LanglandJoshua

Any time, I'm just ...saying what I learned here

A small controller is indispensable for temp control, just remember to keep the temp probe in the main tank. Not the sump, they can shut off lights when/if things get too hot. They also keep the heater from constantly being on. So they can help save electricity. The tank looks great, remember when you make your stocking list for the fish stock, to your guns. Almost every fish I've bought that was an impulse I had to return. Also, your tank will really look great in time. That coraline algae will encrust the rock, as well as the coral you will add. I look forward to better things to come! Keep us updated!

Lol, that would be VERY different!

Oh no! I hope it all heals up! I would be glad to keep a piece for you, to make sure you have something left for when it calms down. Keep us posted, it looks like you've got all of wamas ready to help you! Just let us know how!

Looks like LOTS of aptasia! It is a nuisance anemone, grows fast. Hard to kill, and stings other coral very badly. Before you get any coral you need to get this FOWLR(Fish Only With Live Rock) tank ready. For that you will need higher water flow(none that I saw listed), possibly more light, something to at least create a day/night schedule, some filtration, and kill off that aptasia(the longer you wait, the harder it is). Later you will become familiar with lots of little things to make life easier. For water flow. I would say at least one 750gph powerhead, preferably more (someone more familiar with powerheads for a tank this size please chime in). One quick way to make some random flow is to take two strong power heads, place them on opposing sides of the tank, and aiming them at each other. The two will create competing currents. Which if done right will alternate where they deflect each other. One other(more expensive) way is to get a pump that can alternate flow, this is done with some form of controller. Those are two of the more popular ways, however there are others. I don't have experience with most of the others, and won't suggest what I don't use. If for nothing else than my lack of experience with it. For lighting, I would use a PAR meter to check your lighting level. You may need new bulbs. The club has designated members who keep the PAR meters, just ask and I am sure they can help. Hmmm...I will need to borrow one of those soon for my tank. Thanks for the reminder! A simple water sprinkler timer, or other electronic timer should do. Unless your light has one built in. Other options include specialized mini computers with special outlets to time, monitor, track, and control your system. Some will even let you control the system from an online account, or from your smart phone. Probes can be added to allow constant monitoring and tracking of your tanks parameters. You can even make graphs for long term tracking. For filtration, you need a protein skimmer and live rock. I only use mine for aeration and keeping the PH up(that's another conversation entirely). Most successful "reefers" I know use about 1-1.5lbs of rock per gallon. Many use less. My system is a total of 215 gallons, with an estimated 350-400lbs of rock. So I am on the high end of that ratio, which lets me get away with not skimming. Though that has a set of side effects like potentially making some corals really unhappy. But to me balances out by allowing a higher chance of littler baby critters surviving after stuff spawns. However that is another debate on its own, there are entire topics on it. So I suggest until your tank and you are ready, use your skimmer with plenty of rock. I listed the less expensive options first. With the tank being for a classroom I am sure you would be better off spending less. The absolute cheapest option(that includes keeping the tank) would be to just kill off what aptasia you can. They don't just sting coral, fish can be hit to. Then put some cool fish in there. I have to admit, there are plenty I wish I had in my tank. But thanks to their absolutely insatiable love of eating coral and expensive clams, someone else gets to have them. I hope this info is helpful! With you being an english teacher please be gentle on any typos! My phone makes me type nearly every word twice because it "thinks" it knows what I am typing.... There wil definitly be som.

Sounds GREAT! I hope you feel better! Now you have to best this accomplishment as soon as your feeling better.

I don't lol...

Do you have any pics? Dimensions? I've wanted a pistol shrimp for a while.

I never let the lid stay off more than the 10-20 second it takes to put 3 drops... Although I could see as the water level drops and fresh air is added it could concentrate more.

I calibrate mine every time. I believe it's in the instructions. The room temperature can change readings. After all, we are talking in the .oo1 range when room temp can vary by 10 degrees... Just my two sense.

If your going to add something that has to be pulled out or the health of your tank is at risk. I would say removing the GFO is the least of your worries, unless somehow the GFO will remove it itself. Maybe someone else would know more. In my opinion, the GFO is just a filter intended to remove phosphates. I doubt they will build up fast enough to cause an issue . Unless there is some fine point that I do not know of, since I do not run any reactors at this point.

