The Ultimate Eight Foot Softie Reef
- Thread starter InsaneClownFish
- Start date
InsaneClownFish
New member
Here's a really horrendous pic I took last night. I'm at work atm, so if I find them, I'll take some better pics tomorrow night.
Look dead center:
Look dead center:
Don-Coraleone
New member
the mini carpets are sweet i picked up a few a the meeting myself.
InsaneClownFish
New member
They're cool looking creatures, but man were they difficult to work with. I had also forgotten to mention that I received some nice brittle star hitch hikers from NASO's tank.
I keep checking my skimmer, but as of earlier today, I only have a few millimeters of tea looking skim mate. There's no foam in the neck at all. Is my bioload just too low for it to be pulling organics?
This happened with my old cube, but the skimmer was far over rated for it. I'd mesh mod it, but what's the point of trying to vamp the output if I'm not going for an SPS reef? Not to mention, it's making plenty of fine bubbles- there's just nothing coming up. When it was running in the vinegar bath, it was definitely pulling skim mate. I also have already adjusted the water level and checked the pump to make sure it is running optimally. Any thoughts?
I've been aware that they enjoy SPS flow and light conditions, but I also wanted to know if anyone had any recommendations of supplements, or any element, I should pay particular attention to with a Fiji Leather.
I keep checking my skimmer, but as of earlier today, I only have a few millimeters of tea looking skim mate. There's no foam in the neck at all. Is my bioload just too low for it to be pulling organics?
This happened with my old cube, but the skimmer was far over rated for it. I'd mesh mod it, but what's the point of trying to vamp the output if I'm not going for an SPS reef? Not to mention, it's making plenty of fine bubbles- there's just nothing coming up. When it was running in the vinegar bath, it was definitely pulling skim mate. I also have already adjusted the water level and checked the pump to make sure it is running optimally. Any thoughts?
I've been aware that they enjoy SPS flow and light conditions, but I also wanted to know if anyone had any recommendations of supplements, or any element, I should pay particular attention to with a Fiji Leather.
JustinReef
New member
To keep the yellow fiji nice and bright yellow, they do need bright light and lots and lots of flow. Otherwise they tend to turn a bit brown. I have kept them in both higher nutrient and lower nutrient tanks and found they are the one leather out there that does not like higher nutrient tanks. They certainly don't die (and mine grew quite fast in high nutrients) but they seem to loose a lot of color.
Do you have a new FTS?
Do you have a new FTS?
InsaneClownFish
New member
FTS, skimmer pics, and updates to come.
I wanted to throw up some new pics of something that I was a touch concerned about this morning. As I have already stated, the "bow" seemed negligible. When I got home from work this morning, I noticed the bow seemed to be far more pronounced.
I figured as the acrylic took on water, and as the tank settled, this might happened. I talked to James this afternoon about it, and he confirmed my thoughts. The bottom line is it was really difficult to determine how much the tank would actually bow.
I'm not concerned about the "look," rather I just wanted to make sure it's safe. James eased my mind- to a point
. I have some pics into him, so he'll let me know if there's any real problem. The total bow is 1/2" at dead center. What concerned me the most was that it looked to be bowing more on the left end, but measurements across the entire length confirmed that the bow is consistent throughout the span- IE if the bow is a little less than 1/4" 12 inches from the end...it is a little less than 1/4" 12 inches from the opposite end. This was my main concern. The prescription is to monitor things. James also enlightened me on some of the dynamics of acrylic- as the seems will most likely never fail- the first signs will be a diagonal crack into the top corners. There's nothing even remotely like that.
I'm just paranoid
After reviewing the pics, I really think I WAS being a bit paranoid, because they look fairly close to the original pics.
You folks can decide- compare these to the original pics I took:
I wanted to throw up some new pics of something that I was a touch concerned about this morning. As I have already stated, the "bow" seemed negligible. When I got home from work this morning, I noticed the bow seemed to be far more pronounced.
I figured as the acrylic took on water, and as the tank settled, this might happened. I talked to James this afternoon about it, and he confirmed my thoughts. The bottom line is it was really difficult to determine how much the tank would actually bow.
I'm not concerned about the "look," rather I just wanted to make sure it's safe. James eased my mind- to a point
. I have some pics into him, so he'll let me know if there's any real problem. The total bow is 1/2" at dead center. What concerned me the most was that it looked to be bowing more on the left end, but measurements across the entire length confirmed that the bow is consistent throughout the span- IE if the bow is a little less than 1/4" 12 inches from the end...it is a little less than 1/4" 12 inches from the opposite end. This was my main concern. The prescription is to monitor things. James also enlightened me on some of the dynamics of acrylic- as the seems will most likely never fail- the first signs will be a diagonal crack into the top corners. There's nothing even remotely like that. I'm just paranoid
After reviewing the pics, I really think I WAS being a bit paranoid, because they look fairly close to the original pics. You folks can decide- compare these to the original pics I took:
InsaneClownFish
New member
InsaneClownFish
New member
Here's the skimmer. You can see the little stand I made for it. The tank has been running exactly 1 week.
1 week of skim mate:
I took a picture of the leather. It's not opening up all the way, and about half of the polyps are out. Any thoughts on how it's fairing?
1 week of skim mate:
I took a picture of the leather. It's not opening up all the way, and about half of the polyps are out. Any thoughts on how it's fairing?
InsaneClownFish
New member
Last night I ordered a Koralia Magnum 8 3300gph at 19w. I'm glad I did, as I've noticed a small build up of surface foam halfway down the tank.
