SCA 94 Gal (60 x 18 x 20) Build Log

[LMDAVE]

These guys always want to eat

 

[LMDAVE]

Added a small maxima clam the other day. Decided to take some of my left over e-Marco putty and make my own clam stand, after it hardened I dusted it off and place it in the sand. I had the clam higher up in the rock but he seems to like the sand bed, so hopefully he likes the cradle and attaches to it.

@DSC reef do you see any issues with the clam, should it be open more?

 

[LMDAVE]

I've been evaporating water pretty rapidly in this new system (about a gallon a day) so I moved my JBJ ATO system from my old tank to my new tank. The reservoir is just a 5 gal jug (ugly I know) but it sits behind the sofa in an unseen area. I piped CPVC pipe along the back of the stand inbetween the sofa and penetrated through right into the sump.

I want a 10 gal reservoir, and that leads to one of my main complaint about this hobby. We all know everything in this hobby is inflated pricewise, and sometimes you can say its because of unique specialty items. But ATO reservoirs has to be up there for unnecessary price inflation.

10 gallon aquarium from walmart ($14.99)
10 gallon ATO tank from reef supply ($149.99)

Yes I want the vertical tank vs standard aquarium dimensions, but just from a material production standpoint, that's crazy.
I found a 10 gallon food grade water supply container for an RV on amazon with similar ATO reservoir dimensions for $30 plus shipping. I think i'll be going with that.

 

[LMDAVE]

I never knew what these orange polyps were on this branch, a got them a while back, but i’m now calling them my Easter Island polyps for obvious reasons.

 

[NY_Caveman]

LOL! That is awesome!

 

[LMDAVE]

Some updates on the tank.

 

[LMDAVE]

One last one...

 

[LMDAVE]

I’m surprised how well my 3 tangs get along. They was a little nastiness at first, but now they are the 3 amigos. Guess the 3 different body types help.

 

[LMDAVE]

Added a few Jason Fox sps frags in today,

Pink Lemonade:

Tyree Red Dragon

Glowing fingers with cornbread cyphastrea in front

 

[FlyPenFly]

If you're serious about SPS you need even a cheap dosing pump from Jebao and at least the Hanna alkalinity tester.

Also, can you just peel the backing off and make it a peninsula tank?

 

[LMDAVE]

It’s funny you say about the dosing pump, it’s already ordered and will be In tomorrow, Jaebo DP-3, I’ve been getting along well with my Red Sea Alk test kit.

Yeah i though about that originally where the placement of the tank was by I’m actually happy with the backing on. Peninsula would have been ideal for this spot, but also liking what I have right now.

 

[FlyPenFly]

Be super careful about your Alk swings when you're dialing it in. You don't want more than a 1dkh swing per day.

Remember to calibrate your pump as well.

 

[LMDAVE]

Starfish just laying out catching some rays

 

[LMDAVE]

Got my dosing pump and 3 chamber reservoir in today. All calibrated and in place. I programmed Alk at night, calcium in the morning, and a small amount of mag (2 ppm) mid day.

 

[LMDAVE]

I know with reef keeping its hard to ever stop adding and changing equipment. Now that my dosing pump is in, I think I'm at a point where I can sit back and maintain. Just curious, anyone who's following this build, what would be something you would add next?

One thing I've been putting off has been getting an actual check on my true par, like rent a BRS par meter. I have these 4 AI prime lights set at a pretty high intensity, and I guess I'm avoiding the T5 hybrid supplement, but not sure what the real sign is that you would need that.

I'm maintaining parameters around

8.4 Alk
440 Cal
1400 Mag
8.2 pH
0.03 - 0.05 Phos
2-5 Nitrate
1.026 SG
77-78 Temp

Tank has been remaining super clean in DT. My Refugium is kind of confusing. I haven't ever really seen my Chaeto grow much, but all different types of Algae has shown up in the refugium over the last couple of months. Starting with what looked like being Dinos about a month ago, and I physically removed it, then it remained somewhat clean, but back to now having some dark blackish algae in spots and dark brown on refugium sand bed. As long as it stays in there I'm fine with that.

 

[LMDAVE]

Side view with a little of everything

 

[LMDAVE]

Nice group shot of everyone, pretty rare to see them all together...because it was feeding time. Yes they are all named:

Clown Pair (Chloe & Clay)
Yellow Tang (Luna)
PBT (Blue)
Kole Tang (Cole)
Royal Gramma (Maneiri)

And newest addition..
Lyretail Anthias (Rusty)

 

[JoshH]

Nice group shot of everyone, pretty rare to see them all together...because it was feeding time. Yes they are all named:

Clown Pair (Chloe & Clay)
Yellow Tang (Luna)
PBT (Blue)
Kole Tang (Cole)
Royal Gramma (Maneiri)

And newest addition..
Lyretail Anthias (Rusty)

Beautiful system and a great read so far! I've got something to aspire for with my new build coming up.

 

[LMDAVE]

Thanks man, it’s been quite the journey so far!

 

[JoshH]

Thanks man, it’s been quite the journey so far!

It seems like it! One of the things I love about this and other forums is the ability to have build threads. To look back at where you started is always fun and it's even more fun for those of us who can read through your tanks story and learn new things as everyone has a different approach to everything.