Innovative Marine IM Ext 50 - Triton Method

[CrazyCarlitos]

Update:

been three weeks since the water was added

not much going on... just waiting for stability.
..and maybe the coralline algae to start growing on the dry rocks.
2-3 more months? Lol
FYI, the piece of coralline I put in there is still alive with just ambient light (Pic)
the DT is still very clean, even tho I overfeed. (Pic)
The shrimps are pigs. Lol

the refugium, however, is filled with diatom at the moment. (Pic)
it’s been about a week since diatom showed up
obviously, the refugium light is fueling the growth there.(No light in DT)
I have not added any cuc yet... but will add couple of Trochus /Cerith snails to the refugium soon.

the skimmer is starting to make skim, finally.
Maybe another week before fully breaking-in
Will start dialing it in than.

The macro algae has not grown. But it has not died off either.

I haven’t done any water change yet. Maybe this wknd.

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

One month update:

One month since water was added
Not much to do on a new tank.. lol

Just feeding the two clowns and the two shrimps.
The fire shrimp molted again (pic)
DT looking clean.
no cuc, yet

the skimmer is mostly broken in (4wks).
I will prob run the skimmer on a timer for a while

Haven’t done a water change, yet.
I don’t see a reason to do one at the moment. Ammonia and nitrate is fine.
let me know if there is a good reason to do WC now.

Chaeto in the refugium is fading a bit, tho. (pic)
So I started dosing ChaetoGro to add iron (Pic) since I haven’t done any WC

The diatom has faded now and slight green film algae has started in the refugium (pic)


New project:

Ordered the equipments needed to start a phytoplankton culture.
It should be set up by next week and hopefully have some phyto ready for Dosing in couple of weeks

will start copepod culture Set up once phyto culture is established

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

Livestock update:

ugh... don’t u hate it when u do something u r not suppose to do? Lol

nice warm Saturday afternoon in south Orange County... somehow ended up at a pet shop in Mission Viejo that has corals.
Walked in just because I like to browse any LfS lol

They had some nice selections of fish and corals.
but I already know which fishes/corals I am looking for.. and none fit my wants at this phase of the tank.
Of course, I keep my options open for something new and unexpected.

One particular fish caught my eye.. the Lemonpeel angel

This fish was actually on my short list initially, but I quickly crossed it out knowing that it’s a coral nipper.
In fact, I crossed out all angles because I did not want to take a chance
Also, my tank (rocks) is not established at all for any grazer.

That’s why it surprised me when I was at the register paying for this fish. Lol

Buyers remorse all last night. Hahaha
oh well, I will figure out what to do with it when the time comes

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

Coral update:

got my first set of corals earlier than planned... only because of the impulse purchase of the Lemonpeel Angel, which is known to nip at corals or even devouring a colony,

Slippery slope...lol

realizing that a potential problem is on the horizon, I started looking at my limited options.
1- keep him and take a risk
2- return him to LFS

I chose 1 for now.
But I wanted to test him. Lol
So I started looking for a cheap, yet pretty, zoa on the sales section (I really need to stay away from that section for a while... it’s too tempting. Lol)

the plan is to add one or two zoas into the DT to see if the Lemonpeel will nibble on them.
if he does, back to lfs he goes.

I have nothing else in the DT so it should be tempting for the angelfish...lol
and any destruction to the coral would be obvious

I found a nice one (Fruit loops, $8 for 4 polyps) on @reefer0708 thread.
But of course, it’s just hard to just buy one, especially if u consider the shipping charge. Haha
so I ended up buying 5 and he was nice enough to give some discount and add a extra coral (cinnamon apple) for free

the ones I got (pics)
-fruit loops
-scrambled eggs
-aoi (7 polyps.. got it at great price. Couldn’t pass it up)
-pink hippo
-cinnamon apple
-firework cloves

Bayer dipped them (No parasites or hitchhikers) and off to the Coral Quarantine tank I set up (pic)

zoas frags are known to have the most unwanted hitchhikers.

nothing fancy in the quarantine tank.
Just 10 gallon from Petco with hob filter, heater, pump (for water movement) and Radion xr-15

I did a 10gallon water change on the DT (finally lol) and used the old water in the quarantine tank.
I wanted the water with some nutrients for the new corals.
Also added the filter media which has been sitting in my refugium.

the new corals opened up right away

I also added some more Dry rocks on the sand of the DT to start the seeding process because I may start a zoa garden in that area...

