40gb First Reef

[Sandz]

Ok guys, I have done many tanks in the past, some salt as in my sig and those were either inherited or already running when I took them in. I now am going to go from scratch to set up my own personal reef.

Today I purchased the following:

The light, is a MarsAqua Dimmable 165w LED light found on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/MarsAqua-Dimmable-165W-LED-Aquarium-Grow-Light-Full-Spectrum-LPS-SPS-Coral-Reef-/370857093101?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5658ce27ed

A Korelia powerhead - 40

40.2lbs of baserock - 80

40lb bag of black livesand. - 20

The 40gallon tank at petco - 40

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150723_153039.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150723_153039.jpg.html)

Currently in this for 260 and havent put a drop in the tank lol. So whomever says salt water is cheap to get into... no... But I am trying to do this right and have it be worth it long term. I am going to fishless cycle with pure ammonia. The store said I should be doing it with a shrimp but we all know better.

Question - considering I will be doing a 100% water change after the change over - can I do my fishless cycle with just tap water?

[Slaphppy7]

I have no idea, but I'm subscribed! thumbs2:

[Sandz]

Thanks buddy- this is where I yell for CLIFF!!!!

[Cliff]

LOL

Do you know the GK and KH, or the TDS and pH, of your tap water ? If your tap has no nitrates, phosphates, ammonia along with close to nuteral pH as well as low TDS, you certainly could use tap to cycle the tank. Just keep in mind, you manage the ammonia levels differently in marine as compared to salt water

Just be careful using live sand. A lot of the time it will release ammonia and nitrate into the water over time with very questionable levels of BB in there. I tried live sand a few times, never will use it again unless it is throughly wash in tap water and dried out before use.

[SomethingIsFishy]

40 breeder is a nice tank, I love mine...

I would say that you should have more than one powerhead, I have three in mine...

[Sandz]

LOL

Do you know the GK and KH, or the TDS and pH, of your tap water ? If your tap has no nitrates, phosphates, ammonia along with close to nuteral pH as well as low TDS, you certainly could use tap to cycle the tank. Just keep in mind, you manage the ammonia levels differently in marine as compared to salt water

Just be careful using live sand. A lot of the time it will release ammonia and nitrate into the water over time with very questionable levels of BB in there. I tried live sand a few times, never will use it again unless it is throughly wash in tap water and dried out before use.

Ok - here is the update. I did my tests and my phosphates and all that are still readable and im not happy with the idea of using the tap water because im not using live rock. I am going to be using pourus rock that will absorb it and leech... I will have an updated photo. Im doing a fishless cycle right now on the tank though. Cliff - you can still do that right?

[Sandz]

40 breeder is a nice tank, I love mine...

I would say that you should have more than one power-head, I have three in mine...
Ill end up with 2-3 but cycling I don't need that. I still am budget conscious.

[Jwfish13]

I'm interested in this build a lot. SW was originally my plan, so it is gonna be cool following this thread.

[Sandz]

I'm interested in this build a lot. SW was originally my plan, so it is gonna be cool following this thread.

Welcome to the wild ride lol.

[Sandz]

So here is a conundrum... The RO Buddy is a cheap ro system that does 50gpd which will easily be ok for me to keep up with the demands of my tank. Link = http://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Life-Reverse-Osmosis-50-Gallon/dp/B00DOG63OY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437688720&sr=8-1&keywords=ro+buddie / However it is not a DI and the Di chamber comes seperate. I can get the whole thing for 75 free shipping. Is the DI really that needed on this or is the ro ok as its own. I am not an expert on RODI water. I just personally used it when breeding appistos in oregon for a short time and its only because someone gave me the thing to use... Never really did a ton of research on it.

[Cliff]

For your cycling question: yes fishless cycle is OK, but I would suggest not allowing your ammonia to get higher than 1-2ppm. Otherwise, far too much of it will get absorbed into the rock and great one very long cycle time for you

As for the RO unit, that all depends on your water supply. If you have low TDS and the carbon and membrane are good quality, then you should get less than 5ppm of TDS with the DI so you will be OK with that.

