Keoni Coral Flat Build

[keoni]

Aloha.

I've been a member for almost a year now and I've posted here and there on other member's thread but I haven't taken the liberty to start a thread on my piece of the reef. Best timing is probably now since I'm in the middle of a move and tearing down my old cube and building a new coral flat at my new condo. Sadly to say that this new build will only be up for less than 12 months as we are currently shopping the market for our dream home which means to all us reefers "ANOTHER BUILD"......in my case "MY DREAM 210G RIMLESS SPS BUILD".

Anyways, I am currently breaking down my 30g rimless.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/30G/2011.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/30G/photo10.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/30G/photo16.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/30G/photo13.jpg

Sorry for the crappy pics (i'm the serial iphone pic-taker and can't manage the blues on this phone camera)

I've had series of setbacks with equipment malfunctions these past 3 months (which is really my fault for not being diligent enough to double check the working order of my equipment). The latest being that after my return from a snowboarding trip with the wife and kids, the heat exchanger on my chiller didn't kick in. You know what that means......water temp dropped to 70.4 degrees. I slowly brought up the temp when I got back but nonetheless, l had some major sps colonies succumb to STN over a period of time. Lost a huge Turaki, tabling Cytherea, huge stag and still keeping a close watch on my tabling Clathrata.

Had some major tears going on here but I managed to frag a piece of each here and there to keep it going in the Coral Flat Build....hopefully.

I'll start the build on the next post.

[slicktoppomp]

Wow awesome looking tank man! What kind of lights are you running on there?

[keoni]

Here we go.

Build
Tank: Coral Flat 48 x 24 x 12
Stand: Standard 2 x 4 wood frame
Light Housing: Wood frame overhang attached to 2 x 4 members at back of tank

Lighting
Primary: AI Sol Blue (3) running parallel to tank length
(4) T5: Working on the combo to supplement primary (for sure fiji purples)
Ballast: 660 Icecap
Timers: 2pm ramp up - 11pm wind down

Filtration
LR: 25-30lbs in DT, 20lbs in sump
Media Reactor (1): NPX bioplastic pellets inoculated with MB7
Media Reactor (2): BRS ROX carbon 24/7
Skimmer: SWC BMK150 (Thanks Luke....great suggestion)

Substrate: Caribsea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand
Standard Sump with Baffles: 20 x 18 x 15 Advance Acrylics

Water Movement
Return Pump: CA 2200 (850 gph), it's been a reliable worker for me but upgrading to a 1500+gph shortly
Sicce Voyager 3: 1200gph
I will be adding a Vortech MP40es with backup battery to take place of the Sicce. However, I may keep the Sicce depending on the water movement

Dosing
Triple Dosing Pump: dispensing BRS 2part during reverse lighting
BW: MB7 (once a week)
BW: Reef Biofuel (3 times a week)
BW: Restor (after water changes, once a week)
BW: Coralamino (daily except when dosing Restor)
BW: Magnesion (when needed)
BW: Strontium (when needed)

Here are few pics of the very basic stand build.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/Profile.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/Front.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/skimmer.jpg

[jt_milstead]

Very cool. Cant wait to see updates...

[jessegarcia28]

nice dimensions!what are the plans with the tank DT or Frag Tank?

[sushibug]

Are you using the stock 40/70 optics on the lights? Also, what are your exact lighting schedules? I'm still trying to figure mine out.

[keoni]

Very cool. Cant wait to see updates...

more comin'. thanks

[keoni]

nice dimensions!what are the plans with the tank DT or Frag Tank?

the DT will be shallow SPS tank with can-lords here and there. I was going to do a lagoon setup but decided to go with a minimalist setup. 20-30lbs LR in DT with another 20lbs in the sump. I'll post more pics of the rocks as i put them together.

[keoni]

Are you using the stock 40/70 optics on the lights? Also, what are your exact lighting schedules? I'm still trying to figure mine out.

I was running stock optics on the cube and will run the same on the new coral flat build. I just built the overhang canopy last night which is outfitted lengthwise with T5 retro kit (icecap 660). I'll be running KZ fiji purples to give the Sols a wider spectrum. No blue t5 bulbs in this build since the dominant wavelength is blue with the Sols. The T5 bulbs will running on each side of the Sols which will be running parallel.

I love my Sols but you gotta dial in the right settings as I've already had some colonies bleach on me at 50% total power (it was hanging 14" above the waterline too). I've made some adjustments since and colors are coming back. My original 30g cube had a total height of 20". I'm gonna have to tune it down with the shallow coral flat build as the overhang canopy is only 9" above the waterline.

here are my Sol settings now for the 30g cube prior to breakdown.

