Azfishgal New Tank Diary!
- Thread starter azfishgal
- Start date
bgrae001
Member
It's been a while since I checked in. Your tank is coming along nicely. Unfortunately I wont be able to see my tank for the next 15 months except in pictures. But I still have plans to set up my 200 gal when I get back. I'll be checking in periodically. Keep up the progress.
Brian
Brian
azfishgal
Active Member
Thanks Prev, I have 60lbs of base rock, under the live rock, you can probably see which ones they are (saves money), BUT I'm happy to report that they are all starting to get purple coraline on them.
I started off with two stacks on either side of the overflow, trying to also make caves and bridges, and then when I was at the lfs I saw that branch rock that I though would look perfect between the two stacks, and I think it worked out great.
Thanks so much for the comps. It took me a few times before I got it just right.
fish addict
Member
yes
Tank is looking great! Wow your coraline seems to grow really fast on your rocks! It looks really nice!
Tank is looking great! Wow your coraline seems to grow really fast on your rocks! It looks really nice!
azfishgal
Active Member
Originally Posted by fish addict
yes
Tank is looking great! Wow your coraline seems to grow really fast on your rocks! It looks really nice!
I actually didn't realize how fast it was growing until I looked at some older pics, but ya I'm very happy with the purple. I will say, I had a great start with the lr I got here at SWF, all of them had great coraline growth on them. I'm keeping my calcium at around 420, and like I said, my base rock is starting to turn purple (I'm even getting it in my sump).
yes
Tank is looking great! Wow your coraline seems to grow really fast on your rocks! It looks really nice!
I actually didn't realize how fast it was growing until I looked at some older pics, but ya I'm very happy with the purple. I will say, I had a great start with the lr I got here at SWF, all of them had great coraline growth on them. I'm keeping my calcium at around 420, and like I said, my base rock is starting to turn purple (I'm even getting it in my sump).
azfishgal
Active Member
Well, not sure if it's going to be a good decision or not, but this is what I ordered:
2 Icecap 250W MHs SE retro Kit w/Electronic Ballast and LumenArc Mini reflectors. I'm going to try two first to see if that will work, then if my dark spot is to large I will get the third one, but I was thinking I could have lower light corals in the dark spot (if there is one). I will have the lights at least 10" off the water so maybe the lights will cross before it gets to far down the tank. Also, I'm now learning that HQI is a lot cooler than SE, so now I'm hoping I didn't make a mistake.
Azaintcold has three of these lights (different reflector) and he said he's doing fine without a chiller, so maybe with only two I'll be ok. I hate second guessing myself after a decision like this, but after all that I've looked through, questions I've bugged everyone about, I finally had to make a choice. I just hope it was a good one.
Of course I have to wait for the canopy to be built before I can try the new lights. Oh, and the doors to my stand have been stained! Need to put the clear coat on and they will be good to go.
2 Icecap 250W MHs SE retro Kit w/Electronic Ballast and LumenArc Mini reflectors. I'm going to try two first to see if that will work, then if my dark spot is to large I will get the third one, but I was thinking I could have lower light corals in the dark spot (if there is one). I will have the lights at least 10" off the water so maybe the lights will cross before it gets to far down the tank. Also, I'm now learning that HQI is a lot cooler than SE, so now I'm hoping I didn't make a mistake.
Of course I have to wait for the canopy to be built before I can try the new lights. Oh, and the doors to my stand have been stained! Need to put the clear coat on and they will be good to go.
slowburn22
Member
I've silently followed your tank progress and its turning out to be very nice. I think you've shown that if you take it slow and easy and cover all your bases you get a solid product.
Now my reason for breaking the silence... Where exactly did you get your base rock from? Everywhere I see "base rock" for sale or even rocks you just find look horribly different than the LR everyone buys, yet yours doesnt stand out at all. I wanna know the source....
Now my reason for breaking the silence... Where exactly did you get your base rock from? Everywhere I see "base rock" for sale or even rocks you just find look horribly different than the LR everyone buys, yet yours doesnt stand out at all. I wanna know the source....
azfishgal
Active Member
Originally Posted by slowburn22
I've silently followed your tank progress and its turning out to be very nice. I think you've shown that if you take it slow and easy and cover all your bases you get a solid product.
Now my reason for breaking the silence... Where exactly did you get your base rock from? Everywhere I see "base rock" for sale or even rocks you just find look horribly different than the LR everyone buys, yet yours doesnt stand out at all. I wanna know the source....
Thanks so much for the comps. I feel like it's taking forever to get this thing looking some what like a reef, but going slow is finally starting to pay off.
The base rock came from my lfs, Aquarium Arts in Mesa, AZ. They are the few lfs that actually know what they are doing. I bought it for $1.50/lbs and got 60 lbs worth. I was very happy with it. Besides that one that acts like a bridge they were all pretty poures, and now that the coraline is starting to spread to my base rock it's looking even better.
I've silently followed your tank progress and its turning out to be very nice. I think you've shown that if you take it slow and easy and cover all your bases you get a solid product.
Now my reason for breaking the silence... Where exactly did you get your base rock from? Everywhere I see "base rock" for sale or even rocks you just find look horribly different than the LR everyone buys, yet yours doesnt stand out at all. I wanna know the source....
Thanks so much for the comps. I feel like it's taking forever to get this thing looking some what like a reef, but going slow is finally starting to pay off.
The base rock came from my lfs, Aquarium Arts in Mesa, AZ. They are the few lfs that actually know what they are doing. I bought it for $1.50/lbs and got 60 lbs worth. I was very happy with it. Besides that one that acts like a bridge they were all pretty poures, and now that the coraline is starting to spread to my base rock it's looking even better.
azfishgal
Active Member
Originally Posted by TriGa22
Looks great! Custom made sump or you buy it?
The tank is a Lee-Mar tank and the sump was custom made, both from my lfs, Aquarium Arts. I tell you, I have dumped so much money in that store, they are starting to give me discounts.
The stand was made by my husband and the doors are in the garage waiting for the clear coat. My lights will be here on Thursday, so their is added pressure for my husband to get the canopy built.
Looks great! Custom made sump or you buy it?
The tank is a Lee-Mar tank and the sump was custom made, both from my lfs, Aquarium Arts. I tell you, I have dumped so much money in that store, they are starting to give me discounts.
kjohansen
Member
Great AZfishgal! Nice job for your first reef tank and salt water tanks! I spent the day reading your posts. I am not new to salt water although I currently do not have a tank. I am looking at a 120 also and will probably end up with one. First is a nano tank that may start me off and then some of it or most of it would transfer to the main tank.
I used to work for Intel as your hubby does. Thank goodness I am out of that rat race and have been for awhile.
One question about your base and live rock. Is your base rock resting on your sand?
One question about your base and live rock. Is your base rock resting on your sand?