jenjen's upgrade to 180gal
- Thread starter jenjen
- Start date
jenjen
New member
Just incase anyone is wondering 'should I use base rock' or 'how long until base rock becomes live rock', here's a reminder from earlier in this thread that I used 100% shiny white base rock to build the left side of my reef:
If you compare this to the photos in the previous post (left side vs. right side), the right side was live rock moved from my 90gal, and the left side was built from the base rock. It's been about 2 months, and while the coraline hasn't spread to the base rock yet it certainly is much less 'shiny' than it was to begin with.
If I ever do another tank in the future, I will most definitely use a minimum of 50% base rock. It's MUCH less expensive (I saved around $500), and it seems to 'dirty up' and blend in pretty quickly. I haven't had any water quality issues, so the 100lbs of live rock I moved from the previous tank has definitely been able to handle the bio-load just fine.
If you compare this to the photos in the previous post (left side vs. right side), the right side was live rock moved from my 90gal, and the left side was built from the base rock. It's been about 2 months, and while the coraline hasn't spread to the base rock yet it certainly is much less 'shiny' than it was to begin with.
If I ever do another tank in the future, I will most definitely use a minimum of 50% base rock. It's MUCH less expensive (I saved around $500), and it seems to 'dirty up' and blend in pretty quickly. I haven't had any water quality issues, so the 100lbs of live rock I moved from the previous tank has definitely been able to handle the bio-load just fine.
jenjen
New member
Finally bit the bullet and did a bit of tank maintenance today. This is the first time I've ever had to scrub the glass since I set up either tank - and I can tell you it was terrible! Usually I clean the glass with the mag float every second day, but while we were away it didn't get cleaned for over a week. The result was this horrible green stuff which wouldn't come off until I took a razor blade to it.
Front Before:
Front After:
Left Side Before:
Left Side After:
There's still a bit of scrubbing to do, but that's all my wrists could take for one day. And I'm definitely going back to cleaning the glass every second day!
Front Before:
Front After:
Left Side Before:
Left Side After:
There's still a bit of scrubbing to do, but that's all my wrists could take for one day. And I'm definitely going back to cleaning the glass every second day!
jenjen
New member
Also did a water change. Today's parameters:
SG - 1.026
ammonia - 0
nitrate - 5
calcium - 380
Other than the green junk on the glass, the algae is pretty well under control. Now there's just the aiptasia to take care of. My daughter thinks they're pretty, so if I can't get rid of them we'll just call them a 'feature' and leave it be. Sigh.
SG - 1.026
ammonia - 0
nitrate - 5
calcium - 380
Other than the green junk on the glass, the algae is pretty well under control. Now there's just the aiptasia to take care of. My daughter thinks they're pretty, so if I can't get rid of them we'll just call them a 'feature' and leave it be. Sigh.
jenjen
New member
Brief tank update.
We got to the bottom of the stray voltage finally, with some SUPER help from a couple of RC'ers. Here's the thread incase anyone is interested:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1665120
So now that I'm no longer scared to put my arm in the tank, I've been on an aiptasia killing spree and am finally making some headway. Another week and I may be down to a reasonable number of the little suckers.
Now for today's new problem. Happened to notice that the sump level actually got higher between last night and this morning so went hunting. Turns out my return pump is only pumping water into the 'fuge and nothing to the main tank. I closed the valve to the 'fuge and it started going up to the DT again, but not with as much force as usual.
I've opened the valve to the 'fuge a crack for now, since I have to go to work. At the moment at least some water is making it to the DT but not at the rate it normally goes. Not sure whether the pump is going or if there's something stuck in the pipe on the way up to the DT, but since I have dual returns, it would be odd for them both to be plugged on the same day wouldn't it?
I double tested my system to make sure it won't overflow if the pump dies, and I guess I'll see what it does by the end of the day.
We got to the bottom of the stray voltage finally, with some SUPER help from a couple of RC'ers. Here's the thread incase anyone is interested:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1665120
So now that I'm no longer scared to put my arm in the tank, I've been on an aiptasia killing spree and am finally making some headway. Another week and I may be down to a reasonable number of the little suckers.
