J&D’s Seatown Waterbox 135.4 Couples Therapy (a reefing marriage story)

BighohoReef

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Waterbox 135.4
Waterbox sump
Gyre XF330
Octo reef skimmer
Week 1 of the tank cycle

BE8D55D5-78D4-4180-BC62-BF070C04E61A.jpeg 852C2B26-2E79-49D5-8E17-287CD27458DA.jpeg
 

jmp21677

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Watch your sump. I have the 55 gallon cube and if I use the filter socks and or my hand in the tank the sump will overflow the first compartment
 
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BighohoReef

BighohoReef

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We're thinking of this for our cycle:
Week 1: Water and bacteria boost - We added Fritz Turbostart - for 100g tank - Done
Week 2 - 3: Add live rock - Watching for Ammonia, PH and Nitrates (maybe nitrite). Depending on where we're at with the ammonia we might add a damsel or clownfish.
Week 4: 20% water change, Add cleaning crew probably a blenny, tang, snails, emerald crabs, shrimp (open to suggestions as well)
Week 5: Test parameters; depending on the levels we might do 5-10% water change. Add a zoa rock which I've read are good starters for a new tank. (would love some thoughts on that)
Week 6: Start tank migration introduce other corals: leptos, mushrooms
Week 7: Torches, hammers and frogspawn, goni's

Not comprehensive but a vague plan for how we're thinking things should go. Would love some thoughts and suggestions :)
 
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BighohoReef

BighohoReef

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Sunday build update:

We did a some aquascaping today using the Tunze coral gum, super glue. If you are thinking of doing some aquascaping or adding I would highly recommend it. So a few photos of the structures, we're about halfway done, there is a plate that will be added to the top of the left structure, on the right I'd debating if that area becomes the "plate coral zone" in the center I was thinking of building the mushroom marina that will protect against flow. All in all it's coming together nicely.

Next update I'll post the the lighting fixture update and finishing off the plumbing and wiring organization. Stay tuned :)

DB02EC44-93F4-402B-8BEF-132445845C4F.jpeg 7883672C-C9F9-450F-AD36-7BD4DE299B9A.jpeg 8A600691-4697-445E-822C-B3CFC7E4C6FC.jpeg 8F593157-94BE-4FCE-93D1-A802AE271278.jpeg 9EC04886-FAFD-427B-A69B-3D9A643B970D.jpeg 7DAEC002-647E-49DB-9246-B706D098BB3B.jpeg
 
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BighohoReef

BighohoReef

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I suppose I should update this thing :) Lighting is up, hung with 80/20 and few custom brackets. We had a nerve wracking weekend of moving corals and finally got our most precious cargo into the tank. There are a few more pieces that need to be moved over but the risky corals have acclimated with little issue. Now we're just in the decision process of where to place most of our pieces.

A few pictures of the lighting, Orphek LED bar is on it's way to replace one of the T5s. Few shots of our corals adjusting to their new home.

HUUUUUGE shout out to @pelphrey for his videos and @crazysun for the detailed setup! Thank you both for your help!

IMG-1481.jpg IMG-1446.jpg IMG-1536.jpg IMG-1537.jpg IMG-1455.jpg
 
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BighohoReef

BighohoReef

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Weekend update!

We got the @Orphek OR3 120 LED Blue! Just a quick review: We ended up replacing the T5 with the bar, we couldn't be happier with the results the corals seem to be acclimating well not to mention I love the look over the tank the colors of everything just pop! In addition to how I've added the LED bar to the 8020 stand It's helped to hide the light glare from the XR30s. My only gripe with the OR3s is that you can adjust the intensity, in this day in age where all of the major players have this option it's a little disappointing that Orphek didn't include this in this model. Overall though we're happy with the switch.
1590963718753.png


The wife made a DIY refugium. 3 cut sheets of black acrylic and some silicone did the trick, Add some frag plugs at the bottom and our Fluval sea marine light (I'm glad we hung on to it.) The skimmer has also finally been tuned after an overabundance of micro bubbles for a few days.
BD81A14F-5513-4A61-95F2-B1312677C3D0.jpeg


Corals are looking happy and healthy. We dipped our toe into the SPS world with a strawberry shortcake acro, though sadly I think we received it dead or in the process of dying. Our deepwater acro still has color but the polyps still haven't come out yet (parameters posted at the bottom :(. I've been delving deep into the SPS care forum in hopes that I can put together a Battlebox from @Battlecorals together:) If you haven't visited the site I highly recommend it!
1C174E1C-4583-4EE9-9EC2-30E0CA492AE0.jpeg
9C93A3EB-C393-4DA1-8415-29C7F094B901.jpeg


Parameters:
Mg: 1350
Calcium: 410
Alk: 9.6
Ph: 8.11
Phosphates: .03
Nitrates: 3.0
 

Kryptonian

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Weekend update!

