Allan's RE-Rebuild, post 213

[allan]

Okay, John, chris and jack convinced me to completely redo my tank from the glass bottom up.

I'm thinking that I will, per the guys recommendation, create a rock wall similar in design to John's wall in his new water holder.

Mike, texreefer, has a really nice set up with the chasm that runs around the outside of the tank. I'm going to mirror that, in my own way.

Instead of acrylic wall that mike has, I'm thinking of using smaller rock, jetty styled. This will give me like a one inch sandbed around the perimeter and a 3-4" sandbed inside. Then a rock island on that.

Keep an open water column with a few coral that can grow into massive colonies. Might even keep the cyano at bay.

I'm thinking white sand over the current black.

What do you think?

A pic of the current scape for a benchmark.

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-6cd9-8171.jpg

[hobogato]

sounds fun, cant wait to watch it progress

[justahobby]

Whatever you do........Don't sell those skunks!!

[Texreefer]

sounds like fun

[allan]

Just need a real camera.

Okay, part of this mess will be getting rid of the coral that won't transition to the rebuild. Since I want to keep all of it I'm gonna depend on you peeps to tell me what should go and what should be fragged for the transition or kept whole.

Here are some of the things that you all can tell me should go to the for sale forum or go into holding, or be fragged and only a frag be kept for the rebuild.

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-742a-9fc5.jpg

The plate on the left, I'm thinking I need to be rid of it. Unless I build a shelf for it on the wall... (see, hate getting rid of stuff). I want to keep the colony of sps on the right. It's on a small rock with probably the only lunars I will keep.

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-74dc-2840.jpg

Clockwise. Green sps, either way within one. Probably just take a frag. Red planet, want to keep whole. Garf bonsai, keep whole. There is a bit of purple digitata stuff and a purple tip valida. The large purple fuzzy sps, I got to break a piece for ace, other than that I think I should keep.

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-75c1-4589.jpg

Keep? Get rid of?

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-75fb-8a4b.jpg

I plan on keeping the zoas and acans. A poorly maintained colony of the digi and a colony of fire coral. I'm thinking of keeping a frag of the fire, or should I keep the colony?

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-769f-f60e.jpg

I know most don't like gsp, but it's so bright. Ive got split away colonies of this gsp, but the mother comes from the bulge in the middle which was the rock that i got originally.
John, there is your frag of lunars. No more birdsnest for me. Keeping the neon trumpets. How about the zoas to the right?

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-7727-2548.jpg

Three colonies of frogspawn. If you say get rid of it I'm going to keep a frag of each. The middle is scubosteveo hybrid gotten from bill.

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-7790-5872.jpg

Rock column covered in green palies and the orange and green zoas and another unidentified zoa. About two or three pounds of rock.

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-7815-d585.jpg

Tall column weighing maybe 15-20 pounds with blue ridge, pulsing Xenia, green hydro something (Mizeny) green ricordia (I'd like to keep one of these as Gloria likes them. The rock at the top has three sps that I would like to keep or frag, one in particular.

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-7902-6077.jpg

The blue is staying with me, I will pass on a free frag of those when I can as agreed upon by Troy and ping. The pinks stay with me, but the green colony?

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-797b-6130.jpg

Toadstool mamma, bidsnest colony, bambam colony (on rock and on wall) light brown zoa colony, Xenia colony on tonga. Might keep that if I can find a spot for it. Keeping kkeil's clam as well.

A lot of this stuff comes with a rock, but I may have to pull it apart if the rock isn't wanted.

You can never have too much rock.
If you all can tell me what to keep, yeah that would be great.

Proceeds will go to sand and Marco rock.

[allan]

Forgot the leather and pink gsp.

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-7b1f-5aa7.jpg

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-7b41-bb8c.jpg

Bubble and galaxia.

No worries about the skunks or anemone. The only fish I want to let go are the chromis.

[FireWater]

The hardest decision in the whole process is what to keep and what to let go. That is all up to you though and I can see it is going to be really hard for you to decide.
I will see you Saturday and we can start the planning. I am looking forward to it.

[justahobby]

You are asking the wrong group of people. When the LE corals are the only ones people think should be fragged, you will see what I mean :bigsmile:

Seriously, I would plan out my rockwork (which I believe you already did) and pick out your most prized pieces. Decide where they will go and then you can start choosing which corals will fill in the gaps.

[Mr Cob]

keep the corals that are special to you, regardless if it's common or rare. That has been my rule of thumb. I have let some corals go in the past that weren't LE and I regretted it later. You know the ones that you've been growing for 2 + years or the one that's been with you from day one. Or how about the colony that almost died but came back stronger than ever. I'm also a big fan of anything bright..doesn't ave to be LE either....neon GSP are the best, I prefer keeping them on islands though. Would be cool to have a dedicated GSP island.

Can't wait to see what you do bro.

[allan]

Yeah I hear you only I don't know what LE is. Least expensive?

I guess I can start with the stuff that I know I don't want like the trumpets and stuff.

John had told me to just keep frags of the colonies... Start over again. I think that's a good idea. Much easier to lose a frag than a whole colony. Besides I'm going to be tight for space during the process.

Decisions. This weekend I will pull out frags and see what I've got.

You all can keep your peepers peeled for some local dry rock and I'll see you saturday John.

[FireWater]

Allan, if you have the space available keep the whole colony. I mentioned frags due to limited space for storage while we rebuild. Once you get done it looks better right off the bat to have full colonies available. That way the tank looks good and it will help suppress the urge to "load up" on more frags. I also like the GSP and would build an island for it like Rob suggested.

[allan]

How long we looking at? My sump can house a bit.

[ErikH]

This go round my decision process has been simplified. If it's not to die for, I'm not buying it. Make your tank look like a candy store!

[allan]

Okay, John stopped by and my brain is working. John is an artist... A well fed artist. :) JK

I've taken out all the rock from my sump and letting it dry out. Can't wait till it's white.

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-1868-a4af.jpg

Next I've got to pull out the rock in the tank that doesn't have anything growing on it.

Before I get rid of everything .... Anyone want any cyano frags?

[allan]

Where is the support group???

Aw, my beautiful green grass is gone, and I'm left with the original rock. Sigh, so thus it begins.

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-20b8-113e.jpg

[hobogato]

right here waiting for updates...

