ZeeSparrow's 75G LPS tank build

[mmittlesteadt]

That looks really cool. Nice and open and I like the small arch. I'm a big fan of arches, overhangs, tunnels, etc. because I really love the light and shadows it creates (being an artist) and it gives various creatures places to hide (at least they think they are hiding) and get out of the sun (as it were).

There are also lots of various levels and areas to place coral...i.e.- in strong light, weak light, high flow, low flow so you have room to play with placement.

Now you just have to wait for your new LFS to open and give you great "Grand Opening" pricing on corals.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Thanks. I hadn't planned on rearranging things at all, as I was happy with how it looked before. I think I mentioned that right structure wasn't very stable previously. I knocked the rocks off the top when leveling the sand and then ended up spending a good portion of the evening trying to fix it.

That "arch" is a piece I was hoping to use as an overhang but I couldn't get it to fit anywhere as well as I'd done before. I tried to imagine the structure as if it were just naturally created, which caused me to tear most of it down and start over. I set each rock in place, turning and tumbling them around until I found a place where it fit naturally. If it didn't, I set it aside and tried another one. Then I was left with that one. It's different than the rest. I buried it half in the sand, half under this rock or that, but nothing looked right or was stable. I set it aside and considered taking it out altogether when I realized it looked good where it was. A little shift to test stability and that was it. :thumbsup:

The left structure got an extra piece for the top so now it's taller than the right.

I hope those "Grand Opening" prices aren't too tempting. I don't want to be one of those that adds too much, too fast. After months of methodical research and planning, that could be unfortunate. I think I'll set a limit before I go in... one or a pair of fish for QT, small CUC, and ... X number of corals.

Now to solve for X. :reading:

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Yeah, stacking rock is like working with 3D puzzle pieces with a lot of variables. Sometimes you just know when it's the perfect spot because it almost seems like the rock shape was intentionally designed to be in that one spot.

One of the nice things about corals is that while they are sensitive to water parameters, so long as the parameters are acceptable, unlike fish they do not add to the bioload very much at all.

Go for it! Stock your tank with a bunch of them. From what I have read it is the stocking of fish that require only adding a few at a time because they quickly produce too much waste that can overload your biofilter.

Maybe ask in a thread about that, but that is what I've found to be the case. I'd rather put too many corals in at once than fish. Maybe I'm wrong though.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

About a previous comment you made...

I actually already knew this from my freshwater experience, but get chaeto in your fuge to reduce your nitrates.

The key is exporting some of your nitrate that is built up in the chaeto by occasionally
pruning a bunch off causing it to want to continue growing. Make sure you use a good low kelvin light (like 4000k to 6000k) as that macro algae likes that kind of light source to grow (along with nitrates and phosphates). Those bulbs are super cheap and require no special fixture. Who knows, you might grow enough of it to trade it to your LFS for some things.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Yep that's what I forgot to mention in my previous post: I'll also be getting chaeto from the LFS (and if they don't have any, I'll see if they know anyone who does!).

I already picked up a 5000k light from Walmart. Just need the clamp light to put it in. I'll stop by Home Depot and get that this weekend also.

 

[RingingEars]

Hi Neighbor! Aquarium Solutions is one; the other is Aquatic Dreams. They're moving (back) to Spokane from Post Falls, Idaho with new ownership. Grand opening next weekend!

Another neighbor.
I used to frequent there when they were on Pines. i never did visit their Post Falls store.
I'm just getting back into reefing so I'm glad to see they are reopening.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

It's always good to check out your thread here. It's a bit like looking into the future with my own tank.

I'm on day four of my cycling (or is it year four? LOL.). Patience is being tested, so all I can do now is read a lot and look into future stocking ideas for compatibility and interest.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Another neighbor.

I used to frequent there when they were on Pines. i never did visit their Post Falls store.

I'm just getting back into reefing so I'm glad to see they are reopening.

I only went once to Post Falls but they were in decline at that time. I'm really looking forward to this new store with new owners!

What did you have before and what are you doing now?

 

[ZeeSparrow]

It's always good to check out your thread here. It's a bit like looking into the future with my own tank.

I'm on day four of my cycling (or is it year four? LOL.). Patience is being tested, so all I can do now is read a lot and look into future stocking ideas for compatibility and interest.

Ha! I hear you. Have you made any stocking decisions or created a short list of possibilities yet?

