My new project

[fishypets]

Well after what seemed to be forever away from the hobby I'm in the closing stages of having a full blown reef tank again! I was fortunate to come across Mojo's old 203 A.G.E. rimless tank designed by Mike and the team at Kingfish aquariums. The dimensions are 60" x 30" deep and 25" tall. Next week I will place and order with Kingfish and hope to have this tank wet within three weeks. Here is the list of equipment I'll be using followed by a pic I took of the tank today with the lights on.

203 A.G.E. starfire rimless tank with steel stand built by A.G.E.
O.M. four way with Barracuda
Tunze wave box
ATI power module 10 bulb 4' fixture
Bubbleking 200 Supermarin internal protein skimmer
Red Dragon 45m3 return pump
Deltec CA reactor
jbj arctica chiller
Tunze top-off
Controller (undecided)

I'll update this tread as the tank progresses.


http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7342.jpg

[greenmako]

Great to see you back!!!

[LoneStar]

Awesome! I thought I read that correctly on Dudesters thread on RC! Its gonna be a sweet setup :)

[BIGBIRD123]

Glad to see ya back, Clint. I got some Maroon rock that would look nice in there...all kidding aside, a welcome addition back.

Steve

[LoneStar]

Controller (undecided)

Look into the Profilux if you haven't already. Its a very stable controller and you can do so much with it!

[fishypets]

Glad to see ya back, Clint. I got some Maroon rock that would look nice in there...all kidding aside, a welcome addition back.

Steve

I'll pass on the maroon rock but when I need some "browned out" corals I'll let ya know! :) j/k

Greenmako and Lonestar thanks, it's good to be back. As far as the profilux goes I'll look at it. You are the 3rd person to recommend it.

[hobogato]

it's about time!!!

[texmex]

looks like its going to be a beautiful tank.

[ErikH]

CHA-CHING! Sounds like you're going to have quite the setup! :)

[fishypets]

Well I had a chance to start plumbing the tank yesterday and made good progress. I figure another trip to Corr Tech for a few more sch 80 parts and I'll be set (and a few more beers) I learned today that the skimmer and return pump are about three weeks out so no big rush. Here is what I finished yesterday, it doesn't seem like much but I'm almost done!

More to come......

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7362.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7361.jpg

[ErikH]

nice short PVC runs!!! It looks very clean. :)

[BioCube14]

sweet setup

[Andrew v.s wild]

good luck!!:wink_smile:

[fishypets]

Thanks, I'm glad you like it!

Well I finished plumbing the closed loop this afternoon. I wish I could have stuck with perpendicular and horizontal lines but the angles of the closed loop on the left side of the tank did not allow for that. I guess it doesn't look too bad so I'm hoping you guys will tell me. All I have left on the plumbing is to hard plumb the return pump and figure out how to plumb the chiller........Should I hard plumb or use soft tubing??? What are your thoughts? The chiller will be about 4' away from the tank.

Here's what I've done so far.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7368.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7369.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7370.jpg

[DrMark]

looks very nice.
I did one recently and ended up soft plumbing the chiller........much easier.
mark

[caferacermike]

It's great seeing someone that really appreciates taking their time and doing a nice clean job of their work.

Glad to see you back. Whereabouts are you set this time round?

[fishypets]

Mark do you think it would look better hard plumbed or would it matter? I was thinking of hiding the chiller with maybe a plotted plant so if I go that route i guess it wouldn't matter either way. My only thought about hard plumbing vs. soft plumbing is during the summer months I may want to take the chiller off line and hook it up to my changing station I'll have in the garage.

Mike I live in Onion Creek (South Austin).

I'm glad you guys like the plumbing, I tend to be a little critical of my work so it's good to have an objective opinion. :)

[hobogato]

well, if you want objective.....


jk - looks great clint!

[DrMark]

Flex PVC might be a good compromise to plumb it easily without barb fittings and with true unions for ease of taking it down.
mark

[Alex]

good to see a familiar user name these days. with new people getting into the hobby, just getting back into the loop of things my self never quite just got away from the forums for a while. :D

btw clean and neat is always a A+++ for me you got skills boy!!!

[fishypets]

Thanks Ace coming from you that's a huge compliment.

Mark thanks for the tip. I've decided to go with 3/4" spa flex so it matches the rest of the plumbing. I wandered through Home Depot today and looked at black tubing but decided against it. Does anyone know where to get spa-flex local?

Alex good to hear from you bro! Hope all is well on your end. BTW have you seen Jerry lately?

[prof]

My home depot carries spa-flex.
Cool lookin' setup!

[fishypets]

My home depot carries spa-flex.
Cool lookin' setup!

