28g long nano journal

[michika]

I started my tank build for this tank back in August once I realized my current 24g nano was becoming a bit crowded.

I chose to do a long tank to provide myself more surface area for my growing clam collection (8), and to allow me to continue to use some of my existing equipment. The dimensions on this tank are 18" deep, 12" high, and 33" long. I opted for an external overflow to maximize the footprint rather then a corner overflow, which I have now.

Briefly I considered T5s as a lighting possiblity, but after pricing out the cost I found it would be cheaper to stay with my existing MH setup. The tank will be lit by a 175w SE MH bulb, supplimented with actinic PCs for color. I will also run moonlights in the evening as well.

I've opted to run the tank on a calfo manifold, as I am hoping it will be able to provide the flow I need now, and in the future as my SPS matures and grows. The pump on the manifold will be a Reeflo Snapper. The ability to dial up and down the pump will be invalualbe in the future when the SPS begins to inhibit the flow.

Mechanical filtration will be provided by a Octopus Skimmer, and filter socks. As for biological filtration I expect to have approximately 50lbs of live rock in the system, plus a refugium, and a remote DSB.

Livestock will include my 8 clams, over 70 different SPS frags and small colonies, some LPS, and a few softies. Fish will include my mandarine, sixline wrasse, yellow damsel, and a green clown goby, and a single green chroms. Most of these fish have been with me for a few years at this point. I am debating the addition of two firefish, but I have not yet completed my research on them.

Overall my goal is to once again have a thriving reef tank, but on a smaller scale. I hope that I can continue to keep the costs of the build down by DIYing, or buying second hand.

Onto some photos:

The tank in its initial stages:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/PICT0007-2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/PICT0001-5.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0134.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0136.jpg

The supports for the manifold
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0145.jpg

[michika]

The stand:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0019.jpg

Tank is dirty from a post leak test.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0023-1.jpg

Tentative under the stand placement:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0027.jpg

External overflow box
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0130.jpg

Skimmer:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0070.jpg

Luminarc reflector:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0065.jpg

[michika]

Finally some pictures of my existing livestock who will soon be making this tank their new home.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0061.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_42.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_3.jpg

[Slice of Ocean]

Good luck with the new build. Keep us updated!

[michika]

More photos:

The tank before drilling:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0357.jpg

After drilling:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0364.jpg

Initial plumbing:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0367.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0375.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0377.jpg

[Rosseau]

The tank looks quite nice and sleek.

It also seems like you have it all planned out which is more than most of us can say.

Good luck!

[michika]

Thank you.

[erics3000]

Yeah you are off to great start. You made the tank yourself? I have been wanting to make a glass frag tank. Soon one day down the road. I just made a pair of thoes gurglle blaster pipes for my overflow and they work great. They really made things a lot quieter.

[michika]

Yes I did make the tank, twice actually, after an accidental breakage.

The tank is actually up and running now and I will be posting updated photos shortly.

[NanoReefWanabe]

looks nice...what kinda flow are you thinking about with all those return outlets? ever think about splitting your return manifold and putting it through a OMsquirt or a SCWD?

you should sand your glass down on a belt sander too, and polish up those edges, smooth clean edges are more stable then "frayed" rough ones...especially if the tank is going to be trimless..

why did you cut the overflow down so low though? is your canopy going to hang down that far?

i am watching closely as i will be building a tank too next year..

[michika]

The water level is actually at 11", and the tank height is 12". The overflow is only 1" below the 11" water level, so it really isn't that low.

There is a hood that will cover both the manifold and about 1.5" of the top glass. The canopy is supposed to be ready on Thursday from my cabinet maker.

I don't have access to a belt sander unfortunately, so the dremel will have to do at this time. Maybe in the future if I am able I can look into that option.

The flow on the return is run by a Reeflo Snapper pump so I could have flow anywhere from 0-2500gph. A SCWD couldn't hold up to the pressure from the Snapper. The plastic piece inside would probably snap from the force. I never looked into any ocean motion products because I couldn't ever get a response from them when I tried. Maybe in the future though I can consider alternative options if I find that the calfo manifold is insufficient.

