600 Gallon Hawaiian Reef Addiction

Carter o51 · Jan 5, 2014

How do you combat the cold temps of the garage? Even in here in Southern California it can still get pretty cold

thedropoffreef · Jan 5, 2014

Carter o51 said:
How do you combat the cold temps of the garage? Even in here in Southern California it can still get pretty cold

I have a 4000 watt inline heater, its way over kill for the system and heats the water from 75 to 76 in 12 minutes. Im more concerned with the summer heat. The chiller hasn't had to turn on yet and I hope its not an issue come June.

ReefKeeper09 · Jan 5, 2014

This is one wild setup!

thedropoffreef · Jan 7, 2014

Livestock Update,
I picked up a few things today. Here are some pictures. I also started installing the in wall tank! I hope to have it running with water this weekend!

Potters Angelfish Male

Potters Angelfish Female

Flame Wrasse Female

Borbonius Anthias, Bad picture, I will post a good one when they get acclimated

SPS Main Display 1/7/14

Potters Angelfish

In Wall Tank Progression, Day 1

ohio reefer · Jan 8, 2014

Looking great! Always loved potters.

revhtree · Jan 8, 2014

Nice additions!

NeverlosT · Jan 8, 2014

I have to get some Potters for my new tank, my last name is Potter, so I pretty much have no choice! Do they nip SPS or just softies, or is that just a rumor/luck for the most part?

thedropoffreef · Jan 8, 2014

NeverlosT said:
I have to get some Potters for my new tank, my last name is Potter, so I pretty much have no choice! Do they nip SPS or just softies, or is that just a rumor/luck for the most part?

In tanks that I have had in the past, they have picked on mostly LPS. I have never housed them in a SPS system. I will keep the thread updated and let you know if they start picking on corals. The only Angel that I have ever had that didn't pick on anything was a Flame Angel back in 2004. My suggestion would be to wait until your tank has grown out then add the potential coral eating fish. With more corals and more colony size pieces the corals will individually be picked on less, big enough to where if the fish is picking on it most likely won't kill it, and won't probably die by the time you are able to catch the fish if the fish is very persistent. This is one area that I am so excited to explore. With 5 tanks on the system if a fish is picking on coral I can move them around from tank to tank with different corals living in each one and hopefully have multiple thriving reefs with coral eaters living among them.

thedropoffreef · Jan 9, 2014

100 Gallon Install Day 2. Header and supports in. Cutting the hole and patching drywall today!

thedropoffreef · Jan 10, 2014

Wall Install Progression Day 3. Hole Is Cut!

Main Viewing Side

Office Viewing Side

yalpal · Jan 11, 2014

So cool! Really love seeing how this continues to develop. Great job!

larangcon · Jan 11, 2014

Amazing build, definitely will be following along.

Arrivalanche · Jan 12, 2014

Thumbs up!

wrasseluver · Jan 12, 2014

Great build.

Haddonis Reef · Jan 12, 2014

Awesome set up! Very clean !

thedropoffreef · Jan 14, 2014

In wall tank progression after 5 days. Its taking a little longer then I thought but will have water in it by the end of the week!
Day 6 work, texture, paint install and anchor stand.

System Update:
Im having a phosphate problem as usual, I used old rock and believe its already leaching phosphate :/ The one thing I can never seem to get a hold on. Also I have a fish worm infection going around. I have lost a potters angel and my male rhomboid. Now the other potters and female lineatus wrasse are not eating. Early system problems.