Aquapod 24 Project Begins - Photos Added

[princer7]

I started up the Aquapod 24 gallon this past Thursday by adding pre-cured live Fiji rock with a nice branching piece of tonga to form the base. This gave room for lots of water movement and caves. As of yesterday, I am starting to get some brown algae growth.

Tonight the auto top-off was hooked up. This was the last piece I wanted in place before thinking about adding anything to the tank.

Not too sure what to add first for the livestock. Right now, my eyes are going GA GA :blink over all the cool corals and fish. Any suggestions? How long should I wait before I start adding to the tank?

Here is the current specs:

Aquapod 24
AquaController Jr - pH, temp, lights (even runs the lights for ALL my tanks thanks to x10)
SunPod 150 watt HQI
Prime Chiller 1/15 HP
Mag 5 Pump (external - replaces stock pump and also runs the chiller)
Hydor Koralia 2
CPR Aquafuge 2 PS (w/ Protien Skimmer)
24 watt PC light for refugium
Stealth 100w heater
Aqua Medic SP 3000 Niveaumat Auto Top-Off

Carib Sea Mineral Mud for refugium (1/2 gallon)
9lbs of Tonga Live Rock
18lbs of Fiji Live Rock
20lbs Carib Sea Reef Sand

[mhaynes01]

here is something on reef central about cycling your tank

http://www.reefcentral.com/FAQ/general/index.php#whatiscycling

you will want to cycle it before you start adding livestock.

looks like a good start....get some pictures up. :)

[princer7]

Here are some pictures from tonight. I saw some 'pods for the first time last evening. Starting to get new growth on the rock - cannot wait to see what it will become.

http://jpaustin.dyndns.org/gallery/Aquarium%20Project/HCCC/Current%20Pictures/Reef%20Tank/Small/IMG_2045%20Copy%20Small.jpg

http://jpaustin.dyndns.org/gallery/Aquarium%20Project/HCCC/Current%20Pictures/Reef%20Tank/Small/IMG_2049%20Copy%20Small.jpg

http://jpaustin.dyndns.org/gallery/Aquarium%20Project/HCCC/Current%20Pictures/Reef%20Tank/Small/IMG_2047%20Copy%20Small.jpg

[markgsa]

Excellent start!!! Looks good too. :shades

[tony]

nicely done!

[BioCube14]

looks like you got a ton of money in that setup

[princer7]

Thanks, y'all!! I just added some chaeto to the refugium and two electric blue hermit crabs. I am pretty excited about getting some life going in it. There were some 'pods, worms and serpent stars that hitched along. My husband thinks I was crazy staring at a tank "full of rocks" :D

I don't have room for another big tank so a tricked out nano will have to do...for now. :angel

[Jynxgirl]

I dont think any of us will think you are crazy for staring at the tank...

Nice start. I love this size tank.

Jill

[princer7]

I picked up some really nice corals for the nano this week from josephatmbimortgage. Working on getting some pictures of the tank. Here is one from this evening of the Kryptonite zoanthid (no flash):

http://jpaustin.dyndns.org/gallery/Aquarium%20Project/HCCC/Current%20Pictures/Reef%20Tank/Small/IMG_2189-Copy-Small-Web.jpg

[josephatmbimortgage]

AWESOME PIC! What type of camera do you have again, I can never get that close.

-Joseph

[princer7]

I have a Canon 20D. This one was shot with my super macro lens that does 5x magnification - MPE-65mm. This was not cropped. It is an awesome lens. I'll take more tonight. :D

[princer7]

Looks like some of the pictures were lost with the site upgrade. Here are some new (and old pics from this thread):

Blue African Pom Pom Xenia
http://jpaustin.dyndns.org/gallery/Aquarium%20Project/HCCC/Current%20Pictures/Reef%20Tank/Small/IMG_2374-Copy-Small-Web.jpg

Yellow Zoanthids
http://jpaustin.dyndns.org/gallery/Aquarium%20Project/HCCC/Current%20Pictures/Reef%20Tank/Small/IMG_2340-Copy-Small-Web.jpg


Purple and Alien Eye Favite
http://jpaustin.dyndns.org/gallery/Aquarium%20Project/HCCC/Current%20Pictures/Reef%20Tank/Small/IMG_2246-Copy-Small-Web.jpg

[princer7]

Blastomussa Merletti
http://jpaustin.dyndns.org/gallery/Aquarium%20Project/HCCC/Current%20Pictures/Reef%20Tank/Small/IMG_2390-CopySmall-Web.jpg

http://jpaustin.dyndns.org/gallery/Aquarium%20Project/HCCC/Current%20Pictures/Reef%20Tank/Small/IMG_2414-Copy-Small-Web.jpg

[Headless_donkey]

WOW! nice pics

[princer7]

ORA Pink Bird's Nest
http://jpaustin.dyndns.org/gallery/Aquarium%20Project/HCCC/Current%20Pictures/Reef%20Tank/Small/IMG_2451-Copy-Small-Web.jpg

ORA Green Bird's Nest
http://jpaustin.dyndns.org/gallery/Aquarium%20Project/HCCC/Current%20Pictures/Reef%20Tank/Small/IMG_2471-Copy-Small-Web.jpg

[princer7]

24 Karat Zoanthids
http://jpaustin.dyndns.org/gallery/Aquarium%20Project/HCCC/Current%20Pictures/Reef%20Tank/Small/IMG_2497-Copy-Small-Web.jpg

[erikharrison]

How did I miss this? GORGEOUS PICS! I really like your nano setup! You have alot invested!!!