[Texreefer]

Where is the support group???
we are all at home drinking and waiting for the fun to begin

[allan]

Sheesh, didn't realize y'all were waiting. :)

I'll order the mortar tomorrow. And the sand. And drop by HD to pick up some egg crate. :)

[brodykirby]

Amazing looking tank! love the massive gsp's!

[Big_Pun]

when do you want to have a support meeting

[allan]

Today, 2pm, general meeting room... :)

[johnyardavid]

Really enjoyed your tank the other day, thanks again for the macro. The frags you gave me are doing well; I'm waiting to see if my clowns take to the leather. It's a shame the gsp had to go, it added a lot of flourescence. Good luck on the rearranging and I'll stay tuned!

[FireWater]

Where is the support group???



I am going to need a support group after we are done.

[allan]

lol, I was thinking that the chat room would be ideal...

"Hello, my name is allan, and I'm a coral hoarder."

That sounds great JohnYar. LMK how it progresses.

[allan]

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-b211-65b1.jpg

Well I took out some more rock, the whole left side is opening up. None of the sps is happy, and I kept breaking little bits. And it looks like I'm going to have to take the colony of birdsnest up at the top off a shelf peace.

But the tank is starting to look open again.

The rock that I pulled out...

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-b2e6-f953.jpg

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-b305-9ee3.jpg

Another week or so I can start working on the bonsai looking structure.

[allan]

One rock wall experiment el completo...

Waiting for it to cure.

http://tapatalk.com/mu/45a657ce-4c4f-a35e.jpg

[hobogato]

looks good allan. are you doing something similar to john's tank?

[allan]

Yeah, John twisted my arm. :)

I stood it up and the bottom few pieces fell off. The rest held fast. Not sure if I forgot something...

It seems as if I should ensure that the mortar goes all the way through the egg crate.

[hobogato]

we zip-tied the big rocks onto the eggcrate when we did john's

[FireWater]

See Allan, that's what happens when you get anxious and jump the gun.

The mortar should be sufficient to stick to the egg crate and to hold the rock. I went by the method of more is better. One trick I found out was to clamp the egg crate down to a piece of plywood that was covered with a trash bag (so the finished piece doesn't stick to the wood). If you clamp it then the mortar won't run behind the egg crate. If you are able to then zip tie the bigger pieces. I did half and half on the zip ties. I was successful both ways.

[allan]

Well that makes sense.

It was more of an experiment so I'm not too upset. Besides, I can still reattach the pieces that fell off.

I was unsure how much to use and ended up applying more as I worked the wall.

[allan]

Update.

I got the Marco rock while I was in Florida. Now I need some more acryl and emaco mortar.

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-72ed-839f.jpg

[FireWater]

What else needs to be done and when are we finishing it?

[Pennies2Cents]

This is going to be a fun thread to follow.. :)

[allan]

Ah, I plan on picking up the acryl Monday, delivery by weeks end. I've got to find te emaco mortar locally.

I'm thinking we can build the walls this weekend. The next week I will go get sand and a bucket of salt. We should be good the next weekend for a tank drain, copious amounts of beer, and the rebuild of the tank.

Thanks eve, I think so too although I will be the guy worrying the logistics. :)

[Big_Pun]

aww dang it I'm going deer hunting this next weekend!

[allan]

Get your priorities straight, boy.... Go hunting! :) I'd do the same.

[FireWater]

Ok, I still have the sheet of egg crate left over for you and a small amount of rock as well. Let me double check my teaching schedule and we will set a day and time.

[allan]

Roger that John, and thanks.

[allan]

I had some time before wurstfest so I finished the first wall and did the second.

I plan on taking a pair of diagonal cutters to the exposed egg crate so just ignore what little you can see.

I only have one wall to build now.

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-792c-96fd.jpg

The above is the first one, below the second.

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-796b-3b1e.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-7983-ec7c.jpg

After mortaring it all together I used a ver drippy surrey to really make the connections. I tell myself that it made for a much better join.

Oh, and I also got a chiller. :)

[Big_Pun]

looks good, wow you got a chiller!

[FireWater]

Second one looks really good.

[allan]

Aw man, does the first look bad? :)

I have GOT to find more of the emaco. Turns out I have plenty of the acryl.

[FireWater]

They both look good. I just like the second one better - it has more of the look that you were going for.
You had better find the emaco before next weekend. LOL

[Big_Pun]

I think he's been in the corner crying all day waiting for your comment

[FireWater]

You're probably right. I was going to compare the 2 different pieces to the kindergartner and the 3rd grader - you know, he learned to stay with in the lines finally - but, didn't want to upset him more.

[allan]

Har de har har har...

Hey, Tony called me last night. Going to pick up the powder saturday morning.

We should be green.

We may want to build the basic island structure as well.

I got 120 lbs of pink Fiji, and a bucket of salt as well. Number two has authorized the purchase of a trough to house the coral and fish while we do the work.

How many tubes of silicone should I get? I was thinking three. Thoughts?

[FireWater]

I have an extra one as well Alllan. I will bring the eggcrate, 1 tube of silicone, and the tiny bit of rock that I have left over.

Get 2 tubes of the silicone and make sure it is not the antimicrobial one.

[allan]

The aquarium safe one from home depot?

Getting close to finishing this project.... Or getting close to the pivotal event.

[johnyardavid]

Your rock walls look awesome, it's tough to mimic nature. Have you experimented with or thought of making aragocrete structures for your reef rock? I am going to attempt some in the following months, I want some pieces with multiple swim-through holes without the burn-through prices lol.

[allan]

I have, just never followed through. If you decide to do so dont buy the Portland cement. I've got a 50 lbs bag that you can have.

[allan]

Update. John came by and we built the final back wall. Here are a couple of shots. The flat run is the piece that rides the sand bed.

The second two pics are of the base island.. Which of the two do you reckon I ought to go with?

[FireWater]

Last pic looks better Allan. 3rd one is too busy.
You need to get a shot of the back drop that shows the shelves you put in. Hard to tell the dimension from those pics.

[allan]

Okay, I will tomorrow. I'm sure that the wall will hold but I didn't want to overly stress them until it's fully cured.

I'm thinking that that long piece will find itself as an island. Grow something wild on it. May be too big though.

[FireWater]

Make it one of your zao/paly islands. A bunch of different zoas on it would look sweet. Or how about an island for your leather?

[allan]

Moving things around and getting ready for next weekends fiasco.

