Old to WNY - New to Upstate Reef Society

[TheRealRuk]

Hey Everyone,

I'm new to the hobby, finished setting up my first build this spring, 150G cube. (album on profile page - comments welcome!) I set up the tank with a lot of help from the boys at ARC and by stalking some threads on RC. I'm more interested in what the locals are doing rather than reefers on the other side of the country/world. I'm sure I've literally bumped into a few of you at the last couple ARC frag swaps. I'm full of questions and I can certainly use more frags! Planning on heading down to Syracuse for the swap in a few weeks and hope to see a bunch of you there!

Matt

 

[jdoenumber2]

Welcome aboard!!!

 

[Brent Thomann]

Welcome! Reefcentral helps make this hobby so much more enjoyable!

Nice setup and wood work.

How do you like your Apex Controller? Was thinking about upgrading my Neptune Aqua Controller to the new Apex.

One thing I would recommend is only having your macro algae in your refuge. Much easier to clean down the road and less of a detritus trap.

 

[naprestsleep]

Nice setup

 

[TheRealRuk]

Thx Guys! I love the Apex although I don't have anything to compare it to... I messed around with an AquaPod for a little while before upgrading to the 150G (was supposed to be a 90G) I was using a digital thermometer in the 24g. We were having a hell of a time figuring out why our corals would start out fine and then melt after a few weeks. As it turned out the digital thermometer was off by almost 10 degrees.. So when it came to the new tank, getting a controller wasn't even a second thought. I use an iPhone, so I use the app more than the controller display. My sump is in the basement so I had to choose to put the EB8 downstairs to reach the heaters. I'm hoping to get another soon to put under the DT so I don't have to string all the light cords down. (I want to add my pool heater and filter to it, but I'll hold off on that for now... )

 

[TheRealRuk]

I'm actually about to redo my fuge. Some inexperienced dosing may have cause the calcification of my fuge sand. What are you guys using in your fuges? Just sand and some macro? DSB? I was a little weary of only having 80-90lbs of LR in my Dt.

 

[dreaminmel]

Welcome to URS Matt! :thumbsup:

 

[Brent Thomann]

I'm actually about to redo my fuge. Some inexperienced dosing may have cause the calcification of my fuge sand. What are you guys using in your fuges? Just sand and some macro? DSB? I was a little weary of only having 80-90lbs of LR in my Dt.

I've read and believe you only want your macro algae in your Refuge and no sand, specially NO DSB! Wouldn't hurt to have a little live rock, just keep it clean. Its easyier to clean when you only have macro algae in your refuge though. Thats all I have in mine. Usually every water change I suck all the detrius out of it keeping it nice and clean. Once in a while I'll even drain it completely to clean and I still have a huge Pod population in it.

80-90lbs of live rock I plenty I believe. I know some people that have less then that with larger systems and their corals look amazing.

 

[solRNY]

great looking cube :thumbsup:

 

[tent boy]

That is a REAL nice start. That surely is going to be fun to fill. Love the shape of the tank.

 

[Dave VG]

Welcome

 

[TheRealRuk]

I've read and believe you only want your macro algae in your Refuge and no sand, specially NO DSB! Wouldn't hurt to have a little live rock, just keep it clean. Its easyier to clean when you only have macro algae in your refuge though. Thats all I have in mine. Usually every water change I suck all the detrius out of it keeping it nice and clean. Once in a while I'll even drain it completely to clean and I still have a huge Pod population in it.

80-90lbs of live rock I plenty I believe. I know some people that have less then that with larger systems and their corals look amazing.

Thx Brent,

I think I'm going to give it a shot. ...leave a piece of LR in for my pods.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

looks good.

Suggestion: perhaps you should start a build thread in this forum.

FWIW my lit refugium contains a DSB as well as macroalgae. Calcium reactor effluent drips into the refugium. Lots of reasons for doing this.

Welcome to the URS forum!

 

[TheRealRuk]

looks good.

Suggestion: perhaps you should start a build thread in this forum.

FWIW my lit refugium contains a DSB as well as macroalgae. Calcium reactor effluent drips into the refugium. Lots of reasons for doing this.

Welcome to the URS forum!

Thx Gary,

A "post" build thread in the URS forum? I was going to start one until I ripped out my sump baffles for the 3rd time. It would have been more like a broken record...

 

[aww_419]

TO REEF CENTRAL AND URS

 

[tmz]

Welcome.

 

[toddmh]

Welcome Matt..This is a great place for local reefers to hang out..

 

[gandolf8]

Welcome