Matts JBJ 45 build

[Whisnantrider]

Just a quick question. Any issues with water levels with the skimmer considering that chamber stays a constant level and the only one that drains is the middle one. And do you run an auto top of and if so what one?

I have had no issues with water level. I do run a Smart ATO Micro. Even with the skimmer in the center chamber it keeps the level steady and there's no issue. HOWEVER, the reason I moved it to the right, overflow compartment is because if I put my hand in the tank for whatever reason it raised the level in the center chamber enough to over flow the skimmer and I got tired of that. I did like it better in the center but I have a clown fish who like to move stuff and I seem to have to reach in the tank a lot so I got tired of making it over flow.

 

[EriksOasis]

Alright awesome but am I correct from your observations to mine that the right and left filter chamber does not fluctuate water level only the center one?

 

[Whisnantrider]

Alright awesome but am I correct from your observations to mine that the right and left filter chamber does not fluctuate water level only the center one?

Correct. The only chamber that fluctuates, at least on my tank, is the center chamber where the return pump goes.

 

[HeulittSalmi]

Correct. The only chamber that fluctuates, at least on my tank, is the center chamber where the return pump goes.

Does the 45 also have the same holes in the back panel on the leftmost and right most chambers like the 30?

 

[Whisnantrider]

Does the 45 also have the same holes in the back panel on the leftmost and right most chambers like the 30?

Mine does. I though about plugging them but they don't seem to affect anything unless I turn the pump off and then it all levels out

 

[HeulittSalmi]

Mine does. I though about plugging them but they don't seem to affect anything unless I turn the pump off and then it all levels out

I was just thinking the same thing the other day. And did you ever decide what to put in your media chambers?

 

[Whisnantrider]

Right now I'm running bonded filter floss, deep blue 50 micron polishing pad, pura pad and the pond matrix.

 

[EriksOasis]

Yes mine has the three holes and only thing they affect is when the pump is turned off the back fills up and drains the display to the same level.

 

[Whisnantrider]

I added 3 peppermint shrimp to the tank today. Just to give some variety and personality to the cleanup crew. They have proven to be good scavengers in the past and just as much personality as the skunk cleaners.

I am debating on my final fish selection. I am thinking six line wrasse or a candy yellow hogfish aka twospot hogfish. I love the six lines and they are WAY cheaper but the few I've had in the past always seem to become jerks. Anyone have any experience with the hog fish or a six line that wasn't a complete jerk after a while?

 

[HeulittSalmi]

I added 3 peppermint shrimp to the tank today. Just to give some variety and personality to the cleanup crew. They have proven to be good scavengers in the past and just as much personality as the skunk cleaners.

I am debating on my final fish selection. I am thinking six line wrasse or a candy yellow hogfish aka twospot hogfish. I love the six lines and they are WAY cheaper but the few I've had in the past always seem to become jerks. Anyone have any experience with the hog fish or a six line that wasn't a complete jerk after a while?

I've always like the look of the two spot so that gets my vote. Six lines are in almost everyone's tank at some point. And I loved my old peppermint, but unfortunately he was eaten by a fish hahaha.

 

[Whisnantrider]

Did a water change today and cleaned out the back chambers. While using a flashlight to check out what I was up against I saw something dart across the center chamber. Kept hunting and it turned out to be my Allen's Damsel that vanished shortly after I set up the tank lol. Took some doing but I got him fished out and back in the display [emoji106]

 

[EriksOasis]

Looks great. How often and how many gallons do you do each water change?

 

[Whisnantrider]

I like to do 10 gallons every Sunday but I missed two weeks due to work and a sprained ankle so I had a solid 3 weeks with nothing but a filter floss change and light feedings with no noticeable changes.

 

[Whisnantrider]

I can't wait until all these little buds drop off and there's these awesome little plates everywhere

 

[EriksOasis]

That's super cool!

 

[Whisnantrider]

That's super cool!

Thanks! This has been one of my favorite corals. My wife found it at the LFS, it was a little bud about the size of the biggest areas of the babies in the pic and it was stuck in a zoas colony and I was able to get him to snip it out for me.

 

[HeulittSalmi]

Thanks! This has been one of my favorite corals. My wife found it at the LFS, it was a little bud about the size of the biggest areas of the babies in the pic and it was stuck in a zoas colony and I was able to get him to snip it out for me.

How long ago did you get it?

 

[Whisnantrider]

How long ago did you get it?

I think I got it some time in 2015 so maybe 2 years. It was litterally like 1/2" across if that and grew to about 3" before it's started receding really bad. I thought it was going to be a goner but shortly after noticed the babies popping up on it.

 

[HeulittSalmi]

I think I got it some time in 2015 so maybe 2 years. It was litterally like 1/2" across if that and grew to about 3" before it's started receding really bad. I thought it was going to be a goner but shortly after noticed the babies popping up on it.

That is insane, how many babies do you think there is?

 

[Whisnantrider]

That is insane, how many babies do you think there is?

Hard to tell because some look like little clusters as opposed to individuals but it looks to be 30+