d2mini's "Essential Focus" Mixed Reef Build

[PsymonStark]

Brought mine into the dt now. I think he will be happier now

Edit: wow can't see anything in that pic. So dam blue. Soz.

[ktownhero]

I love brittle stars. Have you guys ever just held a piece of shrimp at the surface and watched them come out and find it? It's amazing. It was something I did with my nanos all of the time. No eyes, no brains, no advanced nervous system... They are about as primitive as anything and yet they will find that piece of shrimp that is barely touching the surface like a champ. Might not work as well in a larger tank though.

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[d2mini]

Originally Posted by ktownhero

I love brittle stars. Have you guys ever just held a piece of shrimp at the surface and watched them come out and find it? It's amazing. It was something I did with my nanos all of the time. No eyes, no brains, no advanced nervous system... They are about as primitive as anything and yet they will find that piece of shrimp that is barely touching the surface like a champ. Might not work as well in a larger tank though.

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When I feed the tank they all come running out for food, grab something off the sand bed and go back into hiding. Pretty cool. Occasionally they will climb the glass and extend their arms out upside down along the water surface.

[bizacon]

Did you do a DYI on your qt tank? Was thinking about doing something for mine.

[lucas in alaska]

How much of each element are you dosing per day in your tank?

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by bizacon

Did you do a DYI on your qt tank? Was thinking about doing something for mine.

Just what was posted here...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...postcount=1273

Originally Posted by lucas in alaska

How much of each element are you dosing per day in your tank?

Right now I'm at 57ml/day

[bizacon]

I forgot to add "dyi screen". Sorry. Did you customize it to have the hob filter work?

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by bizacon

I forgot to add "dyi screen". Sorry. Did you customize it to have the hob filter work?

Yeah, it's the typical DIY using the netting from BRS and hardware from home depot.
I left the 1" gap or whatever it is along the back.

[Chrisrush]

Hey Dennis, I'm thinking about redoing my sump. Anything that you would change on yours?

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by Chrisrush

Hey Dennis, I'm thinking about redoing my sump. Anything that you would change on yours?

Nope.
Except if you are planning on running Triton, they are now recommending you dose directly into the refugium if you are dosing the new Core7 Reef Elements vs the original Base Elements.

And note that after I originally got the sump, I went back and had BAO fab me a simple cover for the refugium section.
Cuts down on noise and splashing/evap.

[reefanatik]

Originally Posted by d2mini

Here's a new FTS finally.

Looking good Denis.

[Chrisrush]

Originally Posted by d2mini

Nope.
Except if you are planning on running Triton, they are now recommending you dose directly into the refugium if you are dosing the new Core7 Reef Elements vs the original Base Elements.

And note that after I originally got the sump, I went back and had BAO fab me a simple cover for the refugium section.
Cuts down on noise and splashing/evap.

Thanks. Currently dosing regular base elements but when I do switch to Core7 I'll change over the dosing lines.

I'll give BAO a note and see about a new sump.

[d2mini]

Here's a few fish I put in the tank awhile ago but never got around to posting pics.
They are from diver's den.
They've done great so far. My only concern is that the smallest of the Anthias, while she hung around in the group the first few days, has since been off on her own, hiding most of the time.
It's been like that for weeks. I can go days without seeing her. She seems to favor the back right corner and sometimes i find her in one of the holes of the rock.
The male is a freakin pig. All he does is swim up front looking for food. lol
The tang seems to be content picking algae off rocks or the algae clip. Doesn't seem at all interested in Reef Frenzy or mysis.

[Vinny Kreyling]

Dennis, the tank looks great.
I was told years ago Tangs with the mouth shape of Koles & Chevrons are probably the best @ cleaning algae.

[drummerboyevil]

Fish look great. I've been thinking about ordering from them.

[d2mini]

I know I've been a bit quiet lately but I've been preoccupied!

Decided to take advantage of my short city commute and swap out vehicles.
Placed an order and waited 6-7 agonizing weeks for this to show up...



That pic was taken right after I picked it up.

Then about 5 minutes after I got home I was installing the new wheels/tires.




This rocks...




I went with the two-tone interior... thought it looked rad with the red.




The base radio is junk, and the upgrades aren't that much better, so 3 days after I took delivery we tore EVERYTHING out and installed new gear.
Pionner NEX 8200 with capacitive touch screen, nav, apple car play, etc.
Hertz HSK 165 components up front, JL Audio 6.5's in the overhead soundbar, sub in the rear, and a marine grade amp.
Sounds amazing.






And today I installed a heavy duty tire carrier so the 100lb tire/wheel combo doesn't wear out the tailgate hinges and welds.





It's slow, not a lot of frills, it handles like a donkey, and I'm getting 14 mpg.
But it's a blast! LOL!
I no longer have to worry about speed bumps, potholes, dog sized cats or cat sized dogs. My wife can't curb the wheels. Can take it on the beach, throw in my mountain bike gear, the kid's junk, the dogs... all joking aside it makes a lot more sense for me. It actually does ride pretty nice and it's surprisingly quiet. And the resale value is insane on these things.
The problem is the aftermarket is HUUUUGE! My wallet is choking already. lol

If anyone is interested in a sweet Audi A4 hit me up! haha

[drummerboyevil]

Originally Posted by d2mini

I know I've been a bit quiet lately but I've been preoccupied!

