FarmerTy

Next steps: -Reseal the 215-gal front glass pane -clean out and add baffles to the sump -drill sump for external pumps -have stand modified by welder and rhinoline new portions -cycle sand and dry live rock -setup plumbing (probably do a manifold type setup since its all the rage) The goal is to have my old tank continue to run and once the new one has cycled, plumb both systems together and allow the old tank to seed the new tank. Then, I will move the corals slowly over the span of a month... probably one MH setup at a time. Basically, move one MH setup to the new system, leave the other two with the old system, and move enough corals over that can transition with one MH setup. Then move the next MH setup over and some more corals and repeat. I'll move the fish over last as it will be much easier to catch them and transfer them once the old tank is empty. I'll probably add my last two last tangs that I want to add at that time (powder blue and blonde naso tang) so that all the territorial issues will be eliminated as they will all the added at the same time. That means I might as well have a QT setup for now and go ahead and order the two tangs so they are ready to add once the transition is finalized. That's all I can think of at this point. I am sure there are things I am forgetting but that's going to be the general gameplan for now.

While all of this was happening, I had ordered a couple of things I would need to transition the 125-gal to the 215-gal. Went with the Caribsea Reef grade sand: An additional 50lbs of dry live rock: A free 65-gal tank that I will use as a sump: Upgraded my Apex Lite to the full version: Ordered one more WP40 to go along with my current one: Also picked up two used Iwaki WMD40RXLT external pumps for my return pumps. Most of my old equipment should transfer over: -3x 250-watt MH -1 blue LED strip -150-watt refugium/frag tank light -Korallin CaRX -ASM G3 Skimmer (may look for a skimmer upgrade in the future or adding a 2nd one) -my two clip-on fans from Wal-mart -biopellet reactor -GFO reactor

First off, I tried just repairing the internal silicone seam by cutting it out and resealing it with new silicone, leaving the internal seam (silicone sandwiched in between the glass) in place. I let it cure and filled it up with water to see if that would work. Well, it didn't so I knew the internal seam was more compromised than I thought. You can see in the second picture about where the leak was as the tank drained down to that spot. Next step, complete front glass pane removal! I removed all of the silicone with a lot of elbow grease, a flat razor, and some of this magic stuff I found at Home Depot. I went ahead and ordered two fresh tubes of silicone for the reseal as I was going to generously lay it on this time around and not be so stingy with the silicone. I used Dow Corning 732 clear silicone on OffRoadDodge's recommendation. While awaiting the silicone to be delivered, I went ahead and moved my old 125-gallon out of the way. I drained the water and left about 4" of water and sand in the tank (plus the fish), emptied the sump, put all the coral in the 180-gallon temporarily, and then used a whole lot of leverage and a whole lot of positioning against the wall to push it to the side so that I can put the new 215-gallon in its place. Corals all in the temp tank: My precious cargo all in one place! Other than a little phosphate spike, all was well and tank is pretty much back to its normal self. After the move and carefully placing all the corals back:

Well, it's about time to start documenting my transition to the new 215-gallon tank. It'll be a slow transition as I don't want to rush anything with how sensitive SPS colonies can be. This is what I'll be leaving behind, my 125-gallon long tank that has treated me so well the past 2.5-3 years. Picture: Video: http://youtu.be/GD7QrXICias I started that tank with only frags of SPS 2" or smaller in length. Now that a lot of them have grown out into colonies, a new bigger tank was in order. I first found a cheap 180-gallon tank that had been sitting in someone's backyard for the past 3 years and cleaned and resealed it. Then I came upon this bad boy, a 215-gallon tank that had a small leak on the front pane. Decided after my success sealing the 180, that I would go ahead and get the 215-gallon and repair it. The great thing about the 215-gallon is no middle brace (FINALLY!), overbuilt (3/4" glass), and was already drilled with overflows. Also got this awesome 2" steel stand from Dena on the club. The whole thing is rhinolined, including the bottom which is covered in plywood and rhinolined as well. I will modify it to fit the new tank and leave me about 6" behind the tank as a walking platform to work on the back area of the tank. Stand is upside-down in the picture to prevent water collecting in plywood bottom:

What a great deal!

I guess it's only fair. You did get me a house... If I don't like the color, I'm sending them back though!

Glad you got set up Jlloyd123!

Hey Gig'em, can you get me a powder blue and blonde naso tang?

Logan, Mr. Cob just posted the other day about selling live rotifer cultures. Hit him up. He's in San Antonio but about as local as you will get for rotifers.

I am not aiming to breed but will have a male and female soon in my 125-gallon. If I ever catch them doing any mating dances, maybe I'll think about it then. Good luck with the venture! It seems like a fun experiment to be part of!

So uh, how's it going? Busy much? What time is it there right now? Do the toilets flush backwards there?

Poor little guy!

Sweet. I'll pick up after my lunch appointment Friday. I might just call Reefs2go again today just to see if I can catch another unicorn. Try my luck out! Haha.

Got a 25-30 gal QT tank you can borrow if you needed. No chemicals have been used in it and its not drilled but could hold you over until you find your new tank. Sorry for the rotten tank luck. Let me know.

I caught the unicorn! I caught it! Paid! Call now while the calling is good!

The penny pincher in me says yes for now.

Its like trying to catch a unicorn!

Flashlight and some midnight staring at your fish tank sir. Look real close because if they are zoa-eating nudis, they blend in very well.

Call number 4 and counting...

Sascha, according to the article if you identified it correctly, they feed on tubastrea corals (sun corals and dendros) not turbo snails. Unless I missed something, then ignore. Hope that helps bud!

The big question is, do you have any tubastrea coral then? I would imagine that if you don't, that thing wouldn't survive another week or 2. I would check all your zoa colonies at night when the polyps are closed just in case. I know its just a picture so hard to tell but that looks spot on with zoa eating nudibranchs that I had when I first got into the hobby. Coloration will vary depending on the zoas they are feeding on. I would imagine though that there are a ton of nudibranchs species that look exactly the same. Sad thing is they are quite beautiful looking, especially if they are chomping on your most expensive and most beautiful zoas.

I would agree.

Hard to tell until it grows out a little and colors up. I've had plenty of frags that look nothing like the colonies they are now. Almost looks like a purple bonsai to me but probably not likely.

Let me know when its time to put the tank on it. I can always be bribed with beer.

That thing looks sweet!