The water cooled MH sounds efficient. You also can get a titanium heater with a JBJ true temp digital controller. I like the idea of this controller, and plan to try it myself. It acts like your regular controller. But only for your heater, it even has a separate temperature probe. The controller can be bought separately. I am huge fan of having backups! I don't know if there are any others like this and will be following your topic as well! Hope the info helps!

Just got my new MP40WES, my only source of flow had been one reefflow dart(3600gph). Now I have this mp40 really kicking things into gear! Sadly though with all the rock I have, I can hardly get a wave more than +-.5" I'm kind frustrated. But its far better than it was. I seven sat through the auto tuner... My favorite part was turning it on for the first time! I set it to full power, and it got some stuff rocking and rolling. I am considering a second mp40 further down the road. Just to get some nice standing waves. Since there is a large overhanging lip, as long as is just rocking a bit, things should go well. I don't want to clean up messy floors....

Sounds great, although I would do two 250W lights.

Same here roni, I didn't expect it to be so active. But this guy comes right out in front and has no fear if the other fish. I love it! Jaddc, I suddenly feel much better about my mandarin gobies!

Yeah, I agree lol! The chatter was just distracting. But it was a rare thing. I think when I disturb the rock it triggers that response. I'm debating on if I should EVER move rock again!

Just had the new tanks first sighting of baby peppermint shrimp! I cant wait for the oceans of little reflecting eyes that I had in my 75! It will be at least a couple months before that comes. But in the mean time, their successfully breeding! I can't wait to start seeing the generations get bigger! You can watch them, one tiny molt at a time. I believe that since I have seen them get to about 1/4th inch in the past, at about the 1/2-3/4ths" mark they will start moving out like their parents. But it took about 3 months to get the last ones to 1/4th". I can't wait to get a good photo if these little guys! Also, there are two new peppermints in there from pacific east aquaculture. So maybe they will be able to hatch eggs too. The more they put out, the more likely it is that they will have fry survive the onslaught of fish, coral, sponges, feather dusters, CLAMS, and others...it's amazing they can survive!

I love it!

Lol, those pinkies are useful!

I am in Vienna, and off tomorrow. Maybe I could drop by with some water, I have a BRS chloramine specific dual DI setup. So I get 0TDS. If your free, would 15-20 gallons work?

Looks great!

It would only be fair if the rest of us are available for consult on said infrastructure! Sorry to hear that era is over, but from what I have read in your other topics...its gonna be worth the suspense!!

I dont think there is anyone here who does not appreciate the IMPORTANCE of your story. I cant tell you how glad I am to hear how well things have went. If you stick with us, I think most of us can find something we can spare. So, LIFE! BE IN YOU!!! I think I have a spare zoanthid or two:laugh:. Let me know if you ever want to come on over, I'm always glad to share the tank with someone who appreciates it, even though my 160 gallons of heaven does not compare to some mega tanks here!

It is possible the PC ballast is dead. On some fixtures it can be a bit hard to get to(so I have been told). If you want to speed up the cycle you can start with rock from an established system. This is something I did, and it has worked great for me. The only catch is that you need to understand that it will come with some pests almost 100% of the time. I had a couple deals where it was conveniently forgotten that there were some large bristle worms. But I have learned to control the populations by pruning them with tongs. As for aptasia try Berghia Nudibranches. With some patience they should populate enough to destroy the aptasia. But don't add any peppermint shrimp. They will eat the berghia. If you are interested in live rock, I have some that I was selling but there were no takers. To cover water flow, in my opinion(we've all got one ) a mag 9 would be a bit low for the entire tanks flow. I would suggest some form of power head or supplementary water flow. I wish you the best of luck with this larger tank! In some ways life does get easier, once its all set up. Soon, you will need to consider what kind of fish you want!!! But first make sure you have all the proper gear, RO/DI, water flow, lighting, ATO. If I knew I was going to spend so much time on my system, I would have just kept all the gear dry until I had it all. Now I am adding things one at a time.