Arkansas 280 Gallon Mixed Reef

[zoohoot]

This looks like it's going to be a fantastic build! I am highly invested now. I can't wait to watch this grow with you! I think your Aquascape looks great! The video you posted really highlighted it a lot better than the photo, but I think it'll do fantastic with your coral expectations!

Thank you for the feedback!

 

[zoohoot]

Cycle has progressed well. Getting into the ugly stage with some green hair algae.

Added the start of a small CUC. Two Mexican turbo snails and about a dozen Astrea snails.

Debating when to start adding fish. I would really like to add my paired clowns and the toadstool leather that hosts them first, but don't want to rush the addition of corals. I know the toadstool is super hardy, but would love anyone's thoughts on that!

 

[zoohoot]

Quick update...

Two weeks ago I moved the fish and few corals I had in my old tank over to this one. All are doing well. Current inhabitants are:

• Pair of mocha storm clownfish
• 4 blue chromis
• Lawnmower blenny
• Goldflake angel fish
• 4 peppermint shrimp
• Misc snails
• Toadstool leather (my pride and joy!)
• Misc zoas and mushrooms
• A few LPS

I cannot say enough great things about Marine Collectors. I ordered a captive bred and quarantined gold flake angel from them. He arrived very happy and healthy, and eats great (mysis are his favorite).

I know a goldflake has potential risk of nipping corals, but softies and fish are more important to me than SPS. So far he has been a model citizen. I feed heavy so that should help!

I am so relieved that my toadstool and clowns have done so well with this transfer!

 

[zoohoot]

New pets today!

More snails
2 cleaner shrimp
A leopard wrasse

 

[zoohoot]

Question…. I ordered a leopard wrasse from Dr Reef. Everything has gone great! But when I opened the delivery today there are two leopard wrasses in the box. Will they be ok together in my tank.

 

[skyrne_isk]

Question…. I ordered a leopard wrasse from Dr Reef. Everything has gone great! But when I opened the delivery today there are two leopard wrasses in the box. Will they be ok together in my tank.

Yes, most assuredly. One will almost certainly become a boy and take on much cooler (IMO) colors. Enjoy!

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

Great build. Love the planning that went into this.

I also have a Captive Bred Goldflake. It will more than likely leave your corals alone unless you go with fleshy LPS (blastos, acans, etc). Mine doesn’t touch leathers or zoas. The next step for it will be for the tail to turn black and lips to turn blue. Take photos to document the changes. It’s cool.

I’ll be following along…especially since my wife is from Arkansas and still has all of her family there. Suwee or something like that

 

[Castle136]

Awesome build and setup! Super impressive sump/maintenance room. Following along with the progress!

Great aquascape and methodical stock list as well. The patience is a struggle I get - going through my first build and the hold is killing me haha!

 

[zoohoot]

Yes, most assuredly. One will almost certainly become a boy and take on much cooler (IMO) colors. Enjoy!

Thank you!

 

[zoohoot]

Great build. Love the planning that went into this.

I also have a Captive Bred Goldflake. It will more than likely leave your corals alone unless you go with fleshy LPS (blastos, acans, etc). Mine doesn’t touch leathers or zoas. The next step for it will be for the tail to turn black and lips to turn blue. Take photos to document the changes. It’s cool.

I’ll be following along…especially since my wife is from Arkansas and still has all of her family there. Suwee or something like that

Thanks man! I love my little Goldfinger lol

 

[zoohoot]

Awesome build and setup! Super impressive sump/maintenance room. Following along with the progress!

Great aquascape and methodical stock list as well. The patience is a struggle I get - going through my first build and the hold is killing me haha!

Thank you! Patience is the hardest part for sure. I like this hobby for that reason. Normally I have zero patience in it things.

 

[chapter7]

Love the OCD! Love the fish room! Beautiful job! Following …..

 

[zoohoot]

Update on the leopard wrasses...

My grandson named them Matt and Peanut

Unfortunately one is not doing well. For the first 24-48 hours both seemed to be doing well and were out and about swimming and exploring. No signs of stress. After the first 48 hours both disappeared for a day or so. I tried not to worry, assuming they were buried/hiding, which I have heard can be part of leopard wrasse acclimation. Yesterday one came out in the evening and looked happy/healthy. But this morning I found one laying on his side on the sand bed, breathing rapidly. I have moved him to my sump temporarily so he can be removed from stress, but I am not hopeful.

Still have not seen the other one again. All water parameters are good, so I am hopeful it is just still hiding

 

[zoohoot]

Well the healthy one came out!

But sadly the other one that was struggling died. RIP Matt.

 

[zoohoot]

Finally got my last XR30 up and running. It wasn’t working properly but @_AV fixed it up for me! Much less expensive than replacing it. I highly recommend him if you need a Radion repaired!

The tank looks much more balanced with that fifth light in the middle.

 

[_AV]

Always happy to help! Thanks for the plug.
Your tank looks awesome!

 

[zoohoot]

Thought I would give a rundown of my current equipment in use:

• Return pump: Ecotech Vectra L2
• Flow: 2 Ecotech MP60s and 2 Ecotech MP40s
• Lighting: 5 Ecotech XR30 Pros
• Protein Skimmer: Red Sea RSK 900
• UV Filter: Aqua Ultraviolet 57 watt UV sterilizer powered by Red Sea ReefRun G2 6000 DC pump
• Carbon Reactor: BRS Dual Reactor powered by Sicce 1.5 pump
• Dosing pumps: Red Sea ReefDose 4
• ATO: Red Sea Reef ATO+
• Heater control: Ink Bird Wifi Aquarium Heater Controller
• Heaters: 2 600W BRS Titanium Heaters

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Finally got my last XR30 up and running. It wasn’t working properly but @_AV fixed it up for me! Much less expensive than replacing it. I highly recommend him if you need a Radion repaired!

The tank looks much more balanced with that fifth light in the middle.

Glad you were able to get the light fixed! Do you know what was wrong with it?

 

[zoohoot]

Glad you were able to get the light fixed! Do you know what was wrong with it?

It needed a new Mobius RF module and I believe one of the LEDs had to be replaced.

 

[zoohoot]

Stoked to see my pod population getting established. Noticed these guys on my algae scrubber today.