Hey all,
This is the first time I've posted anything of substantial length that will require updates, but I want to give it a shot documenting something I thought would never happen when I first started this hobby with a 65G DSA rimless: mega upgrade.
So, here's the deal: I started reefing three years ago and built of a nice collection of mini colonies, frags and even largeish colonies of about 70 different acropora. I started with a mixed tank, and over time, just kept obsessing about MOAR ACROS. Being a beginning reefer, I was using the cheapest methods I could find. Black box lights, jebao pumps, jebao doser etc. AND MY ACROS WERE COLORED UP BRILLIANTLY AND HAD VIGOROUS GROWTH. (This isn't my soapbox for going the cheap route, I just wanted to note that I had an awesome experience despite not starting off with the best. I've since upgraded, because #reefaddiction, duh.) Over time, naturally, I needed more space, so I bought a used 135g tank from an LFS, which shall not be named. I got it set up, got all my acros in, sold off the rest of the LPS and was on my way to reef happiness.
This is the part where I wish the story ended with me riding off into a pink sunset. However, there were other things in store for me. Chiefly a flare in the seam of the glass on the bottom of the tank that I did not catch when I bought it, and...drumroll....Acropora Eating Flatworms. The amount of vitriol I have for these little organisms cannot be quantified. Horrified, I hoped against hope that a recent in-tank miracle discovery would work. I spent six weeks, double and triple-dosing the tank. I lost colonies. Flatworms flourished in seeming unlimited numbers. I wanted to give up.
Enter a different LFS. I had sold him a massive Jedi Mind Trick colony last year and he accidently left his wallet at my house after he bought it. I drove it up to him at the store and we hit it off well, and I've been using them ever since. So, hearing about my woes, they came to my house, bagged up every acro, set up a quarantine at the store and have been dipping my corals for the last two months.
So, naturally, I've been staring at an empty tank with a flare on the bottom, and we all know that that won't do. So, I did the only logical thing, and decided to get a Planet Aquarium 180 center overflow as well as a 67g custom tank to plumb into the system for frags. While I was at it, I also went with a Trigger Saphire 39. To top it off, a local custom stand builder offered to teach me how to do exactly what I want to get the desired cabinet I have in mind and will help me with the build. Lastly, I'm doing a slow switch over to XR15 Gen 4 Pro's, as well as MP40's. Gotta do it slow though, cuz budget.
So, since I'm local to Planet Aquarium, they are going to deliver to the LFS and we are going to start the install in the next week or two. I just want to document it this time and share with y'all as I go along.
^Sure do miss these guys! Thanks for following along y'all!
This is the first time I've posted anything of substantial length that will require updates, but I want to give it a shot documenting something I thought would never happen when I first started this hobby with a 65G DSA rimless: mega upgrade.
So, here's the deal: I started reefing three years ago and built of a nice collection of mini colonies, frags and even largeish colonies of about 70 different acropora. I started with a mixed tank, and over time, just kept obsessing about MOAR ACROS. Being a beginning reefer, I was using the cheapest methods I could find. Black box lights, jebao pumps, jebao doser etc. AND MY ACROS WERE COLORED UP BRILLIANTLY AND HAD VIGOROUS GROWTH. (This isn't my soapbox for going the cheap route, I just wanted to note that I had an awesome experience despite not starting off with the best. I've since upgraded, because #reefaddiction, duh.) Over time, naturally, I needed more space, so I bought a used 135g tank from an LFS, which shall not be named. I got it set up, got all my acros in, sold off the rest of the LPS and was on my way to reef happiness.
This is the part where I wish the story ended with me riding off into a pink sunset. However, there were other things in store for me. Chiefly a flare in the seam of the glass on the bottom of the tank that I did not catch when I bought it, and...drumroll....Acropora Eating Flatworms. The amount of vitriol I have for these little organisms cannot be quantified. Horrified, I hoped against hope that a recent in-tank miracle discovery would work. I spent six weeks, double and triple-dosing the tank. I lost colonies. Flatworms flourished in seeming unlimited numbers. I wanted to give up.
Enter a different LFS. I had sold him a massive Jedi Mind Trick colony last year and he accidently left his wallet at my house after he bought it. I drove it up to him at the store and we hit it off well, and I've been using them ever since. So, hearing about my woes, they came to my house, bagged up every acro, set up a quarantine at the store and have been dipping my corals for the last two months.
So, naturally, I've been staring at an empty tank with a flare on the bottom, and we all know that that won't do. So, I did the only logical thing, and decided to get a Planet Aquarium 180 center overflow as well as a 67g custom tank to plumb into the system for frags. While I was at it, I also went with a Trigger Saphire 39. To top it off, a local custom stand builder offered to teach me how to do exactly what I want to get the desired cabinet I have in mind and will help me with the build. Lastly, I'm doing a slow switch over to XR15 Gen 4 Pro's, as well as MP40's. Gotta do it slow though, cuz budget.
So, since I'm local to Planet Aquarium, they are going to deliver to the LFS and we are going to start the install in the next week or two. I just want to document it this time and share with y'all as I go along.
^Sure do miss these guys! Thanks for following along y'all!
I hope you are able to get it resolved without too much heart-ache.