Notice the whiteness of the new rocks compared to the rocks that have been sitting for over a month (no lights)

Side note: ordered the Kessler AP9x and the mounting arm.
Should be here next week. Thumbs up.

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

Equipment update:

started the Phytoplankton culture (pics)

Simple set up:
- Tetra airpump 60
- 4way splitter manifold
- Mercer culture kit (live Tetraselmis phyto, f/2 fertilizer, rigid tube, airline tube, syringes)
- led light (Amazon) on a timer (16 hrs on)
- empty 2liter bottle
- RODI salt water mixed to 1.022 (per instruction)

if all goes well, should be able to harvest and split in 5-7 days.

first time trying so let’s see how it goes. Lol
Plan is to 1) dose directly in the tank for the copepods and corals/fish
and 2) use some to grow separate copepod culture

note: not in pic, but the Bottle cap has one hole for the airline and a smaller hole as a bleeder.

 

[Reef Nutrition]

p

Equipment update:

started the Phytoplankton culture (pics)

Simple set up:
- Tetra airpump 60
- 4way splitter manifold
- Mercer culture kit (live Tetraselmis phyto, f/2 fertilizer, rigid tube, airline tube, syringes)
- led light (Amazon) on a timer (16 hrs on)
- empty 2liter bottle
- RODI salt water mixed to 1.022 (per instruction)

if all goes well, should be able to harvest and split in 5-7 days.

first time trying so let’s see how it goes. Lol
Plan is to 1) dose directly in the tank for the copepods and corals/fish
and 2) use some to grow separate copepod culture

note: not in pic, but the Bottle cap has one hole for the airline and a smaller hole as a bleeder.

Let us know if you need any Apocyclops panamensis copepods. They are a great species to work with. We sell them into the hobby and into aquaculture.

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

p


Let us know if you need any Apocyclops panamensis copepods. They are a great species to work with. We sell them into the hobby and into aquaculture.

Will do and thanks for the rec

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

Equipment update:

received the Kessil AP9X and the mounting arm yesterday.
(I will be running mostly blue for 2hrs at night for my viewing until I add a coral to the DT)

Ordered from Premium Aquatics.
good communication and prompt shipment. I would buy from them again.

my reason for choosing AP9X is pretty basic.
I wanted an effective light that looks nice. Lol

Also didn’t really want to hang any light from ceiling because I don’t like the power cord showing too much.
Had a Radion before so wanted to try the new Kessil.

although the max coverage for this light is 48x24, the recommended is 30x24.
That is the dimension of my tank. Perfect.
And with a shallow height of 16.1” (water height is approx 15”) I will get enough par everywhere.

initial review:
It’s sleek. It’s light. It’s bright. It’s nice.

mounting arm is ez to assemble.
The light cord is ez to hide.

Now the bad:
the wifi/Kessil app is not so good.

it was relatively ez to connect.
the Problem is that it would not re-connect no matter how many times I tried.
I removed the app and reinstalled. And it would connect. Once. And not reconnect again. Lol
I was using iPhone. I am gonna try the iPad later tonight.

also, the touch screen on the light is erratic.
It would respond well most of the time. But would act up at times and not respond to the touch.
lit looks nice, but perhaps actual buttons would have been better?

the 2 plastic thumb screw too long for my tank. (Pic)
I will cut it shorter for a cleaner look.

all else is well. Cheers.

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

p


Let us know if you need any Apocyclops panamensis copepods. They are a great species to work with. We sell them into the hobby and into aquaculture.