I put this rock of ordinary brown zoas under te blue LEDs and viola, they're peach cream colored in the Middlesbrough. Genuinely happy with the splash of color that these give off.
The blue pic doesn't do them any justice.

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-a8e5-8ff3.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-a913-6184.jpg

[allan]

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-ce0d-6f09.jpg

Final pic of the tank. I've removed about all of the stuff that I can until Friday when I turn off the display tank to rebuild. My daughter's tank is completely full of all the little frags of stuff that I no longer want and/or found lying about when I pulled out rock that won't be going into the new tank.

[allan]

So I've been contemplating where I would put the coral and fish during the tank mods...

... and then I got this :)

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-8952-b967.jpg

133 gallons of possibilities. :D

After the tank work is done I'm thinking ...... backyard pond?

I have a moderately populated forest about 170 to 200 inches from my back door. :) I'm thinking of setting up an above ground pond.

[FireWater]

That would be cool. Above ground is right though because I ain't helping you dig in the rock.

[txav8r]

Come on, John!? Its easy digging over here for at least....... 3 inches.

[CoryDude]

Come on, John!? Its easy digging over here for at least....... 3 inches.

Got to love Texas bed rock! Get a ditch witch or dynamite! If you go with the latter, be sure to invite us over for the show.

[allan]

I'm a poor dude... I would have to use the m180 fire cracker things.

I was thinking above ground because of the bedrock, and I dont want to disturb the tree's roots.

[allan]

First sps move to sump... Three frags. Hate this.
http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-bfb8-3400.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-c0b5-cbad.jpg

[allan]

Okay, a LOT of work later...

Draining the tank...
http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-fc43-b6e3.jpg

Pulling everything out and peering in...
http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-fcb5-16c2.jpg

Almost done...
http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-fcf1-a2c7.jpg

It took so much work to get all te water out only to realize that more water had to be put back in to help clean.

The main back wall and the left side. Glass is dirty and I'm using tuppleware (however it's spelled) to hold up the wall.
http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-fd56-945d.jpg

Here's another pic of the entire back wall.
http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-fdeb-5441.jpg

I put the sand in, 120 lbs. Might need another bag. Making water. Going to sleep first.

[allan]

Okay, the stuff has been curing. I'm up about 60gallons and very close to where I applied the calking stuff. So I won't be able to add more water till this evening.

I placed te centerpiece in the tank and it looks like a good fit.

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-4e4d-5cab.jpg

Water is cloudy because I was pumping in new..., hah, it's cloudy because there isn't any circulation at the moment.

Should I use those little packets that come with the sand to clear the water?

[FireWater]

I wouldn't. Let it settle. Do another change once water is full.

Looks good.

Decided to get it done by yourself? I was looking forward to more coffee with the special Allan touch.

[allan]

You still can, brother. I've got a buddy of mine is PCSing and and we are hosting a BBQ to see him and his family off this saturday.

Hopefully I'm looking at it Sunday morning if you're interested in some coffee and baily's? :)

[Big_Pun]

dang allan your making want to rip down my tank now..... good thing mine is smaller.

Im very happy you didnt sell your tank and how its coming out good job buddy!!!

[FireWater]

Sunday afternoon is going to be better for me Allan. What will be left to do?

[FireWater]

dang allan your making want to rip down my tank now..... good thing mine is smaller.

Im very happy you didnt sell your tank and how its coming out good job buddy!!!
I think it is going go be pretty sweet when he is done.

You can do your's just on a smaller scale.

[allan]

Thank chris. Means a lot to me, brother.

I'm hoping that I have the will to put it back up. Nothing is fun right now.

Hey, and that sand was nasty!!! A fine silt was everywhere. I'm hoping that the open design will promote keeping that stuff up in the column and into the filtration system.

[allan]

We can gather at chris house to work the logistics...

[Kristy]

dang allan your making want to rip down my tank now.....

Are you serious? It's making me never want to change anything in my tank again! What a ton of work for a new rockscaping look! (I know, it's actually a lot more than that, but you know what I'm saying....)

[Big_Pun]

We can gather at chris house to work the logistics...im open to that lol, wait till i get my new tank................................... soon :innocent2:

[allan]

Ugh, I here ya k. But when it's done...

[BSJF]

I dread changing stuff like that too, but I'm usually happy when it is over.

[FireWater]

I don't dread it when I am doing it at someone else's expense and house. LOL

[allan]

Not sure that it had anything to do with the tank, but...

Gloria and I emptied the tank, cleaned the bottom, the house smelled like the kelp beds in California... The next day ALL of us were sick as heck. Shivering without fever. Sweating without cause. Skin, all over, incredible sensitive.

I had thought it was because of my flu shot. But gloria and my two kids were sick as well. 24 hours and we are a lot better. I'm still a bit tweaked, but everyone else was good enough to return to work/school.

Think it was something in the tank?

[allan]

Placement of some key pieces...

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-01b4-87f8.jpg

Still cloudy and glass is ew.

[justahobby]

That is weird that everyone got sick simultaneously. Glad no one had to go to the hospital.


Tank looks very nice and roomy! you've been busy since I last checked in!

[allan]

I want it roomy but it seems like I have no more room because of the colonies that I'm keeping.

[FireWater]

Looks great Allan. How does it feel?

It is definitely roomier than it was.

[allan]

Sure is. I'm hoping the anemone comes off that boulder sometime soon though so I can put it into the sump. But so far... Yes I like it.

[allan]

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-6582-da86.jpg

Water is still not cleared.

Two causalities. My bassellet disappeared and my smallest chromis was lying on it's side earlier.

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-65ee-9d64.jpg

Big rock with te green zoas? As soon as the anemone moves, it's outta here. http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-6637-80c2.jpg

Need to get rid of these teal candy canes, and move the clam around.

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-669e-386c.jpg

And when that's gone I'm putting my frogspawn right here...

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-66f7-90f0.jpg

[Big_Pun]

now a couple mp-40's and boom and your done !!! looks good

[allan]

MP40.... Okay, it's on my wish list.

I'm really happy with the room and the sand is soooo white.

[CoryDude]

OMG Allan! I love the open space now. And the sand is so purdy. Man, I really like the look.

[allan]

Thanks Cory.

I moved the red planet to the back and brought the clam to the top when I noticed some Texas trash on the rock that it's attached to. I've got to wipe them off the rock. Not crazy about the set up.

The toadstool is starting to open, want to see what it looks like when it's open in the back, but I'm loving the devils hand in the front.

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-d127-f591.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-d155-e3aa.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/45a657ce-d177-04a3.jpg

[allan]

Brown diatoms. Light covering, not real bad... Yet.

Going to need a cleanup crew here soon. Going to go all snail this time. Maybe a couple of shrimp as well.

[hobogato]

not sure how i missed that last update, but that looks awesome! great job. good choice on going all snails instead of a mix

[Texreefer]

Great Job.. I miss those dimensions!

[350gt]

Read all 10 pages... Really like the island idea... Exactly what I will do when I get a bigger tank...

[allan]

Mike, I was hoping to capture that spacious look you had in there.

My biggest concern right now is whether or not I will ever get that nem off that rock. He's been happy to move around it, but not off of it.

I still have to get rid of the birdsnest and the trumpet colony.

[allan]

Ace,

Remember the Garf Bonsai from the previous frag swap? I just noticed that it's growing.

[hobogato]

wow, it really has grown

[allan]

Yeah, but I only see the colors under the blue LEDs at night. The tips do glow during the day, but the blue LEDs really make it pop.

[FireWater]

That does look very different Allan. I like it. Good job.

[allan]

Yeah, you were right. I really do feel invigorated by the change. Now I need more of those blue LEDs to pop some colors.

[BSJF]

Looks awesome!

[Kristy]

Wow Allan... LOVE how you've redecorated! It really looks like a different tank.

Strange about you guys all getting sick. I can't imagine how it could have been reef-related, but who knows? Hope you are feeling all better now.

[allan]

probably had nothing to do with the reef, just a coincidence. Someone at work had pnemonia the week prior. May have been that, what ever it was it only lasted a day and a half. I think I was hit worse because I complained much more than the rest of the family. :)

[allan]

Man, I am so happy with the tank!!!

I did my weekly 20 gallon water change, cleaned the glass. Aw, wish I had a bigger tank :)

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008b7b5-d5e5-9685.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/6008b7b5-d756-ec7f.jpg

I'm not crazy about the devils hand... I like the fact that it's starting to extend the polyps, but the top seems overly white.

[hobogato]

it really looks great in the pics - bet it is even better in person

[allan]

It does, the brown diatoms are coloring my sand though. I went to the store to get a diamond goby to massage the sand, but the LFS had no love for me.

[FireWater]

Give it some time before trying the goby.

[allan]

So, any of you know that frustrated fallen coral dance you do when you stumble downstairs in the morning to discover that a large rock with two large colonies has fallen upside down onto the sand bed?

And broke another colony.

And then you break more pieces while trying to get broken pieces?

This fell...

I hate those glowing white spots.

[FireWater]

Oh no.

What made it fall? Was it one of the mortared pieces?

[Texreefer]

I will take one of each Allen!!!!!! I know the feeling.. when i was dipping my corals.. i was holding my 6"-8" diameter Efflo and dropped it upside down right onto the concrete garage floor... thought I was going to have a heart attack..... broke a bunch of tips an got roughed up a bit but didn't break... now its doing great back in the tank...all healed up

[Kristy]

Oh I know the dance you're describing, I think I've seen cartoon characters do that one before, usually accompanied by lots of %&^*#!@!

[allan]

Afternoon John, Mike, and Kristy,

No, not the mortar. On the back wall I have that nice shelf? Well, I put my red planet rock on it. Last night a reefer came over and I broke off some red planet and bonsai for him, and must have upset the balance of the rock. It was fine when I went upstairs, but during the night something may have pushed it ever so slightly.

The mortar is holding fine. I'm just waiting for that anenome to move so I can get that big rock out of there. Then I'll move some sand around to hide the base of the walls.

Mike, anything you want dude, let me know. I feel you, about the efflo. I keep telling myself that I'm not clumsy, it's just the skewed angle that everything takes on when I'm trying to work in there. But I keep hitting things.

It's a funny little dance. I seem to do it everytime something valued is upside down. The other day I found my prized scoly right next to some galaxia... and it wasn't doing well. Now I'm facing a long road to recovery.

Still, best hobby EVER!!!

[allan]

http://img.tapatalk.com/a6934fa1-e8ac-60c2.jpg

My brown diatoms seem to be diminishing, so perhaps I will have a white Christmas.

[Europhyllia]

so clean!

[kkiel02]

Wow Allan your tank looks SWEET!!!

[allan]

Tanks, guys! ;)

I owe it to John who gave me a swift kick in the pooper when I was fixing to quit.

[Big_Pun]

Tanks, guys! ;)

I owe it to John who gave me a swift kick in the pooper when I was fixing to quit.

he's such a nice guy! I love the way it turned out. also glad to see you praising your tank and not complaining about it lol.

[Texreefer]

Allan, is that big devils hand leather the one you got from me?

[allan]

Allan, is that big devils hand leather the one you got from me?

No, but I still have the gorg (big brown branchy thing) and the rock that had the bam bam, la lakers, and peach colored zoas to include cloves and a smattering of shrooms. Pictures below.
The rock itself is laid up against the wall in the back. The LAs and peach zoas were removed and placed in the two new areas. The peach have turned into a colony, but they don't look good unless under actinic.

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008b7b5-1903-7bed.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008b7b5-192b-f8c6.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008b7b5-194d-4661.jpg

The last one is the fire coral you gave me that day that we cleaned out your, ahem, my sump. :)

The devils hand I got from Natedog.

[Texreefer]

looking good

[allan]

One of the final things that my financial advisor advised me to do if I wanted to remain in the hobby was to square away the water closet.

I had positioned the tank to give me access to the closet that would service as a man cave of sorts. I should have taken a picture of the mess I had in there... Too late.

First thing I did was to build a very simple bench to hold my top off and water change bucket. I've been using a pump to move the water from the bucket to the sump. I wanted to change that to gravity feed.

I've got my top off (kalk mixing container) is tied, via float valve, directly to my RODI unit. There is a seio 2600 in there that I've got tied to a timer that runs from 9pm to 9am. I will have to monitor this over a few weeks to ensure that my ph stays in check.

The top off is tied to my sump, with another float.

My water change bucket (32 gallon brute) is also floated and directly tied to the RODI. I flip the switch on Wednesday, salt on Thursday, change water on Friday, Saturday morning I'm in the fish room sipping coffee and looking at the tank wishing ping was back in town to talk salt.

With the gravity feed all I have to do is take out four buckets of water, and then bring the hose down to empty into the sump.

MAINTENANCE:

Remember, I'm not lazy... The only thing I have to do with this is to add kalk (about five tablespoons a week) and salt when preparing a water change.

Once a week I flush all lines with RODI to rid the kalk build up from clogging the lines or floats.

I've turned on water once to many times, forgetting to ensure it's off before going to sleep or leaving to work. Mine isn't fool proof, but so far it seems Allan proof.

[allan]

I finally got the anemone off the rock, placed it where I wanted it and ten it moved to where he wanted to go. So I had to move the bonsai and red planet to accommodate it's reach.

So moved this green disk coral to the sand bed to free another shelf for the sps.

It doesn't look too bad there. I thought about fragging it into a more manageable piece, but I believe that a bandsaw is needed.

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008b7b5-e35b-34fc.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008b7b5-e37b-20cf.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008b7b5-e399-ac23.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008b7b5-e3ef-564b.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008b7b5-e416-cd12.jpg

[hobogato]

i think it looks great the way it is, i wouldnt cut it if it were me. that being said, if you need to bring it by, we could probably cut it on my tile saw.

[CoryDude]

Can't tell from the pic, but is that a turbinaria reniformis (cup coral) or a t. peltata (pagoda cup), either way I agree with ace...the tank looks amazing and I wouldn't cut it either.

[Europhyllia]

I'ts beautiful. Don't touch it.

[allan]

I don't know... I got it from AD's a couple of years ago, from the $9.99 section. I'm sure it was smaller at the time, but it doesn't really do much other than sit there.

I really don't like the idea of fragging anything with a blade of any kind, and I'm kind of happy to see it sitting there on the sand. I'll give it a few weeks to see if it's happy there or not.

[allan]

My anemone is happy, so is the one I got from teeb.

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008b7b5-fdfa-aa74.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008b7b5-fe15-f06e.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008b7b5-fe36-c1aa.jpg

[FireWater]

They look happy.

Still liking the "new" set up?

[Kristy]

And the skunks look REALLY happy!

[allan]

Oh yeah! I'm almost at that point where I stop moving things and let it grow.

I did make an observation though. I started tossing in another scoop of kalk, shaken and not stirred, into the sump. Apparently the top off by itself isn't doing the job any longer.

That green sps that I was trying to identify, started sending up some really light bright green branches. It almost looks like two different species in one coral. I think it may have to do with some kind of weathering that the main portion took over the last couple of years.

[CoryDude]

I've got a purple acro that is the same way allan. The main "thumb" and the original branches are a dark brownish purple and have never really grown, but the newer branches are a deep purple ("smoke on the water").

[CoryDude]

You should post the picture from FB on here. Your tank looks really amazing!

[allan]

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008b7b5-a12d-f7ed.jpg

A little cloudy... But that coral I was talking about is right to the left of the big frogspawn.

[allan]

No use, I'm gonna have to start using a real camera.

I did notice why my acans do better in my daughters tank though. My yellow tang nips at it constantly.

So now I'm trying to catch her...

[allan]

Oh, and thanks Cory! :)

[allan]

Ah, the day after a water change... Tops!

[FireWater]

Dude, that tank is still packed to the rim. LOL
Any trace of cyano now that it is opened up more?

[allan]

Sigh, I know. I've discovered that I've really got a small tank.

You know there is about one or two spots where cyano shows up, but this last water change I couldn't find any in one of the spots.

I do 20 gallon changes each week, and the openness of the tank have contributed to the reduction of cyano.

[FireWater]

Awesome. I was really happy when you decided to change it up and knew it would make a difference in the cyano.

And next time I run by I will tell your wife that you have now outgrown your current tank and you need to get the 8 X 4 footer.

[allan]

Ugh, I can't imagine having to do the water changes in something that large.

I think I just have to be a bit more selective in what I put in there, as it is I'm constantly fragging to keep things from growing into other things. I don't like doing that with the sps on the account it looks all choppy and stuff.

The new kalk dosing has drastically increased growth in the red planet. I noticed a large section growing out towards the GArf bonsai. Had to break off three branches. I'm fairly certain that I didn't have those branches there three weeks ago.

I'm really looking into rob's experiment with the calcium block. But I hate to mess with tried and true as well.

[Bill S]

Awesome. I was really happy when you decided to change it up and knew it would make a difference in the cyano.

And next time I run by I will tell your wife that you have now outgrown your current tank and you need to get the 8 X 4 footer.

Mine were actually kind of easy: Put 7 cups of salt into the RO container under the tank (connected to the wetbar sink next to the tank). Plug in the mixing pump. Turn the handle under the sink, drain the water to the "magic line" on the side of the tank. Unplug mixing pump, plug in fill pump. Tank fills.

[allan]

lol bill, that's how I do it. Only I'm still lugging the waste water to the bathroom.

But after four buckets all I have to do is route the drain hose to the sump and nature's weakest force takes over.

[Bill S]

Only I'm still lugging the waste water to the bathroom.

Maybe that's why you have insanely long arms and large hands.

[allan]

Just an update to let you know that the tank is certainly pleasing me. I've got one or two spots where cyano shows up every other week or so. But I'm on top of my weekly water changes, and when I do them I try to siphon out what I find.

This morning I decided to go ahead and try to figure out what I have in the tank so with pen and paper I started jotting down the coral and fish that I have... and forgive me the lack of names for some of the stuff.

Zoas
Blue zoas
Green yellow zoas
Purple zoas
lime green paly
cat eyes
bam bam
orange red (not sure if these are deep water japs or not, got them from MCC)
Lunar eclipse
Lollipop
Armor of Allan
Captain America
Pink Zoas
Peach Zoas
Big Pink Fleshy Zoas
Magician
Orange spotted green skirts zoas

SPS
Ora Stuber
Ora Red Planet
Garf bonsai
purple valida
Tyree green birds nest
pink birds nest
light blue/purple good PE
Purple Formosa
Purple Digitata
green pocilla thing
Lime green SPS
Sea World Light Blue
Color of Fall (I think I know why this is called that... as it ages it gets darker, but new growth is remarkably light green)
Blue tip stag (?)
Pink milli
Green with blue tip Good PE
Purple SPS

LPS and chalices

Pink acans
green acans
white acans
orange acans
orange acans
bright orange acans
scubasteve frogspawn (thank you bill for giving me that little frag, wife has been very happy with it)
Pink tip frogspawn
Tri color war coral
Hot pink chalice
purple haze
bubble gum
bluish thing
blue teal trumpet
krypto green trumpet
duncan (I think I got this as short tentacle from MCC, but it looks long to me)
Blasto green
blasto green center
blasto greenish looking

Other stuff

GSP neon green
PSP (looks purple to me, but it's pink)
Pulsing xenia
green yuma
orange ricordia
green polyped toadstool
purple rim cap
green plate looking thing
green calaxia
orange shrooms
purple with blue spots mushroom
White poloyp Gloria's Hand leather
Blue ridge coral
Neon green hyrdro-something
Long stemmed cloves (?)
Fire coral

fish and stuff

Yellow rim tang
blue hippo
green chromis (one looks like it's not eating, none of the other fish seem to be neglected. I don't think he's long for this world)
Skunk Clowns (near as I can tell, they've only spawned once, and that was before the rebuild)
bi-color blenny
starry blenny
green mandarin
White orange hawkfish
bengai cardinal
rose tip anemone
red bubble tip
little micro nems
Glass anemone :-)
Blue clam
Should have some peps in there as well

I stayed with only snails this time... the castle ones. But I've seen a scarlet hermit and a blue jointed one as well. I just didn't feel like pulling them out... you know, getting my arm wet and all.

[allan]

14392
14393
14394
14395
14396

[allan]

1439714398143991440014401

[allan]

1440214403144041440514406

[allan]

1440714408144091441014411

[allan]

1441214413144141441514416

[allan]

1441714418144191442014421

[allan]

144221442314424

That's it. I took Milly's camera so that I could take the pictures she promised me oh-so-long-ago. :)

[LuckySingh]

Nice tank allan!!!!
What r the dimensions of ur tank and what lights r u using?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

48" by 36" about 25" tall. One single 400Watt metal halide, supposed to be a 20k, but I think it's actually 15K. I also have four stunner strips placed about the rim of the metal halide to provide coloration and the pre and post metal halide illumination.

[Kristy]

Wow Allan, you've really taken it up a notch! The tank and the photography both look great!

[CoryDude]

Wow dude! Me thinks I see a totm or totq nomination in your future.

[allan]

Thanks guys. I am so happy with the tank, next two things that I want is a reef keeper and mp40s.

I spent an hour or so with my daughters boyfriend's d something Nikon. I've spent so many hours taking pictures with my cell phone that I hadn't realized how well glass scratches show in a photo. And a dirty glass.

[allan]

http://img.tapatalk.com/a6934c51-2e36-54dd.jpg

I added a 50 gallon sump to my existing 110 sump/fuge. I plan on growing nothing but macro in the new fuge, I even put in a handful of chaeto to float about. Not sure if it's getting enough light though.

http://img.tapatalk.com/a6934c51-2e54-1d47.jpg

After I run it for a couple of weeks I will make the configuration permanent. Plan on sending the piping through the wall, and I don't want to commit in the event that I messed up my calculations.

So now my system is 190 gallon display, 160 gallon fuge/sump. I do not plan on running my skimmer for a few months. It had stopped working awhile back so no worries.

[Sherita]

Allan, I am pretty sure it was Marine Depot where I saw these cool submersible fuge LED lights. That might be the answer if you find out you don't have enough light for your macro. Just a thought, seems like they weren't very expensive.

[LuckySingh]

Very nice Allan...
Would love to see a full tank shot

[Mr Cob]

awesome job Allan! Tank looks great. nice job on the pics as well

[Milly]

144221442314424

That's it. I took Milly's camera so that I could take the pictures she promised me oh-so-long-ago. :)

Uhhh, you have a masters degree so I KNOW you're capable of using my camera. And I do recall on numerous occasions tell you you're more then welcome to use the camera whenever you wanted :P

[allan]

One word, milly... GROUNDED!

Thanks guys

[Sherita]

Allan, it's beautiful!

[allan]

Thanks sherita, really loving the growth on the purple haze.

[reefreak]

Nice tank Allan i loved it when I stopped by

[allan]

Okay, not too happy. The new addition is growing algae, but the amount of growth at the bottom of the barrel is very light. I'm thinking that I got to build a shelf to keep the macro higher and the pump free of macro algae debris.

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008f53c-7a8a-ae21.jpg

Also noticed a lot of algae growth in my DT when I got back.

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008f53c-7aa3-4ed4.jpg

You can see it on my shelf.

[Zack]

That's a bummer man, I hate coming home to a less than ideal tank. On a brighter note, I just saw some of the pics a couple pages back and looking good man!

[allan]

Yeah, I think I'm going to do a 50 gallon water change this weekend. Clean out all of the algae that built up while I was gone.

[Zack]

Just curious, what size are your normal water changes?

[allan]

Typically 20 gallons. But I missed a few while in Georgia.

[Zack]

Oh ok, I was going to say 50 gallons a week would be crazy.

[allan]

I'm not sure where the first picture is, but I got this a few months ago from AD, a SeaWorld frag.

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/DSCN0328.jpg

Some pictures this morning, with my new camera. Haven't summoned the gumption to put the camera into the tank.

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/DSCN0327.jpg
http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/DSCN0325.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/DSCN0323.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/DSCN0316.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/DSCN0320.jpg

Absolutely no idea how to get the colors to come out in this camera... or at the very least I haven't found that button yet.

[LuckySingh]

absolutely loving ur tank allan:)...could u please tell us a bit about ur filteration and water movement in ur tank

[allan]

Filtration is a 110 gallon sump/cryptic fuge, media filter, 50 gallon macro (chaeto) fuge, carbon reactor. I also grow chaeto in the overflow for the frag tank.

I took the skimmer offline about a month ago, along with the UV sterilizer. But it's a matter of time before I get it back online.

Two K-4s and three 1400s. Used to have them on a wave maker but the things were turning on backwards so I took that offline this morning. So they all stay on all the time now.

[Mr Cob]

looks great Allan!
http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/DSCN0316.jpg

[allan]

So, a little while back I bought a camera that indicated a water proof capability. Up to 33 feet, but I haven't had the chance to test it.

So Milly just DUNKS the camera into the drink and does a top down on Mr. Cob's ORA red Planet frag...

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/DSCN0332.jpg

Did an underwater video as well, but it was too long and wouldn't load.

[Scutterborn]

It's about time that camera got wet!!

[allan]

Got the camera wet again, this time I did it. Love the camera but it isn't taking the best pictures yet.

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/newpicturesofthetankunderwater019.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/newpicturesofthetankunderwater018.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/newpicturesofthetankunderwater017.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/newpicturesofthetankunderwater014.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/newpicturesofthetankunderwater013.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/newpicturesofthetankunderwater012.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/newpicturesofthetankunderwater023.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/newpicturesofthetankunderwater008.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/newpicturesofthetankunderwater009.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/newpicturesofthetankunderwater002.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/newpicturesofthetankunderwater005.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/newpicturesofthetankunderwater008.jpg

[allan]

Any idea what this is called? Light bluish tips, greenish stalk.

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/alaviers/newpicturesofthetankunderwater004.jpg

[CoryDude]

Allan, I think that last pic is what we call an acropora coral. Ha ha!

With those little "pillows" it looks like a tenuis of some sort. Maybe an ORA chips, roscoes, or borealis?

Did the RP do the whole melting on the rock thing and then sprout like 10 branches overnight?

[allan]

Well, it did originally. Then I ended up with the two tables. Then another table started growing toward the bonsai (from that run is where I frag from... But it's melting over as well. And worse, so is the bonsai.

At the top it's been encrusting up towards a tentatively IDed bottle brush coral, and just last week I noticed that that run is starting to send up branches.

The RP is a beautiful coral... That being said, were I ever to give advice on this particular coral I'd recommend that it grows on an island of sorts or no where near another to prevent the need to frequently frag.

It's growth, IMO, is exponential in regard to its size. The bigger it is, the faster it grows.

[allan]

This evening after I get home from defending the constitution of the united states against all enemies, both foreign and domestic... I will snap a couple of pictures of the runs that cause me to lose sleep at night.

[ElChicano]

Allan what camera are you using ?

[klwheat]

Allan, just finally had a chance to read all 19 pages of this thread! Wow! Amazing rebuild, and it looks beautiful. Hope to get some color going in my new build soon as well :)

[Texreefer]

Looking Really Good Allan... However, we all know its not good to put all your eggs in one basket... you should give me at least 1 frag of all of those for safe keeping.. you know, just in case:wink_smile:, by the way.. that insignis you gave me has already grown over 1/2"

[allan]

Insignis? That's what it is? Cool, I will have to try to remember that.

[allan]

Allan what camera are you using ?

I got a Nikon point and shoot, but it's the coolpix one with the orange chassis and underwater capability. Also has a geo tracking and compas built into it... absolutely no idea what that's for, nor do I know what I can use it for. But it's there.

[Zack]

Have you ever taken any underwater shots?

[allan]

Just the last few posted. It's a bit difficult because of the water disruption I can't see the viewing pane. And at the wrong angle against the glass it appears mirror like.

[Big_Pun]

I'm going to miss this tank!! lol

[Milly]

I'm going to miss this tank!! lol

Hopefully he'll decide to keep this one and just get rid of the 75. Or....give it to Jason and I :) *hint hint*

[allan]

I thought you didn't want to go big, milly? Did promise it to Sandi, but she's not as important to me as... hah hahah... aaah... man, couldn't even get that out. ;)

I've been contemplating getting a bigger tank, this one would be offset by how much of that rock I will have to get rid of... and even the chiller since I've already got one.

But to tell the truth I'm going to miss my tank as well. The depth is amazing, but the left to right distance is short. IMO, the best tank out there is Kevin's tank, twice the size of mine. I'm just waiting for him to develop it so we can sit around it and drink beers and look at coral grow.

[Zack]

Wait.. did I miss something? Are you taking the tank down?

[Big_Pun]

I thought you didn't want to go big, milly? Did promise it to Sandi, but she's not as important to me as... hah hahah... aaah... man, couldn't even get that out. ;)

You atleast owe Jason that for taking that "thorn" out your backside lol..... you know i luv ya Milly!!

[Kristy]

IMO, the best tank out there is Kevin's tank, twice the size of mine. I'm just waiting for him to develop it so we can sit around it and drink beers and look at coral grow.

Well..... actually, Kevin tried to sell it to me a couple weeks ago. Probably wants to go bigger! You might take a 6-pack over there and visit him, see what happens.

[allan]

Ooh, I couldn't afford what he's asking.

[Kristy]

Ooh, I couldn't afford what he's asking.
Good point, better take a 12-pack! :D

[kkiel02]

LOL! I would love to go bigger but I don't think my better half would appreciate it much. I could always suprise her though! And Allan I can only hope my SPS starts growing as fast as yours do now!

And you can always come over to check out the tank and drink! Now off to renew my membership...

[Reefer madness92]

LOL! I would love to go bigger but I don't think my better half would appreciate it much.
.
My girlfriend hates my hobby, feels I care more about my tank than her:rofl:

[allan]

My girlfriend hates my hobby, feels I care more about my tank than her:rofl:

Slippery slope... I almost said "you probably do" but my wife reads these posts occasionally and might realize that I do like the tank more tha... I mean I love my wife much more than the tank.

On a side note looks like I'm going to have to tear down my tanks after all. I will start this weekend.

I'm going bigger, boys!!!

[jrossjr79]

Sounds exciting, what are the plans?

[allan]

Somebody asked about the stunner strips on my tank.

With just stunners:

http://img.tapatalk.com/a6cd0b88-8a27-7f0a.jpg

And how they are mounted:

http://img.tapatalk.com/a6cd0b88-8a4a-5db7.jpg

Taped to the edge of the metal halide fixture.

[Scutterborn]

Here we go....

[Milly]

Awesome!!!! I'm excited for you!!

[allan]

Really! :)

I'm getting jolly's L tank.

Going to refurbish the stand. Set it up and transfer the livestock from my old, into the new. Then sell the old.

Going to take down the frag tank this weekend or next Saturday.

[jrossjr79]

Really! :)

I'm getting jolly's L tank.

Going to refurbish the stand. Set it up and transfer the livestock from my old, into the new. Then sell the old.

Going to take down the frag tank this weekend or next Saturday.


Cant wait to see it once you get it all set-up

[LuckySingh]

I am jealous !!! I like big tanks

[Scutterborn]

Ummmm… Is the frag tank the only one being replaced? Tell me the 190 isn't coming down!!

