zygote2k September 21, 2008 September 21, 2008 (edited) This is my 150 maintenance tank that I started back in April. This is also the tank that has the "mysterious fish death" problems in another WAMAS topic. The following pictures show the tank in the condition that the previous maintenance company left it in. Edited November 28, 2008 by zygote2k
jason the filter freak September 21, 2008 September 21, 2008 where is that poor tank and do you own your own maint company or are you working for one? looks to have some potentail with low dollar repairs good luck
zygote2k September 22, 2008 Author September 22, 2008 (edited) After unknowingly out-bidding several other local maintenance services, I was awarded the contract. I would build them a reef with soft corals, better lighting and better filtration. The existing light system was a single 40w warm white bulb with exposed wiring. I decided to replace it with a Hamilton slim-series 14k 400w mh. This light fit easily into the existing hood. With this much wattage, I also installed a 4" exhaust fan. I placed the fan on a timer to cycle on and off 2 hours before and after lighting the MH. As for the filtration, I removed the old style wet/dry, external pump, and insufficient skimmer. I replaced them with a simple 20g sump, Rio 2500 return pump, and an ASM G1-X skimmer. Everything is very simple to operate, clean, and maintain. Thankfully, the previous maintenance company installed 3) GFCI outlets. At least they did that right. Edited September 23, 2008 by zygote2k
zygote2k September 22, 2008 Author September 22, 2008 (edited) The old existing decorations and substrate were covered in cyanobacteria. Upon removing the rocks and gravel, I guessed that the bottem had never been vaccumed or cleaned. I had found the source of the cyano. I removed all of this and the sediment over the course of a few days. Surprisingly, all of the fish made it through the sediment storm and cloudy water. The existing nitrate level was over 80ppm! I was able to salvage about 40# of base rock and about 20# of coral gravel fines. I felt if I removed more, it would require another cycling of the tank. I added 75# of Aragamax. Even though I rinsed it several times, it made the tank like milk. After about 3 days, this is what it looked like. Edited September 22, 2008 by zygote2k
zygote2k September 22, 2008 Author September 22, 2008 For the building of the actual reef, I ordered 100# of South Pacific rock from Phil@ Reef E-scape and cured it in my quarantine system. The rock was very nice and although it shipped relatively dry, it only took about 3 weeks to cure. After introducing it to the display, the tank underwent a huge cyanobacteria bloom. I added 3) Koralia 1200gph pumps for circulation and introduced a Sea Hare. This critter completely consumed 90% of the associated detritus and nuisance algae that grew from the fresh nutrient supply. After eating everything, it mysteriously vanished. I suspect that the serpent star ate him. I thought he was cute and named him Bob. RIP, Bob.
zygote2k November 28, 2008 Author November 28, 2008 The doctors decide that they want more light. I added another Hamilton fixture- 150w 20k and another 4" exhaust fan. 20k@150w next to 14k@400w- there isn't much difference. Here's a pic of the new light.
Coral Hind November 29, 2008 November 29, 2008 Wow, big difference in before and after pictures. Awesome job turning that tank around.
zygote2k November 29, 2008 Author November 29, 2008 Wow, big difference in before and after pictures. Awesome job turning that tank around. Thanks. I've told the Doctors that the other maintenance company could have done the same thing because it wasn't really that hard to do. I've kept it very simple- Berlin system with strong current and lighting, 10% weekly water changes. This is the 2nd tank that I've taken over from Crystal Clear aquarium services.
zygote2k December 6, 2008 Author December 6, 2008 Here's the tank as of 12/5/08. 400w 14k on right, 150w 20k on left.
zygote2k February 7, 2009 Author February 7, 2009 I've added some more fish- 4"Hippo Tang, 2 Yellow Coris Wrasses, mated pair of Ocellaris, Foxface. The tank is doing great. Here are some pictures I took tonight.
zygote2k April 23, 2009 Author April 23, 2009 Since the last update, the XL sized Colt coral went south in one day and had to be removed. The green sinularia started to become affected, but it turned around for the better. The tank is 10 months old and the water parameters are: NO3 less than 10ppm, ph 8.1 ish, alk 3.5 meq/l, and calcium 440 ppm. I stopped using Purple-up and switched to Brightwells Reef Code A and B. This tank is very easy to maintain and grows corals very well. Anyone can visit it at Active Family Chiropractic in Reston. Here's a pic from today.
lanman April 23, 2009 April 23, 2009 Heck of a lot nicer than before! I'll bet the Dr's are happy! bob
zygote2k June 9, 2009 Author June 9, 2009 The tank was on channel 9 recently. Here's the link:channel 9 news
Nate June 9, 2009 June 9, 2009 (edited) God, it must be annoying to hear kids say "Its NEMO" all day long! ha ha. That's pretty cool seeing your tank on the news. Edited June 9, 2009 by Nate
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