[Sandz]

Thanks Cliff - I will get my tds' tested again asap. Last time I tested them, they were under 5 tds due to the rainsoft system.

Update time

I took this:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150723_153039.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150723_153039.jpg.html)

And made this:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150724_094512.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150724_094512.jpg.html)

And took this:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150724_003401.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150724_003401.jpg.html)

And made this:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150724_212424.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150724_212424.jpg.html)

[Sandz]

Also need a bit of help on what this macroalgae is.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150724_003439.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150724_003439.jpg.html)

[Cliff]

Hard to tell for sure what type of macro that is until it is under some good lighting. However, it could be red leaf algae (Gracilaria curtissae). It is the same color, starts off looking more like red cheato but develop to be much wider, like a long and very narrow leaf.

http://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=2098

Could also be some red thicket algae (Dichotomaria apiculata):

http://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsegroupspecies.php?GroupID=98

[showmebutterfly]

Also need a bit of help on what this macroalgae is.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150724_003439.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150724_003439.jpg.html)

Nice score on that! Our LFS has some in one of their tanks, but it's not for sale. I'm hoping one of these days it will be.

[Sandz]

Got it at a local auction. Love those!

[hockeyhead019]

I really like how you have your aquascape set up right now

[Sandz]

Thanks HH - I will get a pic of it when i go down to get my water changes started today. It looks great, and honestly this is the first time I wish I did a fish in cycle.... Already into it just a few days and have trites showing up but I think my ammonia kit is to old as its producing milky drops on the 2nd ammonia test. Its registering over 2ppm after 5min but at time of test its solid on 2ppm... And I am using the ammount of ammonia I cycled my last 10g with... so unless the live sand came in with ammonia, I am under 2ppm by 1.5ppm.

[Cliff]

I live sand is packaged will all kinds of litte critters in it, it is very possible it is adding some ammonia to your water (along with nitrates, nitrites, and phosphates). I would not think it would be enough to bring your levels higher than 2ppm, but I could be wrong about that. The only time I had tried live sand was with a good amount of live rock so I most likely would not have seen the mini-spike that happened due to the large amount of BB on the rocks.

Keep the lighting off for now to aviod nasty aglae. If you think there could be a good chance your ammonia is at or higher than 2ppm, I would suggest a 25% water change until you can confirm your test results.

[RiversGirl]

*subscribed*
This will be fun to watch!

[Sandz]

So this is just on for the moment but I do have a spotlight on the macroalgae in the tank to keep it running and doing well with its photosynthesis. Here is an updated FTS. I am taking my butt to a co or smart to get my ammonia kit replaced asap but im stuck working until 8pm except for 2moro.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150728_164321.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150728_164321.jpg.html)

[Sandz]

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150801_124527.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150801_124527.jpg.html)

cycle is getting there!!!!

Nitrites have held on for 4 days though when I normally barely see them...

Cliff is this usual?

[Cliff]

Hard to tell when the API nitrite test for SW is very very inaccurate. However, assuming it is correct or at least somewhat correct, time for a water change.

Your nitrates are also very high. Considering how inaccurate the API SW nitrate test kit, it does looks like your nitrates are well over 10ppm and should be somewhere between 10 and 25ppm. I would suggest a 50% water change to make sure the nitrates and nitrites are closer to being in check before they start getting soaked up into the rocks and leach out latter when you don't want them. This will not have a significant impact on a marine cycle.

What are your current temp, salinity, and dKH levels at right now ?

How much flow do you have in the tank right now ?

[cm12setx]

way cool Sandz, now looking at two SW to follow yah.:19:

[Sandz]

Hard to tell when the API nitrite test for SW is very very inaccurate. However, assuming it is correct or at least somewhat correct, time for a water change.

