My 90 - first "real" reef - Pic Thread

[Warboc]

Are these bubbles?

IF you mean the sprinkling of stuff on the bottom of the center rock, no. That is just sand that got kicked up on the rocks by my hands.

 

[Gooli]

thanks warboc...that's very helpful.

By the way, i'm not trying to bum u out...but it's a matter of time until that yellow watchman jumps out...mine jumped out 2 days ago.

need a canopy i guess.
gooliver

 

[Warboc]

A new picture of my tank from today. I used a sharpie to make my powerheads black and wow do I like the results!

 

[Warboc]

During this past week, I added a couple clams to my tank. They were purchased form clamsdirect.com. I communictaed with Barry there via email over the course of a couple of days and he really taught me a lot and helped me determine what clams would be best for me to start off with.

Once I received them, something very odd yet pleasantly surprising happened. He actually called me later that night and asked me how the clams were doing, if they were open and acclimating well, and thanked me for my order. I am VERY impressed with this type of customer service!

Here are some pics:

Crocea:

Derasa:

 

[Warboc]

During the upcoming week, I will be adding a fighting conch or two to keep the sandbed cleaner. Also I will be adding 30 or so margarita snails to better control the algae on my liverocks. I am considering purchasing these from Premium Aquatics. Any feedback on that vendor would be appreciated.

 

[Warboc]

Bored yet? If not, this oughtta get you there!

I now use my wet bar area as a work area for testing water, preparing water, etc etc. Just a basic utility area for maintaining my tanks.

 

[Gooli]

warboc....im gonna do the same sump design thanks to your helpful thread....are you happy with it so far? would you do anything different?
any microbubble issues?

thanks

 

[Warboc]

warboc....im gonna do the same sump design thanks to your helpful thread....are you happy with it so far? would you do anything different?
any microbubble issues?

thanks

Last week, the two acrylic baffles on the right side came partially undone. However, repairing them was not difficult.

I drained most of the water out of the sump and then used krazy glue to temporarily tack the baffles in place. I used the glue stick type.. where you press the tip against surface to apply the glue. Worked really well.

Then I used some fast drying silicone (1 hour to dry, 24 hours to fully cure) to re-seal the right side baffles. Within a couple hours I added the water back and all has been well ever since.

If I had to do it over again and was still using acrylic, I would use super glue first, then silicone. I only used silicone the first time. I would also consider glass baffles instead of acrylic.

I have not had any problems at all with microbubbles. My water is always crystal clear. As long as I can keep my hands out of the tank.

One more note, I get much more current throughout the entire center refugium than I ever thought I would... The fast moving water flow on the surface from left to right creates a nice clockwise swirling effect in the refugium itself.

 

[Gooli]

warboc...thanks for the quick reply I don't know where i would be if it wasn't for the help of fellow reefers and reefcentral.com.

got some follow up questions...( i will be doing glass baffles by the way and a 30g aquarium i got yesterday - same dimensions as yours) - and a 90g megaflow - just like yours

1. how thick are the baffles?

2. how did u manage to suspend 2 of the baffles from the bottom at the exact measurement of 1.5" ?

3. were your baffles fitting snug in the tank before you glued them in? or...?

4. i plan to get a urchin pro skimmer...im sure it will fit in the sump no problem., but, does the skimmer have anything to do with determining baffle height?

5. i have other questions regarding the plumbing to the sump but i don't want to bug you too much, if you don't mind, i'd like to ask you those in the next thread? pretty please? LOL

"gooliver"
Golan

 

[Warboc]

1. how thick are the baffles?

2. how did u manage to suspend 2 of the baffles from the bottom at the exact measurement of 1.5" ?

3. were your baffles fitting snug in the tank before you glued them in? or...?

4. i plan to get a urchin pro skimmer...im sure it will fit in the sump no problem., but, does the skimmer have anything to do with determining baffle height?

5. i have other questions regarding the plumbing to the sump but i don't want to bug you too much, if you don't mind, i'd like to ask you those in the next thread? pretty please? LOL

1. 1/4 inch

2. They fit very tightly and snug so there was no need to hold them in place.

3. See answer to #2

4. My concerns for baffle height were:
- Give plenty of margin of error for overflow during pump failure or for when pumps are off. I still have about 4 inches of tank space above the water level when pumps are off.
- Make sure refugium has as much depth as possible.
- When taking a trip, have the ability to add extra water to sump so that it last a couple extra days. I generally add a gallon and a half a day to replenish water supply. (Louisiana, hot humid etc etc.) So if i want to get away for weekend, I turn pumps off, allow water to overflow into sump. Then I fill sump tank to the top (with saltwater), then turn pumps back on. The fish are fine without food for a weekend and I can rest well knowing the sump is fine as well. (hope that made sense)

5. I paid someone to do all the plumbing of the skimmer, the intake line from the tank to sump, the outtake line from the sump to tank. I did plumb my UV sterilizer though!

 

[Gooli]

cool..thanks.

are you using both holes to drain from the megaflow? or is one hole used for a return?

 

[Warboc]

The larger one for drain, smaller one for return.

 

[Warboc]

I don't know where i would be if it wasn't for the help of fellow reefers and reefcentral.com.

Oh and I will second that! This forum is oh sooooo helpful! I have asked some pretty stupid questions here and people always are kind and answer them.

 

[Gooli]

thanks for all the help...i appreciate it.

PS. I went over cmagallon's house yesterday....this guy has a 92 gallon corner aquarium - 34" deep !!! that thing is so sweet....the depth adds so much! I hope i'll be happy with 18" in depth with the 90...i already have people telling me "go with a 120"


gooliver

 

[fishman805]

Bored yet? If not, this oughtta get you there!

I now use my wet bar area as a work area for testing water, preparing water, etc etc. Just a basic utility area for maintaining my tanks.

I took over a downstairs bathroom for the same purpose..... :rollface:

 

[Gooli]

warboc...did you manage to fit a heater in the sump? where and which one did you use?

 

[Warboc]

warboc...did you manage to fit a heater in the sump? where and which one did you use?

Yes... It is a Marineland Stealth 200W heater and it is in the left side of the sump (as pictured in previous post in thread). This particular heater is rated for tanks up to 55 gallons but it does the job well. I do need to add a second one for failsafe measures though.


I had to angle it to submerse it properly.

Link - Purchased from Petco

 

[Gooli]

so funny...i purchased the same one at petco and it's in my 46g tank

 

[Warboc]

I like that particular brand. I have same heater in my 55 as well. I have it right by intake water line in sump for 90. During night with all lights off and thermostat set to 68 in house, the water stays at 79 where I have it set.

 

[Warboc]

My anemone appears to be thriving now:

Here is a picture from earlier on for comparison: