FarmerTy

Oh, and just a heed of warning, I know its not the typical case but in my tank, I used red slime remover to hopefully tip the scales in my favor without actually fixing the problem itself of higher phosphates and nitrates, and instead I wiped out cyano, which was uptaking the excess nitrates and phosphates in my system and then dinoflaggelates took that opportunity to take cyanos place. I wouldn't wish dinos on my worst enemy... they are even less aesthetically pleasing than cyano and come with toxins that can actually kill your fish and coral. I got so desperate that I was trying to find a way to reintroduce cyano back into my tank! Like I said, not the normal result from using red slime remover but just something to think about.

Depends on what your eventual plans are and how the corals are currently doing now. If your corals are all currently not doing well and melting/dying, then maybe rehoming them is not a bad idea for now until your tank becomes a more hospitable environment. If they are not dying but just don't look as healthy as they should, then maybe its time to aid the natural/biological route with some technology. I like using the analogy of medical care. I am a purest at heart and would rather avoid unnecessary medication and just let my body heal itself and feed it the right things. But in dire moments, give me the meds and hook me up to whatever piece of equipment you need to for me to get better. For your tank, when I saw it last, the only problem I saw was a cyano bloom. I don't really consider that a problem, more of a aesthetic preference. Yes, probably means your PO4 or nitrate levels may be elevated, but the real thing to look for is whether those elevated levels are doing harm to the corals? Or just fueling the cyano growth? If its just fueling the cyano growth, then continue forward and look for ways to lower your nitrates and phosphates while your tank finds its balance. If your coral are actually melting, then I would look into some way of helping lower nitrates/phosphates more quickly... what's worked for me in the past is running a gfo reactor, adding a skimmer, reduce feedings, running biopellets, etc. I have always liked the idea of reverse light cycles with macro but look at it as more of an additional tool to aid in the fight against higher nitrate and phosphate levels than a hope that it'll solve the problem. Now if I had a 5000g macro tank, then that's a different story altogether but size ratio-wise, it will help some but not near large enough of a refugium to take on the entire battle. One thing I must heed is to not make too many dramatic changes as your tank is still finding its balance with all the new livestock added. My nanocube was ugly for 5 months before it became the epitome of efficiency. My 65g had GHA for 7-8 months before it became a nice looking tank. My 125g spent the least amount of time in the "ugly" phase but I did transition things over slowly to the new tank and used the same liverock and tank water from the 65g. I did get cyano blooms and even a dreaded dino bloom as things were reaching a balance but they were far less dramatic than in the other two tanks. Point being, most tanks start out as ugly ducklings before you get the beautiful swan. So make changes to help it reach that stability and balance but don't make too many sudden changes and ride it out. I know I mentioned to you I don't do water changes anymore but regular, consistent water changes while siphoning out what cyano you can is the best remedy I see right now. Keep up with that and your tank will find balance on its own. Hope that helps bud and that I didn't rattle on for too long. -Ty

Is that a legacy TT Fungia Plate?

With a 72g, I would say 1 is max for mandarins/scooter blennies even with the pod condos, but that's just my opinion. The six line wrasse would eat pods too and will pick a lot of them clean, leaving even more competition in the tank for pods. I had a 65g with tons of live rock and pods and my mandarin bit the bullet after 8-10 months. There were enough in there to keep it alive for that long but eventually, they will decimate your pod population and will starve to death unless you train them how to eat frozen brine/mysis/pellets first before putting them in the main display. I've heard Target/spotted mandarins are supposedly more readily accepting of prepared foods than the green mandarin. Or you can pony up the money and get ORA mandarins that eat prepared foods. Or just wait for Mr. Cobbs first batch of tank bred mandarins.

What is your intent with the pod condos? If you just want more pods, you really don't have to make pod condos if your sump is safe from animals that may eat the pods. I've typically seen pod condos used as a sanctuary for pods to live/breed from fish that may eat them or as a transfer tool to harvest and transfer pods. But if there are no predators in your sump, I don't see why you would need them.

Welcome back to the hobby!

For the guests that I don't like, I will be setting up a predator tank.

James, I was going to wait until the Austin Aquarium opens up and see what they charge first. I'll charge a comparable admission charge but with a nice bonus. On your way out, I will blindfold all guests and they can reach into the tank and grab one frag as a gift for coming by.

No, your better bet is to go with my clumsiness and nearsightedness if you want some coral frags. Come on over anytime bud, preferably with wads of cash or I take sacks of gold as well.

I'm actually pretty impressed it made it 3 whole posts before it started to go downhill from there.

Indian Ocean Seabass or Central Pacific Seabass?

I got this awesome anthia from Reefer74 and he thinks its a female squareback but is not sure. I really don't know my anthias so wanted to throw it out here and see if anybody had a better idea of what it is. If I had to guess, either female squareback or lyretail. I am almost leaning towards lyretail though. Any input is appreciated.

Also got some great additions to the tank community from Reefer74. I am excited that everyone is getting along nicely and that hopefully my 215g won't look so empty once they all move over to the new tank. Anthia Small Blue Hippo Geometric Pgymy Hawkfish Female green mandarin (to go with my male green mandarin)

Well, got a taker on the broken 180g so hopefully my testament to my stubbornness will no longer be in the garage to haunt me. Managed to squeeze in a little time on the tank this weekend. Cleaned up the 65g sump and filled it up to test leak it. Got someone to modify the stand for me. Just need to rhinoline the new braces and joints and that's one more thing off the checklist. I also tricked a friend into helping me seal the tank by bribing him with fajitas and Cowboys football.

Get the tile that looks like hardwood! Win win!

Guess he won't be nipping on his mantle anymore.

Bio does not live in the state anymore. Bet you could just give them a call when they open.

Me neither!

Let nature find its balance... and skim the heck out of it!!! Obviously I'm in the skim camp.

When I moved my tank to the new location, my laminate looked fine. That is including multiple spills.

Yeah, 1 out of 2 arrived alive in my order. Will be getting credit but still... that's a lot of deaths in one shipment.

Do it Robb! I contemplated using the 180g as my sump until I cracked the bottom. If you take it away from me, you'll be saving me from an unnecessary project!

I would think the rhinolining would take care of it as well but maybe I wasn't clear in the build that the bottom plywood has been rhinolined with the stand. I know you really can't tell from the picture. I was hoping nobody would bring up the 180g anymore. Dang you Robb! After my successful tank sliding adventure to the other wall, I decided since I tackled moving a 1/4 full 125g and stand all by myself (foolish), that I could just as easily relocate an empty 180g to the garage by myself. I ended up cracking the bottom pane and now it is just sitting in my garage as a testament to my stubborness and ego. If anybody wants to tackle removing the bottom pane, and replacing either with a new one or a plywood bottom, feel free to PM me. The tank has served its purposes for me so I'll pass along to the next DIYer.

As awesome as a 125g frag tank would be, that would be detrimental to my life as my wife would probably kill me. Babysteps guys... barely snuck in the new tank past her radar. Haha.

Thanks Niko!