The gray kind? I asked one of the employees that worked in plumbing and he looked at me like I was crazy. And thanks for the compliment. I can't wait to get my hands wet. :)

[DrMark]

I have never seen it in any stores, but here it is on line:

http://www.flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?product=2_Flex_PVC_Pipe_3/4_inch

mark

[LoneStar]

I have never seen it in any stores, but here it is on line:

http://www.flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?product=2_Flex_PVC_Pipe_3/4_inch

mark

That's pretty much your best bet when it comes to finding multiple dia. and colors in spa flex. As for a local source, you could try calling a few pool supply shops or plumbing supply stores.

[Carlos_at_River_City]

lookin' good clint,
For the spa flex you might try some of the water garden / pond shops. I know Hill Country Water Gardens in Cedar Park carries the black spa flex in a couple sizes. Down south you might call Emerald Gardens.

[prof]

Home Depot and Lowes don't have a great variety of sizes or colors but they usually have the white spa flex in the plumbing section and often black out with the pond supplies.

[Submariner]

spa crafters

[fishypets]

Thanks Carlos!

Well I ordered the gray spa-flex online and hope to have it by next weekend.

John @ Kingfish mentioned my live rock came in today so hopefully by next weekend I'll have water in the tank. :)

I also plan on reworking some of the plumbing this weekend. I'll post some progress pics as it comes along.

[acropoorer]

Nice system Clint and good to have you back in the hobby. I have you to thank for pulling me into sps in big way. Saw your tank at the first arc meeting and there was no turning back.

-Dale

[fishypets]

Thanks Dale. I'll have to pay you a visit in the near future to get some inspiration from your awesome reef!

I spent much of the day finishing up the plumbing and replacing the seals, bearing in my closed loop pump and it's safe to say I am worn out!

Mojo suggested that I re-route the far left closed loop so that it goes out the back of the stand. I am glad I took his advice as there is more room underneath and things do not look as cluttered.

I also picked up my Spectrapure five stage RO/DI unit and started making water. Since I do not have my mixing vat yet I have the product water going directly in the tank. Once I have enough water to run my return pump and closed loop I will be adding salt and letting my CL mix it up.

The rock selected was Vanuatu and I had a chance to check it out last week down at Kingfish where it is curing. I hope to have my sand by end of next week. That will allow me to scape the rock and get ready for fish.

Below are progress pics from today, it's getting close to becoming a reef!


http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7372.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7373.jpg

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[fishypets]

Tonight I added salt and let the closed loop mix it all up. This weekend I'll add rock and then sand. Do you think I need more flow??

Hook em!

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7387.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7390.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7391.jpg

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[clone]

thats a sweet wave you got going there!.:)
neat looking set up,one day ill get that advanced.

[olaggie01]

Where is your skimmer again?

That's some serious flow. Might want to point one of those nozzles down so that you don't have to clean the glass as often. Salt creep is a real pain on a rimless tank.

[joelb]

that plumbing looks like a busy houston interstate. perfect job. and the flow, cant you some how turn that into energy and power your house?

[fishypets]

Clone- It took me five years in the hobby to end up with something this nice. And I'm glad you like my wave action. Once I add the wave box it will have a constant wave, not just when I point my nozzle up towards the surface.

Olaggie01- My skimmer (Bubbleking) is somewhere between here and some foreign country. :) Canada maybe eh? The nozzle has since been pointed down and out so the flow is hardly noticeable.

Joelb- thanks for the compliment on the plumbing, I like it too!

[fishypets]

I got around to adding rock last night and I must say scaping this tank was a lot more challenging than I thought it would be. I had a picture in my mind of two tall columns but it just didn't come out right. Here is what I've done so far. Noting special but lots of room to place corals and hopefully watch em grow up toward the light. Here it is.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7399.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7398.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7397.jpg

[fishypets]

Okay folks I'm guessing from your lack of comments you didn't like my design. Well honestly I didn't either and it was a product of a long week and not much thought. I had a chance to add sand(Tropic Eden which I love) and redo the rock work. The rock is thinner on the left side, open in the center and denser on the right. Please let me know what you think, I promise you won't hurt my feeling. :)

Here goes.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7403.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7404.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7405.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7406.jpg

[joelb]

that looks good just like that:shades:

[cpreefguy]

I really like it!
Also just bought some tropic eden and love it.
Keep up the good work!

[greatwhite@AlamoAquatics]

sweet set up looks good dude

[dustint21]

I wish my tank was that deep! Looks awesome!

[fishypets]

Thanks for the feedback guys! Next week my Bubble King should be here and fish will follow shortly after that. How long should I wait before adding corals? It's been so long since I set up a tank I forgot. I hope I can still grow corals. ;)

[fishypets]

Thanks to Ace's crafty work I now have a skin for the stand. It is held in place using brackets and magnets. The front handles are for decoration only, the front panel comes completely off. Thanks again Ace!

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7417.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7416.jpg

[hobogato]

whew! glad it fit..... :) glad you like it too :)

[rpc]

Wow that is a GREAT looking setup!

