Arc's 80G Refugium build out

[ArcKatana]

The plan: Leather coral and Macroalgae Refugium to be plumbed into DT when I get one.

FTS: 6/10/2018 (Ends cut off in pic, I'll update next go round)

While deciding what kind of main display tank I want, figured might as well get the refugium rolling. I set this up last November 2017, and let it cook until this May. The main DT will be plumbed into the system once it's here.

Current set up:

80 Gallon Acrylic tank w/overflow 6'x18'x16" (Roughly 77 ish Gallons. Sump is roughly 15)
Current USA 48" Loop with connected 1050 GPH Eflux Wave Pump
Jaebo PP4 Wavemaker
Mag 7 Pump
Finnex 150 Watt Titanium Heater

Goal is to replace Jaebo with another Eflux in the next couple of months. Going to try the Gyre mode.

35lbs of live rock (started with dry dirty rock, and cycled from that)
60lbs of Oceans Direct Caribbean sand
Two flower pots (used to jumpstart other tanks with preloaded bacteria)

Livestock:

Dragons Breath Macro Algae (Four different areas)
Caluerpa: Racemosa (The top right growing green thing on rock)
Prolifera (Back middle)
unknown
Tonga Yellow Leather (Top left)
Indo Cabbage Leather (Middle)
TCN Weeping Willow Leather Frag (Top right)
Unknown Green Toadstool (Top right)
Sinularia Finger Leather Indo (Top right)
Blue sponge (Bottom Middle)
8oz Tisbe pods from Algagen

Turbo snails x3 (Golf ball size)
Scarlet Hermits x3

Dwarf Angels:
Rusty (2")
Eibli (1.75")
Black Ice Snowflake Clown pair

Left side:

Middle:

Right:

Pic taken after finger leather was just put in tank a few days ago. Much happier now. Also, Weeping Willow blew off the frag plug, so currently MIA.

Current Finger:

Better shot of the C. racemosa also.

I'll add maybe a couple more fish, and three or four more leathers and let them grow. The plan is to have three islands covered with Coral, with Macroalgae filling in underneath.

 

[Ranjib]

Like the idea, but wondering if adding fish in refugium will add to the bioload

 

[ArcKatana]

I'm not worried about bio-load. Four fish under 2" and an 80G Refugium, I've got plenty of room. Besides, I need more fish poop for the algae to grow

 

[ArcKatana]

Looking at Liveaquaria and there are some fish that I've been looking for. Debating between those guys or more coral. And maybe finding a display tank too lol.

 

[ArcKatana]

Saw the finger leather spawning/releasing eggs this afternoon - very cool to see!

 

[ArcKatana]

My plan is to get the display tank ordered this week, hopefully have it by Friday. Looking for something 30 or 36 inches long, but fairly tall, say 20-24 inches. I'm tempted on the 56 Column tanks by marineland, but don't want the combo kit I see at petsmart. Anyone know something similar size/shape? Thanks

 

[ArcKatana]

Added the last couple of fish yesterday from Divers Den. Two Spot Bristletooth Tang (2"), Convict Tang (2") and a male Eibli Angel (3"). H20 Change monday and new FTS shots.

 

[ArcKatana]

So long story short, vibrio wiped seven of the eight fish, only the convict made it. It wasn't a parasite, as once a fish looked a little funny, it was dead within 12 hours of that. Amyloodinium takes 24-36 to kill a fish, and it hits everyone. Convict is doing OK (not happy being alone I'm sure), and corals are growing. I had to start a new 10G tank for all the algae cut offs from the main refugium. It's got a HOB filter and a lower power LED on it. Growing like a jungle in the 10G tank. Copepods and amphipods are all over. I feed the tank four or five times a week, and top off with well water when it gets low. It's kinda neat to see how things just grow on their own accord.

FTS and 10G jungle tank tonight.

 

[ArcKatana]

80G Refugium 8/20/18

Close up of the left island (Toadstool and Weeping Willow)

10G Jungle of Algae/Copepod playground
Back side

Front side

Still haven't figured out what display tank I want for the 80G.