75g In Office Build
- Thread starter Bax
- Start date
Bax
Premium Member
Here's a pretty fuzzy pic of a Fox Face in the QT. I was going to get a Two Barred Rabbit but after having it on hold at the LFS for a week, it did not look too good. The rabbit was for my 240 eventually anyway so I got the Fox instead, it will stay in the 75 g.
I hooked up a second Phosban Reactor, about six weeks ago, I am sure it helped my nuisance algae problem quite a bit. I also got a new bulb for my 9w UV sterilizer but when cleaning it I discovered a leak in the seal for the bulb so that is resealed and curing I'll hook it up again soon as I can. Fortunately the bulb and unit still work just fine.
I hooked up a second Phosban Reactor, about six weeks ago, I am sure it helped my nuisance algae problem quite a bit. I also got a new bulb for my 9w UV sterilizer but when cleaning it I discovered a leak in the seal for the bulb so that is resealed and curing I'll hook it up again soon as I can. Fortunately the bulb and unit still work just fine.
Bax
Premium Member
Here's one focused on the new squamy 
A close up on the A. Prostrata ... just finally installed another pair of 54w T-5s, they have been leaning against the wall since Christmas! That'll help this beauty color up
I love the look of the tank with the extra lighting I am pretty sure this'll push me over the edge and I'll need a chiller this summer, hope not but ...
A close up on the A. Prostrata ... just finally installed another pair of 54w T-5s, they have been leaning against the wall since Christmas! That'll help this beauty color up
I love the look of the tank with the extra lighting I am pretty sure this'll push me over the edge and I'll need a chiller this summer, hope not but ...
rjwilson37
New member
Looking sweet Bax, very nice!
Bax
Premium Member
Just to post a monthly up date:
It's been a weird month, the tank has been running for about six months and there are many maintenance items I need to address, pump cleaning and such. To that end, my secondary Phosban reactor clogged, or something, and blew out Phosban all through my sump. I siphoned out what I could and did several water changes but have noticed a few corals stressing since this event. So I've been doing 3-5 gal water changes twice a week with lots of siphoning of whatever looks like Phosban from the sump. I think it'll be OK. I modded the Reactor so the filter can't allow media to pass ever again.
Then my brand new T-5 ballast blew out, ReefGeek has a new one on the way ... thank you Greg awesome customer service there.
My params are solid ND for A/N/N;
< .03 for PO4;
Ca is over 450 (I'd like to see it come down);
Alk/Mg are still lower than I'd like but rising at 2.5meg/lt & 1,150 meg/lt
pH range is 8.0-8.4
ORP range is 340-320
temp is 80-81.3
I just scored a VorTech pump it'll be here by Monday. I don't know that I'll use it permanently on this system, but it'll be fun to play with (I got it for my bigger system under construction)
Anyway, that's all for now.
I'll post some pics soon.
Happy Reefing
It's been a weird month, the tank has been running for about six months and there are many maintenance items I need to address, pump cleaning and such. To that end, my secondary Phosban reactor clogged, or something, and blew out Phosban all through my sump. I siphoned out what I could and did several water changes but have noticed a few corals stressing since this event. So I've been doing 3-5 gal water changes twice a week with lots of siphoning of whatever looks like Phosban from the sump. I think it'll be OK. I modded the Reactor so the filter can't allow media to pass ever again.
Then my brand new T-5 ballast blew out, ReefGeek has a new one on the way ... thank you Greg awesome customer service there.
My params are solid ND for A/N/N;
< .03 for PO4;
Ca is over 450 (I'd like to see it come down);
Alk/Mg are still lower than I'd like but rising at 2.5meg/lt & 1,150 meg/lt
pH range is 8.0-8.4
ORP range is 340-320
temp is 80-81.3
I just scored a VorTech pump it'll be here by Monday. I don't know that I'll use it permanently on this system, but it'll be fun to play with (I got it for my bigger system under construction)
Anyway, that's all for now.
I'll post some pics soon.
Happy Reefing
Bax
Premium Member
Forgot to mention nuisance algae, how could I forget nuisance algae?
It's still there but way more under control. I started to siphon patches of it once a week as a harvesting method and it's working much better than pruning as all the algae is removed and it does not float away to spread around the tank.
My new nemesis is pyramid snails. Their population is really taking off. I am removing them by harvesting the snails from the astrea snails (yes they seem to like them better than clams) and occasionally from clams. I brush all the astreas and clam shells a couple of times a week to clean off eggs. This plague has me worried as I love my clams. So far 3 of 4 clams look no worse for the presence of the pyramids, my T max is struggling though.
My 3" crocea
6" derasa & squamosa
It's still there but way more under control. I started to siphon patches of it once a week as a harvesting method and it's working much better than pruning as all the algae is removed and it does not float away to spread around the tank.
My new nemesis is pyramid snails. Their population is really taking off. I am removing them by harvesting the snails from the astrea snails (yes they seem to like them better than clams) and occasionally from clams. I brush all the astreas and clam shells a couple of times a week to clean off eggs. This plague has me worried as I love my clams. So far 3 of 4 clams look no worse for the presence of the pyramids, my T max is struggling though.
My 3" crocea
6" derasa & squamosa
Bax
Premium Member
Got my VorTech pump yesterday!
It's pretty nice, I don't know that they will ever completely replace Tunze as the premier power head as they are not directional and must be mounted perpendicular to the glass, but they sure put out some flow with very low energy virtually no heat!