Your nitrates are also very high. Considering how inaccurate the API SW nitrate test kit, it does looks like your nitrates are well over 10ppm and should be somewhere between 10 and 25ppm. I would suggest a 50% water change to make sure the nitrates and nitrites are closer to being in check before they start getting soaked up into the rocks and leach out latter when you don't want them. This will not have a significant impact on a marine cycle.

What are your current temp, salinity, and dKH levels at right now ?

How much flow do you have in the tank right now ?

Ok well I have 15g of RO on hand so 15g of water change is possible if I get the salt. I only have enough salt for 10g on hand, i think... Ill have to check for sure.

On the tank I have a korelia that does 565gph and a 400 gph powerhead in the tank.

Ill go do calcium kh and the other tests right now for ya.

And temp is 78-80 depending on day or night.

[Sandz]

Ok ran the full gambit of test... results:

KH 10-11
Ammonia - 0 to maybe .25
Nitrite - 5
Nitrate - 10-20
Cal - 16 drops / 320
Phos - 0
PH - 8.4
Salinity - 1.025

[Cliff]

Everything looks pretty good with the exception of the nitrites and nitrates. At some point I would suggest to switch to a brand of salt that will maintain a better balance between your dKH and Cal. That will go a long way to help you set-up mature faster.

I would still stick with some extra water changes. Once you have done that, bring your ammonia up to just under 1ppm and see how things progress from there. It will be a little hard to tell if the nitrates are from the live sand or from your BB. If it is coming from your BB, your getting really close to being done.

For now, a couple large water changes should get things going in the right direction for.

[Sandz]

Also - I am picking up a seaclone 100 protein skimmer wednesday for $40. Just keeping track of my budget here...

A new one would cost:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/instant-ocean-seaclone-protein-skimmer-150-150-gal?gclid=CjwKEAjwovytBRCdxtyKqfL5nUISJACaugG1QI_O YdiZRTNOWL0F0_R-lXiOHFG-5G0ihPO2zuKa9hoC3cDw_wcB&kwid=productads-plaid^98032243244-sku^198276-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^55213052084

So thats:

Skimmer - $40
Tank - $40
Rock - $80
Sand - $20
Light - $80
Power Head - $40 and a free one I had laying around - going to pick up a 3rd when I find a good deal on a wave maker or controllable one.

Also - my next step is to fabricate a 15g sump. I have seen many and just need to get a general idea of what I am going to so and execute. I have the glass and the tank already so that will be the easy part. I also have a large rectangle sponge to use for blocking the detritus from entering the fuge area.

The expanse of the 15g fuge will basically make my set up a 50g setup as I can only see 10g of water being added at any given time.

Any cool sump ideas - please share before I start the build wednesday.

[Cliff]

There's a few ideas you might like in the below

http://www.reefaquarium.com/2012/some-sump-basics/

I would also suggest Drilling the sump so you can have a external return pump. If you take that approach along with a automatic top-off, you can get better use out of such a small tank for a sump

[Sandz]

Everything looks pretty good with the exception of the nitrites and nitrates. At some point I would suggest to switch to a brand of salt that will maintain a better balance between your dKH and Cal. That will go a long way to help you set-up mature faster.

I would still stick with some extra water changes. Once you have done that, bring your ammonia up to just under 1ppm and see how things progress from there. It will be a little hard to tell if the nitrates are from the live sand or from your BB. If it is coming from your BB, your getting really close to being done.

For now, a couple large water changes should get things going in the right direction for.

Great to hear. Honestly I am pretty confident that the Trites and Trates are from the ammonia because the trates are getting eaten by the macro algae... or at least I think thats what is happening?

My trates def went down from last test to this one.

[Sandz]

There's a few ideas you might like in the below

http://www.reefaquarium.com/2012/some-sump-basics/

I would also suggest Drilling the sump so you can have a external return pump. If you take that approach along with a automatic top-off, you can get better use out of such a small tank for a sump

Drilling the sump? As in putting a bulkhead on the return area post the fuge and running pvc to the return pump?

