Rattz 30g Softie build.

Rattzreef · Jun 2, 2018

Hey fellow reefers,
Moving Day is close at hand and that means a new tank build. I'm purchasing a house from some family members and can finally upgrade my 10g AIO to a bigger tank.
I got a sweet deal on the tank and stand from my brother for $30 and painted them both black with some Krylon fusion. Mounted all the Reekeeper Lite equipment under it and tied stuff off nicely. Filled it with water and salt and that's as far as I've gotten today. Tomorrow ill check salinity and put my LR and sand in there.. I got some BioSpira to kickstart the bacteria a bit and have some ammonium chloride for an ammonia source to get the cycle going.. this LR have been curing in my basement for 8 months so it should be a quick cycle.. ill do weekly test for the next 3 weeks to keep an eye on it.. there will only be one small clown gobie in here with a few zoo frags I have in the 10g now..
Anyway here are some pics..

larryl · Jun 3, 2018

Looking good so far.

Rattzreef · Jun 3, 2018

Busy day today.. Checked salinity, this morning and was sitting at 1.022 so I made an adjustment and brought it up to 1.026. Temperature is holding stable at 76*.purchasing a Reefkeeper this time out has really proven to be a blessing I moved it from my 10g to this.. I'm not running a sump on this tank so having everything controlled for stability is a must. I'm using DA SL2V2 module for pH and the float switch an aqualifter pump I'm using to feed the ATO.

also installed my Reefglass Skimmer. its not turned on and running yet and may not even be enough for this tank but the way I see it: I own it, there's space for it and an empty outlet for the air pump so in it goes... I purchased a new MP10(non wireless) for flow along with a koralia nano 240gph along the back glass..

after messing with the aquascape a bit I settled on this.. there aer a few other pieces from my 10 g that are gonna be placed in here also but this is the basic design.

and after adding sand and a bottle of BioSpira.

Rattzreef · Jun 3, 2018

now we wait.lol

Rattzreef · Jun 5, 2018

A little update: checked the salinity this morning and noticed it was a bit high at 1.029. I believe it was due to not having enough salt to fill the tank the first day and the few scoops added the following hadn't fully dissolved. Anyway I removed a few gallons and adjusted it accordingly with fresh RO/DI. Checked it a few hours later, and was at 1.026. Perfect. Temp. holding steady at 76 degrees.
I also added about 100 drops of Dr. Tims Ammonium Chloride to give the bacteria I added a source of food. when I tested today it was at .2pppm down from 2 a few days ago.. Ill test again this weekend and add more drops and run the tests again to monitor the progress.

I got a chance to check the TDS of the tap water supply in my new house and was pleased with the results.
Tap:250 TDS
150gpd RO output: 20TDS
Dual stage DI: 0TDS

I mounted the unit in the bottom of a cabinet in my kitchen that connects to the washer drain and have an RO hose long enough to reach the 5 gallon ATO tank under the stand.. I just plug it into the bulkhead on the cover and turn the valve to fill er up. So no more lifting buckets there.. I'm planning on a salt mixing/pumping station in the basement to eliminate buckets altogether.

a few tank shots from today

Rattzreef · Jun 8, 2018

Did some tests yesterday for ammonia. 0ppm as expected.. so I added about 75 drops of Dr Timms ammonia to take it to around 2ppm Ido another test tomorrow to see where things are sitting..
Heres a FTS:

Rattzreef · Jun 9, 2018

Week #1 in and things seem to be going just fine.. Temp has been consistant at 76 degrees. Salinity at 1.026 and the ATO has been keeping things right where I want them.. I took the sponge filter that came with my MP10 and placed it in the overflow section of my 10g for the last week to help populate some other strains of bacteria and perhaps a few pods would tag along for the ride.. I placed that along with a few small pieces of LR from the 10g in there today too. Ammonia again tested zero after adding 75 drops yesterday.. I added another 50. I plan on moving thing over here in about a week and a half so I'm hoping the cycle will be complete by then.. its looking good so far though I may have to start ghost feeding this tank soon.. I did notice a few pods darting around before I left for the day. good signs.

Rattzreef · Jun 11, 2018

Well the POD Relocation Project was a success. I have noticed a few dozen, or so, chillin on the glass and scurrying around the LR. I added some phytoplankton and frozen food for a source of food fpr now. Also, I've been getting some color on the rock already which is a good sign and ammonia tested at 0 again.

