Not My First Tank but My First Build Thread

[esquare]

Really nice but I know how expensive this stuff is commercially. I hope you made your own like I did from screen making material from a hardware store literally saved lots of $$$$

You said it! I have seen the prices of the custom mesh tops, wow!

I made this mesh top myself using the D-D Jumpguard system. A little more expensive than screen making material (which I have used on other tanks) but the D-D rails have a lip on them which means I don't have to use clips to get it to work on my rimless tank so it makes the price difference pretty close.

 

[esquare]

I received a Yellow Watchman Goby from Biota to replace the one that went carpet surfing while I was modifying my mesh top. I also got a Lemonpeel Angelfish to help with my hair algae. I have been quarantining and pre-medicating with copper and Prazipro but I feel like medicating these 2 isn't necessary as they are captive bred from Biota so I plan on just qt'ing with observation for a month then moving them to the DT.

 

[AnomMatty]

Love the build and progress so far!

Especially jealous of the sump room, and how clean the install of all the boards is.

 

[esquare]

Love the build and progress so far!

Especially jealous of the sump room, and how clean the install of all the boards is.

Thank you very much. I've been planning this build for a long time.

Haven't posted much lately as I am battling hair algae. I tried to get my non-existent nutrients up and, of course that blew up in my face.

 

[AnomMatty]

Al part of the process though. Patience is key, at least that's what I hear...

 

[esquare]

Al part of the process though. Patience is key, at least that's what I hear...

Amen

 

[esquare]

Well, Life got in the way of reefing so the tank was neglected for a few months and algae took over. I have started to get it under control but still have a lot to go. My PO4 and NO3 have always measured undetectable but I know the algae is just taking it up. Fortunately though, the fish and coral are doing ok.

I had the fuge light on at 50% for 4 hours a night and the Chaeto died off but the Ulva is still there but not growing. I increase the photoperiod to 8 hours but that didn't really do anything so I increase the intensity to 100% today.

Also, I decided to add what will probably be my last 2 fish, Yellow Eye Spotted Kole Tang and Longnose Hawk Fish with the hopes that the tang will help the algae as the Lemon Peel Angel I previously added did nothing. I am trying Dr. Reef this time for the fish to see how pre-quarantined fish work out for me. I put in the following order and am waiting for everything to finish QT and ship

• Yellow Eye Spotted Kole Tang
• Long Nose Hawk Fish
• Emerald Crab × 2
• Nutramar Tigrio Live Pods 4oz × 1
• Blue Tuxedo Urchin × 1

I also ordered the following from ReefCleaners.org
• 10 Astraea Snails
• 3 Mexican Turbo Snail
• Pods (sampling of a variety of pods )
• Reef Pods Apocyclops
• Reef Pods Tisbe

We'll see if this helps the algae issue.

 

[esquare]

I got my ReefCleaners.org order in and put them in the tank.
• 10 Astraea Snails
• 3 Mexican Turbo Snail
• Pods (sampling of a variety of pods )
• Reef Pods Apocyclops
• Reef Pods Tisbe

2 of the Turbos are just sitting there but one is doing his thing and moving about. Hopefully, the other 2 will wake up soon.

I also added a 11.74 oz bag of Chemi-Pure Elite to the sump to see if that will slow the algae down long enough for the turbos to do some work. When the Tang and Urchin come in hopefully that will help as well.

 

[esquare]

It's been a while since I posted, life gets in the way sometimes.

I decided to replace my Neptune AFS with a Avast Mini Plank. I made this decision based on not being happy with the consistency of pellet volume being dispensed by the AFS and my satisfaction with the Plank feeder dispensing freeze dried. Instead of have 2 separate mounts for the Plank and Mini Plank I decided to 3D print 1 mount for both

I am really happy with how the plank mini works as it dispenses pellets in a much more controlled fashion.

 

[esquare]

Since I added the dual mount for the 2 Avast feeders I decided to change out my D-D Jumpguard for a custom 2 piece 3D printed top

I added a border around the outside of the top because I have butthead fish that like to splash me while I'm sitting at my desk. The border is just wide enough to block the splashes.