Spare time
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Neon green nepthea is really vibrant. I think a lot of mushrooms will have a pop, same with zoas.
Acans have a lot of colors. A lot of sps also have really neat colors.
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Neon green nepthea is really vibrant. I think a lot of mushrooms will have a pop, same with zoas.
Acans have a lot of colors. A lot of sps also have really neat colors.
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fishmandan
Active Member
I have a couple of ricordia shrooms in the tank. A local shop has about 8 different colors of shrooms, I’ve just been hesitant to commit to them. I have forgotten about nepthea that’s a great pick!
Acans are one that I love the look, color, pattern so they are going in. I’m avoiding sps for now jsut to keep things easy on me if I need to be away from the tank for awhile. I love the look of sps and the idea of a large school of fish going in and out of them!
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fishmandan
Active Member
Just a few random tank shots while I figure out how to take decent tank photos. I ordered several frag from @WWC and @Tidal Gardens during their sales. A few new frags from local reef club members and the store owner helping me out.
Shep’s back in the hospital for a week for tests so I hope to spend some time organizing my thoughts and making a good tank so far post.
Shep’s back in the hospital for a week for tests so I hope to spend some time organizing my thoughts and making a good tank so far post.
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fishmandan
Active Member
Sorry for the gap in updates. Tank is growing nicely. The current fish stock is our black clown, 3 springeri damsel, 5 cynera damsels, 1 yellowtail damsel, and a lawnmower blenny.
Corals have all be growing nicely, but I need to do some rearranging on placement to make a few things happier and move them to be closer to like colors. The tank is working better than we hoped for our sons therapy. We are able to combine physical and sight therapy.
As far as updates on what I have been working on with the tank here we go. I have removed the apex and all it’s accessories and plan to sell them to offset the costs on other things. While an awesome tool, we simply don’t need it. I have also spent the last 3 weeks wondering why my flow was quite different than previously. Last night while removing the apex I found the cord the the gyre dangling unplugged below the tank and remembered I unplugged it to clean a few weeks ago. I have set the lights on a manual timer that is in more convenient place on the wall for making adjustments.
Corals have all be growing nicely, but I need to do some rearranging on placement to make a few things happier and move them to be closer to like colors. The tank is working better than we hoped for our sons therapy. We are able to combine physical and sight therapy.
As far as updates on what I have been working on with the tank here we go. I have removed the apex and all it’s accessories and plan to sell them to offset the costs on other things. While an awesome tool, we simply don’t need it. I have also spent the last 3 weeks wondering why my flow was quite different than previously. Last night while removing the apex I found the cord the the gyre dangling unplugged below the tank and remembered I unplugged it to clean a few weeks ago. I have set the lights on a manual timer that is in more convenient place on the wall for making adjustments.
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fishmandan
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@Spare time i found the neon green nepthea on a tidal gardens sale and added it to the tank!
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fishmandan
Active Member
Not too many changes going on. We had a weird alk drop last week that caused the duncans and acans to not be too happy. I did a 20% water change and alk has been stable for at least a week now.
I was able to sell our apex and used it to purchase a purple tang and a lavender tang. These two break our primary color focus on fish but the purple tang is one of my favorite fish and the lavender provides awesome movement!
Shep is loving using his stander to get new views of his tank he can’t see from his wheelchair. Our new goal is to work on finding a way for him to get top down views.
I was able to sell our apex and used it to purchase a purple tang and a lavender tang. These two break our primary color focus on fish but the purple tang is one of my favorite fish and the lavender provides awesome movement!
Shep is loving using his stander to get new views of his tank he can’t see from his wheelchair. Our new goal is to work on finding a way for him to get top down views.
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fishmandan
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Pics below are two vertical surfaces I’m trying to figure out if I want to add mushrooms or cabbage leathers to.
As for updates, I’m currently waiting on a jebao wave maker to arrive. I’m not satisfied with the flow from the return and the 2 gyre wave makers. I’ll be home experimenting with placement once it’s here to try and create a bit more flow in the tank. Since we are doing mostly softies we don’t need sps flow, just a bit more than what we currently have.
