CyclistMT's 300 Gal Plywood and Glass Build

[CyclistMT]

It's a new dawn, it's a new day..........and I'm feeling good – Nina Simone


Ah, yes, it's new year, a new dawn, a new day, a new page and I'm feeling good.....because I got new corals. WOOT!

You would think that the time between my posts would yield significant growth, updates on any outstanding issues, and enough interesting new things to actually make you want to read my thread. Yeah, right.....You have been reading this rubbish so far right? By now you should know to expect a mediocre effort at keeping your attention and a manifesto aimed at putting you to sleep. At least this time I have (SQUIRL!) something to look at to keep the MTV generation entertained (OOO! SHINEY!)....where was I? Oh yeah, pics bro!

LFS Purchases

Brown acro that looks like it could turn into something special.


Platygyra


Turbinaria reniformis frag


Caulastrea. Thought this might be a blue but it's more of a mint under my lights. I have been on the lookout for a purple Caulastrea since I lost my last one and Fragglereef closed.If anyone has any leads on a purple I would love to hear about it.



Pacific East Aquaculture- I didn't get these until a week after I placed my order so I think they put them in a holding area that impacted coloration on some of these.

Acan Lord – Was supposed to be teal and red


Superman Mushroom


Acan enchinata


Brain Freeze Favia (Their name, not mine)


Flame Rim Lobo -Definitely browned out from the picture they had


Watermelon Chalice




Continued....

 

[CyclistMT]

Fruit Salad Chalice "“ Maybe I can color it up some more? Oh well, it's a special for $2


Red Hot Lava Cyphastrea -I like this especially for $5


Lavender Monti Plate


Jack O Lantern Leptosteris "“ I threw down for this one because it's one particular coral I've wanted. It really is this bright in person. Never thought I'd spend over $100 on a frag though... I must be crazy



And a frag pack, their pick. I was hoping for more Acro but I got a bunch of "birdsnest", Porites, and Stylo

Purple Stylo


Branching Porites. Hopefully this will color up.


Purple Polyp Yellow Sytlo - I like this one and hope it will color up more.


Purple Polyp Birdsnest - browned out/bleached, I think it will come back


Encrusting Porites - maybe it will color up a bit?


Pink Birdsnest







That's it for now. If I feel like it maybe I'll let you know what other things that have transpired. It all depends on how much you beg. Come on Reef Central, make me feel like you want to see me expose all my stupid ideas a' la Miley Cyrus! Wait, maybe that's not a good idea.... At least that's what she SHOULD have said!





Current tunes:Earshot- Not Afraid

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

Looks good. Ron got in a few mariculture acros that looked decent, you got the one with the good acro crab too. still waiting to see if my SPS pick up before getting any more. Any new fish?

 

[tgunn]

I'd like to see some fts eye candy showing all those fancy new frags in context. Man I miss having a bigger tank (or a tank at all I guess)...

 

[muttley000]

Nice update! Curious how the macro algae you got in June is coming along?

 

[Lavoisier]

I always enjoy your posts...keep them coming!

 

[CyclistMT]

Looks good. Ron got in a few mariculture acros that looked decent, you got the one with the good acro crab too. still waiting to see if my SPS pick up before getting any more. Any new fish?

Good eye! The other one there was probably a little more colorful but I wanted the one with the crab in it. I got a few blue/green Chromis from Ron to add to the 1 I was left with. I added 7 to get a total of 8. I'm down to 5, figures. Although they're pretty, I'm not a huge fan of Chromis as they're so common and because they kill each other off. But I needed some dither fish to help calm the tang down and get my shy ember blenny to come out more. It has worked. I think next time I pour some money into the tank I'll get some fish. I'd like an orange spotted watchmen (and a pistol shrimp again) and a pair of blue jaw triggers are next on the stocking list.

I gotta say, with so few of us in Billings doing the reefing thing it's kind of cool/creepy when you post you've seen the coral I get at the LFS too. Are you stalking me? :fun2:

j/k, and I haven't forgotten, I need to have you over to see the tank sometime. BTW, do you have a thread for your tank on here? If so I'd love to check it out!

