maddmaxx
New member
wow wasn't expecting that.....sorry to hear, but keep pluggin along. it is a set back, but this should give you new motivation...
Build log: My 360G Mixed Reef [56k beware]
- Thread starter tkeracer619
- Start date
wow wasn't expecting that.....sorry to hear, but keep pluggin along. it is a set back, but this should give you new motivation...
tkeracer619
New member
A much needed update. Pretty much my worst fears have been realized. The tank is a total loss. I have a handful of fish at the fish store that survived and the BTA tank survived.
The tank was killed by Ammonia, pumped in through the RODI. I had run a couple tests on the water tanks prior to their use and everything showed up fine however they did not test for total ammonia, just free. The end result was the total ammonia in the tank was off the charts and every water change that was done with what was thought to be grade A water was in fact killing the tank. Only after I purchased every ammonia test kit in town did I find one that would register with fresh RODI.
I don't really know my plans from here on out. I really enjoy the hobby and the people involved so I don't feel like walking away is the right answer. At the same time I really feel like a break or a system that is setup for minimal intervention would be best for me. I have thoughts of setting the tank back up with the BTAs and the few fish I have left, run on minimal equipment, and liquidate everything else. Sometime down the road I can rebuild the way I want to but for now I have to make do with what I already have.
Hopefully my next post here will be on a positive note
. Hope everyone is doing well. :wavehand:
The tank was killed by Ammonia, pumped in through the RODI. I had run a couple tests on the water tanks prior to their use and everything showed up fine however they did not test for total ammonia, just free. The end result was the total ammonia in the tank was off the charts and every water change that was done with what was thought to be grade A water was in fact killing the tank. Only after I purchased every ammonia test kit in town did I find one that would register with fresh RODI.
I don't really know my plans from here on out. I really enjoy the hobby and the people involved so I don't feel like walking away is the right answer. At the same time I really feel like a break or a system that is setup for minimal intervention would be best for me. I have thoughts of setting the tank back up with the BTAs and the few fish I have left, run on minimal equipment, and liquidate everything else. Sometime down the road I can rebuild the way I want to but for now I have to make do with what I already have.
Hopefully my next post here will be on a positive note
. Hope everyone is doing well. :wavehand:WSPepsilon
New member
This step went as smooth as it could in the plumbing isle of home depot. I should have known better. After hours of laying thing out on the floor of HD I came home and got back to work.
Wait! I'm not the only one that does that!?
WSPepsilon
New member
Oh crap, sorry to hear about everything. I'll give you my two cents; run the tank empty or with what you got left as you said with a minimal setup. Not sure I'd liquidate anything right away. You'd be surprised what a few months of just letting it sit will do after something like that. Chin up buddy, we're all with you.
tkeracer619
New member
Time for a Reboot
Time for a Reboot
Time for a Reboot
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tkeracer619
New member
I filled the tank up to the bulkheads yesterday and let it run for about 24h before I transferred the anemones from the 40 breeder into the 360.
This tank was empty this entire time but the acrylic 360, the 40b, and the sump have been running. They are all tied together now for a total of 880 gallons. The 40b will be offline tomorrow but the other 360 isn't in the way and the extra rock is nice so I might just leave it running for the volume for now.
Unfortunately the only fish that made it was the Magnificent Foxface. I'll be picking him up tomorrow and anticipate he will be the only fish for a while. I am thankful for what I have left, its a gift.
This tank was empty this entire time but the acrylic 360, the 40b, and the sump have been running. They are all tied together now for a total of 880 gallons. The 40b will be offline tomorrow but the other 360 isn't in the way and the extra rock is nice so I might just leave it running for the volume for now.
Unfortunately the only fish that made it was the Magnificent Foxface. I'll be picking him up tomorrow and anticipate he will be the only fish for a while. I am thankful for what I have left, its a gift.
tkeracer619
New member
An Overdue Update
An Overdue Update
Well the tank has been up and running now for a while and things are for the most part under control. I still have some algae on the sand but its starting to go away so I don't think I will worry about it.
The Magnificent Foxface did well so I added a Flame Angel and a pair of Banggai Cardinalfish. They also did well so I added a Bicolor Angel, Female Bellus Angel, and a Female Lamarcks Angel. I have a Pearlscale Butterflyfish in QT. It seems to be eating well and is no longer scared of me. All of the fish seem to be getting along and they all come front and center when I walk in front of the tank. Except the Banggai, they hide in the middle of about 6 BTAs.
The anemones have been splitting pretty regularly now that water quality is up and there is space to fill. One of my Colorado Sunburst also split so I am up to 3 of them.
I added to the BTA collecting as well. I figure with this much real estate that it wouldn't be right to let the purple water mellons and sunbursts fight off the roses on their own. This is a composite I tossed together of all the images they had on the websites. One awesome BTA (not pictured) died in transit but the seller has made it right. The images are pretty darn accurate from these photos. Much better then what my camera can do.
I made a few racks out of plastic containers I picked up at the container store. They are called "Clear Grid Totes" and seem to be pretty good. They might block too much flow but these nems are small and I don't want them escaping into a vortech until I get at least 1 split and they are large enough to fend for themselves. They are all feeding and responding to the Radiums.
