Devo's Mixed Reef : JBJ 45

[mahindra.dev]

I think I’m done rescaping... I now have a pillar for SPS and rest are LPS in their own space. Can’t call it a cove but sort of....

Here is how the tank looks. I will take better pics later. All I can tell is, the fish love it and go around the pillar a lot. I plan to add 2 fish this weekend.

I like this new look but it still needs some playing around. I won’t mess with anything for the moment and I’ll add easy mode SPS soon. They should have enough light, surface area to grow and lots of flow! Hope this is a success!!

Here are pics, all zoas are on the bottom, they should over. I added my Acan and War coral to the sides.

IDEA :

IN THE TANK

 

[NY_Caveman]

I like it. There is the obvious horizontal line along the top, but it has some contour to it. Coral growth will improve that in time. I think many reefers are good at making caves, but I find fish really like cover from above which this pillar accomplishes well. Nice job.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Just saw your images in the FTS thread. I am liking it even more seeing it in action.

 

[mahindra.dev]

Thank you. Really appreciate your feedback.. I’m seeing the tang and Wrasse circling around the pillar. So funny to see watch. It’s like cop and thief chase....

 

[mahindra.dev]

Updated shots....

 

[mahindra.dev]

It’s my build thread, my blog and a location I can just unload what I feel. So I figured I’ll post a progression of my ups and downs with pics..
This is my first saltwater tank.

Biggest lessons learned so far :

A. Get your scape figured out. Spend a lot of time on planning, what kind of rock to use, how to attach them etc. PLANNING PLANNING PLANNING which I did for 3 months, but I failed on the BEST methodology of attaching, frag placement etc.

B. Understand that mixed reef is tough and flow, lighting play a big role. Par meter is very helpful and flow is vital. Random flow and waves is a good combo. Works for me!!

C. Stocking, what fish to keep and provide them the rite kind of habitat. Packing a lot will lead to aggression at a later stage and you can go downhill in 24hrs. Def my biggest lesson.

D. Corals. This is key. Don’t start buying them cos you like the way they look. Understand the way they grow, what they need and settle down before buying.

I FLUSHED/ DUMPED 1000$ worth of live stock. NOT COOL...

Some other time for what I’ll do if I had to start over. Enough of my blabber, here are the pics

My Initial Plan

Too much rock, so removed the front rock work

This is my fav. The initial scape and SPS, LPS

When rocks toppled. Lack of proper adhesion, start of my trouble

Getting back on track

At my best again, Month 1

At my best again, Month 2

Disaster of LPS/ losing fish starts

Trying to rescape, unhappy

Finally : HAPPY AGAIN.

If I don’t touch and start adding corals, I should see growth by my 1 yr mark, which is 4 months away. IM hoping 3rd time is the charm.

 

[NY_Caveman]

It’s my build thread, my blog and a location I can just unload what I feel. So I figured I’ll post a progression of my ups and downs with pics..
This is my first saltwater tank.

Biggest lessons learned so far :

A. Get your scape figured out. Spend a lot of time on planning, what kind of rock to use, how to attach them etc. PLANNING PLANNING PLANNING which I did for 3 months, but I failed on the BEST methodology of attaching, frag placement etc.

B. Understand that mixed reef is tough and flow, lighting play a big role. Par meter is very helpful and flow is vital. Random flow and waves is a good combo. Works for me!!

C. Stocking, what fish to keep and provide them the rite kind of habitat. Packing a lot will lead to aggression at a later stage and you can go downhill in 24hrs. Def my biggest lesson.

D. Corals. This is key. Don’t start buying them cos you like the way they look. Understand the way they grow, what they need and settle down before buying.

I FLUSHED/ DUMPED 1000$ worth of live stock. NOT COOL...

Some other time for what I’ll do if I had to start over. Enough of my blabber, here are the pics

My Initial Plan

Too much rock, so removed the front rock work

This is my fav. The initial scape and SPS, LPS

When rocks toppled. Lack of proper adhesion, start of my trouble

Getting back on track

At my best again, Month 1

At my best again, Month 2

Disaster of LPS/ losing fish starts

Trying to rescape, unhappy

Finally : HAPPY AGAIN.

If I don’t touch and start adding corals, I should see growth by my 1 yr mark, which is 4 months away. IM hoping 3rd time is the charm.

This is a fantastic, honest summary. Excellent writing.

 

[mahindra.dev]

This is a fantastic, honest summary. Excellent writing.

Thank you. I had to get it out. I was sooo frustrated. I am soo ready for Cherry Corals
Live sale this June 16th weekend.

 

[mahindra.dev]

I took my son on his 3rd trip to see life under water.

First was to Sea-Life in Michigan,
Second was to Sea World, San Diego and Third to SHEDD AQUARIUM in Chicago

I have to say it was an amazing experience and father/ son time. He loved the dolphin show, penguins, beluga whale ( the moment he saw them, he went ooooooo, like in the movie Dory)

I had a great time as well. Having kept both planted tanks and this, I was truly connected. There are a few displays of nothing but macro algae and they look stunning. Here are a couple of pics of the macro algae tank.

To finish things, His mom got him a penguin soft toy and he kept huggin it and says Pengaaaa.

So what does Daddy do? I asked her where is my souvenir and hinted that she should get me some corals

Let me see if that works out!

 

[Diwrigh]

About to do a very similar build, just more of a budget constrained one I'm going to order the 45 JBJ (first salwater), aside from lighting, what is the first few things you would add to your tank? Any advice from the get go?

 

[NY_Caveman]

I took my son on his 3rd trip to see life under water.

First was to Sea-Life in Michigan,
Second was to Sea World, San Diego and Third to SHEDD AQUARIUM in Chicago

I have to say it was an amazing experience and father/ son time. He loved the dolphin show, penguins, beluga whale ( the moment he saw them, he went ooooooo, like in the movie Dory)

I had a great time as well. Having kept both planted tanks and this, I was truly connected. There are a few displays of nothing but macro algae and they look stunning. Here are a couple of pics of the macro algae tank.

To finish things, His mom got him a penguin soft toy and he kept huggin it and says Pengaaaa.

So what does Daddy do? I asked her where is my souvenir and hinted that she should get me some corals

Let me see if that works out!

Beautiful boy!

 

[mahindra.dev]

Beautiful boy!

Thank you. He keeps me busy all the time and the tank [emoji39]

 

[mahindra.dev]

About to do a very similar build, just more of a budget constrained one I'm going to order the 45 JBJ (first salwater), aside from lighting, what is the first few things you would add to your tank? Any advice from the get go?

A lot to talk about and not sure where to start!!!

I did not buy a light for 6 weeks. I strictly follow NO LIGHTS during the cycling process. I got it same deal as you did for the JBJ @ Drfosterandsmith.

So to being with I purchased Heater, ATO and Skimmer, Jebao Wavemaker, 25lbs dry rock and 10lbs sand.

Why all the above

Heater: To keep temp @ 80F during cycling

ATO: BEST purchase ever. Keep sal consistent. I got a Tunze Osomilator.

Skimmer: Truly to break in during setup. I went with Aquamaxx HOB 1.5... After 3 months of use, this thing is DEAD SILENT.

That’s a good place to start and get the light a week before you add fish. But get the best that works for the kind of corals you want to keep.

Eventually you can add dosing pump, inTank media baskets etc.

 

[Diwrigh]

A lot to talk about and not sure where to start!!!

I did not buy a light for 6 weeks. I strictly follow NO LIGHTS during the cycling process. I got it same deal as you did for the JBJ @ Drfosterandsmith.

So to being with I purchased Heater, ATO and Skimmer, Jebao Wavemaker, 25lbs dry rock and 10lbs sand.

Why all the above

Heater: To keep temp @ 80F during cycling

ATO: BEST purchase ever. Keep sal consistent. I got a Tunze Osomilator.

Skimmer: Truly to break in during setup. I went with Aquamaxx HOB 1.5... After 3 months of use, this thing is DEAD SILENT.

That’s a good place to start and get the light a week before you add fish. But get the best that works for the kind of corals you want to keep.

Eventually you can add dosing pump, inTank media baskets etc.

Awesome thank you! I found a good deal on a used 57 rimless last night, comes with sump, T5 lights and stand so I may go that route but either way I'll be needing an ato, heater, skimmer. With the used tank I'll need to get some additional plumbing, and a return pump as well, but it might be worth it to have a sump and a bigger setup. I'll let you know which route I go with Thanks again

 

[mahindra.dev]

Awesome thank you! I found a good deal on a used 57 rimless last night, comes with sump, T5 lights and stand so I may go that route but either way I'll be needing an ato, heater, skimmer. With the used tank I'll need to get some additional plumbing, and a return pump as well, but it might be worth it to have a sump and a bigger setup. I'll let you know which route I go with Thanks again

Yeah. Bigger volume is always better. Get a good return pump. T5 is also a good choice. But yeah get the 3 things whichever route you chose to go.. GOODLUCK....

 

[Diwrigh]

Yeah. Bigger volume is always better. Get a good return pump. T5 is also a good choice. But yeah get the 3 things whichever route you chose to go.. GOODLUCK....

Thanks!! I'm sure I will be posting many questions as I journey down this road

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Tank is looking good! You'll have to let us know about whether that hint worked out for you and you got some new corals out of that.

 

[mahindra.dev]

Tank is looking good! You'll have to let us know about whether that hint worked out for you and you got some new corals out of that.

Thank you Dan.

Yeah that hint helped. She gave me a 100$ gift card and said its for your corals. I will buy something this week.

 

[mahindra.dev]

Long due 9 month update: things are stabilized. Happy with 2 new additions
The dreadful six line Wrasse (1 inch)
Bicolor Blenny

Just love these two. So now I have 5 fish and maxed out. Yellow tang is def the king in my Tank. The fairy Wrasse and Hawk don’t care for the new additions

No new corals. I want to wait for some more time. Enough of me ranting, here are some pics

 

[NY_Caveman]

Long due 9 month update: things are stabilized. Happy with 2 new additions
The dreadful six line Wrasse (1 inch)
Bicolor Blenny

Just love these two. So now I have 5 fish and maxed out. Yellow tang is def the king in my Tank. The fairy Wrasse and Hawk don’t care for the new additions

No new corals. I want to wait for some more time. Enough of me ranting, here are some pics

Looking very colorful. Great job!