Mattgsa 315 gallon build

[mattgsa]

Just read your thread and I feel the pain of moving. I moved 3+ years ago and set up a temporary 120g system u til I built a new tank. 2 crashes later because I never automated the tank as it was “Temporary” and a trip to WCC last month and me and the wife have decided to buy the same tank you have. What overflow option did you go with and what are your overall thought on the tank. About to order and pay for mine this weekend so feedback on anything you would have had them change would be great. ~ Len

I got the external overflow because I never liked the look of internal overflows, not to mention that they are always in the way. I love my tank; I just wish I had bought a bigger one. The main thing I struggle with is flow. Right now, I use 2 MP60s. However, the wet sides keep breaking, and they are 180 every time I replace them.

 

[mattgsa]

Get yourself a stud finder so you know where to avoid cutting in. Drill a hole into the drywall going just through and large enough to insert a keyhole camera and have a look around inside to make sure you aren't going to hit studs, wires or pipes.

Then a jigsaw to cut the hole you want. If you are going through the other side, start with a drill hole from the inside, after checking it's all clear on the other side. Once you've drilled from the inside, you can go around the outside to use the jigsaw to cut the hole.

Not as much work to do as it is to read or write about it!

Luckily, I have already removed all the sheetrock from the garage side, so I know there is nothing in the way. I think the main thing is the mess it will create and the reaction from the wife. She is very supportive until it makes a mess in the house. LOL, I think I'm going to try and start this weekend. I really want to be able to see the new fish; right now, everything is out of sight and out of mind, never a good thing in the world of reef tanks.

 

[mattgsa]

The tank is starting to get covered in coralline algae, which I'm happy about; for a while, there was no Coraline algae after the move.

 

[mattgsa]

I have purchased Neptune equipment and have mostly been satisfied with my purchases. However, recently, I bought an MXM module, and I must say, it's the best product they have ever released. For over a year, I have struggled to get my lights to work on the same schedule without randomly turning off, which forced me to factory reset them multiple times. But, once I added them to the MXM module, all these problems vanished. This module also helped me solve other issues I had with different equipment pieces.
Here is a quick video I took of the tank. It is certainly nothing spectacular, but the tank is making progress from the move. You can clearly see all the Aptasia's(Thanks, reef cleaners)

 

[mattgsa]

As seen in the video above, the aptasias in my aquarium have grown out of control. Despite the presence of a copperband, they seem to be multiplying too quickly. I am considering ordering some peppermint shrimp or Berghia Nudibranchs to help control the population. Can you provide any recommendations?

 

[NickHolmes]

Also look into an Australian Stripey. A peaceful fish with lots of character

 

[GBRsouth]

As seen in the video above, the aptasias in my aquarium have grown out of control. Despite the presence of a copperband, they seem to be multiplying too quickly. I am considering ordering some peppermint shrimp or Berghia Nudibranchs to help control the population. Can you provide any recommendations?

Also look into an Australian Stripey. A peaceful fish with lots of character

This, just make sure to choose small ones as they stop eating them as they age. At some point later they would need removing as they will pick at corals once aiptasia are gone.

 

[mattgsa]

I was doing some reading on Australian Stripeys and found that they mainly pick on LPS coral, and I don't have any LPS corals. Also, I found that if they are fed well, they will not eat LPS coral; it's only when the food runs out in their minds. I tend to feed a lot, and I love the idea of getting another fish rather than something else like Berghia Nudibranchs that will most likely just die when the aptasia are gone.

 

[GBRsouth]

I was doing some reading on Australian Stripeys and found that they mainly pick on LPS coral, and I don't have any LPS corals. Also, I found that if they are fed well, they will not eat LPS coral; it's only when the food runs out in their minds. I tend to feed a lot, and I love the idea of getting another fish rather than something else like Berghia Nudibranchs that will most likely just die when the aptasia are gone.

Just be aware that stripeys can't get aiptasia out of holes in the rock due to their mouth shape. They will definitely pick off the rest though.

 

[mattgsa]

I was scrubbing some Aptasia's off my clam when I noticed this blueish-gray jelly-like substance by the foot. Has anyone seen this before?

 

[GBRsouth]

Eggs maybe? I'd try and get an ID on that.

 

[mattgsa]

Let the fun begin.

 

[mattgsa]

Well cutting a hole in the wall has made a great impact on the tank temp.

 

[mattgsa]

I have not posted in a while, but I feel a little defeated by these aptasias. I got a copper band butterfly; however, I have not seen it eat a single aptasisa. Then I got an Austerlia Strippy, and I have not seen it eat a single one. I got 30 Nuti's, and they have disappeared in the rocks, and of now, there appears to be no change. However, I have noticed the problem isn't getting worse, so I think something is happening. I also added peppermint shrimp to the tank. I'm hoping that one day, one, or some of these things will get an Aptasia craving.

I did however order some corals from my favorite, @FarmerTy.

 

[mattgsa]

Minor update: I cut more of the wall.

We still haven't seen much change in the Aptasia; however, their numbers don't seem to be growing.
I have also put my Kalk Stirer back on the system. Since I have more room, I can place it in a manner that allows it to function better. I'm controlling the stir function with the PH, so as long as it doses Kalk, it will also be stirring the kalk.

Furthermore, the cheap Jaebo pump I was using died. Which wasn't surprising considering how affordable it was. So, I ordered a Jebao DCP Sine Wave Water Return Pump (DCP-20000) that fishOHex is using. I hope it lasts longer. However, it does not fit my existing plumbing, so I must also re-do that.

 

[mattgsa]

I was researching Aptasia and Berghia Nudibranch and think I made a mistake. I didn't read the QA section very well. I got a Peppermint shrimp, and it turns out that Peppermint shrimp love to eat Berghia Nudibranch. I'm hoping that the size of the tank will help protect them while they breed and grow.

 

[ryanrick]

I was researching Aptasia and Berghia Nudibranch and think I made a mistake. I didn't read the QA section very well. I got a Peppermint shrimp, and it turns out that Peppermint shrimp love to eat Berghia Nudibranch. I'm hoping that the size of the tank will help protect them while they breed and grow.

Good to know! I had no clue. Are your pepermint shrimp not eating aptasia?

 

[mattgsa]

Good to know! I had no clue. Are your pepermint shrimp not eating aptasia?

I just bought one, and if he is eating them, I can't tell.

 

[mattgsa]

I have reached a point in this hobby where I thought I knew what I was doing. However, I can't seem to get even the basics right. My tank is covered in hair algae, but I can't get macro algae to grow. I can't figure out why because my nutrients like to stay at zero, and some fish have fin rot. Luckily, I was able to get some medication quickly. I'm trying to dose Kalk, but my pH is so bad that I have to dose more than my evaporation, which is throwing off my salinity. So, I added sodium hydroxide, which fixed the pH but caused calcium deposits in the sump and on the tank's glass. I'm very frustrated.

 

[mattgsa]

The good news is that all the Aptasias disappeared from the tank in a matter of days. I'm not sure what ate them, but they are gone. I'm a little worried about the Copperband; he doesn't appear to eat, but he doesn't appear to be losing weight.