I've started a maintenance schedule of a 10-12 gallon water change each week. I think this is a good amount for this type of tank. Along with the water change, I mixed in a half teaspoon of Kent Marine Super Buffer DKH. After the change I used 2 part- added 10ml ESV alk buffer and 10ml calcium. I also added 2.5ml magnesium.
I'm using an excel spreadsheet sent to me by a fellow reefer here on RC to help keep track of parameters, water changes, and dosing.
As part of the weekly water changes, I like to use a turkey baster to blow up detritus around the overflow and sump. The overflow is fantastic. This may be a funny thing to appreciate, but having a large overflow allows me to add water, clean, and actually get my hands in there.
I also took the time to use an an acrylic pad on the inside of the tank and wipe off the outside with microfiber. I like using the acrylic pad by hand- as I have more control over it. I was able to do the whole tank in minutes.
Everything in the tank looks great. I kicked up some dust from the sand, so as soon as the tank is 100% clear I'll get a full tank shot.
I've started a maintenance schedule of a 10-12 gallon water change each week. I think this is a good amount for this type of tank. Along with the water change, I mixed in a half teaspoon of Kent Marine Super Buffer DKH. After the change I used 2 part- added 10ml ESV alk buffer and 10ml calcium. I also added 2.5ml magnesium.
I'm using an excel spreadsheet sent to me by a fellow reefer here on RC to help keep track of parameters, water changes, and dosing.
As part of the weekly water changes, I like to use a turkey baster to blow up detritus around the overflow and sump. The overflow is fantastic. This may be a funny thing to appreciate, but having a large overflow allows me to add water, clean, and actually get my hands in there.
I also took the time to use an an acrylic pad on the inside of the tank and wipe off the outside with microfiber. I like using the acrylic pad by hand- as I have more control over it. I was able to do the whole tank in minutes.
Everything in the tank looks great. I kicked up some dust from the sand, so as soon as the tank is 100% clear I'll get a full tank shot.
InsaneClownFish
New member
supertech99
New member
i love your zoo's. i am also totally envious that they opened up right away! i have been patiently waiting on a angry frag to open for 4 days now. had 4 polyps halfway open today, hopefully the show will take place tomorrow
InsaneClownFish
New member
supertech99- Try adjusting their position to a lower flow/lower light area. This might stimulate them to open. 
Thanks, I'm very pleased with the color on these. Here's a better pic-
Thanks, I'm very pleased with the color on these. Here's a better pic-
henrystyle
Member
Are there any worries about the sand scratching the acrylic? I just built a 24x24x12 rimless acrylic tank from 1/2" acrylic. I like sand but I was worried that in the long run the sand would scratch the acrylic..
InsaneClownFish
New member
tankjunky - Thanks for the input. That was my understanding of it as well. It actually looked a bit better as the night went on.
Why do you think I wanted you to stop by the house? Oh, you assumed it was to see the tank? You had packed your good tooth brush right? 
FL.Joe - Thanks. A few here on RC wish I had done something a bit different. Everyone who has seen them in person really liked the look. Guess it's one of those things..
We had a board meeting(condos) at our house last night and once again the same compliments flew about the tank- "It's so relaxing, I could just sit here with a good book for hours, and I'd never leave this room."
henrystyle - It's always something you need to be aware of with acrylic, but from owning an acrylic tank in the past I've learned it's not something to be obsessed about. I've learned that in reefing, if you just "do" things, you'll enjoy the experience more. That's why I like getting my hands into the tank to clean it as I can check the pad for debri more easily.
The worst scratched acrylic tanks I've seen have been in stores that see heavy traffic year round and have different employees constantly caring for the tanks.
The first thing I did was to install locks on both doors to the room. I'll have a key and my fiance will have a key. That way there's not stories from the kids of how that "Transformer" just got up and flew across the room on its own and whacked the side of the tank.
jnb - That's not the greatest picture. I was trying to show that the seem is sound. The lines you see are an optical illusion from reflections. The acrylic is solid. Your points were all good about the snails. I was trying to work "around" them last night. Also, James and I both knew it was going to bow and I was accepting of that before I gave him the go ahead. I just wanted to make sure I was still in the green zone. :thumbsup:
Why do you think I wanted you to stop by the house? Oh, you assumed it was to see the tank?
You had packed your good tooth brush right? FL.Joe - Thanks. A few here on RC wish I had done something a bit different. Everyone who has seen them in person really liked the look. Guess it's one of those things..
We had a board meeting(condos) at our house last night and once again the same compliments flew about the tank- "It's so relaxing, I could just sit here with a good book for hours, and I'd never leave this room."
henrystyle - It's always something you need to be aware of with acrylic, but from owning an acrylic tank in the past I've learned it's not something to be obsessed about. I've learned that in reefing, if you just "do" things, you'll enjoy the experience more. That's why I like getting my hands into the tank to clean it as I can check the pad for debri more easily.
The worst scratched acrylic tanks I've seen have been in stores that see heavy traffic year round and have different employees constantly caring for the tanks.
The first thing I did was to install locks on both doors to the room. I'll have a key and my fiance will have a key. That way there's not stories from the kids of how that "Transformer" just got up and flew across the room on its own and whacked the side of the tank.
jnb - That's not the greatest picture. I was trying to show that the seem is sound. The lines you see are an optical illusion from reflections. The acrylic is solid. Your points were all good about the snails. I was trying to work "around" them last night. Also, James and I both knew it was going to bow and I was accepting of that before I gave him the go ahead. I just wanted to make sure I was still in the green zone. :thumbsup:
