150 DD

[Winschuc]

Hello! I've been a big fan of cubes since I got into the hobby a few years ago - actually, to be honest, I've never really had a "standard size" marine aquarium. I've gone from a IM16 to a 28x28x30 cube to my current 150DD. I figured I'd start a thread here hoping to keep better track of what was going on in my tank. Also to gather any suggestions on making it better.

The tank has been up for about five months or so now.

150DD
- 2x Hydra 52 with 2x 24W T5 (ATI Super Blue)
- 2x MP 40
- 100Lbs LR
- 80Lbs LS

Basement sump -
- 100G Rubbermaid equipment/return tank
- 50G Rubbermaid fuge
- SRO-6000ext
- GEO 624 Cal/rx
- TLF 150 - Biopellets
- Reeflo Hammerhead - return
- 35G (24x24x12 cube) frag tank
- Hydra 26 / gyre PH

All main equipment run by reef angel controller
Cal/rx run by Apex - came with the reactor, but I'm thinking about changing the entire system over to apex.

 

[Winschuc]

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

Cool looking set up you got going there. What kind of fish do have in there?

~CI

 

[Winschuc]

Thanks! So far,
Powder Brown
Purple tang
Blue eye kole
Clarkii
Cardinal
Harlequin tusk
Cleaner wrasse
Banana wrasse

That'll probably be all that goes in. There was a small issue of not having enough hiding places, added a little more rock and now everyone seems happy.

 

[Winschuc]

Walked in last night after work and the Harlequin Tusk is missing.... Checked everywhere and cannot find him. Also, it appears that I'm at the beginning of a nice algae bloom. Really at a loss since my hanna checker is showing 0.02 ppm po4. It doesn't appear to be the standard bright green GHA, but more of an exorcist green puke colored version. GFO didn't seem to help much last time this happened, also tried red sea no3/po4 remover - It wiped out all of the chaeto. any suggestions would be helpful!

On a good note, it appears that the Cal/rx is finally dialed in. It took a bit more human involvement than I anticipated, but it should be good to go now.

I'll be changing the filtration around in the next few weeks to give a bit more access / filtering capability. Right now it's just a pain to work with. I'll be removing the 150 gallons worth of Rubbermaid tubs, plumbing my 28x28x30 cube and a larger sump tank in their place. It should give me the ability to add in some filter socks and build a pretty solid fuge/frag area.

 

[Winschuc]

Harlequin has reappeared - thank god. Started the quote process for a custom sump. I'll hopefully have the info by mid-week. It'll be 48x30x18 ish with a large settlement/equipment chamber. Hopefully will have pics before too long.

On another note, I've been reading a ton of the other cube threads here. The mangrove sanctuary thread got my brain going and my 24x24x12 cube is in the process of being set up in the living room. Can't wait to get this one going. Add in some unique macros and maybe an anemone. Should be a great place for my clarkii and maybe a goby. Looking forward to planning this one.

 

[Winschuc]

Apparently I've annoyed the reef tank gods. Hair algae is stagnant and planaria have appeared. I picked up some flatworm exit and am planning on treating this week. I'll do a 40% WC after and get some carbon going for a day or two.

Does anyone have experience with Fauna Marin Ultra Algae-x? My hanna meter keeps reading at 0.02 PO4, but I cannot seem to make any headway on the algae. I tried red sea NO3/PO4 remover and it didn't seem to do anything.

 

[Winschuc]

Used flatworm exit Thursday evening - followed by a 45G water change and fresh carbon. I was amazed at how many were in the tank. I've read a ton of different posts where people talk about hundreds of these things floating up after treatment. I was a bit skeptical at first, but.... wow...

Anyway, the treatment was mostly a success. I've still got some in there and am planning a second treatment this week. My only concern is with a large acro colony I've had for a while. Usually the PE on it is great, it rivals most millies I've seen, but after the treatment it really hasn't extended at all. Maybe half the polyps, half way. I'm not sure if this means that I've still got some of the planaria toxin in the water, or if it just got angry and it's taking its time letting me know.

I've also taken my bio-pellets offline, they were clumped badly enough in the reactor that there was no water flow. They also really started to smell like sulfur and I didn't feel comfortable running water through that mess back into the tank after treating with FWE.

Hopefully the next update will be with a new sump!

 

[NanaReefer]

Used flatworm exit Thursday evening - followed by a 45G water change and fresh carbon. I was amazed at how many were in the tank. I've read a ton of different posts where people talk about hundreds of these things floating up after treatment. I was a bit skeptical at first, but.... wow...

Anyway, the treatment was mostly a success. I've still got some in there and am planning a second treatment this week. My only concern is with a large acro colony I've had for a while. Usually the PE on it is great, it rivals most millies I've seen, but after the treatment it really hasn't extended at all. Maybe half the polyps, half way. I'm not sure if this means that I've still got some of the planaria toxin in the water, or if it just got angry and it's taking its time letting me know.

I've also taken my bio-pellets offline, they were clumped badly enough in the reactor that there was no water flow. They also really started to smell like sulfur and I didn't feel comfortable running water through that mess back into the tank after treating with FWE.

Hopefully the next update will be with a new sump!

I would wait at least 2wks before second treatment. Reason being then you're assured of getting all newly hatched and gives your tank time to recover from first treatment. Run lots of carbon during and after treatment, helps cut down on the toxin.

 

[Winschuc]

Thanks! That makes sense. I typically do not run carbon, so I'm still playing with how long to keep it active after the treatment.

 

[NanaReefer]

Always keep it active. Peace of mind that no toxins get left behind [emoji2]

 

[Winschuc]

So, FWE either didn't work or the population was significantly higher than I thought. Unfortunately, after running FWE I'm experiencing a large bloom of GHA and Calothrix. Wound up losing a pretty large acro colony and a head off of a branching hammer. Filtration upgrade in the next two weeks should help a lot.

I'm pretty sure that the use of the rubbermaid troughs is contributing heavily to poor water quality. I cannot seem to find a way to keep them clean enough - there is always detritus somewhere.

 

[Winschuc]

New sump is in!

 

[Winschuc]

Also wiped the skimmer neck for the first time in a few months. Should make this more routine.

 

[Winschuc]

New sump is in, grow out/timeout tank is ready to be piped in. Rock reorganized...

 

[Winschuc]

Wow, it's been over a month since I've updated this thing. After installing the new sump and getting everything stable, nothing but positive results.

My wife even found a way to cure Dino's while I was out on a business trip. She claims she left it alone, then gives me the "you should probably do the same" stare... [emoji15]

Here's where it stands.

Wish I could get a better pic of the pink acro. It's light pink, but had a golden glow to it under led.

 

[Winschuc]

New buddy. He's pretty photogenic.

 

[Winschuc]

Coloring up nicely.

 

[Winschuc]

Updated fts.

Acan island is filling in nicely

Red planet is starting to get its red back. Large shortcake is getting some deeper colors.

With moderate success, I've decided to try my first $100+ frag. RR Wolverine setting down a pretty decent base. Hopefully I'll get some yellow back in it by the end of the year.

Meaty coral alley.

 

[Winschuc]

Pulled the trigger on my favorite fish.