Now for today's new problem. Happened to notice that the sump level actually got higher between last night and this morning so went hunting. Turns out my return pump is only pumping water into the 'fuge and nothing to the main tank. I closed the valve to the 'fuge and it started going up to the DT again, but not with as much force as usual.
I've opened the valve to the 'fuge a crack for now, since I have to go to work. At the moment at least some water is making it to the DT but not at the rate it normally goes. Not sure whether the pump is going or if there's something stuck in the pipe on the way up to the DT, but since I have dual returns, it would be odd for them both to be plugged on the same day wouldn't it?
I double tested my system to make sure it won't overflow if the pump dies, and I guess I'll see what it does by the end of the day.
EnglishRebel
Retired Rebel Reefer
Jenjen
Just read your whole thread. The tank looks great. You seem to be of the same opinion as me -- use less rock and have more swimming room.
I see that you got a BTA, I hope it settles down in one spot. I got a LT anemone and after seeing it fall of the rock several times decided to read up on it. Well guess what, it's a sand dweller. 
I scooped a little depression in the sand, place him/her/it in, then gently moved some sand against his/her/its pedal. Next day he/she/it was a happy camper and hasn't moved in two weeks. I'm hoping my F. Perculas find it some day.
You might want to check out the Pearly Jawfish. They are quite small and peaceful but are the star of my tank. They are so cute as the peek out of their burrow and turn their little heads and look around. Great personality. After having several fallings out they finally set up house right next to each other. We call them Oscar and Felix (the Odd Couple :lol: )
Just read your whole thread. The tank looks great. You seem to be of the same opinion as me -- use less rock and have more swimming room.
I see that you got a BTA, I hope it settles down in one spot. I got a LT anemone and after seeing it fall of the rock several times decided to read up on it. Well guess what, it's a sand dweller. I scooped a little depression in the sand, place him/her/it in, then gently moved some sand against his/her/its pedal. Next day he/she/it was a happy camper and hasn't moved in two weeks. I'm hoping my F. Perculas find it some day. You might want to check out the Pearly Jawfish. They are quite small and peaceful but are the star of my tank. They are so cute as the peek out of their burrow and turn their little heads and look around. Great personality. After having several fallings out they finally set up house right next to each other. We call them Oscar and Felix (the Odd Couple :lol: )
jenjen
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15337167#post15337167 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnglishRebel
Jenjen
Just read your whole thread. The tank looks great. You seem to be of the same opinion as me -- use less rock and have more swimming room.
You might want to check out the Pearly Jawfish. They are quite small and peaceful but are the star of my tank. They are so cute as the peek out of their burrow and turn their little heads and look around. Great personality. After having several fallings out they finally set up house right next to each other. We call them Oscar and Felix (the Odd Couple :lol: )
Thanks for checking out my tank! I'm pretty pleased with it, despite all the silly challenges I've had. And you're right, I do prefer less rock & more swimming room, though there is around 200lbs in there amazingly.
The BTA has stayed put for two weeks now, so hopefully it's done moving. It is a little closer to the powerhead than I'd like, but so far it's behaving. The clown however hasn't even noticed it's there and continues to dig holes in the sand to sleep in. Maybe I shoulda got it a sand-dwelling anemone!
I'll definitely check out that fish, we're looking for some sort of burrowing fish to round out our list. Do you have any pics of yours?
Love their names btw - we name all our fish too.
Hi jenjen,
I've been checking out your thread. Congrats on the recent wedding! Really nice job on the upgrade. I'll be upgrading soon, I hope. Tank and accessories are in, now it all depends on when major things around the house stop breaking long enough for my husband to build me the new stand. In the meantime, I'll live vicariously through your upgrade if you don't mind. BTW, love your six line Moe!
Sunny
I've been checking out your thread. Congrats on the recent wedding! Really nice job on the upgrade. I'll be upgrading soon, I hope. Tank and accessories are in, now it all depends on when major things around the house stop breaking long enough for my husband to build me the new stand. In the meantime, I'll live vicariously through your upgrade if you don't mind.
