50g SPS build

[cpllongjk]

Update (2/1/2014)

90% of the algae is gone. I ID'd the problem as the rusty magnet leaching iron into my tank.

Over the past few weeks I've done 3 or 4 20% water changes using ESV Salt. The turbos are cleaning up the last bit of algae on the rocks. I also started using a filter sock in my sump to catch un-eaten food or waste whenever I do a water change or blow off rocks. I seem to be changing them out twice a week or whenever they look completely brown and the water level in the sock starts to rise above the sump level.

The purpose for so many water changes was a few reasons... 1st it was to clean the tank as quickly as possible of detritus in the sandbed and rock work, 2nd it was to dilute the iron concentration as much as possible, and 3rd I wanted my kids to be able to see the fish. It's a treat when you're kids say "MY FISHIE."

Current tank parameters are:
SG 1.025
Temp 77-77.5
pH 8.3-8.5
Nitrate < 5 ppm
Phosphate < 0.04
Calcium 400 ppm
dKH 7.0-7.5 (I prefer this low due to zeovit)
Mg (cannot test yet, my son lost my kit)

 

[sahin]

Update (2/1/2014)

90% of the algae is gone. I ID'd the problem as the rusty magnet leaching iron into my tank.

Over the past few weeks I've done 3 or 4 20% water changes using ESV Salt. The turbos are cleaning up the last bit of algae on the rocks. I also started using a filter sock in my sump to catch un-eaten food or waste whenever I do a water change or blow off rocks. I seem to be changing them out twice a week or whenever they look completely brown and the water level in the sock starts to rise above the sump level.

The purpose for so many water changes was a few reasons... 1st it was to clean the tank as quickly as possible of detritus in the sandbed and rock work, 2nd it was to dilute the iron concentration as much as possible, and 3rd I wanted my kids to be able to see the fish. It's a treat when you're kids say "MY FISHIE."

Current tank parameters are:
SG 1.025
Temp 77-77.5
pH 8.3-8.5
Nitrate < 5 ppm
Phosphate < 0.04
Calcium 400 ppm
dKH 7.0-7.5 (I prefer this low due to zeovit)
Mg (cannot test yet, my son lost my kit)

Nice progress. I've always said on this forum and other, one of the best things you can do for your tank when there are issues is: waterchanges.

Keep up the good work.

 

[cpllongjk]

Nice progress. I've always said on this forum and other, one of the best things you can do for your tank when there are issues is: waterchanges.

Keep up the good work.

Thanks!

Sahin,

I hate to admit this but I have been a nay-say'r of filter socks until now. On all my previous tanks I have never run filter socks because I really didn't want to wash them out. Or my wife was against me washing them in our washing machine. When I started using them, my wife said "WOW! That's just 3 days?" I said yea, its staying out of my sump now. Before I would have to worry about snails or algae clogging the skimmer intake, not anymore!

 

[sahin]

Thanks!

Sahin,

I hate to admit this but I have been a nay-say'r of filter socks until now. On all my previous tanks I have never run filter socks because I really didn't want to wash them out. Or my wife was against me washing them in our washing machine. When I started using them, my wife said "WOW! That's just 3 days?" I said yea, its staying out of my sump now. Before I would have to worry about snails or algae clogging the skimmer intake, not anymore!

I've always used socks...until the past few weeks, after I've been following Biggles' tank journal. I think I used to strip my water too clean. Now I let the sump dirty up a little. I will see what happens for a few months and then start using them again if I see any adverse results.

 

[cpllongjk]

I've always used socks...until the past few weeks, after I've been following Biggles' tank journal. I think I used to strip my water too clean. Now I let the sump dirty up a little. I will see what happens for a few months and then start using them again if I see any adverse results.

My plan is to feed more to prevent that. I've always fed too little, now I want my fish to be happy and healthy. I need to find some fresh seafood so I can try out Roggers Reef recipe. I want a very well balanced food for my fish and corals. Need to get some Selcon and Cyclop-eeze first though.

 

[sahin]

My plan is to feed more to prevent that. I've always fed too little, now I want my fish to be happy and healthy. I need to find some fresh seafood so I can try out Roggers Reef recipe. I want a very well balanced food for my fish and corals. Need to get some Selcon and Cyclop-eeze first though.

Thats a good plan. Stuff like Rods Foods, Roggers Reef Recipe are really good foods...its a great shame we dont have stuff like those foods over here in the UK.

Do you happen to know the main constituents of Roggers Reef Recipe? - I want to try and make it myself.

 

[cpllongjk]

Watch it on youtube. He covers pretty much how to make it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJkRuq5-ac0

Make sure you watch all 3 parts.

 

[cpllongjk]

BTW I made these videos last year and forgot to post them.

This is a series of videos to show you how easy B-ionic Seawater is to mix and my review.

Testing results are consistent at:

34-35 ppt @ 77.0[SUP]o[/SUP]F
1380 ppm Mg
420-450 ppm Ca
10.4 dKH
8.00-8.10 pH

Now for the videos...

 

[biggles]

I like your two island rock scape mate, good depth of field that will be a great platform for coral placement. I always join in following reefs just when the good part is coming lol :thumbsup:
Even though i only use NSW i think those videos are great for those who mix their own salt water - well done. I think even Sahin could follow those instructions.............