We got the @Orphek OR3 120 LED Blue! Just a quick review: We ended up replacing the T5 with the bar, we couldn't be happier with the results the corals seem to be acclimating well not to mention I love the look over the tank the colors of everything just pop! In addition to how I've added the LED bar to the 8020 stand It's helped to hide the light glare from the XR30s. My only gripe with the OR3s is that you can adjust the intensity, in this day in age where all of the major players have this option it's a little disappointing that Orphek didn't include this in this model. Overall though we're happy with the switch.
1590963718753.png


The wife made a DIY refugium. 3 cut sheets of black acrylic and some silicone did the trick, Add some frag plugs at the bottom and our Fluval sea marine light (I'm glad we hung on to it.) The skimmer has also finally been tuned after an overabundance of micro bubbles for a few days.
BD81A14F-5513-4A61-95F2-B1312677C3D0.jpeg


Corals are looking happy and healthy. We dipped our toe into the SPS world with a strawberry shortcake acro, though sadly I think we received it dead or in the process of dying. Our deepwater acro still has color but the polyps still haven't come out yet (parameters posted at the bottom :(. I've been delving deep into the SPS care forum in hopes that I can put together a Battlebox from @Battlecorals together:) If you haven't visited the site I highly recommend it!
1C174E1C-4583-4EE9-9EC2-30E0CA492AE0.jpeg
9C93A3EB-C393-4DA1-8415-29C7F094B901.jpeg


Parameters:
Mg: 1350
Calcium: 410
Alk: 9.6
Ph: 8.11
Phosphates: .03
Nitrates: 3.0
Weekend update!

We got the @Orphek OR3 120 LED Blue! Just a quick review: We ended up replacing the T5 with the bar, we couldn't be happier with the results the corals seem to be acclimating well not to mention I love the look over the tank the colors of everything just pop! In addition to how I've added the LED bar to the 8020 stand It's helped to hide the light glare from the XR30s. My only gripe with the OR3s is that you can adjust the intensity, in this day in age where all of the major players have this option it's a little disappointing that Orphek didn't include this in this model. Overall though we're happy with the switch.
1590963718753.png


The wife made a DIY refugium. 3 cut sheets of black acrylic and some silicone did the trick, Add some frag plugs at the bottom and our Fluval sea marine light (I'm glad we hung on to it.) The skimmer has also finally been tuned after an overabundance of micro bubbles for a few days.
BD81A14F-5513-4A61-95F2-B1312677C3D0.jpeg


Corals are looking happy and healthy. We dipped our toe into the SPS world with a strawberry shortcake acro, though sadly I think we received it dead or in the process of dying. Our deepwater acro still has color but the polyps still haven't come out yet (parameters posted at the bottom :(. I've been delving deep into the SPS care forum in hopes that I can put together a Battlebox from @Battlecorals together:) If you haven't visited the site I highly recommend it!
1C174E1C-4583-4EE9-9EC2-30E0CA492AE0.jpeg
9C93A3EB-C393-4DA1-8415-29C7F094B901.jpeg


Parameters:
Mg: 1350
Calcium: 410
Alk: 9.6
Ph: 8.11
Phosphates: .03
Nitrates: 3.0
Looking good! We're adding fish to our 180.5 as we speak and hoping to add corals in about 4 weeks. Love the blue light! We have 3x XR15 Blue Gen5s coming and can't wait. Hoping for the same color pop you are getting. That color is also really responsive to your camera. Are you using a special lens? Whenever we take pictures, they come out blah.. And that's using a lense we grabbed off Amazon specifically for coral pics.
 
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BighohoReef

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Looking good! We're adding fish to our 180.5 as we speak and hoping to add corals in about 4 weeks. Love the blue light! We have 3x XR15 Blue Gen5s coming and can't wait. Hoping for the same color pop you are getting. That color is also really responsive to your camera. Are you using a special lens? Whenever we take pictures, they come out blah.. And that's using a lense we grabbed off Amazon specifically for coral pics.

I'll keep an eye out for your post I've been watching the Gen5 threads for reviews and whatnot. I'm still was on the fence about upgrading to the Gen5s not sure I would get much of a difference out of them from the Gen4s. I would love to see what it does over your tank.

For the pictures, I used my iPhone 11 with the Orphek lens kit coupled with the Aquarium camera app I've found the best results when using both together.
 

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Weekend update!