[Cliff]

What am suggesting is drilling a hole (and installing a bulkhead) in the exterior glass of the sump so your return pump can sit outside of the sump. This way, you can make the return section of the sump a lot smaller allow for more space in the rest of the sump. With a sump that small, you will need all the space you can get

However, keep in mind you will need a auto-top up system to stay on top of evaporation as you will have a very small return section.

Almost all of the good quality return pumps for a set-up of your sized can be used both internally and externally so the pump should not cost you any more.

[Compass]

This is great Per!! I just now saw this. It looks great, I like the placement of your rocks. I can't wait to see the finished product.

[Sandz]

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s453/MrSandz110/20150805_212303_zpsg0mkaweh.jpg (http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/MrSandz110/media/20150805_212303_zpsg0mkaweh.jpg.html)
Cycle done, nitrates are at 5 or less. Awesome for just a little ball of algae....

[Sandz]

This is great Per!! I just now saw this. It looks great, I like the placement of your rocks. I can't wait to see the finished product.
I appreciate it man. Sorry, was on my phone last night. Super excited about the cycle being done.

[Cliff]

Cycle done, nitrates are at 5 or less. Awesome for just a little ball of algae....

You will be amazed at how effectively macro algae can be at helping to keep your parameters in line

Did you end up doing a water change ?

[Sandz]

You will be amazed at how effectively macro algae can be at helping to keep your parameters in line

Did you end up doing a water change ?

No water change at all. A friend of mine gave me mangroves, i also created a hob refugium for the tank and it increases flow in a more random pattern.

So now - im cycled, can do 2ppm of ammonia in 1 day... and now I need to add fish and coral... which first? same time? how many? etc.

[Sandz]

OK here is a pic of what I described. The hob is an old filter that is a 55gal rated filter. It has a great sized chamber for a sponge and some pods to source into the tank. That is my next step, to introduce pods! Can anyone say... madarine?

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150807_223629.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150807_223629.jpg.html)

[Slaphppy7]

Can anyone say... madarine?



I could say it, but I wouldn't know what the hell it means....:14:

[Sandz]

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/45/6f/fd/456ffde3d858b955aed0f54755c8373c.jpg

This beauty that takes pretty much only live copepods to stay alive in most cases.

[Slaphppy7]

I see...what a beauty

[Sandz]

I like them and the white/red version. I have some friends who breed them but I dont even know what they want for them...

[Sandz]

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f2/23/cb/f223cba06afad4f86dd5da6de4325f95.jpg

[cm12setx]

Oh my just too pretty.

[SueD]

I've never seen anything like that. Very interesting and beautiful. I can't decide which I like better but I think I like the blue/green. $20.99 at LiveAquaria.

[Sandz]

Yeah - I am going today for my clean up crew and first fish. Not getting the mandarine but debating on Chromis or a purple fire fish.

[showmebutterfly]

Congrats on your tank's progress! I was looking at the pic of your HOB and trying to figure out why it had antennas.... until I remembered you said you'd gotten some mangroves. lol

[Cliff]

Unless something has changed in your tank, I don;t really see the need for a CUC right now as you don't have a lot (if anything) to clean up yet. In two of my past set-ups, I waited 4 week after adding fish and corals before I started adding the CUC

When to start adding corals would really depend on the type of coral you want. I would add softies at anytime you want provided your dKH and Cal are at least somewhat stable. I would wait until your set-up is more mature to add any LPS or SPS as you want your dKH and Cal rock solid stable and within a higher balance level for those corals to do well and grow.

Fire fish are great fish to start with.

[Sandz]

Ok so I went to a local shop and got 3 very small frags, all soft corals, 1 zoa frag, 1 hammer frag and 1 xenia frag. Also their firefish just didnt look great. And though I really want a maroon gold stripe clown pair, I have a 125 I have the wifes permission to set up and that will be my time to have that pair of more advanced color options. Actually, one frag, came a little broken so it ended up as two small 3 polyp colonies. I have them at 50% lighting right now and everyone is already starting to open up. Here are a few pics:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150808_222720.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150808_222720.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150808_222716.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150808_222716.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150808_222725.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150808_222725.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150808_222733.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150808_222733.jpg.html)

[Sandz]

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150808_222757.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150808_222757.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150808_222803.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150808_222803.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150808_222812.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150808_222812.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150808_223047.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150808_223047.jpg.html)

Dont worry - its just the clown didnt want to pose yet. To much happening in his life so far.