Have you tried OM products? How do you like them?

[erics3000]

I just set up my tank and it works pretty good with my dart pump. I think they are great. I might take 1 or 3 of the ports and run it to the bottom of my tank to blow up. I was thinking my tank I might get an 8 way OM.

[michika]

I like the way your system is set up. I love the hardwood floors, and your dog too!

Is the bottom of your tank drilled?

[scottydo]

Looks great so far - it will be nice to see once you are done.

[michika]

I apologize there will be no photos for some time. My tank inhabitants are not recieiving my recent move. I have experienced approximately 60% die off of my SPS, and over half of my clam collection has also passed away. While none of my fish have perished since being housed in this tank, I don't think that the die off has ended.

Until my tank is more appropriate looking I am hesitant to post post tank o-death photos. If you are really interested in photos I will share them.

[michika]

Okay, so I have accepted the disaster, and I am moving on. I'll post up today's parameters later this afternoon.

What I did;
- took out about 1/4 of a 5g bucket of SPS skeletons.
- removed 4 clams
- added Prime to the water to combat the ammonia (preventative)
- added in new nitrate, and phosphate sponges (preventative)

What I am going to do:
- water changes at 5g a day to avoid shocking the system any more
- keep feeding the fish a variety of foods to try and keep their immune systems strong.
- add more rock to the system. Even though I only have 4 more gallons of total water volume, my tank looks empty with my existing rock.

So after all is said and done I'm now searching out and making a list of what I would like to re-stock my system with in the future. I'm thinking I probably won't be adding anything until at least the new year so I have some time to plot it all out.

I know I would like to aquire more clams, dersa, crocea, and squamosa, etc. I also know that I would like to replenish my SPS collection, and possibly add a few softies for contrast.

Provided all my fish survive this unexpected disaster, I won't be adding anything for fish. I will most likely add additional clean up crew members though. Most likely more snails, a second fire shrimp, and possibly another cowry or two.

I've decided that I will post the photos, just because there may be something to learn from this, even if I can't readily identify it.

[erics3000]

Wow ..That sucks...What happen to your tank?

My tank is only drilled for the returns on the side. I was thinking of running a pipe in from the side and running it under the sand. A couple of bends but worth it I think. Later down the road I would love to add a couple vortechs. No rush on them $$$. I dont evan have any corals yet.

No rush on stocking..At least you will know you have a more stable tank when you are ready..

[Rosseau]

I'm sorry to hear about the losses. That's really tough to take.


I'm not sure I read correctly... Did things go wrong once introduced to the new tank? did you use aquarium safe silicon to make the tank? i.e. one without 'mildew resistance'

[michika]

Things went wrong about a day after introduction to a new tank. Yup, it was the correct silicone. I don't know what triggered it but here is what I think happened;

Death of fish in transit -> used rock from dead fish pail but no water-> put everything else in new tank -> death of 1 clam one night -> funky smell the next day -> water changes -> more funky smell, death of 2 more clams & RTN begins -> more RTN -> me having a break down over this & the moving process -> cleaning out the skeletons -> another water change -> more RTN (there is nothing left now) -> here I am now.

Everything remaining in my tank now has been with me for awhile. Some things, like a yellow damsel have been with me for 4+ years. Nothing in the previous tank was doing badly, everything was just crowded. Crowded as in, you look at the tank funny and a frag or colony would fall over.

I have 92 separate types of frags & colonies last Friday, and I have maybe 4 or 5 pieces that still retain a tip of two of color or polyps. They are basically write offs. There are 3 clams remaining, a gigas, and 2 dersas. I lost a giant maxima, 2 tiny croceas (one gold and one blue), a giant crocea.

Today all fish are doing fine, and parameters are looking okay again. However the smell persists, so there will be another water change later in the day, as well I will be mixing up the media once again.

Rosseau,
Thank you for your condolences.

Erics3000,
Sounds like the idea will work. I'm glad you chose to do something now rather then later. I really love watching how your tank progresses.

[pnguye3]

Sorry to hear about the problems. You're setup looks awesome though. I bet it'll bounce back in no time.