I've been doing an Astrid snail evacuation, the last few weeks, on my 10g inhabitants to try and rid the frags and LR of as many as I can find before I move everyone next week. I didn't have many to begin with, fortunately, but I think I have them all.

I'm getting excited and a bit nervous about moving my fish but I think Sinbad is gonna love his new digs.
He's my black clown gobie that has enjoyed a tank to himself the last 9 months.. he'll have company soon enough.

Rattzreef · Jun 11, 2018

I decided to move the Koralia pump on the back glass a bit higher and aimed toward the surface to agitate it more than it was.. as a bonus it doesn't grab as many micro bubbles from the Reefglass skimmer.. I mainly have it in there now for oxygenation and gas exchange cause its kicking out minimal bubbles. as the nutrients start to accumulate Ill increase the air flow.
And I find the float switch for the ATO is a bit sensitive to waves in the tank even with the cover over it.. the Aqualifter pump only puts out 3.5gph so it wont flood the tank but in Nutrient transport mode or wave mode the switch clicks on and off frequently. Not a nuisance, by any means, but something I need to be aware of.

Rattzreef · Jun 16, 2018

All I have to say is that moving just sucks! What a long week this has been already. And it still isn't done yet. I got selected to serve jury duty this coming week which couldn't have come at a more inconvenient time. I decided to move everything into the new tank tomorrow instead of the middle of the week when I'll have to juggle moving, jury duty, and work all at once.. My big move of all the remainder of the household stuff will be next Saturday(most of the small chowder is already moved), but I'm pretty confident the tank is ready for one small fish and a few frags.
I still test 0ppm ammonia and the pods are all over the place.. glass algae is present and the rocks are coloring nicely..(The uglies some call that.) I will dismantle the Kessil A80 light and spectral controller on the 10g and put it over the 29 also. I have the mounting arm for it and now that the light is hanging off the shelf I installed this week there is room enough for the Kessil to fit underneath. I may end up purchasing another A80 and put one on each side.. that along with the 2 bulb T5 fixture should gimme decent PAR for most LPS corals at least. I had to replace my actinic T5 bulb this week cause it burnt out finally.(only about 7 years old HAHA.) I had an extra 10'000K bulb lying around so I put that in.. Once the Kessil is on I'll get the color pop the actinics provide anyway. probably more actually..
I've been thinking about my ATO situation currently and think I may try using the Tunze Ozmolater nano I have for my ATO instead of the aqualifter/float switch combo I'm currently using.. I may eventually install a kalk reactor on a build and the aqualifter would make a great dosing pump. I can use the float switch as a max level sensor instead of the ATO sensor to kill power to the Tunze in case it gets stuck on. If I decide on a few LPS in the reef tank a kalk reactor would make an easy addition to the current setup. The Reefkeeper Lite has plenty of outlets left for such a small system plus I can still add another module if needed. The salinity probe is another addition I'm gonna get later.

Rattzreef · Jun 16, 2018

Hers are a few last pics of the 10g before she's taken down tomorrow

Rattzreef · Jun 16, 2018

Sorry for the horrible pictures.. I NEED a new camera.. Hmm, Fathers Day IS tomorrow.

Rattzreef · Jun 18, 2018

Everything survived the first overnight. Thankfully. A little prep work and planning paid off.Aall my corals have opened up and the snails and crabs are fine. Even the clams appear to be open and siphoning(if I only knew what they were). My black clown gobie was chasing the frozen food I put in there so I know he's good too. He blends in with the black backround so well that its tricky locating him.. His perch seems to be by the heater.
I did some adjustment to the lights cycle due to this being much more light than everyone is used to. The T5's at on from noon till about 4:00pm and the Kessil slowly ramps up to 100% by 2:00 from 10% at 7:00am then it ramps back down till about 7:00pm. Ill probably order a few API bulbs in a week or two to replace these.. I've had them ages it seems and its time. I like the shimmer the Kessil gives he tank. Ill post some pics later.

Rattzreef · Jun 19, 2018

Everything is doing well Sinbad is healthy and hungry..

Rattzreef · Jun 24, 2018

I like the spread I'm receiving from the Kessil A80. For being in the center it really has decent coverage. I have it ramping up to 100% by noon and the T5's come on as well from noon till 4pm. But I think if I decide on placing some LPS in the tank down the road I may purchase a second and place them on either side.
So far everyone seems okay with this schedule. In another week or two I'm gonna add a pair of Bangaii Cardinals. I've missed having one. I had a captive bred cardinal in my 75g and it was one of my favorite fish. I've been torn about what fish I want to put in this tank.. I surely want another pistol/gobie pair and perhaps a Midas blenny.