BTW, love your six line Moe!Sunny
jenjen
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15339508#post15339508 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sunnyday
Hi jenjen,
I've been checking out your thread. Congrats on the recent wedding! Really nice job on the upgrade. I'll be upgrading soon, I hope. Tank and accessories are in, now it all depends on when major things around the house stop breaking long enough for my husband to build me the new stand. In the meantime, I'll live vicariously through your upgrade if you don't mind.
Sunny
So true about tank upgrades being your chance to fix your mistakes!
Old tank:
Oceanic Ultimate 65g (think 55g with the height of your 90g)
External overflow on its last legs
Two 2x65w Aqualight fixtures
10g sump
Amiracle skimmer
Livestock includes a mix of SPS, LPS, shrooms, a couple softies, and a shoal of 7 small blue green chromis (I learned about them picking each other off after I bought them but they're all fine...so far)
Recently lost my old blue mandarin and will eventually replace him
Maintenance and testing were spotty at best, due to my 2 littlest kids being 19 months apart.
New tank is a 75g RR AGA. I like the footprint of the 75 and could have gone to a 90 but I don't like the height because I can't reach the bottom well (I'm 5'2"). Would have loved to go even bigger but I'm limited on space in the wall.
My husband insisted on building me a stand for the new tank which will be built into the wall in the basement. He went so far as to buy the lumber and hardware. Unfortunately, this house has had some major things break recently and that has put the move to the new tank on hold.
In the meantime, I started equipment upgrades but didn't discover RC until after making these purchases...I regret them now, but it's done and I'll manage until something breaks and I can justify replacing it.
Equipment upgrades:
Auto water top off from autotopoff.com (absolutely no regrets here!)
ASM G-1x skimmer (timid about the mods on the ASM thread but I think these are in my future)
30g sump with fuge (chaeto and a little LR for now)
Nova Extreme Pro T-5 6x54w (like the fixture, hate the bulbs. replaced 3 already; reading through the T5 thread to decide what bulbs to settle on)
Eheim auto fish feeder to keep the chromis fed several times a day in case I get distracted with changing diapers, etc. Plus will keep them fed while we're on vacation so I don't need a tank sitter.
I've never been big on fish in my tanks, except mandarins. This tank kept both a blue and a spotted mandarin happy for many years. The spotted died after the last move; the blue died after the lights blew a few months ago. Tanks to me are more underwater gardening than about fish. But my family likes the movement and color so I now have the chromis. They want to see more color but I haven't decided what to add, knowing I want another blue mandarin (so the six line is off limits for me). Gobies are nice to look at in other tanks but I don't think I want them in mine, not sure why.
Once I got back to regular maintenance, the current tank started looking really good and I decided to switch from dosing kalk to 2-part. Now I'm back to dosing kalk; just like it better.
I'm slowly phasing out the shrooms and softies in this tank to get to a SPS/LPS tank. The LFS is happy to buy them...this is happening in small stages.
That's all for now. Kids will be waking up soon and I want a shower before they get up. Will post some pics soon. I have about as much luck with cameras as you do.
Old tank:
Oceanic Ultimate 65g (think 55g with the height of your 90g)
External overflow on its last legs
Two 2x65w Aqualight fixtures
10g sump
Amiracle skimmer
Livestock includes a mix of SPS, LPS, shrooms, a couple softies, and a shoal of 7 small blue green chromis (I learned about them picking each other off after I bought them but they're all fine...so far)
Recently lost my old blue mandarin and will eventually replace him
Maintenance and testing were spotty at best, due to my 2 littlest kids being 19 months apart.
New tank is a 75g RR AGA. I like the footprint of the 75 and could have gone to a 90 but I don't like the height because I can't reach the bottom well (I'm 5'2"). Would have loved to go even bigger but I'm limited on space in the wall.
My husband insisted on building me a stand for the new tank which will be built into the wall in the basement. He went so far as to buy the lumber and hardware. Unfortunately, this house has had some major things break recently and that has put the move to the new tank on hold.