[klwheat]

Can't wait to see the new one develop! I sense a new thread starting.

[kkiel02]

Congrats Allan! I think jolly lives near me so let me know if you need someone to supervise the move. Haha

[Milly]

Ummmm… Is the frag tank the only one being replaced? Tell me the 190 isn't coming down!!

I hope it doesn't. I love that tank!

[Big_Pun]

you should give milly the 180 it's the right thing to do... make it part of her dowry !!

[jrossjr79]

Or you could give it to me, and I will use my 140 as a sump/refuge, lol.

[allan]

Ha, I love the tank too, but I can't have that much tank in a house that I continue to want to live in.

The frag tank will come down first to make room.

Then I will set up the other tank, fill it up and let it cycle. Once it has cycled and things are running smoothly I will install the final lamp in the hanging canopy and start moving things over.

Once all my coral, and some of my fish have made the transition I will take down the 190.

I'm going to sell the 190 to help cover the cost of the new tank. I'd like to have someone lined up prior to tearing it down, but I definitely won't be tearing it down until after I've ensured that the new tank meets spec.

[LuckySingh]

and u might wana rename ur thread goes allans RE rebuild!!!!

[Scutterborn]

and u might wana rename ur thread goes allans RE rebuild!!!!

I second that motion.

[reefreak]

Nooo! Not that beautiful 190 cube!?!

[Zack]

So no issues with the stunner strips and the heat from the halides? I think I may have to do something like that on my tank.

[Cammed_02]

What stunner are you running? Color?

[kkiel02]

Cant wait to see this setup! My orginal design for a tank was similar to this layout. I like L shaped tanks!!! So when is the big move and what's in your frag tank? lol

[allan]

Just blue led stunners

Not sure yet, but looks like I'm going to move the tank on the 18th.

Wife has me doing stuff so I can't work in the tanks. :(

[allan]

The journey begins...

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008f53c-a336-e2c3.jpg

[allan]

The frag tank that was not meant to be :(

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008f53c-a39c-c76d.jpg

[350gt]

I cant believe your getting that much light from the stunners.

I had 2 12" stunners on my 110 at one time and it did nothing for the tank. I replaced them with panoramas. I bought a 24" stunner for my 20L frag tank and I should have learned my lesson the first time.... So I had to buy a second and a splitter to even notice that they were on. Looks good now.

Eitherway GL and I cant wait to see what comes of this new tank...

[Zack]

AWESOME!

[FireWater]

We doing another scape for the new tank? Let me know and I'm in.

[allan]

Yes John, I've got a few ideas that I'd like to bounce about with you.

[allan]

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008f53c-c77d-58ba.jpg

Bought a pressure washer to clean the rubble rock. :-)

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008f53c-c7af-15ea.jpg

[allan]

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008f53c-c7d6-0d5d.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008f53c-c7ef-bc37.jpg

Forgot how much I hate doing this kind of work.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

wow congrats on the tank. Thats a lot of Rock. lol

[350gt]

You could have borrowed mine.....

[allan]

Appreciate the offer, but every man needs to have his own pressure washer.

Btw, that thing is awesome. It turned my driveway white.

[allan]

Too much rock. Gonna have to sell a bunch of it.

[allan]

White in the back and inside,

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008f53c-13f6-86bd.jpg

Red mahogany 225 in the front.

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008f53c-16a4-f056.jpg

[jrossjr79]

wow how much extra rock you got there Allan?

[allan]

Extra? I don't know how much extra I have, but I know that I have too much as I will be using all of my original rock between two tanks.

[ErikH]

SWEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTT. That's a cool tank, and holy moly, that's alotta rock.

[allan]

So I've cleared out the frag tank, goes down and out Saturday evening. My display is a mess of frags and coral, and my sump is as well.

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008f53c-0318-4cd6.jpg

I'm starting to think of what I would like in the new tank for fish. I plan on ridding myself of the scoly eating hippo, and possible the hawkfish as he seems to hate shrimp. Too bad as he seems to have a lot of personality.

Thinking about trying a trigger, since they look like they may be reef safe.

[klwheat]

What kind of trigger are you looking at getting?

[allan]

I was thinking about a Niger, but Kao has a Picasso, that would be cool too. But no shrimp....

[LuckySingh]

I was thinking about getting a pair of crosshatch triggers but I know one day they'll go for my best coral..::.so can't make up my mind yet

[Bill S]

Put me down for "why did I put a freakin' trigger in this tank? What was I thinking?".

[klwheat]

Put me down for "why did I put a freakin' trigger in this tank? What was I thinking?".
+1 :at_wits_end:
I've had ONE trigger in a reef.....the previous owner even told me how well it did with his corals...then it ate EVERY snail in my tank and started on coral. NEVER again...lol

[Bill S]

Triggers are very intelligent fish... Once they learn something, they don't forget.

[allan]

I guess triggers are out, yellow tangs are out an that goes for the blue hippo as well.

Step one: complete

http://img.tapatalk.com/6008f53c-f443-5b4b.jpg

[koa25]

I like my little picasso. No issues with him as yet. I've read a lot of people only have issues with inverts with the picassos. But there are always those exceptions. Maybe i got lucky. Plus i keep him well fed. He's a happy dude. Lots of personality. Tanks looking coming along nicely. Like the stain. The tank will be epic.

[Zack]

Really liking the stain, is this the same room as your 210?

[allan]

Yes, we're I to pan to the left you'd see the other tank. Moved the frag tank out this morning.

Epic, yes, I like that, michael.

[koa25]

A younger person term for you ole'timers.

[KING]

A younger person term for you ole'timers.

lol..

[allan]

I remember epic, son. :-)

It's gonna be sick.

That's a new one that you kids are using. Bill keeps saying things like groovy, you use epic, I'm still using the dated term "cool". Rob uses mainge... Which I've always thought was something a dog gets.

Too hard to keep up, so here goes (hold on bill), "gee, the tank will be swell!"

:)

[Kristy]

Don't forget bad, phat, and hot! :D

Allan, I can't believe this is going on and at such Ace-like lightning speed! I swear I only missed a couple of days of updates in this thread and then POW, BAM, all of a sudden life as we know it in Allan's house is being irrevocably altered! What is going on over there? What have you done to Gloria? And ahem, your oath of never going bigger than the last tank? :shades: