Crabs 155g In-Wall Fish Room Build

ihavecrabs · Jan 23, 2018

don_chuwish said:
Man, sounds like you need multiple layers of sediment & carbon filters before hitting RO membrane. Maybe something like: Sediment 5 micron -> 1 micron , Carbon 5 micron -> 1 micron -> 1 micron. 5 canisters before even hitting RO membrane. Do you already have dual 75gpd membranes for a 150gpd system? Pressure good?

I have sediment, 5 carbon, 1 carbon, then a single 99% RO.

I did a tap water pH test and it went from 7.6 to 8.6. Unsure if that indicates a co2 concern or not.

dbraun15 · Jan 24, 2018

Aquascape looks great...what's the plan(you probably mentioned earlier, but I don't remember)? Mixed reef? Focus on anything? What about fish? Really like where this is headed.

ihavecrabs · Jan 24, 2018

dbraun15 said:
Aquascape looks great...what's the plan(you probably mentioned earlier, but I don't remember)? Mixed reef? Focus on anything? What about fish? Really like where this is headed.

Mixed with a large focus on SPS.

I'll have to revisit my fish list to see what may have changed.

I have a soft spot for symbiotic relationships (and the like) between our marine friends. So clown goby, acro crabs, goby and shrimp pair, clownfish and anemone.

I do really like leopard wrasse and Midas blennies so they'll have their place too.

I'm also thinking maybe one or two larger fish (likely tangs) but sticking with more smaller fish.

I do have two Davinci clownfish that have made it through quarantine and are awaiting the display to finish cycling.

don_chuwish · Jan 24, 2018

ihavecrabs said:
I have sediment, 5 carbon, 1 carbon, then a single 99% RO.

I did a tap water pH test and it went from 7.6 to 8.6. Unsure if that indicates a co2 concern or not.

You've probably seen this:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-co2-degassing-chamber-for-ro-di.212587/
Might be interesting.

ihavecrabs · Jan 24, 2018

don_chuwish said:
You've probably seen this:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-co2-degassing-chamber-for-ro-di.212587/
Might be interesting.

Yeah, I have read through this a few times. This is something I might try.

Thanks for sharing it!

ihavecrabs · Jan 27, 2018

First frags dipped and in quarantine. Might be a little early for them in the display but couldn't pass up the fantastic deal from a local reefer

Here is a quick cell phone picture..

1. Cali Tort
2. BC Pelotti Yellow Tip
3. Bubblegum Milli
4. BC Blue Matrix
5. RR Applejack
6. BC Teenwolf

ihavecrabs · Jan 28, 2018

Got the bulbs replaced in my QT fixture to a aquablue special and blue+ bulb combo.

Built a rack higher up and the corals look very happy today.

ihavecrabs · Jan 29, 2018

Did some PAR readings on my main display today. 6 bulb ATI Sunpower.

Coral+
Blue+
Blue+
Coral+
E5 blue pop
Blue+

vertigo01 · Jan 31, 2018

ihavecrabs said:
I've be in the workshop working on an Aquascape the last few days. The last of the water weld and epoxy is drying now.. enjoy the pics and let me know what you think!

The build is looking awesome. Whish I had a basement.

If I may, what sort of epoxy did you use to adhere the rocks?
I assume that the water weld is the JB weld type?

ihavecrabs · Jan 31, 2018

vertigo01 said:
The build is looking awesome. Whish I had a basement.

If I may, what sort of epoxy did you use to adhere the rocks?
I assume that the water weld is the JB weld type?

I actually used a cheaper variety since I had plenty of time to cure and chose the EP-200 found in the plumbing aisle in home depot. At about $3 a tube, it was a much better option for me.

Now if I was sticking SPS to rock-work, if spend the extra on the "reef safe" stuff sold by BRS.

Thanks for the kind words on the build! Hope you stick around to see it come to life over the next few months!

ihavecrabs · Jan 31, 2018

ihavecrabs said:
I actually used a cheaper variety since I had plenty of time to cure and chose the EP-200 found in the plumbing aisle in home depot. At about $3 a tube, it was a much better option for me.

Now if I was sticking SPS to rock-work, if spend the extra on the "reef safe" stuff sold by BRS.

Thanks for the kind words on the build! Hope you stick around to see it come to life over the next few months!

Oh forgot to mention... I also used acrylic rods and a masonry drill bit to stabilize some of the overhangs that were less than cooperative..

vertigo01 · Jan 31, 2018

I am contemplating re-doing my aquascape. Being as I have a butt load or rock left over, I may do so before my tank get to the point of no return, without a full blown re-cycle.

ihavecrabs · Feb 1, 2018

This guy healed up nicely where he was fragged on the top. Completely healed over.

This guy seems to be trying to grow already... not completely buying it though.

dbraun15 · Feb 2, 2018

Frags looking great!

007_reef · Feb 2, 2018

Killer build so far, very jealous of your fish room.

ihavecrabs · Feb 2, 2018

dbraun15 said:
Frags looking great!

Thanks man.

I don't think I ever asked, but did you end up picking out some frags while you were in the chicagoland area?

ihavecrabs · Feb 2, 2018

007_reef said:
Killer build so far, very jealous of your fish room.

Appreciate it!

Yeah, I was lucky to find a home with the perfect setup for it. My fiance walked in the house and saw the back yard and was sold... I saw the basement bar area with a 10x12 room next to it and was sold haha.

ihavecrabs · Feb 2, 2018

vertigo01 said:
I am contemplating re-doing my aquascape. Being as I have a butt load or rock left over, I may do so before my tank get to the point of no return, without a full blown re-cycle.

I've always built my rock work dry with acrylic and epoxy putty as needed and then cycled the rock work. If you let the epoxy cure for two days, the rock work tends to be very solid and can handle being tossed into a brute in all directions.

This approach doesn't work well if you want to use some existing rock in the display that have corals on it (or that you don't want to kill off bacteria and redo the cycle.

If you have a lot of SPS, I'd very slowly add dry rock to the system. It can throw parameters out of wack pretty quickly.