In the meantime, I started equipment upgrades but didn't discover RC until after making these purchases...I regret them now, but it's done and I'll manage until something breaks and I can justify replacing it.
Equipment upgrades:
Auto water top off from autotopoff.com (absolutely no regrets here!)
ASM G-1x skimmer (timid about the mods on the ASM thread but I think these are in my future)
30g sump with fuge (chaeto and a little LR for now)
Nova Extreme Pro T-5 6x54w (like the fixture, hate the bulbs. replaced 3 already; reading through the T5 thread to decide what bulbs to settle on)
Eheim auto fish feeder to keep the chromis fed several times a day in case I get distracted with changing diapers, etc. Plus will keep them fed while we're on vacation so I don't need a tank sitter.
I've never been big on fish in my tanks, except mandarins. This tank kept both a blue and a spotted mandarin happy for many years. The spotted died after the last move; the blue died after the lights blew a few months ago. Tanks to me are more underwater gardening than about fish. But my family likes the movement and color so I now have the chromis. They want to see more color but I haven't decided what to add, knowing I want another blue mandarin (so the six line is off limits for me). Gobies are nice to look at in other tanks but I don't think I want them in mine, not sure why.
Once I got back to regular maintenance, the current tank started looking really good and I decided to switch from dosing kalk to 2-part. Now I'm back to dosing kalk; just like it better.
I'm slowly phasing out the shrooms and softies in this tank to get to a SPS/LPS tank. The LFS is happy to buy them...this is happening in small stages.
That's all for now. Kids will be waking up soon and I want a shower before they get up. Will post some pics soon. I have about as much luck with cameras as you do.
EnglishRebel
Retired Rebel Reefer
Jen
I don't have photos of mine (yet) so here is the fish at LiveAquaria. Pearly Jawfish
I don't have photos of mine (yet) so here is the fish at LiveAquaria. Pearly Jawfish
jenjen
New member
Sunny - the upgrade sounds wonderful! I'll be looking forward to pics when you can. If you start a thread please come back here and post the link.
EnglishRebel - That is a really nice looking fish, we're going to consider that guy for sure. Thanks for the idea!
My husband took the return pump out today and cleaned it and thankfully it's working properly again. Looks like some chaeto got stuck in the in-take and plugged it up. I guess it's time to put some mesh over the overflows from the 'fuge - gee, I had been wondering what I was going to do tomorrow!
EnglishRebel - That is a really nice looking fish, we're going to consider that guy for sure. Thanks for the idea!
My husband took the return pump out today and cleaned it and thankfully it's working properly again. Looks like some chaeto got stuck in the in-take and plugged it up. I guess it's time to put some mesh over the overflows from the 'fuge - gee, I had been wondering what I was going to do tomorrow!
jenjen
New member
OMG - ok I'm due for a tank break here pretty soon! So as I mentioned, my husband cleaned out the return pump and it's now pumping water like a champ.
However... now we have ZILLIONS of bubbles in the display tank! We've had this pump the whole time and never had micro bubbles, so it's either been dirty since day one (unlikely - we bought it new) or it wasn't re-installed back the same way. We've tried removing it and re-installing it, turning it around, re-directing some of the other water flow through the sump... no luck so far.
So, I'm trying to stay patient, and learn to love bubbles!!!
However... now we have ZILLIONS of bubbles in the display tank! We've had this pump the whole time and never had micro bubbles, so it's either been dirty since day one (unlikely - we bought it new) or it wasn't re-installed back the same way. We've tried removing it and re-installing it, turning it around, re-directing some of the other water flow through the sump... no luck so far.
So, I'm trying to stay patient, and learn to love bubbles!!!
jenjen
New member
Oh BOOOOOOO, yes we still have zillions of bubbles. But the tank is good otherwise. The fish & corals don't seem too bothered by the bubbles so far, although my Foxface seems more jittery than normal.
We're going away this weekend, just for two nights but I don't have anyone coming in to check on the tank so I'm a little nervous. It's supposed to get hot this weekend and my tank has heat issues as it is. I'm going to leave the MH's off and open the doors to the sump and set a fan pointing at it (from a distance!) and hope for the best.
