Nick's Miracle Build

[mclay3]

What is your routine for keeping the sandbed clean? I've been debating barebottom due to the sandbed issues and required work associated with them but would still prefer sand.

Thanks looks great.

[this is me]

Originally Posted by mclay3

What is your routine for keeping the sandbed clean? I've been debating barebottom due to the sandbed issues and required work associated with them but would still prefer sand.

Thanks looks great.

I have about 6 fighting conch that patrol the sandbed. For the most part, they do a great job. If I see some patches that need attention, I just take my algae scraping stick(which I don't use to clean the glass), and go back and forth in the area and get the flow carry the detritus away.
Bare bottom has it own challenges. The one thing I can get used to bare bottom is that it does not look natural.

[reefzone123]

great attention to detail. woah awesome efforts.

[reefzone123]

your tank dimension is outstanding.

[fixingstill]

Nick,
Back in Feb, you had a total fish loss because of the ich or some sort of disease. Then you go fishless for 8 weeks. Since then, when you add fish, do you QT them first? How and how long do you QT new fish?

[this is me]

Originally Posted by fixingstill

Nick,
Back in Feb, you had a total fish loss because of the ich or some sort of disease. Then you go fishless for 8 weeks. Since then, when you add fish, do you QT them first? How and how long do you QT new fish?

Hi,
Yes, I've lost a lot of fish back in February after adding a couple of questionable tangs that have some ich spots on them. After I left the tank fallow and before adding new fish, I invested in an UV sterilizer(80W Pentair) and reintroduced a couple of yellow tangs from LA. I'm not trying to sell any UV sterilizer but I believe it does help with keeping the fish clean of diseases. I've slowly restock the fish without any issue. I did lose a Magnificent Foxface which was really weird because it was fat and eating. After about a week later, the fish suddenly stopped eating and quickly died. I think it was due to cyanide poisoning(?)
So to answer your question, no, I still have not done any QT with new fish. If I have more time and know what I'm doing with QT, I probably will give it a try. But I'm very bad with QTing fish and have killed a couple in the process.

[choss]

Nick,

I apologize if you answered this earlier in the thread but what sand are you using and are you happy with it?

[this is me]

I use the Carribsea Seafloor Special Reef Grade Sand.

https://www.petsmart.com/fish/decor-...and-16742.html

It says it on the bottom right of the bag.
It's a very good sand and I like it a lot. Coarse enough to withstand very strong flow for SPS tank but fine enough for sand dweller like my leopard wrasse.
I would use this sand again.

[this is me]

A video update.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YaL53EWUhM



Looking back at December 2016 video.


And yesterday. 07/28/2017. Roughly 9 months in.

[this is me]

Some of my favs.

[choss]

Wow. Things are looking fantastic!

[reefmutt]

Beautiful!
Corals look perfect.
Love that first shot that red coral is nice.

[launchnukes]

Beautiful photos and an amazing tank!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

[markalot]

I missed the July update, fantastic. How are things going?

[this is me]

Hi Mark,
Thanks for following. Things are continue to do well for the most part. Since adding a trio of Regal Angelfish and a pair of Interrupta Angelfish, the LPS(Acans, brains, and acnthrophillias) are taking a hit. But I'm not too worried because I'm more into the angelfish than those LPS at this point.

Here's a video showing the pair of interrupta mating behavior.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDZPK0PV3c4&t

[markalot]

Cool fish, thanks for the update!

[flobees]

Hi Nick, I have been doing some research for a new tank, Thinking of going with Miracles can you tell me about the tank what is the time frame and also how much for the tank and stand. also shipping cost. Are they easy to work with? Did they help you with the design or did you do it all. Thanks

[this is me]

Hi,
Derek at Miracles was very easy to work with. The first tank they built and shipped to me was unacceptable and I was very disappointed. I think the detail is in this thread somewhere. Or maybe it's in my previous build.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...2450494&page=4
Long story short, the first tank they built had some serious silicone job issue and I had to send it back and requested a new tank. Derek agreed and got the second tank and shipped to me. The quality on the second tank is significantly better than the first tank but overall, it's not as good as the Elos quality I used to. However, I didn't think it would matter as long as the tank is sturdy built and it was very high quality.
The price Miracles quote is always include shipping. I thought their price was very reasonable. I PM you the price I paid for the tank and stand.

[this is me]

Fish having a field day with the nori tonight.

[sahin]

Hey buddy. I watch the video on YT yesterday. Tank looks stunning and I really love the fish collection. Awesome work.

[this is me]

Thanks Sahin! You really need to give the update on your tank!

[reefmutt]

Nick, your tank is awesome in the true sense of the word.
All those fish and the huge colonies amazing!
Those sexy angels barely look like adults. Very cool.

[deazwe]

Both I and my wife are in awe at this aquarium. recently upgraded our 26gal bowfront to a new 60 gallon cube and the fish and coral are thriving. I will post some pics in a few.

[this is me]

Originally Posted by reefmutt

Nick, your tank is awesome in the true sense of the word.
All those fish and the huge colonies amazing!
Those sexy angels barely look like adults. Very cool.

Thanks. I've been growing the SPS out. I haven't done any major fragging since the tank move. I like to see how they grow out. One of the YBR still have the false eye on the fin. It's just a baby when I got it at LA.

Originally Posted by deazwe

Both I and my wife are in awe at this aquarium. recently upgraded our 26gal bowfront to a new 60 gallon cube and the fish and coral are thriving. I will post some pics in a few.

That's how it starts. Small upgrade at a time and eventually you'll end up in the 300+ gallons. My first saltwater tank was from 2002 with a 29gallons. Upgraded to oceanic 40gallons cube then to Elos 70, then to Elos 160XL. and now this. You never know with this hobby. Someday you wake up and realize your tank is too small.

[McPuff]

Originally Posted by this is me

That's how it starts. Small upgrade at a time and eventually you'll end up in the 300+ gallons. My first saltwater tank was from 2002 with a 29gallons. Upgraded to oceanic 40gallons cube then to Elos 70, then to Elos 160XL. and now this. You never know with this hobby. Someday you wake up and realize your tank is too small.

So true. And good luck if you decide to downsize. I did that when moving to my house. Went from a 180 to a 120. Well, that lasted a few years and now I have a 300. Oops! :0)