[Cliff]

Ok so I went to a local shop and got 3 very small frags, all soft corals, 1 zoa frag, 1 hammer frag and 1 xenia frag.

Hammer corals are actually a LPS coral due to the skeleton structure

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/10/corals

Keep a close eye on your dKH and Cal and you should be fine !

[cm12setx]

Congratulations on your new inhabitants! thumbs2:

[Sandz]

Hammer corals are actually a LPS coral due to the skeleton structure

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/10/corals

Keep a close eye on your dKH and Cal and you should be fine !

Ah ok, Always thought of hammer corals as soft due to the soft nature of the top. I appreciate the help thus far and I hope I get everything worked up and growing well. The shop *very reputable* advised to keep the cal at 400 and not to dose kalkwasser, but 2 part to get it up as kalk is only used to keep it sustained. How true is that?

They also said my alk is high and calc being low that they are "seperating" and generally alk drives low as calc goes up and it forms a bond. I dont know that much or that deep and there really isnt much in the way of youtube to answer that question.

[Sandz]

Congratulations on your new inhabitants! thumbs2:

Thanks! I know I didnt mention the three stooges... Thats the name im giving my snails I added. Just 3 due to the size of the tank and I am thinking an emerald crab or two and a shrimp type when I do a shrimp and goby pair.. I did have a minor brown algae outbreak in the tank and I see they have already made a major dent in there.

[Slaphppy7]

Congrats on the new...stuff, lol?

Why are the corals on thos elittle pedestal things?...I'm assuming that's the corals, lol...I know nothing about this stuff

[Sandz]

LOL Slap - those are called frag plugs. They can be removed if you are more advanced, but the coral "frag" is glued to it with gel superglue and it makes an easy stand for me to move the coral to find where it likes it in my tank. Once I find the coral is growing and happy, I will remove it and permanently glue them in place.

When the coral grows larger, I will create my own "frags" to sell off or trade with my local reef club. They are crazy with all the trades and frags everyone has. I have had over 10 people offer to give me a few free frags to get me started. Even got the mangroves from a guy who was willing to just give them to me and show me how to do an overflow box.

[Sandz]

Congrats on the new...stuff, lol?

Why are the corals on thos elittle pedestal things?...I'm assuming that's the corals, lol...I know nothing about this stuff

btw Slap if you want to get any info on a slow day, youtube is a great source. Here is my favorite and most informative two to watch:

Mr Saltwatertank TV:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzKPoHKV7TZal7Hf2aEGCA

BRS TV:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcJv2rQDivg8NwXIxydJ86A

BRS TV is actually doing a from scratch setup right now on weekly updates showing how to start. Now they are experts and I took that into account when I watched them put 10 coral frags in a tank after their first fish in a 16g setup but that is what made me feel ok adding 3 snails, 1 fish and 3 frags.

[Slaphppy7]

Thanks for the info, I'll check out your links.

[Sandz]

Actually got a few decent of the clownfish:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150809_103653.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150809_103653.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150809_103834.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150809_103834.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150809_103835.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150809_103835.jpg.html)

[Cliff]

Ah ok, Always thought of hammer corals as soft due to the soft nature of the top. I appreciate the help thus far and I hope I get everything worked up and growing well. The shop *very reputable* advised to keep the cal at 400 and not to dose kalkwasser, but 2 part to get it up as kalk is only used to keep it sustained. How true is that?

They also said my alk is high and calc being low that they are "seperating" and generally alk drives low as calc goes up and it forms a bond. I dont know that much or that deep and there really isnt much in the way of youtube to answer that question.