Once we're back I'll have to pull the sump apart again and see if we can't sort out the bubbles issue. I think it's happening because there's a fair bit of turbulence in the water around the return pump and it's sucking in bubbles, but I can't figure out how to correct it. Anyway, that's next week's problem.
But the tank is good otherwise. The fish & corals don't seem too bothered by the bubbles so far, although my Foxface seems more jittery than normal.We're going away this weekend, just for two nights but I don't have anyone coming in to check on the tank so I'm a little nervous. It's supposed to get hot this weekend and my tank has heat issues as it is. I'm going to leave the MH's off and open the doors to the sump and set a fan pointing at it (from a distance!) and hope for the best.
Once we're back I'll have to pull the sump apart again and see if we can't sort out the bubbles issue. I think it's happening because there's a fair bit of turbulence in the water around the return pump and it's sucking in bubbles, but I can't figure out how to correct it. Anyway, that's next week's problem.
jenjen
New member
Oh I keep meaning to post about my anemone. I have a BTA who isn't bubbly. Here's a pic:
It attached right away, it moved around the tank for a week or two, and has stayed put since (maybe 2 months?). It's always out, it has a nice closed mouth, eats as much silversides as I give it and seems healthy to my untrained eye, however it's tentacles are NEVER bubble tips. They're always long like in the pic. I feed it 1 silverside a week, and it grabs the odd mysis when I feed the fish daily.
It has picked a spot under the 250W MH's, with moderate flow. My water param's on Saturday were:
SG 1.026
ammonia 0
nitrate 10
pH 7.9
temp 81-84 (daily swing)
I've read that not all BTA's actually bubble their tips, so I'm not sure whether to worry about it at all since it seems otherwise healthy and happy. If anyone has any feedback, please share!
Thanks for reading.
It attached right away, it moved around the tank for a week or two, and has stayed put since (maybe 2 months?). It's always out, it has a nice closed mouth, eats as much silversides as I give it and seems healthy to my untrained eye, however it's tentacles are NEVER bubble tips. They're always long like in the pic. I feed it 1 silverside a week, and it grabs the odd mysis when I feed the fish daily.
It has picked a spot under the 250W MH's, with moderate flow. My water param's on Saturday were:
SG 1.026
ammonia 0
nitrate 10
pH 7.9
temp 81-84 (daily swing)
I've read that not all BTA's actually bubble their tips, so I'm not sure whether to worry about it at all since it seems otherwise healthy and happy. If anyone has any feedback, please share!
Thanks for reading.
That clam is gorgeous!
You're tank is looking great.
You're tank is looking great.
jenjen
New member
Thanks! I'm really happy with how it's all coming together.
We're back home after our weekend away and I'm happy to report that the tank survived without incident. The sump didn't run dry, the fish and corals are all still alive, and the temp doesn't appear to have swung too badly. I just fed the fish and I have to say they seem happy to see me - they're used to daily feedings so it must have concerned them not having any food show up since Friday!
Sadly, the bubbles are still in there. I guess I know what I'm going to spend next weekend doing.
We're back home after our weekend away and I'm happy to report that the tank survived without incident. The sump didn't run dry, the fish and corals are all still alive, and the temp doesn't appear to have swung too badly. I just fed the fish and I have to say they seem happy to see me - they're used to daily feedings so it must have concerned them not having any food show up since Friday!
Sadly, the bubbles are still in there. I guess I know what I'm going to spend next weekend doing.
jenjen
New member
Another weekend come & gone and I have successfully ignored the micro bubble issue. Unfortunately it hasn't resolved itself yet, so we're still plagued by them. It's quite amazing to see actually. Thankfully nothing seems affected by it... it's just terrible to look at.
We're in the middle of a little bit of a heatwave here, so the tank temp has risen quite a bit. Yesterday it peaked at 88 degrees. This morning started at 82, so I turned off one set of lights and left the lower cabinet doors open with a fan pointing at the sump. Hopefully that'll help keep the temp down, although my fish & corals don't seem to worry too much about the odd temp swing.
