Randy's build thread in BHM

hawkinsrgk · Apr 17, 2015

Wanted to post some progression pics since its been about a year since my last update

hawkinsrgk · Apr 17, 2015

Got a light hung over the 125 and started growing some frags.

I have lights to light the whole tank once everything grows out enough

hawkinsrgk · Apr 17, 2015

hawkinsrgk · Apr 17, 2015

Re did the rockscape to try to get more flow on the sandbed with the new powerhead (Maxgyre 150)

Left Side of tank

hawkinsrgk · Apr 17, 2015

Center of tank. One day I hope to be able to take better pictures

hawkinsrgk · Apr 17, 2015

Right side of tank

hawkinsrgk · Apr 17, 2015

hawkinsrgk · Apr 17, 2015

Upgraded Lighting

hawkinsrgk · Apr 17, 2015

Upgraded Refugium Lighting

hawkinsrgk · Apr 17, 2015

That's pretty much it. Hoping to add some more color from the MTRC Frag swap next weekend.

bmoore92 · Apr 19, 2015

Tank looks great randy! What lights did you go with on the upgrade?

hawkinsrgk · Apr 19, 2015

bmoore92 said:
Tank looks great randy! What lights did you go with on the upgrade?

Thank you Britt. I went with Reef Radiance 165e . They use so much less power than the MH/T5 combo. Went from 7.4 to .8 amps running the same par levels. Hopefully the savings will show up on the power bill.

bmoore92 · Apr 20, 2015

hawkinsrgk said:
Thank you Britt. I went with Reef Radiance 165e . They use so much less power than the MH/T5 combo. Went from 7.4 to .8 amps running the same par levels. Hopefully the savings will show up on the power bill.

Hopefully you'll get the same growth and colors from your corals. What are the plans with the tank with the frags in it? A frag tank perhaps or are you planning two display tanks?

Alabamareef · Apr 20, 2015

Looking really good. You've done a great job

hawkinsrgk · Apr 20, 2015

Hi Britt. The tank with frags in it will be a frag tank. Have no plans to make it a display tank. I really enjoy people coming over, getting frags, and talking tanks.

I actually made some changes to the tank last night. I had a ora ponape birdsnest coral that had bubble algae in it. So on my quest to remove the bubble algae I soaked the coral in a 50/50 mix of peroxide and saltwater for 15 min. I thought it would come back, but gave up on it and removed

Then I removed two small rocks from the center section and replaced it with one large rock. I now have more room for coral that I get at the swap. I plan on getting quite a bit at the swap

hawkinsrgk · Apr 20, 2015

Alabamareef said:
Looking really good. You've done a great job

Thank you Alan. I appreciate you telling me that

Chameleon · Apr 20, 2015

Nice Randy. I hope you like the LED conversion. Sorry to hear about your ponape birdsnest. Maybe I can frag you off a piece of the frag you gave me once it grows out some. See you at the swap this weekend!

hawkinsrgk · Apr 20, 2015

Chameleon said:
Nice Randy. I hope you like the LED conversion. Sorry to hear about your ponape birdsnest. Maybe I can frag you off a piece of the frag you gave me once it grows out some. See you at the swap this weekend!

Thanks Tyler. I still have 2 frags of it, a smaller one and a larger one. Going to put the larger one in the tank at some point. So not totally out of luck on the ponape birdsnest, just hate that I did such a bonehead move on the mother colony. Live and learn.

See you at the swap, can't wait.

bmoore92 · Apr 20, 2015

hawkinsrgk said:
Hi Britt. The tank with frags in it will be a frag tank. Have no plans to make it a display tank. I really enjoy people coming over, getting frags, and talking tanks.

I actually made some changes to the tank last night. I had a ora ponape birdsnest coral that had bubble algae in it. So on my quest to remove the bubble algae I soaked the coral in a 50/50 mix of peroxide and saltwater for 15 min. I thought it would come back, but gave up on it and removed

Then I removed two small rocks from the center section and replaced it with one large rock. I now have more room for coral that I get at the swap. I plan on getting quite a bit at the swap

I've dipped zoas and softies in H202 with great results but I always assumed it would be too harsh on sps. At least you still have a frag of the birds nest left. Be sure to post pics of your swap goodies! I was trying to go but couldn't swing it with work and school.