Mike's Red Sea Reefer 525 XL build

[leroy_jenkinz]

You’re welcome! If there are certain sizes of rock you want, put it in the comments section of the order. John will do his best to accommodate.

Something to think about, not sure where you will be getting livestock from. If it’s mail order, I do not recommend having anything shipped from a week before Christmas to a week after the new year. Delays are notorious and the livestock dies. Timing is everything.

If you have a LFS that you can visit, then awesome!

Also like your screen name. Please don’t approach reefing with that attitude!

Yea ill definitely do that i really like the base rock with platforms that you got going on. Yea ill prolly will only have a CUC for the first month or so but thanks for the shipping advice. Did you seed your rock with old LR from your previous tank? Im thiking ill pick up a good piece from my LFS. I did see a website that sold good 3" plates of Lr specifically for seeding awhile back but during my research i see most get a good piece from a trusted tank. That video will forever bring me joy but definitely dont carry the same attitude with me haaha

 

[mta_morrow]

Yea ill definitely do that i really like the base rock with platforms that you got going on. Yea ill prolly will only have a CUC for the first month or so but thanks for the shipping advice. Did you seed your rock with old LR from your previous tank? Im thiking ill pick up a good piece from my LFS. I did see a website that sold good 3" plates of Lr specifically for seeding awhile back but during my research i see most get a good piece from a trusted tank. That video will forever bring me joy but definitely dont carry the same attitude with me haaha

I was not able to start this tank with rock from my prior tank as I moved from Ohio to South Carolina.

I started this one up the same way I did my last one, bottled bacteria and pure ammonia.

 

[mta_morrow]

Looking good!

Thank you!

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Thanks for the updates mike, rock nems looking sweeeet!

Never thought of the idea of burying them in pvc's to control movement and give them a safe spot for their footing. Will definitely try this when I get to the rock nem additions in the future!

 

[mta_morrow]

Guests are gone and testing is done

Tank has dropped to 77 deg which I feel is ok.
Lowered the house temp by 3 degrees and tank fell 2-3 degrees. Won’t let it go any lower

Alk 8.7. No dosing for 2 days as I’m wanting 8.

Nitrates 16

Phosphate measured 0

I’m starting to see a lot of aiptasia. I’m not so sure I can keep up with aiptasia X. I may pick up some nudibranchs on my next coral order.

 

[Brew12]

Guests are gone and testing is done

Tank has dropped to 77 deg which I feel is ok.
Lowered the house temp by 3 degrees and tank fell 2-3 degrees. Won’t let it go any lower

Alk 8.7. No dosing for 2 days as I’m wanting 8.

Nitrates 16

Phosphate measured 0

I’m starting to see a lot of aiptasia. I’m not so sure I can keep up with aiptasia X. I may pick up some nudibranchs on my next coral order.

I gave up on Aipy X and went with the Berghia. It's a slow process but it looks like they are making headway. Probably less than 5% are gone one month in, but most of the progress has been in this last week. The initial group has to reproduce and it is that 2nd generation that gets to work and shows results. So have patience!

 

[mta_morrow]

I gave up on Aipy X and went with the Berghia. It's a slow process but it looks like they are making headway. Probably less than 5% are gone one month in, but most of the progress has been in this last week. The initial group has to reproduce and it is that 2nd generation that gets to work and shows results. So have patience!

Thanks for that info! I’m reading up on them and trying to learn a bit before I buy.

I don’t have many but have enough to bug me.

How many and what size do you recommend?

 

[Katrina71]

Mine are slowly eating mine as well!

 

[mta_morrow]

Mine are slowly eating mine as well!

How many did you buy and for what size tank?

 

[Katrina71]

How many did you buy and for what size tank?

I got 5 for a 29 gallon. I had a buffet.

 

[mta_morrow]

I got 5 for a 29 gallon. I had a buffet.

Thanks! I’m trying to figure out how many I should get. 108 gallon display.

Any thoughts from your experience?

 

[Brew12]

Thanks for that info! I’m reading up on them and trying to learn a bit before I buy.

I don’t have many but have enough to bug me.

How many and what size do you recommend?

I ordered 24 of the medium size ones. I wouldn't order less than 10 and you need to add them all in the same area so they can breed. If you have predatory wrasses or shrimp that may eat them you might want more to make sure they get established.

 

[benha]

Love your tank, looks amazing! How are the 3 damsels getting along with your other fish? Cheers!

 

[mta_morrow]

Love your tank, looks amazing! How are the 3 damsels getting along with your other fish? Cheers!

Thanks for the kind words benha!

Azure damsels are on the mild side as far as damsels go.

Having multiples help as they focus on each other.

They do not bother any other fish in the tank.

 

[benha]

Thanks for the kind words benha!

Azure damsels are on the mild side as far as damsels go.

Having multiples help as they focus on each other.

They do not bother any other fish in the tank.

I may get 3 azure damsels myself in that case!

 

[mta_morrow]

I may get 3 azure damsels myself in that case!

They are super colorful and active. They never stay still. They always have to know what the other one is doing.

They stay primarily all around the rock work, but never hidden.

 

[mta_morrow]

Some evening pics. Getting a bit better with th aquarium cam app......I think!

 

[mta_morrow]

A couple more because I’m happy!

 

[mta_morrow]

So I will need to remove my solon fairy wrasse and peppermint shrimp before I add aiptasia eating nudibranchs.

Personally I won’t miss the wrasse. He can be a real jerk sometimes.

I will trade them in at an LFS in Savannah, probably in a couple weeks.

 

[SPR1968]

Evening FTS

That’s a great looking tank Mike

I’ve not read all the thread yet but I’ll catch up!