VA Reefdog

Thanks Lynn- appreciate it. But I did get TOTM Dec 2021.

Here is a few of the 32 cube-- that is just shy of the 1 yr mark. I think I have an over-feeding problem-- please don't comment on the bellies on the damsel/cleaner goby and coral beauty-- they just ate. This is a low maintence tank aside from pruning and tossing xenia on a routine basis. 2 clowns, coral beauty, hawkfish, talbet damsel and cleaner goby.

About the 3 yr anniversary for the 120. Things are doing well but wish I never added the fireworks clove polyps-- they took over a whole rock on the right side and are stinging some nearby acros. Otherwise-- things are going well. Moved the perc clowns back into this tank because they were ignoring the BTA's in the 32 cube and put some spotcinctus clowns in the cube. Added a PJ cardinal and chalk bass to the 120. Everybody seems to be getting along fish-wise. Corals are doing some fighting and overgrowing. Had something take out my pink lemonade colony-- entire thing bleached then died in about 48 hour but rest of acros are doing ok- so not sure what that was about. I am letting things coast and just enjoying. Here's a few pics.

Thanks Lynn!

And the clowns are hosting the nems!!! I have 3 rainbow RBTA (one already split) and 2 rose RBTA that decided to situate themselves facing the back of the tank-- so I can't see either of the rose RBTA at all. Not a single one has liked where I put them to start. But none have moved over the last month so I think I am good. Here are some more pics livestock includes xenia-- red and silver, a variety of softies pilfered from the 120, some torches and shrooms and random stuff I traded for. here some more pics.

And the exciting new news!!! I had never tried anemones before this tank (I have 3 rock flowers in this one). I really wanted to try RBTA's but didn't want to risk them moving around in my mixed reef tank so I decided it was a great excuse for a new tank. I am doing much more movement in this tank. I trade a frag pack to some one for an old biocube 32. I decided I didn't like the lights so I gutted the hood and mounted a vivaspectra on the top and now I have new nem tank. Started it Feb 2022 and it has filled out very well. Obviously I moved my clowns from the 120 to the new nem tank. First pic is start of the new biocube. Second is the modified light. 3rd pic is what it looked like after a month or so Last pic is from last weekend

Here's another newer addition-- been with me for about 6 mos now. She is eating great and gets along with every one. I don't think she actually cares about any of the other fish.

New livestock- ochre striped cardinal. I am a big fan of the large eye and just a different fish than I have had before. You can see the derasa clam is gotten huge. Notice the very happy red goni from Thakki to the left.

Been a very busy time with work and haven't really been doing much with the tank. I am lucky to clean the skimmer cup let alone the skimmer body/pump. Things have been coasting. I have just been letting the colonies grow into each other. I have a tendency to overload a new tank with lots of small frags because I want it full quickly. But this tank is maturing and I am just letting colonies take over. I have sold or traded out some corals that were not competing as well and I have started a new tank that I moved some corals to. So here are the updates: 120 gallon--- I seem to have an infection or pest that is slowly going after some LPS-- I lost 1 large duncan colony (probably 30 head or more) with slow recession and closed mouths. Then lost a few heads of frogspawn and 1 goniopora. The rest seem ok so I am just monitoring for now. Here is the updated pics.

Thanks for the info and updates. Because of this thread-- decided to get a second cleaner shrimp to see what happens- just to see if I might get a spawn. Amazed at all your work. Kudos

Enjoyed the episode. Love listening to a podcast while working on the tank.

Thank you. I never noticed that at the bottom of the page- not sure if I never scrolled that far down or just overlooked it. Thanks.

Are there any stats on how many members are in WAMAS now?

Tank is looking great-- love the movement/flow. That torch is beautiful!

It looks great - all things considering. Seeing the tentacle regrowth is awesome. Bet you won't be able to tell what it went through in a couple of months. Good job on nursing it back and documenting everything.

Very pretty!

That’s awesome. Are they a bonded pair? Never heard of eggs from a pair. That is so cool.

I am amazed at how bad the skimmer had gotten and I had just gradually gotten used to it. It is a DC pump- so I had to turn the pump velocity way up before but I am using about 1/3 of power after cleaning it. Also it is almost silent now. I am embarrassed I didn't address it sooner--- Roni - I think I will use a reminder app to do this again in 6 mos. I pulled 3 small limpet shells, some filter floss material and lots of random gunk out of the impeller and pinwheel. No wonder it was loud and had to be turned way up. I had also heard/read on a couple of forums and podcasts about turning off the skimmer for couple hours at night and not running 24/7. So I am going to try 2-3 hours off each night and see how that goes.

I use a double switch- float type switch from autotopoff.com with a Toms aqualifter. It is an economic setup and has worked very well for me. I have used one on a prior tank as well so 2 units over about 5-years. Tunze is probably the mainstay for most people.

I'm not experienced with nems-- but it looks like it is going the right direction. Hope it keeps on mending/improving. Greg

Skimmer is making a weird noise. Because it is a hassle to get out of the sump-- I haven't done anything except clean the collection cup and the top of the neck. So today I broke it down and got it out for a vinegar bath. This is embarrassing- it has been 2 years since this was cleaned.

And this is the maintenance I am currently working on. Very embarrassing that I let it get this bad. So I guess a plug to clean your equipment more than every year or two. I can't believe the skimmer is still functioning.

Part of my normal reef routine is to listen to podcasts while I do my routine maintenance. I have been enjoying Reef Therapy a lot lately -with Jake Adams from Reef Builders. The most recent podcast included a whole lot of reasons to visit your local fish store this coming weekend. So if you are looking for a good podcast to clean your tank to-- here is the link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reef-therapy-by-reef-builders/id1560874970 And remember to buy something from your LFS this weekend. Have a good happy Thanksgiving. Greg

What are you using for ATO? Any pics of frag tank fuge?

Really nice work. Turned out looking great despite the leak. Love the scape.