capsfan September 8, 2008 Share September 8, 2008 (edited) I started this tank with the help of my dad about 2 years ago. I have just started to buy corals to put into it. Here are some "within the last month" pics. I have redone the rockwork since these pics were taken. I'll try to get some updated pics up soon. Here are specs: Tank: 55g all glass brand Live sand: I don't know how much there is (about an inch) Liverock: 47 pounds Powerheads: Penguin 1180 & a small one I can't remember (more powerheads are on the way eventually) Filtration: Gulp- Penguin Biowheel Protein skimmer: Red Sea 60 Lighting: 4 54w retrofit t5s Livestock: 2 ocillaris clownfish 2 b&w ocillaris cf 2 firefish lawnmower blenny yellow tang 4 astrea snails 9 turbo snails bta small colony of zoas small star polyp frag On to the pics tank lights under the stand clownfish yellow tang :wink: zoas star polyps Edited December 18, 2008 by capsfan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Grenier September 8, 2008 Share September 8, 2008 (edited) Good work on the tank. I'd like to suggest putting reflector on the T5s. They jut clip on the bulbs ang greatly increase their effective output. Keep up the good work and thank Dad. Like these Edited September 8, 2008 by Larry Grenier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capsfan September 8, 2008 Author Share September 8, 2008 Good work on the tank. I'd like to suggest putting reflector on the T5s. They jut clip on the bulbs ang greatly increase their effective output. Keep up the good work and thank Dad. Like these I have had many people tell me this. Is 4 54w t5s enough to keep most corals? I realize 6 would be better, but if I get 2 more, I won't have enough room for the reflectors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Ward September 8, 2008 Share September 8, 2008 I have had many people tell me this. Is 4 54w t5s enough to keep most corals? I realize 6 would be better, but if I get 2 more, I won't have enough room for the reflectors. A 55gal tank is only 13" wide. 4 T5s is plenty - add the reflectors because most T5 bulbs don't have internal reflectors. Also consider a heavy-duty white paint on the inside of the hood for water resistance and additional reflection. I actually have an epoxy that I use that is awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Grenier September 8, 2008 Share September 8, 2008 (edited) Agree with Brian. Definitely get the reflectors and paint the inside of the hood. I don't know the numbers but the reflectors make a big difference. I'm putting 6 in my 24" deep tank, all with their own reflector. Edited September 8, 2008 by Larry Grenier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capsfan September 8, 2008 Author Share September 8, 2008 Also consider a heavy-duty white paint on the inside of the hood for water resistance and additional reflection. I actually have an epoxy that I use that is awesome. Any pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason the filter freak September 8, 2008 Share September 8, 2008 reflectors are the way to go, you may even consider going with 3 t5s and 1 VHO actinic are you having any problems with the 4 clowns in the tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctenophore September 8, 2008 Share September 8, 2008 Go with reflectors. I have seen it done both ways, even with a shared reflector. The individual reflectors greatly increase light, and will cost less to run in terms of power and replacement bulbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capsfan September 9, 2008 Author Share September 9, 2008 are you having any problems with the 4 clowns in the tank? Every once in a while the male orange bullys the b&w's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Ward September 9, 2008 Share September 9, 2008 (edited) Any pics? I didn't shoot any of the hood, but I used the same epoxy to paint all of the stand structure on my basement tank. The epoxy was recommended to me by one of the owners of Scales - they painted all of their wood structures with it. This particular stuff is great - actually made for coating bridges and other industrial structures. So I figured it could probably withstand my reef environment. This is the Sherwin-Williams Tile Clad Epoxy. They don't have it at all the Sherwin-Williams stores, so call ahead if you're headed out to get it - it's also pricey at $40 - $50/gal and you have to buy 2 gal (1 of the white base and 1 of the hardener). If you're ever near DC I have an extra gallon of the base and the hardener I can sell you if you're interested. It creates a great shell that wipes down easy. Before epoxy: After epoxy: Edited September 9, 2008 by Brian Ward Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Lazar September 9, 2008 Share September 9, 2008 Four bulbs with individual reflectors will actually provide more light than 6 bulbs without reflectors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capsfan September 9, 2008 Author Share September 9, 2008 All right, I said I would post some updated pics soon, so here they are. Since the last pics, I have redone my rockwork. I like this configuration better since it seems to really open up the tank. Just more room for my tang! First up, I just realized how much my zoas have grown since I got them about a month ago Before... After... (sorry about picture quality) FTS Right side. Left side Left side again Feeding Frenzy Does anyone know how to get rid of this stuff? I think I may add some reflectors to my lights to add more illumination. See ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capsfan September 12, 2008 Author Share September 12, 2008 Just started a 2.5g pico