Mastiffsrule’s 180 Build. Now with colony growth pics.

[Mastiffsrule]

 

[Mastiffsrule]

This was funny so I figured I would share.

I feed everyone regularly but apparently not enough. Check out the chromis, angel, filefish, and even my sweetlips are going after the Nori. My poor yellow tang didn’t stand a chance. Don’t even ask where the flame tang was.

Oh the humanity

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I was shocked when I saw this guy going to town on a full piece of shrimp he managed to catch, so figured I would share.

We are now folding our dogs to save space as well

 

[PacoPetty]

Kinda disappointed by that. Followed the instructions vendor included. Maybe 30-40% I estimate made it. But still averaging out less than if I buy at LFS.



I really like them. Only in use about 2 weeks so experience is limited

First impression when I opened the box was the felt solid. Not plasticky ( is that a word?) or light weight. Each unit was 59$, each container 17$, the holder is actually a file holder from staples. It worked perfectly turned on its side. It even has a hole that I put the tube and wire thru. I cannot emphasize enough how easy setup and calibration was. It took me 10 minutes to get set up. if I did it in 10, that is 5 for everyone else. It has stayed calibrated since set up.

I have been leery about setting up a doser but after reading this post I am going to copy your set up and put it on my new 180 gallon build. Thank you so much for this build thread.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I have been leery about setting up a doser but after reading this post I am going to copy your set up and put it on my new 180 gallon build. Thank you so much for this build thread.

The way I have it set up, it is not hard or expensive. Trust me. If I could do it, any one can.

 

[Reeferbo619]

Teach me your ways of beating

Everything stayed in the tank or buckets. I ran the tank sumpless for a few weeks, first did the plumbing of new sump, then I moved up to redo the DT.

Tank around Dec. Rock wall, Dino all over, eshopps sump, lighting was bad

Teach me your ways to beat dinos

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Teach me your ways of beating

A lot of cleaning and patience. What worked for me does not work for everyone.

I started with trying Dr. Tim’s method. He has a regiment of waste away, I think was the product, that can be dosed over 2 weeks. I also tried vibrant and microbacter7. After that the thing that really worked was pulling all the gravel and swapping it for live sand. I also redid all the rock and cleaned the rock where I could. After that a lot of weekly water changes and I added a UV.

After Dino was gone the tank went thru diatoms from the new sand, then it had bad cyano and turf algae. I think that may have also helped out compete the Dino from getting a foothold again. Since then I try not to let things be too stagnant.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hi all.

Thinking of adding an LED bar to the tank. The T5s are perfect, but just need a bit of help in par. I do not want to put back my AI 52 had into the hybrid fixture so I am looking at the SB actinic bar to attach to the hybrid or mount to the tank. Anyone using SB? Seems like the best actinic out there.


I am messing around with water changes using the ATO and skimmer. I mix fresh salt and put my ATO pump in the fresh mix and my skimmer drain line in and empty bucket. Set it to skim wet and keep an eye on it. I am trying it for small water changes. It seems to pulls out dirtier water than just vacuuming.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I have been doing a lot of my build stuff under my experiment thread. Each month I do a change and show how my coral respond. So I am not updating this as much. BUT, this is epic (for me anyway).

Just got my SB Reef actinic bar in. It’s not hooked up, just psyched I have it. It was priced same as reefbrite Xho, came with dimmer, higher wattage, and built with Cree led. Each led is encased in its own lens unit and it comes with a 24 month warranty. So far no downsides. I will be stoked to see it performance in my next 30 day trial run

 

[User]

I have been doing a lot of my build stuff under my experiment thread. Each month I do a change and show how my coral respond. So I am not updating this as much. BUT, this is epic (for me anyway).

Just got my SB Reef actinic bar in. It’s not hooked up, just psyched I have it. It was priced same as reefbrite Xho, came with dimmer, higher wattage, and built with Cree led. Each led is encased in its own lens unit and it comes with a 24 month warranty. So far no downsides. I will be stoked to see it performance in my next 30 day trial run

Is that a 6ft? Details on price?

there’s an aliexpress light that is literally exactly the same as the xho, but is like 1/4 of the price. Same diodes, same wavelength, but has better build. Priced fairly too.
Only thing stopping me was it doesn’t dim, and it’s 4’ max, so I have plans for a 6’ dimmable 420, 450, 470nm bar using Cree leds and those same lenses. Cost is $120. I just need time to buy the stuff and wire it.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Is that a 6ft? Details on price?

there’s an aliexpress light that is literally exactly the same as the xho, but is like 1/4 of the price. Same diodes, same wavelength, but has better build. Priced fairly too.
Only thing stopping me was it doesn’t dim, and it’s 4’ max, so I have plans for a 6’ dimmable 420, 450, 470nm bar using Cree leds and those same lenses. Cost is $120. I just need time to buy the stuff and wire it.

