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Here's my Big Office System
- Thread starter Baxreefs
- Start date
Re: Here's my now 375 (was 120) by Bax
Jim
Both the Pberry & borealis still have chance, and I m not giving up on them yet. Just concered. I need to make more frag rack space ASAP to frag down what's left of my torts. I started one yesterday, but cracked it. :
I was using that super thin Lexan and it some times does that when you're drilling it. I need to pick up some deent 1/4" acrylic for a few projects. Time is just limited! I may just order from an on line source like US Plastics, I need some sheets of PVC & WeldOn too.
... Among countess other to do items! ...
Jim
Both the Pberry & borealis still have chance, and I m not giving up on them yet. Just concered. I need to make more frag rack space ASAP to frag down what's left of my torts. I started one yesterday, but cracked it. :
I was using that super thin Lexan and it some times does that when you're drilling it. I need to pick up some deent 1/4" acrylic for a few projects. Time is just limited! I may just order from an on line source like US Plastics, I need some sheets of PVC & WeldOn too.... Among countess other to do items! ...
Re: Here's my now 375 (was 120) by Bax
I hava couple big sheets of acrylic I got from a church they were restoring in Carlstadt (they were protecting the stained glass and I pulled them from the dumpster). You can have one if you want to stop by and get it. I've cut, drilled and bent the stuff, it's fine.
I hava couple big sheets of acrylic I got from a church they were restoring in Carlstadt (they were protecting the stained glass and I pulled them from the dumpster). You can have one if you want to stop by and get it. I've cut, drilled and bent the stuff, it's fine.
Re: Here's my now 375 (was 120) by Bax
Thanks Jim. I am out in the field all week, but I'll drop you a PM if things free up.
I've found a couple of places to order all the stuff I want on line at reasonable prices, but the shipping always stops me from ordering. I need to go over to Acme Plastics and see if they can get the PVC I am looking for . I know the y have the acrylic and weldon. I bet in the long run it'd be cheaper.
Thanks Jim. I am out in the field all week, but I'll drop you a PM if things free up.
I've found a couple of places to order all the stuff I want on line at reasonable prices, but the shipping always stops me from ordering. I need to go over to Acme Plastics and see if they can get the PVC I am looking for . I know the y have the acrylic and weldon. I bet in the long run it'd be cheaper.
Re: Here's my now 375 (was 120) by Bax
I went ahead and made rack and a half out of the Lexan I was using, probably enough for about 20 frags. I hung them in the 90 broke out the bone cutters and went to work on some of the most debilitated pieces in the tank.
I ended up completely fragging down the ORA tort. I glued up about 12 but I don't think they are all viable, some are just too far gone. We'll see. The original colony of the baby blue tipped stag, man it was huge! Totally gone! Ended up only being about a half dozen frags. I have a mini colony of this going so I'll get by there. And one of my two mini colonies of blue acculeus is now 4 small frags.
I resisted breaking down the Shaun Bennett tort as it appears to be making a come back. I have one or two frags of it on the rack already.
I've been skimming hard, changing 2-5 gallons of water each day. I change 1-2 just by skimming normally. So when I skim hard the skimmer will pull 2-3 and then I'll swap out another 2 g bucket here and there.
Also dosing the Brightwells ELEMENTAL Reef Building stuff. I like it so far, in terms of ease of use, need to test here to see what impacts it has had after nearly a week of using it steadily. It's not cheap!
All in all, the algae is backing off, very slowly, but seemingly steadily.
Time will tell!
I went ahead and made rack and a half out of the Lexan I was using, probably enough for about 20 frags. I hung them in the 90 broke out the bone cutters and went to work on some of the most debilitated pieces in the tank.
I ended up completely fragging down the ORA tort. I glued up about 12 but I don't think they are all viable, some are just too far gone. We'll see. The original colony of the baby blue tipped stag, man it was huge! Totally gone! Ended up only being about a half dozen frags. I have a mini colony of this going so I'll get by there. And one of my two mini colonies of blue acculeus is now 4 small frags.
I resisted breaking down the Shaun Bennett tort as it appears to be making a come back. I have one or two frags of it on the rack already.
I've been skimming hard, changing 2-5 gallons of water each day. I change 1-2 just by skimming normally. So when I skim hard the skimmer will pull 2-3 and then I'll swap out another 2 g bucket here and there.
Also dosing the Brightwells ELEMENTAL Reef Building stuff. I like it so far, in terms of ease of use, need to test here to see what impacts it has had after nearly a week of using it steadily. It's not cheap!
