looks crazy! Can't say I've ever seen one of those before. Very cool. I'd call him Mr. Pringles!

[lockrookie]

Nice job on the tidy under stand stuff Jeff

Gotta love the iPhone camera ... I think I'll tuck away my Canon for a bit now that I've an i5
It's just too easy to use, and seems better than my WX-5 :sad:

Yeah I use my iPhone for everything computer is getting dusty I even have an app to a was my files / programs on the pc from the phone. It's quite handy I do prefer using an actuall camera for tank pics but every time I wish to use the wife's camera the batteries are dead. So I give up

[lockrookie]

Whoa that chip looks crazy! Can't say I've ever seen one of those before. Very cool. I'd call him Mr. Pringles!

Yeah I had never seen one like it before either its really cool I wish I could get a better pic I'm sure google has tons tho. This thing measures 5" wide 2" tall and like 1/4" thick the the polyps that come off of it where like 1/4 long earlier today on both sides.

We have a new store and they seem to be getting different products I've never seen here yet. Very pleased with their recent orders but scared of the money ill be spending. Their prices are great too this piece cost me 50$.

[gregzz4]

It's quite handy I do prefer using an actuall camera for tank pics but every time I wish to use the wife's camera the batteries are dead. So I give up
My camera batteries have also given me grief lately

I even have an app to a was my files / programs on the pc from the phone
Umm, what ?
" to a was my files .... " ?

[lockrookie]

Lol sorry fat fingers and iPhone don't mix....access my pc files

[gregzz4]

Lol sorry fat fingers and iPhone don't mix....access my pc files
I've taken to using the speak-to-text as I can't hit the little buttons either, even if I turn it to landscape :smile:

[lockrookie]

Dude I can't talk to an inanimate object like a phone even Siri peeves me off I called her a "working girl" and she was rude enough to suggest a few local massage parlours. I may make many tops and the phone may mistake an auto correct.. But I refuse to talk to my phone lol

[gregzz4]

Well, I can't knock you for that :smile:
I'm just not built to type fast on a little screen

I can type the blazes on a desktop keyboard, but not on a smartphone

[lockrookie]

It's all good just proof you like to talk to yourself and I like to makes mistakes. Lol

[lockrookie]

Finally got my skimmer online and the carpet is almost dry from my waterchange fiasco and the wife didn't kick me out. So I cleaned the tank and took a fts

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/ea2e7bd5-ebd8-4e58-97a3-8bd160da161f.jpg

[gregzz4]

It looks bad that I'm the only one replying to your build, like I'm stalking you :smile: but it's just a coincidence
This is my first chance to hang out here in weeks and you have an update

Great looking FTS :wink:

[lockrookie]

Lol it's ok stalker is harsh thread groupie sounds better...lol yeah I have a few new additions but there has been a lot of frustrations recently. Sps browning out. I have come to terms that I have a brown thumb for sps.. Making it rain in my wife's daycare in the basement prepping for a waterchange ooops. Skimmer offline for 4 weeks and my sand sifter trying to bury my new 6" plate coral.

I have added a false Moorish idol brown powder tang from jorjef, sail-fin tang scooter blenny. Just about done with the stock list just awaiting a convict tang and I am done fish wise. Then Concentrate on coral more. And home photo skills. Oh yes lastly I need to change my halide color I'm finding things too blue these days

[gregzz4]

Brown SPS ?
If I may suggest ....
Either cut your feedings down, or bump your filtration up
Too much food, IMHO, is the cause of brown SPS

I wish this was my problem
I bleached all my SPS from lack of food :surprise:

I had major probs last winter with my SPS bleaching from lack of food
I doubled fish foods, added coral foods etc
Algae came on like a banshee, but the SPS are happy now
Just need to balance things ... find the tipping point between fish food and coral food to keep the critters happy and the algae down

[lockrookie]

I really only feed once a day pinch of flake and some mysis the main reason for it browning this time was the skimmer not coming back online due to treating for cyano. My hopes are that they color up again now that I am back skimming.

[lockrookie]

Well I haven't posted for awhile so here's a bit of an update. But first an apology

2013 turned out to be a rough ending with family deaths terrible two with the twins and slow business. And the last month fighting a nasty bug that flew through or family. Thus why I have been a bit distant from the board. So i apologies for that

Now as for my tanks. Well they have suffered immensely in this time period. Lost a lot of corals and my 180 returned to a sea of algea. Ended up throwing out about half a 5g bucket of coral and my tank is very close to a fowler tank at the moment..... Except for those dang palyies I wish would die

My 50 also suffered and I have yet to remove coral from it. But I have decided to have a bit of a do over. Once I get the tanks stabilized and running smoother. I am going to re work some of the rock and attempt a revamp. So stay tuned I hope to have it all done before may.