Unfortunately our aptasia eating file fish has started to peck at our acans. If the fish traps don’t work soon I’ll remove the acans.
I am working on a shirt write up on my experience researching, reading, and planning the tank. Partly to help process things and partly to try and help someone else who gets blasted with all this info and needs to compartmentalize what it is they actually need vs 1000 recommendations that might not be relevant.
As for updates, I’m currently waiting on a jebao wave maker to arrive. I’m not satisfied with the flow from the return and the 2 gyre wave makers. I’ll be home experimenting with placement once it’s here to try and create a bit more flow in the tank. Since we are doing mostly softies we don’t need sps flow, just a bit more than what we currently have.
Unfortunately our aptasia eating file fish has started to peck at our acans. If the fish traps don’t work soon I’ll remove the acans.
I am working on a shirt write up on my experience researching, reading, and planning the tank. Partly to help process things and partly to try and help someone else who gets blasted with all this info and needs to compartmentalize what it is they actually need vs 1000 recommendations that might not be relevant.
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fishmandan
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This is partly just writing it down for me partly to hopefully help someone else. A little over a year ago now I decided to switch back to saltwater. Our decision was driven by my son’s disabilities and poor eye sight. The discus tank I setup after his birth for color was not working for him. The discus slow movement and lack of contrast just didn’t work for him.
I have been keeping aquariums most of my life, but have had an aquarium running the better part of the last 18 years. The last reef tank I had setup was back in 2006ish though. So I poured through the forum here, brs videos, tidal garden videos, and every source I could find. One benefit to this is how easy to access all the information is. On the flip side there is so much conflicting and sales based information that it can be overwhelming. I saw the flavor of the week sps pushed as the goal for reefkeeping much more often than individual goals being encouraged.
When starting on a plan we worked out our goals and limitations. Our overarching goal was a tank that would provide vision therapy and family enjoyment. Our major limitations were costs and extended times in the hospital. With these things in mind I worked on a plan. That plan would majorly change about 3 times as we adapted goals and limitations. The original plan was a typical mixed reef. This came from initial research and the idea of just picking all of the favorites and shoving them in together. While this kind of tank can be successful it does not lend itself to lower maintenance and extended time away. Most of the corals prefer differing environments making this less ideal for them and more about our enjoyment. Plan 2 was a lps dominate mixed reef with a back up plan of “toss in gsp” and work off the green. LPS corals work well with our goal limitations and most of the goals. This plan was decided against once I was researching individual lps corals. They fit perfect for high contrast color but it would be hard to do square foot of color for Shep’s low vision. At least hard to do with our very high costs or very long amounts of time.
This leads us into the final goal, at least currently. A soft coral dominated tank with a euphyllia garden. Soft corals while beginner friendly also check our biggest box of easy to fill in sq footage of similar colors. Most of them tend to prefer water that is not pristine, which happens when someone is taking care of the tank while we are away at the hospital for extended stays, or if home nursing is lacking(happens more often that not), etc.
I had picked up an apex for a very low price and originally planned to run it and see real accessories to help with these times away. This was from researching and seeing how often automation is encouraged. I personally found it more taxing to try and keep these extra things in good running order than manual testing and water changes on a schedule. The apex was very useful but not necessary for us at least where we are in our journey. Other equipment was picked up used locally or purchased online. Our skimmer was donated by a fellow reefer here in R2R. The used equipment will slowly be upgraded as money allows or it shows signs of failure. Our lights are black boxes suspended 18” off the tank. Having had these lights for 7 months and been comparing to other locals tanks I will say, the fancy lights do provide a value added, but are necessary for every tank. If I was doing a tank only for me and not the family I’d go full acro and get lights with all the features to make them the happiest possible.
Final thoughts are just a reminder for the future. It’s ok to go slow and then change your mind . Even the cheap frag and free passed down clownfish are beautiful animals that deserve our best.
I have been keeping aquariums most of my life, but have had an aquarium running the better part of the last 18 years. The last reef tank I had setup was back in 2006ish though. So I poured through the forum here, brs videos, tidal garden videos, and every source I could find. One benefit to this is how easy to access all the information is. On the flip side there is so much conflicting and sales based information that it can be overwhelming. I saw the flavor of the week sps pushed as the goal for reefkeeping much more often than individual goals being encouraged.
