Getting back into hobby after around 8 years off. Hello again.

[mjstech]

Hey Guys. My name is Mark.

I was a member of FRAG/PROP way back in the day. Met a few people on the west valley through trades/swaps. Went to the auctions and meetings a bunch of times. I even did a few of the monthly meet ups at peoples houses.

It was funny to log back into my account and see the last visited as something like 7/14/2009 when I last thought about it.
I used to have a 125 FOWLR+55g sump, 80 Full Reef+29g sump, 75 fake décor, 29 reef with 3 female Brazilian seahorses, 16 bow reef, 6 FOWLR which held a silver dollar sized blue tang and small perc clown, and 1 gallon reef tank with gobies and shrimp just for fun. I eventually got bored/burned out with the hobby and sold tanks off. I even used to run a 'business' for a bit in the industry as AQUATECH AZ. I didn't make much, it was mainly to supplement my tanks. I broke a few tanks down for people and made nice money selling very established fiji rock setups too.
I still change filters/do odds and ends stuff to this day for an old lady like twice a year in her very lightly stocked 55G freshwater tank, been doing that since like 2007 as she doesn't trust new people. I always laugh when she calls my Cellphone.

Well, I am bored and have some money burning a hole in my pocket. (bad combo) :wildone:
I have had a new 29G standard glass tank and wood stand still in flat pack box chilling in my spare room closet for WAYYYYY too long. :crazy1:
So I got the bug and just ordered some salt mix and live sand which should be here Friday or this weekend. I just ordered a Super Skimmer 65 HOB, which I have never used, for delivery on Monday. And some other odds and ends for startup.

There seems to be new things with LED lighting that I am looking into. I think when I got out of the hobby that was starting up as CF and HO T5 and MH lights were so bulky/hot.

I do have NIB/never turned on Coralife 24" Deluxe 130w CF setup that I may put on and figure out a DIY LED system down the road. I am a bit unsure how heavy I will get into reef keeping this time. I would like a 30" system if anyone has one. I also have a 48" Coralife Deluxe 260w CF that is NIB/never turned on that I am looking to sell/trade.

I used to have a 6 stage 110GPD RO/DI setup and used 3 50G trash cans for water changes which I am unsure how 'filtered' I will go this time. I also had a few plastic storage bins I used to cure/sell live rock from when I would take a tank down.

I guess right now I am looking to see if anyone remembers me from way back in the day, which I doubt. Is there any other people in the West Valley (I am at 43rd Ave and Union Hills). Tropical Treasures is the only 'close' store to me. What LFS does everyone else use now a days. I will be looking for some Fiji Live rock, so if you have some let me know. Also first fish will be cardinals or clowns. Anyone breeding/selling them?

Anyways, it is nice to be back/getting excited to get back into this. Just hope wallet doesn't take too big a hit with the 29G and I don't get the crazy idea to have a fish tank room like I did before.
I am not sure If I have pics anymore, I am going to look at some of my old posts to see if I can dig some up.

I used the forum to sell a lot of my livestock also. If anyone remembers me/buying stuff from me I would be interested to see if it is still alive.

Hope to hear from anyone on the local forum. :wave:
- Mark

 

[dream54ing]

welcome back Mark! Cant wait to see your new project!

 

[incapearl]

Nice! Welcome back

 

[JMCAquarium]

welcome back

 

[mjstech]

Got my 29 gallon glass tank started.

Got my 29 gallon glass tank started.

Hey guys,
I started my tank up last night. Filling with my RO/DI water and Instant Ocean salt mix, it was done filling around 7 AM with two power heads and 100 watt heater running the whole time
I checked salinity which was around 1.024, temp is 77-78F. Then I added my Nature's Ocean Live Reef Sand, I used two 20 LB bags which may be a bit too much for my liking. I then topped off with RO/DI to get to about 10.235, and started my HOB filter; Tetra Whisper 40, and HOB skimmer; Coralife Super Skimmer 65.
I like the Whisper filter because I can use either just the poly filter bag alone or put material in them and run, I currently have the carbon it comes with in, it was also from my old stuff and unused.
The Super Skimmer I got it off eBay for $30+s/h as a used returned item that looked brand new with box. I let it soak in hot water and rinsed for a few hours before putting into my tank. I still have a cleaned SeaClone 100, that I know people hate, from 8 yrs ago that I ran on my 29G seahorse tank. I never had issues with them. I had more problems with CPR Bak-Paks and Red Sea Prizm on some of my other smaller tanks from back in the day. I went with the Super Skimmer 65 because it was cheap, I never used one before and seemed to be the better of the crappy/entry level HOB skimmers. If I don't like the SS I may try the SeaClone again for a bit, or sell both and get something else that is HOB. Any suggestions? I keep hearing Reef Octopus or Eshopps.
I knew it was going to be a sand storm for a while so watched the skimmer and knew they could be finicky to start, from other users on the forum, so I unplugged it after seeing that it was going to overflow. I also saw on the forum that people had a few mods for the skimmer, so I decided I might as well do it now. I did the needle wheel mod with fishing line. I got it all put back together and am currently running it with full pump flow and the output air vent running to a tube under water, which seems to have also calmed it down. Thank tank cleared up well by around 2 PM. I will continue to monitor the skimmer/tank parameters for a while and then onto getting live rock, and cycling the tank.