I have always preferred to dose alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium supplements as that makes things a little easier to manage. You really do need your Cal and dKH balance or it will through off the other one enough to effect your pH. If you want to keep your Cal at 400ppm then I would suggest maintain your dKH at 8.4. That actually is the levels naturally found in the sea water in and around the coral reefs. Before you start dosing, check the levels in your salt mix. If it is at or slightly higher than 400 and 8.4, then you can easily maintain those levels with a larger of a weekly water change. This is all based on the assumption you are using RO water to make salt water and you are maintaining your salinity at 1.025 to 1.027

The below link might be helpful as well

http://www.reefaquarium.com/2013/the-basics-of-marine-aquarium-water-parameters/

[Sandz]

Thanks CLiff. So is there an additive you would recommend then? I do want to get as close to natural sea water as I can and yes I am using RO and maintaining 1.025 exactly on my salinity. I have the exact same readings as before except now im 0 0 <5 on the am trite trate scales. I want to make an environment that will allow for the absolute most growth on my corals as possible.

[Cliff]

The stuff I use is not available in the USA, and it's the only supplements that I have long term experience with

Maybe look into the below product. Two fellow hobbyist were I live use and swear by this stuff

http://www.marinedepot.com/Seachem_Reef_Fusion_Two_Part_System_1_2_Calcium_an d_Carbonate_Supplement_Two_Part_Calcium_Alkalinity _Additives_Supplements-Seachem-SC120301-FIADTP-vi.html

[Sandz]

The stuff I use is not available in the USA, and it's the only supplements that I have long term experience with

Maybe look into the below product. Two fellow hobbyist were I live use and swear by this stuff

http://www.marinedepot.com/Seachem_Reef_Fusion_Two_Part_System_1_2_Calcium_an d_Carbonate_Supplement_Two_Part_Calcium_Alkalinity _Additives_Supplements-Seachem-SC120301-FIADTP-vi.html

Yeah thats the two part I was referring too. Kalkwasser is so much easier though *insert whining here*... ok more money into an auto doser because I wont keep up with it.

[Cliff]

It will be some time before you will need to worry about dosing once your levels are were you want them. Until everything gets covered in coraline, there will not be a lot of elements consumed by your set-up. As a example, I no longer have any SPS or LPS in my 180, both the main tank and 100 gallon sump is covered in coraline, and I maintain the levels by changing around 15% water each week

[Sandz]

Ah. To bad I cant just throw calcium tabs into the tank lol.

[Sandz]

Tank update. I have the sump built. I was also given a fully running 10g refugium with the whole 9 yards, snails, pods, hermits, a calc reactor, etc so that is going to be transplanted to my sump set up. Also I was given about easily 100 in frags from the same guy. Im beyond happy. Also added a second clownfish. Calc is over 400 after a 50% w/c. The guy even gave me an acro that is a decent starter to see kind of how it does in my tank. Now to the pics:

*btw slap, this is where this gets to be a pain in my ass to post pics...*
Fts:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150813_134407.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150813_134407.jpg.html)

Gobstopper Zoas
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150813_134421.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150813_134421.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150813_134426.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150813_134426.jpg.html)

These are the cloves, they are not happy with me. In the time ive had them they put off 4 stalks more so I fragged it and am starting a second colony.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150813_134432.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150813_134432.jpg.html)

[Sandz]

Red People Eater Paly Colony and a Turbo:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150813_134437.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150813_134437.jpg.html)

Unknown LPS and a green zoa colony:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150813_134441.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150813_134441.jpg.html)

Waving Hand, Nuke Green Trumpet, Small Acro (front right)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150813_134447.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150813_134447.jpg.html)

Same with more views, included is my GSP, three more zoa colonys another turbo
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150813_134453.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150813_134453.jpg.html)

[Slaphppy7]

Nice haul!...I have looked into more pics per post for you, but it seems it is set up that way because you can use the gallery instead to post more pics at once.

