Finally, a reef tank!!

[jsker]

@jgvergo here is an answer for posting pictures.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ad...d-photos-as-a-new-thread-or-in-a-post.205640/

They also don't need to drop them form external locations, the new software allows for direct upload to their thread from either a desktop of mobile device.

 

[TinyChocobo]

I see the pictures now. Impressive.

I like your stand - I can do the base build but the veneering/covering/face is what I have a hard time with.

 

[jgvergo]

I see the pictures now. Impressive.

I like your stand - I can do the base build but the veneering/covering/face is what I have a hard time with.

Thanks Mike. I built the frame out of 2x4s. It is wrapped with cabinetry that I bought.

It's interesting that you can now see the pictures. I did not change anything!

 

[TinyChocobo]

Very interesting indeed... Yeah I just built some shelving out of 2x4 in my garage. I'd likely joint and plane the wood though if I were going to build a stand out of it just so it was nice and square.

How did you find cabinetry to fit so well or is that part of the skill?

 

[jgvergo]

Very interesting indeed... Yeah I just built some shelving out of 2x4 in my garage. I'd likely joint and plane the wood though if I were going to build a stand out of it just so it was nice and square.

How did you find cabinetry to fit so well or is that part of the skill?

I dimensions of the 2x4 frame were carefully planned to work with the tank and with the cabinetry that wraps the frame. I actually bought the cabinetry first so I had it on hand to measure as I was planning the frame. I also made all the cabinetry removable, which makes it incredibly easy to work underneath the tank should I need to do plumbing repairs. I'll post a video demonstrating it when I get a chance (probably over the weekend).

 

[jgvergo]

My Apex dashboard (I never thought it would be so extensive!!!)

 

[jgvergo]

Tank update.

Overall, I am very satisfied with the results. Almost everything I've added has remained happy and healthy.

I *do* wish I was seeing better coral growth. I am also unable (so far) to grow new Coralline algae. The two small pieces of live rock that have Coralline on them are doing fine, but I'm not seeing it spread (I tried scraping and brushing it to dislodge it and spread it around to no avail). I'm slightly overdosing Mg at the suggestion of my LFS pro to get the Coralline going.

I've had some fatalities, which of course I am am very disappointed with, but they are a pretty small percentage of what I've added. I also have a little nuisance algae, but I'm getting it under control.

My final lighting solution is 4 T5s (48") and 1 Radion Pro.

Water parameters are very stable: Alk 9.2, Ca 425, Mg 1400, Ammonia 0.0, Nitrite 0.0, Nitrate 0.0

Corals

I've had these corals in my tank for 2 months

Leptastria - looks unhealthy compared to when I got it (it was a beautiful, deep green) it has faded and looks a little bleached, but it has stabilized over the last few weeks.
Monitpora spongedes - no noticeable change
Green Star Polyps with whitish mouths - no noticeable change
Chalice - no noticeable change
Gonipora colony - I got it 2 months ago and it has done very nicely. The polyps are much more extended these days.
Riccordia - no noticeable change
Frogspawn - has probably tripled in size​

...and these for 1 month

Montpora setosa - no noticeable change
Pink Birdsnest - no noticeable change
Green Star Polyps with purpleish mouths - spreading a little bit
Toadstool - no noticeable change
Green stylophora - no noticeable change
Purple stylophora - no noticeable change
Pulsing Xenia - I got it 1 month ago and it is spreading in my sump quickly​

Inverts and their health

1 Blood red shrimp - happy an healthy, though shy
2 Cleaner shrimp - happy, healthy and extroverted
1 Peppermint shrimp - never saw him after introducing him. Not sure if I should count him as a fatality. I know they can hide in caves.
5 Mexican Turbo Snails - all happy and healthy
10 Hermit crabs - I may have lost a couple. Most have moved into new shells I bought them
1 Long tentacle anemone - happy and growing!
2 Hawaiian feather dusters - One is doing great. The other left his tube and is on the fatality list
​