Basket 1 w/ sunburst split
Basket 2
All-in-one killer combo w/sunburst split
I set re-setup up my 50g rubbermaid but this time with my 4th radium/m80/diy lumenarc. It covers the prop vat nicely with excellent par. Even though its tied to the main system I am not about to go putting this awesome collection in a fresh setup. In a month or so I will move them over. Eventually when I have enough of them and they are large enough to make a dent I will release them back into the display and break down this prop system for a later date.
Sort of off topic but I spent a few weeks scuba diving in Hawaii. Here are a few photos I took I thought were cool...
Look for the good sized giant moray swimming along the seafloor...
An Overdue Update
Well the tank has been up and running now for a while and things are for the most part under control. I still have some algae on the sand but its starting to go away so I don't think I will worry about it.
The Magnificent Foxface did well so I added a Flame Angel and a pair of Banggai Cardinalfish. They also did well so I added a Bicolor Angel, Female Bellus Angel, and a Female Lamarcks Angel. I have a Pearlscale Butterflyfish in QT. It seems to be eating well and is no longer scared of me. All of the fish seem to be getting along and they all come front and center when I walk in front of the tank. Except the Banggai, they hide in the middle of about 6 BTAs.
The anemones have been splitting pretty regularly now that water quality is up and there is space to fill. One of my Colorado Sunburst also split so I am up to 3 of them.
I added to the BTA collecting as well. I figure with this much real estate that it wouldn't be right to let the purple water mellons and sunbursts fight off the roses on their own. This is a composite I tossed together of all the images they had on the websites. One awesome BTA (not pictured) died in transit but the seller has made it right. The images are pretty darn accurate from these photos. Much better then what my camera can do.
I made a few racks out of plastic containers I picked up at the container store. They are called "Clear Grid Totes" and seem to be pretty good. They might block too much flow but these nems are small and I don't want them escaping into a vortech until I get at least 1 split and they are large enough to fend for themselves. They are all feeding and responding to the Radiums.
Basket 1 w/ sunburst split
Basket 2
All-in-one killer combo w/sunburst split
I set re-setup up my 50g rubbermaid but this time with my 4th radium/m80/diy lumenarc. It covers the prop vat nicely with excellent par. Even though its tied to the main system I am not about to go putting this awesome collection in a fresh setup. In a month or so I will move them over. Eventually when I have enough of them and they are large enough to make a dent I will release them back into the display and break down this prop system for a later date.
Sort of off topic but I spent a few weeks scuba diving in Hawaii. Here are a few photos I took I thought were cool...
Look for the good sized giant moray swimming along the seafloor...
tkeracer619
New member
tkeracer619
New member
The rock that was in my display before the crash and the rock from a buddy of mine who went through the same thing shortly after (Also a 360) has been in water curing for a bit and looks to be coming along quickly. I swished all the rock around and put it in a 50g rubbermaid while I did a 100% water change to the 100g rubbermaid that normally holds it all. I am going to start paying attention to water quality here in a bit and see if I can get it into the main system. I already have a bunch of good rock marinating with sponges, coraline, ectect in that tank so I am anxious to get this going as well.
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Welcome back and love the BTA garden you have. I never knew that there was so many varieties. Great photography while you were hanging out in Hawaii. And I think the moray is in the middle right of your pic.
tkeracer619
New member
Thanks
. There are a bunch of different bubble tips. Some are awesome! These pics do them no justice.Ah yes but did you see the one to the bottom left of the most bottom left sps colony? Because I sure didn't which isn't surprising given he is at least 2x the size of the one in the previous pic. I saw him as I was swimming by on my way out and luckily the camera was still recording. I guess the even luckier thing was that when I took the previous photo my elbow was waving in his face and I didn't get bit
. It's a wide angle lens. Think basketball sized long spine urchin...
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tkeracer619
New member
Found this guy in one of the baskets just now :smokin: :celeb1:
tkeracer619
New member
Thats a baby
My Bangaiis are young too. Less then a year old! Hoping I can breed them down the road and do my part!
My Bangaiis are young too. Less then a year old! Hoping I can breed them down the road and do my part!
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Congratulations on being a bangai baby daddy.
tkeracer619
New member
Thanks. I am stoked! Even if the little guy doesn't make it this is a very clear sign that my tank is coming back around and that makes me feel good.
On another note I just linked a vid of my tank and about broke me down seeing my fish again
. These fish were my friends and my heart still aches for them. I think I need to go see a shrink about this.
On another note I just linked a vid of my tank and about broke me down seeing my fish again
. These fish were my friends and my heart still aches for them. I think I need to go see a shrink about this.
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Thanks. I am stoked! Even if the little guy doesn't make it this is a very clear sign that my tank is coming back around and that makes me feel good.
On another note I just linked a vid of my tank and about broke me down seeing my fish again
You dont need to see a shrink. Just remember them being happy in your tank and the joy they brought with you.
:dance::dance::dance:
tkeracer619
New member
Some updated photos of a few nems. I have been working on getting good photos... These still do them no justice but I'll keep working at it.
I think I finally have them all acclimated to my lighting and system. They were out and happy for a full photo period today. These sellers (LaReefs, RandRAquatics, and HappyCoral) definitely had great livestock. :thumbsup:
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tkeracer619
New member
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