Do you or Ace have close up pics of the skin for the stand and how they are held in place? Is that plastic or wood?

I am working on a similar build (60"x24"x18" rimless) and was looking for inspiration on how to skin the stand.

Thanks,
Richard

[fishypets]

Richard,

The skin is made out of wood and I'll try and get some pics posted on how it fits together.

The Bubbleking arrived today and I managed to take a picture of it in action. Looks small under the stand but it's quite large. Can't wait to test it out!

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7418.jpg

I also had help from Mojo earlier in the week and we did a tweak here and there on the scaping and I'm finally happy with the end result. Check it out.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7419.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7420.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7421.jpg

[LoneStar]

That is a sweet skimmer!

[chark]

Great looking skape! Very nice setup. How long before you add livestock?

Cecil

[fishypets]

I hope to add livestock this coming week. I should have cleaned the glass and scraped the inside before I took the picture. It looks much better in person.

[DrMark]

looking great, I love the skimmer

[fishypets]

Better pictures with a clean glass, let me know how you like it.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7431.jpg

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[hobogato]

very nice clint :)

[BioCube14]

love the rock work cant wait to see more pics

[LoneStar]

That looks great. I'm imagining it stocked already.

[fishypets]

Thanks ya'll!

I plan on stocking it with my old corals if I can find em. Did anyone get the Tyree Purple Monster from me? I'll be looking for a frag of that for sure.

[sly fox]

the rocks very nice... i might look into some vannatu myself

[chark]

I do like the rock work better. Oh, and nice light. What bulbs are you running? How is the skimmer working?

Cecil

[fishypets]

Chark- I'm not happy with the color combo and I plan on switching in the near future. And the BubbleKing is still pulling out the nasties.

[chark]

Clint - my bulb combo is a little blue. I would be interested in the bulb combo you change to.

Cecil

[fishypets]

Cecil have you seen Syzom on ReefCentral's bulb combo. He won TOTM a while back and I really like his colors. They consist of 3 ATI Blue Plus 3 ATI Atinic 2 Ati blue special one Aquascience white and one Korallenzucht fiji purple. (not in that order) I'm 99% sure this will be my bulb selection.

[cpreefguy]

Syzom has an amazing tank, I also really like his bulb combo.

Sorry I don't have some SPS for you!

[fishypets]

Sean- Do you know where I could find some of my old sps in S.A.?

[cpreefguy]

Hey Clint, my favorite pieces happen to be the pieces you gave me for free when I bought a frag of that Paletta Blue from you.
I got some pink jade and the $500 efflo in that deal.
Lets see, Mikedelgado has the majority of the Paletta Blue, pink jade, and $500 efflo.
Princer7 has a frag of the $500 efflo that is doing awesome.
Also, I gave a mini colony of the Paletta blue to Raymond.
Ill look through some of my old FS threads and see if I can find wo bought some of your frags.

[fishypets]

Time for a monthly update. I've added seven fish, one Lubbock wrasse and seven Anthias. I also added a few sps frags last week and I'm pleased that they've started to lay down a base over the super glue and are coloring up nicely. Sorry for the shaky photos, I can't find my tri-pod.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7452.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7453.jpg

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http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7457.jpg

[BIGBIRD123]

Really looking nice Clint. I'm trying to get water in mine this weekend.
http://maast.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=46918

Steve

[reefer man]

looks really good

[DrMark]

nice.
I, too, have a group of lyetail anthias.
mark

[chark]

Looks good. Those anthias look good in the tank.

[fishypets]

Thanks guys, glad you like. :)

This weekend I noticed a small puddle of what appears to be a hitch-hiker sps from Vanuatu. What surprises me is it traveled from there to here, spent three weeks in a vat curing with no lights, survived a mean cycle and then ended up in my tank and appears to be a nice coral! I tried to snap a shot but without a tri-pod it's hard to get a good pic. The base is white-ish and the polyps are neon green. Wish it luck.

[jrodriguez]

a very nice tank cant wait to see it with everything in it what other type of fish are you planning to add?

[gjuarez]

Hey clint, thats a very nice setup man! Nice rock, full of coraline. Give it a year and it will be one of the nicest ones in the forum.

[jpond83]

great tank

[fishypets]

Thanks for the compliments guys.

A few updated pics from today.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7568.jpg

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[BIGBIRD123]

Really looking good for a teasip...lol

S

[SaltyJim]

Just read this through. Looks great!



The skin is made out of wood and I'll try and get some pics posted on how it fits together.



If you get a chance, I'd like to see how the panels are held to the frame as well. Thanks.

[gjuarez]

Hey Clint, I will be buying Brian and Christina's 75g reefready tank here in the near future. It now belongs to rick (marlin). I plan on setting it up with some T5s, either 6 x 54w of 6 x 39w overdriven by icecap ballasts and cooled with some fans near the endcaps. I will be hitting you up for some tips. Still dont know what direction to go as far as with bulb selection. Tank is really coming along man.

[donduncan]

Great looking tank and great documentation of the tank setup.

[donduncan]

Any new pictures of the tank? Why did you glue the sps sideways?

[donduncan]

How long did it take the sps to begin to encurst?

[fishypets]

Jerry,

Not sure how much help I'll be when it comes to bulb selection. I'm getting ready to change bulbs myself and will be copying Syzoms (reefcentral totm) bulb combination.

donduncan,

The pictures posted were from two nights ago so that's as current as they get. :)

As far as gluing the frags sideways this is what works best for me in regards to getting a nice base laid down. It is my belief that a sps coral will not put on fast growth (upward) until a nice established base is down. And by laying the frag on it's side it has an opportunity to "puddle" before the frag takes off. Depending on the coral I'd say it normally takes three to four weeks for it to completely encrust the superglue and venture out onto the rock it's glued to. This technique takes a little while longer to get upward growth but makes for nicer colonies IMO.

Salty Jim,

I actually need to make a few mods to the stand skin before posting. Turns out the 60" front panel was too much weight and a few of the disc that hold the front to the sides have broken off. I'm thinking about going in a different direction all together with the skin. But when I do I'll let you know.

[SaltyJim]

Salty Jim,

I actually need to make a few mods to the stand skin before posting. Turns out the 60" front panel was too much weight and a few of the disc that hold the front to the sides have broken off. I'm thinking about going in a different direction all together with the skin. But when I do I'll let you know.


Thanks. My wife has been on me to do something to cover the stand ever since I removed the doors to get better access. It would be much easier to have something held in place with magnets. Whenever you can.

-Jim

[ErikH]

That rockwork looks great! Are you planning on SPS dominant? I am guessing so by the salt, lights, om4way, and of course the bk! What kind of life you puttin' in that tank? :D

EDIT: DOH! I missed a page!

[hobogato]

i think we should have made a wood frame that bolted permanently to the metal frame and then put removable wood panels in or on that frame. it would have been much more stable. sorry it hasnt worked out like we thought it would clint - if you want me to work on it some, let me know.

[fishypets]

Well I changed out all 10 bulbs today and I think I like it. I copied Syzomn's current bulb configuration. The back of the tank has a 20K feel and the front has a 12K feel. I also ordered a few extra bulbs just in case the look doesn't grow on me. I just hope my little frags don't bleach from the change in par.

Front to back:

blue special
actynic
actynic
fiji purple
blue plus
blue special
blue plus
actynic
actynic
blue plus.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7581.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7582.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7585.jpg

[TexasTodd]

Nice Clint! Where did you get your bulbs and fixture from?

Todd

[fishypets]

Todd the fixture was part of the package deal but it came from Reefgeek.com

[TexasTodd]

Me likey!

Do you have a chiller?

Freaking NICE setup Clint!

Todd

[fishypets]

Yes I have a chiller but it rarely turns on. And thanks!

[blindside]

I love this tank :)

[michael_t]

I used Reefgeek too, for a retro kit. Good customer service and great prices.

FishyPets, looking forward to the updates.

[fishypets]

blindside- THANKS! I'm loving it too.

michael_t Hopefully this weekend I'll finish up the stocking process so I can sit back and watch her grow.

So far no one's commented on the light spectrum. What are your thoughts? Hate it? Love it? Indifferent? Let me know.

[cbianco]

So far no one's commented on the light spectrum. What are your thoughts? Hate it? Love it? Indifferent? Let me know.

It looks really blue. I know that pictures are typically more blue than the real thing. Now of course, once that actinic takes over and the corals start to fluoresce, that will be awesome. I can't wait to see the tank filled with corals.

You have a good looking, solid foundation IMO.

Christopher

[fishypets]

Thanks Christopher!

[fishypets]

Update:

I added four more Anthias and a purple tang along with some really cool chalices and some more colored sticks. Took a few pictures of the fish, notice how they are hanging around the wave box waiting for me to feed them. They are some pigs!

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7622.jpg

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[BIGBIRD123]

Looking good Clint...

S

[gjuarez]

Looking good man, i still remember the leng sy cap that i got from you once, the nicest leng sy I had ever seen. Hurry up so that I can get some more frags from you

[TexasTodd]

When are you putting your orange plate back in?

:)

Todd

[chark]

Your tank is looking good. I like the Anthias. I need to add some to mine. I just noticed you added the nano wavebox. what kink of wave are you getting? I thought your tank was too large for the nano wavebox. I only ask because my tank is the same deminsion as yours and I am using the regular sized wavebox. I don't like that mine has to be on the side blocking the view. It would be costly to switch but it might be worth for the view if it worked well.

