Ash's 400 Gallon Reef

[flagg37]

Maybe you mentioned this already but are you planning on going bare bottom? And do you have a refugium or plan to have one?

 

[Ashish Patel]

Maybe you mentioned this already but are you planning on going bare bottom? And do you have a refugium or plan to have one?

Yes barebottom and I am in process of making a turf scrubber. 2 weeks ago when i checked my phosphates where .34 ppm - i cant find any sponge life on my LR, it all died. I am fine with phosphates aslong as it doesnt lead to uncontrolled hair algae, which in my display shouldnt be an issue given the large volume of tangs

 

[Ashish Patel]

We got fish
3 Yellow tangs
2 Purple tangs
1 Hippo tang
1 Achilles tang
1 Powder blue tang
1 Orange shoulder tang
2 clownfish

 

[Ashish Patel]

 

[Ashish Patel]

Sounds weird but i can see the appreciation on all the fishes faces. In the basement all the fish where completely terrified at my sight and now come greet me before I've even fed them. I added a sheet of algae to the display and no fish is interested. Surprising since i have no fed them for 24 hrs. Maybe they made a good meal of all the sponge die off particulates floating around or they are less stressed and not looking to chomp down. In the basement half the fish would clear a large sheet of algae in 24 hours or less.

I have to clean up the other system and add the Gem tang asap. poor fish is hiding all day and I am hoping he will take care of the hair algae problem in the tank, as long as i clean up the sides of corals and algae he will have enough food for life or until i find a better home

 

[Ashish Patel]

Gem tang is unique in its got white marking, Call it a Koi Gem if you want but anyone after a weird looking Gem Tang hit me up.

 

[flagg37]

Those yellows are pretty good size. You’ve got many of the same fish on your list as are on mine.

 

[Ashish Patel]

Radions on

 

[Ashish Patel]

 

[Ashish Patel]

Seaswirls and sweep are prob the best thing since slice bread

 

[flagg37]

Radions on

Alright, now time to start growing some coral.

 

[Ashish Patel]

Alright, now time to start growing some coral.

More like time to grow Hair algae!

 

[Ashish Patel]

My family saying I need more fish, The nerve of these ppl.

 

[Ashish Patel]

Here's a video

 

[Ashish Patel]

Since the tank is Barebottom alot of the turds where just floating around the tank and it was getting pretty nasty. I added seasweep and problem solved, no fish waste is settling anywhere in the tank and that mean easy reef keeping for me. I have a large turkey baster which I can reach the rock if its get dirty.

 

[Ashish Patel]

I elevate my skimmer to correct waterline and its now working like a champ!

Next I have to build a good size tray where the water comes in for mechanical filter. I use this black foam and its perfect since it collects small to larger particulates but doesn't clog so fast like filter socks or pad. I just keep a spare foam on hand and switch them out as soon as they overflow. They are very easy to rinse and clean so love it.

Then I have to figure out how to add a turf scrubber. Right now i got hair algae starting to grow on the system and I am happy with it since the fish can graze. But if its get too much then I want the algae scrubber to consume access nutrients.

My nutrients I want to keep around (Phosphates .05-.1 ppm) and (Nitrates 5-10ppm). Mainly i dont want them to go to undetectable or create more algae then inverts and fish can eat so heck if PO go up to higher levels its all good aslong as I can tweak them. Once I get a feel for the system i dont plan on testing nutrients for 1-2 months at time.

 

[Ashish Patel]

These fish eat a lot! I am kind of in shock with how much I have to feed the tank. No wonder ppl make there own food it can get expensive fast!

5 tea spoons of pellets, 2 extra large sheets of Nori per day, and maybe a 2"X2" chunk of LRS reef frenzy or Mysis. Hair algae is growing and tangs are going at it.

 

[Ashish Patel]

My cousin ordered a lionfish for me last night on liveaquaria. He is obviously not a reefer so I prayed it was not shipped and told him to cancel. Since he is nuts he asked me what fish I want so I told him group of lyretail anthias with male.

 

[Ashish Patel]

I tested PAR... surprisingly spread is pretty solid but I think I'll have to run the brightness close to 100%. The PAR also isnt always fully accurate since it doesnt always factor in T5 blanket light. For example, look at the picture below it shows 220 PAR, however, when facing straight up its actually 150.

Around 300-400 PAR below waterline, and 100-200 PAR at the bottom. So anywhere from 200-300 on the aquascape

 

[Ashish Patel]

I finally got around to cleaning first system and boy this was long overdue. Still got one more rack and a good amount of frags I need cut and save. This system is bullet proof, without much work it ran 2.5 years with only 1 water change, Alk and temp swinging, power outages, etc. Too be honest its a miracle that corals are still alive. Once I get it back to health i'll never turn my back on it!