My 500 + gallon system. Last 13 years to now. Build, Aquascaping & more. Lots of pics
- Thread starter slief
- Start date
slief
RC Sponsor
Not much to update.. I have been dealing with a bout of Cyano. This last weekend I kicked up my skimmer to a wet skim to see if that will help. Probably going to do some vacuuming tonight to try to get rid of some of it. All the fish are doing well but the Cyano did take a bit of a toll on some of my soft corals.. Sadly, it goes with the territory I guess. Every couple years, I seem to get some and its always a pain.
CarlitosReef
New member
I just glanced through the whole thread I mainly saw every pic and read here and there. I have to say this is AMAZING incorporating technology. I quoted you in another thread about your 55g barrel mixed station, which I'm very interested in. I would like to use those barrels since it seems a lot cheaper to create a mixed station. I am not sure if I should have a mixed station, since I am planning in doing a 55g frag tank only and maybe 2 or 3 fishes.
pbnj
Member
I've watched and enjoyed each of your lafishguys videos dozens of times.
Just my two cents, but I think that sandbed of yours is the source of a lot of your problems. I believe a tank should either have a true deep sandbed (i.e., the right sand depth/grainsize/sandsifters and leave it undisturbed to do its thing) or have just enough sand for aesthetics.
That constant vacuuming and churning of that thick sandbed is just constantly burying detritus and creating a mess.
My first reef tank was a 75g that was heavily stocked and fed generously. I only had about 1" of sand in there, but when I eventually cleaned it out, the sand was utterly disgusting.
Have you tried pulling-out some of that sand (and rock), putting it in a separate container (with no filtration), and testing it to see how much nitrates/phosphates is leaching?
Best of luck and continued success with your tank.
Just my two cents, but I think that sandbed of yours is the source of a lot of your problems. I believe a tank should either have a true deep sandbed (i.e., the right sand depth/grainsize/sandsifters and leave it undisturbed to do its thing) or have just enough sand for aesthetics.
That constant vacuuming and churning of that thick sandbed is just constantly burying detritus and creating a mess.
My first reef tank was a 75g that was heavily stocked and fed generously. I only had about 1" of sand in there, but when I eventually cleaned it out, the sand was utterly disgusting.
Have you tried pulling-out some of that sand (and rock), putting it in a separate container (with no filtration), and testing it to see how much nitrates/phosphates is leaching?
Best of luck and continued success with your tank.
slief
RC Sponsor
Thanks for the post. I do have a true deep sand bed in the refugium. As for the sand in the tank, there is only a minimal amount now. I am planning on going bare bottom in the future but at this point, I am down to less than an inch of sand/crushed coral thoughout the tank. I will probably be removing a bunch more in the coming weeks when I do another large water change.
I tested the water last week. Nitrates were 0, phosphates were 0, Alk 8.0 and that was about where I stopped. My Mg seems be stay steady around 1500 and calcium around 400. My water quality is good but I know there is a fair amount of detritus in the sand in the tank which I why I am leaning towards going back to a bare bottom tank. That or I just need to do a real good vacuuming which is something that is definatley not done frequently enough.
That said, I have had this tank up and running for more than 15 years and during that time it has only been taken down 1 to redo the aquascape. It seems that almost every fall, I have a nuisance algae breakout. I have always said its seasonal but each year it drives me nuts.
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TheFishTeen
New member
Thanks for the updates!
How about a fish list?
How about a fish list?
slief
RC Sponsor
1 8" Vlamingi
1 4" Unicorn Tang
1 3" Vlamingi
1 6" blonde Naso
1 yellow eye tang
1 Luitenant tang
1 Royal Gramma
1 six line wrasse
2 Maroon Clowns
3 Ocellaris Clowns
3 Chromis
1 Damsel
5 PJ Cardinals
5 Bangai Cardinals
1 Fox Face
1 Engineer Goby
1 Diamond Goby
1 Tiger Goby
3 Anthias
1 Midas Blenny
1 Flame Angel
2 Coral Bandit Shrimp
1 Cleaner Shrimp
1 very large RBTA
Snails and hermit crabs
There are also probably a few fish I am forgetting about. The tank lights are still off so I cant see them to make sure I listed them all.
