Frank's 120 gallon upgrade build.
- Thread starter itz frank
- Start date
Yea, I know. I'm going to test Nitrate again today to make sure I didn't blotch my results up but my test was crystal clear. I was aware that it'll effect the balance but I haven't been testing my phosphates. I'm actually not so concerned about them being high as long as my Alk isn't drifting.
Diesel3443
AEFW Distructor
Coming along nicely.
Thanks. :celeb1:
I retested my nitrates after feeding this evening. Registered between 0-4ppm. I was too lazy to run a low test after. Either way. Significant drop in nutrients. I also tested my po4. It read between .04-.08. But honestly, I've never been able to read this thing below .04. None of the colors ever match and it's a guessing game. At least with the nitrate test it's a shade of pink. But the po4 on this red sea kit has three different colors of white before changing to green. :headwally::headwally::headwally:
I need a new p04 test kit. :thumbdown
I'm still searching for my Randalli Anthias. I have three different stores looking for them now. Ecoreef, Exotic Aquatic, and Fish collection. I think my only real shot at obtaining them is Ecoreef because of my relationship with them. Exotic Aquatic had one when I visited but I didn't receive a call even though my name was on their list. But that may be because I'm looking for 5. Fish collection has had quite a few anthias swing through since I started asking a month ago. All were eating well and looked in great health. Just couldn't pull the trigger on this one.
Logic tells me that most are afraid to bring them in. I'm really trying to avoid ordering from LA on this one since I can't be home for the shipment and my wife would have to handle the drop.
I am thinking about doing two sets of Anthias. But I'm getting ahead of myself now. I may need to just stick to wrasses since they're around more abundantly. I really want to swing a few riskier Angels but I keep thinking about how much of a pain pulling my Blenny and crab were earlier in the build.
edit: forgot to mention I extended my t5 lighting an additional 30 minutes per day.
Last edited:
Also, I haven't mentioned it yet but I've developed Cyano on my sand bed on the right side of my tank. Red and light green. I noticed it develope since sunday. I'm thinking it's just a flow and new tank syndrome. Not going to do much about it and just ride it out. I don't really have much of a way to increase flow in that area without kicking all my sand into the water column. Oddly enough, most of it is actually under an overhanging ledge that my plum crazy sits on. So, I'm not sure but I don't think it's being caused by old bulbs.
Diesel3443
AEFW Distructor
Your Acros look happy at that alk I wouldn't mess with it.
I did recently raised mine up to 8.5 because I had nothing but problems around 7 or so
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I did recently raised mine up to 8.5 because I had nothing but problems around 7 or so
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yea, I've decided to not mess with it.
I increased my T5 lighting an additional 30 minute per day. Call me crazy but the corals are responding to it. 2/3s of the sps threw out a bigger base or buds over the last 2 days.
Also, a trio of replendents popped up on Divers Den. I pulled the trigger and they'll be here tomorrow morning. Resplendents and Randalls are basically the same just from different regions. I couldn't find any other fish that I wanted, so I harassed Rovv until I just purchased an ORA Joe the Coral to get my free shipping. Tonight, I'll set up my QT and mix some fresh salt in preparation for them tomorrow.
I'm excited about this.
Yea. I know. Just don't need like the way they look. Purple males are awesome but after that they're very bland.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
So, you'll notice in my previous photo that I have cyano. I believe it's related to old bulb as the red stuff disappears when my T5s go out. Either way, I think it's just new tank syndromish. I'm doing nothing to combat it other than changing my T5 bulbs. They'll be here today.
So, it's been awhile. Not much to report. I've changed all my bulbs and I'm running AB Special x2 and one B Plus. I'm sure how I feel about the color. I'd like a little more crisp white. Growth has been steady but I still feel like I need more light.
I upped my T5s to a total of 8hours a day now. I think I'm starting to get into territory that means I should replace my lights. They're running from 1-9p now. LEDs are on from 10:30-10:30. 100% for about 10 hours.
My Cyano is a little bad and I've moved my power heads around some to increase circulation. I know that I'm feeding a lot but I'm not getting an increase in nutrients, in fact, the opposite is happening. I'm sure some of my nutrients are getting sucked up by the cyano but even then cyano is growing in areas that I would consider high flow. So I believe I'm just experience some new tank syndrome.
I had a very bad run at Anthias. I'm going to give it one more shot. I believe my issues are related to my QT methods and not do to the health of the fish -- which makes me feel pretty crappy. I've done a lot more research on QT methods and I feel like I'm more prepared now but after this next order, if it doesn't work, I'll be ordering easier fish to keep and try the anthias further down the road.