I still have 4 20 LB bags of Live Reef Sand to either sell/trade here or return to store.

Tropical Treasures near me I think is at $4/LB. Is there anyone here that is currently selling cured live rock? Or knows who has the best selection/price at the LFS?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[SnoopyDaPimp]

Not sure of the prices, but Salt Water Junkies has quite a bit of LR they keep in the back.

 

[mjstech]

I forgot to add that I made a canopy for it too.

I forgot to add that I made a canopy for it too.

I used some 1x6 common pine sanded and sanded 1/2 plywood for the lid. The stain doesn't have the clearcoat on it yet. I have some minwax semi gloss polyurethane spray to put on it still. I may also make a second one because lumber/stain is cheap, it only takes a few mins to make and I want to try a stain that is more red to match the stand a little bit better in person.

 

[Tschupe]

I recommend just ordering dry rock online. You'll end up with pests you don't want if you buy live rock from stores. Brs and Marco rocks have good prices.

 

[mjstech]

Whoohoo, the skimmer seems be performing better already the the last hour and a half or so. The return air vent is being left alone.
Ya, I know about pests, never had issues besides a mojano or two then bubble algae, which thinking back I think went away without me doing anything.
Anyway I was watching people burn aptasia with lasers on youtube a week ago... which was awesome, didn't do that 8 years ago.... I had good luck with Fiji live rock being from Walt Smith when I was last in SW. I used to order on eBay from someone in Cali who was selling 45-50lb boxes for $2 LB shipped if i remember correctly. I was curing around 300 lbs at one time between two trash cans and a plastic tubs for me and clients.
I have seen different types of dry rock, including the reef saver 2.1 kind. I am really hoping someone has some live rock on the forum first, as it probably pest free/cured fully/has coraline, then local stores or dry rock. I am looking for like 20-25 LBS I think. Going to try for two peaks in the middle of the tank.

 

[Vanpire]

If you are looking for live rock let me know, I got about two hundred lbs. I got it from a reefer in Tucson who broke down his tank. I don't need it all.

 

[mjstech]

current tank pics and stock list 6/1 - 6/17

current tank pics and stock list 6/1 - 6/17

Hey guys, I was at the June Frag meeting, and will probably go to July Prop auction also. I ended up getting a few things from Studio Blue at the meeting and another stop there. I really like that LFS. After me being out of hobby for so long it is nice to have quality shops around.
I figured I would continue this post as my build thread. I moved very fast with my stocking, but I know how to keep an eye on water/fish/corals. All parameters are perfect still. I always overstock my tanks. Eventually I will setup a larger tank... like we all do :lolspin:. Probably an 80-125.
Some of the changes currently from what was above;
I don't think I will run the canopy, even though it is nice looking.
I hacked a 48" coralife power compact into a 30" and took the guts from a 24" and stuffed them into the 30" and modded with 4 blue LED for night and 2 extra fans along with the OEM legs. I plan on running this for a while and watch LED lighting.
I changed from a Coralife Super Skimmer 65 to a Super Skimmer 125 that has a few mods. (drilled air intake, fishing line mod, 90 pvc output)
I have Live Rock from very established tank. There was 4 aptasia, but Joe's Juice has cleared them.

Five days after adding sand and just before adding rock.

Live Rock added 5/28/16.

Live rock with lights on 5/28/16.

