600g Lagoon and reef build- New concepts and design

[Tahoe61]

Following, I love this build.

 

[DipSpit]

Not quite related but -

What sport did you compete in professionally?

 

[Roggio]

Not quite related but -

What sport did you compete in professionally?

Hey @DipSpit I swam for Team USA. I originally started out training for the Paralympics but improved enough to try out for the Olympic Trails.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/...r-oviedo-recovers-compete-invictus-games.html Here's a little of my story.

I have some pictures on insta @mikeroggio. Ive meant to add a lot more but always end up procrastinating and never adding them haha.

 

[Roggio]

Finally! It was time to add SPS to my system!

I'll try and get some pictures when the corals start really opening up. If anyone has experience with these corals and wants to offer any advice I'd appreciate it!

New stock list!

Garf Bonsai
Mr Packman
Blue Monster
Miyagi Tort
Red Planet
Sunset Monti
Tyree Rainbow Stylo
Tyree Toxic Green cap
ORA Red Goniopora
Shock Tart
Raspberry Limeade
Purple Cap
Some kind of Green Acropora

ORA clam
Peacock Mantis Shrimp (sump)

So far I'm really digging the Garf Bonsai, Packman, and the Red Planet. I ended up getting a copy of @WWC Radions program since they're pros over there and keep them about the same distance off the water in their farm. I had mine at 60% and they've been running theirs at 30%. I'm definitely looking into a PAR meter.

 

[DipSpit]

Hey @DipSpit I swam for Team USA. I originally started out training for the Paralympics but improved enough to try out for the Olympic Trails.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/...r-oviedo-recovers-compete-invictus-games.html Here's a little of my story.

I have some pictures on insta @mikeroggio. Ive meant to add a lot more but always end up procrastinating and never adding them haha.

Hooyah, shipmate. Current MC here (merger of PH, JO, DM, LI) - I actually covered the Invictus games a time or two - was a great experience!

Thank you for your service and great build. Looking forward to more.

 

[Roggio]

I'm alive! Sorry for the absence. I ended up catching an infection in my bone. Of course the VA missed that until it was almost fatal. If I was sending you mangroves PM me.

Anyway! I finished the aquascape for my 150g that's part of my system. The reef will have very high flow and the livestock that enjoys flow. I might try a small achilles.

Here's the scape! Stay tuned, I'm lining my stands right now with ideas I haven't seen anywhere.

If you look close you can see the mangroves near the overflow.

 

[Tahoe61]

Wow, wishing you a further speedy recovery.

Scape is awesome, leaves a lot of nice open space.

 

[Roggio]

@Tahoe61 Thank you so much!

So I decided to add some plants to one of the rock structures coming out of the water.

I was at the farmers market today and decided to give succulents a try. I spray the mangroves periodically with RODI water so this addition does not add to my maintenance and adds some more color and dimension to my reef tank. Originally I was going to super glue the plants to the rocks because of all the fiddler crabs but they ended up going into place easily.

 

[Tahoe61]

Can't like enough. Looking forward to seeing the progression.

 

[DLuce510]

Love that scape, I appreciate the time it takes to make somthing like that!

 

[Roggio]

Okay! I’m sorry I haven’t updated in so long. The hurricane really put me through a lot. I lost almost all of my equipment and 2/3 of my coral. So far insurance is fighting me hard on replacing the equipment.

Anyway, things are improving greatly. I was able to get things stable with the use of vodka and hundreds of gallons of water changes.

I will post more info on my tank stand I built. I’m really pleased with how it turned out. The panels in the columns are completely seamless and attached to the stand with industrial magnets. Unable to completely remove the panels and do any work I need to underneath the tank. I’ve also switched my auto top off reservoir to the laundry room. Before I was refilling a container up to twice a week. My tank has anywhere from 30 to 40 gallons of operation per week.

Thread here
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/c...s-was-it-couldnt-be-done.337189/#post-4196028

This ventilation system is designed for a home theater system but works great for your tank stand. It has a smart feature where it runs the fans according to temperature. Since installing my tanks temperature and pH have never been more stable. I believe this is a great tool for anyone looking to achieve extremely stable water parameters even if heating in pH or not an issue.

 

[revhtree]

Looking great!

 

[Roggio]

I’m a huge proponent of refugiums. I honestly feel they help your tank mature faster, stabilize pH with appropriate lighting and create a sustainable food source for your fish and corals.

That being said, one of my overflows serves as an emergency overflow and has very little flow. I decided to make it a safe haven for pods and amphipods with the use of a nano light I had left over from years ago.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/jbj-nano-glo-led-refugium-light.html

I’m even thinking about throwing a few Marinepure spheres down there.

 

[Roggio]

Here’s an update on how the tanks are looking. I’ve added all new equipment and will update that in the near future. The mangroves are growing like crazy and I’ve mounted my iPad that controls my system I the wall.

 

[blackboy3006]

good job boo

 

[Tahoe61]

Looks fantastic, looking forward to seeing it grow in.

 

[Ento-Reefer]

Very cool systems!!!

 

[Roggio]

Thank you! I added to reef octopus various eight pumps for my return. And external reef octopus skimmer and calcium reactor and completely re did all the wiring. I should have Pics soon.

I’m struggling with nitrates. My phosphates are staying at 0 (Hanna) and I dose vodka to keep the nitrates low. I try and dose less to raise the phosphate but can’t find a balance.