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JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
Two days in and turning white. It's the beginning of the end for the Bryopsis.
JCOLE's Big Box of Rocks
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JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
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JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
Bryopsis is gone and the ugly phase is starting. Macros are in and I am having to dose ammonia and nitrate to keep up with the demand. Clean up crew and pods come this week. CaRx is installed and running as Kalk alone cannot keep up.
In a couple of weeks I am going to move the live rock to the sump and most of the macros to a fuge. At that time I will start to put some corals and fish in. Slow and steady.
In a couple of weeks I am going to move the live rock to the sump and most of the macros to a fuge. At that time I will start to put some corals and fish in. Slow and steady.
Charlie the Reefer
Well-Known Member
Just wanted to say thanks for this, super helpful.Made a couple of the acrylic mounts yesterday and I am very happy with how everything turned out. I took some pictures of how I did it in case this turns out nice and someone else wants to implement this to their tank as well.
Also, don't mind the messy garage. We were organizing the garage this weekend and it looks like a disaster.
I cut down a 3/8" acrylic rod using a pipe cutter. This makes it so easy. Just a couple of times around to score the acrylic and then snap it off.
Figure out the bend or angle you want and use a heat gun to warm up the acrylic. Takes about 30 seconds.
After the Acrylic gets hot enough then there are about 10 seconds of wiggle room to position the angle. Once it's in the right position then I ran it under water to cool it down. Once it's cool then it's as hard as the original piece.
For the tops, I used tops of aragonite frag plugs. I will use acrylic disks on the second run of these. Just cut off the stems and they are good to go.
I then used Superglue GEL and applied it to the disk. You don't need to coat the entire plug. Just enough for the Acrylic.
I then heated up the tip for about 30-45 seconds and instantly pushed it onto the frag plug. The heat binds with the Superglue and sets it almost immediately.
Again, there are only about 10 seconds of workability until it starts to harden. Once, the desired angle was in place then I took it to water again. This instantly set it and it was hard as a rock. I tried pulling the disk off and it wouldn't budge. I even dropped one right on the head and nothing.
I then mounted a couple of them. I just used epoxy and superglue for the base. I made a ball of epoxy and put superglue gel on the bottom. Formed the ball into the area to get a good foundation. I then put superglue on the bottom of the acrylic rod and stuck it into the epoxy. I then formed the epoxy around the acrylic and against the rock work. The large piece at the bottom required a brace for about 30 minutes. This is a work in progress and only temporary for the moment. I have an idea for future larger pieces.
I added a couple of other pieces along the top rock work from this one.
The pictures don't do it any justice but the acrylic makes it look like they are floating. When corals start to grow it will look like they are just floating there. It's going to give more of this look once I make the other tops out of Acrylic instead of the frag plugs. I think in a couple of months it's going to look really good.
I am excited to see how this goes for two reasons. One, this allows me to mount more corals throughout the tank and doesn't limit it to just the rockwork. Two, I have a theory that the corals will develop into colonies quicker instead of mounting to the rock work. The reason is they have flow underneath and also they don't have a base to spend a lot of time encrusting. In theory, they should spend more of their energy branching out for light instead of going underneath the frag plug away from the light.
Let me know what you all think and if you have any suggestions or questions about this.
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JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
Nice! Hope it turns out well for you.
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JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
I don't want to jinx myself but the system seems to be doing very well. Coralline algae is starting to take hold, which is very quick to me. The Macros were doing very well so I decided to throw in a couple of LPS. Those were doing well so I decided to throw in some Acros. Those are doing good as well. Still retaining color and PE. I just received 10 gorgonians in yesterday and the tank is starting to look good. My plan is to relocate 90% of the macroalage to the back side of the tank. I won't be able to see it from the front but in the back I will set up a planted/fuge zone.
When opening the packs of gorgs, I found a nice little surprise. A basket starfish. I have never had one and understand they are difficult to keep but man, it is cool!
When opening the packs of gorgs, I found a nice little surprise. A basket starfish. I have never had one and understand they are difficult to keep but man, it is cool!
Good luck! Beautiful creatures but really tough to keep. The fact your an experienced keeper gives you a good chance. They are incredible to watch.
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JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
Everything is going well. Yes, it is too much work for me right now. I loved building everything, but keeping it up is just not happening the way it deserves. I found a buyer and once it is gone this weekend, then I will be able to refinish the floors, etc. I am not getting out of the hobby. I am just downsizing to a 120 or 180. I have some of my favorite corals in a 20 gallon holding system in the garage.
I will be back soon.
Reefering1
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Nothing wrong with downsizing, gotta keep your priorities straight... I'll keep a eye out for your return.
How's that basket star doing? Does he need a new home too?
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JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
Honestly, I lost it within the first week. I don't even know if it is still in the tank. I will keep an eye out for it on Saturday when I break down the rock work. If I find it then I am going to put it in the holding tank. I doubt it is still alive, though given its needy feeding regime.
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JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
Well, she is gone! Another chapter closed but another one will open. I have a 20 gallon in the garage with pieces of my favorite coral cooking. I will be placing an order for a 180 gallon this week.
Will be continued!
Will be continued!
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JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
I just purchased the tank. I went with a Marineland 180 Gallon 72x24x24. I really enjoyed my Marineland 150 gallon but I always wished the depth was 24" and a little shorter. I feel I will enjoy this tank.
A little update of my little ocean.... I just threw some pieces in a 20 gallon and so far they are doing good. Took a couple of phone night pictures last night through orange glasses. I will try and get some better pictures during daylight.
A little update of my little ocean.... I just threw some pieces in a 20 gallon and so far they are doing good. Took a couple of phone night pictures last night through orange glasses. I will try and get some better pictures during daylight.
That may be one heavily stocked 180 depending on how much you hung onto. Looking good.
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JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
Thank you. I just have corals in a 20 gallon right now. I will need more.
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JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
200 lbs of dry rock showed up today. I will be power washing and acid washing them this week. My new sump showed up over the weekend. I went with the Trigger Triton 44 V2 sump. It has a really nice, large refugium area in the first chamber. I also am going to be running a canister filter on this tank, but more like a polisher and carbon/GAC reactor. The canister filter (Fluval FX6) should be here today, and then I'm going to install it on the sump to start running water through it and the sump. I will move the live rock, which is currently cooking in the garage, to the sump and add the water from the bucket (my wife is going to love me!). Hopefully, this will help get things seeded before the tank gets here.
Along with that, I am replacing the sheetrock in the corner where the tank is going to go. It is Swiss cheese from where pumps, cords, etc., ran through the wall into the garage. Everything will be relocated from the garage and into the closet in the room for this system. Once drywall is installed and painted, then I will focus on building the stand.
Still a good little bit of work ahead of me, but I am looking forward to this build, and I feel it will be my best one yet. Hopefully....
Along with that, I am replacing the sheetrock in the corner where the tank is going to go. It is Swiss cheese from where pumps, cords, etc., ran through the wall into the garage. Everything will be relocated from the garage and into the closet in the room for this system. Once drywall is installed and painted, then I will focus on building the stand.
Still a good little bit of work ahead of me, but I am looking forward to this build, and I feel it will be my best one yet. Hopefully....
Following along with great interest. I'm sure I'll learn things.
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