brubakron
New member
I have yet to try any different bulbs than what it came with (I replaced with the same bulb). However, I am up for a light replacement and will problem go with something with a 14 K spectrum. Any suggestions?
265 in wall build - Brubakron's Reef
- Thread starter brubakron
- Start date
I have yet to try any different bulbs than what it came with (I replaced with the same bulb). However, I am up for a light replacement and will problem go with something with a 14 K spectrum. Any suggestions?
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
I was wondering if there would be a back flow issue with the skimmer because if not I thank you for solving my skimmer problem.
brubakron
New member
Unfortunately I have had to rework my plumbing plan, along with the skimmer option. Two things happened - the skimmer over flowed due to lack of flow coming out of the skimmer, and the bulkhead was leaking due to the angle it changed to when the skimmer was plumbed in. Since the output from the skimmer is not strong enough to go over the top of the sump from the floor I am going to have to elevate it next the sump. I plan to have it just high enough for the outlet to come over the top - At least this way I can assure that the skimmer is functioning properly, and not worry about the back flow issue.
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Thanks for the response. Looks like I'll have to place the skimmer outside of my stand. I figured your way would keep my skimmer under the stand until your detailed information makes sense.
brubakron
New member
Or you could put a hole in the sump above/around the water level, and run it through a bulkhead. I am not going to do this since it is in the fish room, and space isn't as much of an issue.
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
I just took the measurements and it looks like that will be the way i will have to go. Thanks again.
brubakron
New member
Update time - I have my sump, display tank, and skimmer all on line (I learned quiet a bit about plumbing in the process). I needed to put a ball valve on the line to the skimmer to control the amount of water going in, and this also will help the skimmer from overflowing in case of a power failure with a back syphon. I also put in the third wp 40 today, but think that it may be too much flow.
In addition I have had a clean up crew in the tank for awhile.
I finally got the software working with my computer for the Mitras, and am happy with them so far (since I can control them now). I have a few corals in there to see how they will do with the lights, and also to try and gauge flow in certain areas of the tank. The lights are set at around a 14K spectrum at 30% power in the pictures. (Also, I need to learn how to capture color better, because these pictures don't due much justice for some of the colors on the corals).
And my first two fish inhabitants- a couple of zebra barred gobies (I have a few Blue Gudgeons in the QT tank that will join them in a few weeks)
Next up -
-I am building a stand for the 75 refugium (and should have it plumbed in this weekend)
- Make sure the tank is stable with the fuge on line and move over most of the inhabitants and live rock from the 40 breeder and 29 Biocube
- Cord management - once it is all in place I need to organize the cords
- Prepare for the arrival and quarantine of the new fish that will arrive in a few weeks (blue spot jawfish, a few pearly jawfish, and a few dusky jawfish)
- Enjoy the tank
One last fts
I hope all the pictures match up with the descriptions, I just found out you can't have more than ten images in a post.
In addition I have had a clean up crew in the tank for awhile.
I finally got the software working with my computer for the Mitras, and am happy with them so far (since I can control them now). I have a few corals in there to see how they will do with the lights, and also to try and gauge flow in certain areas of the tank. The lights are set at around a 14K spectrum at 30% power in the pictures. (Also, I need to learn how to capture color better, because these pictures don't due much justice for some of the colors on the corals).
And my first two fish inhabitants- a couple of zebra barred gobies (I have a few Blue Gudgeons in the QT tank that will join them in a few weeks)
Next up -
-I am building a stand for the 75 refugium (and should have it plumbed in this weekend)
- Make sure the tank is stable with the fuge on line and move over most of the inhabitants and live rock from the 40 breeder and 29 Biocube
- Cord management - once it is all in place I need to organize the cords
- Prepare for the arrival and quarantine of the new fish that will arrive in a few weeks (blue spot jawfish, a few pearly jawfish, and a few dusky jawfish)
- Enjoy the tank
One last fts
I hope all the pictures match up with the descriptions, I just found out you can't have more than ten images in a post.
brubakron
New member
It has been a productive weekend. I have the stand for the 75 built, and plumbed in - so the entire system is up and running. I built a filter sock holder out of pvc pipes, and when I decide not to use filter socks can put in filter floss. I also tested the system for a power failure, and at the current level it will hold all water from a back syphon. In addition with the ball valve the external skimmer will not over flow.
