PhilMStudy 75G mixed reef (most likely) thread

[PhilMStudy]

A little delayed, 3 weeks in and ammonia completely disappearing daily after day 12... still floored by that but had lots of help from locals (Lisa and Michael were huge help and I still owe them dinner).

first three are at night time tonight, other pics are progress pics of sort as I was figuring out rock layout I wanted. Lots of epoxy/glue in settling points, rock on glass bottom.

75G standard rectangle with eurobracing
Octopus 1000HOB
2 HOB boxes with reef rocks and filled with pods, one will also have chaeto soon
One Radion xw30 gen 3 or 2
One radion xr15 pro g4
(Both turned way down and programmed)
Two gyres

I added a small cuc from reefcleaners thursday, all algae eaters except for two feather dusters
John there is great!
Carlos at coralvue is also amazing!

it has been more than a decade since I’ve kept a marine tank of any type, addiction is in full swing again. Not adding any fish or more crew for a couple of weeks to see if anything spikes but not enjoying it lol

please lmk what you think, rock work sits about half way up tank, wanted to keep plenty of space for vertical growth as well as swimming areas

 

[PhilMStudy]

Almost entirely oolite sandbed with some crushed coral in areas flow was blowing it around

my feather dusters prefer facing the rocks, they’re shy, what else can I say

 

[PhilMStudy]

Today

 

[PhilMStudy]

It’s been a few more weeks, about 6 since last update... we are about 10-12 weeks in for system. Added a fuge/sump about 3 weeks ago (knew I would be away from home more so I needed that for my own sanity).
40g breeder setup, I’ve stress tested it for power loss, power head loss and siphon disruption. Total water in system is close to 100g now.
Pics to follow.

 

[PhilMStudy]

 

[PhilMStudy]

Sea lettuce, red ogo, and chaeto are the macro in the fuge, used a tunze submersible for the light.

 

[PhilMStudy]

The water clarity has improved tremendously over the last few weeks, parameters remain extremely stable (I even bought nyos test kits to add to Hanna kits just to make sure I’m not doing something wrong).

currently stocked with:
One blood orange clown, one clown pair
Midas Blenny (such a beautiful fish)
Court Jester Goby
Cleaner shrimp
2 feather dusters
3-4 emerald crabs
2-3 hermit crabs
Snails (they keep reproducing too)

I have purchased a few frags from AquaSD as well over last 3-4 weeks. Mainly different zoa frags and I’m trying my hand a couple of alveopora frags and couple other LPS frags I won at a pretty inexpensive price.

Still waiting to take off with any big purchases and thanks to regular water changes my parameters and trace elements have been extremely stable.

Pic before lights out last night, usually run AB+ schedule for 8ish hours a day