This is it. My last build thread

[exnisstech]

I cant comment on the harlys safety with the nem, I dont really do nems. I have had harlequin shrimp in the past though. What do you plan on doing for food once they destroy the stars in that tank? I had a pair years ago and it took them very little time to decimate the star population in my 120 and in the 125. I was going out and buying 100s of asterina stars every couple weeks and then on to cc stars for a while. They are awesome creatures just kind of a pain to feed.

I was planning on cc stars. Fugured I could keep a few in sumps and rotate them out or remove limbs to feed. I had one a few years ago and I agree they can be a hassle to feed.

think it's a crap shoot w haddoni , would recommend leaving some type of moonlight on all night... :thinking-face:
worked with lg carpet and lg angels n puffers ,till it didn't, but lg dogface got spooked ,darted into under full lights ,seen ,grabbed but was too late...:rolleyes::)

Ya I lost a bunch of fish to a large green haddoni a few years back so I don't keep them in community tanks any longer. The clarkii is the only fish in with the blue one. I have a couple of peppermints in with the haddoni and they are fine but they're also $10 shrimp. The harlequin is captive raised and a lot more expensive so odds are it would probably walk right into the nem lol. Maybe I'll toss some asterinas in the other two tanks and see if they populate and I can rotate the shrimp between tanks. Worst case I can rehome the shrimp he's just so interesting to watch.

 

[ScottD]

Your tank is looking good. What are your thoughts on the surf ats? Do you feel that’s its made a big difference? Would you use it again on a future tank? I’m thinking about adding one to my system now instead of running chaeto in a refugium.

 

[T4ylor]

It's been staying steady at 24.5c (76f) and house temps have been as low as 67.

i keep my tank at 24.9-25.2c

 

[exnisstech]

Your tank is looking good. What are your thoughts on the surf ats? Do you feel that’s its made a big difference? Would you use it again on a future tank? I’m thinking about adding one to my system now instead of running chaeto in a refugium.

I've been happy with it. I can't really say it made a difference because I added it at start up so I have nothing to compare it to. N and P have been steady around 10-15ppm and 0.25-0.4 which is very similar to the tank I replaced with this one. I have not had any nuisance algae to deal with in the DT. I have some life suff that has been going on for the last few weeks so I've not been keeping up on things as I should so N and P were a bit elevated when I tested this morning but that's on me. One thing I really like is the constant supply of algae for the tangs and not having to feed nori. I just keep the algae I harvest in a container and toss some in a few times a day and they eat it like spaghetti.
I like it well enough I added a smaller version to my problem child tank to see if it helps with my gha outbreak I've been battling in there for over a year. It seems to be helping but I can't say for sure it's the ATS since I'm doing a lot of manual removal also.

 

[VintageReefer]

Your tank is looking good. What are your thoughts on the surf ats? Do you feel that’s its made a big difference? Would you use it again on a future tank? I’m thinking about adding one to my system now instead of running chaeto in a refugium.

The surf 2 is the only source of filtration I run on my reef. I don’t use a skimmer or floss or fleece rollers or anything else. I’ve been filtering reefs with the surf for 10 years. My tank thread is up to date with pics. Happy to discuss via dm if you want more peoples experiences

 

[ScottD]

I've been happy with it. I can't really say it made a difference because I added it at start up so I have nothing to compare it to. N and P have been steady around 10-15ppm and 0.25-0.4 which is very similar to the tank I replaced with this one. I have not had any nuisance algae to deal with in the DT. I have some life suff that has been going on for the last few weeks so I've not been keeping up on things as I should so N and P were a bit elevated when I tested this morning but that's on me. One thing I really like is the constant supply of algae for the tangs and not having to feed nori. I just keep the algae I harvest in a container and toss some in a few times a day and they eat it like spaghetti.
I like it well enough I added a smaller version to my problem child tank to see if it helps with my gha outbreak I've been battling in there for over a year. It seems to be helping but I can't say for sure it's the ATS since I'm doing a lot of manual removal also.

That sounds like a pretty good endorsement to me. Thank you.

 

[ScottD]

The surf 2 is the only source of filtration I run on my reef. I don’t use a skimmer or floss or fleece rollers or anything else. I’ve been filtering reefs with the surf for 10 years. My tank thread is up to date with pics. Happy to discuss via dm if you want more peoples experiences

Thanks Vintage, I actually already reached out to you a week or so ago and you sent me here. Thank you again for your help and info, I really appreciate it.

 

[exnisstech]

11/8/24 Update

Video of the tank.