All in all, the algae is backing off, very slowly, but seemingly steadily.
Time will tell!
Re: Here's my now 375 (was 120) by Bax
You can buy this stuff in bulk online, brings the cost way down. I have been using it on my nanos and have been impressed. Here is a link from a sponsor for a 35 pound bucket for $149:
http://www.centraljerseyaquatics.com/index.php?p=product&id=20090142&parent=5
Best of luck with the frags, we did the same thing after our tank crash and it looks like a bunch are going to pull through. They looked awful for the week following with losing flesh or being completly browned out. Just now they are starting to get color and polyp extension. I know how it feels from going to a colony or mini colony down to an inch frag.
Baxreefs said:
You can buy this stuff in bulk online, brings the cost way down. I have been using it on my nanos and have been impressed. Here is a link from a sponsor for a 35 pound bucket for $149:
http://www.centraljerseyaquatics.com/index.php?p=product&id=20090142&parent=5
Best of luck with the frags, we did the same thing after our tank crash and it looks like a bunch are going to pull through. They looked awful for the week following with losing flesh or being completly browned out. Just now they are starting to get color and polyp extension. I know how it feels from going to a colony or mini colony down to an inch frag.
Re: Here's my now 375 (was 120) by Bax
mnat
It's quite painful, isn't it?
Yes, I will buy it in bulk on line if I do keep dosing it. I can see it being very simple to mix up once a week and set it on a metering pump and BAM! Most all elemental dosing is done as a once a week maintenance step. I'm sure there'll tweaking here and there, but I like the concept very much.
I usually buy and try in small packages from the LFS and this really small canister (200g) was $12.99!!
That's like $36 a pound!!!
So $3ish bucks a pound is way more in line with my wallet!
Thanks!
mnat
It's quite painful, isn't it?
Yes, I will buy it in bulk on line if I do keep dosing it. I can see it being very simple to mix up once a week and set it on a metering pump and BAM! Most all elemental dosing is done as a once a week maintenance step. I'm sure there'll tweaking here and there, but I like the concept very much.
I usually buy and try in small packages from the LFS and this really small canister (200g) was $12.99!!
That's like $36 a pound!!!
So $3ish bucks a pound is way more in line with my wallet!
Thanks!
Re: Here's my now 375 (was 120) by Bax
I just went through one of the smaller ones and bought the next size up for the next round. Granted, I am dosing 50g of water total so I don't go through too much at a time, but I like the way my corals reacted. I paired it with the Brightwell alk 8.3 and made that my modified two part. What is great about the elemental is that is covers calcium, mag, stronium and potassium in one dose, saves a lot of time and buying 4 chemicals.
I just went through one of the smaller ones and bought the next size up for the next round. Granted, I am dosing 50g of water total so I don't go through too much at a time, but I like the way my corals reacted. I paired it with the Brightwell alk 8.3 and made that my modified two part. What is great about the elemental is that is covers calcium, mag, stronium and potassium in one dose, saves a lot of time and buying 4 chemicals.
Re: Here's my now 375 (was 120) by Bax
mnat
I've been using the BW Kalk +2 in my kalk reactor. Just a few spoonfuls along with the TLF Kakwasser mix. It has really helped to stabilze my Alk. But, I think it's best added in a reactor, it seems to be very potent in terms of impact on pH, so on a smaller system, it might be hard to manage.
I also use the BW NeoMag chunks in my Ca reactor. I guess they help with Mag levels, but it's really hard to tell if it's a positive or not, I still add supplemental Mag on top of using the NeoMag. Since it is easy to do, I'll probably recharge the reactor this NeoMag product too. It took a long time to see a physical mulming of the NeoMag in the reactor but it's sure melting away now so maybe my Mag is thru the roof?
I have to say, that since employing the BW Kalk +2 and BW NeoMag, my Alk has been pretty stable. That is a paramater I've always struggled to keep in line. In the past I was always tweeking the Ca RX and Kalk mixer to try to balance Alk. I guess due to concumption from the critters?
I am optimistic that the Elemental Reef Builder will be a positive thing. Maybe today or tomorrow I'll get a chance to run a round of params and we'll see how they look?
mnat
I've been using the BW Kalk +2 in my kalk reactor. Just a few spoonfuls along with the TLF Kakwasser mix. It has really helped to stabilze my Alk. But, I think it's best added in a reactor, it seems to be very potent in terms of impact on pH, so on a smaller system, it might be hard to manage.