[lockrookie]

Changed my bulbs in this tank from 20 k to 15k halides and all new t5's and what was once brown is showing promise indeed

It was all brown then freaked me out started turning white thought it was dying but I noticed the flesh still on it

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/96247555-BF23-48D8-AC75-B6476132E495.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/96247555-BF23-48D8-AC75-B6476132E495.jpg.html)

And today it's getting even more color

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/0D0DA983-6CD0-4037-9DD2-360CA9C60A6C.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/0D0DA983-6CD0-4037-9DD2-360CA9C60A6C.jpg.html)

[gregzz4]

Is that a tri-color valida ?

[lockrookie]

To be honest not sure it was brown when I got it. Nearly died I fragged it and this is the first time I've seen color like this

[Coralgurl]

Here's hoping for a better year for you. Sorry for your losses and struggles, maybe the tank will become a good place for you again! Any significant changes for the tank planned?

[gregzz4]

To be honest not sure it was brown when I got it. Nearly died I fragged it and this is the first time I've seen color like this
I have a very similar one that I'll post pics of in my build thread once my tank settles down after the new 'scape

[lockrookie]

Here's hoping for a better year for you. Sorry for your losses and struggles, maybe the tank will become a good place for you again! Any significant changes for the tank planned?


The tank has always been a good place as such was just a green wooly mammoth for awhile. The corals are corals I like them and all but it's the fish that I care more about. I did lose a couple though which is unfortunate. My powder brown and my lawnmower as for changes not too much would like led but I broke the bank just getting the one for my 50 I've always disliked the left side of the tanks rock work I may try to change it a bit. Mainly keep up with the maintenance and get a couple different fish


I have a very similar one that I'll post pics of in my build thread once my tank settles down after the new 'scape


I am really bad with names ppls some fish and definitely corals. If I remember to put my undies on right it's a good day llol would like to see the pic tho

[lockrookie]

Long overdue update:

All is well with the world just haven't done a lot to the tanks as such put a radion on my 50 and love it. So I've saved up for a few for my 180.. And big thanks to Tyson and Ryan for giving me the opportunity to take their radions off their hands.

So now that I have them (save for the delayed one should come today) I have to adjust my hood to accept them. Initially I wanted 4 radions and I still might after Christmas. But for now 3 will work.. Yea yea I know overkill. But worse case scenario I'll have a backup in case of Accidental loss. Or the frag tank I just haven't gotten around to building yet.

Hopefully this helps my power consumption issues I had while using my current fixture That ran at 1190 watts.

Will post more as I progress with this new addition

[lockrookie]

Mounted the radions on my tank

My little helpers

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/7C2178CF-C77E-449F-8BE6-0E72BD16124B.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/7C2178CF-C77E-449F-8BE6-0E72BD16124B.jpg.html)

Set on the tank

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/CAE3A7AB-4142-4AD6-B005-C4D7CC389F06.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/CAE3A7AB-4142-4AD6-B005-C4D7CC389F06.jpg.html)

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/3A933599-77FF-4D19-B2DE-6C731BC37D1B.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/3A933599-77FF-4D19-B2DE-6C731BC37D1B.jpg.html)

They have been running for a few days and I love them and my power bill will love them too lol still have to tweek a bit and get a red link to run both tank easier but all in all best Christmas ever

[lockrookie]

Pics of my latest toys and most like the last for awhile.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/BEB6E83A-D8B8-4219-80F9-AEC337291CB7.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/BEB6E83A-D8B8-4219-80F9-AEC337291CB7.jpg.html)

The reef link reminds me of an I-tv and was kinda a pain in the skimmer hole to hook up at first but seems ok now. And helical it easier to tweek the lights

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/4D9DE821-6286-4354-9FE2-193B9EEEDEEE.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/4D9DE821-6286-4354-9FE2-193B9EEEDEEE.jpg.html)

But my biggest surprise was how the maxpect was packaged in its box was a metal tin with the power head inside was very nice to in pack

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/4A199E47-8F26-4A6F-AB62-60F737FDC718.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/4A199E47-8F26-4A6F-AB62-60F737FDC718.jpg.html)

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/65F268F8-211C-4369-AEE8-AB91F9731C9F.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/65F268F8-211C-4369-AEE8-AB91F9731C9F.jpg.html)

[lockrookie]

Regretfully it will be a bit before I hook up the gyre.... I am still battling dinoflagetteacamacallits but hopefully soon and will post a vid as well

[gregzz4]

Kool new toys Jeff :smile:

(hopefully the metal shipping container isn't a reflection on durability) looking forward to hearing about your Gyre experiences

[lockrookie]

Lol that was my fist thought too but handling this thing it's got some meat on it it's quite heavy. I have heard that it is recommended to have a thin silicone sheet between the magnets to help with noise do I'm going to head to the dollar store tomorrow and see if I can find something. It's supposed to help with vibration noise.

This way when I do set it up I will have it ready to go

[lockrookie]

Mini update tried a dinoflagette cleanse with algea x from fauna Marin to my dismay it caused havoc with my tank. To the point of almost throwing in the towel this week.

