Throwback instant tank budget build***UPDATE***completed

[Mastiffsrule]

Almost time for an update.

I put a curse on myself. I put high tech led on my old school throw back tank and it got me. I was running 2 AI 52hd since I had them lying around and figured I would put coral in the tank. And of course, there were no high end led in 80’’s and 90’s so this happened. I am going back to t5. I would do MH but too much retro fit to set it up. Otherwise no fish loss, disease, numbers stable. Been very happy.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Small changes, time for quick update.

I finished stocking the tank with fish. They yellow tail damsels I have been looking for finally appeared. $10 EACH!! If you are really old school you can remember buying these 3 for $4.99. Anyway, had to grab them to finish the tank.

Also threw in a Duncan and blasto from WWC sale. Have not solved my lamp problems yet, so just running 1 AI 52 right now. I‘m scouting T5 for the tank. I also threw some extra rock in and redid the scape.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Small changes, time for quick update.

I finished stocking the tank with fish. They yellow tail damsels I have been looking for finally appeared. $10 EACH!! If you are really old school you can remember buying these 3 for $4.99. Anyway, had to grab them to finish the tank.

Also threw in a Duncan and blasto from WWC sale. Have not solved my lamp problems yet, so just running 1 AI 52 right now. I‘m scouting T5 for the tank. I also threw some extra rock in and redid the scape.

looking good! Damsels are still $5 each around here. Just thinking I have a whopping $20 worth of fish in my tank.. lol

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Ran tests this weekend. Sorry no pics just yet. Very happy with the ESV salt. Every number is right on when mixed. I am not dosing this tank. The only thing I am finding is the need to supplement alk.

I did catch my flame angel nipping my acan. Kinda mad, but love the flame more. I added a few coral from the last live sale so will update some pics later.

I lost 1 of the 5 yellow tail I brought home. I could tell day 2 he was being picked on. Everyone else is doing good.

So, year to date only losses in this tank we’re all aggressive related. The 3 velvet and now the 1 yellow tail, so overall I’m happy.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Had to share this update.

Finally got my lazy but to send in an RMA ticket to AI to get my 2 HD 52’s looked at. Huge props to #Aquaillumination . They fixed both lamps and shipped them back in less than 2 weeks. Replaced the bad drivers causing the issue and even replaced a cracked lens. Shipped it back, no charge for anything, WOW. Cost me a whole $14 to ship to them. Just put them back up.

One thing I found interesting in 2 months with no light was the lack of algae in the tank. I have always been a believer that the wrong light combination contributes more to its growth than parameters. This tank sits righ next to a window with the shade open. Current parameters are ph 7.9, alk 7.7, No3 25, Po4 is over 1 and not a spec of algae. I have no coral in There, so I set the lights 50% blues and whites as below. Be interested to see if algae grows.

anyway..

 

[Difrano]

Great build! I would love to have enough room for more than one tank

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Another update,

Have not touched the tank since last update. Have not even had to clean the glass. Still no algae. I did loose my first fish that I cannot contribute to aggression. My flame tang stopped eating. No signs of disease, no strange behavior or breathing. No matter the food, would not eat. Really bummed.

This tank is a good example of how lighting affects algae as much if not more than nutrients. Ever since i had to send the led in for repair and the tank sat dark it has been clean. It sit next to a window and has crazy high numbers but no issues. knock wood.

 

[ScottR]

It’s done,

summary to follow on the build in the next few day. Too tired now.

. What was an empty tank Thursday now looks like an established tank filled and running. At the risk of being shamed by the community I may not put coral in this. I was thinking leathers, but the Florida rock is so nice I may not want to mess with it

I missed all of this. Need to check out the rest of your build. Love seeing people go the real live rock route.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I missed all of this. Need to check out the rest of your build. Love seeing people go the real live rock route.

Thanks bro. I have been so neglecting it. It’s been on autopilot. I think I’ve done 3 or 4 water changes since I put it up. still not sure if I am leaving it fish only. The tanks across from my desk so I can see my flame and Clown perfectly. Why mess with it now.

Are you planning on moving or staying put?

 

[ScottR]

Thanks bro. I have been so neglecting it. It’s been on autopilot. I think I’ve done 3 or 4 water changes since I put it up. still not sure if I am leaving it fish only. The tanks across from my desk so I can see my flame and Clown perfectly. Why mess with it now.

Are you planning on moving or staying put?

Hey there bro. Let me sleep on your couch and I’ll have your tank lookin cute in no time.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hey there bro. Let me sleep on your couch and I’ll have your tank lookin cute in no time.

Too many Scott’s on R2R, imagine in my house

You‘re welcome here anytime. Just bring some live shells you have laying around.

Good luck getting a spot on the couch though. ;Nailbiting. Excuse her position, no manners

 

[ScottR]

Too many Scott’s on R2R, imagine in my house

You‘re welcome here anytime. Just bring some live shells you have laying around.

Good luck getting a spot on the couch though. ;Nailbiting. Excuse her position, no manners

In that case, I’ll take the floor....

 

[najer]

I popped across from the live rock thread, great job, I hope your algae comes back.

 

[Bleigh]

Small changes, time for quick update.

I finished stocking the tank with fish. They yellow tail damsels I have been looking for finally appeared. $10 EACH!! If you are really old school you can remember buying these 3 for $4.99. Anyway, had to grab them to finish the tank.

Also threw in a Duncan and blasto from WWC sale. Have not solved my lamp problems yet, so just running 1 AI 52 right now. I‘m scouting T5 for the tank. I also threw some extra rock in and redid the scape.

I love the combination you have in here!

 

[LRT]

How'd I miss all that?

 

[KrisReef]

How'd I miss all that?

I'm glad someone bumped this cause I saw the start and fell off waiting for the weather to clear in FLA so the divers could fetch the living superstructure.

Beautiful thread, great details, and interesting dialogue.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Closing in on a year so I figured quick update. I have given up on coral for now in this tank. Just don’t have time to take care of it. I just cleaned if after a long time. Cyano coated glass so bad was not sure fish were in there.

Here some pics of the little fishies I got the day after I filled the tank and put them in and then pics today. Flame angel, hawk, clown, one shrimp, most of the damsels still alive all doing well, no cycle ever occurred. The losses incurred were mostly aggression related due to 1 meanie damsel.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

It’s been almost 20 months on my FOWLR tank. Set it up in 1 day and fully stocked the next. Happy to report several of the original gang are still around. The ones that didn’t make it were bullied by one poop head velvet damsel.

Still have flame angel, all the 3 stripes, clown, and 1 shrimp. The velvet damsel took out all the blues and I think a gorilla crab hitch hiker got 1 shrimp before I pulled him. The hawk went to the 180.

The wet dry and Rio pump are flawless. I put in a green killing machine a year ago. Not a spot of algae on the rock. Really not doing much else since it is in my office and I am not working anymore

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