90g Reef Rebirth

[KnightReefer]

Wow.. let me redeem myself by saying that stand turned out really nice. Everything look really good.. I won't say another word about those powerheads! :thumbsup:

Thanks, I promise I am going to clean those powerheads, and I will post a pic just for you!

GREAT JOB!!! cant wait to see whats going in it and all the growth!

Thanks, I think i want to try mostly SPS and some LPS too, maybe a few zoas down low as well.

Wow looks really nice. The reefkeeper fits into the stand there perfectly. Makes me want to mount mine, right now its just laying in the bottom of my stand.

I appreciate the compliment. It really ties everything in together and the ability to just glance over at the display is a nice feature.

Aquascaping Version 1.0 was pretty sweet. Version 2.0 is nice too. Can't go wrong either way. Great looking set-up.

I did like version 1.0 too but I wanted to pull the rocks forward and keep them off the glass for increased swimming room and better flow.

-Sean

 

[MatesonG]

Nice! Cant wait to c it!

 

[KnightReefer]

Sorry if I missed it... did you drill the rocks to create the islands? Looks fantastic btw.

No drilling or any fasteners used to hold the rocks. I just stacked them very carefully and made sure they were secure. I might use some type of aquarium safe glue or putty to reinforce a couple pieces for my peace of mind. Thanks for the compliment!

-Sean

 

[KnightReefer]

I tested the water parameters for the first time today.

Ammonia: 1.0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: <5
PH: 8.2
Salinity: 1.024
Temp: 79.5

All tests were done with API test kits, I plan on upgrading to salifert over time. A refractometer was used for the salinity and the temperature comes from the probe on my Reefkeeper. The tank has had water and rock for only about a week. The rock was from my previous tank but surely has had some die-off. Do you think this is the beginning of the cycle or maybe the end of a mini cycle? Either way I dont plan on adding any fish until early April at the earliest. I will continue to test every couple days to keep an eye on the levels.

-Sean

 

[KnightReefer]

Tonight I played the "Let's see how much more stuff we can cram underneath the stand game". Of course I am referring to mounting the BRS Dual reactor. All in all it turned out pretty good and I think it's going to work out alright. Here are a couple photos.

I might play around with the tubes a little bit but it seems to be operating nicely.

-Sean

 

[KnightReefer]

Update......


I've been letting the tank settle in and complete its mini cycle, no rush. A diatom bloom is taking place and the ammonia has dropped, I am keeping an eye on nitrites but so far nothing. I ordered some new chaeto, various snails, and an amphipod/copepod mix. I hope to get the fuge stocked and functional by mid next week parameters permitting. I also ordered the Technical Pro PS-P9 power supply to clean up my remaining plugs.

-Sean

 

[KnightReefer]

Update.......

The amphipod/copepod mix came in today as did the Technical Pro power strip. I let the critters acclimate for an hour or so then let them loose in the refugium to hopefully start a nice little population. I have been working on getting the power strip installed in the tight quarters and hope to cleanup the wires and post some pics tomorrow.

-Sean

 

[Tschupe]

Lookin good. How many lbs of rock do you have in your display?

 

[KnightReefer]

Lookin good. How many lbs of rock do you have in your display?

Thanks for the compliment. There is prolly about 70-80 lbs of Live rock in the tank. I have reaquascaped a little since the last picture but it still has the 2 island look. Hopefully I can post some pics later.

-Sean

 

[KnightReefer]

Here is a couple updated FTS showing the final version of the rockscape. I wanted to make use of the height of the tank a little more while maintaining the island look. I think it will give fish plenty of swim room in addition to plenty of unique coral placement options.

All Lights

2 Blue+

More to come

-Sean

 

[Tschupe]

Wow your rock scape is awesome. What did you use to secure the rock together?

 

[KnightReefer]

Wow your rock scape is awesome. What did you use to secure the rock together?

Thanks!!!

Luck was used to hold it together. I made sure to fit pieces nice and snuggly together so they fit all on their own. A few pieces are a little rocky and I might consider using something to hold them down the road but for now its ok. I just hope I can keep my hands off of the rock.

-Sean

 

[KnightReefer]

I unleeashed some snails in my tank last night. I bought 20 Nassarius, 20 Nerite and 20 Florida Cerith to start with. They sure are taking their sweet time getting going. Here are some admittedly terrible pictures of the release.

-Sean

 

[KnightReefer]

Pictures. Pictures. Pictures.

Here are a few additional pictures of the way things are coming along. The snails have started to really disperse and everything is looking good. I am just going to let it establish for a couple weeks before I get a fish I think.


Full Tank and Stand Shot

Stand and Sump

Refugium with Live rock, Chaeto and Copepod Sponges

 

[lcs]

Very, very nice! I will be redoing my rocks in another week, I will be using yours for inspiration. I also like the idea of the pads for the 'pods. Might steal that too! :thumbsup:

 

[KnightReefer]

Very, very nice! I will be redoing my rocks in another week, I will be using yours for inspiration. I also like the idea of the pads for the 'pods. Might steal that too! :thumbsup:

Thanks, looking at other tanks for inspiration is the exact same thing that I did, my girlfriend also helped me a lot by providing feedback. As for the pod pads, I ordered the pods from reefs2go and thats how they sent them so I decided to implement them for the time being.

-Sean

 

[slicedsmoke]

yeah im loving the rock. Nice job! :fun2:

 

[ugluk]

Really enjoying the thread. Love the cabinet, the silver handle and hinges really make it look nice. Cute gf BTW. What are those blue things in the fuge and what is its purpose? I dont think I have ever seen them before.

 

[KnightReefer]

yeah im loving the rock. Nice job! :fun2:

Thanks, come slap me if I try to change it!

Really enjoying the thread. Love the cabinet, the silver handle and hinges really make it look nice. Cute gf BTW. What are those blue things in the fuge and what is its purpose? I dont think I have ever seen them before.

The compliments are much appreciated. The handles are stainless steel and the nicest ones I saw at Home Depot and the hinges have a nice polished look. The blue things are simply sponges that my copepod/amphipod mix was sent in. Reefs2go recommends leaving them for a few days until all the pods move out. I will most likely remove them soon as I am not sure if any benefit can be derived from leaving them long term.

-Sean

 

[Manwolf]

Very cool. Cant wait too see some corals!