Randy's new 120 gallon Reef

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

In my tank the light pink colonized the glass and plastic surfaces much faster than other colors/shades, regardless of lighting (although slower in low lighting). But even in bright areas, I have some darker shades, and not necessarily a higher percentage of it in darker areas (although that is hard to quantify).

 

[55semireef]

Yes I have noticed that the brighter colored coraline colonizes on the glass and plastics faster than any other color.

 

[Newflavor]

I also want to take care of cowfish but im worried that it might eat my shrimps? Do you have any shrimps in that tank?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

My cowfish does not seem to notice my pair of coral banded shrimp.

 

[boxfishpooalot]

Im sorry but the big smile was promising (your post about the pic of the refugia)

 

[bolohead]

Randy,

I'm interested to get your input on the plumbing and pumps you used to transfer the limewater from your reservoir to your sump.

Is it gravity fed into the tank? Do you use an auto top off controller to pump the liquid into the sump? Do you use one tub for mixing and then transfer the lime to another reservoir once the precip has settled? Please advise.

thanks.

 

[vessxpress1]

Just saw your tank for the first time today. I love this walnut stand. This is the first one I've ever seen and it looks awesome! I worked in a woodworking shop for a couple years and we made stuff like this. I made a 75 stand out of cherry but now I want a walnut one. Don't worry too much about the lighter section of sap wood on the door. Yeah, it probably should have been sawn off but in the end, it gives it character. The canopy is awesome too. Tank is looking great. Keep us updated.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks. I'm quite happy with the stand and al;so how the tank seems to be doing now.

I'm interested to get your input on the plumbing and pumps you used to transfer the limewater from your reservoir to your sump.

Is it gravity fed into the tank? Do you use an auto top off controller to pump the liquid into the sump? Do you use one tub for mixing and then transfer the lime to another reservoir once the precip has settled? Please advise.

I collect RO/DI in 2 x 44 gallon Rubbermaid brute trash cans connected with bulkhead connectors. I pump water to a second set of such cans to make limewater, or a third set of such cans for new salt water. I have two Hagen 802's in the RO/DI, and they send the water through tubing to where it needs to go.

The limewater is sent to the main tank with a 15 gallon per day Reef Filler pump on a float switch, and it is dialed back to about half full pumping rate. The limewater settles in places, and is used over 2-3 weeks.

The new salt water is changes in automatically for 3 hours each day with a 30 gallon per dual dual head Reef Filler pump, one head pumping water in and a second pumping it out.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

(your post about the pic of the refugia)

Still waiting on that. I've been very busy. I had to send in my DIY magnesium supplement article a couple of days ago.

 

[prsouthfl]

TOTALLY AWSOME
love your tank randy ill be askin alot of questions real soon
gettin a 300 gl actually building it and the stand and the canopy
have had 180 for 3 yrswas nice but hurricanes killed it know i have 2 generators one for apt one for fish tanks
talk soon

 

[pfish]

Very nice:
I'm curious about your cowfish. Does he leave all your corals alone?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks, prsouthfl.

My cowfish seems to leave everything alone, except if I drop in something like a hermit crab or snail. He comes over and mouths it, but hasn't yet gotten big enough to eat them. No noticeable effect or interest in any corals, although one day all of a particular soft coral (an anthellia?) disappeared. Maybe him, maybe something else.

 

[cristhiam]

After seeing Randy's cowfish I decided to get one, so far so good he doesn't touch any corals, just picks at the rocks all day. and when it's feeding time he is there first! little pig. Mine is only about 2.5 to 3" I'm glad I got it, very fun to watch.

 

[thefuture]

hey randy. what kind of salt do u use? or what do u consider good brands

 

[MyMonkey]

Glad I found your thread. Very nice setup.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

For water changes I use Instant Ocean that I boost by 70 ppm calcium with Dowflake and 150 ppm magnesium with MAG flake. Tropic Marin is another good much, as far as I know.

Thanks, monkey.

 

[thefuture]

what about reef crystals? have u tried that? how does that compare to IO. sorry for taking away from your thread. nice tank by the way. lol

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks. I've never used any salt mix besides IO, except the first bucket of salt 11 years ago (Seachem). Reef Crystals may be fine.

 

[The Reefer91]

Doh, triple post !

 

[The Reefer91]

whoopos triple post!