Over the next week I plan to move over some inhabitants of my other tanks, and eventually take down the 40 breeder. Once that tank is down I will move that lighting over the 75 [I know it is not enough for a 75, but I only need it to light the half that will be a frag grow out area (for now)]
I am going to think carefully about the order that I stock the tank in -
I have two pairs of clowns currently in separate tanks that I will put in at the same time - currently I only have one anemone, so (with the advice of someone that knows what they doing with clown fish from a lfs) I will probably get another anemone before I introduce them both into the dt.
I also have a Tomini tang that I want to put in with a Kole Yellow Eye (still need to purchase). So it may be awhile to before I get both of them in dt -I probably will move the Tomini into the 75 for now for its health, but am concerned about catching it when it is time to go into the dt.
The jawfish I have coming will probably be here within a few weeks - so it will be awhile for any new fish additions by the time I qt them and introduce into the dt.
As always feedback is welcome (especially if you see a big problem with my plumbing since this is my first time plumbing together multiple tanks).
Over the next week I plan to move over some inhabitants of my other tanks, and eventually take down the 40 breeder. Once that tank is down I will move that lighting over the 75 [I know it is not enough for a 75, but I only need it to light the half that will be a frag grow out area (for now)]
I am going to think carefully about the order that I stock the tank in -
I have two pairs of clowns currently in separate tanks that I will put in at the same time - currently I only have one anemone, so (with the advice of someone that knows what they doing with clown fish from a lfs) I will probably get another anemone before I introduce them both into the dt.
I also have a Tomini tang that I want to put in with a Kole Yellow Eye (still need to purchase). So it may be awhile to before I get both of them in dt -I probably will move the Tomini into the 75 for now for its health, but am concerned about catching it when it is time to go into the dt.
The jawfish I have coming will probably be here within a few weeks - so it will be awhile for any new fish additions by the time I qt them and introduce into the dt.
As always feedback is welcome (especially if you see a big problem with my plumbing since this is my first time plumbing together multiple tanks).
brubakron
New member
A few pictures to show the progress - I have moved everything from the 40 breeder into the DT or the 75 fuge/frag tank. The corals are beginning to color up in the DT after being under older T5 lighting. The pictures still don't do the color justice for some of the corals, and in the pictures I am still running the lights at 30% at close to a 14k setting. This weekend I plan to move in a few more colorful pieces of liver rock from the biocube, along with a couple of fish and shrimp.
So far in tank besides the corals are 2 barred gobies, 2 blue gurgeons, a cleaner shrimp. and a yellow watchman goby/pistol shrimp combo.
In the fuge/frag tank I have the anemone with one set of clowns - I thought that I would get the nem used to the water conditions while having it under the same light from the 40. Also, I have a pair of fire clowns in the biocube that I am going to get another nem for so that there is no fighting for one. Any suggestions for a new for the fire clowns - I like the rose BTAs, however I think that the fire clowns would blend into it too much (assuming they would associate with it). I have a green BTA currently with the black and white clowns, which would look good with fire clowns, but that would probably only stress everything out trying to switch nems.
So far in tank besides the corals are 2 barred gobies, 2 blue gurgeons, a cleaner shrimp. and a yellow watchman goby/pistol shrimp combo.
In the fuge/frag tank I have the anemone with one set of clowns - I thought that I would get the nem used to the water conditions while having it under the same light from the 40. Also, I have a pair of fire clowns in the biocube that I am going to get another nem for so that there is no fighting for one. Any suggestions for a new for the fire clowns - I like the rose BTAs, however I think that the fire clowns would blend into it too much (assuming they would associate with it). I have a green BTA currently with the black and white clowns, which would look good with fire clowns, but that would probably only stress everything out trying to switch nems.
brubakron
New member
I did some testing today - and need to work on getting the alkalinity up. Here is are some of the parameters of the tank -
Phosphate (Hanna Checker) - 0.00 - If this is accurate, which I believe it probably is, but plan to test again tomorrow, then the process of using lanthanum chloride worked well!
Kh/Alk (Safilert Kit) - 5.4/1.93 - Too low and plan to work on slowly brining it up this week.
Magnesium (Safilert) - Did not register - no color change so over 1500 - I will test again tomorrow, and actually use a second does and figure out exactly where I am at. Not overall concerned about how high it is right now, as many people raise it pretty high to try and battle bryopsis.
Calcium (API) - 480 - 500
I use instant ocean salt, and have not dosed anything at this point. I am going to get my ato set up (hopefully tomorrow night) to stabilize the salinity. After that I plan to raise the alkalinity in the tank, and then monitor daily to find out what is being used, and what dosing I will need to do.
A couple of pictures - I recently moved over a few rocks from the 29, and moved in a couple of hammer corals.