NO3 has been rising a bit at 20, not bad I know but PO4 climbed to 0.65. Not the end of the world but I'd rather keep it more consistant and a little closer to 0.3-0.4. I decided to add a skimmer since I have some in storage.
It started pulling stuff out right away

Once I had it all running I took a look at the ATS and found out the timer for the lights had crapped out. Gonna leave the skimmer in for now.

I had to move the two sinularia in the center of the tank because one was looking bad. They were attached to the same rock so it was easy. When I moved them over from the previous tank I placed the rock so the bottom of one wasn't getting light or flow and it started dying off at the base. Live and learn. It had stuff growing in the stalk like I find if I pull a rock out from a cryptic area. Really small brittle tubes. I figure some filter feeder.

I carved the stalk down to good flesh and tied it on to a piece of rock so hopefully it will attach.

I moved this cutie up from the basement and added it to the bedroom tank. Hopefully it'll stay out of the haddoni. I had my yellow banded possum wrasse in there for quite a while and all was good.

Man overboard
Not a fan of these since I've had them eat coral flesh. This dude was huge compared to any I've had in the past.

It is currently being held prisoner by the harlequin shrimp in the dining room. Sorry couldn't get a good shot.

I really like my peppermint shrimp.
These are in the dining room. I have two in the bedroom also. All aiptasia are confined to the overflows and sump.


Thanks and good night

 

[exnisstech]

My confidant

At rest

 

[VintageReefer]

I too have been there where things started elevating and I didn’t known why, and my mechanical timer for the scrubber leds appeared like it was working but it want.

Get this
https://a.co/d/9iU4iup
It’s outdoor rated for water resistance and has 2 independent outlets controlled by an app and wifi. You can set the scrubber airpump to be on 24x7 and the led lights to be on whatever schedule you want. I liked it so much I bought a second for another tank.

Tank looks great! I love the fish selections

 

[exnisstech]

Sorry if this has been discussed and I missed it. I'm a little slow to get a hold of things at times but does anyone besides myself feel like we're being quizzed to build a data base with the questions being asked lately? Appologies to those laughing because it took me this long to figure it out :face-with-hand-over-mouth:


On to reef related content. Oops sorry, getting my feet licked is better than any fish tank stuff :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

OK more non reef related content.
I'm happy to say we have my Gals Mother living with us.
She's pretty old and has Parkinsons. The alternative to her living with us is living in a nursing home which I'm not fond of. I'm banking karma credits and enjoying trying to make her end of life not suck.

 

[twentyleagues]

Sorry if this has been discussed and I missed it. I'm a little slow to get a hold of things at times but does anyone besides myself feel like we're being quizzed to build a data base with the questions being asked lately? Appologies to those laughing because it took me this long to figure it out :face-with-hand-over-mouth:


On to reef related content. Oops sorry, getting my feet licked is better than any fish tank stuff :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

OK more non reef related content.
I'm happy to say we have my Gals Mother living with us.
She's pretty old and has Parkinsons. The alternative to her living with us is living in a nursing home which I'm not fond of. I'm banking karma credits and enjoying trying to make her end of life not suck.

I moved my mom in with me a year ago and while its not ideal its my mom and she isnt in the best of health. She shouldnt be at the end of her life yet but having her in Colardo and me in Michigan didnt sit well with me. I now see why my ex had a hard time with my stubbornness and I see where I get it from.

 

[exnisstech]

I moved my mom in with me a year ago and while its not ideal its my mom and she isnt in the best of health. She shouldnt be at the end of her life yet but having her in Colardo and me in Michigan didnt sit well with me. I now see why my ex had a hard time with my stubbornness and I see where I get it from.

We didn't realize how bad her mom was until I put cameras up in her apartment. She was a danger to herself and the other residents so we had to step in. It's not ideal but it's better than watching her waste away in a facility. Sad part is she has 8 kids and my Gal and one sister are the only ones that have anything to do with her. I've known the family for 56 years and there is no reason for them to behave like they are. Sad but such is life.
Thanks for listening

 

[exnisstech]

Happy Tanks Giving everyone. Not been a lot going on with the tanks. NO3 and PO4 are climbing a bit even with the scrubber growing good and skimmer running. Last test had NO3 at 21.7 and PO4 0.68 Tank still looks good so I'm just keeping an eye on things. I really over feed probably like I really really over feed but I so like my fish fat and how can I say no to these guys?

I should probably move the pellet food to the other end of the house instead of keeping them next to the tank lol
Few quick snap shots from today.

