AHarp

Well two years isn't too long between updates... So this tank lasted longer than anticipated. I do have the school tank up and running again, but got attached to having one here at home, so...It is time to upgrade though, and I'm in the process of setting up a 90 gallon to move everything into. First, new pictures. Things are looking pretty good overall. There's definitely not enough space for my blue tang though. So, time to upgrade. I have a 90 gallon almost ready to go. And by almost I mean...well... My current hold up is deciding if I should use the tank and stand as they are or if I should modify the stand to allow for more space underneath. It's a simple iron frame with plywood as a base for the tank and for the sump. With the sump in place there really is very limited clearance. I'm debating routing a channel into some 4x4 to lift the plywood base up a few inches. Anyone tried something similar or have another thought for increasing clearance?

I'd be happy to take that! I'll PM you to figure out pick up. Thank you!

I do have a couple! This is from the initial set up: And this is from just before COVID shut down my school and I had to take it all home. Right now the tank honestly looks terrible. It's not really in a good location, right in front of windows. It gets a lot of sun. I did paint the back black and I have the right side blocked with paper, but the algae growth right now is ridiculous. Eventually, I want to make a canopy for it to help some, but I haven't had time. The clowns and damsels are in, along with a couple hermit crabs and some top snails. I need to get a big clean up crew in there soon.

Good deal, I've done the same thing with my lighting here at home. I don't have the ability to mess with the ceiling at school so it'll be the same method there. I don't think I'll be able to use the skimmer; I just don't have space for a sump that big. I'm contemplating picking up some live rock in Haymarket, so Centreville would work out nicely if I can do both in one trip. Possibly tomorrow during the day?

@maevepotter facepalm. Added the link, and I'll check out your suggestion! Thanks! @howaboutme Awesome! I can't see any of the pictures in your threads, but how is the light suspended over the tank? Does it have like a gooseneck, or wire? How big is the skimmer? The sump I have is really kind of small and there's not much space to fit anything in. I've been considering adding a second small sump/10 gallon aquarium and having one for equipment and one for a refugium. Would the skimmer fit in a 10 gallon or could it possibly be run inline?

This tank was set up for 1 year at my previous school, 1 year at my current school, and then shut down for a year due to COVID. I'm getting it back up and running now that we are planning to be back in the building full time in the fall. I got the tank wet a couple weeks ago and am now working to get the salt right and get the tank cycled. The tank was donated to a middle school locally and never used. I overheard the department talking about throwing it out and asked if I could have it. The tank is plumbed with a relatively small sump (I think between 15 - 20 gallons). I got the PTA to buy a stand, and started a club to raise money to get the necessary equipment. So, my equipment is definitely on the cheap end. I figured that I would use the cheap stuff to get it up and running and then start replacing parts as they broke down/needed upgrading. I am currently using: 1 Flexzion Pond Pump Submersible (2100GPH) as a return 2 x Hydor Koralia 1050 circulation pumps 2 x Aqueon Pro 300W heaters 1 Koval LED light Livestock (currently in my home tank, but will be moving back once the school tank is ready) 1 Blue Tang 2 x Yellowtail Damsel 2 x Talbot's Damsel 2 x Clarkii Clown 2 x Turbo snails Small to medium hermits Some ceriths, nassarius, and nerites Initially, I ran the tank as a FOWLR but did start adding some corals that were mostly donated by a local shop. The main factor keeping me from doing much with corals was (and still is) my light. I'm also concerned about the amount of upkeep to do a nice reef tank, since I have limited time to work in the building. So, I've been contemplating updating the light. The concern is still money. At this point, I'm not sure that I'll be able to run a club this year. I'm anticipating the school system will want to limit the time students are in the building still. With that in mind, I found this light on sale from Marine Depot. https://www.marinedepot.com/48-inch-current-usa-truelumen-pro-12-000k-diamond-white-led-striplight Does anyone have any experience with them? Could I use it to add some simple corals or should I stick with FOWLR?

Sand CaribiSea new unopened 20 lbs bag $5 Coral Propagation Kit for soft corals. Includes rubble, plugs, coral dip, Lugol’s solution, glue, and scalpel. $10 Bulk Reef Supply Biopellet Reactor with pellets and a pump. $30 Wave Maker hydor $10 I'm interested in these items. I could probably make it down that way this weekend.

@tpallasI'd be happy to dip it! Uh...what exactly does that mean? I'm envisioning slathering French onion all over the rock, but something tells me that's not quite right. Edit: OK I should have just done the simple thing and googled coral dipping. It's probably the best way to go, but I'm a bit bummed because there are a few brittle stars and other little helpful things in the rock and corals. I'll do my best to get them out before dipping. That's great! I'm up by Olney ES. I drive down Emory all the time getting my son to the Rockville Ice Arena.

Oh fun. Thanks for the confirmation! I've removed the rock and scraped off as many as I could find. Any advice on whether it's worth it to try and keep scraping or another method of removal? Or maybe move the birdsnest to another rock? Or just nuke the whole rock and coral?

Well I had a couple batches of eggs. They popped up, grew some, and disappeared overnight. I'm glad the fish are happy enough to lay eggs! That being said, the corals don't seem nearly as happy. I'm not seeing any growth really and some retraction in the GSP and toadstool. The birdsnest started looking pretty dull also. My wife noticed a few odd looking growths on the birdsnest and the rock it is on. I'm wondering what they might be. We were thinking maybe vermetid worms? I took the rock out and scraped off all that I could find. I have it in a bucket for now. Can anyone help identify what these might be?

So since this post, the eggs that were there hatched and a second brood was laid and also hatched. Or at least they disappeared. We never saw anything come out and move around, but we were able to see the eggs grow and develop growing black dots. So that was cool! Reading up, I don't think I have the ability at the moment to really raise fry, so I'll take it as a win that the fish are happy and healthy! Yay for me. Thanks all!

Hi all! I'm thinking I have some eggs. The larger of my yellow tail damsels is spending all his (I'm guessing male) time around one of the rocks, chasing everything else away. My wife noticed some growth that look a lot like eggs to me. Can anyone confirm? And then if they are eggs, is there a chance to take care of them or are they pretty much likely to be eaten/caught in filters/etc? Eggs pic 1 Eggs pic 2 Not happy with me taking pictures.

I'm thinking I have some eggs. The larger of my yellow tail damsels is spending all his (I'm guessing male) time around one of the rocks, chasing everything else away. My wife noticed some growth that look a lot like eggs to me. Can anyone confirm? And then if they are eggs, is there a chance to take care of them or are they pretty much likely to be eaten/caught in filters/etc? Eggs pic 1 Eggs pic 2 Not happy with me taking pictures.

@ReefAddictOh awesome! I considered getting some Chitons with my cleanup guys but didn't want to pay the extra shipping. I'm happy to have some!

@tpallasThanks! Not too much detritus, thankfully. I'm really hopeful the algae drops. I'm tired of brushing it haha! I like the acan a lot also! It's got a new head on it I'm excited about. @YHSublime The corals I got from you are awesome! I didn't get a good shot of the mummy eye but I'm really excited about it. Thanks again!