Snake's 75g build thread

[snakeblitz33]

Like I said, I cleaned the calcium reactor in the sink. It had all kinds of sludge and rotten smells in it and all kinds of nasty things... but I was able to clean out all the cyano and get it rockin' and rolling again.
I'll have to take a pic of my jerry rigged plumbing ... how I got a john guest fitting on vinyl. lol. (actually, it was as easy as buying some vinyl that just barely fit some threads with teflon tape... not really that hard, but it took about 30 minutes to even come up with the concept. I'm glad I was able to get my calcium reactor back online for only $4.88 .

 

[snakeblitz33]

I thought it would be funny to post a pic of the sump with all the vinyl tubing everywhere. I swear, I Would do it completely different if I had a chance. I just need to take a whole day one day and fiddle around with it and have some spare cash for whatever hiccups that come along.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I reaquascaped the tank. I like it much better now then I did. It's still not up to snuff, honestly. But, it's in a much better configuration now then it was when all the rock was piled up on one side.

I also moved one of the SPS corals that I just got - all of it's polyps were completely closed... and when I put it up closer to the light and got it in much more flow, its polyps came right back out. Great sign that my tank is doing as it should.

I apologize greatly for the horrible iPhone pictures... I'm sorry I am so lazy lately.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Also, I have been strolling my daughter around the neighborhood for about an hour each evening for me to get some exercise. Man, is it tiring to be strolled around...

 

[kkgaskin90]

Thanks for following. My tank is not much to look at compared to a lot of others on this site and elsewhere in the forums, ... but I am persistent.
I'm glad you went with the photon series. It's a great fixture and I am happy with it 100%. I'm actually finding zoanthids on some of my rocks that I didn't even know were present until they floresce under the leds. I just saw that you have a 29g tank... just be very careful about how you introduce your corals to the lights... They are a lot more powerful then you think... and you can "burn" them if your not careful with how high you ramp them up. Make sure you start light acclimating your corals by only ramping up the unit to 30% and then go up 5% per week from there. When you get new corals, you will also have to acclimate them by placing them on the sandbed or even under a rock bridge for them to get used to the PAR that these lights put out.
Thanks. It wont be for the 29g-we are starting to make our "want" list for a 120g so that's why we will have the Photon. Planning on keeping the 29g as is - it will keep me happy til the 120 is up and running. Slow and steady...

 

[kkgaskin90]

She is adorable! I have a 2 year old that needs to go run around the block a few times...1130 & she's still wide awake

 

[snakeblitz33]

Lol. Yeah, my daughter tried that. But we do the cry it out method. Only took a week to train her and get her on a schedule. Now days we say its time for bed and she goes in her room herself. Lol.

 

[eric b 125]

Looks good man! Did you say something before about having dry base rock that you're going to use? If so: are you cycling it in a bucket or anything?

 

[snakeblitz33]

Its been soaking over the weekend. I am taking a really good look at what i have noe and deciding if i want to add more base rock. Im starting to kind of like what i already have
Eric, could you pm me your contact info again?

 

[eric b 125]

PM sent

 

[snakeblitz33]

So,... I was looking at the tank. I think I have been making some pretty quick changes to the system - but in a positive direction.
1. I stabilized the temperature and have it within 1*F. It's set at 79*F and hasn't wavered by much at all.
2. I am controlling the salinity by monitoring it and fixing any leaks, spills, or other messes.
3. I installed my calcium reactor, which is currently maintaining my calcium and alkalinity. I am going to check the parameters tonight to make sure they are within the proper range and adjust the effluent as necessary.
4. I adjusted my led's up another 5% yesterday and will be increasing the output every Sunday by 5%.
I need some fish suggestions - and maybe a clean up crew suggestion.
I have:
1 yellow tang
2 tomato clowns
1 six line wrasse.
I want a few more fish!

 

[snakeblitz33]

I bought a frag of hydenophora. Looks pretty cool. Started to STN on me in the bag! I put it in thr tank as quickly as possible and the tissue recession stopped. I increased my light by another 5% today but i plan on keeping it there for a little while.
My calcium and alkalinity are holding steady. I am testing every single night aince the calcium reacot has been back online.
I just dont know at this point. I guess i need to stop making changes to the tank for a little while amd start doing some water changes and get the tank back on track. I feel like a few 20g water changes will certainly help at this point.

 

[sweatervest13]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/940#post_3525962
I bought a frag of hydenophora. Looks pretty cool. Started to STN on me in the bag! I put it in thr tank as quickly as possible and the tissue recession stopped. I increased my light by another 5% today but i plan on keeping it there for a little while.
My calcium and alkalinity are holding steady. I am testing every single night aince the calcium reacot has been back online.
I just dont know at this point. I guess i need to stop making changes to the tank for a little while amd start doing some water changes and get the tank back on track. I feel like a few 20g water changes will certainly help at this point.
I think you are right Seth... Too many changes and you can't tell what is working and what is not working.
I would say, keep testing and dosing as needed and keep up with some WC's. Give it a month or so and evaluate your progress.
20g WC's may be a little overkill but you probably have a better idea if that much is needed to be changed.
I am excited to see how the Calc reactor helps!!

 

[snakeblitz33]

I think 20g is about where i should be, since i havent done a real water change in a few months.
Yeah, im just going to let thinga sit and stew for a little while. No reason to rush anything at this point. Im gonna see how the frags i just got start growing and how they are doing. I dont want to mess with things too much.

 

[sweatervest13]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/940#post_3525992
I think 20g is about where i should be, since i havent done a real water change in a few months.
Yeah, im just going to let thinga sit and stew for a little while. No reason to rush anything at this point. Im gonna see how the frags i just got start growing and how they are doing. I dont want to mess with things too much.
Oh shoot... I though you were back on a regular WC schedule of once a week or every two weeks. I thought you started that up when you made your thread of getting your tank on track for SPS corals??? Sorry, I must have been skimming over your thread here or on the big site.
A series of 20g WC's is in order than!!! How many are you thinking? Weekly??

 

[snakeblitz33]

Im thinking three 20g changes once a week and then back to 10g water changes after that.
I have to get a rubbermaid tub to mix water in. My last one was given to my wife for christmas decor.

 

[gemmy]

Honestly, I think with doing 3 20 gallon water changes a week is doing too much. I would take the slow and steady way. This will help to promote sustainability over the long time. I think the larger water changes may be too drastic and be like putting a band-aid on the issues. I would take a step back and move slower.

 

[snakeblitz33]

No no no, 20g water change once a week for the next three Sundays. Im just going to take it easy with the tank for now. Ive done a lot of changes to the tank and i feel like it just needs to start settling in.

 

[eric b 125]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/940#post_3525992
since i havent done a real water change in a few months.
Why? I know you're not big on frequent water changes, but I never asked why not? I know I don't need to tell you this, but regular water changes replenish all those non-conservative elements.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I know, I know. I'm a lazy reefer. lol. I'm going to eventually set up a 10g tank stand so that I can dedicate a 10g tank to water changes.
I feel like now that I am getting into more delicate corals, I can see the benefits of having more frequent small water changes to help balance things out.