BowieReefer84

I’m dosing all for reef in my new tank. Was thinking about kalk but the all for reef seems easier.

Awesome pair of fish. They remind me of Dr. Seuss. Very cool. That hawkfish would be banished to the sump.

Faced a pretty bad turf algae issue. That stuff is impossible to remove by hand. I added a large clean up crew and a few urchins that barely dented it and were making no real progress. Ultimately, I dosed Brightwells Razor (and clean), and it's now all turned white. No real ill effects on corals from what I can tell, and the fish have been doing great this whole time. Nitrates continue to read zero (the algae throwing off my stats), but once the algae decays I am prepared to do some large water changes to prevent a nitrate spike. I will wait a bit longer than stock more fish, and probably let it ride for a while. I did decide to go with all-for-reef for dosing, as it's super simple and I am not stocking much corals. I picked up a 25w UV, but still haven't plumbed it into the system. I need to make time for that, with my main goal water clarity. Lastly, I have a avast marine auto feeder. I was able to leave the tank for over a week this summer while on vacation and it ran like a top. That feeder is really great for freeze dried foods, and running it 1min at a time a few times a day is perfect for me. Keeps me from constantly having to walk to the back side of the tank to feed.

Skimmer is rocking, and corals are doing great at the almost 30 day mark. I am getting some hair algae and planning to add a couple tuxedo urchins in the near future. TSA Bali Blue Slimer Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr

I am just going with a UV sterilizer to try to slow some algae and seeing how that goes. I don't want to add inverts without a proper QT, and this summer I don't have the time.

I see some coralline spots growing, so the waiting ended. I have begun adding corals (going for mostly monochromatic corals): - Setosa - PC Rainbow - TSA Blue Slimer - Green Slimer - Red Dragon - Hawkins Echinata - Tyree Toxic Green Cap - TSA Purple Cap - ASD Millipora - Bubblegum Millipora Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr I have a couple more corals I want to add including a couple digitatas, then it's a waiting game.

Yea. That’s my fear. I don’t have any inverts but I’m getting algae now. I may just QT them.

Where is everyone picking up clean up crews these days? debating between reefcleaners or reeftopia. Or others? thanks

Diatoms are 100% gone. I am adding corals soon... I put a couple power strips on wall for some organization, and put a ring camera on the sump... Even added a mini fridge. Avast auto feeder added, and setting up using amazon plug with schedules. Not done that yet. It looks like I should be able to leave the tank for a week with no issues. Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr

Dang, that thing is PACKED!

I’m running a Eheim jager set a couple degrees above where I control it with a ranco. The ranco temp probe is wrapped in plastic. It was an option at checkout to have the sensor in shrink wrap.

I've added two baby clowns, and an orange back fairy wrasse. Tank is going smooth. Taking a lot of effort not to add any corals yet. I really want to wait till I see signs of coralline algae spreading, before adding corals. I also picked up an Avast Marine plank feeder. I am going to set it up using schedules with an amazon smart plug to get a lot of small feedings throughout the day.

1262s are amazing pumps imo

If I was getting a return for a 90 I would get an Eheim 1260

Starting a 90 then upgrading to a 180 in a year would render most of your year old equipment useless, and poor resale on this type of equipment. If you want big fish, get a big tank now. I just setup a 120 and only adding one tang, which is a bristletooth/tomini, which stay on the smaller side as far as tangs go. Also, the list of fish you included is not what I would consider a predator tank. In terms of yellow tangs, I am not sure about now but there was a ban in Hawaii on shipping these out. I think they now cost a fortune. Just an FYI You should really plan out exactly what you want, so you don't start buying equipment you won't need.

Skimmer is ripping away. I added some fish from ERC, and levels are perfect. I added some pods, and have been dosing phyto daily. Also, ordered a tunze care long magnet, and it's by far the best glass cleaner I have ever used. Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr

I picked up 3 of these. They look awesome.

Thanks! I’ve had a lot of tanks over the years usually for short periods of time. Looking to take my time with this setup. Hoping I’m 3-4 years I have something really cool. Having the unfinished space behind the tank is really nice. I have two 32gal brute trash cans mixing salt water now to do a 50% water change. The ammonia dosing worked great. It would go from 2ppm to 0ppm in a day. However, I now have 100 nitrates so I need to address that through some big water changes. The cycle is going faster than expected but I’ve been dosing microbactor 7 daily. The Ranco controller is setup and works perfect. I ordered a screen top kit off BRS that should be here soon. The Radions with the mobius app are fun to play around with and set schedules. The tank is almost silent which was a requirement. I may order two more marine pure blocks for the sump, since I have limited rock in display. I also plan to figure out a way to run the skimmer line to the outside to assist with Ph.

The probe might not be accurate. Have you tested with other kits to compare?

I painted the wall a fresh coat of paint (SW Alabaster), added a 300w Eheim Jager heater (ranco controller has also been ordered), built a diy skimmer stand, added a section of silicone hose in the return line / placed sump on neoprene foam, and am in week 1 of 10 of running the tank without lights. I am going the BRS/WWC hybrid cycle. Adding ammonia, microbacter 7 / dr. tims, and going 10 weeks empty. Then lights for 2 weeks, then fish. Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr

Dang, that is HUGE. A scraper like this may save you a lot of time and effort: https://www.homedepot.com/p/QEP-4-in-Floor-and-Wall-Razor-Scraper-with-5-25-in-Handle-and-Stainless-Steel-Blade-62920/311182302?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D23F-023_014_FLOOR_TOOLS-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-2996251-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-FLR_TOOLS_PMax_G&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D23F-023_014_FLOOR_TOOLS-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-2996251-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-FLR_TOOLS_PMax_G-71700000102945947--&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsIejBhDOARIsANYqkD1rD58Q_jlZmOlenGMrZLxuwlNHTT1oFwZA3pWRNu5JpZykMdQa8ngaAl7HEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

No, don't do that.

I have added some additional trim to hide the seems, as the silicone still showed and the waterline wasn't completely covered. It is PVC trim and only about 1/2" tall. I just used superglue and caulk. Turned out pretty good. I have also added rock and sand. It is special grade sand. I was going to go BB, but I hate the sterile look and how it limits some livestock selections. I wanted to leave plenty of negative space, and ensure the rock didn't go more than halfway up the tank. Goals for rock: 1- keep it off the front and side glass 2- keep it open 3- add depth 4- make it secure (lots of epoxy) 5- not too high (I want acros like green slimer and don't want them growing to water line) I am now mixing water, which is going to take forever. I still need a fresh coat of paint on the wall, so ignore the different sheens etc. Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr Untitled by mteske1, on Flickr

yea, I have been playing with the drains. I noticed the 1.5" pipe is kind of loose in the box, but I wrapped some teflon tape around the bottom and it seals perfect. I don't want to glue anything in the box. You're right running the level higher is quieter. Google told me the 1" full siphon can run something like 1,700 gph. My eheim 1260 with 3.5' of head is only pushing around 450gph.