[michika]

Thank you.

I am liking the system though, all the livestock drama aside, it turned out better that I could have hoped. The hood is going to be installed tomorrow, and same with the toe kick.

I bet tomorrow I will suck it up and will post photos, death aside and all.

Everyone has been so nice about everything, so it makes me feel better. I've had several offers from people to provide me frags, to host my remaining SPS (before they died off), and one super kind promise to replace my favorite fish.

[michika]

Photos of the disaster.

Just after I got all the fish, rock, clams, and corals into the tank. This is prior to turning the Snapper pump on, and bringing the sump online.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0417.jpg

The sump before it was filled with cheato, reactors, and filter floss.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0443.jpg

First moments of the overflow in use.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0493.jpg

Noticing something is wrong with the SPS, and the two clams in the right hand corner. This is 2 days after the move.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0445.jpg

FTS of the beginning of the disaster.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0491.jpg

The first of 3 pails of dead skeletons.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0510.jpg

Aquascaping and remaining SPS. More RTN.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0517.jpg

The tank today. I have what can only be described as the beginning of a cycle.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0060.jpg

The tank o-death in its full glory.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0059.jpg

I'm doing what I can to just keep things under control at this point in time. It really sucks....

[Stan N.]

Gotta hate RTN of SPS. I see my old clams are still doing well :D Hope all comes around soon for you.

[michika]

Thanks! I hope things turn around soon too.

[nietzsche]

man im sorry about your losses. i hope you can stop everything and save what you can.

what happened though?

[michika]

No clue as to what trigger the initial disaster unfortunately.

I'm remaining optimistic though, and am planning to restock my tank again in the future.

To date here is what is left:
- all the fish
- 3 clams
- 3 sps
- 0 lps
- 0? zoas (they aren't opening)

[reefman13]

That sucks! Kinda what happened with my SPS....Just getting ready to move everything into my new 90g. Really annoying though.

Hows everything now?

[michika]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11300762#post11300762 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefman13
That sucks! Kinda what happened with my SPS....Just getting ready to move everything into my new 90g. Really annoying though.

Hows everything now?

Well the funky smell is gone! So I can have people into my house again without a fear of them keeling over. The fish all have a super healthy appetite, so that is also another positive to focus on.

I'll try and post some more photos as time goes on, show the rebound half of the disaster!

[willtel76]

It's cool to finally see someone else using a Reeflo pump on a nano. Everyone said I was crazy when I bought mine.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/willtel/2027647618/" title="Nano Plumbing by willtel, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2124/2027647618_ba5f0e5ea9_b.jpg" width="1024" height="681" alt="Nano Plumbing" /></a>

[michika]

I was told I was crazy too! It works fantastically for me! Its very cool to see someone else who is making use of the Reeflo pumps!

[erics3000]

i think it ios a great idea. You got a lot of bang for your buck and enough power to do whatever. Willtel76 do you have any more pics of your system?

[willtel76]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11304758#post11304758 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by erics3000
i think it ios a great idea. You got a lot of bang for your buck and enough power to do whatever. Willtel76 do you have any more pics of your system?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/willtel/sets/1377263/

[michika]

I'm seeing some improvement in both my water parameters, and in how the tank itself
looks. Its nice to only have to clean the glass in my tank 2 a day instead of 5-6 times.

This was the tank last week, you can see the neon green algae on the bottom. It was nasty stuff, and resulted in me cleaning the glass extremely frequently just so I could see in.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0060.jpg

This is about 1/3 of the dead I pulled out:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0510.jpg

This was the tank on Tuesday:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0004.jpg

I had another clam die on Tuesday, and at that point I decided the remaining clams needed to go somewhere else. They are now safely in the home of a friend for the time being.

