Yet another tank build...

[jonnosteams]

I had almost given up on clams due to the T-5s, but a LFS in the area has a Deresa under T-5s IN THE SHADE! AND a Blue Maxima in a display tank that were full mantle and have been in there for more than 6 months. They were about 18" from the light fixture (like I have) and like I said the Deresa was shaded.

Makes me wonder how good those lights actually are.

I may give it a try in the fall.

[PowerManJ316]

I dont think you'll have any trouble keeping Derasa's with pure T-5. Really, I think you could keep any clam happy with T-5's. Just keep the maxima's and crocea's towards the top and the Squamies, deresa's, and gigas can really be anywhere.

[jonnosteams]

Great, thanks for the info!

[jonnosteams]

Latest update... things are still green but getting better. Added 2 Turbo snails the size of a tennis ball. They're definately making a big dent in the green.

The AquaC skimmer is constantly pulling gunk out and the POS skimmer still is not.

The fuge is really starting to take off and noticed the two hitch-hiker, white feather dusters have doubled in size.

Also got to play with my new Sybon refractometer. Wow, what a big difference between that and the Coralife Deep Six swing arm. the swing arm was reading 1.025 and the Sybon was reading 1.031(after calibration).

Will post some pics once the camera is charged!

[jonnosteams]

Just to show that I'm 'going green'...

[jonnosteams]

Everyone goes green at some point... The hard part is not to get discouraged!

[jonnosteams]

I do have coraline starting to spread now... it's just hard to see.

[jonnosteams]

Added more hermits and snails last night. Going to do a water change and start raising the Alk in the hopes that that will help with the hair, diatom, and cyno.

[jonnosteams]

Have another overflow on order... Hopefully it will be here next week. Between that and an additional pump, I should be able to increase my flow considerably and help keep the display cleaner.

Coraline is still growing albeit slowly and the calcified tube worms? are growing well. the softies are growing VERY well.

[jonnosteams]

Have an additional overflow on its way, should be here today or tomorrow. I increased the diameter of the drain piping from 3/4" to 3". Got the Mag12 going full blast right now! The only problem now is that the discharge is causing my skimmers to skim wet due to the added turbulence. Guess I'm redesigning the sump this weekend. It will only get worse when I add the second return pump.

[PowerManJ316]

Nice progress...you could always add a tang or a foxface to help you with that algae

[jonnosteams]

Originally Posted by PowerManJ316

Nice progress...you could always add a tang or a foxface to help you with that algae

I've got a X-Large Yellow Tang!

As of last night there are 0 Nitrates and 0 Phosphates.

I've gotten the second overflow installed and plumbed. Definately need an additional pump. The Mag12 just won't handle the increase in return.

I'm looking at yanking the fuge out of the sump and moving into a separate 15g. Since I can't find a bulkhead to fit the hole that's already drilled, thinking about glueing an elbow to the outside since it's not pressurized.

[jonnosteams]

Well, it's been a bit since the last update.

Moved the fuge out of the sump to a bigger tank sitting on top of sump.

Added a Mag24 return in addition to the Mag12 both dialed back... Two large HOB overflows with two u-tube each, can't handle full flow.

Changed drain plumbing from tank to sump to 2.5". return plumbing is 3/4 for the mag12 and 1" for mag24.

Added, and Frank will be happy, a new Octopus 200 recirculating skimmer. Did not realize it was so BIG! Using a Maxi 1200 for input. After about a week break-in/adjustment and a flood or two, it is now producing what looks like greenish-white mousse!

Added the second T5 HO fixture.

We have added more hermits, a Flame Angel, small Acro frag, small monti frag, a large plate coral (I think it ate my small Chromis last night), and what I think is a brain coral.

Tank is still a bit green, but just added a Sea Hare last night. Took a before tank shot and in a week or so I'll take an after shot.

Pics coming later tonight maybe.

[aquawolf]

Sounds like you are making good progress. I like the pics coming later tonight, maybe part as well.

[jonnosteams]

Here they are...

Is the brain a brain, or something else. Should it be in the sand or is on the rockwork ok.