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#1 |
Registered Member.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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August NTOTM...PurpleUP's TOPLESS BC14
Ughh Ummm,
Many thanks to those of you who voted my little BC14 NTOTM. The voting was soooooo incredibly close that I think it could easily have swayed in one or two other directions. Junkitu and Victoria, your tanks are top-notch. Clearly the best I've seen since I've gotten into this hobby, so I GREATLY appreciate being recognized here. I initially got into nano reefing because one of my business associates convinced me that I just "had to have one for my office." So I bought his old one (that he couldn't care for). It didn't take too long before I topped off with unfiltered tap water for 2 weeks straight, and you know what happened after that... TOTAL ANNIHILATION. From that point on, I dedicated myself to the boards and the empirical knowledge that comes from it. And now, I can finally redeem $1500 in lost coral. I've committed my life to 24hr reef maintenance. Seriously. I work at home in between tank cleanings. Here are a few specs: LIGHTING:. Coralife Hang-On 150W 20,000k HQI – the hang-on mount allows for me to have an open top, while giving me accessibility to the tank at all times. (on from 10am to 7pm) Coralife 1W Moonlight – the snake-arm curls out of the way by day so it won’t cast a shadow onto the corals beneath. (on from 7pm to 2am) PUMPS:. 2 X Rio 90s – placed on opposite sides of the tank to create desirable water chaos Maxi Jet 1200 – replaced stock pump Hydor Flo (rotating water deflector) – to vary water flow SKIMMER:. CPR Backpack Protein Skimmer – some people argue that skimming is not necessary for nano tanks, but because I keep so many corals I don’t want to take any chances. This one is the largest one that could fit in the 2nd chamber. It skims like there's no tomorrow! AUTO TOP-OFF SYSTEM:. ATO – This has become the most essential add-on to my tank. With 2 fans running 9hrs/day on an open-top HQI lit system, water evaporates soooo quickly. The 5gal freshwater reservoir is replenished weekly with Kalkwasser to maintain my calcium, dKH, and pH. The ATO sensor has been placed at the bottom of the 3rd chamber just above the main Maxi Jet pump. Today, I added a ball valve to close the return when necessary, so I don’t have to turn the system off every time I do water changes or adjust salinity. SUPPLEMENTS:. Reef Solution by EcoSystem – 2ml added daily PurpleUp by CaribSea – 3.0ml added to 3gal of saltwater at every water change Lugol’s Iodine – ½ drop added once per week Live Phytoplankton – 2ml fed once every other day Instant Ocean Salt – for regular water changes Premium Reef Crystals Salt – used once per month WATER:. Only RO/DI water from the same LFS, EVERY TIME. They give 20 gallons FREE every visit! PARAMETERS:. Ammonia: 0 Nitrates: 0-5 Phosphates: 0 pH: 8.4 Calcium: 400-440ppm Alkalinity: 9-10dKH Salinity: 1.025—1.026 Temp: 78º - 80º maintained by constant home A/C set @ 76º and 2 Honeywell Air Fans LIVESTOCK:. Whoa. Too much too many to mention! and it changes every visit to the LFS! Stay tuned for a few pics! I'll post more throughout the month. Thanks again for voting my petite little topless and sexy BC14 as Nano Tank of the Month!!! Last edited by PurpleUP; 09/02/2007 at 07:58 PM. |
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#2 |
Registered Member.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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Most recent FTS > front side angle. It's best side
![]() ![]() Last edited by PurpleUP; 09/02/2007 at 07:59 PM. |
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#3 |
Registered Member.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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As close as my camera can get...
![]() ![]() ![]() I'll post more pics as soon as my wife falls asleep... |
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#4 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 87
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i have some requests....a top down close up of the acro or mille or whatever it is, a close up of that beast in the back, and a close up of the blue goni, or whatever that sexy blue stuff is.
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#5 |
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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LOL. Lemme see what I can do... My wife is still awake!!!
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#6 |
Registered Member.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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My red chalice never gets enough attention, because she's way in the back. But I love her.
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#7 |
Premium Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Fishers, IN, USA
Posts: 1,169
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Very nice!!! That tank is absolutely beautiful!
Mind if I ask, do you use fully saturated kalk for your topoff reservoir?
__________________
-Chris Current Tank Info: 70G Reef (Aug 2007), 45G Reef (Dec 2007) |
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#8 |
Registered Member.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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My crab takes pride in his camouflage outfit.
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#9 |
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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cd77, I've been trying to create just the right formula. I've been using a little less than 1 teaspoon of Kalk per gallon of top-off, but I'm not sure that's enough. I still have to supplement with Turbo Calcium. Next time, I'll be increasing the dosage to 1 full heaping teaspoon per gallon. BTW: That stuff is COSTLY!!!
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#10 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 87
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just shot my request straight to hell i see
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#11 |
Registered Member.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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Here's a shot of my family at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (because I can). Plus, it's somewhat related to the topic. hehe
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#12 |
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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No way, BigByrd. You know that requires special lighting and complex angles. ESPECIALLY that top-down shot! Give me a day, you'll have it.
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#13 |
Premium Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Fishers, IN, USA
Posts: 1,169
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Wow -- sounds like you're tank is consuming a LOT of calcium given your rapid evaporation and additives.. but it's definitely worth it from what I can see
![]() Like you I too work at home, and having just started I'm finding my job coming second to reefkeeping ![]() Again, a beautiful display you have there -- I can tell you put a lot of thought and experience into the diversity of life and aquascaping. Awesome!
__________________
-Chris Current Tank Info: 70G Reef (Aug 2007), 45G Reef (Dec 2007) |
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#14 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 87
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i know i know, but screw the coral...lets see more pics of the wife!...kidding of course, sorry...ill be waitin for my shots
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#15 |
Registered Member.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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Yeah, she's a little over dressed for Monterey Bay Aquarium isn't she? You'll have to wait 'till Halloween for another shot, but in the meantime I've got something even better for you...
COCO, come show us whatchu got!!! ![]() 1 month ago, he lost one of his heads but as you can see, it's growin' back BIGGER and better than before!!! |
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#16 |
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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Sideshot!
Brain snackin' on a mysis shrimp. Jus because I am so very proud of my Hydor Flo to be so covered in coralline algae. ![]() |
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#17 |
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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Gimme some space.
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#18 |
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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My xenia has attached. What a great moment.
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#19 |
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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BigByrd, this is all I can do for you right now. My milli is scarlet crab HQ.
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#20 |
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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Melee Shot.
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#21 |
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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Blue Dolphins
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#22 |
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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Yellow Polyps. That's really what they're called!
Juicy Red Mushroom. Sexy Blue Stuff. Milli up close and personal. |
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#23 |
Registered Member.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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BigByrd, this one's for you...
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#24 |
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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Here's an FTS taken just a few minutes ago...
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#25 |
Registered Member.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 190
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"I've honestly considered ditching my current lifestyle and working minimum wedge at the LFS just for the discount and to play with all the goodies. "
cd77, Catch 22. If we quit our day jobs, we also lose the means to buy corals! What a dilemma. |
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