Starting a new 90 Progress will be updated

[Dano999]

Day 16: Live Rock

Today I picked up my Live Rock. I got 115 lbs of cured Kaeleni from Premium Aquatics. I got four large pieces. Lots of color and very little die off.

I siphoned some of the water into a 17 gal tub and used this to rinse off the Live Rock.

The Live rock cam in two boxes that were well insolated.

I got four very large pieces with some good color. There was very little odor. I hope it stays that way.

I put all the pieces into the tank. This is not yet aquascaped. I may pick up some small base rock if I need to use for support. Comments are welcome.

I guessed pretty well on how much to syphon. I was only off by about 1/2 gallon.

I got a Chiton hitch hiker. He's about 4 to 5" long. My tanks first inhabitant.

My fans finally arrived. I'm going to finish off the moon lights and install the fans while the canopy is off.

 

[Thinslis]

Just MHO, I would have gone with maybe only 2 or 3 large pieces and left more lbs for small pieces to prop up and otherwise decorate with, the 4 large seem to really dominate the space in the tank. but again, just MHO Really enjoy following your build.

 

[bower23]

Nice thread. Thanks for sharing. I'm currently working on upgrading my 72g to a 90g so your info is very helpful. My setup will be almost the exact same thing but only 4 t5's with 250w mh. Hope it works!

 

[thekillerclownf]

True with those large rocks dominateing the tank, but with a drill and masonary bit he can easily fracture them into some intresting shapes to make them smaller.
I've done it a few times with large pieces and it came out well. He won't have to buy anymore rock that way as well.

 

[Thinslis]

Thekillerclownf: ture, I'm not familar with the site he ordered them from but if he paid a premium for large rock, he may be reluctant to slice one or two up. Maybe trade them in with a LFS for some smaller pieces for the same preimum he paid. Again if a premium was paid otherwise I would cut one up, maybe two. Make some really nice rock structures and still have lots of flat space for corals (maybe even more flat space)

 

[Dano999]

Actually I did not pay a premium at all. I paid $4.99 a lb for 115 lbs with $75 shipping. It was shipped last night at 7:00 PM central and I had it in the tank by 3:30 PM today.

I agree I can always cut one or two up. Probably the one on the left since it did not have too many interesting shapes.

I asked for a few big pieces but did not expect all four to be 25 to 30 lbs apiece. It's better than having 115 lbs of all small pieces. The only rubble I had were six quarter size pieces.

And quit bursting my bubble. My fault because I did ask for comments.

 

[Thinslis]

Instead of cutting it up, I would go talk to a LFS who as a decent selection of LR and see if they would be willing to make a deal. Most places would charge a primiem fo large pieces. The reason I suggest this is because if you can cherry pick some nice pices from the LFS they will be of a more "natural" shape giving you more options for aquascaping.

 

[thekillerclownf]

all good points, but if his LFS is anything like mine they might give him credit at less than 4.00 a pound.
if hes lucky he'll get equal weight in trade pound for pound.
but i suggested fragging itto save cash for livestock...I'm snsible like that..sometimes at least! LOL

 

[hmello@bermexin]

I like it. I think you may be able to fool around with it a bit and get a more open layout. then you can add some smaller pcs. if you wish. Remember that some of the frags you are going to buy in the future will be attached to rocks themselves and will add to you aquascape.
Here is some chiton information. your doe not look like one to me but maybe a sea cucumber?
http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=chitons

 

[Dano999]

Thanks

I did some rearranging and I indeed made some more room. It's too clouding too see right now but I will post some pics later.

It is a Chiton because it has a segmented shelled back. There are 100s of different kinds.

http://home.inreach.com/burghart/

 

[hmello@bermexin]

Okay. But it is one ugly pc. of slug flesh isn't it???????????????

 

[Dano999]

I never said it was pretty but it eats algae. It looks like a big bug. It's all curled up in the picture.

With the rearranging I have no idea where it is now.

 

[hmello@bermexin]

Are they safe? I have not done any research on them.

 

[Dano999]

I was told they were. Not something you would buy but good for the tank. I may put him in the fuge if I can ever find him again.

 

[Dano999]

Day 16 Part 2

While I had the canopy off I completed the moon lights and installed some fans.

I used two cup hooks for each of the two fans. This was so simple and much better than drilling holes in the canopy since even the cup hooks caused a small split in the veneer.

The tank is still too cloudy to see anything so I'll post more pics tomorrow.

 

[Dano999]

Ok if there was any doubt about my hitch hiker check out this link and compare. Remember mine is rolled up. I would do the same thing after 20 hours of travel.

The one in my tank is 4 to 5 inches. He's still ugly though.

Chiton ID

 

[Mavrk]

Well done. I like how you hung the fans (I have the same stand and canopy in maple). I was thinking of getting a couple computer fans with the blue LCDs in them and using this as both fans and moon lighting. But I was trying to figure out the best way to hang them. Seems simple to me now.

Keep it up.

 

[michaeljames]

tank is looking good dano, good thinking with the fans! i'm going to do the same when I get out of work!

 

[khoivo1]

i have the same size 90g with acrylic canopy,,,i am looking to get those light like your t5 but not sure how hot is it since i got enclose acrylic canopy,,,i have two 4" fans in the back,,,did you try to turn all light on in full 12 hrs?? how hot is it?? do you think my acrylic canopy will be fine or should i cut out top of canopy to open more air,,,anything would help thanks

 

[Dano999]

I am running it today for the first time for 12 hours. I'll take a temp measurement after a few hours and let you know.