PM W B RB RAMP (min)
200: 0 5 10 15
230: 0 10 15 15
300: 5 15 20 15
330: 10 25 30 15
400: 15 30 35 15
500: 15 35 40 15
600: 20 45 50 15
700: 25 50 55 15
800: 30 50 55 15
900: 30 50 55 15
1000: 25 40 45 15
1030: 10 30 35 15
1100: 5 15 20 15
1200: 0 0 0 30

at the end, with these units, i had to play with them to figure out what was best. probably the con with the Sols is finding the right setting. but the pros at the end outweigh that con.

[keoni]

Got up this morning and did a few things before heading to work. Unfortunately I don't have a lot of time on this rebuild probably doing an hour a day at most because I'm still packing up the old place while transferring reef stuff here and there to the new place. I gotta kick it in gear as the actual breakdown of my cube with everything transferring over has to be complete by Wednesday night. Movers are coming in Friday morning.

Anyways, the dreaded WATER TEST!!!!!!!!!!!!! Crossin' my fingers!!!!

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/Watertest2.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/Watertest1.jpg

[luv4qt1004]

that looks awesome keoni! let me know if u need help!

[keoni]

that looks awesome keoni! let me know if u need help!

Thanks for the offer Sam. I would dig on some help but I'm sporadically working on the tank here and there between work and other commitments. If i had one solid day to just work on it, I'd have you over the help. Everything is up in the air with timing. I might just end up doing this in the middle of the night when things are quiet.

BTW, tanks for the Icecap T5 setup, works like a charm!

[Vince]

Love the shallow tank-- can not wait for the update pics!!

[pylos]

Very cool, I'm excited to see what will turn out.

[keoni]

Thanks for all the comments folks!

[jt_milstead]

Are you going to add sand?

[keoni]

with the hectic move schedule and work i got outta bed in the middle of the mornin' and built a LR structure for the new coral flat DT. I used 3 LR pieces for this structure that was in my old sump. i wanted to build some flat real estate for some incoming SPS. this is structure one of maybe 3 more. keeping this DT clean and manageable this time.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/Structure5.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/Structure4.jpg

seeing that the water test was successful despite a minor pipe leak (easy fix), i dumped the substrate in. I've always been a big fan caribsea seaflor special grade, however, washing the sand is a B__TCH!!!!!!!! I picked up 40lbs and washed it lastnite. Started the wash at 11pm, finished around 12:30am. After washing only 40lbs for that long, still came out super cloudy but that is what to expect. should clear up in a few.
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/profilesand.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/overflowsand.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/sump2.jpg

finished the paint job on the overhang canopy. icecap ballast resting on top away from view. the rest of the AI Sol power adapters will rest on top as well. the build is rather rough but the tank is only going to be up until we finally agree on house we like this year.
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/canopybuild.jpg

[keoni]

Are you going to add sand?
sand for sure. i was posting the update with the sand right when you posted your question. what great timing!!!!!

[jt_milstead]

Love the rock structures. The DJ strips are the best! I will keep watching for updates. Thanks for sharing!

[keoni]

Love the rock structures. The DJ strips are the best! I will keep watching for updates. Thanks for sharing!

thanks jt. totally agree on the dj strips. perfect for maintenance and feeding time! i have a couple of LR structures that i'm currently building that will take up residence shortly. however, not to happy with one of them. i'm headed to aquasd on grand opening day to pick up some small choice pieces. Will has an RK2 bin fully cured and ready to go. i'm diving in and cherry pickin'.

[keoni]

i haven't kept up on the build updates but here are some pics of two of the LR Structures that i placed in the tank a few days ago. sorry for the dark pics. the tank is in the garage and lights are not up yet.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/photo26.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/photo27.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/photo28.jpg

[jt_milstead]

I like the rocks for sure, now add light...lol
Keep em coming.

[keoni]

ok, fast forward to a day later after the previous post pic shots. was a tough coral transfer. it was particularly cold that night that i did the transfer. i placed the sps colonies and frags in an insulated cooler. the acans were bagged individually and transported in a smaller cooler. though the drive was only 15 minutes, the time to bag, load, drive, unload was just over an hour on a 45 degree night.

i usually drip acclimate my corals but under the circumstance of a cold garage and cold transfer water, and no backup heater,..........the corals suffered. i dispensed with the drip method and bagged the smaller corals floated them. didn't have bags large enough for my sps colonies so i dumped larger amounts of DT water into the transfer water to slowly bring up temp rather than plunging them from 62 to 79 degree water. it was somewhat of a mess. at the end, all the corals did the plunge into the new DT.

Everyone wass Teed off! and browned out.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/photo25.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build/photo23.jpg

i didn't even worry about placing the corals or the aquascaping. i just kept my fingers crossed for the best

[keoni]

by the way, if it seems the water line is off, ..........it is by 3/16". the stand is perfectly even but wondering if i should drain the tank this weekend and shim the bottom of the stand so the water line is even. Thoughts anyone???

