★★★-Project-Genesis-II-2020-★-FRAG-TANK (Reboot)-★★★

[WallyB]

Welcome to this Sister Thread.....

The main thread link is below, and it's All about my 110 G (SPS Only) Display Tank,
where I'm at the point of SPS success, after years of struggle.
Project-genesis-II-2020--re-engineered-reboot-sps-110g

I'm giving up on having an SPS Frag Tank....I'll explain why.

- The first reason is I need to give my SPS DT much more attention since things are going very, VERY well.
- The 2nd reason is this 35 Gallon Frag Tank is killing any SPS I put in it (just like the DT used to be, but much faster)
- And the best reason, is I'm going to have some fun doing something else with the Frag Tank (ANYTHING Except SPS)

ABOUT THE 35 Gal FRAG TANK SETUP (Has 3 Fish: 2 Picasso Clown and a Copperband Butterfly)

Picture is worth a thousand words. And here was the original Build a few years ago.

It has no skimmer, and runs off that built in Sump filtration box.

I actually turned that Filtration box into Algae scrubber. (I'll show that later)
​

The Frag Tank IS NOT HOOKED UP into my 110 G SPS only Display Tank. It's physically not possible to do.

It runs off a Water Changer (but doesn't get new Salt Water)......

It's 2nd in the Daisy Chain Water Changes.

And the Frag Tank actually sits on top of my very OLD 65 Gallon DT, which is the New Salt Water Reservoir.

​

TONIGHT I made that decision to STOP putting SPS into it.....

THis is what I'm going to do........

1) I'm briefly turning it into a Berghia Farm, till they rid this tank of Aptasia.

Then I'm going to just grow easy things, like Mushrooms, and Zoas. Or whatever. but no SPS, and probably no LPS.

I picked up the Berghia Nudi's today (4 ADULTS)

And setup the Frag Tank like this. (Added a 2 Gallon Tank Inside the 35 to keep berghia contained)

Added some Aptasia covered Rubble and stuff from the Frag Tank to give the Berghia some Food.

No Need for a Heater, since the 2G is submerge in the 35 G Frag Tank.

And for Oxygen, New Nutrient Water.....devised a Pump-Less Trickle Flow setup like this.

The Berghia are Safe. Can't escape so I can watch them.....

ONWARD!!!

 

[Smarkow]

Wow thanks for sharing! Good luck with your nudis
Just making sure... that clamp in last photo is not metal or anything that will leech into the tank?

 

[WallyB]

Wow thanks for sharing! Good luck with your nudis
Just making sure... that clamp in last photo is not metal or anything that will leech into the tank?

WElcome, @Smarkow

Glad you are looking out for me. Keen Eyes too.
Yup there were metal pins on the End of those PLASTIC clamps. Rusty too.

THe inside ends I cut off and left only plastic. Cleaned them well.

Man...You got good eyes and insight.

Hope you Tag along, and save me from future disasters.

At this point, I'm a bit worried the Berghia will escape (thru the trickle coming out), but it's not a disaster if they do, since they will just end up in the Frag tank (earlier, and not as easy to watch them)

 

[WallyB]

Here the next Stage....for the Frag Tank (maybe even tomorrow)

These are the two Picasso Clowns in the Frag Tank.
I tried a BITA for few of months, and they would NOT host it.
The BITA wasn't happy so I move it to my MIX Tank. It Split and is doing great.

The Picasso's ended up hosting Sponge Bob's House in the corner of the Frag Tank.

So in my other DT( Kitchen Tank), there are two Percula Clowns, and they hosted my Hairy Mushrooms.

They absolutly love the Shrooms. They slither and squish around in them like no tomorrow.

I'll carve out a couple of shrooms and bring them over to the Frag Tank.

I'll sleep on this idea, since those Hair Mushrooms are quite invasive..... but what the heck, this is about having fun, not serious SPS care.

 

[najer]

Following.

 

[WallyB]

QUICK SHORT VIDEO UPDATE

 

[WallyB]

BERGHIA Update ( WE HAVE A PAIR!! ))

I'm not sure where the rest of the Berghia are, but these two guys are in-separable.

I smell Baby Berghia coming. (I HOPE)

They are Getting Fatter, and more colorful too.

Using a PVC Pipe was by chance.... since it was covered in Aptasia. (INSIDE AND OUT)
It's perfect for the Berghia, since they can shelter inside to stay in Dark. (No need to make a Tank Cover)

 

[WallyB]

Let's DO IT!! ( Trial, NO RISK ) Frag Tank Cyano Treatment with (ChemiClean)

I am too chicken to try ChemiClean in the SPS tank. It's getting better and more flow on the way with new Pump in Mail.

