Prostar 90v2

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I wasn't sure how the flex arm would look, but after mounting it I really like it. Right now there's just one Hydra 32hd on the tank. And I know that's not enough for my future coral stocking plans. I got lucky and found another 32hd here in the marketplace just this morning. I think that two 32hd's should be plenty of light for any coral I might want in the future.

 

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With the light mounted, I turned on the skimmer to start breaking it in before I started moving everything over. I moved my gyre first and got the controller for it mounted on my board. With that done I started moving the rocks first. I'm not exactly happy with the rockscape but I'll address that before I really start adding coral lol. I just wanted to get everything in and settled without stressing the fish too much. Here's the front view.

 

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These are some side views. This is the first tank I've had that is viewable from three sides. It's not too bad for my first try lol. I made sure to leave space around all sides for cleaning and maintenance. I've really been thinking about paying one of the guys from my lfs to come and aquascape the tank lol.

 

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I told myself I'd wait to start adding coral lol. I knew I was kidding myself a bit. Stopped by The Ark and they had some nice frags for cheap. Soooooo I got a "test" piece and set it in the rack. First official new piece of coal in the tank! We'll see how it does!

 

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Was walking by the tank after the lights went out. Caught one of my Clownfish peacefully resting under the moonlight in his or hers favorite nem.

 

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Pic didn't load last post lol

 

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Not that much to report lol. Got some diatoms forming on the sand when the lights are on, but that's to be expected with new sand I guess. I really need to get some more CUC in there. Right now there's a few trochus and nassarius snails and a few hermits. That's all I found when I broke down the last tank so I'm definitely lacking.

 

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So far I will say that for the price of this tank, stand and sump combo I'm very impressed. Prostar did an excellent job IMHO. Now there are a few things that I wouldn't have picked if I bought everything separate.
1. The single drain and return. Its a little noisy but not bad. No emergency drain
2. The small sump. While it is for sure functional, it's small. I like to have a place for some cheato as I find it helps me keep my phosphates in check. ( More on this later) ATO is also on the smaller side but it came with container and adjustable float valve++

 

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I've had this idea floating in my head since I got water in the tank, but maybe you all can give me some insight. As I said the sump is small. There's the drain section, 2 4 inch filter socks, then skimmer, then return. No room for cheato smh. Here's my idea. I put three Marine pure pods in the filter sock section. If I were to put a not so dense filter sponge where the water goes into the skimmer section, could I put some cheato under the socks in that section?

 

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Broke out the Hanna testers to check the tank for the first time. Gotta make sure everything is right for my Top Shelf order! I'll admit, I'm very nervous. The Easter weekend sale is the first time I've ever bought corals online and had them shipped. My alk and calcium reagents were expired, but I'm not worried about those 2 too much at the moment.
Nitrate - 10.9
Phosphate- .14
S.G. 1.027
Salinity is a little high, but I'm not complaining about the N & P. Gonna do a 20gl water change tomorrow using RPM Reef Pro. I can't wait to get this thing filled with frags to grow!

 

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I also received the Hydra 32HD I purchased from a member. Went to the Ark and sure enough they had another flex arm to match my other. With both of them mounted, I really like the look. And it's really bright. I turned down the intensity on them both just to be safe. I may look into some shades to reduce light spillage.

 

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Did I mention that The Ark had some very nice frags when I got the flex arm lol? Picked up a birdsnest and a goni. The P.E. on the goni in the store tank was crazy. I always wanted a goni garden so I figured might as well start somewhere lol. I'm hoping to be able to keep some easy sps as well. Mixed reef is the overall goal.

 

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Messed around with phone settings and Reefing Art lenses.

 

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Currently there are only 4 fish in the tank right now.
Fancy ocellaris (2)
Royal Gramma
Flame fin Tomini Tang
With my last tank, I primarily focused coral. I wanna have a decent number of fish. So here's what I'm thinking
3-4 Anthias. Active and bright colored
2-3 bengaii cardinals
Starry lawnmower blenny
Midas blenny ?
Wrasse?
Cleaner shrimp
Fire shrimp.
I'm on the fence about a wrasse because of the shrimp

 

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Placed an order at Saltwater Aquarium that came in the other day. Well part of it. 2 filter sock cups and a small nano glass cleaner for the tight areas in the tank. I also got a drip acclimation kit for free! I'll always take free lol. The cups are a lot better quality than I thought they'd be.Now I'm just waiting on my tank lid. Then I'll start adding more fish.

 

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I also got the lenses I ordered from A.I. Went ahead and did a little surgery this morning lol. Everything went smooth. No more burnt lenses.

 

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Took this while the lights were ramping up. I'm super excited for the 12th. I should be getting a box from Top Shelf Aquatics and TCK Corals! I'm gonna need another frag rack for sure lol!

 

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I finally got my lid from UPS! I ordered it thru SaltwaterAquarium.com but it drop shipped from Proclear. The packaging was excellent. This is the first lid I didn't DIY and I'm glad I didn't lol. It's very clean looking installed on the tank. It came with areas for light mounts pre cut for different sizes. It also came with covers for the netted parts. The covers leave a border open for gas exchange. I'm pretty excited to add more fish now!

 

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Tested my water today. Very happy with the numbers.
Salinity - 1.026
Nitrate - 11.4
Phosphate - 0.04
Calcium - 478
Alk - 7.3
Mag - 1480

I'll probably bring the Alk up to around 8.0 when water changes stop maintaining the number. I think these numbers will be ok for a mixed reef.

 

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I bought this frag as a tester on March 23rd. When I got it, this entire side was white from the way it was mounted before fragging. I'm happy to say that now that entire side has colored up. I might actually get some sps growth and color in this tank lol! Fingers crossed!