[Sandz]

Micro Zoa colony and what I was told is a Zombie Eye, but its a hard body, not soft, Cliff can you help id?
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150813_134502.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150813_134502.jpg.html)

Hammer, i took it off its plug and permanently placed it, it has 2 heads starting to sprout!
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150813_134523.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150813_134523.jpg.html)

Clown Pair:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150812_110553.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150812_110553.jpg.html)

[Compass]

That is awesome man! Love those Zoanthids. I would kill to have a saltwater tank full of them. It would be my dominate coral. And those clownfish are adorable!

[Sandz]

That is awesome man! Love those Zoanthids. I would kill to have a saltwater tank full of them. It would be my dominate coral. And those clownfish are adorable!

Dude me too... im not huge into SPS but I really love color and condition. Easy to grow, fast growers and pretty are what matter to me. Everything is pissed off at me now, I just got done fragging when I took the pics but give it a few days and Ill update with some blue shots as well as everyone open.

And thanks, yeah I way overpaid for my first one, 25 bucks.. but the 2nd i got for 11... So a pair for 36 was not bad. I am going to hope my gsp hosts them and I get some happy clowns. Also my budy gave me the waving hand as apparently its a great clown host.

[Taurus]

I have no idea, but I'm subscribed! thumbs2:

thumbs2: :sconfused: wow...I feel like such a rookie because...well because I am, but YOU GO Per!

[gronlaura]

Lookin' really good!

[Sandz]

thumbs2: :sconfused: wow...I feel like such a rookie because...well because I am, but YOU GO Per!

Larry - I bro love you! You make me laugh in all the right ways.

[Sandz]

Lookin' really good!

Thanks! Total newbie in here and trying to succeed.

[Sandz]

So I was going to take pics because everything is starting to look killer in this tank and then... well then I had to go eff it up and install the sump and overflow and all my hardware and all that jazz so yeah... but i increased my water volume 10 gallons making it a 53 gal total set up with the HOB fuge, the overflow and flow paterns and the skimmer + the sump and 40g tank... im hoping that keeps about 40g of total water with the 55lbs of rock... but NOW im back with everything pissed at me... Oh well. Tomorrow is a new day!

[Cliff]

Micro Zoa colony and what I was told is a Zombie Eye, but its a hard body, not soft, Cliff can you help id?
http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150813_134502.jpg.html][/url][qimg]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150813_134502.jpg



Looks like some type of Blasto Coral (Blastomussa merletti) which is a LPS similar to your trumpet coral. I kept some for a few years. They are pretty easy to keep, and they look great once they settle in and start to color up. Once they get a little bigger, you can feed them a little once a month or so to help them develop even brighter colors.

[Sandz]

Looks like some type of Blasto Coral (Blastomussa merletti) which is a LPS similar to your trumpet coral. I kept some for a few years. They are pretty easy to keep, and they look great once they settle in and start to color up. Once they get a little bigger, you can feed them a little once a month or so to help them develop even brighter colors.

Awesome, they look great in the tank. They were my first true frag! Happy hear they are easy. I need to get some phyto to dose the tank.

My skimmer doesnt seem to want to work now... it only fills up half way as if its not pumping enough water. Would to many bubbles cause this? Im starting to youtube to figure this thing out.

[Cliff]

What type of skimmer and did you get it used or new ?

[Sandz]

used - and i had it working at the house prior to putting it in the sump so it DOES work. Its the seaclone 100. I went and read the manual, ive watched the head height. Im just going to see if the guy who sold it to me will come over and tweak it. Hes super nice and the one who helped me with all the frags.

[Cliff]

If it has sat for a few weeks not being used, you almost have to break it in again. Try letting it run for a while (a day or two) with the air setting as wide open as you can get it. Slowly restrict the air over a few days to bring the skimate up into the cup.

[Sandz]

So im an idiot - I thought a skimmer was supposed to have air pumped into the venturie inlet... turns out it SUCKS the air in and thats the source of bubbles... gah! All fixed.

[Slaphppy7]

All fixed.