When starting on a plan we worked out our goals and limitations. Our overarching goal was a tank that would provide vision therapy and family enjoyment. Our major limitations were costs and extended times in the hospital. With these things in mind I worked on a plan. That plan would majorly change about 3 times as we adapted goals and limitations. The original plan was a typical mixed reef. This came from initial research and the idea of just picking all of the favorites and shoving them in together. While this kind of tank can be successful it does not lend itself to lower maintenance and extended time away. Most of the corals prefer differing environments making this less ideal for them and more about our enjoyment. Plan 2 was a lps dominate mixed reef with a back up plan of “toss in gsp” and work off the green. LPS corals work well with our goal limitations and most of the goals. This plan was decided against once I was researching individual lps corals. They fit perfect for high contrast color but it would be hard to do square foot of color for Shep’s low vision. At least hard to do with our very high costs or very long amounts of time.
This leads us into the final goal, at least currently. A soft coral dominated tank with a euphyllia garden. Soft corals while beginner friendly also check our biggest box of easy to fill in sq footage of similar colors. Most of them tend to prefer water that is not pristine, which happens when someone is taking care of the tank while we are away at the hospital for extended stays, or if home nursing is lacking(happens more often that not), etc.
I had picked up an apex for a very low price and originally planned to run it and see real accessories to help with these times away. This was from researching and seeing how often automation is encouraged. I personally found it more taxing to try and keep these extra things in good running order than manual testing and water changes on a schedule. The apex was very useful but not necessary for us at least where we are in our journey. Other equipment was picked up used locally or purchased online. Our skimmer was donated by a fellow reefer here in R2R. The used equipment will slowly be upgraded as money allows or it shows signs of failure. Our lights are black boxes suspended 18” off the tank. Having had these lights for 7 months and been comparing to other locals tanks I will say, the fancy lights do provide a value added, but are necessary for every tank. If I was doing a tank only for me and not the family I’d go full acro and get lights with all the features to make them the happiest possible.
Final thoughts are just a reminder for the future. It’s ok to go slow and then change your mind . Even the cheap frag and free passed down clownfish are beautiful animals that deserve our best.
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fishmandan
Active Member
We have been battling Covid and an ich outbreak. I’ve been trapping fish when I have the energy and moving them into a medicated tank. I’ll leave the main tank fishless for 80 days and make some small adjustments to the scape that having the fish out allows.
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fishmandan
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It’s been pretty quiet around here but I’m past due for an update. As previously said tank is currently fishless while we treat in a qt with copper. We lost 3 damsels, one clown, and the algae blenny but everyone else now shows no signs of disease.
Previously we had 2 max spect 150 gyres on the tank but I wasn’t happy with the flow and way thr movement looked. I removed those and added 2 jebao dc pumps and much prefer the new flow!
There was a small frag show in town a couple of weeks back. Picked up a golden hammer and small branching purple frog spawn, and the free frag was a purple and green pocillopora. We mainly went to just see what was available but made some new friends at the show!
Lastly we have ordered a uv sterilizer to add to the tank to help with any future pest outbreaks. Once it arrives and gets plumbed in then we will be back to working on our little therapy reef.
Previously we had 2 max spect 150 gyres on the tank but I wasn’t happy with the flow and way thr movement looked. I removed those and added 2 jebao dc pumps and much prefer the new flow!
There was a small frag show in town a couple of weeks back. Picked up a golden hammer and small branching purple frog spawn, and the free frag was a purple and green pocillopora. We mainly went to just see what was available but made some new friends at the show!
Lastly we have ordered a uv sterilizer to add to the tank to help with any future pest outbreaks. Once it arrives and gets plumbed in then we will be back to working on our little therapy reef.
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fishmandan
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Jebao uv sterilizer and return pump are here. Headed to hardware store tomorrow to get some tubing and supplies. Hopefully I’ll have it installed and running early this week. I will also be setting up two part on a doser this week.