Phosphate (Hanna Checker) - 0.00 - If this is accurate, which I believe it probably is, but plan to test again tomorrow, then the process of using lanthanum chloride worked well!
Kh/Alk (Safilert Kit) - 5.4/1.93 - Too low and plan to work on slowly brining it up this week.
Magnesium (Safilert) - Did not register - no color change so over 1500 - I will test again tomorrow, and actually use a second does and figure out exactly where I am at. Not overall concerned about how high it is right now, as many people raise it pretty high to try and battle bryopsis.
Calcium (API) - 480 - 500
I use instant ocean salt, and have not dosed anything at this point. I am going to get my ato set up (hopefully tomorrow night) to stabilize the salinity. After that I plan to raise the alkalinity in the tank, and then monitor daily to find out what is being used, and what dosing I will need to do.
A couple of pictures - I recently moved over a few rocks from the 29, and moved in a couple of hammer corals.
brubakron
New member
I worked on the fishroom a little today, and it is really coming together. The cord situation still isn't great, but it is better than it was, and I wont worry about any of the controllers falling out of the tray. I still need to hook the RO waste line directly into the drain, but other than that the system is working.
I also picked up a RBTA this weekend for my fire clowns. The anemone starting hosting them at some point in the first night, I believe the clowns to be very happy. Since I now have an anemone for each pair of clowns, I am planning on adding them into the display tank at the same time in the next few weeks.
I currently have a Starry Blenny in the QT, and am waiting for the jawfish I requested through a LFS. The stock list for the main tank at the moment is as follows:
Yellow watchman goby and pistol shrimp
2 zebra barred gobies
2 blue gudgeons
A cleaner shrimp
A coral banded shrimp
2 peppermint shrimp
A serpent starfish
A few hammer corals, pectinia, chalice, SPS frag (to see how it does), and a few other corals
Currently have in other tanks to be added
2 black and white clowns w/ a GBTA
2 fire clowns with a RBTA
Starry blenny
Tomini Tang (currently in the 75 fuge - am waiting to get a Kole Yellow Eye and introduce at the same time after the QT of the of the Kole)
Pink-streaked wrasse - I haven't decided if this fish (one of my favorites) will go into the DT because of its size
Lawnmower blenny - to stay in the 75 to pick at any nuisance algae
Will be added at some point - list may change
2 pearly jawfish
2 dusky jawfish
Blue spot jawfish
Purple tang (the wife saw one today, and she decided one will be going in the tank)
Naso tang
Kole yellow eye tang
Purple tilefish
Assortment of wrasses - not sure exactly which ones yet
Magnificent Foxface
Queen Angel - would be the last fish, and in a few years when the reef is more established I will have to decide if it is worth the risk
I am sure that there will be other fish and changes, but that is what I am thinking for now.
I need to bring up the alk in the tank first though, and am working on balancing out the parameters of the tank. Thanks for following along, and any input is always welcome.
I also picked up a RBTA this weekend for my fire clowns. The anemone starting hosting them at some point in the first night, I believe the clowns to be very happy. Since I now have an anemone for each pair of clowns, I am planning on adding them into the display tank at the same time in the next few weeks.
I currently have a Starry Blenny in the QT, and am waiting for the jawfish I requested through a LFS. The stock list for the main tank at the moment is as follows:
Yellow watchman goby and pistol shrimp
2 zebra barred gobies
2 blue gudgeons
A cleaner shrimp
A coral banded shrimp
2 peppermint shrimp
A serpent starfish
A few hammer corals, pectinia, chalice, SPS frag (to see how it does), and a few other corals
Currently have in other tanks to be added
2 black and white clowns w/ a GBTA
2 fire clowns with a RBTA
Starry blenny
Tomini Tang (currently in the 75 fuge - am waiting to get a Kole Yellow Eye and introduce at the same time after the QT of the of the Kole)
Pink-streaked wrasse - I haven't decided if this fish (one of my favorites) will go into the DT because of its size
Lawnmower blenny - to stay in the 75 to pick at any nuisance algae
Will be added at some point - list may change
2 pearly jawfish
2 dusky jawfish
Blue spot jawfish
Purple tang (the wife saw one today, and she decided one will be going in the tank)
Naso tang
Kole yellow eye tang
Purple tilefish
Assortment of wrasses - not sure exactly which ones yet
Magnificent Foxface
Queen Angel - would be the last fish, and in a few years when the reef is more established I will have to decide if it is worth the risk
I am sure that there will be other fish and changes, but that is what I am thinking for now.