[fishypets]

Cecil,

That's the full size wave box but facing forward. I get a three inch side to side wave, however I have a hole in the substrate where it blows it out. The tank is 5' long and 30" deep. If you try mounting the wave box in the back facing forward it will work but requires some "super fine" tuning. Make sure the box is in the back corner facing the front and start at the slowest setting (all the way counter-clock wise) and make an VERY SMALL adjustment and then wait a minute. Contiune doing this until you have the wave.


Jerry, I still have the leng sy so when you're ready let me know.

Thanks Steve!

Todd I'll put the orange plate in once I find my three old engineer gobys!

[TexasTodd]

You have engineer gobies in there! YUK!

TT

[thedude]

Todd,

No freaking way. I was in charge of making sure that Clint didn't make the mistake of having the worst fish in history... twice.

Clarkii clowns, 3 engineer gobies, a brown damsel, and a junkyard yellow tang are not what I call a party haha

[gjuarez]

I dont see the Leng Sy in your pics

[Gseclipse02]

You have engineer gobies in there! YUK!

TT


im new to this whats bad about them ??

[TexasTodd]

Ha LMAO, he did move to South Ausin right? :)

G02, they dig, and digging is a nightmare for corals and rock placement.


Todd,

No freaking way. I was in charge of making sure that Clint didn't make the mistake of having the worst fish in history... twice.

Clarkii clowns, 3 engineer gobies, a brown damsel, and a junkyard yellow tang are not what I call a party haha

[fishypets]

You guys need to quit hating on my engineer gobies!

Jerry- The Leng Sy is back behind the wave box.

[QuickSilver525]

that is so beautiful

[mozartkt]

looks great, congrats

[coraline79]

Ha LMAO, he did move to South Ausin right? :)

G02, they dig, and digging is a nightmare for corals and rock placement.

You should never place your rock above your substrate. if you place your rock directly on the glass, or bottom of the tank, they won't move regardless of digging.

[fishypets]

You should never place your rock above your substrate. if you place your rock directly on the glass, or bottom of the tank, they won't move regardless of digging.


Well said Coraline!

mozartkt- Thanks!

QuickSilver525- Thanks, it's getting there slowly.

[fishypets]

Well time for a small update. I came home from work today and my house was very quiet and dark. After a quick panic I realized my corals were still alive but my fish were no were to be found. I traced the problem to the Benklin power strip. It's amazing all the money we have tied up in our reefs and yet our weakest link is what powers the thing. Luckily all the fish made it, guess it had just failed before I got home.

Now onto the update. The stand skin didn't turn out like I had hoped for(my wild and crazy plan for a "floating style skin") so I asked a construction buddy of mine if he could have one of his carpenters build something for me. I gave him a few ideas and let him run with it. He also built a smaller scale box to cover up the chiller and top off bucket. All I need to do now is stain it, and re-route some cords and I'll be good to go. Check it out, it's made from Oak and instead of bolting to the steel stand it slides out and has three doors. I'm very pleased.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7700.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7704.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7703.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7702.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7701.jpg

[BIGBIRD123]

Looks pretty sweet...

S

[chark]

Nice look. How dark are you going to stain it?

[fishypets]

Thanks guys, Cecil I plan on going with a dark Walnut stain (if my wife likes it)

[fishypets]

UPDATE:

Cleaned the glass and thought I'd snap a few pictures. I'm way rusty with my camera so please forgive my horrible shots. The tank is really starting to find it's stride. I'm happy with growth and color for now. I also started Zeovit two weeks ago. Stay tuned........


http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7711.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7713.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7714.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7716.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7717.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7718.jpg

[chark]

Nice chalice. Everything is looking good. Did you find all your old corals?

[fishypets]

Cecil,

I only have a few of my old corals and the chalice is one of em. Thanks for the compliment.

[J_G]

Clint - I have your Paletta blue tenuis and Tubs Pink Jade. I bought them from you several years ago for $80/inch for both and I will be happy to give you back an inch or so of each for free.

-John

[fishypets]

WOW that's awful kind of you John. I happen to have both of those already but thanks!

[gjuarez]

I like the ORA red planet. Tank is looking good clint. Are the most recent pics taken with Actinic only? Blue Plus?

[dustint21]

Man Clint I love your tank! I could have stayed for hours just looking at your tank! Did you lower the PM or does the pic just make it look lower?

Dustin

[fishypets]

Jerry all pictures were taken with all ten bulbs including two actinics, four blue pluses, one fiji pink and three blue specials.

Dustin thanks man! I did lower the Power Module where it is two inches over the rim of the tank. I had to raise it back up though cause it was baking the corals near the surface! It's one bad mofo.

[camaroracer214]

wow, that's a great looking setup. making me jealous.

can't wait until i move mine and get it set back up.