It's still on mind as the tanks bio bloom is slowly clearing up a little distraught on coral/fish deaths algea issues that won't go away. Hell my 90 was so nice and this tank has potential but is fighting me all the way.

I did hook up the gyre it's pretty cool and I recommend it it's amazing how much water it moves.

When I get the energy and willpower to make a vid I will sorry for the delay

[lockrookie]

Some ppl have dedicated fish rooms for their systems.. I have a closet....

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/C0043C24-C81E-4E9F-904F-51B6D6DADF1E.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/C0043C24-C81E-4E9F-904F-51B6D6DADF1E.jpg.html)

Finished building some shelves today to organize my hoarding

Tank wise things are looking better but still have some part of a bacterial bloom happening

[jorjef]

You should remove your sand...... Just say'in

[lockrookie]

Lol maybe in all honesty I was thinking about it just to get coarser sand damn trigger keeps covering everything

[gregzz4]

Nothin' like havin' some storage space to call your own.
I have a fish/sump/office room with a hutch and closet, and I still find all kinds of other places to dump my stuff around the basement.
At least you know where some of your stuff is.

Oh ya, I agree you should remove your sandbed. I think we're all going to do it now :wink:

[kien]

And I see you're already using the Aquattro approved Instant Ocean! So, once you remove your sand bed you will achieve the pinnacle of reef perfection.

[gregzz4]

And I see you're already using the Aquattro approved Instant Ocean! So, once you remove your sand bed you will achieve the pinnacle of reef perfection.
Hey, don't be pickin' on the approved salt .... even if it's only stamped by Brad
(I don't count, but I'll stamp it too)

[lockrookie]

This is true I've tried other salts but always come back to old faithful aka can always get it. Tried fritz salt but it was non obtainable after awhile.

[lockrookie]

Besides I buy in bulk

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/3B5C8365-3F9F-42E9-80C6-7580C1DA8227.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/3B5C8365-3F9F-42E9-80C6-7580C1DA8227.jpg.html)

[gregzz4]

Oooo, can I stop by ??? :smile:

[lockrookie]

Update on algae issues dinoflagetteacamacallits eradicated. Bring on the hair algae . The past week has been water changes and hair algae removal via tooth brush. I will say the gyre has helped with this immensely.

I am really liking the gyre but the only real issue I have with it is Taft in a 6' tank it looses its momentum near the last foot stretch if your on mid power. I gave been trying to tweek angle vrs speed to hopefully optimize the flow a bit more at lower speeds with some success.

The tank is the barest it's been since I've started. And will have to declare a do over. Rebuilding coral stock over the next year. I haven't had much luck in that area. So I'm focusing on how to solve this

Anyways that is all

[lockrookie]

Maxpect flow vid

http://youtu.be/Li9UihQuRL4

[lockrookie]

Early in my build I made a skimmate container which in theory was a good idea. But over time. Has not worked to my satisfaction. The lid rusted out after a few overflow issues which now has caused a few stinky messes I care not to repeat in the future.

So I dove into my trunk of goodies. And decided to use an old acrylic sump I acquired way back in 2008. It will be a sealed unit after adding two pieces of acrylic. Drilled in key locations to allow for hookups.

This is the old container

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6690.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/102_6690.jpg.html)

This may be the new one

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/BBA6CAB2-FADD-4B9E-BE2D-3513C1C93279.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/BBA6CAB2-FADD-4B9E-BE2D-3513C1C93279.jpg.html)

[lockrookie]

Project 98% completed and went together well with no leaks. Only issue I have is that it air locks due to being a sealed unit. I am going to try running an airline hose within the drain hose and see if that works or I may end up drilling and adding a air line later.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/77D7EFFE-8644-422C-8CC7-A8D5077C3539.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/77D7EFFE-8644-422C-8CC7-A8D5077C3539.jpg.html)

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/ECC5E42D-8C4F-40E6-ABA9-C671FB127C0A.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/ECC5E42D-8C4F-40E6-ABA9-C671FB127C0A.jpg.html)

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/AE1F4AFF-DE09-48B9-9064-9DFBD47C559B.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/AE1F4AFF-DE09-48B9-9064-9DFBD47C559B.jpg.html)

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/67F0A3D0-3B54-4EC7-A20E-85CFDE462929.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/lockrookie/media/180g%20tank/67F0A3D0-3B54-4EC7-A20E-85CFDE462929.jpg.html)

[lockrookie]

Just thought I'd post. I'm not dead. Life has taken me away from hobby for a bit and tank suffered but is still flowing. Just finished a massive restore on system but for now is fish only with softies.

My 50g is still thriving well. With no major issues. Other than the radion had a few near death experiences.

Never give up... lol

New additions. With the passing of our one pup due to a tumour. We have added a new pup as well as a con snake into our insanity. The twinkies are 5 going on six this year.

Cheers happy reefing


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[lockrookie]

Thought I would stop in and say boo

[gregzz4]

Thought I would stop in and say boo
Back at ya