I need to bring up the alk in the tank first though, and am working on balancing out the parameters of the tank. Thanks for following along, and any input is always welcome.
brubakron
New member
A quick update - I did my first large water change today on the tank, and plan to get into a routine of every three weeks or so doing a water change. I am measuring the alk consumption of the tank, and will probably begin a 2 part dosing system soon. Things are going well at the moment, and I have moved over most of the livestock from my other tanks. Here are some not so great shots, but you get the idea. When I get close the pictures become very blue.
A FTS
I acquired a long tentacle fungia this weekend - it looks way more purple in person that the picture shows.
And one set of clowns are currently enjoying the tank with their anemone
A FTS
I acquired a long tentacle fungia this weekend - it looks way more purple in person that the picture shows.
And one set of clowns are currently enjoying the tank with their anemone
brubakron
New member
Pictures first then the update.
My new Pink Tip Elegance Coral
Gold Spot Rabbitfish (A terrible picture, but I took it when I had the chance to get a full body shot)
This fish has been cracking me up. The way that he will lay down as a defense mechanism.
Kole Yellow Eye Tang
Blue Spot Jawfish (A terrible picture too)
FTS
Exposed end/ Cove side of the tank
And the Starry Blenny completed his stay in the QT, and is in the DT
This has been a huge fish week for me this past week, and currently have my QTs full of fish, and just starting the 8 week long QT time. I took advantage of great finds and sales at three local fish stores this week, and got all of my fish cheaper than I could find most of them on-line. In the 40 breeder I have a Kole Yellow Eye that was a little beat up and had a scratch. I got him for a great price, and he is already looking great. Also in the 40 QT are the gold spot rabbitfish that was an amazing deal, and a blue spot jawfish that I have been looking for. The Kole was in the QT tank about three days before the gold spot, and when I introduced the gold spot the Kole was in his face. He didn't seem aggressive, but more that he wanted a buddy in the tank. I didn't want to stress out the gold spot anymore, so I separated the tank in two (it turns out a biocube hqi glass top is a perfect size to divide a 40 breeder. Both fish were always by each other (through the glass), and then today somehow the Kole was over on the gold spot's side. I decided to take out the divider, and they are doing great together.
In the 29 QT I have 2 pearly jawfish starting the process.
The good news is all of the fish have been eating, and seem to be doing well. Obviously, I have many new fish for the system, and will not be purchasing anymore until probably after the new year. The tank is still doing well, and I am happy with how the corals are doing in the DT. (My goal is sometime soon to get better pictures to accurately show the colors in the tank. As shown above in a few pictures - my camera phone shows way too blue, and my SLR comes out looking more white than the tank actually is, and washes out some of the brighter colors the blue LEDs bring out.) Anyway thanks for following along, and any input is welcome.
My new Pink Tip Elegance Coral
Gold Spot Rabbitfish (A terrible picture, but I took it when I had the chance to get a full body shot)
This fish has been cracking me up. The way that he will lay down as a defense mechanism.
Kole Yellow Eye Tang
Blue Spot Jawfish (A terrible picture too)
FTS
Exposed end/ Cove side of the tank
And the Starry Blenny completed his stay in the QT, and is in the DT
This has been a huge fish week for me this past week, and currently have my QTs full of fish, and just starting the 8 week long QT time. I took advantage of great finds and sales at three local fish stores this week, and got all of my fish cheaper than I could find most of them on-line. In the 40 breeder I have a Kole Yellow Eye that was a little beat up and had a scratch. I got him for a great price, and he is already looking great. Also in the 40 QT are the gold spot rabbitfish that was an amazing deal, and a blue spot jawfish that I have been looking for. The Kole was in the QT tank about three days before the gold spot, and when I introduced the gold spot the Kole was in his face. He didn't seem aggressive, but more that he wanted a buddy in the tank. I didn't want to stress out the gold spot anymore, so I separated the tank in two (it turns out a biocube hqi glass top is a perfect size to divide a 40 breeder. Both fish were always by each other (through the glass), and then today somehow the Kole was over on the gold spot's side. I decided to take out the divider, and they are doing great together.
In the 29 QT I have 2 pearly jawfish starting the process.