Tested water and good for fish 6/1/16.
Added more than I wanted to so fast :twitch:but the price was right and they are all still happy. 2 Chromis, 2 Clowns (reefstew's stock), 2 Firefish. I swear I was just going to get the Chromis only when I went shopping this first round. :uhoh3: :idea:

Love the two Firefish. They have their own hole/cave in a rock. See video below...

 

[mjstech]

:uhoh3: Oh ya. I got two Zoas clusters on 6/1 also. The clown wanted to be in the pic too.

6/15/16... ok..ok... I waited two whole weeks without adding anything. :blown: Everything stable. Fish doing great.
Got some more corals that are very nice from TangingOut for a really good price. going to wait a bit before mounting them 100%

Then I just NEEDED :fish1::hammer: more fish. So I got two Banggai Cardinal fish and one Yellow/Orange Stripe Cardinal fish.

So here is a FULL TANK shot at feeding time. 6/15/16. Everyone ate including the new guys.

 

[mjstech]

Starfish riding on hermit shell just before lights out 6/16.

Coralife Super Skimmer 125 (rated for up to 125G tank) on 6/17/16. Is there really such a thing as TOO Big? :hmm4:

Manual RO/DI top off at Feeding time 6/17. I have a DIY 12v ATO that I will build when parts come from China.

Video Link > near end of late afternoon feeding time 6/15/16.
https://vid.me/YBJP

I have a small Coral Beauty Angel on order from a LFS to arrive 6/22.
After that maybe a Royal Gramma like a week or two later.

 

[muzzelfuzz]

I know you're "experienced" in the hobby, but what's the reason for running salinity that low? I'm reading your thread and cringing that you've added not only that many fish into a 29g but that soon. I know you're watching the water parameters but there's no way the tank even cycled and became stable. And your adding more fish? And already coral stocking including sps........flirting with disaster really, but good Luck keep the updates coming good or bad....

 

[scott11]

I used the CSS skimmer once years ago, i found even with mods, it never really performed.

 

[mjstech]

I had the LFS double check my parameters this afternoon as I am surprised a bit also as I know about cycling tanks.. (I used new live sand and very established live rock that spend 20 mins in transport to my tank). The corals and zoos good. Everything is still perfect. The chromis chase each other a little bit only at feeding but it lasts like 2 seconds. The clowns are good and doing their clown shake from time to time. The fire fish are good... one goes to the opposite side of the tank to poop (so it doesn't go in their cave/hole). Nobody sick, they are spoiled with tons of frozen and pellet and flake to eat and choose from. Skimmer for being what it is seems to pull a good amount out and recovers quickly after feeding or water changes. I am not sure what you meant about low SG... I like 1.0235-1.025... I make my SW at 1.024 with ro/di.
I am wondering what additives to buy an this time... I have no plans for dose/reactor... only from bottle. I did a cup of reef stew a couple of days ago just for fun. There are pods in the tank along with good mini sperpants. I almost want to get a larger tank already..... the madness of our hobby.

 

[j_mazzy]

you and I are in a similar boat. of you look at my join date it was nearly a decade before i visited again.

 

[mjstech]

I use San Fran. SW multipack, mysis, marine cuisine. Omega one super brine shrimp with spiralina, and some people mysis. Pellet is omega one mini. Flake is wardley.

 

[dream54ing]

agreed...slow your roll. Asking for trouble down the road. make sure you have plenty of new saltwater ready just incase.
The cycle never started, that's why the parameter is "good". On the other hand I've seen a few successful reef without any problems going through similar process. Most do crash and burn :/
fingers crossed that everything stays healthy.

I know you're "experienced" in the hobby, but what's the reason for running salinity that low? I'm reading your thread and cringing that you've added not only that many fish into a 29g but that soon. I know you're watching the water parameters but there's no way the tank even cycled and became stable. And your adding more fish? And already coral stocking including sps........flirting with disaster really, but good Luck keep the updates coming good or bad....

 

[mjstech]

Coral Beauty Angel.

Royal Gramma hanging out in a cave.

Royal Gramma spied in the open.

One Nerite Snail. Will probably add some nassarius snails for extra cleanup.

Full tank shot. After small water change and feeding so there is some bubbles. Changed to DIY bubble trap off skimmer. Changed power heads to 2x Hydor Koralia 240gph with the Hydor SmartWave Controller. Old PHs will be used for salt bucket mix/hold and ro/di top off bucket.
Actinic and 10k, coraline gets a bit washed out.

All fish/inverts/coral/sand/rock good. No loss.