[fishypets]

Thanks Brandon. No need to be jealous though, yours will be better than mine. Do you have a move date set?

[Troutmasters02]

The top of that chiller enclosure looks like a great spot for a frag tank. :applause:

[fishypets]

Jason,

According to my wife the tank is an eyesore. If I added a frag tank she would divorce me. :)

[fishypets]

Growth shot on the Lime in the Sky. The first picture is how the coral looked in the tank it came out of, the second one is how it looked in my system with high nutrients and the third was taken one month after starting Zeovit.

December 2008
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7568.jpg

Feb. 2009
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7633.jpg

April 2009 (one month after starting Zeovit)
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7717.jpg

[aggman]

wow that is some good growth...

did you post your zeovit regimen somewhere? i am interested in what and how often you are dosing.

~alex

[fishypets]

I'm running about 1 liter of Zeovit in a reactor with a maxijet pushing 200 gph(1 liter of Zeocarbon in a mesh bag sits on top of the zeorocks.

For the first two weeks I dosed the folling daily:

Zeobac 8 drops/day
Zeofood7 8 drops/day
Zeostart2 2ml/day (1ml in a.m. 1ml in p.m.)

After two weeks:
Zeobac 8 drops every three days
Zeofood7 8 drops every three days
Zeostart2 2ml/day (1ml in a.m. and 1ml in p.m.)

I also dose the following elements twice weekly:

Monday and Thursday

Potassium iodide/fluoride concentrate 8 drops
K-Balance 5ml
Iron 8 drops

Tuesday and Friday

B-BAL 5ml
Iodide 5 drops

Wed and Sat

Pohl's Xtra 8ml
Sponge power 8drops

Sunday

Zeospur macroelement 8ml

I also dose 8 drops of Coral Vitalizer each night after the lights go out.

I spend tops 3 minutes each day dosing chemicls and twice a week I check my levels and add two part as needed until my ProfiluxII comes in and then I'll start the Balling method.

[fishypets]

Picked up a nice acan colony last Friday. I might be fragging soon........

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7931.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8005.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7998.jpg

[fishypets]

I snapped a shot of my acan frags I keep in the shade and thought it made a cool picture.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_7999.jpg

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

Wow......this is the first time, I have seen this build thread. The Rock work is fabulous, very inspirational.

[J_G]

I like your wood choice for your stand. I see a five stage Ro/di filter in your third full tank picture. Very nice. I have a 7 stage Ro/di filter. I like them much better than 4 stage filters.

[dannyv]

Clint, I need to check out your tank in person. Looks awesome!

[fishypets]

Cheri thanks for the compliments, I'm glad you like the scape.

John yeah man it really pays off to get a better RO/DI unit.

Dannyv just let me know when, and don't forget your wifes keys next time :)

And now for a little update, I hope you like.

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8032.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8033.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8034.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8036.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8060.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8059.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8051.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8045.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8044.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8031.jpg

[fishypets]

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8043.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8042.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8041.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8040.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8039.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8038.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8037.jpg

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8061.jpg

[aggman]

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8041.jpg


:hypnotyized::hypnotyized::hypnotyized:

what is this coral? i need a frag of my own...

~alex

[fishypets]

Alex that is the Pink Lemonade, it's making a big base before growing upward. This frag was mounted flat.

[clone]

DA*N starting to get even more intresting.

[aggman]

wow i have seen the pink lemonade before at the lfs, it just wasn't that colorful. maybe i should pick it up.

~alex

[mikedelgado]

beautifull!!

[Noober]

Man your tank is incredible, I've only been in the hobby a year, as soon as I can get all my coral under control, and know how to look at them to see whats wrong, and when I can keep my fish from getting ich and other typical things like that, I will start investing in some really awsome coral like you've got. I've got sps that will grow fast, and I've got some that dont look so happy. I do some research but evidently not enough, and not enough experience, I guess I'm not the sponge that I used to be. Anyway, Very insperational tank man.... I'm coming to grips that the actual rock work isnt what really matters, (yours looks great btw) but what the end result will be once the coral grows out. You look like youve got plenty of space for that. Enjoy the tank and thanks for shareing!

[dustint21]

Clint's tank is amazing in person! You cant get the real depth of the 30'' tank unless you are there! Great job Clint, your tank is a huge reason I had to upgrade, and my wife thanks you for it! LMAO!

[fishypets]

Thanks for the kind words, I'm flattered..

Here are a few new additions to the reef (I hate calling it a tank)

Enjoy


http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8079.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8078.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8071.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8070.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8068.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8090.jpg

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

Very nice Clint......

[BIGBIRD123]

Sure is a lot of Maroon on that first one...lol


Dude, the tank is looking really good.

[fishypets]

Thanks guys... If you ever come up this way to watch a REAL college football team and want to check it out let me know.

[BIGBIRD123]

who Southwestern?