 

[cpllongjk]

I like your two island rock scape mate, good depth of field that will be a great platform for coral placement. I always join in following reefs just when the good part is coming lol :thumbsup:
Even though i only use NSW i think those videos are great for those who mix their own salt water - well done. I think even Sahin could follow those instructions.............

Thanks!

I did those a year ago and if you can't tell, I am an 8th grade science teacher LOL!

I watched them tonight and was like "damn, I look nervous." I'm just too lazy to redo them.

 

[sahin]

Thanks for the video links. I really liked watching the Roggers Food videos. going to make my own fish food soon.

 

[cpllongjk]

So a lots happened past two days.

Wednesday one of my tunze 6055 power supplies died, and I thought my pump had also died. But after taking all my pumps offline and giving them all a nice vinegar bath I found that the pump was good.

Then tonight I came home and found another pump's power supply blinking. I then notice that there is an electrical burning smell coming from the power supply. That sucker is dead too. 2 power supplies died in a matter of 3 days.

They were pretty old and while I don't think it is a coincidence I do believe it was my fault. I had those power supplies in a dry box so they wouldn't wet and didn't give them proper ventilation.

This was an expensive lesson. Make sure the power supplies get some passive air, I was so concerned with them getting wet I forgot about cooling them.

Darn

 

[biggles]

That sucks mate, thanks for explaining what the cause was as little things like that are easy to do so it helps when we all share our goofs to remind each other what NOT to do lol. :facepalm:

 

[sahin]

Sorry mate, that is an expensive mistake. I have a 2-3inch gap behind my tank where all the power supplies lie (ie for my MP10's, GHL Profilux, Doser unit etc).

 

[cpllongjk]

Sorry mate, that is an expensive mistake. I have a 2-3inch gap behind my tank where all the power supplies lie (ie for my MP10's, GHL Profilux, Doser unit etc).

I wanted to put them on the ground behind the tank but didn't like the thought of water possibly getting on or in the power supply. I guess my over precautions cost me more than just setting them out. When I get new ones I will change where I put the power supplies so they get some passive air at least.

 

[cpllongjk]

Added a reefbrite 24" xho all blue module today. I plan on adding another one soon and a dimming unit to control both of them.

I went with the reefbrite because it allows me to keep my t5s, which I love, and still get royal blues for the "pop" I am looking for. Another bonus is with the dimming unit I can dim down as low as 1% without them turning off and use them as moonlights. It will help create a realistic 24/7 lighting experience. The color is amazing with just 1, I can't believe the difference they make.

I plan on starting to add frags very soon. I got the go-ahead from the wife and she wants to pick some of the frags out if possible. My plan is to only add frags of stuff that will be I can trade at frag swaps. I would like to do an all ORA/Named tank but we will see what happens.

Jared

 

[sahin]

Added a reefbrite 24" xho all blue module today. I plan on adding another one soon and a dimming unit to control both of them.

I went with the reefbrite because it allows me to keep my t5s, which I love, and still get royal blues for the "pop" I am looking for. Another bonus is with the dimming unit I can dim down as low as 1% without them turning off and use them as moonlights. It will help create a realistic 24/7 lighting experience. The color is amazing with just 1, I can't believe the difference they make.

I plan on starting to add frags very soon. I got the go-ahead from the wife and she wants to pick some of the frags out if possible. My plan is to only add frags of stuff that will be I can trade at frag swaps. I would like to do an all ORA/Named tank but we will see what happens.

Jared

I knew you will love the Reefbrites.

I too would only add ORA/named/High End SPS: You know what colour they will become and so have an informed expectation of the colours etc. Plus they are mostly going to sell rather than some poopy brown Hysterix :lol:

 

[cpllongjk]

Took a few shots with the camera after watching JetStream's guides on Reef Photography. Thanks JetStream! I've always wanted to know how to take better pictures and already see the difference in quality. I've always just shot in AUTO mode, YUCK!




And a FTS before I start getting frags next month.

 

[invertinoob]

wow the tank looks very nice. i'm in the early planning stages of doing an all sps 20l. your tank looks like it is about ready for some coral! followed, can't wait to see more.

 

[cpllongjk]

wow the tank looks very nice. i'm in the early planning stages of doing an all sps 20l. your tank looks like it is about ready for some coral! followed, can't wait to see more.

Thanks. It is ready but I am babying it. When I first started the tank I had never used dry rock before. I didn't research enough about using acid to strip off the phosphates or how long I would have to wait for the phosphates to be released.

The tank is a little over 1 year old now and I believe everything is out of the rock that was in there. I am stirring the sand at least once a week where I can. I set up a custom pump profile including 4 hours a day where my pumps go into what I call "SURGE" mode. "Surge" mode just means that 1 pumps goes 100% while the others turn off, and they rotate for 30-45min. This really does stir up the detritus. Try it sometime! It's crazy when you turn off other pumps what you see.

With the addition of a filter sock exchanged twice a week and running carbon, the water is super clear. I even ran out of coral snow and honestly, I haven't even needed it. Every 3-4 days the filter sock looks worse than my skimmer cup. Just NASTY! What algae was left in the tank the turbos have been grazing on. There is only a slight amount of algae left on the back wall of the tank. The rocks are super clean.