Yes, you can check it at sbreeflights.com. It is the 6’ version. 299.99. 162 watts.

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sbreeflights.com

 

[User]

Yes, you can check it at sbreeflights.com. It is the 6’ version. 299.99. 162 watts.

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sbreeflights.com

That’s a pretty nice light and good price.

pity it isn’t 0-10v dimmable or ramping. That would be a clincher for me

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Today I redid my lighting. I think it came out nice, for a project I put together anyway .

The whole set up is modified but I really like it, so we will have to wait to see the results. I will do a new 30 day experiment in my other thread.

Here is the build. It started out an Aquatic hybrid I put AI hd 52 in. I did not like the way the AI looked so I took them out a had Aquatic life send me a single T5 unit I modified into the hybrid . I like the 6 bulb t5 set up, but need just a bit more for color and to push growth over the edge. I grabbed a 24 inch aquatic life extension with the nice end kit and modified that today to house the 3rd t5 and the SB actinic I just got.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Just did a water change and recently added an Mp40. Things are going great for a change . As you get to know your tank you can usually see signs of healthy tanks. I am starting to see sponges come back I have not seen in 8 years, That is a good sign.

I recently acquired a large PBT for a crazy good price. He is going into week 4 now. I do not Qt. He has ich, and what looks like flukes showing on his clear fins. I am working with him to try and beat it. If I can nurse him past this I am pushing the wife for a larger tank for the PBT and my sweetlips.

So here are a few pics.

 

[Daddy-o]

Today I redid my lighting. I think it came out nice, for a project I put together anyway .

The whole set up is modified but I really like it, so we will have to wait to see the results. I will do a new 30 day experiment in my other thread.

Here is the build. It started out an Aquatic hybrid I put AI hd 52 in. I did not like the way the AI looked so I took them out a had Aquatic life send me a single T5 unit I modified into the hybrid . I like the 6 bulb t5 set up, but need just a bit more for color and to push growth over the edge. I grabbed a 24 inch aquatic life extension with the nice end kit and modified that today to house the 3rd t5 and the SB actinic I just got.

Nice, already got the Christmas tablecloth out

 

[dank reefer]

Curious.. From start to finish, I see more tools. Were these tools you had, or as the thread started flowing, you acquired more?

Besides the config being lost on your dosing pumps, how often are you having to calibrate them? Have you put them on a battery backup in case of power outages?

And I see a nice spot in your tank for a Acan, or blasto like right here. What do you think?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Curious.. From start to finish, I see more tools. Were these tools you had, or as the thread started flowing, you acquired more?

Besides the config being lost on your dosing pumps, how often are you having to calibrate them? Have you put them on a battery backup in case of power outages?

And I see a nice spot in your tank for a Acan, or blasto like right here. What do you think?

Hi Jose,

Hope things going going well.


If I follow the question correct, the tank has been changing over the years. I have had this tank for over 10 years. ( I lost count). I joined here in 2019 and started the build after that. The tank came from a 90 upgrade I had for at least 5 years, which came from a 55. All the equipment I am running now except the actual tank, stand, heater with Ranco controller, Tunze ATO, and a coralife timer are new within last 2 years.

I had an Avast kalk stirrer fed by the ATO for a long time. Had great results. Just wanted to try the X1. For the price these things are great. I am low tech and do not travel a lot. So no battery back up. If the power goes out, I just use my IPad to reconnect. Even if I miss a day or 2 of dosing in the 180 with what I have now, it is not anything to worry about I have found.

Since the photo you quoted I added a second MP40 on the right and pulled the powerhead I have. That spot now changes daily with the flow. I also cannot put anything on the floor without written and notarized consent from my diamon back gobbie

 

[dank reefer]

I have the witness and the consent forms. Me and the goby will have to come to an accord.

 

[madlos123]

How's the Maxspect Jump pump now? any update noise/water flow? Thanks

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I have an update coming up I wanted to share as I prepare.

First, I lost my PBT and it took out my angel. It was my fault and I feel horrible. The PBT needs extra care and feeding. I eased off his care a bit seeing him doing so well and getting so busy. His regular feeding suffered. I saw white spots develop and not soon after he stopped eating and hiding. I tried a FW dip and was going to set up a hospital tank, but it was to late by the time I noticed the signs. The angel went quickly too. I was concerned I had velvet since I saw signs on my sweetlips and yellow as well. It was a tense few days, but close observation and back to regular care and everything is back to normal.

So, the update coming.

I rented a par meter. My 6 bulb t5 and 1 SBreef bar is only getting me 250 par 6 inches below surface. 1/2 way down I am around 150. Bottom, below 100. So basically I cannot believe anything is growing.

I have a second reef bar I a, adding and I am changing all 6 bulbs for new ones this weekend. We will see what that does for par.

so more to come