+brian.srock Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 Thanks HorseRUs. I've been doing almost all the suggestions that everyone gave me. I did want to get 2 or 3 blue reef chromis but with the huge skimmer box taking up most of the top back I've decided against it. I do want to get a blue mandarin (dragonet) though but I'm holding out for the ORA ones Do you think he'll have any problem with the watchman? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cMidd Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 He could..it's kinda hit or miss. They either love each other, or don't. You could try a flame hawkfish or something though. Maybe some cardinals? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaarrrggg Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 Looking good! I really love your aquascape!! Kinda making me wish I'd gone with a tall instead of a cube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+brian.srock Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share Posted March 14, 2011 It has arrived! Evolution LED by Reefkoi 1st Gen 120w 14K LED fixture. Before & After Full Tank Pic I went with the yo-yo hanging mounts and put 75lb drywall anchors in the ceiling. I also picked up a LT Plate Coral thanks to Brent (marineman) and a 6 headed duncan coral Just the whites on Just the blues on Clowns looking for a nice bed to host I have decided to get rid of my mini fuge. Just can't keep the pods in there long enough and the cheato hasn't done so well and keeps spilling into my display tank so its out of there tonight. I'm also upgrading my ATO pump to a FT-300 pump which should give me a 8.2 feet height as opposed to the current FT-130 which only gives me 3.5 feet. It just would sometimes run and run but could not pump the water into my tank due to my tank and stand being so tall. I plan on adding 2-3 more corals later this week so stay tuned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Melissa Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Wow what a difference! It looks great. The torch will look great in there. I bet you were super excited to finally get the light in lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Melissa Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 oops double post sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+brian.srock Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share Posted March 14, 2011 Yes super excited and with the addition of the corals I now officially have a reef tank! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 The lights look great and so do the corals. I bet you're SO happy to finally have great lights . That plate coral looks amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cMidd Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 looking good brian! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Lookin good bud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+brian.srock Posted March 16, 2011 Author Share Posted March 16, 2011 Thanks HorseRUs and Jessie. Quick update on what went in my tank last night. Baby Blue Hippo! Once I get back from my trip I'll post a better update with all the coral I got. Hopefully nothing dies during the 4 days I'm gone *fingers crossed* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+brian.srock Posted March 28, 2011 Author Share Posted March 28, 2011 Here's a 2 week update since I installed my LED lights. I am loving the growth so far. My baby blue hippo didn't make it and although it says it's a fairly easy fish to take care of since there have been so many people on here with problems with them I decided not to get another one. Also one of my clowns got caught in my preskimmer box somehow (it was the snails but I can't prove it) and also died so I got a baby clown from bellairoaks to pair with my other clown and also picked up a green mandarin. I had to temporarily move the torch coral to the top since something was knocking it over at night but as you can see from the last pic I super glued it to an even bigger rock and it looks better than ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamp Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Tank looks awesome! I think it was a good idea not to get another tang in there, and I also am a little worried about the dragonette. You might want to really work on getting him to eat prepared foods. I trained one with live brine, but it lost interest after a while and quit eating anything but pods in the tank. Died soon after that. Maybe stocking the tank with a couple bottles of pods from the LFS might be a good idea as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+brian.srock Posted March 29, 2011 Author Share Posted March 29, 2011 Oh sorry forgot to mention he's an ORA mandarin so hopefully he fairs better in my tank. If I dont catch him eating frozen soon he'll be going back to the LFS since I ditched the diy fuge idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Great thoughts on your tank livestock. Kudos to ditching the tang idea... those hippos can get up 12" in length when they are adults. I look forward to update pictures. Good luck! -Ty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+brian.srock Posted April 6, 2011 Author Share Posted April 6, 2011 Snapped some pictures of my tank under my LED with Blues only that I use for my dawn effect. I love this look since it makes so many things pop. The very last pic is both lights off with my Betta LED moonlight on. I plan on getting one more light and unfortunately the camera I haven't doesn't take the best picture with low light but you can see what I'm talking about. It really gives my tank such an awesome view at night and serves as a mini night light too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 Love the corals you've added. Your tank is really coming along! I enjoy looking at mine under just the blue light too, it's really amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+brian.srock Posted May 5, 2011 Author Share Posted May 5, 2011 So it's been about a month since I last update everyone with info and pics. What I have learned so far: Weekly 10% water changes do wonders. Having a 10 gallon shop vac shortens it to no time. My little HOB carbon filter is awesome. Don't get me wrong my Aqua C Pro pulls a lot of skimmate but when my LT plate coral spits up all my corals recede and my filter helps collect his gunk as well as make my water crystal clear. Frozen Cytoplankton makes my tank smelly and dirty. I need to find a better alternative. Need to find a $10 bottle of live copepods for my mandarin and corals instead. I wish I would of started out with reefsaver rocks with drilled holes held up with pvc. Lighter and more porous, less dangerous than my current configuration. LEDs fixtures are awesome. My ATO pump makes a very loud noise if empty at 3 in the morning. FTS Mushroom, Duncan, and Lobo Coral Long Tentacle Plate Coral Brain Coral I'm attempting to nurse, Sun Coral, and a Hammer Coral I just picked up I don't know what this coral is called yet and my Watchman Dude Radioactive Mushroom and Frog Spawn Green Mandarin Australian Duncans Torch Coral Acan Ricordia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Your tank is looking great! I wonder if that unknown coral are blastos. I don't have personal experience with them, but that looks like pictures I've seen of blastos. The new duncans are so beautiful. The pictures don't do your tank justice at all, and especially don't show the pop of your led's I want to steal that little lobo or scoly or whatever it is!! Thanks for the update! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atxmandarin Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 blastomussa wellsi is the coral you have, how are your rocks supported? kim has big rocks and getting her tower stable was no easy task, i have concern for the structural integrity of your scape...... maybe zip ties would help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+brian.srock Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 Just some random progress pics of my tank and coral growth with LED lighting. I picked up a bunch of new frags from the AquaSD group buy and from KimP. Love my little clam. Also picked up an anemone that I couldn't pass up from PetSmart for $6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 Love the new corals. Those radioactive dragon eyes really pop under your leds! How are your petsmart anemones doing? I've never seen clear ones - cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+brian.srock Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 So after a bunch of research I have decided to add Kalk to my ATO. My corals are doing really good thanks to my LEDs and water changes but just like drinking Gatorade rather than water I figured it wouldn't hurt giving my tank a little boost. I read the below article and took a trip to Walmart and picked up Mrs.Wages Pickling Lime (aka Kalk) http://reefkeeping.c...rhf/index.php#1 It's hidden over in the jar/tupperware section and the best part is it only cost me $1 for the pound bag. I added 2 teaspoons in a cup with RO/DI water which is recommended for 1 gallon although I have a 1 1/2 gallon bucket so I'm adding less After mixing it for about 2 minutes straight I added the slurry to my ATO bucket. I need to now get some before pictures taken tonight of everything and maybe take daily pictures and I'll report back how everything goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 What does your calcium usually run without adding anything? What are you trying to get it to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+brian.srock Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 My calcium was on par but I wanted to give it a little boost and was told this shouldn't hurt since it's in the ATO and small amount Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.