I also use the BW NeoMag chunks in my Ca reactor. I guess they help with Mag levels, but it's really hard to tell if it's a positive or not, I still add supplemental Mag on top of using the NeoMag. Since it is easy to do, I'll probably recharge the reactor this NeoMag product too. It took a long time to see a physical mulming of the NeoMag in the reactor but it's sure melting away now so maybe my Mag is thru the roof?
I have to say, that since employing the BW Kalk +2 and BW NeoMag, my Alk has been pretty stable. That is a paramater I've always struggled to keep in line. In the past I was always tweeking the Ca RX and Kalk mixer to try to balance Alk. I guess due to concumption from the critters?
I am optimistic that the Elemental Reef Builder will be a positive thing. Maybe today or tomorrow I'll get a chance to run a round of params and we'll see how they look?
Re: Here's my now 375 (was 120) by Bax
Bax,
I just ordered a new camera, so I will be posting pics of the 120. It took me a couple of days to go through the entire thread, but I did it!
As soon as the camera gets in next week, I will start posting. By the way, I will be selling my Canon XTI Camera in case you are interested...I only used it maybe 3 times ever.
I spent about an hour last night fighting the dreaded Aptasia, but I think i got the majority of the biggins!
Bax,
I just ordered a new camera, so I will be posting pics of the 120. It took me a couple of days to go through the entire thread, but I did it!
As soon as the camera gets in next week, I will start posting. By the way, I will be selling my Canon XTI Camera in case you are interested...I only used it maybe 3 times ever.
I spent about an hour last night fighting the dreaded Aptasia, but I think i got the majority of the biggins!
Re: Here's my now 375 (was 120) by Bax
Yes, you want to work on the source, but for cleanup, nothing beats a Sea Hare.
Thing is, once the food is gone, they die ... fast!
If you get one be prepared to remove and if you can, pass it on to another reefer or take it back to the LFS to clean up another tank!
Yes, you want to work on the source, but for cleanup, nothing beats a Sea Hare.
Thing is, once the food is gone, they die ... fast!
If you get one be prepared to remove and if you can, pass it on to another reefer or take it back to the LFS to clean up another tank!
Re: Here's my now 375 (was 120) by Bax
Hey Baxter
Here is the link for the tank with lights. http://www.flickr.com/photos/zenway9/4454688045/
Hope you like.
Hey Baxter
Here is the link for the tank with lights. http://www.flickr.com/photos/zenway9/4454688045/
Hope you like.
Re: Here's my now 375 (was 120) by Bax
OK, got the 100 g stand painted, and I've laid out a plan to skin it still need to paint some trim pieces before that happens.
I need to cut out an existing overflow box from the acrylic 100g tank as it just doesn't work? This tank must be antcient as the design is lacking modern touches of any kind. But at 3/4" acrylic it's a bullet proof tank for my purposes! Eventually this will be my frag grow out tank, but for now it'll house all my SPS colonies.
Haven't done any thing of any importance on the enclosure as it's been stable temp-wise so it's not as critical as getting some fish and corals to a location where I can see'em from my desk! ;D
To that end:
As you enter the office you'll see the 75 & 100 like this
The 100 stand has been sealed with Kilz. I used a grey enamel where ever flakes could get to the QT that will sit in this lower opening. I am really bugged that the mildew resistant flakes are shedding into the 90 from my old canopy. Granted, that seal job is about four years old, but I just thought the Kilz would last ... well, forever
Here's what I'll see from my desk!
I had intended to use this 40g Breeder as the QT under the hundred. But, I am not really Qting any large fish any time soon ... so, how about a 20L for a QT and we'll size the 40 g B up for a stand to match the 100? It'll go right at the door before the 75 as you walk in! .... I know, it's a sickness
Right below my 80's vintage John G. Shedd Aquarium poster! 8)
On another front. I am scheming a water change program that will be automated to change 1-2 gallons of SW a day using matching synchronized commercial grade dosing pumps.
.... Like I've previously acknowledge .... it's a sickness ;D
OK, got the 100 g stand painted, and I've laid out a plan to skin it still need to paint some trim pieces before that happens.
I need to cut out an existing overflow box from the acrylic 100g tank as it just doesn't work? This tank must be antcient as the design is lacking modern touches of any kind. But at 3/4" acrylic it's a bullet proof tank for my purposes! Eventually this will be my frag grow out tank, but for now it'll house all my SPS colonies.