I upped my T5s to a total of 8hours a day now. I think I'm starting to get into territory that means I should replace my lights. They're running from 1-9p now. LEDs are on from 10:30-10:30. 100% for about 10 hours.
My Cyano is a little bad and I've moved my power heads around some to increase circulation. I know that I'm feeding a lot but I'm not getting an increase in nutrients, in fact, the opposite is happening. I'm sure some of my nutrients are getting sucked up by the cyano but even then cyano is growing in areas that I would consider high flow. So I believe I'm just experience some new tank syndrome.
I had a very bad run at Anthias. I'm going to give it one more shot. I believe my issues are related to my QT methods and not do to the health of the fish -- which makes me feel pretty crappy. I've done a lot more research on QT methods and I feel like I'm more prepared now but after this next order, if it doesn't work, I'll be ordering easier fish to keep and try the anthias further down the road.
Mini Update:
I ended up finding the Tierra Anthias that I wanted through Reef Addiction. I'd highly recommend them to anyone. Nice store. Helpful and friendly staff. Lance and Chris are who I dealt with. They ordered the fish from the west coast, probably Quality marine. They ended up having one loss and one with a bladder issue. I wasn't required to purchase them.
I ended up with Four Tierras. One male and three females. I lost one female on the first night but she wasn't looking good from introduction into my QT. I, also, picked up a Leopard wrasse female there.
I have all four fish in QT now for 6 days. All are eating well. Sunday, I ran my first dose of PraziPro. 3/4 tsp in about 15 gallons. Everyone handled it well and ate like pigs through the treatment. I'm going to QT for 21 days unless an issue comes up. I thought about doing TTM.
One thing that I did run into was that my Instant Ocean was mixing up with .5-1ppm of ammonia. I didn't notice this until this round and upon research I found this to be normal. I'm not doing 5gallon water changes on my display every other day and using the water from the Display in my QT. Hopefully, someone else reads this and learns from my rookie mistake as I probably lost fish prior based on this.
My QT is being fed about 5-6 times per day with only small amounts of frozen mysis, cyclo, and brine. The fish go crazy over all of them. The anthias really create a frenzy. As I only feed enough to be eaten in about 10-15 seconds to avoid excess. Yesterday, my Leopard mel. female became more aggressive in her feeding and is now actively CHASING particles around the tank.
On to the display...
I've had a major outbreak of cyano. It's hideous. I'm not doing anything major to combat it. I decided to just let it run its course. However, the 5 gallon water changes seem to be helping it to subside. It could also be a coincidence. Nitrates are about 0ppm and I picked up a Hanna low phos checker and it read .0415 on Wednesday.
Nothing else to report here. I haven't taken photos because of the cyano.
I ended up finding the Tierra Anthias that I wanted through Reef Addiction. I'd highly recommend them to anyone. Nice store. Helpful and friendly staff. Lance and Chris are who I dealt with. They ordered the fish from the west coast, probably Quality marine. They ended up having one loss and one with a bladder issue. I wasn't required to purchase them.
I ended up with Four Tierras. One male and three females. I lost one female on the first night but she wasn't looking good from introduction into my QT. I, also, picked up a Leopard wrasse female there.
I have all four fish in QT now for 6 days. All are eating well. Sunday, I ran my first dose of PraziPro. 3/4 tsp in about 15 gallons. Everyone handled it well and ate like pigs through the treatment. I'm going to QT for 21 days unless an issue comes up. I thought about doing TTM.
One thing that I did run into was that my Instant Ocean was mixing up with .5-1ppm of ammonia. I didn't notice this until this round and upon research I found this to be normal. I'm not doing 5gallon water changes on my display every other day and using the water from the Display in my QT. Hopefully, someone else reads this and learns from my rookie mistake as I probably lost fish prior based on this.
My QT is being fed about 5-6 times per day with only small amounts of frozen mysis, cyclo, and brine. The fish go crazy over all of them. The anthias really create a frenzy. As I only feed enough to be eaten in about 10-15 seconds to avoid excess. Yesterday, my Leopard mel. female became more aggressive in her feeding and is now actively CHASING particles around the tank.
On to the display...
I've had a major outbreak of cyano. It's hideous. I'm not doing anything major to combat it. I decided to just let it run its course. However, the 5 gallon water changes seem to be helping it to subside. It could also be a coincidence. Nitrates are about 0ppm and I picked up a Hanna low phos checker and it read .0415 on Wednesday.
Nothing else to report here. I haven't taken photos because of the cyano.