It will be nice when the rockwork starts to color up better. Don't get me wrong, I love to watch the progression and even the uglies aren't terrible to me, but the whiteness seems out of place. The Reefglass skimmer has been really doing a good job so far in this 29g. I have about an inch and a half of wet skimmate in the collection jar already, and that's just from the last two weeks.
I was planning on doing a water change this weekend but I decided that Ill do it next week when my new salt comes in.. I ordered more LiveAquaria Reef Salt.. I've been pretty happy with it so far. I think I got some of the first batches that came out after they announced it. I feel it mixes up well and no residue in the buckets even after a few weeks sitting covered.
Came across a great deal last week on a 65g water storage tank. $50(normally about $125 around here.) I'm thinking I'm gonna make a shelf for it in my basement and place a 20g tall tank I have underneath for a saltwater mixing station. I can hook a larger pump up to it for mixing the water/salt and then pumping it up the stairs for doing water changes.. no buckets. Any good recommendations on pumps would be awesome.. I was thinking a Dart or similar with plenty of head height as it will need to come up about 10 feet and about 15 across the floor to the tank.
I also scored a 70g stock tank from an uncle recently that I may just use for my SPS build I'm about to start working on since I recently purchased my own place.. I can finally drill a hole in the floor and put a 100g sump in my basement for a 40g reef if I wanna.. lol Hmmmmm..

Rattzreef · Jul 1, 2018

I decided to install a cheap HOB filter, I had sitting around, on the tank this weekend. Mainly because over the last few weeks quite a bit of dust and other particulates have been all over the surface of the water which is not only unsightly, and I'm sure it has to have some effect on par levels in the water as well, but also, to add some carbon or the occasional thick filter material when doing water changes/maintenance on the tank to polish things up. The added surface agitation is an added benefit for gas exchange, too.

Think I may order a chalk bass and a pair of Bangaii next week. Cause its time for some more fish

Rattzreef · Jul 4, 2018

Did a slight modification to my Reefglass skimmer today after doing a 5g water change.. I've been getting quite a few microbubbles in the tank. The way it is designed, tiny bubbles are allowed to escape through the bottom fairly easily due to the wooden block being so low in the tube.. I cut roughly an inch and a quarter off the top of the solid acrylic tubing connecting the block and stopper. Now very few bubbles escape and there is plenty of circulation through it. I'll monitor its performance to see if it improves. All in all though it is a great little skimmer for small nano's.

I am placing an order and Marine Depot this Friday for 2 new wood blocks and 2 API blue plus bulbs for my T5 fixture. I'm currently using 2 ZooMed bulbs from Petco that I bought years ago when I was just getting into the reefkeeping part of the hobby and didn't know better.

Rattzreef · Jul 12, 2018

Update time, again. things are going well in the tank(apart from a few ugly patches of cyano). I wanted to order a chalk bass from live aquaria last week but there weren't any in stock. So I visited my LFS and like a sign there was a 2" little dude chilling there staring at me.. I just had to have him. His name is Chuck. He is doing extremely well and very active in the tank. always on the hunt for food..
I've been throwing around the idea of doing all Caribbean fish in this tank like perhaps a pair of flame cardinals and a trio of blue reef Chromis. The LFS had a pearly Jawfish that was beckoning me to bring home but I held firm in only leaving with the one fish.. One of the hardest things we reefers have to do in our lives, you know? If he's still there and eating in a week I may bring him home too. Ill see how things look. I should probably get some reef rubble in the tank for the little fella though. My new ATI bulbs came in. (sorry for the misspelling in previous posts).. Coral plus. And ,boy, do I like the color spectrum on those bulbs.. My tank was soo yellow before with the Zoomed bulbs from Petco.. these are completely different I'm a happy reefer.. I ordered them along with 2 replacement wood air stones for my Skimmer.. I see they are a lot smaller now than previous models.

ChuckD chalk bass

Before: ugly yeller

after: 15,000K

Rattzreef · Jul 12, 2018

Also I've decided to pull the trigger on a second Kessil A80 over the tank.. I'll run it in the other controller port with the same schedule I'm running with the single.. Ill dial down the intensity at first but I don't have a lot of coral in the tank currently to be greatly effected by it.. I'm guessing I should have decent light now in a small 29g. 2 A80's and 2 39w T5's it will be here on Saturday