This is the tank today:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0007.jpg

Disaster survivors
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0018.jpg

Zoas that I didn't even know I had...
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0023-2.jpg

Neon candycane. It puffed up today and looks 150% better then it was yesterday!
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0026-1.jpg

Cactus coral - It was competely bleached, save for some dark spots for polyps about a week ago. It has no poylp extension though, but the color is coming back.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0024.jpg

I need to address
- micro bubbles; I have 3 ideas; more baffles in the sump, filter socks, and changing how my skimmer is plumbed.
- feeding, I can't really turn off the pump for feeding now, so I'm considering one of those little feeding rings.
- lighting, I'm unsure if I want to stay with my current set up, 1 175w MH with 2 pc lights for supplimentation.
- Clean up crew, my crew is more like a skeleton crew right now, so I need to do something about it.

This whole cycling thing is just throwing me off, its been a long time since I delt with one first hand. I forgot how ugly they look! My tank looks very yellow, I miss the nice crisp white-blue it was.

[SaltyBoG Water]

i am new what does RTN stand for rotten?

[michika]

RTN is rapid tissue necrosis. Really it just means that the flesh comes off of your sps really really quickly. The result is usually a white skeleton unfortunately.

[michika]

Things seem to be on the up and up lately, so I'm feeling much better about the future of my tank. With time I'm sure I will have a positive outcome from the disaster.

Good things!
- Canopy is here, and it is beautiful
- Toe kick is here, it just finishes out the system.
- Added more clean up crew members!
- Filter socks on their way to deal with microbubbles
- I have pocket money and it feels SO strange, but in a good way.

Not So Good things
- I don't see any pods in my system anymore
- I should have bought more snails, oh well!
- I have a lighting dilemma (see further down)
- The seal kit I ordred early December for my Snapper Pump has not arrived, I will be buying a new pump this week if its not here by Tuesday.

I have to say the customer service is disapointing when it comes to getting my pump repaired. I am now unsure if I should replace my exisiting pump with one of the same brand. :sad:

Lighting Dilemma!
I got my canopy and it is awesome, but I now I have an unexpected choice to make and would love some input please.

I have two options; 1 MH light on a luminarc reflector supplimented by actinic PCs, or 2MH lights on two batwing reflectors, again supplimented by actinic PCs.

As for the pump I am considering going to a Dart when I replace my pump. Its $4 more and I feel like my system could benefit from the extra flow in the future.

[michika]

The tank is still rebounding. The chemistry is staying in line, and the crazy neon algae bloom has left. Glass cleaning is but once every couple of days rather then 5 times a day. I also picked up the canopy for my system and I love it.

I mounted my temporary lighting, while I decide on a final set up. RIght now I'm running 1x175w MH with 2 actinic PCs. So far with one light (in batwing) I don't like the shadowing it creates.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0007-1.jpg

Yesterday I cleaned out all the remaining skeletons that didn't make it. I also removed the remaining clam shells/pod piles as I don't see any pods right now. This is the last bucket that I will be removing, also known as bucket number 4.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0017.jpg

Before the clean out
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_4-1.jpg

After
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0002.jpg

I'm still plagued by microbubbles but its going to be fixed on Thursday I hope. I have drygoods en route to me.


I came home to this yesterday
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/PICT0026-1.jpg

She was caught in the act, no denying it.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/PICT0027-1.jpg

[michika]

I've had another streak of bad luck. I went away for an evening and came back to a dead sixline wrasse and a dead urchin. Both were too far decomposed to determine the cause of death. I checked my water parameters and everything was in order. My clean up crew made very short work of both corpses.

I finally received my seal replacement kit from Reeflo. I'm hoping to do the replacement soon, as the leaking is continuing. Should the replacement not work I'm debating upgrading to a Dart pump instead of another Snapper. As crazy as it sounds I don't really feel like I'm getting that much flow from the Snapper.

Green Hair Algae has appeared all over a couple of rocks. I'm plucking it off manually while taking steps to try and get rid of it. I'm running a GFO product, carbon, doing regular water changes, reducing my feedings, and looking at replacing my MH bulb.

The cactus coral that I was sure would pull through has died. It just started lightening in color, and finally it just died. I'm really sad as I've had this particular coral since 2004. I'm hoping to get a frag of a frag back in the future.

Originally I was planning to put in a canary coral into the tank in January. Just to see if things are okay, as there is only so much testkits can tell you. I'm still wary of my tank's ability to support SPS, so I may end up waiting until February.

