Took the BB plunge.....Pics inside.....

[plyle02]

Hello all...
I made the conversion yesterday, and decided to post a few pics of my new BB style tank.... Thanks DaddyJax for advice and encouragement! After the sandstorm of detritus cleared, and 2 full collection cups of crap out of my skimmer, and a nastied filter sock, here are the results...... Sounds crazy, but I am getting alot more PE from my SPS already.....Sweet..... Thanks for looking!

 

[mflamb]

Looks great, even though I'm a sandbed fan.

 

[triggerfish1976]

Re: Took the BB plunge.....Pics inside.....

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9539974#post9539974 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plyle02
Hello all...
I made the conversion yesterday, and decided to post a few pics of my new BB style tank.... Thanks DaddyJax for advice and encouragement! After the sandstorm of detritus cleared, and 2 full collection cups of crap out of my skimmer, and a nastied filter sock, here are the results...... Sounds crazy, but I am getting alot more PE from my SPS already.....Sweet..... Thanks for looking!

How much sand did you remove and how did you go about it?
Did you test your water after you removed the sand for any Phosphate or Nitrate spikes?
I am asking because I have been leaning toward removing my sand bed so I can make it easier to control my nutrient levels.

 

[plyle02]

Re: Re: Took the BB plunge.....Pics inside.....

Re: Re: Took the BB plunge.....Pics inside.....

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9540683#post9540683 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by triggerfish1976
How much sand did you remove and how did you go about it?
Did you test your water after you removed the sand for any Phosphate or Nitrate spikes?
I am asking because I have been leaning toward removing my sand bed so I can make it easier to control my nutrient levels.

I removed all, and set back up my 20 gallon long refugium again, using the sand really as a remote DSB Fuge.... I started yesterday at 12PM, and slowly moved rock out of the aquarium, then did a corner, and just kept moving rock. I had mad a 12 gallon batch of new water, and tested, then moved all sps corals to it for holding. They did not mind at all even showing PE. My fuge is plumbed inline, but from the sump, and lit with t5s, 4x54 watts. The sand bed is 4", and I have a nice softball size piece of chaeto in there, and some green grape that should take off. I just tested my water, and here are the params:
PH=8.2
NITRATES=>5
PHOSPHATE=.003
CALCIUM=410
DKH=10
MAG=1250
AMMOINIA=0
NITRITES=0
I am pretty happy with the change, having my fuge lit that bright allows me to stick a piece of eggcrate in the corner to keep frags or injured corals. None of my fish stressed at all. I like the opposite light cycle, to help maintain 8.2ph constant. I will check back on this thread for future updates..... Here is my thread I started with questions I had, and help and advice I got.....Thanks again.....
Perry

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1077027

 

[DaddyJax]

Looks great!

 

[triggerfish1976]

Daddyjax,

do you run BB on your tank?

 

[DaddyJax]

Yup, both of them.

 

[plyle02]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9542616#post9542616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DaddyJax
Looks great!

Thanks again DaddyJax,
Coming from you, I consider a major compliment! So far, so good.... I was battling a cyano, or diatom outbreak that has completely dissappeared. My skimmer is also taking out alot more crap from the system. I wish I had set this tank up BB from the beginning. When you are ready to sell me some frags, let me know, I would love some of the more exotic type SPS corals....
Thanks again for looking....
Perry

 

[mattliu]

trigger, any plans for that poor leopard wrasse ?

 

[triggerfish1976]

The fish alone has been the main reason why I have not went BB thus far. I am planning on putting a small container in the tank with a 2"-3" deep sand bed. I have been told that this should work as long as the fish can find the container. If it does not go well I will have to find a home for her because she is one of my favorite fish. The crazy thing is, she has actually became the tank bully and picks on almost every new fish that is added to the tank. I got a supermale Scott's Fairy Wrasse that is 2 x larger than her and she immediately had to show him who was boss.

 

[mattliu]

that's funny. weird how captivity influences things. well i'd like to have her if it doesn't work. i'm sure she'll be fine, she's a survivor and you two have been through a lot.

i felt the same way when i was removing my sand. i have a melanurus wrasse that i love and i actually wanted it since it was in faois sps tank. funny story about that fish too. they took it out when they cleaned the eggcrate, and then it jumped into the live rock tank. then they caught it in a trap and then decided to put it in the mangrove tank.

i wasn't that worried about it since it used to live without sand, but i ended up leaving sand in the back corners just for that fish.

so how bout a fish list, it must be getting long. i didn't even realize you have a scott's too. more pics or better yet borough your friends recorder and make a video.

 

[triggerfish1976]

I don't want to continue to hijack this thread so I will just do a tank update thread in the coming days.

Do you know of any good websites for hosting videos that do not degrade the picture quality to much? Photobucket seems to downsize the files thus lowering the vid resolution.

 

[kirdes]

Looks good

 

[Invso]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9552516#post9552516 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by triggerfish1976
I don't want to continue to hijack this thread so I will just do a tank update thread in the coming days.

Do you know of any good websites for hosting videos that do not degrade the picture quality to much? Photobucket seems to downsize the files thus lowering the vid resolution.

Try video.google.com or www.youtube.com as they don't seem to degrade the quality as much.

 

[plyle02]

kirdes
Thank You.......
So far so good, in fact, some of my nicer corals that were stn'n, have started to make a come back.... Really happy with the switch. All you guys are the pros which have led me in the right direction for my successes, I really appreciate your help!

 

[DaddyJax]

All we need to do now is get you some more fishies! BB tanks ime do better with more fish and daily feedings. If you are going to add some more I would start in a week or two.

 

[plyle02]

Suggestions would be great DaddyJax.... I have a bartletts anthias who has retreated to my over flow in fear of getting his as* kicked by my sixline....LOL... I added a beautiful Australian Cobberband Butterfly(expensive), was bullied to death by my Yellow Tang. So, here are my fish, and if you have any ideas, please share. Six-line Wrasse, Yellow Tang, Mated pair of perculas clowns, and lawnmower blenny. I also have been feeding only once per day. I guess I need to increase feedings, and fatten my fish up though....LOL... Please let me know, thanks a million man....
Perry

 

[plyle02]

Bump....More advice on fish compatibility.....Please.....

 

[triggerfish1976]

Your mixture of agressive reef fish is going to make it difficult to recommend another fish. your current fish selection contains several fish that are all notoriously territorial to like fish or fish they consider food competitors. I would stay away from delicate fish like anthias, cardinals, and fish similar to the ones you have like fairy/flasher wrasses, tangs, blennies, and clowns.
You might be able to get away with a shrimp goby or a pygmy angel if you don't mind the possible coral eating. If you are considering the later you might want to section off the tank and let the tang get used to the new fish.

 

[DaddyJax]

I agree with the sixline and yellow tang being agressive. The percs are fine to me. I load my tanks with schools of Chromis and Anthias. I have a male Hawaiin Bicolor Anthias that is 5" and three females that are 3" and no one messes with them. I like fairy wrasses as well. The only tangs I have are a Powder brown in one tank and Tomini tang in the other. They are very peaceful. I hope this helps.