Dan's 120 Reef Reboot

[PicassoDan]

Wow, so it's been a long time since an update. Tank is doing well; over the last few months I've added:
BRS triple stage DI system
Works great, takes RO water from 9ppm down to zero. My RO water has something that uses the anion resin fairly quickly, gotta figure that out.

40BR Frag grow out tank (was offline for a while)
Need a justification to keep at least one MH running, right?

Hydros Control XS
This thing is great; monitors up to 4 different sensors. I have a temp probe in the sump, and one in the display tank. I added this after a recent near-disaster where the sump room GFCI breaker tripped over night, and the tank temps got down below 70°F. I like that it will email and text me if temps go out of range or if it loses power.

Lots of coral additions! I'll add pics ASAP

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Can't wait to see pictures!

 

[PicassoDan]

I've also FINALLY beaten back dinos. I almost bought a UV sterilizer to achieve this, but thought I'd give Microbacter Clean a shot first, which really seemed to help.
Microbacter Clean and also CORRECTING MY SALINITY which was very low. Embarrassingly low. Corals had been unhappy for a long time.

So, just a pro-tip that you should question every non-calibrated piece of test equipment. Especially a 25 year old plastic salinity gauge.

 

[PicassoDan]

Oh, and my clowns are laying eggs constantly. They laid the current batch on some clay tiles, and I've been considering trying to raise them.

 

[skey44]

Love your system!

 

[DatReefGuy]

Very nice my friend! Keep up the good work! Love it!

 

[PicassoDan]

Was able to get the clowns to lay their eggs on some clay tiles. I moved them to a separate tank on day 8 and that evening got to witness them hatching! I've been reefing for 25 years, and I've never seen this before. I'm sure breeders do all the time...? I did a quick search online and all I got was a black and white (IR) video from Smithsonian 7 years ago.

 

[PicassoDan]

pics & video:

 

[PicassoDan]

Man, I stink at keeping this thread updated...
Tank is doing well - winter is definitely reef season for me as I'm finally forced inside by crappy weather.
So the glass is clean, and now I see aiptasia. Lots of them. Started as a low-level nuisance, and due to neglect over the summer, they are now a raging problem. The plan is targeted killing with Aiptasia-X in addition to adding some Berghia nudibranchs. Will update with results!

 

[PicassoDan]

Added 5 Berghia yesterday from Luke Schnabel:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/berghia-nudibranch-5-pack-breeding-adults.1128313/#post-13899298
It's a big tank, and I'm a little worried I'll never see them again, but they were in great shape from Luke - highly recommend. Will post follow-up once I see them going to town on some aiptasia.