I am ready to start cultivating pods

these are the Apex pods on ur website, right?

thx in adv

 

[Reef Nutrition]

I am ready to start cultivating pods

these are the Apex pods on ur website, right?

thx in adv

Yes; those are the Apex-Pods. Great copepod to culture.

-Chad

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

Live stock update:

well, the LemonPeel angelfish I got on 9/20 was traded-in at a LFS.

i added three corals from 9/25 in the DT to test him.
sure enough he started to nibble on the clove and the zoas almost right away.
Yeah not really fair... since I don’t have any algae for him to nibble on.
but he is also a bully with the tank mates. So he had to go.

I added the remaining corals from 9/25 in the DT. (Pics)

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

My apologies to Chad from Reef Nutrition but I ended up ordering the pods from Reef Cleaners this time.
I had to order some clean up crew so it made more sense to have one shipment.
I value their (reef nutrition) products (as well as their inputs and advices) so I am sure to be ordering supplies from them soon.

I ordered the Apocyclops (x1) and Tisbe (x2) along with Dwarf Cerith (x20), Florida Cerith (x5) and Trochus snails (x4)

I put 2 trochus in the refugium and the rest of the snails went in the DT

The phytoplankton culture started on 9/28 was split last Sunday (pic)

the 2 separate pod culture will be set up this wknd
-apocalypse and tisbe

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

Livestock update:

got some more zoas from @reefer0708
-he has nice selection with good prices. Prompt delivery. Good communication. No pests so far.

-lazy lash
-frozen hornet
-oompa
-bbeb
-yellow brick
-orange oxide
-yellow sub (free frag!)

all has been dipped and now sitting in the quarantine tank and doing well (pics)

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

Equipment update:

this may be controversial since I don’t see it on the forum, but I placed some artificial plants in the DT (pic)
It’s mostly near the rear, due to the strong flow in the middle of the tank.

I see it in some LFS salt tanks, so I think it’s relatively reef-safe.

i placed it in the tank since the all negative spaces are not giving enough hiding spots for the fishes and shrimps at this time.

I ordered three new fishes so need to prepare.

-McCoskers flasher Wrasse
-carpenter flasher wrasse
-Midas Bleny

I will also be trying to make some new structure this wknd with left over live rocks to add to DT.
Something with more cave like holes, perhaps.

Also,
took time, but the Kessil AP9x is working great now.
main issue was I didn’t realize the WiFi feature of the Kessil means it has its own WiFi signal that I need to connect to.
I was assuming that Kessil was connecting to my home WiFi. Lol. Doh!

it’s pretty powerful.
I only have zoas at the moment.. and they also needed to be acclimated..
So I am running it at 20% intensity at peak
Don’t want to blast the new tank anyways.
4hr ramp up, 4hr peak, 4hr ramp down and few hours of low intensity blue light as moon light.
Also have cloud, storm, rainbow, and aurora effects set here and there.

 

[Reef Nutrition]

My apologies to Chad from Reef Nutrition but I ended up ordering the pods from Reef Cleaners this time.
I had to order some clean up crew so it made more sense to have one shipment.
I value their (reef nutrition) products (as well as their inputs and advices) so I am sure to be ordering supplies from them soon.

I ordered the Apocyclops (x1) and Tisbe (x2) along with Dwarf Cerith (x20), Florida Cerith (x5) and Trochus snails (x4)

I put 2 trochus in the refugium and the rest of the snails went in the DT

The phytoplankton culture started on 9/28 was split last Sunday (pic)

the 2 separate pod culture will be set up this wknd
-apocalypse and tisbe

Breaking my heart over here. LOL! Just kidding. I'm glad you were able to get some, either way. Erik at AlgaGen offers great live zooplankton products.

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

Update:

started the copepod cultures on sunday

Got couple of 1 gallon glass jar with lid.
I understand flat container works better but I needed to use the room I have.. and these jars fit better

Drilled two holes on the lid. One for the airline and other as a breather hole.

since I have the extra rigid airline, the tubing, and air pump along with adjustable manifolds, it was simple as cutting appropriate lengths and putting it together.