But the Frag Tank is getting the Cyano for two reasons. (Actually 3 reasons)

- It get's water from the SPS Tank, so get's Cyano from it.
- It doesn't have much of a filtration system (no skimmer at all)

But it's been like that for months.

What started the CYano was when I turned up more lighting for the SPS Pieces. I also added more Full Spectrum lighting.

It's a perfect test. Lots of Cyano, both Red and Green.

If the ChemiClean is as good and Safe as everyone says, this will prove it.

I will take Water Parameters (Nitrate and Phosphate) and see what the change will be after treatment.

 

[WallyB]

FRAG TANK ( N & P ) Double SHOCK Result

I've never every tested N&P in the Frag Tank. Not much I can or am willing to do.

I expeted the Nitrates to be high. At least around 15-25ppm.
But the Nitrate result came back 1.0pmm. Exactly like my SPS DT.

After All the Frag Tank get's Water Change water from the SPS Tank.

So for Phosphate, I thought would be just as low as DT (P=0.05).

Instead the Frag Tank has a Phosphate level of 0.5 ppm (x 10 higher than the SPS Tank)

Anyways......Time to read ChemiClean Instructions again, and start Treatment.

 

[WallyB]

ChemiClean TREATMENT Has Begun

Simple:

- TWO Air Stone for Super Aeration
- 25 Drops for 25 Gallons

Frag Tank is bubbling and Frothing.

 

[WallyB]

Frag Tank Cyano Treatment with (ChemiClean) ** COMPLETED **


Here was BEFORE

HERE IS AFTER. (48 hrs Later)

Here was BEFORE

HERE IS AFTER

(I will be honest, since I did clean up things a bit, while doing the water Change at end of Treatment)
(I Siphoned off the Detritus. Clean up that Frag Tray, and clean tank glass walls)

This is what the Tank looked like at end of Treatment (before Water Change & Extra Cleaning)

Regardless....I'm IMPRESSED with the Chemiclean.

Would I do it for my SPS TANK?

No.

-> The SPS tank is in much better shape then the Frag Tank was.
-> I still have to see the Long term Effects.
-> ALSO the water went so crystal Clear, I would worry that Lights would penetrate Water more.
-------------> Possibly Burn the Corals/SPS
-------------> I would certainly turn down the lights for a while and Acclimate back up.

 

[WallyB]

TANK MATE DOSER-IQ ( Installed on Frag Tank ) TRIAL and Data Gathtering.

I finished the Doser. Now it test time and maybe even get the Frag Tank doing well.

For those that don't know what the Smart Doser is, it's a Sister Doser, that is Controled by the DIY ALK Monitor (AquaMon), see on Just Left of the Frag Tank.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/★-diy-auto-★-alkalinity-monitor-★-3-tank-hanna-with-raspberry-pi-ardiuno-with-advanced-features.689106/

At this point, I will go into Simulation Mode.
Where The ALK monitor will make Recommendation for Dosing Adjusment.
And I will made the Changes manual myself, if they make sense, and learn how to improve the Smart Logic.

 

[WallyB]

OMG (Look what the ChemiClean Treatment did to my Frag Tank / Acro ) AMAZING!!!

I've never seen anything like this.

I was actually thinking the Acro was gonig to die.

It's now show better health than when I got it new.

 

[WallyB]

FINALLY (Picasso Clown Hosts something ALIVE)

Couple weeks ago I cut out a pair of Hairy Mushroom from my LPS DT.

Came back from a Week Away at Cottage, to find this today.

One Clown Is hosting the Sponge Bob House (always was his home).

The other One found the Hairy Mushroom. I knew it work work....Hairy Shrooms are Just too irresitible.

It's interesting to see that Both Clowns are now wandering the WHole Tank, rather then staying in the Sponge Bob Corner.

 

[WallyB]

Update (LONG OVERDUE) Major Changes over Last While

I totally forgot I started this Thread.

Well better later than Never.

Let me RECAP what has happened over Last 6 Months with a Couple of PHOTOS

I got a Box Fish, and a Midas Blenny. This is them in QT.

Dumb Midas Blenny Jumped thru the Tinest Crack on Last Day of QT. Found him on the table behind the tank (DEAD)

The Box Fish Made it over to the 35 Gallon Frag Tank. He really get's along with the Two Picasso CLown Fish.

