SCA 150 Mixed but mostly Sticks build

[josvanmeer]

Where did you get your plumbing supplies? I’ve been looking at BRS trying to do some preplanning. Tank is looking good.

The blue pipe came from brs everything else from lowes

 

[josvanmeer]

Filled up, no leaks now but did have to fight a bulkhead that was leaking. All good now.
Need some more rodi to fill the sump to where it needs to be and we are in business.

 

[josvanmeer]

The tank is now filled and running with the pump, no leaks.
Waiting a day before I dump 50lbs of salt in there

 

[josvanmeer]

Also would like to add I currently have a Bluehead Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura) and a Yellow Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus) in quarantine. The yellow wrasse is not looking too good, seems to have some type of discoloration on her head. I will keep an eye on her, I want to make sure they are eating first before I start medicating.

I dont have any good pics of them yet, they are quite shy at the moment, maybe they will be out and swimming tomorrow.

 

[josvanmeer]

Tank didnt leak overnight; bonedry bulkheads and plumbing.

Time to add the salt.

I put the mesh lid together but seeing this on my tank, it doesnt really have any weight to it which I wish it would have but I dont think fish are strong enough to actually bump it lose or anything.

 

[josvanmeer]

Tank reached 35ppt yesterday. Seeded the sump with a giant rock from my other sump and transferred some display rock over.

Water is still a bit cloudy from the aragonite but its clearing pretty good; added some polyfill to help with this. Skimmer is still getting worked in; overflowing is all it is doing right now.

A hermit crab and my clownfish are the only inhabitants for now. Will slowly move livestock over the course of a week.

The two wrasse in quarantine are eating well; I am proceeding with general cure.

 

[Zach B]

Looks awesome. I'm hoping to do my stand as well as yours! Going to start next week

 

[josvanmeer]

Looks awesome. I'm hoping to do my stand as well as yours! Going to start next week

Yeah if I would build one again I would do some things differently but if this is your first time building one, I can for sure help you with that.

 

[josvanmeer]

The two wrasse are doing great in quarantine. Almost done with general cure session. Starting with copper after that. They are eating everything I feed them. The blue headed wrasse is very shy I am hoping he warms up.

Included pictures or running tank. All livestock and rock has been transferred. Still a lot of cable management to do, and aquascaping.

I can now work on clearing out the garage of all the boxes and pallets, and park my car back in there!

 

[josvanmeer]

Redid some rocks in a more permanent spot; moved some coral around as well.

The two wrasse in quarantine finish their general cure today and they are doing good; the bluehead fairy wrasse is not a fan of flakes so thats kind of a bummer. I am starting copper treatment now.

 

[Oberst Hajj]

Nice looking build and the stand looks really nice with your other cabinets. What are your thoughts on the Fiji Cube sump? I'm looking at their 44 for the 270g tank I'm building now.

 

[josvanmeer]

Nice looking build and the stand looks really nice with your other cabinets. What are your thoughts on the Fiji Cube sump? I'm looking at their 44 for the 270g tank I'm building now.

I really like the fiji sump, I dont mess with triton method so skimmer first is good. Some of the acrylic is quite rough and sharp on the openings topside but a little fine sanding takes care of that. Overall nice and roomy and is good quality.

 

[benapilot]

Looks great!

How much sand did you use? And what kind is that?

 

[josvanmeer]

Looks great!

How much sand did you use? And what kind is that?

Aragonite, 60lbs. I do not like deep beds; this covers the entire tank and maybe like an inch or so. Perfect for me

 

[Oberst Hajj]

I really like the fiji sump, I dont mess with triton method so skimmer first is good. Some of the acrylic is quite rough and sharp on the openings topside but a little fine sanding takes care of that. Overall nice and roomy and is good quality.

Thanks. I can do some light sanding on the edges if needed.

 

[josvanmeer]

Started to add stocking. Chelmon Marginalis arrived from TSM Aquatics. Really happy with it. Initially the Yellow Tang showed aggression but that has mostly stopped over night and I have stopped worrying about it already.

Also have added a Black Widow anemone. It was a close call in shipped but it survived and has settled in nicely as well. Beautiful.

Also got 14 SPS frags in this week and will now start on my Acro journey.

I had a mille and some monti that were doing well in the tank so I am ramping up the sticks.

Besides Cherry Bomb Acro, Birds or Paradise Birdsnest, Three different stylos I cannot identify any of these acros so I guess it will all be a surprise when they get bigger

I am setting up dosing soon and will dose with Tropic Marin All for Reef using the Bulk Reef Supply 10L kit. Steep price to pay up front but I think it will make it very cost effective in the long run. Alk has been dropping quite fast over the past weeks so dosing is definitely necessary.

Also went ahead and started the Aquamaxx GFO Reactor to control phosphates. I feed very heavy and its working like a charm.

Nitrates are still struggling to climb from zero but I think those will go up once mote fish enter the DT.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

I am setting up dosing soon and will dose with Tropic Marin All for Reef using the Bulk Reef Supply 10L kit. Steep price to pay up front but I think it will make it very cost effective in the long run. Alk has been dropping quite fast over the past weeks so dosing is definitely necessary.

I currently use this for my RedSea Reefer 250. total system about 70 gallons with attached frag tank. It works great but I am at the extent for this system. ATM I am dosing 78 ML a day. Heavy SPS system. It is a little cheeper to buy each piece separately then as the kit. The mag portion will last for 20L.

 

[Bosco83]

Your setup looks great! I'm looking at the same light that you have and I just wanted your input on how you are liking it and if you feel that it provides enough coverage for a 60" tank?

 

[josvanmeer]

Your setup looks great! I'm looking at the same light that you have and I just wanted your input on how you are liking it and if you feel that it provides enough coverage for a 60" tank?

More than enough. You actually have to be careful running blue channels and uv at max because most LPS will start to overcook at that point. I have mine hanging at 16” high with blue channels at 80% and uv at 80%. White around 35% max and red and green at 20%
That way it grows SPS in the entire tank. If you run a mixed coral tank or more LPS you definitely have to set it lower

 

[Bosco83]

Awesome thanks for the response!