I'd like to see some fts eye candy showing all those fancy new frags in context. Man I miss having a bigger tank (or a tank at all I guess)...

Here you go but unfortunately because the tank is so big and these are just frags it doesn't seem that impressive. If they were all in a bio cube that might be a different story. (And <sigh>, Photobucket is down rezzing and color correcting my photos that I already spent hours correcting. I'm not a great photographer but I'm not THIS bad. Looks like I need to find a new photo host.)

Nice update! Curious how the macro algae you got in June is coming along?

The sea grasses did great for several months. They're not in great shape right now and I think I know why.

• The bulb in my halide above my fuge needs replacing...bad. I'll probably get on that this week.
• Not enough nutrients in the system. With a small bio load and minimal food needs there's not enough excess nutrients to go around. I should get some fertilizer tabs for the sand bed, that would probably help.
• My ATS has kicked off. The ATS isn't gang busters or anything for the same reasons as above but it probably is sucking up the nutrients first. I probably added the higher level plants too soon.

I always enjoy your posts...keep them coming!

Thanks Lav, I am not worthy....

I'll do my best! And if my wallet takes a hit to keep those pics coming, well, that's all on you buddy!


BTW, I was so sorry to hear about the troubles with your tank. I'm glad you haven't given up and I know you'll get there, it will be even better than before.





Current Tunes: Seether - Gasoline

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

Good eye! The other one there was probably a little more colorful but I wanted the one with the crab in it. I got a few blue/green Chromis from Ron to add to the 1 I was left with. I added 7 to get a total of 8. I'm down to 5, figures. Although they're pretty, I'm not a huge fan of Chromis as they're so common and because they kill each other off. But I needed some dither fish to help calm the tang down and get my shy ember blenny to come out more. It has worked. I think next time I pour some money into the tank I'll get some fish. I'd like an orange spotted watchmen (and a pistol shrimp again) and a pair of blue jaw triggers are next on the stocking list.

I gotta say, with so few of us in Billings doing the reefing thing it's kind of cool/creepy when you post you've seen the coral I get at the LFS too. Are you stalking me? :fun2:

We have a facebook group with alot of reefers. I went out twoard Roundup where a couple have a nice 180 mixed reef, then brought some stuff to Kim who has a pair of 125s, and Tom who has a 250 tall acrylic. Yesterday I hung out with Dustin who has a sweet 90g SPS dominated reef. There are alot more in the club too. I had a big reefkeeping week. Got a new tang and a ton of corals with a big derasa clam. My build threads are on a couple of other forums, haven't got around to this one yet.

 

[tgunn]

Looking good. You sure have an impressive coverage of coralline. I found with my big tank I could never keep the nutrient load high enough for the macro on my fuge to thrive. Gotta load up the fish. Heh.

 

[CyclistMT]

We have a facebook group with alot of reefers. I went out twoard Roundup where a couple have a nice 180 mixed reef, then brought some stuff to Kim who has a pair of 125s, and Tom who has a 250 tall acrylic. Yesterday I hung out with Dustin who has a sweet 90g SPS dominated reef. There are alot more in the club too. I had a big reefkeeping week. Got a new tang and a ton of corals with a big derasa clam. My build threads are on a couple of other forums, haven't got around to this one yet.

What's this "Facebook" thing you speak of? I am from the way back, the long long ago when to look for knowledge of all things fish on the internet, one had to peruse "news groups" in one's e-mail client. Ah, the joys of the internet before Reef Central.

Seriously though, I have a Facebook account I just don't really use it (needed one to sign up for Pinterest) but point me in the right direction and maybe I'll introduce myself over there.

Looking good. You sure have an impressive coverage of coralline. I found with my big tank I could never keep the nutrient load high enough for the macro on my fuge to thrive. Gotta load up the fish. Heh.

Had to really ramp up the Mg. I don't know why but it plunged to 800 within a couple of week of first getting the tank salt wet. I used Instant Ocean and it started out at 1050. I have no idea what happened. Maybe the poultry calcium sucked it all up? I don't know, took me months to get it consistently back over 1000. Once I got it up I switched back to using Seachem Reef Salt. Always had good luck with it and I think that's helped too (extra Mg in the salt).