Haven't done any thing of any importance on the enclosure as it's been stable temp-wise so it's not as critical as getting some fish and corals to a location where I can see'em from my desk! ;D
To that end:
As you enter the office you'll see the 75 & 100 like this
The 100 stand has been sealed with Kilz. I used a grey enamel where ever flakes could get to the QT that will sit in this lower opening. I am really bugged that the mildew resistant flakes are shedding into the 90 from my old canopy. Granted, that seal job is about four years old, but I just thought the Kilz would last ... well, forever
Here's what I'll see from my desk
!
I had intended to use this 40g Breeder as the QT under the hundred. But, I am not really Qting any large fish any time soon ... so, how about a 20L for a QT and we'll size the 40 g B up for a stand to match the 100? It'll go right at the door before the 75 as you walk in! .... I know, it's a sickness
Right below my 80's vintage John G. Shedd Aquarium poster! 8)
On another front. I am scheming a water change program that will be automated to change 1-2 gallons of SW a day using matching synchronized commercial grade dosing pumps.
.... Like I've previously acknowledge .... it's a sickness ;D
Re: Here's my now 375 (was 120) by Bax
Eye candy has been slim on this thread during the winter hibernation, and made worse by my recent troubles with rusted electrical teabags, kilz flakes, Alk instability (another long post for another day) and subsequently algae. PO4 had wiggled it's way up to as high as 0.09 on my Hanna meter. I cleaned serviced the skimmer, cleaned the Kalk RX and recharged it, swapped GAC, finally put GFO on line and swapped filter socks. The PO4 is back to 0.02 .... better! While doing all this maintenance and struggling to balance my Alk and params, I noticed my Ca Rx pump had seized up. Ugh! It's never ending some times : So I cleaned it put back together and now the o-ring leaks! REALLY!?!?!?!
Anyway, after loosing a few colonies that had been with me a while, things are beginning to to really look up in the SPS tank. I was able to frag most everything so there are few total losses. Frags are definitely doing better than the large colonies, but the colonies too are coming around.
Color and PE today, from a frag of ORA tort
This gemmifera is like a cat! It was an original SPS colony waaaaay back in my 75 g reef circa 2004-2005. My first Alk crash along with AEFWs took a toll and I was down to a few Qtips sized frags. Nearly lost it, but here it is today, giving growth color and PE
Here's an insurance frag of blue prostrata, looking OK!
I had to break up this microlads after the move and nearly lost all the frags. It's not great yet, but I haven't seen any PE till today!
This gommezi, from OG II, has really colored back up and look at the PE!
This frag, an unknown acro from OGII, was a bit dull when I brought it home. It was unrecognizable to Brian as well. It is just soaking up light, and changing color and at times, has just crazy PE!
I still have a ways to go to be really happy, but i am pleased. I am thinking that expanding the system a tank every week or two, starting with the 75, will help by adding fresh SW and putting all the SPS in better suited positions. Space is at a premium as I am set up now.
Eye candy has been slim on this thread during the winter hibernation, and made worse by my recent troubles with rusted electrical teabags, kilz flakes, Alk instability (another long post for another day) and subsequently algae. PO4 had wiggled it's way up to as high as 0.09 on my Hanna meter. I cleaned serviced the skimmer, cleaned the Kalk RX and recharged it, swapped GAC, finally put GFO on line and swapped filter socks. The PO4 is back to 0.02 .... better! While doing all this maintenance and struggling to balance my Alk and params, I noticed my Ca Rx pump had seized up. Ugh! It's never ending some times :
So I cleaned it put back together and now the o-ring leaks! REALLY!?!?!?! Anyway, after loosing a few colonies that had been with me a while, things are beginning to to really look up in the SPS tank. I was able to frag most everything so there are few total losses. Frags are definitely doing better than the large colonies, but the colonies too are coming around.
Color and PE today, from a frag of ORA tort
This gemmifera is like a cat! It was an original SPS colony waaaaay back in my 75 g reef circa 2004-2005. My first Alk crash along with AEFWs took a toll and I was down to a few Qtips sized frags. Nearly lost it, but here it is today, giving growth color and PE
Here's an insurance frag of blue prostrata, looking OK!
I had to break up this microlads after the move and nearly lost all the frags. It's not great yet, but I haven't seen any PE till today!
This gommezi, from OG II, has really colored back up and look at the PE!
This frag, an unknown acro from OGII, was a bit dull when I brought it home. It was unrecognizable to Brian as well. It is just soaking up light, and changing color and at times, has just crazy PE!
I still have a ways to go to be really happy, but i am pleased. I am thinking that expanding the system a tank every week or two, starting with the 75, will help by adding fresh SW and putting all the SPS in better suited positions. Space is at a premium as I am set up now.