Brd's 125g. Switching from fowlr to coral.

[cginter]

So after a recent outbreak of marine velvet, I lost most of my fish. I now have converted a mixed reef.

The tank is a older style 125g with a 30g sump, coralife skimmer (rated for 150-200g) I also run 2 canister filters, but mainly use them to run carbon. Mag drive 18 for return pump. Koralia magnum 8, and a evolution 1400 for circulation.

The fish that I have.. Blue hippo tang, yellow tang, potters wrasse, red corris wrasse (adult), and a flame angel.

For corals, frogspawns, few different hammer heads, few acans, a sort ment of montis, zoas and some Sps.

 

[cginter]

 

[cginter]

 

[fishroomlady]

very nice! so sorry to hear about the velvet and your losses. Looks like you have a great start to the recovery!

 

[cginter]

Thanks man. I had some expensive fish at the time, but I love the looks and color of coral. This hobby is a lot more expensive than I previously thought, especially when you get addicted.

 

[jason g]

I agree looks like you are making a great comeback. I also have an older style tank like yours. Looks great.

 

[jt17]

You said it. If I would have stuck with fish only I'd have alot more in the bank now for sure. But at least you can propagate corals.
Your tank looks great. Is the flame angel nipping at any of the corals?

 

[MikeAndrews]

My experience is to get a larger skimmer. I run an Es200 and a Reef Octopus on my 190 reef. I have predominately sps and fish include a hippo tang, yellow tang, bicolor fox face, sunrise Dottyback, six line wrasse, green chromis group and a coral beauty angel. Never get detectable nitrates or phosphates.

 

[cginter]

You said it. If I would have stuck with fish only I'd have alot more in the bank now for sure. But at least you can propagate corals.
Your tank looks great. Is the flame angel nipping at any of the corals?

Thanks, and no the flame is well fed, doesn't pick at anything, unlike my Mac angel I lost :/.

 

[cginter]

My experience is to get a larger skimmer. I run an Es200 and a Reef Octopus on my 190 reef. I have predominately sps and fish include a hippo tang, yellow tang, bicolor fox face, sunrise Dottyback, six line wrasse, green chromis group and a coral beauty angel. Never get detectable nitrates or phosphates.

I thought about adding another, larger skimmer to be more on the safe side, but I wasn't sure if that would strip away useful nutrients? . I also run a dual reactor with high capacity GFO from BRS. With the combination of those two my nitrates are **** near zero and very low phos.

 

[cginter]

I agree looks like you are making a great comeback. I also have an older style tank like yours. Looks great.

Thanks, I got this tank for dirt cheap, it's just not drilled and there is minor scratches in the glass from the previous owner. I now want a newer tank that's drilled and plumed correctly. Christmas is around the corner

 

[footballdude2k3]

Sorry about the velvet, but the corals are looking great so far

 

[revhtree]

Nice buddy!

 

[cginter]

Thanks everyone! I might be adding all my coral from my 55g over to the 125 soon which should fill it up pretty good. I tried out nualgi on the 55g setup and it created a bloom of green hair algae and it's a mess and out of control. Might have to break it down and give it a deep cleaning unfortunately.

 

[cginter]

Some new pieces added

dragon soul favia.

trumpet coral

 

[cginter]

. JF lepto.

 

[footballdude2k3]

Sorry to hear that happened, but it looks like things are coming along pretty well so far

 

[cginter]

Update** Everything has been going good since the move in early march, ive lost a couple of corals, a gold torch and one type of zoa for some reason, but update pics will be coming soon. (trying not to give you guys Iphone pics....)

So ive made a few changes to the tank. I removed the canister filters completely, and bought a gfo and carbon reactor from BRS, and im now using filter socks to help keep the sump clean. I also purchased two of the 1.1ml dossers from BRS, to help feed alk & cal. (currently dossing 45ml/day) i also started to give my tank some microbacter 7, 5ml/week, acropower 10ml/week and also feeding coral (Reef chilli & Reef roids) 2-3 times a week. All seem to be having a positive effect on my coral and water clarity.

I also plan on buying a apex controller for myself, (from Santa) by Christmas to help with the rats nest under the tank, and also 2 mp40w es (i feel as if i have too many dead spots with my current power head situation) the mag 8 is rated for 3280 gph i believe but i feel its running about 2000 gph and im not getting the flow like i want.

once again, any thoughts, advice or comments (constructive criticism) are welcome.
Thanks.

 

[cginter]

Apex installed, lots of new corals added. Tank is looking good!

 

[New York Reef]

The corals look great! Keep up the great work!