Arkansas 280 Gallon Mixed Reef

[zoohoot]

Some new additions to the thank!

Three captive bred yellow tangs from Dr Reefs. I followed their recommended acclimation process. So far they’re doing great. Eating well and getting along with the other tank mates.

I’ve also added this great little diamond goby. Willy D! He is doing a great job cleaning up the sand bed.

 

[naldo]

no more updates on this setup?

 

[zoohoot]

no more updates on this setup?

I’m so bad at making updates. Sorry! I’ll come in and make updates this week.

 

[Reefing Qs]

Are you still using the Reefer DC 900 skimmer? I'm looking at using it for an upcoming build. Any feedback on it or issues since install? Would you purchase it again?

Would love to see how the tank has progressed as well!

 

[zoohoot]

Are you still using the Reefer DC 900 skimmer? I'm looking at using it for an upcoming build. Any feedback on it or issues since install? Would you purchase it again?

Would love to see how the tank has progressed as well!

Yep! Super happy with it. Haven’t had any issues. I know Red Sea tanks have a reputation for issues, but I love their other equipment and especially their app.

 

[zoohoot]

Ok I am finally making some updates! Overall the tank is doing well. I had a very brief dino scare, but kicked it back quickly by dosing Brightwell neonitro and neophos. I went a little too aggressive and currently have some cyano that I am slowly beating back by stabilizing my nutrients.

Current stock list:

• Goldflake Angel (captive bred) - He's doing great and has gotten much bigger. See below for pics
• Powder blue tang - Also doing great
• Yellow tang (captive bred)
• Clown fish (captive bred)
• 4 blue/green chromis
• Leopard wrasse
• Melanarus wrasse
• Lawnmower blenny
• 3 cleaner shrimp
• 2 pincushion urchins
• CUC

My fish have come almost exclusively from Dr Reef's. They are awesome! I love the additional safety of them being quarantined and they are great to work with. My CUC is entirely from Reef Cleaners. Also amazing!

I have lost a few fish

• Two of my captive bred yellow tangs -- they just didn't do well after shipping
• 1 clown, my diamond goby, and a wrasse -- These three just disappeared and different times for reasons I have been unable to explain

Corals are limited to softies still. Once I get through this cyano phase and feel more confident everything is stable I am going to start adding some corals.

 

[zoohoot]

Another update... I also had a really interesting experience with my beloved toadstool leather coral. You can read the whole story here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/toadstool-leather-injury.1133727/page-2#post-14280733

But basically it started to erode very slowly over time.

Over a four month period it went from this:

To this:

I tried everything people recommended but could not figure out what was going on. Until one day I spotted this massive fire worm in my tank:

I removed that worm about a month ago and the toadstool is slowly rebounding nicely. He is growing again and polyps have reappeared along all edges. So excited for that!

 

[zoohoot]

Last update... I am gradually removing all my Ecotech equipment and replacing with Red Sea. I LOVE the Red Sea app and absolutely HATE mobius LOL. All I have left are the return pump and lights.

 

[zoohoot]

The fuge section of my sump is pretty sad. Just some live rock rubble with some cool sponges growing on it. Debating chaeto or just more live rock rubble. Thoughts?