Apcoleman

I have been really busy with work lately but the tank is doing well. Since my last update I was able to get my Masterflex pump up and running pulling the effluent through the CaRX. Since that has been running the PH in the CaRX has been steady as a rock. I had previously been running it off of a manifold which would require adjustments every now and then. I should have done this from the get go. Coral growth has continued to be nice and steady. I have also taken the GFO offline and seen much greater growth in the macro algae. The fuge is being lit 24/7 by the red biased LED horticultural light. The system seems to have settled into its own since the Zeovit was taken off line late last year. Filter socks have also been taken offline. Changing them out every three days just wasn't going to work with my schedule lately and at this point, they will probably remain off.

If you wanted a regal that should have gone in before the tangs. I would agree with Isaac and Seth, you are maxed out for big fish in that tank. The regal is tricky at best to get eating and with two pretty aggressive tangs in a relatively small tank (for multiple tangs) I imagine he would get bullied easily.

Engineer goby. They grow pretty quick. Mine is one of my favorite fish in my tank.

Roberts Oxygen. They have multiple locations in the area.

If you are going to buy a house in the next year or two, if it was me, all the money that would go into a new tank would go into my down payment or an account for a really large setup at the new place. Enjoy your current setup for the next year and go nuts and really get what you want when you have your own place. I think there are many of us that are always wanting to setup the next tank and we forget to enjoy the ones we have. Every tank will have its pros and cons. I even go back and forth with my 250DD saying what if I had... There is no perfect tank, except for maybe Copps' tank haha

+1 killer deal

Are you lumping all SPS into the acro category? My understanding of this fish is that it only eats A. Millepora which would be the reason it isn't even looking at montis and birdsnest.

This is making me miss my nuvo 16. Looks great and I agree, that clown is gorgeous.

I keep telling myself one of these days I will use my DSLR to take some pictures that will be better than my iphone. You are right though, the difference is noticable but not drastic. I was aiming for bulbs that wouldnt completely alter the look of my schedule with the radions. Radions currently come on at 9am and turn off at 9pm. I have the T5s coming on at noon and off at 6.

much appreciated Frank! Thanks Isaac. Found your old build which got me off my butt Thanks Dip! You running the combo got the wheels turning. I love your tank

You may want to consider the Marinepure ceramic media if you are going to throw a bunch of rock in the sump.

So after debating with myself for a while I bit the bullet and added two 48" T5 strips to the tank to help with some shadowing. I really like the combo. I am running one ATI blue plus and one giesemann aquablue azure. I have enough room to add a third right down the middle and may do so down the road Since taking the KZ Zeovit system offline I have seen great growth and color. The new SPS have been doing very well and now having a couple of months removed from all of the dosing I am really enjoying the change. In terms of livestock nothing new has been added other than an extremely bright green Hadonni. This thing glows even with the lights turned off. I was prepared to treat it with cipro when it arrived but it came in extremely healthy and has settled in nicely.

How big of a tank?

Oh man. I finally submitted my claim because I needed to track down my receipts. I have a feeling Its going to be a while if they are only on the 29th at this point.

I agree with what has been said above. An mp10 would rock that tank. On the vortechs i have owned i generally run reefcrest or lagoon. I now use a reeflink to switch it up during the day between the two. Just play around with it until you find a setting you and the tank like.

Those are gorgeous!

Have you tested the RODI water you are using? I had a similar problem when I was first getting going and it turned out the "clean water" i was using in my changes and top off was what was causing my problem. Just another thought

Caved and bought a generator. Cost of the generator vs potentially losing all of my fish/coral if the power goes out made it an easy decision for me.

I have an azure and an orchid dottyback. Both are very passive in my system but then again they have 250g so they dont cross paths much. The azure has been with me for 4 years and never had an issue. The dottyback when I had my 90 was more of a punk then to anything that had a longer shape. Now it doesnt bother anything.

Tank looks amazing!!!

Eric, I have one you are more than welcome to borrow

Im diggin the two smaller nems! Looking good.

Looking good! I really like the cedar stand. As mentioned above, you will probably have some trouble with the MP10 hanging on. I ran one on a 90gal oceanic and was pretty easy to move if it was bumped.

Thanks Marcos! You nailed it. Anything going in is an easy/hardy sps. Montis, birdsnest green slimer etc. I always have liked the easy sps and got caught up with all the fancy expensive stuff. If it has a fancy name at this point, I don't want it in my tank haha. I finally added a rainbow BTA I purchased from Curtis. I had always wanted one but didn't want to risk it wandering around and stinging all of my sps (don't have to worry about that now ). It has been in the tank about a month at this point and has settled in nicely. It is still on the small side but I am sure to see it grow. I broadcast feed and it always seems to get a crumb or two each feeding.

Thanks Frank!