[keoni]

I'm back on this build thread of mine. Work has been out of control and I haven't captured the rest of the build. Believe me folks, I wish I could have posted every step of this build since the beginning but I just had to settle with the abbreviated approach due to time contraints.

Still working on the aquascape. I'm more concerned with the remaining SPS colonies that I have after a terrible tank move last month. Nonetheless, some are miraculously recovering, others not.

Sorry about pic quality. Courtesy of IPHONE. I can't control filters with the camera phone so blues take over. It's frustrating as sometimes the blues are dominant and sometimes not. What can I say accept that the IPHONE is not meant for good coral pics.

The Survivors............

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo28.jpg
Still trying to ID this Acro, was completely browned out in the move but purple colors coming back with green polyps

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo22.jpg
Bali slimer from PK. Had STNed to only 20% tissue left but a little over a month later, the champ is fighting back!!!!

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo20.jpg
Picked up this deepwater acro awhile back at PK. Started out a pale yellow and tabled nicely. Survived the move and is now a brighter yellow.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo25.jpg
Aussie Pink tabling Clathrata from LA. The blues washed out this pic. I'll try another shot later. Bought this wild colony awhile back but was smaller then. Grows quick but didn't do well in the move. Completely browned out but slowly and surely fighting back. I doubt this is a true clathrata as they are hard to come by in colors other than green and tan. It could still be one as the branches are fusing together horizontally.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo10.jpg
ORA Neon Green BN from Brian (drainbammage). Got this as a little frag (1") from Brian over a year ago. Made it through all the drama and is a mini colony now. Fast Grower.

[keoni]

A couple of new additions from PK. Post move

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo6.jpg
Prostrata from PK. Nice piece that completely encrusted the disk. This is still a mystery to me as to what color this is going to turn out to be as it is still coloring up. Right now it is a reddish purple with hints of green

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo5.jpg
Pastel Yellow Mille from PK. Nice color with great PE. Should grow out nicely.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo21.jpg
GARF Bonsai from no other than Ron's (reefrf) amazing colony.

[keoni]

I have been on the hunt for some really nice aquacultured sps. I made a trip up to Costa Mesa to see Steve at his coral farm. If you haven't been there already, it's awe-inspiring for those serious sps collectors. Definitely a number of collector items available that have been grown out from frags. Natural light driven system with different layers of biological filtration including cryptic zones. I made out on some frags.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Garrets%20Acropolis/photo11.jpg
Me on an early Sunday morning shopping the sticks

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Garrets%20Acropolis/photo8.jpg
On the back side of the tank.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Garrets%20Acropolis/photo6.jpg
for right end of the tank

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Garrets%20Acropolis/photo7.jpg
more acro pics

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Garrets%20Acropolis/photo10.jpg
the most insane acro florida that i have ever seen. crazy branch tabling. i've never seen a florida do this.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Garrets%20Acropolis/photo5.jpg
and more acros.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Garrets%20Acropolis/photo9.jpg
steve taking care of my frags.

It was an awesome morning. "EYE CANDY EVERYWHERE"!!!!!!!!!

I'll post my pickings shortly

[luv4qt1004]

that is awesome keoni!!!!! keep the pix going!

[keoni]

Here's the tank the night before I went shopping. note only 4 frags on the bottom rack. (btw the way, i keep newly acquired frags on the bottom for a week or two before I move them up)

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo24.jpg



here are some pics of the frags I picked up from Steve's farm in Costa Mesa.


http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo8.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo13.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo15.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo11.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo16.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo18.jpg

I didn't take an ID shots of each frag as my little IPHONE can't zoom in all that great and give a decent enough pic.

The pics have:
Acropora Cytherea (Blue Tip Table)
Acropora Hyacinthus Table (Pink Tip Table)
Acropora Latistella (Blue Tip Table)
Acropora Pink Jade
Acropora Nasuta Hugo Zuniga (snipersps)
Red Planet
Acropora Nana
Fragfarmer Strawberry Lemonade
Seriatopora Hystrix Magenta BN
Seriatopora Stellata Ponape BN
Ultimate Blue Stag Greg C. (I think)

Also in the back rack are a couple of frags from my Clathrata and an awesome SS from Will at Aquasd.


Here is an FTS with the frags racked up on the bottom. as soon as they settle in, i'll start to aquascape and place everyone where they need to be.
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Build%202/photo7.jpg

[jt_milstead]

Very nice...

[davocean]

Wow, nice looking tank, and thanks for showing pics of the coral farm, very cool!
Is that open to the public?

[keoni]

thanks for the nice comments.

And yes, the coral farm is open to the public. I originally didn't want to post "where to buy" info because I didn't want anyone to think I'm advertising the farmer. I just wanted the local forum folk to see my nice little fieldtrip this weekend.

