Novillac's 40B Mixed Reef

[Novillac]

Hey guys, fortunately the green polyp leather that was closed is now nice and open. AND BIGGER! not by much but I can tell.

Next thing in my book of things to do to my tank is to replace the glass the top that I have on my tank. It is the standard glass top you buy with a new tank; two panels with dark strip in the middle and plastic back to cut out around the filters and cords. I want to replace it before I get my new light so that there isn't a cast shadow in the middle of the tank anymore.
So, the question, what is the best alternative for me. I have the know-how and skill to build a screen top, but have a long haired german shepherd that sheds. Would a screen top allow more dust and hair to get into the tank? I imagine so, but is that harmful for the tank?
Would getting a piece of plexiglass cut to fit the top of the tank as a solid piece be a better option?
Has anyone used any hydrophobic products around their tanks? Is it harmful? Useful? I ask because I would want to coat the bottom side of the plexiglass with it to keep the evaporation from forming condensation on the plexi and blocking some of the light getting into the tank.
Any ideas that I haven't thought of would be helpful as well...
Thank you friends

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Pretty!

 

[Novillac]

Next thing in my book of things to do to my tank is to replace the glass the top that I have on my tank. It is the standard glass top you buy with a new tank; two panels with dark strip in the middle and plastic back to cut out around the filters and cords. I want to replace it before I get my new light so that there isn't a cast shadow in the middle of the tank anymore.

So, the question, what is the best alternative for me. I have the know-how and skill to build a screen top, but have a long haired german shepherd that sheds. Would a screen top allow more dust and hair to get into the tank? I imagine so, but is that harmful for the tank?

Would getting a piece of plexiglass cut to fit the top of the tank as a solid piece be a better option?

Has anyone used any hydrophobic products around their tanks? Is it harmful? Useful? I ask because I would want to coat the bottom side of the plexiglass with it to keep the evaporation from forming condensation on the plexi and blocking some of the light getting into the tank.

Any ideas that I haven't thought of would be helpful as well...
Thank you friends

 

[fishroomlady]

I am not a fan of covering tanks - it lowers oxygen exchange....I think if you build a screen top - you don't have to worry about condensation and anything interfering with light - I don't think with a screen and light that you would need to worry about the hair and dust

I also wanted to mention to you that since you run a canister, you'll need to make sure to clean it consistently otherwise it can become a trap for nutrient build up.

 

[Novillac]

I also wanted to mention to you that since you run a canister, you'll need to make sure to clean it consistently otherwise it can become a trap for nutrient build up.

I do, since I have two, I clean them alternating about every 6 weeks or when the flow starts to slow down, whichever comes first.

The screen top, would I want to buy the kit from BRS or get the pieces at home depot or lowes?

Tests as of today:
Calcium: 500
PH: 8.0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Salinity: 1.023

 

[Pete polyp]

I do, since I have two, I clean them alternating about every 6 weeks or when the flow starts to slow down, whichever comes first.

The screen top, would I want to buy the kit from BRS or get the pieces at home depot or lowes?

Tests as of today:
Calcium: 500
PH: 8.0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Salinity: 1.023

There's a member on here selling the mesh. I bought it from him with the kit at home depot and I have like $20 in it. You're calcium is on the high side.... What's your alk?

 

[Novillac]

I don't have a test for alkalinity just yet, it's in the mail. I hope the salifert test is a good one.

The mesh is just regular screen, like window screen? Or is it slightly different? If it's the same, I have a roll of it I can use, if different, then obviously I'll have to find the right screen. (finer screen or more open?)

 

[Pete polyp]

IMO alk is the most important parameter to keep an eye on. Its not as abundant as calcium and it takes less amount make it swing.

Its 1/4" mesh

Use the search tool here and it won't be hard to find

 

[Novillac]

Still waiting for the alkalinity test to arrive in the mail, but calcium is being used in my tank, tested today and it was down to 400 with a salinity of 1.024.

Zooplankton vs. phytoplankton: should both be used in a mixed reef aquarium like mine?

 

[SmartChoice]

welcome

 

[Novillac]

I guess since I've been posting a lot to this thread the lords that govern us have moved it. Thank you!

Still waiting for the alkalinity test and to save some cash for the screen top.

Next weekend I'll be bending the piping for the hanging light I'll be getting. Still deciding if I want to make the light swing away, coil up and down or fixed.

What has everyone else had best results with?

 

[EW_Fish]

I had mine swing away. I had no problems with it this way.

 

[fanandy8]

Yh yyyy

 

[fanandy8]

Yh yyyy

Sorry was trying to say tank looks good and my two year old climbed on my lap. Didn't realize it posted anything lol.

 

[fishroomlady]

^^too cute! I was wondering what that was To the op, in the long run I would suggest that you keep your canister cleaned weekly - you will eventually get some accumulation of nutrients by only cleaning when it slows down (and I believe you said every 6 weeks?).....

 

[Novillac]

I did a water change this morning. After changing 5 gallons and getting out a lot of the cyanobacteria that has started growing, I tested my parameters.
They are:
Calcium: 480
PH: 8.0
KH: 11.5
Salinity: 1.023

KH seems a little high? Maybe? I only tested it once due to a time constraint, but plan on testing it again tomorrow (as I'm still learning how to use the Salifert test).

I did however dose today with chemiclean trying to get that cyanobacteria under control again. I try not to, but every couple months I will use it for the 48 hour period it describes.

 

[Novillac]

Most recently I FINALLY got my new LED light from my LFS. Took over a month from order to delivery for them to get it to me. Ugh, but I finally have it and I'm finally getting the coral growth I was looking for. In just the week that it has been on my tank, I've started to see more growth from my corals and my zoas seem to be growing back after dying off, almost completely, over a year ago.

The light is the 24" reef breeder equivalent. Ordered from the company that supplies Reef Breeder with their fixtures. I have the light cycle set up to sunrise in the morning and sun set in the evening. It's awesome.
I made the light hanger my self from 3/4" EMT, much like everyone else that hangs a light themselves. I wanted to have a one upright hanger, but the weight of the light was much too heavy for a single upright so I had to scrap it and make a second attempt at the hanger, finally ending in 2 hangers.