90g Reef Rebirth

Today is an exciting day!!! I am expecting my shipment from IPSF today. I decided to populate the DSB in my fuge with some critters and chose IPSF for the initial addition.

I also plan to remove some live rock that is "infested" with GSP and do battle with it. Actually, I have a propane torch and I plan on literally torching it. I have atleast 3 large rocks that I would like to purge. At the same time I plan on rescaping the left side of the tank. I dont like how the rockwork touches the overflow and I want to take more advantage of the depth of the tank. I will hopefully be posting lots of pictures later in the day.
 
I am very satisfied with my attempt to control the GSP in my tank. I effectively torched two large rocks that both had significant amounts of GSP. So far I have yet to see a single polyp emerge from the rocks. I simply used a propane torch on the rocks, scraped the remains off with a toothbrush and then gave the rock a few SW baths to rinse it off nicely. I would classify this as a very effective method to purge the rock if you are able to remove it from the aquarium.

Propane Torch
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Boom Roasted
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I also re-aquascaped the left side when I was done and I must say it turned out very nice. More pics to follow.
 
Looking awesome! I really enjoyed the thread. I am just getting back into the hobby after taking a 4 yr break (moved, bought new house) and your thread helped inpire my new build :)

thanks
 
Create said:
Looking awesome! I really enjoyed the thread. I am just getting back into the hobby after taking a 4 yr break (moved, bought new house) and your thread helped inpire my new build :)

thanks
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Thanks!! I am glad that I was able to inspire a fellow hobbyist. Do you have a link to a build thread or anything?

In other news I plan to do a write up on my IPSF order but I am having trouble finding the time. I really need to get some updated pictures on here too.

I also ordered three new bulbs for my T5 fixture as mine are over a year old now and some GFO to replenish my supply.
 
Very nice tank and well documented thread :)
Can't wait to see more pics, especially since you re-aquascaped!!! I also recently changed some things around. I find it one of the enjoyable things in this hobby! (there ARE soo many!)
Keep up the great work!!
 
Looking forward to seeing some updated pics of the tank, and also seeing what you've got going on in the fuge.

Interesting approach with the GSP - I'm always so amazed at how fast it grows. Thankfully when I started it was recommended I keep it on an island. Advice I actually listened to, so it now stays isolated in one area in my tank. I've used that one initial piece to create about a frag a month which I trade in at the LFS for a tiny bit of credit, and I also moved some to one isolated rock in my 55g. I can't imagine having to try and get rid of it!!!
 
thebkramer said:
Very nice tank and well documented thread :)
Can't wait to see more pics, especially since you re-aquascaped!!! I also recently changed some things around. I find it one of the enjoyable things in this hobby! (there ARE soo many!)
Keep up the great work!!
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Thanks!!! Hopefully I can get some new pics up sometime soon. I was actually reading your thread the other day. Somehow you managed to make the castle decorations work in your tank. I actually might pop in to ask a few questions. For me aquascaping is enjoyable but also VERY frustrating if it doesn't work out.
 
jenjen said:
Looking forward to seeing some updated pics of the tank, and also seeing what you've got going on in the fuge.

Interesting approach with the GSP - I'm always so amazed at how fast it grows. Thankfully when I started it was recommended I keep it on an island. Advice I actually listened to, so it now stays isolated in one area in my tank. I've used that one initial piece to create about a frag a month which I trade in at the LFS for a tiny bit of credit, and I also moved some to one isolated rock in my 55g. I can't imagine having to try and get rid of it!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks, pics to come!

When I put the first incarnation of this tank together a couple years back the GSP came on some live rock from a local reefer who was moving. Needless to say it ended up growing like mad and spreading everywhere. It certainly has its place, just not in my tank. The torching, in my opinion, is the simplest, most effective method for ridding large sections of it. This is, of course, if you can get the rock out of the tank to do it. An island of it is certainly the way to go and I might yet decide to implement this somewhere in the tank.
 
I received my BRS order today. I ordered 3 new bulbs to replace the 13-15 month old Blue+ bulbs and a new pound of GFO media. Everything came packed very well as usual and in great shape. Here is the old and new configuration of bulbs.
Old Configuration:
Blue+
Blue+
Actinic White
Super Actinic
Blue+

New Configuration:
Blue+
Actinic White
Super Actinic
Aquablue Special
Blue+

The tank has pretty much the same color look but is much crisper. I was worried that the addition of another daylight bulb would make the tank too white but the fresh blue+ bulbs compensated for this.
 
xmen0075 said:
Awesome set up! I love the progress! Keep up the good work!!!:thumbsup:
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Thanks! I try to take things slow and make sure they are done right this time around. It is more enjoyable in my opinion to take it slower and truly enjoy the tank.

