LifeReef Custom 2.0

[watdachuck]

I just moved to Ohio with my new wife and finally had time to work on the tank.

I started by buffing out all the scratches I had inflicted previously by catching stones in between the algae scraper. Novus Solution did a great job at that!

 

[jsker]

Can't wait to see the pic of the progress

 

[ScottMyers123]

Good looking setup! Can't wait to see it full.

 

[watdachuck]

It is great to have the second bathroom now to set up for water changes. This used to take place in the kitchen which the wife was not fond of....

I typically do a 10 gallon change (25%) water change on a weekly basis once the coral load is heavier. With the tank just finishing cycling only once every two weeks.

Current inhabitants:
- Rainbow Pseudo
- Diamond Goby
- Starry Blenny

 

[watdachuck]

Special delivery from World Wide Corals!!

 

[watdachuck]

First water tests results came back from AquariumWaterTesting.com

Everything looks pretty good except a slight hike in Silica. I pulled samples just before a water change to try and capture the worst condition. Currently using IO Reef Crystals.

06-07-2016 Ammonia (NH3-4) Good 0 0.000 - 0.050 mg/L
06-07-2016 Nitrite (NO2) Good 0.001 0.000 - 0.100 mg/L
06-07-2016 Phosphate (PO4) Good 0.03 0.000 - 0.250 mg/L
06-07-2016 Nitrate (NO3) Good 1.4 0.000 - 25.000 mg/L
06-07-2016 Silica (Sio2-3) High 0.9 0.000 - 0.500 mg/L
06-07-2016 Potassium (K) Good 386 350.000 - 450.000 mg/L
06-07-2016 Ionic Calcium (Ca) Good 248 100.000 - 400.000 mg/L
06-07-2016 Boron (B) NA NA 3.000 - 6.000 mg/L
06-07-2016 Molybdenum (Mo) Good 0.2 0.000 - 0.300 mg/L
06-07-2016 Strontium (Sr) Good 8.4 5.000 - 12.000 mg/L
06-07-2016 Magnesium (Mg) Good 1140 1100.000 - 1400.000 mg/L
06-07-2016 Iodine (I) Good 0.05 0.030 - 0.090 mg/L
06-07-2016 Copper (Cu) Good 0.05 0.000 - 0.100 mg/L
06-07-2016 Alkalinity (meq/L) Good 2.6 2.500 - 5.000 meq/L
06-07-2016 Total Calcium (Ca) Good 405 350.000 - 450.000 mg/L
06-07-2016 Iron (Fe) NA NA 0.000 - 0.010 mg/L

 

[watdachuck]

Special delivery from Battle Corals!!!

 

[watdachuck]

Silica is a little higher than I would like, along with alkalinity which equates to roughly 13.

Still dialing in the calcium reactor.

 

[watdachuck]

Updated water tests results 2 weeks after water change. Looks like the calcium reactor is locked in to a safe range.

 

[FrankAbagnale]

Awesome!

 

[revhtree]

Looking good!

 

[watdachuck]

Finally giving the tank the attention it deserves and it looks to be responding. One first for me in 15 years is the base rock turning black where exposed to light...any thoughts on this, bacteria, algae etc.? Appears as small circular spots on the back wall as well.

Set up for 4 months now, water test results were listed previously and are still showing steady.

 

[watdachuck]

Moved onto the new house...just waiting on the new 160G to finish being built!!!

 

[watdachuck]

Update from the little AIO, while I await filtration for the new tank.

Water test results from earlier this month, and Red Planet Acro growing nicely.