Mark's 180 Starfire upgrade

[mpoletti]

All I can say is WOW! I went out there for just a couple of items and now it looks like the H&S will be happy

Bart- I will be adding the PBT and achilles at the same time. They are also very similar in size. I will also be dropping them in without any lights on.

 

[cbui2]

what happened when you turn the lights on after ?

 

[tbone28]

I also like to introduce tangs when the lights are out. Reduces the stress. What do I do after the lights go on? Pray

 

[cbui2]

i tried that in the beginning even the size of my display still had problems. PBT hybrid and achilles went at it 2 days later then went down hill from there, ich outbreak and the other one couldn't survive the battle. i always enter new arrival at night when lights are out, but still didn't work. hope it work out for you . guess i will build 2000gal next so fish may be introduced to real ocean rather then mini ocean :lol:

 

[tbone28]

oh, i also feed REAL heavy just prior to releasing the new fish in. I hope this lessens aggression, since the fish are fat, full, and happy.

 

[jtarmitage]

So what all did you end up with Mark?

I was having a very tough job of keeping my wallet in my pocket, and that was only because of some changes that I would have to make in order to make things work until I move and set up the 250. Your daughter was great, BTW. Last time I brought my kids I was very thankful that there was no one else in the store at the time!

 

[Jim_S]

You mean what didn't he end up with :lol:

It was really tough for me to control myself as well I really wanted one of those wrasses....

Mark, on the other hand paid little to no attention to the little voice in his head that said "lets keep the spending reasonable"

 

[mpoletti]

I like to introduce fish at night. A wise local reefer also taught me about the mirror trick, but that is for another day

Another trick is releasing some chromis or something else to help ease the tension.

Jeremy- Thanks. Emma is a good helper except she has expensive tastes. She wanted both of those fish and she is daddy's little girl. I also got a few chomis and 3 more female lyretails. I will hold out on everyone else until I give them a proper introduction.

I did pick up some 1/4" grey true PVC sheets to lay them down on the glass, I just roughed them up a bit with a small grinder and I forgot to get some silicon Don't worry though, I did pick up about 110 lbs of sand to start the SSB. I figured I will be using only about 2-3 gallons from the other system. What do you guys think? I think it is a bad idea, but I should check with the experts; Can I reuse any of my refugium sediment? Thanks.

Off to go soak the sand in some RODI. :wavehand:

 

[mpoletti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12121839#post12121839 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jim_S
You mean what didn't he end up with :lol:

Mark, on the other hand paid little to no attention to the little voice in his head that said "lets keep the spending reasonable"

Most of what I bought were necessities

Jim, if you are hearing voices, I think you should get some help. I just got back from my therapy session

 

[eagleONE]

as long as you don't stir up your refugium sand, I would imagine you can put it right in... wait, are you using the same sump or a new one?

 

[tbone28]

I don't see anything wrong with using some sand from your fuge. It's not like you're dumping 100 lbs of old sand into your system.

 

[Jim_S]

I would also consider those necessities

And so would the voices in my head

BTW, that grey PVC is gonna look great. Nice find!

 

[mpoletti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12121886#post12121886 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eagleONE
as long as you don't stir up your refugium sand, I would imagine you can put it right in... wait, are you using the same sump or a new one?

I got a new sump Jay. The H&S told me that my DIY sump was not up to its standards. I really don't like pretentious european products:eek2:

 

[jtarmitage]

Yeah Jim, it was tough. A load of awesome wrasses in there. I almost walked out with a mystery wrasse and a couple others.

Mark, I would avoid most of the refgium sediment, but would use some to kickstart the new system. Just be sure to rinse it out well with some SW. And it's just not cool to blame your 'fishy' purchases on a 16 month old girl! At least, that's what my wife told me at the time.:lol:

 

[eagleONE]

haha. darn H&S...


I would then just start fresh sand but use some of the old stuff to seed it.

 

[mpoletti]

I thought that was one of the benefits of having children. I need to get an update for my parenting manual.

 

[Jim_S]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12121908#post12121908 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marko9
I got a new sump Jay. The H&S told me that my DIY sump was not up to its standards. I really don't like pretentious european products:eek2:

So no voices in your head, but the protein skimmer speaks with you?

If thats the case, I would always listen to its advice

 

[mpoletti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12121944#post12121944 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jim_S
So no voices in your head, but the protein skimmer speaks with you?

If thats the case, I would always listen to its advice

Oh no, I have voices in my head. That is why I had to go to my therapy session. Heck Jim, I can be in a room by myself and all of my worst enemies are there with me

 

[tbone28]

T-bone alert!
T-bone alert!
T-bone alert!

Go get some work done on your tank

 

[mpoletti]

Not a good day for progress. It started off so well, but all I got doen was cutting the PVC and siliconing it down and completing my drain.
I spent two hours wiring up the VHO's to no avail. First I had the carry over line wrong. I switched that and I got it to fire. I went to move it off the dirt and it died. One of the small connector pins was broken off.

I did get two other heaters today (Thanks Jeremy) and the outside tank is stable at 76. Its new inhabitants are 6 chromis, 3 female lyretails, a Bodianus masudai and a Psuedochellinus ocellatus.

I need to get my UV when it comes in tomorrow so that might give me a chance to see if they have an extra wiring harness kit. If not, no big deal as the halides are hooked up and I will not need any lights for a couple of days anyways.

I have 35 gallons of SW made up in the garage, 30 gallons of RODI that I will probably mix up tomorrow. I have the 55 gallon filled 90% of my current tank water with just enough room for corals and the LR its attached too.

I have the 110 lbs of sand soaking in a rubbermaid. 90 lbs is a mixture of fine,#1, #2, & #3 grained sand.The other 20 is extra fine and that is for the fuge. I also have about 15lbs of arm media that will help keep the high flow areas in the tank under control.