I ordered a couple zoanthids from reefs2go the other day. They are having some 50% memorial day sale and I live in Florida so shipping is free. Thanks to the holiday they wont come in till Wednesday though. Oh well, thanks to the holiday I have Monday off so not so bad I guess.
 
Sad day :(

I came home from a mini vacation with my girlfriend in St. Augustine to find out my yellow tang had passed. Needless to say I am very depressed and purplexed over it. All the paramaters test good at the moment. My current theory is perhaps the new aquascaping caused some stress. Or maybe the die off from the polyps I torched caused a mini cycle, but I scrubbed the rocks good and rinsed them before they went back in the tank. Either way it is very disappointing.
 
thebkramer said:
:sad1:
Sorry for your loss.
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jenjen said:
Ohhh, that's sooo sad! I'm really sorry to hear it.
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Thanks for the support!

It has been a few days since I updated and I have a few things to talk about. I seriously was considering not putting any other fish in the tank for a while after the mysterious rapid decline of my yellow tang. I tested the water and all parameters were fine and even had a reputable LFS check and everything was good. The employee at this LFS also said he thought my tang might have passed due to being the only fish in the tank for an extended period of time. Once I thought about it actually made some sense and certainly could have been a factor. Then I thought for crying out loud I have over 100 total gallons of system water with plenty of filtration why am I so worried about putting some fish in it. With this in mind I decided to add more than one fish initially if I was going to restock. Well, on Memorial Day, I was able to find a beautiful healthy 2.5" Yellow Tang. My girlfriend also offered to buy me some Blue/Green Reef Chromis to keep him company so we picked up 3 of them. At this time all the fish in the tank are behaving normally and eating readily. The tang is picking at algae in the tank as well as algae I provide on a clip and everyone has eaten flake and frozen Mysid Shrimp with zeal. The fish look very good swimming around and are all very active. I am anxious to see how the Chromis interact together as I have not noticed much aggression so far.

The 3 species of macro algae in the refugium are growing nicely and I constantly see worms and pods scurrying around. I replaced the GFO and Carbon in the reactor last night and also increased the amount of GFO to better reflect my total water volume. Along with this I did a 10% water change and cleaned the sides of the tank. I have noticed some bubble algae forming recently but any type of filamentous algae has been very limited. Worst of all is the Grape Caulerpa that I constantly keep an eye out for. It is very hard to remove and is my greatest nuisance of all. I just hope that with good husbandry and time eventually a majority of the algae will subside.

I hope to get some pics up soon to show the new residents in the tank!
 
Well, as is usually the case, I have noticed one of the 3 chromis getting picked on. In fact, I noticed he had an open wound on his left side in the Caudal Region. This morning I discovered him sucked into the return LocLine in the tank, a favorable spot to show up dead I suppose. Visual inspection showed that the wound had increased in size and harassment I would say was the clear cause of death. I have witnessed the other two being very close and I am hoping they stick together with no aggression.
 
Looking forward to some new pics!

I started with 5 chromis in my 180g and they got rid of one right away. They've settled in at 4, and I don't see much aggression. They're fun fish to watch IMO and don't seem to bother anyone... though my Ocellaris clowns defend their territory ferociously against the Chromis'. Good luck with your pair!
 
cromis add a lot of movement to a tank. I added 7 to my 58 gallon and they are now down to 6 and holding...one was just whimpy from the LFS.
 
jenjen said:
Looking forward to some new pics!

I started with 5 chromis in my 180g and they got rid of one right away. They've settled in at 4, and I don't see much aggression. They're fun fish to watch IMO and don't seem to bother anyone... though my Ocellaris clowns defend their territory ferociously against the Chromis'. Good luck with your pair!
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daveonbass said:
cromis add a lot of movement to a tank. I added 7 to my 58 gallon and they are now down to 6 and holding...one was just whimpy from the LFS.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Very interesting experiences considering the general perception is that odd groups work better. In your cases you started odd and ended even. Perhaps my two will stay content, and I agree they add a ton of movement and a great splash of color.
 
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