I'm trying to make arrangements for a tank sitter for the first week of August - it's my sister's wedding and we'll be away for a week. I really need to join a local club and meet some fellow reefing-addicts who can help me out!!! In the meantime I'm back to trying to trick one of our friends into it.
Tank params from Saturday:
ammonia 0
nitrate 10
calcium 380
pH 7.9
I'm still doing bi-weekly water changes of around 15-20gal and testing parameters weekly. Everything has been stable all along, except for a small rise in nitrate at the end of May just after the transition to this tank. I'm working toward adding a couple of SPS corals (for my husband, personally I could do without them) sometime in the fall, so really focussing on getting the parameters consistent and stable. I think I may switch salt brands as I think the calcium levels in this one are too low for SPS, but we'll see how it goes.
We're in the middle of a little bit of a heatwave here, so the tank temp has risen quite a bit. Yesterday it peaked at 88 degrees. This morning started at 82, so I turned off one set of lights and left the lower cabinet doors open with a fan pointing at the sump. Hopefully that'll help keep the temp down, although my fish & corals don't seem to worry too much about the odd temp swing.
I'm trying to make arrangements for a tank sitter for the first week of August - it's my sister's wedding and we'll be away for a week. I really need to join a local club and meet some fellow reefing-addicts who can help me out!!! In the meantime I'm back to trying to trick one of our friends into it.
Tank params from Saturday:
ammonia 0
nitrate 10
calcium 380
pH 7.9
I'm still doing bi-weekly water changes of around 15-20gal and testing parameters weekly. Everything has been stable all along, except for a small rise in nitrate at the end of May just after the transition to this tank. I'm working toward adding a couple of SPS corals (for my husband, personally I could do without them) sometime in the fall, so really focussing on getting the parameters consistent and stable. I think I may switch salt brands as I think the calcium levels in this one are too low for SPS, but we'll see how it goes.
jenjen
New member
Well, our long weekend away has come & gone. I didn't manage to find a tanksitter, so I just did a big water change before we left, overfed & crossed my fingers.
We didn't lose any fish, but we did lose one coral. There was a pretty significant heat wave while we were gone, so I think the tank hit 'too high' a temp. A couple of others are looking 'bad' but are improving so there's hope yet.
We lost our beautiful red acan. My two blasto's were looking pretty terrible when we returned, but are improving and I think they'll make it afterall. My BTA bleached completely white, but is still coming out and eating and acting otherwise healthy, so I'm crossing my fingers.
Interestingly, my duncan which hasn't looked great in a while is looking really good lately. Everything else is thriving.
I'm still battling aiptasia... if you're a newbie and you find one... KILL IT!!! They're wicked, evil devils! And I'm nearly used to the bubbles... we just cannot seem to get rid of them.
I still have the QT tank running and am still on the lookout for a chocolate tang. Haven't found one I like yet, and now I'm thinking I'll let the tank settle in a bit until the fall before I add anything new.
Water change coming this weekend, though water parameters are good at the moment. And if I get around to scraping all the ruddy coraline off the glass I'll post some current pics!
We didn't lose any fish, but we did lose one coral. There was a pretty significant heat wave while we were gone, so I think the tank hit 'too high' a temp. A couple of others are looking 'bad' but are improving so there's hope yet.
We lost our beautiful red acan. My two blasto's were looking pretty terrible when we returned, but are improving and I think they'll make it afterall. My BTA bleached completely white, but is still coming out and eating and acting otherwise healthy, so I'm crossing my fingers.
Interestingly, my duncan which hasn't looked great in a while is looking really good lately. Everything else is thriving.
I'm still battling aiptasia... if you're a newbie and you find one... KILL IT!!! They're wicked, evil devils! And I'm nearly used to the bubbles... we just cannot seem to get rid of them.
I still have the QT tank running and am still on the lookout for a chocolate tang. Haven't found one I like yet, and now I'm thinking I'll let the tank settle in a bit until the fall before I add anything new.
Water change coming this weekend, though water parameters are good at the moment. And if I get around to scraping all the ruddy coraline off the glass I'll post some current pics!