Fish

2 Ocellaris clowns - happy and healthy
1 Powder Blue tang - happy and healthy, still small (2 inches) - I'm watching him for aggression, etc.
2 Kaudern cardinal fish - happy and healthy
2 Firefish (gobies) - happy and healthy
1 Yellow watchman gobi
1 Mandarin - recently added. Happy and healthy and eating frozen brine and mysis shrimp
​

Fatalities

2 Zoanthid polyps
1 bicolor dottyback. It just vanished one day. It's been six weeks, so I'm assuming the CUC took care of it.
1 Hawaiian feather duster
1 bunch of Chaeto in my sump - melted and died
​

Some pictures:

 

[jgvergo]

And a coral beauty! I always for the Coral Beauty!!

 

[jgvergo]

A video of my tank at 8 months

 

[jgvergo]

Here is a quick video of the tank. I am really happy with the state of things. I am basically fully stocked. Now I just want to watch everything grow. I had a bit of a scare when I added the last few fish. My PBT went NUTS and attacked the One Spot Foxface. I'm not sure, but I think the OSF got the PBT with a venomous spine. It's amazing how well they are getting along now .

 

[jgvergo]

I did a little video tour of the tank. It's about 9 months old at this point. I'm REALLY happy with the progress!

 

[justingraham]

Hey I have a question for u ur emergency drain for ur bean animal drains directly into ur sink if it does this ur sump is going to run dry and then u will be topping off with ro water until that runs out lowering salinity then ur pump will run dry or am I missing something?
I enjoyed reading thru ur build thread everything is very nicely done and ur stand is very very nice.

 

[jgvergo]

Hey I have a question for u ur emergency drain for ur bean animal drains directly into ur sink if it does this ur sump is going to run dry and then u will be topping off with ro water until that runs out lowering salinity then ur pump will run dry or am I missing something?
I enjoyed reading thru ur build thread everything is very nicely done and ur stand is very very nice.

justin, you are are correct. If I had to do it over again, I would run the emergency overflow back into my sump. My original thinking was that I would use it for water changes by siphoning water from the display tank down the emergency overflow. That turned out to be a bad idea. The way I actually do water changes now is to turn the ball valve on my return line and water dumps out into my slop sink.

 

[justingraham]

justin, you are are correct. If I had to do it over again, I would run the emergency overflow back into my sump. My original thinking was that I would use it for water changes by siphoning water from the display tank down the emergency overflow. That turned out to be a bad idea. The way I actually do water changes now is to turn the ball valve on my return line and water dumps out into my slop sink.

Well I was thinking since u have the ald for apex u could put a sensor on the end of the pipe and if it senses water shut off ur return pump and email u

 

[jgvergo]

Hoping to win #mywwccontest #reef2reef, #worldwidecorals

 

[jgvergo]

Some of my favorite corals

 

[jgvergo]

I'm rebooting my tank and hope to win this as part of the process!! https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/vertex-omega-150-protein-skimmer-giveaway.394/

 

[jgvergo]

I'm about to order a bunch of corals from WWC. This should be fun!
P.S. I hope to win this: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-simplicity-skim-and-dose-giveaway.360962/

 

[Reefer Deez]

Everything looks amazing I can't wait to see how it all turns out! Following

 

[jgvergo]

My rebooted tank has been up and running for almost 5 months. All water parameters are stable and, other than a little bit of whitish hair algae, the tank is looking healthy.

I've been eyeing WWC corals since before I started my 1st tank (almost 3 years ago). I even paid them a visit when I was in Orlando. Tomorrow my first WWC order arrives! I can't wait to get these going in my tank (don't worry, I'll QT them first

Here is my order:
Item # Description Qty
W030918-02 Bam Bam Zoanthids 1
T300-96 WWC Purple Polyp Birdsnest 1
ZOA-RND-PCK Zoanthid Frag Pack 1
SFT-RND-PCK Softies Frag Pack 1
SPS-PCK Random SPS Frag Pack 1
T300-284 Neon Duncan 1

I'll update my build thread with pictures and details once they arrive. Woo hoo!!!