You can find Steve online at www.garretts-acropolis.com. There you can find out more about his outdoor farm. I'm happy with my frags but I'm more pleased with the fact that I've learned a lot more about coral husbandry just by him sharing his farming system with me. If anything, ask him to give you a tour of his farm some time. It's quite brilliant.

[davocean]

Awesome, link saved, I have to go to LA this week, maybe I can tie in a visit, thanks!

[keoni]

Started the weekend on another bit of a spree. Started at AQSD on Thursday night with this awesome Samoensis. Nice color and PE so I had to take her home.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Additions/photo5.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20Additions/photo6.jpg

Thanks Will! This is a killer acro!!!!

[keoni]

I ended this weekend on a good note with a pack of awesome sticks. 7 more to be exact. I'm setting up my old cube and making that a growout tank. For now all these frags that i'm collecting are in the main coral flat DT. I pretty much have all the equipment except the pump. I give myself another week or so then i'll have the growout cube ready to go to move my collection of frags. I'll combine that build with this one.

the add-ons


http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20030412/IceFireEchinata.jpg
Fiji Blue tip Echinata


http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20030412/blueberryacro.jpg
Blueberry acro


http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20030412/ORAPearlberryAcro.jpg
ORA Pearlberry


http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20030412/RoseMillepora.jpg
Rose Millepora


http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20030412/TaintedPoisonAcro.jpg
Poison Acro


http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20030412/PinkBubblegumMillepora.jpg
Pink Bubblegum Millepora


http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20030412/StrawberryLemonadeMillepora.jpg
Strawberry Lemonade Millepora


Thanks for the sticks Sonny!

[AquaSD]

Very pretty sticks! nice!

[keoni]

Been awhile since I updated so here it goes.

I had a series of issues one after the other since my last post. I had a PO4 spike that I can only attribute to some old LR that I had from my previous tank after a series of reasoning and deduction. You know what that means, nutrients = ugly-@ss algae!!!! It was serious battle as we all know. Got all the elements kicking in full gear to keep the PO4 in check now. Still fighting the battle but on a smaller scale. More of a gunfight now than a full scale invasion. Just when i got my water quality back in check, something else declared war on my tank as STN continued. I did an equipment deep clean and "low and behold" I discovered 2 rusted down pump shafts. After serious patience, ramming my head against the wall, and hard work, signs of healthy water were in site. I brought my water back down to an ULNS slowly so I wouldn't shock my SPS. My water params were in check with PO4 (.014 Hanna), NO3 (0 Salifert), PH (8.2), Dkh (7.7 Hanna), CA (420, Salifert), Mg (1440 salifert). I also have a grounding probe just in case I have stray voltage going through the tank (i did have an issue awhile back). After running at these levels for about a week, my SPS are doing a little better. STN has stopped from what I see and this is where I am today.

The pics are with my limited edition Iphone camera. my sps is a mixture of frag-grown, and wild and mari-cultured mini-colonies that I picked up from LFS, reefers and on-line retailers. I added a cool border that I found in an iphone app. Maybe someday i could buy a decent DSLR so I can take semi-decent pics. forgot to take an FTS.


the left side of tank
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20043012/Left1.png

a crocea (a freebie from by buddy Fan) and a deresa. both from Aquasd.
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20043012/Clam1.png

a tongan BN from LA
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20043012/Bird1.png

some other SPS on the right side (samoensis, mille, ORA bn, etc. etc.)
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/Coral%20Flat%20043012/Right2.png


I wish I had better pics. maybe next time i post, i'll have a real camera so pics won't be so saturated.

aloha,

[shioinu]

hey Keoni...nice build...well layed out...give us a full tank shot next round :)

[keoni]

Thanks Ryan. Here are some FTS pics i just took with my iphone.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/LeftFTS.png
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/RightFTS.png
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w433/kdbarcarse/FTS.png

[shioinu]

Flat out gorgeous!

[jessegarcia28]

amazing tank

[keoni]

amazing tank

Thank JG.

I wish I had more time to devote to the tank/hobby and maybe then my livestock would do much better.

But for now, I'll have to settle for keeping the peace in this tank considering its past issues.

[afan1888]

I am speechless.

I love the ledge on the right side of the tank.

[lpskeeper]

Nice tank man love the shallow tank! Nice scape as well.

[acronautical]

Yeah, beautiful reef! You've used creative aquascaping and artist's cues to create the illusion of a much larger reef. TOTM stuff.

[keoni]

Thanks for the great comments guys.

I'm still learning everyday and consider myself a novice in this hobby since my tank "OWNS ME"!

[jada1]

Great job looks great..how many gallon is that .

[keoni]

Great job looks great..how many gallon is that .

It's a 60g Coral Flat 48x24x12