T-DAY!!! At long last, my 220 / 400 Build

[ReefEnabler]

I just tested phosphate with the hanna colorimeter for the first time in about two weeks.

Previously, every time I ran the test it has come back as 0.0

This was the first positive reading I got: 0.06ppm

Corals are looking better if anything.

I've really increased feeding both fish and corals lately, and also stopped using phosban about two months ago, and reduced the amount of cheato in the fuge. So this increase isn't a huge surprise.

Also, I used to be anal about rinsing frozen food before feeding it. Ie... thaw frozen food in RO water, let the food settle, pour off all the cloudy liquid and refill with SW. The last few weeks I have been feeding the whole frozen mess.

Haven't had any issues like algae or cyano blooms.

Do you guys think 0.06 is high? Should I back off slightly? I know RHF recommends < 0.03 and says seawater is 0.005 (way too low for testing).

Always can fire that other phosban reactor back up at any moment.

[psteeleb]

I would just keep watching it and make sure you don't start to see any algae blooms. If it starts to creep up then consider going back with the phosban


or, add a clam

[GSMguy]

You will be fine with a bit of phosphate, if you reduce it too much your corals will fade, just watch it to make sure it doesn't spike.

A Clam is always cool

[chrismunn]

so whats the story with a clam and phosphates? does the clam filter out po4?

[GSMguy]

Clams filter nitrate and phosphate I think.

[chrismunn]

thats pretty cool, i wish i had room in my tank for a small clam now that i have a MH. maybe on the next one???

[N00bietanker]

nice thread;-)

[CNoonan]

Awesome setup!

I used to work for Aquariums For You..

[ReefEnabler]

Thanks guys,
CNoonann we'll have to have a chat about AFY sometime


N00bietanker I knew you couldn't hide forever

Need to get some new pics tonight but here are the frags I got this saturday:

Gafg Bonsai:


Red Chalice:


Farmer Setosa:


Tricolor Acro:


Rainbow Acro:


I need to get a better shot of this one, the colors are nuts and its since opened up much better.

Most of these are near the sandbed for now should be moving them up higher soon.

[N00bietanker]

I think i like the farmer setosa and the bonsai the best though i have to admit the acro does look pretty sweet!!!

[CNoonan]

Originally posted by ReefEnabler
Thanks guys,
CNoonann we'll have to have a chat about AFY sometime

I can only imagine what you have to say... but I probably know what it is.

Im going to send you a PM since I'd like to talk to you about it.

Don't worry I stopped working for them, and I'm on your side.

[reidcrandall]

Love the tank. I had been trying to catch up on he original thread, but the recap makes it much easier. It's giving me a lot of ideas for my current 120 build.

One question: what is a herbie drain?

[ReefEnabler]

A herbie drain is described here

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

That thread is a bit longwinded and confusing. basically you are draining water through a pipe that is partially restricted, which doesn't let any air and is thus silent, but it requires a secondary emergency drain.

BeanAnimal also has a similiar system using 3 standpipes (I guess for extra extra security?). This thread has much better illustration and documentation.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

[N00bietanker]

I need 100 posts for an avatar Its hard

[ReefEnabler]

you cant have mine

[N00bietanker]

The red chalice has white dots does that mean its bleached a bit?

[ReefEnabler]

I think you're right, but it's recovering.

I've noticed chalices seem among the more sensitive to shipping and lighting changes.

All the algae is gone from the plug, only took a couple days

I'll try to get updates pics, we are planning to move some corals around tonight.

[N00bietanker]

I remember the last chalice didnt do so well.....Dont like it that much anywho we should put it up here for sale LOL jk

[ReefEnabler]

Ya the last chalice we got from LiveAquaria arrived busted in half, and then one half got totally bleached. It was too high up in the tank so I moved it down. Here is that half now. Not the prettiest but the tissue is nice and healthy:

[ReefEnabler]

We did a few coral placement tweaks, and there are a couple new additions as well.

I also experimented with putting a green T5 lamp behind the background. I like what it does to the tank; It shows up in the picture as more of a hotspot, but in person its a nice blue-green gradient that makes the depth pop and makes for a more natural ocean color:

[ReefEnabler]

New additions:


Green Mille:



Red/Pink Mille:



Yellowish toadstool leather (back center):



not 100% sure where he will end up going, might be on a ledge in the back.


Now some updates of the KEEPERZ frags:


This rainbow acro does not dissapoint:



Bonsai:



Tricolor Acro:



Mostly green/yellow tips and polyps showing, but its also got a nice blue base thats darkening some.

And the red chalice:



It's looking a bit better. Also, notice how clean the frag plug is. It looked like that after only 2 days in the tank thanks to all the hermits

red chalice when it was added:



Didn't get another shot of the setosa but it hasn't really changed.

[Hop]

That looks great Ryan! Can wait for a year or 18 months of growth!

[psteeleb]

Ryan - the corals all look awesome. But if you think you will ever reach a point where you can just sit back and enjoy......

well I don't know if that's posible

that bonsai looks a lot like my unknown "aka - the blob"
and I got to get me some of that Setosa,

[ReefEnabler]

Thanks Pete and Hop

Its hard for me to believe that the system is only around 5-6 months old (depending on when you start counting), but thats probably because I spent far more time than that setting it up. Another year should show some REAL progress ! What I love about a mature tank is when the Rocks darken up, the larger corals cast more shadows, and the overall contrast in the tank increases which highlights colors better.


Next up I am getting the frag tank back on the loop; it's been disconnected and dirty since I used it to QT some questionable zoas. I got so busy for a while I let it sit without circulation and it got a nice bacterial slime going Had fun cleaning it out earlier...

I should have it filled up with new water and back online tomorrow . Then I will be making some more frags of a bunch of the larger coral colonies to start populating the frag tank.

Will be curious to see how frags of the mother colonies change color under the strictly T5 lighting in the frag tank.

I need to order some frag plugs too.

[kar93]

I've only just caught up on this thread and I must say Ryan, your tank looks incredible! Imagine it in another 6 months