d2mini's "Essential Focus" Mixed Reef Build

[Black Pearl]

Hey D2 everything looking great as usual. You have had a lot of sponges, I just aquired a red finger and have no idea how to mount it, do I just stick it in the crevice of a rock? and by the way I'm bare bottom( no snickering) I also have a clam cradle, could I glue it to that? suggestions please

 

[d2mini]

Hey D2 everything looking great as usual. You have had a lot of sponges, I just aquired a red finger and have no idea how to mount it, do I just stick it in the crevice of a rock? and by the way I'm bare bottom( no snickering) I also have a clam cradle, could I glue it to that? suggestions please

The sponges that have a solid base to them can be glued/epoxied to other rock. shells, etc. If it's just bare sponge tissue you can shove it in a crevice or thread some fishing line or something through it and tie it to something.
Remember to do this under water.

And FWIW, the red ones are always the first to die on me. Mine didn't even make it 6 months this time around.
The orange tree sponges and yellow ball sponges do much better for me.

 

[Black Pearl]

Wow thanks for such a quick response.Did not know they were an issue always saw them looking really great in your tank, first one I've owned so Ill just give it my best
Thanks much

 

[d2mini]

Wow thanks for such a quick response.Did not know they were an issue always saw them looking really great in your tank, first one I've owned so Ill just give it my best
Thanks much

Yeah, since I've been using TBS for years, I'm quite familiar with the various sponge lifespans in captivity. At least in MY captivity.
As always, YMMV and I wish you the best of luck, but in talking with Richard at TBS my experiences have been pretty on par.
Try areas with less light, and try feeding. A lot. Phyto and such. Turn off your skimmer for an hour or two.
I tried early on with this tank and my p04 went through the roof. At one point it was around .6 ppm.
The way I see it, if you can get 4-6 months out of it, that's 4-6 months of something really pretty in your tank.

 

[Black Pearl]

Exactly. and I do remember your Po4 issues from the Phyto

 

[TonapahNorth]

Yes, using TM as suggested by Triton. I have always used Aqua Vitro Salinity in the past. Never liked the others all that much.
Alk is at 8 dkh. Well, it was last night. It's 7.8 tonite. Need to test once or twice more to make sure it's accurate.

Are you still using TM? Or did you switch back to Salinity? Can you compare them? The reason I ask is that I also have been using Salinity with good results in my nano cubes. My LFS seems to be waffling on carrying it much longer. Ive been considering HW. I will travel to get Salinity if needed. Just thought I'd get your opinion.

Second, any preliminary thoughts on the G4 Pros yet? I'm leaning heavily on them because I think I'll get the full tank coverage I need for a 60x32. Alternatively, I'm thinking 60" Giesemann hybrid.

 

[d2mini]

Are you still using TM? Or did you switch back to Salinity? Can you compare them? The reason I ask is that I also have been using Salinity with good results in my nano cubes. My LFS seems to be waffling on carrying it much longer. Ive been considering HW. I will travel to get Salinity if needed. Just thought I'd get your opinion.

Second, any preliminary thoughts on the G4 Pros yet? I'm leaning heavily on them because I think I'll get the full tank coverage I need for a 60x32. Alternatively, I'm thinking 60" Giesemann hybrid.

Technically the tank is still mostly TM, but I don't do water changes per the Triton Method.
I use Salinity for my nano though, so if I ever need to add a little water to this tank it now gets salinity.
I've got comments on the G4's further back. The spread is definitely better, as well as the color. Major improvement from the G3 Pros.
You'd want 4 for that tank.

 

[TonapahNorth]

I use Salinity for my nano though, so if I ever need to add a little water to this tank it now gets salinity.

So you prefer Salinity over the TM? Have you used HW?

You'd want 4 for that tank..

Yikes, this makes me cringe. I can do a Giesemann 60" hybrid for just slightly more than half of the cost of 4 XR30 Pros but I don't know if I can reach the full 32" width of the tank. I was willing to bite the bullet on 3 if that fits. If I superimpose this 36x36 image over a 60x32 tank, the PAR appears even for two of them... This is why I was thinking i could easily do 3. But you think 4 is required? Are the actual PAR readings accurately reflected in this graphic from EcoTech?

I might have to consider something else entirely. By the way, thanks for your considerations.

 

[d2mini]

You want avoid shadowing with SPS. So tighter together and mounted high.
My tank is 47" across and 31" front to back and I have three units. Lights are 17" off the water.
You can start with 3 but I think you are going to want another down the road if you are mounting them front to back like mine to cover that deeper dimension.

 

[d2mini]

Just a teaser of several things I picked up this past week...

The pics below are Plum Crazy and Insidious acros.

Also picked up RR Lady in Pink
JF Shock Tart
Ultimate Blue Stag
BC Esquisita
PC Rainbow
and a two head frag of rainbow Acan.

More pics soon. Just mounted some last night but need to mount the others.

 

[dragon99]

Now you're focusing on the essentials! acros

 

[d2mini]

Also, those are sitting in my BAO (same company that made my sump) frag rack/transportation system!
Your frags will NOT fall out.
http://buildinganobsession.com/products/modular-frag-racks




@dark8nge1

 

[ShinerMaginer]

Also, those are sitting in my BAO (same company that made my sump) frag rack/transportation system!
Your frags will NOT fall out.
http://buildinganobsession.com/products/modular-frag-racks




@dark8nge1

I'm even jealous of your frag racks. This ain't right.

 

[d2mini]

New pics!

 

[revhtree]

This baby will be a mature reef tank in short order!

 

[d2mini]

This baby will be a mature reef tank in short order!

haha, thanks! We'll see. I'll get an updated FTS this week.

 

[PmRg]

Yes.

So I finished this up.
All clean and got the egg crate in.
All I did was cut one support to run along the right wall and then zip tied the top of the divider to one of the overflow teeth.
Seems to be holding good for now.
I have a bit more space for the chaeto in back than I do for the other macros in front.

Ohhh I will "steal" this refuge dividing idea

Have you had ciano algae growing in the refuge before? just wondering since I have a small patch showing up on mine.

 

[d2mini]

Some more pics and an FTS.

 

[justingraham]

Some more pics and an FTS.

Show off
Nice tank

 

[Scottsquatch]

Looking pretty sweet Dennis!