I do plan to load the tank up with fish so I'm sure the ATS, sea grass, and mangroves will get enough nutrients eventually. I have plans to set up an automated refrigerated feeding system in an effort to maintain a higher food count for both corals and fishes all day long. And is the reason why I've needed to plan for multiple export mechanisms. All in due time though.

 

[Northside Reef]

lol first off I want to say WOW!!!

Second, thank you so much for all of the links, I want to redo the macro tanks in the filter shed and go from 3 100 gallon tubs to one large tank and I was thinking plywood and epoxy and found your awesome thread.

Third, I started on page one skipped to the last page and thought I would see a fully stocked tank. When I didn't I thought "man he must have started over" lol, good to see I am not the only one who takes his time.

I have now read the entire thread, very helpful. Since I am just building a large tank to hold macro and live rock it's not going to be anywhere this nice. But the concept is there. I won't get to it until spring has sprung, but I wanted to get some reading and learnin' in now.

Flowing from one tub to the next really slows the flow down so I wanted a single tank to do the job of the three I am using now. It will also let me increase the outlet so I can really increase flow throw it.

Thanks for all of the inspiration I will be bombarding you with questions I am sure.

 

[agcneves]

Your layout is beautiful! Congratulations!
The rock work and all that open space is Wonderful!
Keep up the great work
Good luck!

 

[CyclistMT]

lol first off I want to say WOW!!!

Second, thank you so much for all of the links, I want to redo the macro tanks in the filter shed and go from 3 100 gallon tubs to one large tank and I was thinking plywood and epoxy and found your awesome thread.

Third, I started on page one skipped to the last page and thought I would see a fully stocked tank. When I didn't I thought "man he must have started over" lol, good to see I am not the only one who takes his time.

I have now read the entire thread, very helpful. Since I am just building a large tank to hold macro and live rock it's not going to be anywhere this nice. But the concept is there. I won't get to it until spring has sprung, but I wanted to get some reading and learnin' in now.

Flowing from one tub to the next really slows the flow down so I wanted a single tank to do the job of the three I am using now. It will also let me increase the outlet so I can really increase flow throw it.

Thanks for all of the inspiration I will be bombarding you with questions I am sure.

First, thank you and welcome to the thread. I will endeavor to ensure you regret your decision...err, I mean do not regret your decision to follow my thread.

Second, you're welcome!

Third, this slow stocking pace is killing me! But I think it's been worth it. It's allowed me to dial in some parameters and correct some mistakes with only 1 coral mortality.

Ask away, I'm happy to help!

Your layout is beautiful! Congratulations!
The rock work and all that open space is Wonderful!
Keep up the great work
Good luck!

Thank you very much for the kind words and welcome to the thread!

 

[CyclistMT]

Hi De Ho there neighbors!

I have a small update for the library crowd watching this thread.

Seriously guys and gals (see the nail polish?), if you can't afford internet access you can't afford a reef tank an you're not going to learn anything in this thread anyway. Sheesh!



What's that? Well yes I am posting an update less than month after my last one. It's a Chinese New Year Miracle!

Because ingtar and tgunn guilted me into getting some fish here are some crappy pictures I took of them in quarantine. They've been in quarantine a week now. The triggers are quite skinny but are eating well so I should be able to get them fattened up before they go in the main tank. I also got a pistol shrimp to go with the goby but it is literally as big as my thumbnail is wide. I'm going to have to grow it out before it can go in the main tank.





The female is pretty shy.












Current tunes: Five Finger Death Punch - Never Enough

 

[tgunn]

Nice fish! They'll be happy in your huge tank !

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

What kind of triggers are those?

 

[CyclistMT]

What kind of triggers are those?

Blue jaw. These really are horrible pics. They look much better in person.

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

thats what I thought

 

[muttley000]

Nice! How long are you QTing? Did your local place have them, or did you have to ship?

 

[worm5406]

Any new pictures?