TopShoTTa's AP24 Thread

topshotta · #1 05/08/2007, 11:16 AM

I've been meaning to start a thread to show off my AP24 that I started. The tank is housing just under 20# of live rock from Bali and Fiji. Additionally all the inhabitants from my Nanowave9 have been moved over to this tank.

I had a old kitchen cart that I got from World Market that I was no longer using - figured it would make the perfect stand:

Package arrives:

Empty Tank:

I had an old computer controller that I wasn't using that I figured would make a nice control box for my pumps/heater/etc.:

Completed stand:

Tank In Place:

Rock introduced:

topshotta · #2 05/08/2007, 11:17 AM

Continued....

Zoas from Nanowave:

Emerald Crab:

Palythoa:

Pinto:

FTS:

Nasarius:

Euphyllia:

Left Side Tank Shot:

Right Side Tank Shot:

m1enbo1 · #3 05/08/2007, 12:04 PM

cool, another AP thread. looking very good so far. hows the koralia?

Jadams · #4 05/08/2007, 02:42 PM

I love how you painted the stand to match...Looks great!

Slakker · #5 05/08/2007, 02:50 PM

The stand does look great...nice work!

Your Ocellaris is gorgeous, too!

topshotta · #6 05/08/2007, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by m1enbo1
cool, another AP thread. looking very good so far. hows the koralia?

The Koralia seems great thus far. Kind of wished I would've bought a #2 though. I also picked up a Tunze 6025 which I'm running along with the Koralia. The both together seem to be doing a nice job.

Grunt · #7 05/08/2007, 07:50 PM

Love the rockwork, can't wait to see it fill up with corals. I also have a soft spot for clowns so I like those as well.

Oh, my wife really wants your dog.

Our friends have a english bulldog named Chili. hahah

Keep us updated on the tank.

Cheers

topshotta · #8 05/08/2007, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Grunt
Love the rockwork, can't wait to see it fill up with corals. I also have a soft spot for clowns so I like those as well.

Oh, my wife really wants your dog. Our friends have a english bulldog named Chili. hahah

Keep us updated on the tank.

Cheers

I shall. My English Bulldog is Humphrey. He is approaching 8 years old. Great dog to say the least!

reefman13 · #9 05/08/2007, 10:47 PM

Nice tank!

Great pics too.

shouldabenacowboy · #10 05/09/2007, 12:28 AM

Nice setup!!

SBC

TsjaTTer · #11 05/09/2007, 08:38 AM

Hi there,

you have a very beatifull setup. I'm trying to find a stand like yours, and I'm considering making one myself... Could you give me the measurements of the kitchen cart??

Thanks a lot,

Jan

topshotta · #12 05/10/2007, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TsjaTTer
Hi there,

you have a very beatifull setup. I'm trying to find a stand like yours, and I'm considering making one myself... Could you give me the measurements of the kitchen cart??

Thanks a lot,

Jan

The stand measurements are 23.5" L, 16.5" W, 32" H. The actual piece that the tank sits on has a bit of overhang so the 23.5" L is actually probably closer to 25.5".

topshotta · #13 05/10/2007, 05:06 PM

Here are a few new pics that I took today. I recently picked up a piece of green ricordea rock from Salty Critter. Half of the rock is covered with encrusting gorgonian. I know that stuff can be a bit invasive, but I really like it. If it gets too out of control I will try cutting it back some.

Zoas and Ricordea rock:

My Sixline:

Blastomussa:

Top Down Shot:

Bmgrocks · #14 05/20/2007, 08:48 AM

How are your TEMPS?
and because of Heat from the Halide, what do you keep ur Thermomoter at?

Are you running a skimmer and Whats in ur back chambers?

topshotta · #15 05/20/2007, 09:57 AM

The AP24 comes with a glass lid, but I don't use it - I think it will trap in heat. Of course the downside to that is evaporation. Usually 1/4 gallon to 1/2 gallon of water per day. The temps stay pretty consistent around 79 degrees. I live in Ohio and we've only had a few hot days thus far. I ordered a fan that attaches to the back of the aquarium to blow on the surface. My house also has central air, so I'm hoping between the fan and the AC the temps stay where they currently are. No skimmer as of yet. I will probably get one down the road. I've been doing weekly 2 gallon water changes and haven't seen my Nitrates get past 2.5 ppm using Salifert's NO4 test kit. If I can maintain this I'll likely hold off on the skimmer. The back chambers are empty with the exception of 1/2 of the blue sponges that come with the tank. I'm using that in the right chamber where the water comes in. I've thought about removing that too, but haven't decided.

fish 511 · #16 05/28/2007, 02:57 PM

Looks good. Since you have so much evaporation, are you running an ATO? Tank looks great, and I really like the way you did the stand.

topshotta · #17 05/28/2007, 04:03 PM

I'm not running ATO yet, but am planning on it soon as I'm going on a few long weekend vacations here very soon. I'm also planning on purchasing a controller (either Aquacontroller Jr. or Reefkeeper2).

fish 511 · #18 05/28/2007, 05:48 PM

Sounds good. Tank looks great BTW.

Lpabsolute · #19 05/28/2007, 06:05 PM

Your tank is looking GREAT! I really like the setup. Aquascaping looks really good in that small of a tank. Gives you plenty of space for fish to swim and placment of corals. Also like your fish/coral choices. Sweet looking Zoas........Keep up with the pics......

topshotta · #20 05/28/2007, 06:39 PM

Thanks for the compliments. Here are some updated pictures that I took earlier today:

My Euphyllia is growing very fast!

Montipora

Not sure the species of sps?

FTS

EnFuego · #21 05/28/2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by topshotta
Not sure the species of sps?

Looks like montipora digitata

t5Nitro · #22 05/28/2007, 07:51 PM

Agreed with montipora digitata. Nice tank!

PAUL327 · #23 05/29/2007, 08:15 AM

nice tank

CamBarr · #24 05/30/2007, 01:23 PM

Are you running the deltec on this cube? if you are how do you have it set up?

topshotta · #25 05/30/2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CamBarr
Are you running the deltec on this cube? if you are how do you have it set up?

By Deltec - I assume you mean skimmer? If so - I'm not running a skimmer on this tank. So far I haven't really seen the need for one as I'm pretty adamant on my water changes. I've been using Salifert brand test kits for N04 and P04 and haven't seen much more than a trace of each. If I were skimmer shopping though the Deltec would be at the top of my list.