AGA92 Corner Reef Tank Build

Tank Update

Tank Update

It's been a while since I posted. We've been too busy to do much more than the regular maintenance on the tank and even that has been slipping a bit (they are a few weeks overdue for a water change).

All of the live stock is doing well. The algae is in decline thanks to the tang, foxface, snails (that keep reproducing), the urchin, and dosing with vodka.

We really want to get more coral as all we have right now are a very small zoa colony and a small colony of palys. Maybe after the holidays.
 
New Year's Resolution = Spend more time on the aquariums

New Year's Resolution = Spend more time on the aquariums

Both the 10g nano and AGA92 are in desperate need of some TLC.

We seem to have some sort of nuisance algae growing in the 10g nano that I haven't seen before. I think it's a different type of green hair algae but is less "stringy" and more like a moss. I'll post some pictures later.

The AGA92 is suffering an Aiptasia invasion which is starting to threaten the one zoa colony and one paly colony we have in the tank (i.e. no other coral yet).

Plans for the two systems include:
- <b>Thorough cleaning of both systems</b>. Break out the gloves and razor blades and apply a liberal amount of elbow grease.
- <b>Change the media in the Fluval attached to the 10g nano</b>. I haven't done this in quite sometime, in fact I can't remember the last time I did it so it's probably well overdue.
- <b>Add two or three media reactors to the AGA92</b>. We didn't get the optional Filter Canisters when we ordered the sump from LifeReef so we'll probably order them from Jeff at LifeReef. I'll probably run Rowa Activated Carbon in one and RowaPhos Phosphate Removal Media in another. Not sure what I'll put in the third, if we order three.
- <b>Replumb/rewire the AGA92</b>. When the filter canisters arrive, I'll take the opportunity to redo the plumbing and wiring. When we started I made a few minor mistakes with the lengths of tubing and layout that I want to correct as well as change the drain tube from vinyl to SpaFlex as to use the built-in drain spout on the LifeReef sump to better accommodate the use of a filter sock. The wiring that was once so neat and tidy has become a little disorganized as we've added/changed equipment so I'd like to clean this up. I think I will also get a labeller and label all of the wires/tubes for easier identification.
- <b>Start dosing with some sort of Calcium system for the AGA92</b>. I'll likely go with the ESV Two Part system as I believe that is what my "RC Buddies" (T.J., Capn, etc.) use. We don't have the space for any kind of reactor but I might be able to work in some sort of automated dosing system in the future but for now I'll likely just do it manually.
- <b>Get a controller and automate some of the day-to-day tasks for the AGA92</b>. If I get "purchase approval", I'd like to get the Neptune APEX unit. The first thing I'd do with that is to setup automated temperature control to control the lights/fans/heaters that are already running on the system. The next thing I'll look at is doing the ATO w/wo Kalk. After that, maybe look at automating dosing with the two part above.
- <b>Battle the Aiptasia</b>. In addition to the peppermints above, I'll probably get a bottle or two of Red Sea Aiptasia-X to help get rid of the larger/visible aiptasia. It seems to be the best commercial product/chemical solution out there (kalk and Joe's Juice don't "stick" to the aiptasia).
- <b>Get more livestock</b>. The cleaning crews for both systems need a little boost. Some hermits for the 10g nano, snails for the AGA92, emerald crabs for both, peppermint shrimps for both, maybe a cucumber for the AGA92, and another tuxedo urchin or two for the AGA92. We'd also like to continue with our coral and clam purchases for the AGA92 once everything is back up to snuff.

Hopefully I/we will be able to do the above and more in the not too distant future and of course I will post any and all progress.

As always, any thoughts/ideas/comments/concerns are appreciated.

Looking forward to an "active" 2010 on RC!

Chris (and Kara)
 
More items for the "to do" list:
- <b>Mount reflectors on T5 actinics</b>. A while back we ordered the Hagen GLO T5 Electronic Flourescent Lighting System (2-24W/2-39W) and two URI 24" 75W 454 VHO Fluorescent Bulbs with Sunlight Supply 24" T5 Fluorescent Reflectors but never attached the reflectors. I'll have to come up with a different way to mount the bulbs in the hood to allow for the reflectors to be mounted on the bulbs and at the right angle but it shouldn't be too hard.
- <b>Get a new light fixture for the 10g nano (or replace the bulb in the current fixture)</b>. Currently we're using the Coralife 20" AquaLight Fixture (1 x 96W PC). The fans are loud and the bulb probably needs to be replaced as it's still the original bulb that we got with the fixture over 2 years ago. Not sure what options are out there for a standard 10g tank but we'll come up with something I'm sure.
 
The Great Clean Up of January 2010

The Great Clean Up of January 2010

First item of the to do list down...

Before:
<a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/JanCleaning/P1130016.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/JanCleaning/P1130016_TN.JPG" border=0></a><a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/JanCleaning/P1130017.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/JanCleaning/P1130017_TN.JPG" border=0></a>
<a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/JanCleaning/P1130019.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/JanCleaning/P1130019_TN.JPG" border=0></a><a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/JanCleaning/P1130020.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/JanCleaning/P1130020_TN.JPG" border=0></a>

After:
<a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/JanCleaning/P1130002.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/JanCleaning/P1130002_TN.JPG" border=0></a><a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/JanCleaning/P1130005.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/JanCleaning/P1130005_TN.JPG" border=0></a>

Next on the list, <i>Indiana Rivers and the Deadly Aiptasia!</i>
<a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/JanCleaning/P1130003.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/JanCleaning/P1130003_TN.JPG" border=0></a>

And <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47Q6Hqw7B5Y" target=_blank>here</a> is a short video of the camera whores. :)
 
(Ding!)The Rocks are done cooking...

(Ding!)The Rocks are done cooking...

After 3 months in the dark, trapped inside a Rubbermaid container with nothing but the soft glow of the heater indicator and they gentle hum of two Aqua Clear powerheads, the rocks are finally "cured".

Before:
<a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/algae/IMG_2886-1.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/algae/IMG_2886.JPG" border=0></a><a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/algae/IMG_2877-1.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/algae/IMG_2877.JPG" border=0></a>
<a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/algae/IMG_2894-1.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/algae/IMG_2894.JPG" border=0></a><a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/algae/IMG_2893-1.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/algae/IMG_2893.JPG" border=0></a>
<a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/algae/IMG_2895-1.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/algae/IMG_2895.JPG" border=0></a>

After:
<a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/Rocks/P1220002.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/Rocks/P1220002_TN.JPG" border=0></a><a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/Rocks/P1220011.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/2010/Rocks/P1220011_TN.JPG" border=0></a>

I also launched the first assault on the aiptasia...so far the Red Sea Aiptasia-X has been great to work with and seems to do an amazing job.

"I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened." - Obi Wan Kenobi

Die little bastards, die!
 
Someone was putting on a nice display for the camera...

<a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/IMG_4001.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/IMG_4001_TN.JPG" border=0></a>
<i>(click for larger image)</i>
 
Hows the tank going??

How has the canopy worked out? I am "borrowing" your plans to make one myself this winter. Does it just sit on top of the tank or does it have some type of lip to hold it in place? Also have you ever needed the fans or is there enough cooling?
 
Tank in place now. Something seems wrong though???:beer:

8z1kgl.jpg
 
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