My Grateful Journeys Tank

[kevgib67]

Happy to introduce Gia Rose Morea

Absolutely beautiful like her grandma! Congratulations! Little Gia is going to learn reefing from her grandmother.

 

[ESABOE]

Absolutely beautiful like her grandma! Congratulations! Little Gia is going to learn reefing from her grandmother.

Thank you Kev. She is amazing.

 

[ESABOE]

Congrats and enjoy!!!

Thank you TB!

 

[ESABOE]

Tank Update: Think we found part of my GHA problem! When we replaced my ReefMat roll a month ago, it seemed a bit wonky and not rolling perfectly symmetrical. We adjusted and it seemed fine; yet I noticed it wasn’t rolling as frequently.

When we went to change the Chemi- Pure bag that sits inside the box attached to bottom of RM, it was so bad you would have thought I’d had it on there for 6 months, not 30 days! In retrospect, I was smelling more of a stinky tank smelll for the first time but didn’t think to check that bag - total newbie mistake.

Everything adjusted, and decided to do a 14-day treatment of Reef Flux RX 48 hours ago. I’m already seeing it slowing down. Very likely all the things we did, not just the Flux.

I’m very lucky to have a great LFS that is literally 1/2 mile from my house and can make service calls same day. I took on a very difficult hobby with basically a kindergartner lvl knowledge including not having the physical ability to handle the larger stuff.

I love learning and DOING new things and am never scared to try; you just have to be ok with failure and I sit quite nicely in it like a clown to an anemone! It’s the only way one evolves and for me, that is the journey!!

 

[ESABOE]

Did you get a look at them? He is kinda an artist the way the different color zoas enhance the others colors. Simply beautiful, better than mine. Post a pic of which one you choose, Im looking forward to seeing it.

Hey Kev,

Circling back on this topic. As I look at my DT, the “Zoa Garden” I hastily created with extra Marco rock is really messing with my NSA look - I only want a few key specimens on the sand.

I’d like to create some actual flatter rock islands in corners of tank and leave middle alone for a future clam once my tank matures. I know you can buy display rocks meant more for zoas, but can’t find any. Have you seen any along the way.

And regarding the awesome colonies from corals.com; I need to utilize the zoas I spent good money on vs. tossing them aside for instant gratification.

 

[tbrown]

I made my Zoa rock island. Now it's more of an Aiptasia island but...

 

[kevgib67]

Hey Kev,

Circling back on this topic. As I look at my DT, the “Zoa Garden” I hastily created with extra Marco rock is really messing with my NSA look - I only want a few key specimens on the sand.

I’d like to create some actual flatter rock islands in corners of tank and leave middle alone for a future clam once my tank matures. I know you can buy display rocks meant more for zoas, but can’t find any. Have you seen any along the way.

And regarding the awesome colonies from corals.com; I need to utilize the zoas I spent good money on vs. tossing them aside for instant gratification.

I have not, could you use a piece from the existing rock scape?

 

[ESABOE]

I made my Zoa rock island. Now it's more of an Aiptasia island but...

You are a true craftsmen Mr, Brown! I am a true shopper!

 

[ESABOE]

I have not, could you use a piece from the existing rock scape?

I had purchased a bag of Marco small rubble and that;s what I used for the zoo garden. It’s just the pieces aren’t symmetrical at all and hard to fit around scape and still look good. I’’ll Keep looking; I know I saw them once or twice while surfing reef product. Is there a R2R section dedicated to more aquascaping? I might have missed it.

 

[ESABOE]

I had purchased a bag of Marco small rubble and that;s what I used for the zoo garden. It’s just the pieces aren’t symmetrical at all and hard to fit around scape and still look good. I’’ll Keep looking; I know I saw them once or twice while surfing reef product. Is there a R2R section dedicated to more aquascaping? I might have missed it.

Never mind, I found it - DOH

 

[tbrown]

Aragocrete is easy to make - it just takes time to cure so you don't alk spike your tank.

 

[ESABOE]

Aragocrete is easy to make - it just takes time to cure so you don't alk spike your tank.

When i owned my own home, with a garage, i had proper tools and actually was quite handy. I would love to do more DIY.

But please, all of you continue to recommend anything you have found success with - ya never know, I might hit that DeWalt isle in Lowe’s someday as I miss my battery-powered drill very much.

 

[tbrown]

Aragocrete is cheap and easy. I make mine with Portland Cement and Aragonite sand. $30 for 30 pounds of sand on LiveAquaria (might be similar on Amazon but I had a gift card). Portland Cement is $5 for a bag. I take about a cup of each, mix well, add water a little at a time and mix between each addition of water. Once the consistency is not quite fluid but pretty much a wet mud that still sticks, I "plop" it in the sand mold I made from damp Aragonite sand. Then cover it with more moist Aragonite sand for 24-48 hours, then I take it out and let it air dry for another 24-48 hours, then place it in a bucket of tap water to soak. Change the water every day or twice daily until the pH stops raising drastically, then you can put it in the tank or you can put it in aged saltwater to start seeding it.

OR you can buy rocks you like.

 

[tbrown]

I will say, I mix with my bare hands but I don't recommend it.

 

[ESABOE]

Aragocrete is cheap and easy. I make mine with Portland Cement and Aragonite sand. $30 for 30 pounds of sand on LiveAquaria (might be similar on Amazon but I had a gift card). Portland Cement is $5 for a bag. I take about a cup of each, mix well, add water a little at a time and mix between each addition of water. Once the consistency is not quite fluid but pretty much a wet mud that still sticks, I "plop" it in the sand mold I made from damp Aragonite sand. Then cover it with more moist Aragonite sand for 24-48 hours, then I take it out and let it air dry for another 24-48 hours, then place it in a bucket of tap water to soak. Change the water every day or twice daily until the pH stops raising drastically, then you can put it in the tank or you can put it in aged saltwater to start seeding it.

OR you can buy rocks you like.

Very cool. How do you get those nice frag plug holes, just a drill?

 

[tbrown]

Very cool. How do you get those nice frag plug holes, just a drill?

Nope, even easier: wood dowels in the mold, let the concrete set for about 2-3 minutes and then twist and remove. I'll usually twist, then wallow just slightly, then remove. I add the covering sand over the holes first so they don't start closing.

 

[ESABOE]

Nope, even easier: wood dowels in the mold, let the concrete set for about 2-3 minutes and then twist and remove. I'll usually twist, then wallow just slightly, then remove. I add the covering sand over the holes first so they don't start closing.

Omg, I love that - it’s the perfect shape!

Now I’m really missing creating stuff with my hands. Thanks TB, it’s fun to hear how you DIY stuff

 

[tbrown]

Omg, I love that - it’s the perfect shape!

Now I’m really missing creating stuff with my hands. Thanks TB, it’s fun to hear how you DIY stuff

You know who DIYs a bunch of stuff? @Projects with Sam does a TON of DIY and has a bunch of YouTube videos.

 

[ESABOE]

You know who DIYs a bunch of stuff? @Projects with Sam does a TON of DIY and has a bunch of YouTube videos.

I’ve seen his name on threads, I’ll check him out!

 

[Projects with Sam]

You know who DIYs a bunch of stuff? @Projects with Sam does a TON of DIY and has a bunch of YouTube videos.

wow thanks for the mention Tim! Yeah but I've kind of gone dark lately. Working on a few things. Hoping to post about one of them soon.