29G Reset - Almost 7 years old

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Hello,

This is my 29gallon that I started almost 7 years ago. Over the past year the RBTA I had in there split so many times it took over about half of my tank. The other half was taken over my a really healthy/large branching hammer.

I never had the tank to the point that I really wanted it as far as equipment. I had a hang on the back refugium/skimmer from CPR running the entire time and koralias/etc for flow. Here are pictures from when I decided to trim it all down and start-a-new.

I have had two children in the time that I started this tank and now feel I have the time to get it to the way I want it. I've been doing the following over the past 2 months.

1. Built a hoold and got a smaller retro-fit T5HO lamp.. (my older lamp was for a longer tank)

2. Installed a RS75 Sump from Eshopps
3. plumbed in a BRS GFO/Carbon reactor off the return.
4. Sold off 14 RBTA!
5. Sold off a large amount of the branching hammer.

I will post more pictures in the next post.

thanks,

ben

 

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I forgot to mention that I also installed a gyre 150 and I love it.

This is where I am now:

Here is the initial hood build:

Finished Hood:

Opened Hood:

Controller/Gyre (i wish i had pushed the lid all the way shut, it actually does shut and looks clean):

 

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And for the sump area:

Eshopps RS75:

BRS GFO/Carbon, which I mounted on the wall behind the tank and plumbed into the return line:

I've restocked my cleanup crew and am waiting for my phosphates levels to clear. Each day it looks better and better.


Anyway, does anyone have any other tips for tanks of this age? I've been doing 10% water changes ever 5 days or so and blasting the rocks as much as I can. I think the other setup got the way it was because of age/lack of flow and I allows the hammer/RBTA to get out of hand.

Thanks,

Ben