220 superbuild

[mtfatwork]

Originally Posted by spazz

its looknig good mary/dustin. goot to see the tank up and running with tones of fish and corals in there. i still say you need some sand to cover the bottom with. i really like the wood work that is being done to the tank. it highlights the tank well.

I have been thinking about sand, but one thing at a time here. I need to get it done before I start making cosmetic changes . You going to Stuckeys tonight?

[mtfatwork]

Originally Posted by W!ZARD

Hey Mary,

Just joined TRT not too long ago, but haven't posted yet! Since I got to see the finished product before this - it has been really cool to read your build thread. I have so much respect for all the work you and Dustin have put into this tank! It really looks great. Keep up the great work!

BTW - I'm Zibba from TCMAS.

- Eric

Thanks Eric!

[spazz]

Originally Posted by mtfatwork

I have been thinking about sand, but one thing at a time here. I need to get it done before I start making cosmetic changes . You going to Stuckeys tonight?

o wow that is tonight? im going to try and make an appearance there.

[mtfatwork]

sorry you couldnt make it last night, but it was a packed house. If not for some trades, I would have just gone another time .


Another public thanks to Spazz who hooked me up with a kick butt CaRx for the tank. I will try to get it online tonight and snap a couple o pics. I also am building a kalk reactor for it out of an old MRC reactor of some sort that I got from a local club member. Will have some pics once I get that under way. I am having some algae issues right now, so my plan of attack is to get the reactors and the water change tanks plumbed in and working so that the corraline can out compete the bad algae, and I will be doing weekly 40+ gallon water changes which will be partially automated for ease of maintenance. I am hoping to have both these projects done by the end of the month, but mid October is probably more realistic.

[mtfatwork]

picture time . Got the CaRx setup at least, and here is a coral shot for you too



encrusting pagoda (this thing is huge for reference the lobo next to it is about an 8" coral)

[mtfatwork]

I should also add that the 1 hogfish is still hapilly living in the rubble rock in the sump. I have a fish trap in there but so far no luck. I think there is an abundance of pods in the rubble so he is just not interested in the mysis . I dont know if I stated this earlier, but I have a 5" lawn mower blenny in the tank now too, so a total 20 fish in the tank now. Also I seem to have turned a corner in the hair algae battle. I pulled a bunch last week and it has not grown back, so I think I may finally be beating it. The CaRx is an Aquatic Acrylics model and kicks butt. No more dosing for Mary Yay! I have not made any progress on the holding tanks as of yet. They are pretty much drilled and ready to go, but I injured my neck last week and have been pretty imobilized since. Going for some fun testing today so hopefully I can get back to tip top shape soon.

[mtfatwork]

Well got the electrical problem worked out today, finally. (Note to self, never let hubby wire anything ever again, no matter what!!!). No more stray voltage in the tank or the equipment. Now I can start working in the tank again. It was really nice to be able to zap aptasia today without getting the crap shocked out of me. Tomorrow I will try to get some basic maintenance done and by mid next week I should have some new pics for you all

[Sndwave80]

Keep the pics coming

[mtfatwork]

FTS:

[mtfatwork]

no comments on my FTS huh... Well I guess I will have to have picture day again this week.

Here are the levels as of this week:
Ca- 500
DKH- 9.5 (still slowly raising it)
Mg- 1300 (still raising this too)

[dobejazz]

Mary the tank looks great! I've been slacking on checking the build threads

[mtfatwork]

Ok, so update time again. Added a Scotts Fairy wrasse last week. In doing so the Temmenikki decided he needed to display his dominance by killing the exquisite. So no more exquisite. One of the lubbocks went carpet surfing (RIP), and one of the female lyretail has gone awol. I am pretty sure she met her demise when I was weaning thier feeding schedule. The rest of the fish are all happy and healthy. I have some hair algae issues, and some aptasia issues, which are not a huge problem right now, but are developing. That combined with the fact that the Trigger used the shell of one of my clams to sharpen his teeth, made the decision that he has to go. So Trigger found a new home last night with a local reefer. I have an order of 150 snails and 12 peppermint shrimp coming in next week, along with some ReVive to treat the corals in the frag tank so I can move them into the display. I have been observing the corals in the frag tank for months now, and none have signs of pests, but I just want to be sure before I put them into the display. My friend that was going to help me with the water change tank stands had to go do harvest for a month, which should be over very soon here, so once we get those done, I think the tank will make a dramatic improvement. Between the water changes and the cleanup crew, I think I will have a pretty bulletproof setup. We have yet to finnish our new skimmer, but we are close. Hubby just got put on 6 days a week 10 hour days, so hopefully we will find time to get the skimmer done before the end of the year. Will try to find time to post pics on my days off this coming week.

[YLChik]

sweet fts I love it!

[mtfatwork]

Sorry I have not been able to update with more pics recently, it is getting to that busy time of year with the kids back to school, hockey starting etc. etc. Anywho heres whats new


Since the trigger is gone and I lost a couple of my small fish, I decided I needed to add a few more, lol.
Here is the stock list as of today:

Scotts Fairy wrasse (2-male and female)
O clowns (mated pair)
Lyretail anthias (3)
Magnificent Foxface (mated pair)
Candy striped hogfish
female lubbocks wrasse
Male Temminikki wrasse
Blonde Naso Tang
Sailfin Tang
Lawn Mower Blenny (this guy is huge!)
Bangii Cardinal
Blue/green Chromis
Orange Spotted Hawkfish

For a total of 18 fish give or take

I have slowly started moving the corals from the frag tank in, which I am hoping to find the time to speed that process soon. Real estate is becoming precious when trying to leave room to grow.

The doors and the rest of the trim for the tank have been made and are just awaiting stain at this point. I just have to figure out how to stain them since it has gotten fairly cold out, and stain is way to stinky to do in the house. Also one of the water change tank stands is nearly complete. Just going to reinforce it a bit since it will be holding about 900 lbs on it when both containers are full.

Tank params as of today:
Mag 1500
Ca 480
Alk 7ish (I am starting to get annoyed with this because I really dont want to have to dose, just turned up the bubble count on the reactor and put the smallest feed pump I could find on it, hopefully this will help )


The hair algae seems to be starting to wither finally, now if I can just get the water change tanks done so I can do a much needed water change, I think things will finally start to look nice. The peppermints seem to be helping with the aptasia as well. I am still nuking full size ones once a week, but the babies seem to be dissapearing


Thats all for now, I will hope for time next week to shoot some pics

[crvz]

Sounds like things are moving along nicely, Mary. Just one thing I think you got confused; nobody cares about hockey, it's basketball season that's stealing our time!

Looking forward to some pictures!