I don't know what I'm going to put up on the now bare rock where the acro colony was that RTNed. Need to find some light loving softies or turn the llights down in that area. I don't think many sps except monti caps are going to be happy with the N and P levels in here. I did add a chunk of orange monti down lower that I pulled from the acro tank.

Harliquin is doing a good job cleaning up the asterinas in the reefer 300. He was climbing up the back hunting them down this morning

FTS to be able to look at later to compare growth.

Free miyagi tort encrusting frags to anyone wanting to pick up ;) . Lfs doesn't seem to be interested and I don't know what to do with them. I threw away about 20 when I broke all the tall branches off the colony because they were getting too tall.

The frags

I really miss my Niger trigger that I had to rehome after 6 years because he started eating my fleshy LPS. I no longer keep fleshy LPS so welcome Niger 2. I know unique name right? Every time I've named a fish they have been the first to die so I stopped naming them years ago. He was at the LFS for a few months but I placed him in my observation QT as a precaution.

Added a CC star also as a backup food source for the Harliquin but shouldn't need it for a while since I have asterinas in the WB as well as the 300. My grandson thought the star was cool. He saw it as soon as he looked at the tank. He wants to make the rounds and look at everything when he come over.

That's it for now. Thanks for stopping by.

 

[exnisstech]

Just watching the reefer 300 and thinking how well the two tangs get along together in a smaller tank. These two have been together a bit over a year. I've never seen a tail smack or a chase. They never swim laps. They are a bit shy to people but they do come out when I feed. Other fish are a sixline and electric blue damsel. I think one of the keys to a peaceful tank is not to over crowd it and offer plenty of food. Lots of rock with swim throughs and caves is also needed.
I know how I feel when I'm cramped with too many people, I imagine fish feel similar. Then make me fight for food to survive and bad stuff is probably gonna happen.

Post Thanksgiving ramblings over.

 

[mch1984]

Happy Tanks Giving everyone. Not been a lot going on with the tanks. NO3 and PO4 are climbing a bit even with the scrubber growing good and skimmer running. Last test had NO3 at 21.7 and PO4 0.68 Tank still looks good so I'm just keeping an eye on things. I really over feed probably like I really really over feed but I so like my fish fat and how can I say no to these guys?

I should probably move the pellet food to the other end of the house instead of keeping them next to the tank lol
Few quick snap shots from today.

I don't know what I'm going to put up on the now bare rock where the acro colony was that RTNed. Need to find some light loving softies or turn the llights down in that area. I don't think many sps except monti caps are going to be happy with the N and P levels in here. I did add a chunk of orange monti down lower that I pulled from the acro tank.

Harliquin is doing a good job cleaning up the asterinas in the reefer 300. He was climbing up the back hunting them down this morning

FTS to be able to look at later to compare growth.

Free miyagi tort encrusting frags to anyone wanting to pick up ;) . Lfs doesn't seem to be interested and I don't know what to do with them. I threw away about 20 when I broke all the tall branches off the colony because they were getting too tall.

The frags

I really miss my Niger trigger that I had to rehome after 6 years because he started eating my fleshy LPS. I no longer keep fleshy LPS so welcome Niger 2. I know unique name right? Every time I've named a fish they have been the first to die so I stopped naming them years ago. He was at the LFS for a few months but I placed him in my observation QT as a precaution.

Added a CC star also as a backup food source for the Harliquin but shouldn't need it for a while since I have asterinas in the WB as well as the 300. My grandson thought the star was cool. He saw it as soon as he looked at the tank. He wants to make the rounds and look at everything when he come over.

That's it for now. Thanks for stopping by.

Tank is looking great, wish I was closer to take you up on the frag. Hope you had a great thanksgiving.

 

[exnisstech]

Tank is looking great, wish I was closer to take you up on the frag. Hope you had a great thanksgiving.

Me too. Eventually they're going to outgrow the rack lol

 

[exnisstech]

The gang in the WB are getting along pretty peacefully as a group. I'm seeing less fin damage on the yellows so hopefully that continues. Not many things more relaxing for me than watching a nice group of fish without having to watch fighting and chasing going on.

 

[exnisstech]

Finally pulled the trigger on a whole home generator. Its expensive but still less than I have invested (not that it's really an investment) in the tanks and livestock. Also feeding the dogs a raw diet at times we have upwards of 100lbs of food in the freezer. We have some people food too lol. I think our pets eat better than we do. I went with a propane version since we have a 500g tank already here. I hope I don't need it but I look at it like insurance, its totally worthless untill you need it then it's worth every penny spent for it.
They did the calculations and since we live in a small home 18k should power our whole house.

 

[exnisstech]

I love hot water heaters. You never have to get rid of anything that's magnetic