Tom's CAD LIghts 68g Versa

tjp123 · Apr 29, 2017

Hi everyone!

I've been out of reefkeeping for nearly 15 years ... and, wow, a lot has changed! RO/DI, ATO, and bacteria-in-a-bottle are just three examples of things that were never on my radar back in the early 2000s. Needless to say, I had a lot of reading and research to do before adding this giant tank of water to my wife's living room.

No pictures yet, as my cell phone camera died out on me a week ago. As soon as I get my phone replaced (next week, hopefully), I'll add some pics.

Here's what I have so far:

CAD Lights 68-gallon Versa series tank (35.5 x 23.5 x 19.5)
18-gallon 3-chamber sump
Current USA Marine Pro LED lights
Octopus 110-S protein skimmer
Two 150W heaters (brands are Hydor and a Marineland)
Koralia 3G powerhead (1350 gph)
Songjoy powerhead (660 gph)
Jebao DCT-4000 Water Pump
80 pounds live sand (Fiji pink, about a 3-4 inch sandbed)
80 pounds dry rock
10 pounds live rock
Temp 78.3 F
Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrite: 0 ppm
pH fluctuates between 7.9 and 8.0

OK, so after successfully leak-testing the tank and sump for 2 days on my back porch, I kick-started the cycle nearly 4 weeks ago by mixing the saltwater in my tank. I then added the live sand, made the tank nice and cloudy for almost 6 days (hello, milkshake!). As soon as the tank cleared up, I added my dry rock and live rock and added a bottle of Bio-Spira. Then I kept my hands off for about a week and just did my water tests. Never saw ammonia, nitrates, or nitrites. Added two Ocellaris clowns and 10 hermit crabs a week after that, then added a lawnmower blenny and a cleaner shrimp yesterday. Tank seems to be handling the bio-load fine, but I don't plan to add more fish for another 2-3 weeks.

OK, that's enough for now! As I mentioned , I'll add pics as soon as I get my new phone/camera.

jsker · Apr 29, 2017

Welcome back, the new toys you can get. I was out for about the same amount of time and boy I have gone over the top on this current build.

tjp123 · Apr 30, 2017

Today's numbers ...

Temp: 77.7 F
Salinity: 1.026
Ammonia: 0
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0
Phosphates: 0
pH: 7.9
Calcium: 520
KH: 179

pH has been consistently a tiny bit low (7.9). Not sure if that's something to be worried about yet. Also, Calcium seems super high (520).

Pictures .... next!

tjp123 · Apr 30, 2017

A few pictures to share. Thanks to my wife who let me borrow her phone.

tjp123 · Dec 6, 2017

It's been seven months since I posted my first few pics. The tank is a little over nine months old now. I haven't splurged on corals yet, as I still feel like I'm learning and getting my bearings. Just some mushrooms right now, which are growing nicely. Battling an GHA outbreak right now. My parameters are all OK, except for nitrates (40 ppm) and phosphates (.25). Just started using NoPox this week on the advice of my LFS. We'll see how it goes.

Anyway, here are some pictures...

(FYI, the light dots on the first pictures (on the left) are from our Christmas tree. Sorry!)

tjp123 · May 21, 2018

#reef2reef, #worldwidecorals, #mywwccontest

tjp123 · Dec 5, 2020

Way overdue updates!

I replaced my Current USA LEDs with a pair of Red Sea Reef 50s about 5 months ago. Love these lights.
I've slowly added some corals over the past 2 years. Then for this past Black Friday, I went a little crazy and bought 10 SPS frags and a fireworks clove frag from Budman's corals (link). Budman's 7-SPS "filler" pack was a steal for $99!! Anyway, I think they're still acclimating (they're a little pale and the cloves are only partially open).
I'm battling some ugly GHA right now ... most likely due to over-feeding. I ordered a hefty clean up crew from ReefCleaners.com, which arrives today. I also recently purchased some Fuzz Out (link), but I haven't used it yet. I want to see what the CUC can do before I start adding scary chemicals.

I'll post a tank picture later today.