We definitely love the new flow pattern over the past couple of weeks. I had to dial it in a bit because i had it angled and it blew a giant sand dune into the middle of the tank.
Today I moved all of the leather and soft corals onto rock structure on the right of the tank. And removed the rocks connecting the two rock structures.
We definitely love the new flow pattern over the past couple of weeks. I had to dial it in a bit because i had it angled and it blew a giant sand dune into the middle of the tank.
Today I moved all of the leather and soft corals onto rock structure on the right of the tank. And removed the rocks connecting the two rock structures.
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fishmandan
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A few random shots from the tank today. I installed our jebao 75 watt iv sterilizer we found on a super sale. 2 part dosing pump is here and I should it setup over the weekend. Otherwise the weekend is for sitting with the kids and enjoying family.
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fishmandan
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It’s been a minute since any updates. We have had back to back to back respiratory illnesses in the family, and some other things going on.
The tank has been on the back burner but a few things have changed.
First is that the fallow period has ended and fish are back in the tank. Everyone is looking healthy and swimming happily. Once painters finish in the room we will start adding new fish again.
Second is that in just a month I can tell a huge difference in water clarity and algae growth with the uv. Green hair algae is still growing in places but most other algae seems to be gone. When adding fish back to the tank, the tang had 3 tiny spots appear but disappeared over 2 days. Still keeping an eye on everyone as often as can be spared but the uv seems to be a great tool.
Lastly I’m working on an update on things I would have done differently as we close on a year with the tank. Both hardware and livestock, but focusing on the color groupings for Shep and low vision individuals in general.
The tank has been on the back burner but a few things have changed.
First is that the fallow period has ended and fish are back in the tank. Everyone is looking healthy and swimming happily. Once painters finish in the room we will start adding new fish again.
Second is that in just a month I can tell a huge difference in water clarity and algae growth with the uv. Green hair algae is still growing in places but most other algae seems to be gone. When adding fish back to the tank, the tang had 3 tiny spots appear but disappeared over 2 days. Still keeping an eye on everyone as often as can be spared but the uv seems to be a great tool.
Lastly I’m working on an update on things I would have done differently as we close on a year with the tank. Both hardware and livestock, but focusing on the color groupings for Shep and low vision individuals in general.
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fishmandan
Active Member
Update on how things are going. We are closing in on a year with the tank. Unfortunately I’ve come to the realization that our son either struggles to see the corals. He doesn’t have a good way to tell us if it’s from sensory overload, the eye/brain damage, or if he just prefers the fish and only looks at them.
Currently I am just holding the tank where it is at while rethinking how to approach things. Fish will probably become the focal point instead of the corals, but the rest of the family love the coral so it will stay a reef. I have a list of primary colored fish and am looking at some fish with the caution tag. Our son loves his time in for tank therapy but like all things plans might be changing some. Hope everyone is having a blessed time with family and fishy friends!
Currently I am just holding the tank where it is at while rethinking how to approach things. Fish will probably become the focal point instead of the corals, but the rest of the family love the coral so it will stay a reef. I have a list of primary colored fish and am looking at some fish with the caution tag. Our son loves his time in for tank therapy but like all things plans might be changing some. Hope everyone is having a blessed time with family and fishy friends!
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fishmandan
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My Tank Thread
How are things coming along, Dan?
How are the stocking ideas coming along?
Sorry he can't really see the coral, but they are looking very nice!
How are the stocking ideas coming along?
Sorry he can't really see the coral, but they are looking very nice!
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fishmandan
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Sorry it’s been so long, time just ran away! Things have been going really well outside a couple of small hospital visits. After watching Shep longer and longer I am leaning towards the fish’s movement and more defined body shapes simply being more interesting to Shep. I have talked this over with a couple of folks who run tanks at hospitals. They have similar experiences with adults preferring the coral and the kids unanimously choosing fish. It might simply be a developmental preference for age?
We have been doing some home remodeling to get the therapy space setup for Shep surrounding the tank and once it’s completed I’ll have more picture to share! As far as stocking I am still in the idea stage for us. In hindsight for coral selection I would have gone half the tank greens and half beiges, with a focus on yellow tangs and blue smaller fish such as damsels.
