New 125 On The Block - Watch The Process! *Pictures Inside*

[Todd March]

I've decided to get rid of my macro algaes and go with Zeovit. I'll be switching over to Zeo within the next 2 months or so.

:eek1:


TM:rollface:
P.S.TJ, you'll love the AC/Pheonix 14K's on the M80's in your Maristar...!

 

[TJcop]

Todd: I'm glad to hear that the lights will look good! UPS says they'll be here on the 4th...not looking forward to the light changing fiasco that will ensue!

PS: I'm just waiting for the first negative reaction to the Zeo switch. Like it or hate it...different strokes for different folks!

PPS: I still wanna know what's in Zeobak.

 

[eraml]

TJ i noticed that you are from Wisconsin.
Where in wisconsin are you?

 

[Lordhelmet]

very impressive tank. i really like the clam. About how much has it grown in the time you've had it?

 

[CeeGee]

TJ,

I meant to ask what did you do in between the part where you were cussing because your corals were dying and then a few posts later you said that the tank is out of trouble.

What did you do to save things (or what were you doing wrong)?

I am really new to the reef end of things and I am trying to learn all that I can. This thread has been inspiring to say the least. I don't have the money that you do to throw at this stuff but your success gives me hope.

 

[TJcop]

CeeGee: If you look at the dates, it has been almost 2 months since the dying coral incident. As far as what I did to save things, I just maintained high water quality at consistant levels. One of the things that I'm doing on a weekly basis is water changes. When I had softie tanks, I never did water changes, but with the SPS/LPS, I guess it helps out. I still never figured out what caused the RTN to occur, but everything that survived is doing fine and growing.
Some of the upgrades that I'm doing is:
Larger sump/refuge - going from 40gal to 120gal (for 225g total)
Zeovit (no flaming please!)
Larger skimmer
Calcium reactor
14k Phoenix bulbs
Tunze turbelle's (w/ controller)
That's all I can think of for the moment.

 

[TJcop]

Lordhelmet: The clam has grown about 1/4 - 1/2", but it has really started to grow since I've moved it higher up in the tank and stabilized alk/calc.

 

[Todd March]

Just curious, TJ, but what where your ALK levels during the time of the RTN problems...?

 

[TJcop]

Todd, I think my alk was too low, around 5-6dkh. I thought that with Zeo you are supposed to keep alk low, but I don't remember if it's supposed to be that low.

 

[incapearl]

Good looking tank! Nice work.

Ian

 

[hawaiianwargod]

TJ,

Nice Tank bro. What kind of calcium reactor do you have? and also, do you dose kalk or not?

thanks,
HW

 

[TJcop]

Hawaiianwargod: Not running a reactor...yet. Currently dosing Kalk.

 

[TJcop]

Big Picture Update of New Arrivals!

Big Picture Update of New Arrivals!

Ok, here's the new arrivals from Dr. Mac's. First off, here is my setup, impatiently waiting for my new friends. You'll note the drip lines, FWE and Iodine (for the dip).

Ok, here's the box that arrived at 10am. No leaks...that's a good sign!

Hmm...let's see what's inside Lots of newspaper, peanuts, some heatpacks...

Here they are floating. I just have the actinics on so I can see what I'm doing.

Ok everybody, listen up! Inverts on the left....

Frags on the right...

 

[TJcop]

Continuing with the pics.

Continuing with the pics.

Shhh...don't tell my wife about the water on the carpet :worried: Continuing on...Here's the new additions on the bottom of the tank. All of them are looking good, and one even has completely extended. :thumbsup:

One last shot. Didn't take pics of the new crabs/snails, but I did grab one of my new S.S. Cucumber. His new name is "Turd"...for obvious reasons.

 

[TJcop]

Overall, I'm very pleased with my order (hopefully everything survives). I ordered 2 Acro colonies, an 8 piece ultra-colored frag pack and a handfull of inverts. The frags are larger than expected and really are colorful. I'm sure they'll "pop" even more under the new 14k lighting (that's on Friday).
The frags in the sand are on plugs, and the ones on rocks were fresh cut and I didn't want them on the sand. Nothing glued in place yet.

 

[thrlride]

Those look great!

 

[TJcop]

Thanks! I did a quick flashlight check on the dark tank before leaving for work. I noticed that about 5 of the frags had polyps extended and some of the polyps were out on one of the colonies. Hopefully that's a good sign that they will enjoy their new home.

 

[TJcop]

Well, my new Phoenix 14K bulbs arrived today (thanks Reefgeek!). I'll be installing them within the hour. Also, all of the new corals have been placed in their permanant spots, and they look great. All but 2 of them are extended during the day/night. New pics will be up tomorrow.

 

[CeeGee]

TJ,

what are these corals and what are their care requirements. They are simply beautiful.

A.

B.

C.

If you don't mind I think that I read (it is late and I don't have time to read the entire thread again) that you said someone told you that since your tank is new (at the time) the LR is leeching phosphate into the water that can't be detected with a test kit and that was causing your hair algae. I am using a salifert kit and my phosphate is really low. My freshly mixed saltwater has no phosphates according to the test kit.

Did you just keep doing water changes until your hair algae went away? I have a reef janitor crew ordered from GARF should be here wednesday the 9th. I hope I can get this algae nailed. I can't really run a refugium unless I use a siphon overflow as my tank is not reef ready.

Thanks for any help you can give me

 

[Cody Ray]

Wow, very impressive!!! If I could have it my way (God willing), I would have 3, 125-gallon aquariums; one freshwater/planted, one sps, and one soft coral. You aquarium brough up quite a few ideas in the old nogin!