For fish I'm planning on a tangaroa goby, wheelers shrimp goby, white banded possum wrasse, orange-back fairy wrasse, two o. clowns and a bristletooth tomini tang. Depending on availability for specific species. Additional planned inhabitants include LPS, scarlet skunk cleaner/banded coral/Venus anemone shrimp, hermits and a variety of snails. I realize hermits may attack snails.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Ha! I hear you. Have you made any stocking decisions or created a short list of possibilities yet?

For fish I'm planning on a tangaroa goby, wheelers shrimp goby, white banded possum wrasse, orange-back fairy wrasse, two o. clowns and a bristletooth tomini tang. Depending on availability for specific species. Additional planned inhabitants include LPS, scarlet skunk cleaner/banded coral/Venus anemone shrimp, hermits and a variety of snails. I realize hermits may attack snails.

You are lucky to have a larger tank than me. Gives you a little more space for things.

So far, I'm planning on mainly soft corals. I might...actually go with (believe it or not) xenia, GSP and mushrooms only. :eek1: They spread rapidly (to the point of taking over) yet they all can sting each other so as not to allow any one of them to completely take over. I know that kind of reef is not popular on this board. SPS and LPS are the cool thing to have, and even one guy here where I work (the coral guru) HATES soft corals.

I realize I'm in the minority but I've seen some very cool looking soft coral only tanks. I even saw one completely overrun with xenia and GSP and it looked amazing (to me anyway).

For fish, I am going to get a Diamond Watchman Goby and a Lawnmower Blenny. Other considerations are a Royal Gramma, Firefish, Some type of Clownfish pair (haven't decided yet), and (because I'm going with fast growing soft corals) some kind of Dwarf Angel...Flame, Coral Beauty or Lemonpeel. I've read where the Dwarf Angels cannot be trusted as reef safe, but because I'm going with some pretty fast growing soft corals, I'm not as worried as if I was going with SPS or LPS.

I also want various shrimp, hermits and a wide assortment of snails (Nassarius Snail being my favorite).

 

[mmittlesteadt]

One man's trash is another man's treasure...

This is ALL Xenia and GSP. I, personally think it looks really cool. But that's me. And it all moves (pulsing xenia and the GSP is long and flows in the current)...

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Truth be told, I will likely have some mushrooms and Xenia also. My husband and I really like the pulsing action of the Xenia. They may just be my first corals.

I will be sure to place the Xenia in such a way as to not completely take over. [emoji3]

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Truth be told, I will likely have some mushrooms and Xenia also. My husband and I really like the pulsing action of the Xenia. They may just be my first corals.

I will be sure to place the Xenia in such a way as to not completely take over. [emoji3]

I've read that the best way to keep xenia and GSP in control is to put (or keep) them on separate rocks, so you can move them. If you put them on your solid (immovable) rock structure then it's almost impossible to move or remove later.

I can think of worse things than THIS taking over a tank.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

GSP on the back wall and/or overflow....

 

[mmittlesteadt]

GSP on the back wall and/or overflow....

That would look very cool. Of course I'm coming from a history of heavily planted freshwater tanks so I probably look at reefs with a different idea than most.

And really my perspective is about the same when it comes to my yard versus my neighbor's yards (well, really most people's yards)...

I LOVE weeds. Most people hate them. They grow randomly, have gorgeous flowers and require no harmful pesticides to culture.

So when it comes to reefs, while I can see the appeal of LPS, SPS and why most would hate xenia and GSP, I absolutely love them.

 

[Grizz717]

Pulsing Xenia and GSP has always been a wish of mine also in the past. i think i'll get a variety and then mix in some Zoas and maybe even Dragon's Breath Macro.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Soft Corals (Xenia and GSP in particular) seem to be a bad thing on this message board. I understand why many feel that way, based on what I've read. But I still love them both eough that being overrun with them might be kind of cool.

Almost makes me want to start a group "Soft Coral Weeds Anonymous". "Hi, I'm Mark and I love coral weeds." LOL.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Almost makes me want to start a group "Soft Coral Weeds Anonymous". "Hi, I'm Mark and I love coral weeds." LOL.

All together now, "Hi Mark!"

Can't wait to see your coral garden of weeds.

 

[Grizz717]

"Hi Mark!"

Can't wait to see your coral garden of weeds.
LOL

Just posted my build thread. Still learning how to post pictures. Grizz717

 

[Swope2bc]

SooOoo??? How was the grand opening!!?? I just got back to this side of the world (in post falls tonight). So might try to take a peak tomorrow. Where are they located?