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slief
RC Sponsor
Edit.. Revised list.. I actually have 2 flame angels and 2 damsels:
1 7-8" Vlamingi
1 4" Unicorn Tang
1 3" Vlamingi
1 6" blonde Naso
1 yellow eye tang
1 Luitenant tang
1 Royal Gramma
1 six line wrasse
2 Maroon Clowns
3 Ocellaris Clowns
3 Chromis
2 Blue and yellow Damsels
5 PJ Cardinals
5 Bangai Cardinals
1 Fox Face
1 Engineer Goby
1 Diamond Goby
1 Tiger Goby
3 Anthias
1 Midas Blenny
2 Flame Angel
2 Coral Bandit Shrimp
1 Cleaner Shrimp
1 very large RBTA
Snails and hermit crabs
1 7-8" Vlamingi
1 4" Unicorn Tang
1 3" Vlamingi
1 6" blonde Naso
1 yellow eye tang
1 Luitenant tang
1 Royal Gramma
1 six line wrasse
2 Maroon Clowns
3 Ocellaris Clowns
3 Chromis
2 Blue and yellow Damsels
5 PJ Cardinals
5 Bangai Cardinals
1 Fox Face
1 Engineer Goby
1 Diamond Goby
1 Tiger Goby
3 Anthias
1 Midas Blenny
2 Flame Angel
2 Coral Bandit Shrimp
1 Cleaner Shrimp
1 very large RBTA
Snails and hermit crabs
aquaenthusiast
Member
How is your ozone setup going? I am looking into an AVAST mutiny. I was wondering what kind of stainless steel pressure gauge you are using for the reactor? Does the stainless steel come into direct contact with the water? I was just worried about it fouling over time. What kind of internal pressure do you keep inside the reactor? Your thread has been inspiring and your tank looks great!
TheFishTeen
New member
Looks like Mr. Bushpig just double posted his double post. Smooth 
What A Journey...
What A Journey...
Scott,
I have read through all of your threads and have seen your vids on the tube. I must say... I am a fan! Your trials and tribulations are eerily familiar. I am in the process of a 420 gal. mixed reef build.
I love your vids... however, I'm not to fond of Jim and his brow beating of you. Perhaps you should start documenting your own journeys and put even more emphasis on the technology that you have applied to your system.
I have engineered an elaborate system as well and through many gains and losses. I find it fascinating on creating automated efficiencies and watching the beneficiaries of such creative efforts in reef keeping. I actually enjoy what happens under the hood "The Science, Mechanics and Engineering", more so than the beauty seen above.
Best of luck to you and your new ventures...
FYI... You're a very VERY sick man to be playing with a 5' eel. THAT WAS FREAKING AWESOME!!! :bounce3:
Regards,
é
What A Journey...
Scott,
I have read through all of your threads and have seen your vids on the tube. I must say... I am a fan! Your trials and tribulations are eerily familiar. I am in the process of a 420 gal. mixed reef build.
I love your vids... however, I'm not to fond of Jim and his brow beating of you. Perhaps you should start documenting your own journeys and put even more emphasis on the technology that you have applied to your system.
I have engineered an elaborate system as well and through many gains and losses. I find it fascinating on creating automated efficiencies and watching the beneficiaries of such creative efforts in reef keeping. I actually enjoy what happens under the hood "The Science, Mechanics and Engineering", more so than the beauty seen above.
Best of luck to you and your new ventures...
FYI... You're a very VERY sick man to be playing with a 5' eel. THAT WAS FREAKING AWESOME!!! :bounce3:
Regards,
é
ReefRescue
New member
Slief how do you like your leds how do the corals seem compared to when you had the halides?
TheFishTeen
New member
Not sure if you've been in check with your thread here but Ive got a question about your Ozone system.
How do you have it set up? Do you use it with your skimmer? Have you seen major changes upon adding the Ozone?
Also I noticed you use Sch40 Single Union Ball Valves and Sch40 True Union Ball Valves (from Lowes?), how are they holding up? Are they good quality? Do the handles turn easily?
How do you have it set up? Do you use it with your skimmer? Have you seen major changes upon adding the Ozone?
Also I noticed you use Sch40 Single Union Ball Valves and Sch40 True Union Ball Valves (from Lowes?), how are they holding up? Are they good quality? Do the handles turn easily?
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