One thing that makes me happy right now is my skimmer. Its pulling out amazing amounts of skimmate on a weekly basis. This was a great second hand purchase for me, and I'm quite sure that my investment was worth it.

A weeks worth of skimmate.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0001.jpg

[stevelkaneval]

haha my ferrets love ocen nutrition. but they wont eat the formula one pellet, they really like the prime reef blend. and a bottle of purple up(oh well no loss there).

[michika]

My dog loves any food with a garlic smell. That is the third container in a year she has gotten to.

[erics3000]

She is cute. I had to show my Girlfriend the pictures you posted.

Keep moving forward losses suck. I had a baby purple tang that just died I had for about a month. Tottaly sucks. It is pushing me to make sure my tank is fully setup.

[SeaSerpant]

I really want to see it in it's full glory. keep the pictures coming.

[michika]

I had two candycanes, one neon green, and one blue-green, and they have both officially kicked the bucket. They held on for a long time, and I guess they just couldn't recover.

My GHA is starting to get out of control. I've started to prune it manually trying to get ahead of it. I'm sourcing out a new MH bulb as my current one is almost 8 months old. I'm also trying to finish off on my new lighting set up. I want to use a luminarc reflector, but keep it on sliders for easy access to the tank.

The tank today, still plagued with microbubbles. My drygoods order hasn't yet arrived.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0050.jpg

Remaining zoas
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0055.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0040.jpg

My SPS canary frag. So far I see polyp extension, but no growth, and its lost its yellow tips. The color changes in this colony tell me that I need to get the changes in my lighting asap.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0043.jpg

I think I'm going to have to make a new tank. I have a new temporary roommate who saw me using the magfloat, and decided to do the same. I now have tons of scratches on all three visible sides of the tank. What I know is the tank was scratch free one morning, and then when I looked at it next it was scratch city. My roommate said they used the cleaner thing on the glass.

Once my drygoods arrive, which is looking to be next week now, I hope to have the microbubbles under control once and for all.

[michika]

Some photos of my previous tank, I would take it, plagued with GHA, over this system right now.

My clams, I used to have 10.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/PICT0040.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/PICT0012_1.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSCF0054.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_29.jpg


GHA at its worse
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/PICT0008_2.jpg

[michika]

Some SPS

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/PICT0004_1-2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0045.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/purple_green.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_21.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0038.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0120.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0110.jpg

[SeaSerpant]

What is your total livestock now in your tank? what things do you still have? what do you expect to get? (srry for all the questions. i'm new)

[SeaSerpant]

What is your total livestock now in your tank? what things do you still have? what do you expect to get? (srry for all the questions. i'm new)

[michika]

In my new tank I have;
2x fireshrimp
2x blue chromis
1x yellow damsel
1x imperator angel (growing out to go into my bigger system)
1x doctor tang (holding temporarily & fattening up for a friend)

For livestock I want to replenish all my clams, a huge variety of SPS, lots of colors, stags, pink birdsnest, neon green birdsnest, tri-color acros, some plating acros. I just want a huge variety of colors, bright and vibrant.

Any suggestions?

[SeaSerpant]

I'm new to this kind of slang whats SPS? when i look at other's reefs they have very vibrant zoas. Personally i wouldn't know what to get because i'm still in the learning process.

[SeaSerpant]

Hey i noticed you live in alberta. so do i. :) It awesome to see someone else interested in the same hobbie as you around the same place.

[michika]

I actually used to live in Edmonton. I commute back every Monday for a class at the UofA.

[SeaSerpant]

LOL. i just have a small question. have you ever been to Aquarium illusions? that's the shop i always go to.

[michika]

I've been, but I don't care for them personally.

[SeaSerpant]

I go there because it is the closest good petshop with SW selection because i live in mcqueen. there isn't many good petshops around.

[SeaSerpant]

so. have you done anything to your tank? Any new pics?

[michika]

Just cleaning out GHA yesterday. I'm looking to add some stuff this weekend, and the end of next week. I want to change my aquascape soon before I start adding frags and clams again.

What kind of system do you run?

