Re-aquascaped and added sand to my tank.

I re-aquascaped and added sand to my tank. I simply did not like the look of the cc, and I did not like siphoning it either. I originally wanted to add hundreds of lbs of sand to create a DSB, but then decided (with Seth's help) that it would not be the most efficient way to reduce NO3. So, just for looks, I added 30lb of .5-1mm diameter aragonite. I plan to add another 30-45 lbs, because the back of the tank still doesn't have sand covering it. It'll be a SSB. Anyways, while adding the sand and doing a 50g water change, I thought what the heck, why not re-aquascape the rocks too. I then remembered Joe's comment about my before aquascape, which stated that it looked too man-made with a flat top... I liked this and took it into account.... I hope y'all enjoy!

(I have no idea why the fish look so small in this pic!):

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTLDreef 

Nice! 

I so badly want this tank to have corals!!!! lol

Thanks TL!

I really want to get corals too... but, first I need a good protein skimmer ($400)... and then a good light fixture ($1500+)

I'll eventually get it all, promise! Lol.

Just time and money... haha.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTLDreef 

Do non-photosynthetics!

I could, and that would save some $ with the light fixture. NPS are actually my favorite types of coral... by far.

The thing that would concern me with them is how hard they are to keep. I do not have that much coral experience...

Quote:

Originally Posted by meowzer 

Very nice....definitely need some colors though

 

is your tank 72"???

Yep.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by meowzer 

What type of lights are you wanting?    

Well, currently I have the Marineland Double-Brite LEDs.

I love the AI SOL's, but at $2500, well, it's just not possible.

I would like to go LEDs if possible, but, quite honestly, any decent light fixture will do.

I will probably be buying some used fixture off of ebay or craigslist.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTLDreef 

Hahaha, Meowzer, I know where you're going with this.....

 

 

Some non photo corals really aren't that difficult, like tubastrea's

I already got the PM from her

I know that some aren't that difficult, like tube corals, but I really don't like tube corals.

These are my favorite NPS corals/anemones:

Astrogorgia sp

Melithaea sp.

Scleronephthya sp

Diodogorgia nodulifera

Halcurias carlgrenis (not to mention that they are coldwater...)

Terrazoanthus sp.

Guaiagorgia sp.

Cirrhipathes spiralis

... all of which are hard to keep :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by meowzer 

 

 LOL......hey......yup      yup.....

A little nervous? Or jittery?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 

Looks good Justin. Glad you decided to go with a shallower sandbed. I like your new aquascape.

 

NPS corals have to have clean water and lots of suspended foods,... but they are pretty dang awesome if you want to keep them. :D

 

I'de say look into it...

 

Though, to really keep NPS corals, instead of investing a lot of money into a lighting system, you would be putting about that same amount of money in a cooling system. Most NPS corals thrive in cooler waters.

Thanks Seth! I like it too.

I am gonna look into them. First, I am going to get the SWC180 skimmer, and see how it reduces my NO3.

My current NO3 levels are unacceptable even for softies... heck even for most fish   :(

My dream was always to keep NPS corals... so having my tank be an NPS reef would be a dream!

Looking around, chillers for my tank are around $600-800... not too bad, considering that I wouldn't have to change my lights at all. (Sorry Lois... LOL)

Too bad there isn't too much info on NPS corals.

And, a lot of them need supplemental feedings.... oh well...

WOW is all I can say.... I'll look into it.

Interesting that he has his nitrates at 25ppm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 

Yeah, his phosphates run pretty high too... but there is a plus... no lighting in the display tank means that no algae can grow with the presence of nitrate and phosphate! woohoo!

 

I think that using a variety of filtration methods would work well in a system like this... especially because you have to feed so much. Maybe even have to try out one of those automatic water change DIY's that Mr. BTLDreef showed us.

 

IF you decide to go this route... I will be totally amazed, awed and inspired by you.

I'll look into those DIY auto water change, but, I can do a 25g water change in 20 minutes, and a 50g water change in 40 minutes.

Me and Viki did a 25g change yesterday and a 50g the day before yesterday. OK,. I don't know why I'm babbling on about our last water changes... Lol.

No lighting in the display tank? I would keep my current light fixtures, meaning that I would have some lighting in my dt.. meaning that I would have to keep the water pretty darn clean.

I will be amazed and inspired by myself too.... but... I need to get my nitrates to actually be on the test chart 1st. Then, get them to acceptable levels.

Then, well, we'll see!