We got the @Orphek OR3 120 LED Blue! Just a quick review: We ended up replacing the T5 with the bar, we couldn't be happier with the results the corals seem to be acclimating well not to mention I love the look over the tank the colors of everything just pop! In addition to how I've added the LED bar to the 8020 stand It's helped to hide the light glare from the XR30s. My only gripe with the OR3s is that you can adjust the intensity, in this day in age where all of the major players have this option it's a little disappointing that Orphek didn't include this in this model. Overall though we're happy with the switch.
1590963718753.png


The wife made a DIY refugium. 3 cut sheets of black acrylic and some silicone did the trick, Add some frag plugs at the bottom and our Fluval sea marine light (I'm glad we hung on to it.) The skimmer has also finally been tuned after an overabundance of micro bubbles for a few days.
BD81A14F-5513-4A61-95F2-B1312677C3D0.jpeg


Corals are looking happy and healthy. We dipped our toe into the SPS world with a strawberry shortcake acro, though sadly I think we received it dead or in the process of dying. Our deepwater acro still has color but the polyps still haven't come out yet (parameters posted at the bottom :(. I've been delving deep into the SPS care forum in hopes that I can put together a Battlebox from @Battlecorals together:) If you haven't visited the site I highly recommend it!
1C174E1C-4583-4EE9-9EC2-30E0CA492AE0.jpeg
9C93A3EB-C393-4DA1-8415-29C7F094B901.jpeg


Parameters:
Mg: 1350
Calcium: 410
Alk: 9.6
Ph: 8.11
Phosphates: .03
Nitrates: 3.0

How did you end up acclimating the corals to the OR bar? The bars for me are adding another 100 par at my sps, so far just running a couple hours a day during peak lighting. Are you running them for your whole light cycle?

Thanks!
 
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BighohoReef

BighohoReef

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How did you end up acclimating the corals to the OR bar? The bars for me are adding another 100 par at my sps, so far just running a couple hours a day during peak lighting. Are you running them for your whole light cycle?

Thanks!
Our OR3 bar sits about 12' above the water, getting 100par extra. Like you, for the first week, I ran the bar 1-2 hrs and slowly increased the lighting time an hour over the course of 3 weeks. At this point, the bar stays on for 5 hrs a day. Everything seems to be doing well I'm seeing some color up on a lot of the euphyllia, and our acros are extending more than I've ever seen when they were under the XR30s. I have the OR3 90 Reef Day light ordered I'm hoping it comes in the next few weeks. I'll post again once I have it installed. Are you running the blue light version as well?
 

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Thanks! Running 2 48” blue bars for supplemental lighting. So far no issues running them 2 hours a day for the sps, I noticed 2 of the torches were not as full as usual when I got home today. Here is my setup-

5FFFE79B-08C2-4EB7-8146-98199D6E75A0.jpeg
dont mind the wires, this was right after i got done mounting them
 
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BighohoReef

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Thanks! Running 2 48” blue bars for supplemental lighting. So far no issues running them 2 hours a day for the sps, I noticed 2 of the torches were not as full as usual when I got home today. Here is my setup-

5FFFE79B-08C2-4EB7-8146-98199D6E75A0.jpeg
dont mind the wires, this was right after i got done mounting them
I like it! I like the lagoon tank as well. Been trying to convince the wife to let me add a similar tank to my garage space. Was that custom made? I thought about going with a similar lighting setup and selling off the XR30s for ReefFi lights. Just can't justify the cost with how good things are going in the tank. Our torches have responded well to the light mix, I'm curious about what's going to happen when I add the reef day light. Keep you posted!
 

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It’s not custom, made by planet aquarium. So far I’ve been very happy with the ReeFi lights. I would be better off if I could mount them about 4 inches higher but mounting to the wall was not an option per the wife. Keep me posted
 
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BighohoReef

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7/6/20 Weekly Update:
Growth in the tank has been amazing we've enjoyed watching all of our softies and LPS thrive in the tank.

New live stock additions:
  • Green acro colony it's resting in QT
  • What I'm calling the inhuman torch (indo gold) it's huge and the tentacles look like an Aussie but aren't
  • Green torch with purple and pink tips
  • Kole Tang
  • Leopard wrasse
Equipment updates
  • Orphek OR3 90 Daylight came getting installed and will run a slow 1-2 hour acclimation period this week
  • Ordering additional 80/20 bars to support the addition of the second OR3
  • Wood purchased for a DIY controller board
  • DIY project for mushroom garden tubs and sump on order.

IMG-2009.JPG IMG-2007.JPG IMG-2004.JPG
 

fishguy242

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oooh.. going to see awesome bubble tomorrow :cool: beautiful reef!!!
 

Mastering the art of locking and unlocking water pathways: What type of valves do you have on your aquarium plumbing?

  • Ball valves.

    Votes: 42 49.4%
  • Gate valves.

    Votes: 44 51.8%
  • Check valves.

    Votes: 19 22.4%
  • None.

    Votes: 22 25.9%
  • Other.

    Votes: 9 10.6%
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