[fishypets]

who Southwestern?

Steve I'm sure if Southwestern had a football team they'd beat up on your Aggies too :)

[BIGBIRD123]

Yeah but Our band can beat your band...

[clone]

having both MH and T5's,
Do your acro's grow the same, do you fell happy with color, or did MH work better for you?
In other words do you wish you would have gone MH?

[fishypets]

If I had to do it over again I'd stick with the T5's. The ATI fixture is a beast and the growth/color has been great thus far. Only down side to the fixture is you can bake sps corals if they're not properly acclimated.

[fishypets]

It's been six months since I last updated this thread and during that time my tank has seen it's fair share of woes. I've had everything from stray electricity kill off all my snails and a few fish which caused a massive cyano outbreak followed by green hair algae, to most recently when my chiller ran for 10 hours straight taking my tank temp down to 69. Although I'm not excited about the state my tank is in I do feel that it's on the upswing and things will start to improve. To document it's progress I snapped a few shots today.



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8372-1.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8370.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8371.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8373.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8374.jpg

[hobogato]

looks great clint, that first coral is awesome! is it A. elegans?

[z28pwr]

Looks good.

[jesserettele]

Awesome. It has been fun reading through your thread, thanks for sharing. Do you stil run the OM 4 way, and do you run it with the tunze wave and power head?

[fishypets]

Thanks!

Jesse yes I am still running the OM, Tunze wave box and 2x Streams. I could still add about three more streams but don't like the way they look (trying to keep it looking clean)

[jesserettele]

Well it definitely has that clean look, very sharp. I can’t believe when you say that you have had your fair share of woes lately and it is on the upswing, looks like it has never had a single problem.

What gph Dart is running the OM and does it mess with the tunze wave maker? Has your OM given you any service problems? Are your streams being controlled by your reefkeeper (if so, what pattern and do they mess with the wave maker)? That is a lot of flow! I love it.

I was originally under the impression that as long as the right media was being used and regulated that a CA reactor was all that was needed. But after seeing your growth rate and colors, seems like learning your method of healthy dosing would be worthwhile. Do you have a link that you could recommend for dosing or is it an art that you developed and customized to your reef’s needs?

[BIGBIRD123]

He uses an AGGIE maintenance company to take care of it! ROFLMAO! Clint, the tank looks great!

Gig 'Em...

[hobogato]

should i guess again? :)


...that first coral is awesome! is it A. elegans?

[fishypets]

Jesse,

The Reeflo barracuda pump is rated @4500 g.p.h and the two streams are @ 2100 g.p.h and neither interfer with the wave motion created by the wave box.

The streams are not controlled by the Profilux but ran full speed all the time.

As far as the dosing goes, it's pretty simple and very easy to get dialed in. The method is called the "balling lite" and the salts are made by Fauna Marin www.faunamarin.de One thing I love about this method is the stability in regards to P.H., K.H., CA AND MG. ;)

I hope the next round of pictures the corals will look more true to color, that and I need to freshen up with my picture taking skills.

[fishypets]

should i guess again? :)


Ace I'm sorry I didn't see your question the first time. Your guess is better than mine, all I know is it's Australian.

[fishypets]

Bigbird I'll leave that one alone ;)

[stoneroller]

Looking great Clint, looks like your corals are beyond the pooling stage!

Are you still using the Zeo regimen? Full bore?

[fishypets]

Yep still running full blown ZEOvit.

[Europhyllia]

It's beautiful :)

[fishypets]

looks great clint, that first coral is awesome! is it A. elegans?


Ace you are correct sir. Since I posted this coral is taking on a new beauty. It's hard to capture the true color but I think it might turn completely neon green with pinkish tips!

[hobogato]

very nice coral! hopefully some day we can work a trade ;)

[fishypets]

very nice coral! hopefully some day we can work a trade ;)

Sure thing Ace.

[fishypets]

More pictures from yesterday

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8438.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8439.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8443.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8449.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8450.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8453.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8418.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8419.jpg

[JeffCo]

Sweet, love that chalice in the first pic, great colors!

[mikedelgado]

mee too. Where did you get it ? I wants one!

[fishypets]

Thanks guys. The first chalice is called the psychedelic zebra chalice. It came from Austin Aqua Farms about 4-5 months ago.

These below are not my pictures but I am getting frags next week. These should be fun!

From World Wide Corals........Jason Fox My Miami

http://www.worldwidecorals.com/images/Product/large/213.jpg

From WWC....Jason Fox Tangerine dreams
http://www.worldwidecorals.com/images/Product/large/214.jpg

"Widow Maker" chalice

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af93/aharrow22/DSC_0146.jpg

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af93/aharrow22/WidowmakerChalice2-Web.jpg
http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af93/aharrow22/Mothercolony1.jpg

[fishypets]

This one's not too bad either.

http://www.worldwidecorals.com/images/Product/large/52.jpg

[Mr Cob]

Is the widow maker a combination of multiple chalices? I've seen some experiment with this type of hybrid fragging before.