Decided to take advantage of my short city commute and swap out vehicles.
Placed an order and waited 6-7 agonizing weeks for this to show up...



That pic was taken right after I picked it up.

Then about 5 minutes after I got home I was installing the new wheels/tires.




This rocks...




I went with the two-tone interior... thought it looked rad with the red.




The base radio is junk, and the upgrades aren't that much better, so 3 days after I took delivery we tore EVERYTHING out and installed new gear.
Pionner NEX 8200 with capacitive touch screen, nav, apple car play, etc.
Hertz HSK 165 components up front, JL Audio 6.5's in the overhead soundbar, sub in the rear, and a marine grade amp.
Sounds amazing.






And today I installed a heavy duty tire carrier so the 100lb tire/wheel combo doesn't wear out the tailgate hinges and welds.





It's slow, not a lot of frills, it handles like a donkey, and I'm getting 14 mpg.
But it's a blast! LOL!
I no longer have to worry about speed bumps, potholes, dog sized cats or cat sized dogs. My wife can't curb the wheels. Can take it on the beach, throw in my mountain bike gear, the kid's junk, the dogs... all joking aside it makes a lot more sense for me. It actually does ride pretty nice and it's surprisingly quiet. And the resale value is insane on these things.
The problem is the aftermarket is HUUUUGE! My wallet is choking already. lol

If anyone is interested in a sweet Audi A4 hit me up! haha

If you're interested in any armor check out my brother's business: https://www.jcroffroad.com/

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by drummerboyevil

If you're interested in any armor check out my brother's business: https://www.jcroffroad.com/

No way! That's funny... I was checking out their bumpers. Haha

[drummerboyevil]

Originally Posted by d2mini

No way! That's funny... I was checking out their bumpers. Haha

haha nice. My brother co-owns the business. He and his business partner started it like... 15+ years ago?

[ClownsRCoo]

Where'd you get the stereo work done? I need to find a good place


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[d2mini]

Originally Posted by ClownsRCoo

Where'd you get the stereo work done? I need to find a good place


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Houston Car Stereo on Hillcroft at WestPark Tollway.
The owner's name is Dia. Nice guys, they know their stuff. Good prices on the equipment too.
If you make the trip, tell him I sent ya.
I chose them based off their Yelp reviews.

[old_moe]

Dennis,

You have been running the G4's for about 6-months... any readout? Are you still impressed with the results?

I am definitely not the early adaptor type.... but the new line seems tempting. Wondering if they are worth setting aside my T5's.

Thanks!

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by old_moe

Dennis,

You have been running the G4's for about 6-months... any readout? Are you still impressed with the results?

I am definitely not the early adaptor type.... but the new line seems tempting. Wondering if they are worth setting aside my T5's.

Thanks!

I've been running the G4 Pro's since mid September.
I had the G3 Pro's from June-Sept.

There are three things I look for in my coral.

1. Growth
2. Color
3. Polyp Extension/overall healthy look.

I'm also aware that lighting is not the only factor in any of these.
So I try not to wholly blame or praise lighting for any of the three.
We also have to be aware that my tank is just now 5-5.5 months old, still just a baby in my opinion.

So that said...

1. Growth has been "ok". Some coral have done well, some have barely changed in this time.

2. Color has been VERY good. Actually, I've been a little surprised at how well coral that came into the system looking great and held their color, and others that came in needing some TLC and have greatly improved. There are one or two that are a bit meh, but that's expected.

3. PE... this may be the biggest surprise. I've found that most of my SPS have exhibited really nice PE, and I'm not talking about just the top surfaces facing the light but UNDERNEATH as well. This was always a sore point for me when it came to LED but I think between having better spread from the G4's and using an extra unit than what would typically be recommended, I've got enough light wrap to prevent bald, colorless coral in what would have been shadow areas. Now this may change over time as the corals grow and shadow themselves more. We will have to wait and see.

This photo below is an old example from my previous tank where I had LEDs originally and then switched to MH/T5.
Look at the underside of the coral and note the difference in PE and color.
I have a mini colony of this exact coral in my current tank and it looks just like the MH/T5 side, if not better.
I'll try to get a photo some time.

[old_moe]

Thank you for the very detailed response!

I am overdue for a new set of T5's and sadly my coral is scoring low on all 3 of your points above. Thinking I may keep the T5's for a bit longer and see what feeding and new bulbs achieve.

Will continue to follow your build... truly an inspiration to me!!!

Thank you again.

[d2mini]

OK, new pics!

First, Mr. Naoko's Wrasse was released into gen pop today!
Here he is posing for his first pic in his new digs.




I think he's stoked for all the extra space and company.
And here's some other random shots, starting with two of my Wyoming White clowns.