Flipside's 120g Budget Build (Yeah Right)

[Flipside]

So, I let the algae get pretty hairy before I got the CUC. It takes the CUC awhile to get the stuff mowed down (and you really do need to help) so I went ahead and added them on 10/16/2014.

 

[d2mini]

Where'd you get the CUC? Reefcleaners?

 

[Flipside]

11/04/2014

Okay... for me, a lot of time passed between 10/16 and 11/04. LOL! Mainly because of "things" I've learned in the past.

I wish I documented this part a little better but I didn't... Sorry about that.

My algae bloom got ridiculously out of control. I knew this would happen because of using dry rock. When you use dry rock, it's just going to get REAL nasty, but hang in there!!! What I did is basically starting scrubbing the rock with a dish brush (making sure not to get an "anti-bacterial" one) and a toothbrush. After a couple/few weeks of doing so, and with the help of my new CUC, here's where I ended up.

Oh yeah... I also bought a new Canon EOS 70D because my pictures prior to this point were nothing to write home about.

Aussie coral from a buddy's LFS.

Aussie Pink Lemonade from same buddy's LFS.

Added a cuke.

Note how all the algae is gone from my other buddy's tank. These rocks help the seeding process, as well as my cycle. I used 2 different tanks for my cycle.
Oh yeah... those nems in the background are Rainbow's. They are splitting monsters! I have to get rid of the 3 (would have been 6) that I have! Ugh!

But look at those Bam-Bams! My buddy took those back, but he's now selling them on the local forum (I saw that yesterday). Bummer...

FTS:

Here's some macros, since I already owned that lens from my previous dSLR:

Here's a gorgeous shot of an aiptasia. LOL

Not in the tank anymore.

Here's that first coral I put in there. Note the encrustation.

Cuz everyone loves to see how cukes eat.

Someone stole a frag when I wasn't watching.

 

[Flipside]

Where'd you get the CUC? Reefcleaners?

Yes sir. Maconbits referred me to them, and they are "pretty okay."

 

[Flipside]

11/04/2014 (continued because we have a 21 picture limit per post... LOL!):

Here's that enchinata that was dying.

Don't know why anyone would sell these off...

These never made it to the rockwork.

Purdy!

 

[Flipside]

11/06/2014 (that's when these were taken):

Now, just for fun, I'm posting pictures that my kids took. My son is 9 and my daughter is 15.

My daughter got a great shot here.

You can see the MI on the Tomincki here. It's all gone now. He's doing great.

The yellow.

You can see the MI on the mimic here, too. He's shaking it off...

Then my daughter got all crabtastic on me:

There are more pictures of their escapades on my expensive camera, but that's really all I have right now.

As stated earlier, I'm in the process of plumbing in a frag tank for three reasons. I'm moving from this house soon, I'd like to add more water volume to the system, and I WANT MORE SPS! LOL! Oh, and some clams.

That's all for now. I hope you've enjoyed it thus far, and definitely more to follow. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions and have a great one R2R!

 

[Diamond1]

Great build.
Are you still running the odyssea MH lights? How has it been doing for you?
I have one of their t5 quad fixtures and was thinking about upgrading to the MH version.

 

[PCygni]

Nice clean build, man. Lot's of room to maneuver down in that sump too. Q.T yet?

 

[Flipside]

Great build.
Are you still running the odyssea MH lights? How has it been doing for you?
I have one of their t5 quad fixtures and was thinking about upgrading to the MH version.

Yes I am. I just upgraded the original bulbs, it's all. I'm very, very, very happy with it. I'm coming from a retro in my last tank, ATI setups, tek fixtures, LEDs, you name it. My favorite lighting is still Radium moguls supplemented with VHOs, but I wanted to try these out. They are impressive.

Nice clean build, man. Lot's of room to maneuver down in that sump too. Q.T yet?

Use a tote for all QT. Didn't really mention it because it is nothing special. But yes... I have one for sure. Since the beginning.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Sweet! Following!

 

[Flipside]

Thanks mdbannister!

Here's my YouTube channel if anyone's interested in laughing at my voice, and watching me fumble through the build so far. It's just easier for me.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIH_t-q5PyRj04hE4BE3FSg'

There's some old reef videos on there too. My channel is pretty old.

 

[LILBUDDHA]

Nice and clean as always . That spreadsheet freaked me out . They say if u wanna play u gotta pay. It was a serious reality check . I couldn't even sit down for a few .U gonna start working on file sheet 2 livestock ?
I may be able to get wet again after next year if I can handle it . SIGH .. I am happy atm cuz I can enjoy a reef through your eyes .
Thanks
P

 

[Flipside]

LOL!

Well, what's really funny about all of this is most of my gear was purchased on the cheap (used, or with the budget in mind). Imagine if I went "big boy" on all my equipment? LOL!

No, I think I'll stop scaring away our new hobbyiests with my spreadsheeting. I do plan on keeping equipment fees on there, though. I'm already behind on that, but I've kept receipts.

Reality check indeed, my brutha! But man... I really love it.

 

[LILBUDDHA]

LOL!

Well, what's really funny about all of this is most of my gear was purchased on the cheap (used, or with the budget in mind). Imagine if I went "big boy" on all my equipment? LOL!

No, I think I'll stop scaring away our new hobbyiests with my spreadsheeting. I do plan on keeping equipment fees on there, though. I'm already behind on that, but I've kept receipts.

Reality check indeed, my brutha! But man... I really love it.

AGREED ! It's like the ultimate alpha wife anti reef pro's n con's sheet .


Husband : used 120 pro + sold skimmer = 2 pro's

Anti reef alpha wife : 38 + con's ....

Glad we don't have a anti reef alpha wife to deal with . LOL

'

 

[reef_collector]

Very nice tank man, thinking of upgrading to a 120 myself because I like the dimensions. The whole setup is dope, from the rocks to the sump.

 

[Flipside]

Thanks! I'm still working on cleaning up the wiring with some cable management troughs I bought awhile back, but I'd like to get the frag tank setup first. Should be able to knock most of that out this weekend.

 

[kgk]

Love it flip. Keep up the good work.

 

[Quinn123]

I have the same metal halide light, where did you get the hanging kit? Thank you

 

[Flipside]

Love it flip. Keep up the good work.

Hey! Thanks kgk!

I have the same metal halide light, where did you get the hanging kit? Thank you

I got it on eBay. I think it's their 6.5" kit.

 

[LILBUDDHA]

09/09/2014

I didn't like the BM Curve 7 so I sold it off to a friend for cheap. I think I charged him the price of the replacement pump, or something (it's in the spreadsheet). I went to my buddy's store and he just got some new skimmer in that I wanted to try out. So far, I like the DC power pump-type skimmers because they are pretty quiet. I think that for the price, you can't really go wrong with these, but be sure you have the bioload needed for it. If I don't run my BP reactor directly into it, it doesn't skim that well on smaller tanks like mine. For a 180+, it'd do fine out of the box.

Been running it with no problems for... 3 months? Not nearly long enough to conclude anything, but it skims very well (surprisingly)!

Oh yeah... and it's packed very well too! LOL

[/QUO


I saw your vid on this skimmer . How are u liking it ? I would think there are quite a few dc pump choices if something went wrong.
Crossed fingers . I hope it lasts a bit . I just noticed it uses a gate type outlet similar to Skimz (function wise) . LOL