I moved my Tunze 6000 from the right end to the left back corner, keeping it on pulse. I put the VorTech on the right end toward the front. It is still breaking in so it's not even set on 1/3 power and between the two, the flow is incredible!
Now I was able to turn off the Mag 9.5 running my SCWD CL and my top heat of the day dropped nearly 2 degs. That is huge for me as once the summer starts heating up, I know I would have to have run a chiller as my AC barely kept up last year. I now just might make it without one!!!
For now I am still running the CL with the PanWorld 50PX-X on the manifold we'll see if I still need it as I crank up the VorTech... he he
It's pretty nice, I don't know that they will ever completely replace Tunze as the premier power head as they are not directional and must be mounted perpendicular to the glass, but they sure put out some flow with very low energy virtually no heat!
I moved my Tunze 6000 from the right end to the left back corner, keeping it on pulse. I put the VorTech on the right end toward the front. It is still breaking in so it's not even set on 1/3 power and between the two, the flow is incredible!
Now I was able to turn off the Mag 9.5 running my SCWD CL and my top heat of the day dropped nearly 2 degs. That is huge for me as once the summer starts heating up, I know I would have to have run a chiller as my AC barely kept up last year. I now just might make it without one!!!
For now I am still running the CL with the PanWorld 50PX-X on the manifold we'll see if I still need it as I crank up the VorTech... he he
Bax
Premium Member
Monthly up date ...
I haven't changed anything as work has been just insane!!!!
Still loving the VorTech/Tunze combination for flow. I will be needing the chiller. I am already running the AC at a moderate temp and the heat and humidity in my office are rising each warm day.
SO, I will keep the CL with t he PanWorld and manifold and plumb that through a 1/4 hp chiller I have, I just have to figure out where to put the chiller?! ... But I'll work something out
I haven't changed anything as work has been just insane!!!!
Still loving the VorTech/Tunze combination for flow. I will be needing the chiller. I am already running the AC at a moderate temp and the heat and humidity in my office are rising each warm day.
SO, I will keep the CL with t he PanWorld and manifold and plumb that through a 1/4 hp chiller I have, I just have to figure out where to put the chiller?! ... But I'll work something out
hairymushroom
New member
Great tank ! how is the henochius with the clams? those snails are really a cause for concern, you should check all your clams shells after dark esp. around the foot and underneath the mantle , to remove them you can scrub them off with a tooth brush before they lay eggs ( or do a 15-20 min FW dip, but that is really a last resort)
Bax
Premium Member
Thanks hairymushroom!
The henochius is fine with the clams. It grazes the rock constantly so it occasionally nips but it seems totally incidental and not an actual effort to have a clam meal.
And yes I scrub clams and snails constantly. It's all I can do clean shells and wait, hopefully this infestation will pass. I've read that with persistence it will but it takes time.
The henochius is fine with the clams. It grazes the rock constantly so it occasionally nips but it seems totally incidental and not an actual effort to have a clam meal.
And yes I scrub clams and snails constantly. It's all I can do clean shells and wait, hopefully this infestation will pass. I've read that with persistence it will but it takes time.
Bax
Premium Member
It's official!
We'll be moving our office in July ... So my 75g office build thread will be closing out and I'll be starting a 120 g office build upgrade thread!
It is a shame that just when my algea troubles are finally behind me I'll have to do it all again.
I'll post some final shots and a link to the 120 thread before the end of the month for those who are intersted
We'll be moving our office in July ... So my 75g office build thread will be closing out and I'll be starting a 120 g office build upgrade thread!
It is a shame that just when my algea troubles are finally behind me I'll have to do it all again.
I'll post some final shots and a link to the 120 thread before the end of the month for those who are intersted
I know it is somewhere in this thread but how much rock do you have in your tank overall, and how much of that is base. I can't tell that there is any base in there at all. Looks really good. Exactly the look I am after, especially the clams. Too bad you have to break it down and start all over, but then again, setting these up is most of the fun.
Bax
Premium Member
Blutowski
"setting these up is most of the fun."
Exactly!!! ... and thanks for the complement.
I have really enjoyed every step of the journey in setting up this tank. I looked at as a learning experience and it certainly has been that. I hope to work out a lot of kinks in the 120
There is approximately 150 pounds of rock in the system, about 135 in the display. 60 pounds were added as base rock from HIROCKS... and no, you can not see a difference.
That said I would strongly recommend a long soak before using any dry base rock. Although I washed the base rock, I belive it contributed to my algea troubles to some extent. I would also look at ReeferRocks for base rock they have real nice looking shapes. The Hirocks are very cheap, at $85 shipped for 60 pounds, it's hard not buy a box and deal with preparation.
"setting these up is most of the fun."
Exactly!!! ... and thanks for the complement.
I have really enjoyed every step of the journey in setting up this tank. I looked at as a learning experience and it certainly has been that. I hope to work out a lot of kinks in the 120
There is approximately 150 pounds of rock in the system, about 135 in the display. 60 pounds were added as base rock from HIROCKS... and no, you can not see a difference.
That said I would strongly recommend a long soak before using any dry base rock. Although I washed the base rock, I belive it contributed to my algea troubles to some extent. I would also look at ReeferRocks for base rock they have real nice looking shapes. The Hirocks are very cheap, at $85 shipped for 60 pounds, it's hard not buy a box and deal with preparation.
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