The good news is all of the fish have been eating, and seem to be doing well. Obviously, I have many new fish for the system, and will not be purchasing anymore until probably after the new year. The tank is still doing well, and I am happy with how the corals are doing in the DT. (My goal is sometime soon to get better pictures to accurately show the colors in the tank. As shown above in a few pictures - my camera phone shows way too blue, and my SLR comes out looking more white than the tank actually is, and washes out some of the brighter colors the blue LEDs bring out.) Anyway thanks for following along, and any input is welcome.
brubakron
New member
I put about 280 pounds of sand in, which was way too much. Once I had my rockwork in I way overestimated the amount of sand needed. I syphoned some of it out into my 75 fuge. If I had to guess I would say I probably have about 220 - 240 pounds of sand. This created a thick sand bed, which my sand dwelling animals enjoy.
jacob.morgan78
New member
nice inspiring build... thanks! I'm planning an in wall build within the next year.
brubakron
New member
I haven't had too much to share recently. My new fish are still in QT - 5 weeks in and everything is doing really well. Currently the second dose of Prazipro is finishing up for the QT fish - blue spot jawfish, Kole Yellow Eye Tang, Gold Spot rabbitfish, and in the other QT - 2 pearly jawfish. Everything has been healthy and all the fish look great. I am doing the Prazipro just as a precaution. I plan to take 8 full weeks for QT though just to be sure, so in 3 weeks they will go into the display tank. At this time I will also move over the Tomini Tang in the fuge so that everything is introduced at the same time.
I got the calcium reactor up and running, and am working on still getting in dialed in. My alk is slowly rising, and is almost where I want it to be. I hope to remove a few rocks on the right side if one of the nems ever moves off the rock they came in on. I also plan to put some time into my lighting schedule the next few weeks, and really get some settings that I like.
A few pictures
Starry blenny popping out from the stunner chalice
Elegance coral is doing well so far
I am trying a few SPS - here is a Bird of Paradise
I got the calcium reactor up and running, and am working on still getting in dialed in. My alk is slowly rising, and is almost where I want it to be. I hope to remove a few rocks on the right side if one of the nems ever moves off the rock they came in on. I also plan to put some time into my lighting schedule the next few weeks, and really get some settings that I like.
A few pictures
Starry blenny popping out from the stunner chalice
Elegance coral is doing well so far
I am trying a few SPS - here is a Bird of Paradise
brubakron
New member
I am up and running again after the 75 sprang a leak. Thanks to a LFS quickly getting me a new tank, and drilling it for me I got it plumbed back into the DT and Sump.
Yesterday was also a big day for moving the fish from QT into the DT - the first large tank fish finally hit my display. So far there has been aggression between the Tomini and Kole Yellow Eye Tangs. Add the Gold Spot Rabbitfish and those three are hanging out together. The pearly jawfish have settled in too, so it has been a better week compared to the last one. It is amazing to have some real movement in the tank. I will post pictures tomorrow after my lights come back on.
So that brings me to the next phase of getting more livestock for the tank. Both of my QT tanks are empty - so of course I need to remedy that. Here are my thoughts at the moment on the next fish for the tank.
2 sand sifting gobies (one for the DT and one for 75 fuge) - Maybe a diamond and a gold headed sleeper goby or a green striped goby if I can find one)
A group of anthias - I like the look of Bartlett's Anthias - but am concerned about them possibly becoming too aggressive - any input would be great.
Cleaner wrasse - one or two
Other wrasse - a peaceful one to add some color - possibly a pearly wrasse - looks cool from pictures, but I have never viewed one in person - anyone have experience
Possibly a couple of other smaller fish - dusky jawfish, chalk basslet - still thinking this out
I am also going to work on adding some corals - Anyways input is always welcome.
Yesterday was also a big day for moving the fish from QT into the DT - the first large tank fish finally hit my display. So far there has been aggression between the Tomini and Kole Yellow Eye Tangs. Add the Gold Spot Rabbitfish and those three are hanging out together. The pearly jawfish have settled in too, so it has been a better week compared to the last one. It is amazing to have some real movement in the tank. I will post pictures tomorrow after my lights come back on.
So that brings me to the next phase of getting more livestock for the tank. Both of my QT tanks are empty - so of course I need to remedy that. Here are my thoughts at the moment on the next fish for the tank.
2 sand sifting gobies (one for the DT and one for 75 fuge) - Maybe a diamond and a gold headed sleeper goby or a green striped goby if I can find one)
A group of anthias - I like the look of Bartlett's Anthias - but am concerned about them possibly becoming too aggressive - any input would be great.
Cleaner wrasse - one or two
Other wrasse - a peaceful one to add some color - possibly a pearly wrasse - looks cool from pictures, but I have never viewed one in person - anyone have experience
Possibly a couple of other smaller fish - dusky jawfish, chalk basslet - still thinking this out
I am also going to work on adding some corals - Anyways input is always welcome.
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Great work on the tank and congrats on getting movement in your tank. I am still a couple months away. Your fish collection is sweet. I love jaw fish.