That's all that matters.

[Sandz]

I hate my phone for blue pics... I am trying to get some cool pics to show and document growth but these are the coolest corals and I can barely share what they look like... Here are some night pics from today...

What the waving hand looks like *video*


http://vid42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150815_192700.mp4

Clowns *video*


http://vid42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150815_192726.mp4

Hammer

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150815_192628.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150815_192628.jpg.html)

Gobstoppers

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150815_192556.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150815_192556.jpg.html)

Top right shelf with gsp, acro, zoas, etc

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150815_192651.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150815_192651.jpg.html)

[Sandz]

These are waaaay over exposed
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150815_192639.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150815_192639.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150815_192547.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150815_192547.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150815_192541.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150815_192541.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150815_192529.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150815_192529.jpg.html)

[Sandz]

FTS

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150815_192511.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150815_192511.jpg.html)

Whites On 25% Blues at 50%

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150815_192456.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150815_192456.jpg.html)

And a parting shot of my cruise start last night.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150814_195542.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150814_195542.jpg.html)

[Jwfish13]

Great tank and have fun on the cruise

[Slaphppy7]

You're going on a cruise??...have fun!

[Sandz]

Great tank and have fun on the cruise

Thanks! It was a casino cruise for the night lol. Just out and around in international waters where everything is legal!

[Sandz]

You're going on a cruise??...have fun!

I did - I went out and won a couple hundred at the blackjack table.

[Taurus]

thumbs2: awesome!

[Slaphppy7]

Good deal!....more fish $

[Sandz]

Yeah its pretty well spent... i just bought 6 pleco's, two are a leopard cactus pair :-)

[Sandz]

A little update, im documenting growth in the tank and seeing what all I can do to start aging the tank... on with the pics!

My new chalice:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150824_170437.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150824_170437.jpg.html)

One blasto frag:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150823_175557.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150823_175557.jpg.html)

Mini zoa colony:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150823_175549.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150823_175549.jpg.html)

A few new montipora frags:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150823_175536.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150823_175536.jpg.html)

[Sandz]

Hammer still doin its thing:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150823_175521.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150823_175521.jpg.html)

GSP and Porcilapora growing:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150823_175451.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150823_175451.jpg.html)

My new PJ Cardinal hiding:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150823_175436.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150823_175436.jpg.html)

The clowns having fun:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150823_175423.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150823_175423.jpg.html)

[Sandz]

Palys:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150823_175401.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150823_175401.jpg.html)

A new acan, pic doesnt do it justice:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150823_175259.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150823_175259.jpg.html)

Red People Eater Paly and Blue/Green Birdsnest:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150823_175208.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150823_175208.jpg.html)

[Sandz]

Now a few more updates shots:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150823_175121.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150823_175121.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150821_084238.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150821_084238.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150824_182716.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150824_182716.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150824_182751.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150824_182751.jpg.html)

[Sandz]

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150824_182800.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150824_182800.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150824_182823.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150824_182823.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150824_182839.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150824_182839.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150824_182846.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150824_182846.jpg.html)

[Sandz]

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150824_182854.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150824_182854.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150824_182859.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150824_182859.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150824_182913.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150824_182913.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150824_182919.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150824_182919.jpg.html)

[Sandz]

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150824_182924.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150824_182924.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e314/Victimofmemory/20150824_182924.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Victimofmemory/media/20150824_182924.jpg.html)

I appologize for the glare, I got a dose of pods and I am watching their growth on all surfaces. I have over 1000 pods in tank and god knows how many are in sump. I am going to purchase a mandarine for my next big fish I think.

[Taurus]

Yeah, the glare makes hard to appreciate all the frags. Man there's a lot of 'um. Ya gotta start somewhere.

[Sandz]

Haha I tried! And between trading for other things I had laying around and freebies, im getting a ton of stuff in the tank.

[Sandz]

BTW did I mention I just picked up a FREE 90gal salt tank? Stand and everything!

[Jwfish13]

How do you find freebies lol lucky