[SeaSerpant]

Me? well i havn't started yet but i have a big plan for a 20g nano with well you can check this link http://fishforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=12501 and this one http://www.dfwmas.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?p=341246&highlight=#341246 As you can see i'm quite serious about getting one. but i need to get a job since i am only 13.

[michika]

try canreef.com its Canadian and you may be able to get a bunch of the stuff on your list for much much cheaper.

[SeaSerpant]

Awesome thanks. i'll get an account there to then lol. i probably have an account with every aquarium forum i know about.

[michika]

I've been thinking about what I want to stock this tank with. A few must haves for SPS, I know they aren't anything fantastic, but I like them;

Seriatopora hystrix – Pink, neon green, blue
Stylophora spp.
Pocillopora damicornis – green, pink
Montipora digitata – green, pink, purple, orange
Montipora capricornis – purple, green, orange, pink,

After I get my "basics" back I'll return again to sourcing out exotic and wildly colored pieces. Eventually I want my system to be self sustaining again, meaning the money I make from frag sales pays for everything from new frags to required supplies.

I also want to add a few more fish to the system, after my temporary fish have returned home. I want
Gobiodon atrangulatus – green
Nemateleotris spp. – purple, or helfrichi
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Corythoichthys haematopterus (dragonface pipefish)

I'm still on the fence about the firefish as I hear they will fight unless they are a mated pair. I have never seen a helfichi firefish in person before, so I hope their photos do them justice.

[michika]

I'm going to pre-face this post with a huge thank you to OldDude. I was over to pick up macro algae yesterday and came home with a few beautiful SPS peices to get me started again. They all look great, polyps out and everything. Thank you very much Greg for your kindness.

I'm finally getting a change to start dosing Aqua Connect's Energy Elements product. I now have a very small collection of SPS and my water parameters have been all in line for some time. Why not start now while I repopulate my system.

So today's parameters (Jan. 6th)
SG 1.025
Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia 0ppm
Mg 1500
dKH 10
Ca 500

I started using Ocean Pro Pure salt in December, and so far without running reactors I'm finding all my levels are a bit high for my liking. I think I will be switching back to Red Sea Pro after I finish with this experiment. However I don't want to skew any results by switching back now.

I'm using all three products 1, 2, and 3. The recomended dosing is 1mL per 100l, which converts to about 1mL per 26g. Per the website this is assuming a heavily populated coral tank. Since my tank currently isn't well populated I'm cutting down my dosage to 1/4 of the recommendation, so 0.5ml per 50g.

The website claims to do the following;
-enhance the intensity of colors
-support a better growth
-enhance vitality
-improve the appearance of the polyps
-not boost algae growth

Photos. I'm going to try and photograph each coral at least once a month, and post FTS one a week. If I can offer more frequent photos, I will.

Today's FTS:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0041.jpg

from today:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0014-2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0012-1.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0018-1.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0020.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0021-1.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0027-1.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0032.jpg

After looking at the photos its time to reaquascape again before I fill up my system with too many SPS colonies and clams. I think I may do that tonight/this afternoon.

[michika]

I switched out my (dirty) batwing reflector for a luminarc reflector tonight. The change is huge, however the drawback is the crazy shading from the reflector.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0007-2.jpg

I'm not sure if even moving the PC lights further to the sides is going to do anything for the shading. I can't see how to get any PC light to the center of the tank.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0008.jpg

Shot down the right side of the tank
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0010-1.jpg

SPS today after 3 days of dosing. I think all the polyps are out more in all my pieces, even ones I've had in the system for a month, or the surviving zoas and LPS.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/michika/DSC_0001-1.jpg

I've decided to go to 250w MH, regardless of the reflector. Its too hard to get 175w bulbs reliably, and I'm thinking of moving that setup onto my QT system. I just have to buy a ballast, which I'll do tomorrow.

Next up on my todo list:
- hook up kalk stirrer on the kalk. reactor (I'm sick of hand shaking)
- Swap out 175w ballast, and put in new 250w ballast and new bulb
- Re-plumb my skimmer
- Put in a new sump
- New drain design for the overflow