I made some rodi salt water mixed to 1.025
Added the copepods. Tisbe in one jar. Apex in other.

adjusted the air pump manifold to make couple of bubbles a second
Added the existing led light.. maybe too bright. We will see...

Added some phyto to make it light green-tea color to both jars.
Added little coral food to apex jar since they are detritus feeders afaik

the jars got lighter in color (almost clear) this morning so added more phyto.
Checked salinity.
This will prob take 2-3 weeks, so I will update if anything changes.

the phytoplankton cultures are doing well, so far. Lol
I can double up in about 7-9 days
(It’s much darker than it appears in the pic with led light)

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

Livestock update:

Got couple of new fishes for the DT
Actually ordered three from LiveAquaria during wrasse sale... received two. Lol

ordered: McCosker flasher wrasse, Carpenter flasher wrasse, Midas Blenny (African)
Did not receive the Carpenter.

all acclimated and in the DT last night.
The McCosker went straight into the rock crevices near the Zoa garden and hasn’t left yet. Lol
The Midas is hugging a branch on the sand.
Color of Midas is like a dark zebra at the moment. Prob stressed. Hope it turns golden soon. At least the tail started to turn yellow. Lol

in anticipation of the new fishes, I worked on sculpting a piece of live rock I had with chisel and hammer. Lol
I tried to make it more appealing and carved couple of “cave” holes for fishes.

I then surrounded that with zoa garden.

also added all the coral into the DT.
They all seem to be doing well, so far. Lol

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

Update:

all is going well

since I have the ap9x running 12 hours (4hr ramp up, 4hr ramp down) I now have the expected diatom bloom in the DT. Also seeing some brown hair-like algae.
The trochus and the cerith are doing great job, but not covering enough area. So I ordered some more from Reef Cleaners that’s due to arrive middle of this week.
Also ordered Chaeto from them since the one in the refugium melted away.

note: do not add vibrant when trying to grow chaeto.

the skimmer has been dialed in.. so it now running more effectively and should help with controlling the algae.

the corals (mostly zoas and one clove) are doing great despite the algae bloom. I try to make sure there is no nuisance algae bothering them.
seeing some new growth in clove and new polyps on zoas.

the Midas blenny is now nice golden color.. and king of the tank. Lol
he keeps the wrasse in check.
he is out swimming all day and eats like a pig. Haha

he also has all the fishes, including the mostly reclusive clowns, out in the open hanging out together.
It’s a nice sight.

all 4 fishes now come up to me when I approach the tank to feed em. Lol

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

Delete

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

2.5 month update

all is going pretty well

tank is going through the expected various algae stages, but nothing out of control. Fingers crossed.

skimming heavy because I feed the wrasse and the Midas a lot.
they are always hungry. Lol

I did get 8 more Trochus snails and some more of the tiny cerith snails (reef cleaners) to help with the algae. They are doing a great job.

personally, I don’t like crabs, especially hermits, because they do go after the hard working snails from my experience. Ymmv.

the zoas and the clove are doing well.
No plans to add anymore at the moment. (Famous last words lol)
Need the tank to stabilize further before I can add any imo.
It will be easier to deal with any algae without corals, obviously.

the phyto cultures are doing ok, mostly.
I did have one crash, most likely due to salt being mixed in a separate (and not totally sterile) container (?)
The pods are doing ok, too.
I harvested once (added to refugium)

But keeping 2 copepod culture is more work than I need at the moment.
Plus I can’t keep up with supplying enough phyto atm.
So I will be shutting it down this wknd and move all pods to the refugium and DT.
It will be added at night, with return pump off for 30 mins and skimmer off for 1 hr, to give the critters some place to hide.
Hopefully, they multiply there.

not much else to do except water changes (about 8% every 14 days) and testing once in a while.

FYI I am a lazy reefer. Lol