ChrisQ's Mixed Reef Upgrade

After not being 100% happy with my LED setup I have decided to try a T5 fixture. I'm not ditching the LEDs just yet, I'm going to use this as a comparison of the two. I got a great deal on an ATI 6 bulb and I'm running the following bulb combination: blue +, blue +, coral +, purple +, blue + and coral +. I'm running the blues from 10a-10p and the whites from 1:45p-7:15p hoping for the best with this setup.

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It has been a while since I last updated this thread, all the corals seem to be doing really well with the switch to T5. I went to the frag swap yesterday and picked up a new clam, mini sps colony and something to help me take pictures top-down, hence the thread update.

Up first is the new maxima clam I picked up, now I have to sell some of my others!





The mini colony that I also picked up from the show, didnt come with a name.


Pink Digi mini colony that started off as a small frag


Frogskin I pick up from a fellow member a while back that is finally growing colored up in my tank


A picture that I really love how it came out, which also happens to be the favorite thing in my tank. My red foot, green tip ritteri anemone.


Finally three random pictures of different things in the tank






There are a few SPS in my tank that look really pale and I cant figure out why, my assumption is that the nutrients are too low, nitrates are always zero and for the past 2 months my phosphates were zero so I cut the amount of GFO in half and also feed reef chili/oyster feast but im not seeing too much of a difference in a few corals. The town that really aren't doing well are my SSC and Forest Fire digi. I just ordered Pohls xtra to see if that helps with improvement some. Hope you all enjoyed the few pictures on this update.
 
I have another build thread going but want to make one dedicated to my nano that I just acquired over the weekend. I picked up an IM Fusion 20 but it's currently being used as a QT tank for my fish before I set up completely.

My plan for this tank is to do basically have anything that isn't sps and can't do well in my other system. I'm currently going back and forth if I want a sand bed or if I want to do a BB setup. I've never had a BB and not sure if I will like it. I've seen them at stores and some local reefers and love how they look once things have grown out on the bottom but not sure if I can deal with it while things are growing.
 
Here we go again.... I'm not to fond of the shallow tank and have decided to do another upgrade. I picked up a tank yesterday 60x24x24 so just about 150 gallons. Just about as close as I can get to my dream tank. The tank is in good shape but the stand is a little rough.

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I started taking the stand apart to "Renew" it. Took some of the molding off and started sanding one of the sides. Just doing that makes me feel like I should just toss it and build a new one myself, again.

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What do you guys think as far as the stand situation?
 
The stand for the upgrade is coming along nicely. Just need to make a few more decisions before I start to skin!

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While I'm out of town in vacation, I put my order in for my sump to be built and it will hopefully be done by next weekend but I think he is busy so maybe later, doesn't matter though because I'm not quite at that point for the build yet. When I get back I want to finish the front doors, figure out how to do my trim and start prepping for stain. I hope to be ready for staining by Christmas so I have something to do. I'm also going crazy trying to figure out what my equipment will be. All I know is my skimmer will be the skimz monzter 201. Return pump I'm thinking between jebao and waveline and maybe vortech if I can find a good enough deal to make it worth it in my mind.
 
Forgot to put updated pictures of the stand, here they are...

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The door on the side is for me to put all my controllers and maybe other things if anything else comes to mind. Only have a working door on the left and made a fake one on the right.
 
Got all of my doors installed and lined up. Placed an order for my sump which will hopefully be done by the end of the week. Placed an order for my return pump which may get here next week. Still need to do the final trim on the tank, cut a hole for my drains, stain, put tank on the stand and start moving and breaking down the old tank.


Now the nightmare of a battle to decide which skimmer to get for this tank....
 
Ok things seem to be moving a long now, I did most of the trim, need to stain and put the tank on the stand to finish the trim though. I just finished applying the first coat of paint for the sump area and going to apply a second coat in an hr or so. I was able to pick up 150lbs of dry rock today. I have 120lbs of sand I was able to get a good deal on, also got a skimmer for the tank, I got a used reef octopus at a good price and I'll just use that until it dies or I save up for a higher end skimmer. Still need to do a good amount of work but things are moving along nicely so I'm pretty excited to get this up and running! I'll try to get pictures up in a little bit to show the small progress of the stand.
 
Picked up the sump set it in place and it fits great with still a good amount of room for anything else I may need and the skimmer fits with plenty of room!

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Poll time... need some opinions on the following powerhead options.

1) Tunze 6105
2) Neptune wav
3) MP40

I like them all for different reasons just not sure which to pull the trigger on.
 
I think it's looking great!

If I were doing it again I would get crazy and use acrylic rods, a tile saw and just get creative!
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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