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af93/aharrow22/Mothercolony1.jpg



Nice corals.

[stoneroller]

I think Garrett has some Candlelight too. It's a fine specimen.

[fishypets]

Rob-

No grafting done there, that colony is straight from Australia. :)

[fishypets]

Just picked up these Hot Pink Acan Lords from AquaDome!

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/corals/IMG_8692.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/corals/IMG_8693.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/corals/IMG_8695.jpg

[hobogato]

nice! feed those hungry things :D

[txg8gxp]

Nice acan collection...I love the pink ones.

[aquasport24]

Awesome collection you have there. Any new FTS?

[fishypets]

Thanks ya'll! I'll try and get a FTS this week, it's grown a little since the last one.

[fishypets]

My best FTS tonight. White needs correcting

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/corals/IMG_8763.jpg

[aquasport24]

Might need to clear out more space for the Efflo to grow:bigsmile:. I like it alot, keep it up man. Thanks for sharing.

[fishypets]

This one needs to color up more but I can tell it's gonna be sweet! Has a green watermelon rim and the body is baby blue. The eyes are pink, red and orange. I'm very happy with this one.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8766.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8764.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8765.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8767.jpg

[Mr Cob]

You have some very nice corals in there. Lots of eye candy! Looks great.

[fishypets]

Introducing the Aquatek Pink Menage. (Abrolhosensis)

Enjoy

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8837.jpg



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8836.jpg



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8833.jpg



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8839.jpg



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8838.jpg

[BIGBIRD123]

Really Sweet....first in line...lol

[fishypets]

Thanks Steve!

Here are a few more top downs and a FTS

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8843.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8844.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8846.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8845.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8826.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8821.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8819.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8827.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_8812.jpg

[Jarob]

Beautiful tank and amazing corals! Thats one crazy Scoly!!

[txg8gxp]

Nice tank. tons of great coral in there too.

[Big_Pun]

great looking coral, gotta love a tank full of stix, and lps

[stoneroller]

Giving the scoly lots of room. It's worth it IMO.

What's the watermelon in picture 4? - IMG_8845.jpg

Nice hand shade on the red planet. That's cool.

[fishypets]

Kevin that'd be the My Miami! I think you need an eye or two

[fishypets]

The tank is really starting to fill in now and most of the SPS are have great color, I should take some new pics. Here is a new addition, what you think?

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/corals/IMG_9069.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/corals/IMG_9070.jpg

[Jarob]

I think im jealous!

[fishypets]

Current FTS. I really need to clean the back glass, colors have more pop.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/corals/IMG_9088.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/corals/IMG_9089.jpg

[Gseclipse02]

on the last pic whats that fish ?

and were did you get those palys?

[fishypets]

That is a Blotched Anthias and the palys came from Craig at Aquatek

[hobogato]

expected nothing less from you clint, awesome tank!

[fishypets]

Thanks Ace, it's getting there.

[fishypets]

New top down box from Avast Marine came in and I took a few pics. Now all I need is a good Canon macro lens and I'll be able to take decent pictures again.


http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/corals/IMG_9146.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/corals/IMG_9145.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/corals/IMG_9144.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/corals/IMG_9141.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/corals/IMG_9147.jpg

[hobogato]

:hypnotyized:

[FireWater]

Very nice! Congrats on a wonderful looking tank.

[clone]

WOW that Pink Lemonade and Pearlberry look sick. I cant even get close to those colors with my T-5's.
Whats your bulb combo? Are you doseing anything?

[fishypets]

Thanks guys!

Kev the bulb combo is as follows all KZ bulbs

Super blue
New Gen 14K
Fiji purple
Super blue
new gen
Super Blue
Fiji purple
super blue
new gen
super blue

The new gen bulbs are similar to the white bulbs ATI makes but does not give off the yellow look.

As far as dosing goes the tank is a ZEOvit tank and I dose the basic 4 plus a few others. Although the colors look okay in the pictures I could not capture the true colors of the pink lemonade.

[clone]

nice, I was thinking about trying out some KZ bulbs, would you say you like them better than the other bulbs you've ran?
Im not to intrested in the fiji, but the super blue and the new gen.

[fishypets]

Same side of tank, just a different angle and a few weeks worth of growth.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/corals/IMG_9204.jpg

[FireWater]

Nice Clint. Love the anthias. Growing in very nicely. How is the rest of the tank doing?

[fishypets]

Check out this bad boy

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_9352.jpg

[LuckySingh]

Bro I wonder where do u find all this nice stuff from...
Put me in the line

[ReefCube]

wow nice

[stoneroller]

Nice blasto! online?

[fishypets]

Thanks! Came from the Dome.