My In-Between Frag Tank

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Photos are worth 1,000,000 words. So I wont do much typing.

Transferred over a 40G AIO, had all the equipment left over including the stand from a failed 70G with a busted seam. So besides the 40G and the overflow I had everything. Got the 40 Breeder on sale for $50. I'm moving states in March to April next year, so needed to make everything much easier and readily to move as well. Going to set up a DT in the new state about a month ahead of time, and then ship my wife everything in a few shipments.


Hope it works out.

Hope this tank doesn't crash.

Hope I planned ahead enough to "quick cycle".

We'll see. God willing.


DAY 1

New build will go here. Old tank going away. Wife barely standing the mess.





Decided to soft plumb mostly everything. Will make it easier to move in the future. I'm definitely pretty focued on if not eventually turning this hobby into a business, at least making it a side hustle. So I'll use this 40 Breeder and drill it and make it a softie/nem grow tank. For now it'll suit my in-between purpose. Finally get to use this sump, such a nice sump. Oh and this T5 system. Yesss!!!












Day one finished. Was a lot more work than I thought tbh. Mixing up 20G in the tub overnight.

 

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DAY 2

I transferred 20G from my existing tank into the sump, and changed it with the new water.

I added some Biocubes into my AIO's sock about 2 weeks ago as well. Hope it helps. Also was able to use some of the scape from my failed 70. I think it'll keep me happy that it's not all frag.

I debated it for awhile, but decided to go with a super thin sand layer, I think there's benefits to sand that can never be taken away.

Mixing up more water.

 

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DAY 3

Built some frag racks. Making water. More water. Lots of water.....

 

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DAY 4

Finally full of water. I'd say I WC'd 50G or so from my old tank in the last 3 days. So probably 110% WC lol.

Then just added the last 10 since I was tired of the double working. But I hope using that water in some way helps.

Even if it doesn't......

It does in my mind at least.... It does in my mind....

 

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DAY 5

Added Fritz Turbo.

I threw my whole dang socks in, I'd let them sit for 2 1/2 weeks without changing!! So it has lots of life, but man were they dirty LOL.

Here's what I've got to move....

Getting ready for it.

 

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DAY 6

Test run

 

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DAY 7

more Confidence

 

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DAY 8

I did it, it was exhausting. Couldn't save a few zoa's and monti's that were just glued, but i got some frags off, had to rebuild my frag racks. Also fragged a bunch at the same time.

 

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The T5’s were overkill and a few of my sticks started bleaching, so I turned them off for now, just running the Hydra's. May try to acclimate them in later.

But everythings doing great. everything I fragged "healed over" or started new growth, so I grabbed a clam just for fun .

Tanks coming along great, this sump has been a life changer, the fleece roller is so amazing.

 

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Ugly Phase is passing through QUICK!

I'm NEVER, EVER going sump less again in this hobby.

This should be my shortest and best "uglies phase" yet. Mine are always only a few weeks anyways but this was great.

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Just more evidence that HIGH Biodiversity off the bat is ALWAYS a plus IMPO. Don't worry about "killing stuff" These things are hardy if you don't throw in Dexters Lab into your water the first few weeks. Just keep the water clean and pure for a few weeks til thing settle in! Also a little Live rock / live bac goes a LONG WAY.

KISS! Idk why this whole "cycle process" has become such a struggle for so many reefers. People make other people over complicate things!

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NOV 9th

NOV 17th

 

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Been away since the 22nd, set up a cam but it only started working this morning the day before I’m going home!

but what a huge wave of relief when I saw this. (Screen shot)

ATO 20G reservoir looks like it lasted and auto feeder kept fish alive with pellets.

my Alk was 11.4 before I left much higher then I wanted, so I just dosed 80ML spread 2 days before leaving to hopefully “carry” it through the 2 weeks and 2 days….

Can’t really see my sps but I don’t see any major die off so I’m sure I can slowly correct whatever it’s dropped too once I get back starting tomorrow!

Getting ready to move states soon!

making the move Feb/March