IM EXT 100 Complete Reef System

dbails

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Thank you for the info, I wish there was a better option with aluminum stands but I guess it's just the nature of the beast. I'll be following along!
I mount nearly everything using heavy duty Velcro from Lowe’s 10 lbs capacity for every 1 or 2 inches (can’t remember exactly) of Velcro.
 

NanoSteam

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Thank you for the info, I wish there was a better option with aluminum stands but I guess it's just the nature of the beast. I'll be following along!
I mount nearly everything using heavy duty Velcro from Lowe’s 10 lbs capacity for every 1 or 2 inches (can’t remember exactly) of Velcro.
I actually ended up making a little controller board out of an old cabinet I had lying around but Velcro is a good option too 👍
 

fishface NJ

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I placed an order the end of Dec for 3 fish, and a whole bunch of different snails. I think I'll be getting a notification soon for delivery from Dr Reefs.
 

fishface NJ

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Nice build! I'm curious about the ocean direct sand, I've seen reviews where people have said that it blows around and its hard to settle. How has your experience been with it so far? If you don't mind could you post or send me some pictures of how it looks mixed in?

I am going to be setting up my tank soon and about 70% of my sand is going to be Tropic Eden and 30% TBS. I would like to add some Ocean Direct because of the bacteria benefits it has.
I love Tropic Eden sand.
 

fishface NJ

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I actually ended up making a little controller board out of an old cabinet I had lying around but Velcro is a good option too 👍
I'll have to check out your thread!
 
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NotSoSlim

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Well well well, correct if I’m wrong but it looks like my live rock has left me a new Valentines present.
20260214_144952_C9FACA29-775A-4185-8395-5A283FEC3F4E.png

I’ll take a newly grown sponge

Between phyto cultures, pod culture, growing and just regular tank maintenance on 2 saltwater tanks and 2 freshwater I’m having a hard time finding time so I’m shutting down my phyto cultures and I started a subscription with @Reef By Steele for phyto every 2 weeks to keep it fresh. First corals going into the tank will be here next week.
 
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NotSoSlim

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Just ordered the TBS Pico Package to add a little more live rock/sand and biodiversity. I’ll post pictures when it gets here but any base rock will go to the return chamber, any premium rock will go to the refugium and the sand will get mixed into the display. I left notes to send all the hitchhikers, I’ll deal with anything I don’t want 👍🏼


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Gumbies R Us

God, Bouldering, and Reefing
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NotSoSlim

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Dosing 20ml of Neophos daily right now to keep it from bottoming out. Just trying to keep my numbers decently stable tell this dry rock / tank stabilize.

Targets
Nitrate 10-20
Phosphate .08-.10
Alk 8.0-8.3
Cal 420-450
Mag 1400-1450

Tested
Nitrate 27.1 (went up a little because phosphate limiting)
Phosphate .01
Alk 7.9
Cal 420
Mag 1400

I lowered my refugium light from 18/6 to 14/10 and just stay on testing and small corrections tell it stabilizes.
 
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NotSoSlim

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Green film algae is starting to dust the rocks in spots but the CUC are keeping it in check. We are off to the races, now get my auto dosing heads to get kalkwasser and All for Reef on auto dosing. I should have TBS live rock/sand coming this week and I should be getting a email for the fish and lid for shipping this week


20260223_092611_FBD85480-AAF3-4D72-A1C5-7B1E5ACC0687.png
 
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NotSoSlim

NotSoSlim

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Some TBS hitchhikers. I put all the rock in a bucket with fresh saltwater and a heater and small pump tell I can get it in my sump in a few hours but here’s a few crabs and iso I found.


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20260226_150353_1D0D01BF-9690-49C4-A11A-D986CA001A28.png

20260226_150417_47AA4D53-3FF7-4546-AC78-E97787FD21D9.png
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHAT AMOUNT OF LIVE ROCK AND SAND SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED FOR OPTIMAL BIODIVERSITY/FILTRATION?

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