reef build. You can check it out here...2.5g pico reef build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDiver September 12, 2008 Share September 12, 2008 (edited) Just siphon the stuff out when u do your water change..if it comes back then u know u have a nutrient problem. Edited September 12, 2008 by DDiver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capsfan September 16, 2008 Author Share September 16, 2008 I picked some rock out for my pico and had to re-scape the left island. And a fts And my zoas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capsfan September 29, 2008 Author Share September 29, 2008 (edited) I took a couple rocks out of the tank for my new 2.5g pico, and was not insanely happy with the rock results. Here is the new rockwork on the left. Also, my clown kept biting me while I was messing w/ the rocks. I like him, but he can get pretty pesky. Sorry about the picture quality. The glass was dirty and I am not a super photographer. and a pic of ol' foghorn in her bta one of my snails chillin' on a powerhead Edited September 29, 2008 by capsfan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capsfan December 18, 2008 Author Share December 18, 2008 Well, as many of you know, the tank went downhill since last I posted. It got grown over with hair algae and I even entered it into Reefcleaner's "Ugly tank contest." Not exactly sure how I lost that one. Oh well. I was totally sick with my tank and even thought about getting rid of the ugly beast, but I stuck with it. About a week ago, I took out all the rocks and scrubbed them with a toothbrush. Then I put them into a cooler full of newly mixed saltwater. During this time, I vacuumed out a bunch of detitus from the tank and pulled out any excess hair algae. I then put all the rock back into the tank, poured out the water in the cooler, and made a fresh batch. I put this newly mixed saltwater into the tank and threw on a filter full of De*nitrate. That is where I stand. Last night I ordered some phosban to try and kill of any hair algae that is left. Before... After... Things I still have to do - Change light bulbs (They are oooolllllddd) - More Powerheads (Thinking Koralias) - RO/DI? That's it for me now folks. Have a Merry Christmas!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capsfan July 10, 2009 Author Share July 10, 2009 Well, it has been a while since I have posted about this tank, so it is time for an update! The tank looked really ugly for a while, but now it is not looking too bad. I scraped a bunch of coraline off the glass and the hair algae seems to be on the decline (please God). All the fish are doing well including the mandarin goby that was originally in my 2.5 gallon tank. I have thrown a ball of chaeto into the main display as I do not have a sump and it seems to help with the algae a bit. I also have a back of phosban in there. I realize it would be better in a reactor, but I did not have the $$$ at the time. Oh well. Here are some updated (but cruddy) pictures. One last thing... There is a little anemone on one of my frags. Is it a mojano? See below... Mandarin Some zoas I want to grow out.. That's it for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boret July 10, 2009 Share July 10, 2009 Good job recovering! That media bag looks like a punching bag for the tang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capsfan July 10, 2009 Author Share July 10, 2009 Good job recovering!That media bag looks like a punching bag for the tang lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capsfan July 11, 2009 Author Share July 11, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L8 2 RISE July 11, 2009 Share July 11, 2009 Nice! Now I would focus on getting some coraline growth and adding coral. BTW, is that two pairs of clowns I spy in there? Hows that working out for you?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capsfan July 11, 2009 Author Share July 11, 2009 Nice! Now I would focus on getting some coraline growth and adding coral. BTW, is that two pairs of clowns I spy in there? Hows that working out for you?? My coraline wants to grow everywhere but on the rocks. All over the powerheads, protein skimmer, frag rack, and glass, but little growth on the rocks. The two pairs of clowns tolerate eachother. They like to go thier separate ways. If the black ones get too close, the male orange will nip at them. The oranges have been a little more irritable since they started laying eggs on a regular basis. By the way, I am looking foward to seeing that cuttlefish tank of yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L8 2 RISE July 11, 2009 Share July 11, 2009 My coraline wants to grow everywhere but on the rocks. All over the powerheads, protein skimmer, frag rack, and glass, but little growth on the rocks. The two pairs of clowns tolerate eachother. They like to go thier separate ways. If the black ones get too close, the male orange will nip at them. The oranges have been a little more irritable since they started laying eggs on a regular basis. By the way, I am looking foward to seeing that cuttlefish tank of yours. If you have trouble, lmk, I'm lookin for a pair of blacks . I'm filling up the cuttlefish tank as we speak. I'll probably post an update tomorrow night. Then I'm off to Switzerland and England until the beginning of August and when I get back I'll be on the hunt for eggs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capsfan July 12, 2009 Author Share July 12, 2009 Good luck Sam. I'll be the only regular student member left on the boards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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