My new 135 build!!

[Lbrdsoxfan]

The big thing about Rabbitfish is many of them get large and will outgrow your tank. The One Spot and Foxface are usually on the smaller side.

This. Stick with foxface(s), rabbitfish get BIG. Had to return a gold spot rabbit to the LFS, it outgrew my 120g QUICK!

 

[tbrown]

I dig the mimic tang. Had a hard time trying to get one before I ended up with the purple/yellow tang trio

My Petco had a Yellow Mimic for $39.99 yesterday. I couldn't convince my wife I needed it... One of my fish I've been watching for.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

My Petco had a Yellow Mimic for $39.99 yesterday. I couldn't convince my wife I needed it... One of my fish I've been watching for.

I tried to get a mimic or a convict tang for about 4 months earlier this year. LFS and importer was like, NOPE... Can't get em.

 

[tbrown]

I tried to get a mimic or a convict tang for about 4 months earlier this year. LFS and importer was like, NOPE... Can't get em.

I've had an opportunity for a couple of Convicts but I only had a 75 until last month. They seem to be sick most of the time I find them - skinny or inch - not worth it to me. The Mimic was fat and happy.

 

[Jedi1199]

I tried to get a mimic or a convict tang for about 4 months earlier this year. LFS and importer was like, NOPE... Can't get em.

My LFS had a convict in stock a few weeks ago.. I was reading on them and it appears they are one of the most aggressive ones.. maybe that is why they were convicted?

 

[Jedi1199]

Ok.. it's water change time. I pulled out the new rock pieces so I can soak them in tank water. Figured as long as they were out, I should snap a few pics...

 

[tbrown]

It's still drying but I made a cover for my return pipe.

I built 5 rocks so far and have two more curing. Vinegar soak tomorrow overnight and then freshwater soak until the pH spikes go away.

 

[Jedi1199]

I just discovered a great "pro-tip"

Have you ever wondered how much new water to add back to your tank on water change day? You could either go with the "TLAR" method (that looks about right) or put a piece of tape or a magic marker line somewhere to know, OR as I just came up with.. Set your magnet glass cleaner at the lowest point your tank drains to. Simply refill till you reach the top of the cleaner and you are all set.

 

[tbrown]

I just discovered a great "pro-tip"

Have you ever wondered how much new water to add back to your tank on water change day? You could either go with the "TLAR" method (that looks about right) or put a piece of tape or a magic marker line somewhere to know, OR as I just came up with.. Set your magnet glass cleaner at the lowest point your tank drains to. Simply refill till you reach the top of the cleaner and you are all set.

I use tape on my sump. Also, I have a sharpie mark on the side of my 110 freshwater tank to show me a 20% change.

 

[Jedi1199]

I use tape on my sump. Also, I have a sharpie mark on the side of my 110 freshwater tank to show me a 20% change.

I have a full mark on my sump. But when doing a water change, I drain about 3 inches of water from the display into the sump. Since the water change happens in the display and not the sump, Having a mark on the sump doesn't help much. I could use a sharpie and make a mark on the glass, but then the mark is always there. Setting the glass cleaner at the low point of the display is simple and temporary.

 

[tbrown]

I have a full mark on my sump. But when doing a water change, I drain about 3 inches of water from the display into the sump. Since the water change happens in the display and not the sump, Having a mark on the sump doesn't help much. I could use a sharpie and make a mark on the glass, but then the mark is always there. Setting the glass cleaner at the low point of the display is simple and temporary.

I'm guessing you shut off your sump for the water change.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I've had an opportunity for a couple of Convicts but I only had a 75 until last month. They seem to be sick most of the time I find them - skinny or inch - not worth it to me. The Mimic was fat and happy.

Saw a fat smallish one last month, 40$. Sucked that I'm fully stocked (more or less).

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I'm guessing you shut off your sump for the water change.

I normally turn off my return and do the wc from there. Siphon out 15g and 15g goes back in. I marked my water height for water changes with a grease pen where no one can see it . Also got it written down for how much is a fill up for the display w/ sand & water (95g.)

 

[Jedi1199]

I'm guessing you shut off your sump for the water change.

Yes I do.

I normally turn off my return and do the wc from there. Siphon out 15g and 15g goes back in. I marked my water height for water changes with a grease pen where no one can see it . Also got it written down for how much is a fill up for the display w/ sand & water (95g.)

I didn't do all of the fancy plumbing on my sump to stop the returns from siphoning back into the sump. Once I kill the pumps, the display siphons back till it hits the break point.

So after draining and refilling the tank, I realized something obvious. (I have had a few adult beverages so my brain is not in full force tonight...). The bottom of the wiers is as far as the tank can drain.. duhhhhh. Built in fill line with no extra involvement needed.. hahaha

 

[Mschmidt]

I just discovered a great "pro-tip"

Have you ever wondered how much new water to add back to your tank on water change day? You could either go with the "TLAR" method (that looks about right) or put a piece of tape or a magic marker line somewhere to know, OR as I just came up with.. Set your magnet glass cleaner at the lowest point your tank drains to. Simply refill till you reach the top of the cleaner and you are all set.

Tlar here. But a usual water change is about 5 gallons. So easy enough to put one bucket next to the other and fill to the water line.

 

[tbrown]

Tlar here. But a usual water change is about 5 gallons. So easy enough to put one bucket next to the other and fill to the water line.

That's what I typically do.

 

[Jedi1199]

Tlar here. But a usual water change is about 5 gallons. So easy enough to put one bucket next to the other and fill to the water line.

I usually change about 20g. I mix it up in 30g batches. So the TLAR method is "iffy" for me.

 

[Mschmidt]

Any more than 5 TLAR might become iffy.

 

[Jedi1199]

So, I did a round of testing today. 10 days since last testing. A minor concern that levels are falling.

I did a water change last night so that may be why...

Current testing shows:

No3 2-5.. barely detectable on Salifert kit. I will run a test on the Hannah tonight.
Ph 8.3
Po4 0.03 again, barely detectable on the Salifert kit.
Mg 1260.. This seems low to me especially after a water change?
Kh/Alk 7.3-7.7 I am just between the marks on the syringe on this one.
Ca 400. Again, seems low for day after water change.


The phosphates, magnesium, and calcium all seem pretty low to me. Nothing dangerous, but definitely something to be aware of and monitor.

The nitrates could be attributed to the refugium doing its job. I usually only feed once per day. With the old tank, I never saw nitrates this low, but I also did not have a refugium to pull them out.

I first filled the tank on 7-10. Reintroduced the rocks and livestock in the early morning of 7-12.

Basically, it has been running with stock for 26 days.

Honestly, even though this is an upgrade, I realistically have to look at it as a new build with a skip-cycle. With triple the volume and more than double the footprint, plus the addition of the sump and refugium, a new build is really what it is.

 

[Jedi1199]

The Hannah Nitrate checker is reading 0.0

I ran the test twice, so I am pretty sure its reading right... Since this also follows what the Salifert kits are showing, I guess I have to believe that my Nitrates are nearly zero.