My return to the hobby build

lReef lKeeper · Sep 16, 2015

Hey R2R ... I'm baaaaaaack !! I just wanted to give you guys a quick update on my build progress ...
Being back in the single life recently, put me on hold for a few weeks until I got the living situation straightened out, but I'm happy to say that, even though she kept the tanks and changed the locks so I couldn't get them, I've moved on to bigger and better. I got ALL of the equipment, so its all good. I've switched out the cheap, flimsy, metal stand for a custom built (by myself) wood stand that's taller and far better constructed. During all the commotion this specific 40 breeder got damaged. Luckily, i have an amazing relationship with my LFS and its owner Ryan Reefer and they in turn have my back ... Not only did THIS tank crack, but the replacement for it cracked as well. No worries though ... Ryan met me on his day off at a CLOSED store to help me out of this jam and we drilled yet another 40 breeder and it is about to be set on its new stand as i am typing this update. Here is a huge shout out to Ryan and Blue Star Aquatics !! Thanks bro ... I OWE YOU big time !!

Its hard to believe that Ive been out of the hobby for almost 3 years now, so today is a very happy day for me.
The SPS system is OFFICIALLY up and running !! This system is going to be an SPS system, with MAYBE a few LPS thrown in here and there.

System breakdown:
40 breeder display tank
20 long sump
50 lbs dry reef rock (marco rocks)
Red Sea Coral Pro salt (switching to ESV)
6x36w Tek T5 light fixture
850 Hydor Koralia (water flow in display)
1050 Hydor Koralia (water flow in display)
850 Hydor Koralia (water flow in refugium)
Mag 5 return pump
Hydor Koralia Smart Wave controller
JBJ auto top off
Bubble Magnus Curve 5
ReefKeeper Lite (for now)
Battery backup for pumps

I have to say ... its good to be back !! Ive been waiting for this for a while now !!

kschweer · Sep 16, 2015

Welcome back!!! Sorry to hear about the troubles. Looking good!

KJ · Sep 16, 2015

Hello Welcome Back

Great joob

lReef lKeeper · Sep 16, 2015

Thanks guys ... Still have a couple upgrades to make, like a couple mp10s and maybe a reefbright strip or two, but its coming along nicely.

luxauterna · Sep 16, 2015

Welcome back! Gonna be awesome!

Reefing Madness · Sep 16, 2015

lReef lKeeper · Dec 11, 2015

I've been slacking in updating my build thread. I have no excuse, BUT I am battling a phosphate issue right now, so fish and Coral are a no go just yet. I ordered a bottle of phosphate RX from my good buddy Marc Levenson yesterday and it should arrive tomorrow or Monday. According to my API test kit, I'm between a po4 reading of 0.25 and 0.50, BUT according to my new (to me) Hanna po4 checker I'm at 0.00. I've decided to go ahead and treat the system with Phosphate RX just to be on the safe side. I believe the po4 (if its even there) is coming from the Marco Rocks that I bought. I know, I should have researched the rock before buying, but I guess my excitement of returning to the hobby got the best of me on that purchase. It use to be that Marco Rocks had a great reputation, when I left the hobby a few years ago, correct ?? Anyway ... That's where I'm at right now ... I'll post a few pics in my next comment ...

lReef lKeeper · Dec 11, 2015

steve&mari · Dec 11, 2015

Welcome back to the community and beautiful restart.

Lionfish Lair · Dec 11, 2015

I recognize that face! It's me, Renee. ReefReaders. I didn't recognize the name until I saw your avatar.

I'm just getting back into the swing of it too. I look forward to seeing you getting this bad boy stocked!

lReef lKeeper · Dec 11, 2015

Hey Renee !! How you been, girl ?? What do you have going on ?? Send me a link to your build !!

Lionfish Lair · Dec 11, 2015

It's not so much a build thread now, as it is a stocking thread. I had it up last November when life changed again. I've done nothing but feeding the fish in the smaller tanks since that time until now. I didn't even look at the larger tank.

210g Things with Stings.

I got injured on the job, April 2103. Had back surgery. They messed it up and gave me a totally different problem, so that I can't ever do my old job again. So, get this..... I'm back to school. I haven't been to school in 20 years. Going for a masters in clinical informatics, which is basically nurses creating medical software.

Seems like things have been..... interesting for you.

lReef lKeeper · Dec 11, 2015

Wow, that had to have been rough on you !! After your story and what happened to my aunt after her back surgery ... I'll never go that route !! My aunt is now bent over and can't stand straight up, the surgeons left her lung out almost 2x longer than they were suppose to, and she is just now starting to talk again after 5-6 years !! Screw that !!

Oh yeah, its been interesting on this end as well !! Between my son being born and all the other life changing things, let's just say that I am a lucky man, lol.

I'm sure you've guessed that I'm going SPS dominated again, huh ?? Well, I might throw in a few LPS and zoas as well, lol.