Yes I am aware that a Box Fish Can NUKE a Tank if he get's attacked.

THat's Really Nice bubble Corals (That outgrew my DT) fits in, and provides a unique Look.


In the meantime, I got a huge LOT of LIVE Rock from my Fellow Reefer Friend who shut down his tank.
Couldn't pass up premium Rock that was just in a FOLR tank.

Some of the Live Rock when into my DT Sump (as much as I could cram in)


Some went into my Refuge to Add more RockScape for the Sunburst Anthias.

After Adding the Lock Rock to create a more Natural Scape the Anthias's are now out much more.
Certainly enjoying a feeling of Safety and Exploration compare to their Castle Home.
I kept the Home in there since that's where the Pair of Fatheads sleep.


The rest of the LIVE ROCK Went into the Frag Tank.
Certainly improved things. Looks as good if not better than my Display Tanks.

With the QT Empty I got an itch for a New Fish. POSSIBLY A mistake, but I got a Juvenile Clown Trigger.

Where he will end up we'll see. I figure I move the Box fish with the Anthias, and the Clown Trigger will go into the 35 G Frag Tank for as I can before he out grow it.

I've only had the Clown Trigger for a Couple of Weeks. He eats well and I'm starting to Train to befriend him.
Training him to eat from A clip since my Finger will certainly stay out of his reach.




That's all for now Folks!

 

[WallyB]

UPDATE (1 year Later)

Well, it's been almost a year since I posted a photo of the Frag Tank. The tank corals did well, but slowly and surely Aiptasia took over things.

I tried to start a Berghia Farm in a separate 10-gallon tank. That didn't work out so I simply moved the 5 Adult Berghia's into the Frag tank (a couple of weeks ago).

The Berghia really improved things in just a couple of weeks. You can see difference here.

This is the Frag Tank now.

The Berghia's really cleaned up upper portion of Rocks and Glass walls.

Some Aiptasia left on the bottom as seen below.

As far as fish.

The pair of Picasso clown-pair didn't work out. Only one Picasso left since the larger clown wouldn't let the smaller one eat, and after a period of time it died.

The Boxfish is doing well and it's probably the coolest most friendly fish ever. I've trained it to eat from my hand and it constantly chases me when I walk by the tank. Shooting jets of water from its mouth (at me) and anyone who passes by. Freaked out my son one day however now my son visits the boxfish and thinks it really cute.

I did add one Lawnmower blenny that has been keeping algae in check. He's getting a bit thin due to a lack of algae. Looking for ways to supplement his diet.

 

[WallyB]

Quick update.

The Algae Blenny died after really doing wonders on the Algae. I tried to suppliment his diet with Algae foods, including Pellet and tabs but it wasn't enough. Too bad.

Berghia's on the other hand have also wiped out every single Aipatasia. Tank now is spotless. No longer looking like a frag tank.....Starting to look more like a display tank.

Everything doing healthy without being stung by the Aipatasia. This Frag tank is looking better than one of my Dispaly Tanks.

The interesting thing is the Beghia's were going to Starve like the Algae Blenny, but I would check each night after lights out and they were coming out one by one, climbling on glass to find food. I manage over a few days to catch all 5 berghias and move two to my SPS tank with a small Aiptasia problem, and 3 berghia's to my Mix Tank which has a bad aiptasia problem.

I'm really gettting my money's worth out of my Aitpasia purchase. They are not cheap and these Berghia's grew up over time so they will go into the other tanks bigger, more high-flow resistant, hungrier and more capable of eradicating my pests.

 

[WallyB]

It's been a while.

Something bad happened Dec 2023. The Boxfish died one day, and that killed the Percular Clown and Clown Blenny (box fish Toxins). Now the tank is fishless.

I had to remove the Bubble Coral since it was growing to much and stinging neighbors.

It's doing well. Too well since things are getting tight again.

Things are getting tight. I have more trumpets than I'll ever need.

If anyone is interested in any Trumpets or Blue Mushrooms in the Toronto area let me know. Local pickup only.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

It's been a while.

Something bad happened Dec 2023. The Boxfish died one day, and that killed the Percular Clown and Clown Blenny (box fish Toxins). Now the tank is fishless.

I had to remove the Bubble Coral since it was growing to much and stinging neighbors.

It's doing well. Too well since things are getting tight again.

Things are getting tight. I have more trumpets than I'll ever need.

If anyone is interested in any Trumpets or Blue Mushrooms in the Toronto area let me know. Local pickup only.

Trumpets look great!