saltwater aquarium build

[troybuckle]

So after yet another flood last night, I had to remove my sump. Im sad about this, but it had to be done. I went ahead and got this canister filter it’s a Rena Filstar xP4. Sort of overkill for my 50g, but what the hell.

Set up was easy and the system is very clean and silent. It looks like a good system, I should be able to trust it more then my sump.

I don’t know a lot about these types of filters though. This one has four baskets where I can run all sorts of different things listed on the second pic. Right now all I have is some basic sponge, bio-stars, and bio-chen zorb. I also filled one basket with live rock rubble from my sump.

I think I am going to get some Nitra-Zorb and some zeolite ammonia remover, for another basket. Anyone have any other suggestions? I have lots of room to run other things.

Last note: I want to get a cheep hang on back skimmer to go with this as well, anyone have any suggestions?

 

[little_fish]

Personally, i wouldnt run the canister, but since you have it make sure you are cleaning out the media once a week. I would run either the nitrate or phosphate stuff.

A really good HOB skimmer is the reef octopus skimmer

 

[mufflerfist]

just moved to newfoundland and stumbled on this thread... Awesome tank.. Hey Troy if your still around drop me a message and we'll get together....

 

[troybuckle]

Hey guys, I’ve been luring a lot lately and not posting much so here is an update and pics on the major development with my tank.
· My new canister filter is working very good. It has 4 baskets, in the first one I’m using Bio-zorb and Nitra-zorb, in the second I have ammonia-zorb and bio balls, and the last two are full of liverock rubble.

· My Zoas in the center of the tank are dying, I think they were starved for light because a huge bush was growing on the rock above them and draped them in shadows.

· I have 2 huge bristle-worms in the tank they are 6-7” at least. When I was removing the above mentioned bush, I grabbed one of them and ended up with about 30 spikes in the tip of my finger. It didn’t hurt a lot but it wasn’t fun either.

· I hate Pulsing Xenias, or whatever those pink flowers are. The hitchhiked in and are fringing everywhere, every time I do a water change I cut them off, but they comeback even stronger. Is there any way I can get rid of them?

· I finely got around to changing my lights in my T5 fixture, now I have three 15k whites (use to run 10k) two blue antics and one purple antic.

· I just recently pick up a used HOB Skimmer and set it up.

· Lost another fire-fish, some snails and a hermit crab has died.

· I got a flame angel a long time ago and he is doing awesome he like to swing with my 6-line.

· I had a huge outbreak of some sort of vine leave plant, but is starting to die off (pics somewhere).

· I just put in a frag rack and I’m hoping to make some frags to give to a friend and for some store credit.

· Lost both Korella power heads and got a new one, but it’s not that great.

· Also during the flood that made me get rid of my sump it also ruined the System Lab, for my Reef Keeper Lite which controls my probs. I have a new one on the way along with some moonlights and a new Korella powerhead.

That’s about it, everything else is great my levels stay normal my fish are health and happy and most of my coral are growing! Pics!!

 

[troybuckle]

Green Plant thing that was everywhere

New Powerhead

Canister Filter

Lights and Skimmer

 

[troybuckle]

 

[troybuckle]

This was the weird bush that I trimmed down about 95%.

 

[troybuckle]

Dyeing Zoas and red mushrooms taking over

Frag Rack

New Small Zoas

I can’t remember what this coral is called, does anyone know?

 

[troybuckle]

 

[little_fish]

Wow. Lots of pictures

Looks good, if you clean your powerheads in a vinegar and water soak they will last much longer. And I think the coral in question is a horn coral

 

[troybuckle]

Thanks for ID-ing that coral. I use to do that with my powerheads but it didn’t work. I think what happen is that when I first set up my Reef Keeper Light, I had them on pulsating and after a month or so they began to cut in in reverse so I think I damaged them back then. However, there were the Korela Evolutions and I thought they could be used that way. Oh well, lesson learned.

 

[ErinCahir]

HOLY PICTURES, Batman!!

Looks good, though!!

 

[troybuckle]

So it been a while since i posted and a lot has happened. I am moving out of my place to a new town about 1600 KM and a boat ride away. So I have to move my fish, corals and rock that far. Its a two day drive at best.
So far I have taken my tank out of the wall and placed half of my rock and fish into a temporary tank during the move. This was a slow process which took about a month. I also set up another tank in my new place but had to down size to a 35-40g tank. I moved half of my rocks down there by placing them into a 5g bucket with saltwater from my tank and i also put a power head in the bucket. I had the power head running almost constantly for then entire drive. Along with the new tank I also had to get a new powerhead, stand and a reef octopus HOB skimmer. This tank has been set up for 3 weeks now and all levels are good.
I am about to send my Clowns down on a direct flight in cargo so they should be out of this tank and into the new one in about 6 hours and now im starting to get worried about the rest of the move especially the fish., but i have to have everything down finished by the 28th Any ideas?

 

[troybuckle]

Pic of temporary tank:(

 

[cvcdrk]

Thanks for bumping this topic. Watching your in-wall build was truly fun!

It was pretty disappointing when it sort of went backwards really fast there losing the sump to a canister filter and then moving, but I enjoyed it none the less and your tank is beautiful!

Are you going to be doing anything interesting with the tank in the new place?

 

[troybuckle]

Well here are some of my fish and snails about to take a flight to their new home, hopefully they make it alright.

 

[FishyReef]

Wow, good luck! I hope they make it okay - keep us posted!

 

[troybuckle]

They made the flight and are in there new home!

 

[little_fish]

Hurray!

 

[troybuckle]

Update!!
So everything made the move and is doing well for the last month.
I had some problems with the water quality and levels spiking after the move but by doing water changes every day for a week I got it under control. I only lost a few snails.
My reef octopus skimmer is working awesome to!
Anyway here are some pics: