James' 60G Long

[SharkChum]

Been on here for a little while now and thought I would share the progress of my piece of the ocean from past to present. I will be updating this thread as often as possible with the progress of this system. Lots of information and photos to come over the next couple of days as I try to get this thread up to date.

October 2010

The start of my first reef a Visio 60G Long

Equipment
Tank dimensions: 48"1/2x15"1/2x17"1/4", roughly 60G
Skimmer: CPR USA Aeroforce 2 HOB
Flow: 2x MJ1200
Lighting: AquaticLife 4x54w T-5 VHO
Other filteration: Cascade canister filter w/ carbon
Rock/Substrate: 50lbs LR w/ mix of various live substrate
Misc: 2x 75w solid state heater

A couple of days after initial setup and water has totally cleared.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_1561.jpg

[SharkChum]

June 5, 2011

A lot has changed since the last photo as you can see. Had a hard drive crash and lost many of the pictures from the first 6 months.

Many more coral additions and fish additions. New equipment as well. Coralline algae has exploded and corals are growing nicely.

Current fish
Two Onyx Clown Pair
Scopus Tang
Mystery wrasse
Flame Angel
Lubbocks Fairy wrasse

Coral
Acans, frogspawn, hammer, various mushrooms, GSP, favia, various palythoa, duncans, random staghorn acro and a wellsophyllia radiata

Invert/Clam
Crocea clam, RBTA

New Equipment
Replaced MJ1200's with 2x MP10ES W.
New bulbs all KZ & Geismann, I don't remember exactly which bulb combo, but their is a KZ Fiji Purple in there.

I'm sure I am forgetting something! It's been a while.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_3308_zpsd7996598.jpg

[SharkChum]

More new equipment.

As the tank started to progress. I wished more and more that I had a reef ready tank. I didn't know what would happen once I got bit by the coral bug! I quickly realized that the HOB protein skimmer wasn't going to be enough to support the increasing bio load in my system. Plus with it being summer time evaporation was increasing.

It was time to get a larger skimmer. I decided on the AquaC EV-180. I knew this was going to be over kill for my little reef, but I am thinking ahead, because a tank upgrade would end up happening in the future and I didn't want to buy all new equipment.

AquaC EV-180 skimmer with Mag drive 9.5
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_4077_zps36ef5b07.jpg

The skimmer needed a sump, which is being fed by a CPR USA CS90 HOB overflow box, so I got one of those too. I purchased an AqueonProflex Model 2 sump. This sump has some great features. The sump allowed me to run filter socks, a refugium with macro algae and a skimmer.

Huge thank you to TJ for assisting in the draining of the tank and moving of the stand so we could toss the sump below.

Sump/Fuge up and running
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_4066_zpsaade182a.jpg

[SharkChum]

Woke up in the middle of the night with no power.

I had no idea how long power would be down, so I pulled the battery from the truck and clipped on a power inverter.

I plugged in one of the MP10's and hoped for the best. Thankfully the power was back on within 12 hours for us.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_4318_zps90f4255b.jpg

[SharkChum]

Quick shot of the Refugium. Lots of growth from the cheatomorpha. Refugium is being lit by a four LED strip 2x white and 2x blue.

Refugium and Filefish for aiptasia control.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_4337_zps21a4928c.jpg

Quick photo of my old purple tang, red headed solon wrasse, scopus tang, melanaraus wrasse, pair of skunk cleaners and RBTA.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_4325_zps3b414faf.jpg

[SharkChum]

I decided to try out some Ecosystems Miracle Mud as part of a DSB in the refugium.

I noticed an explosion in amphipods within the first week.

Two inches of Miracle Mud on top of two inches of sugar fine sand.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_4417_zps4e2a1e7e.jpg

[SharkChum]

Some update shots of the tank. Fish are happy and fat! Sorry for the lack of quality.

3/4 shot
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_4681_zpsab1f6924.jpg

FTS
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_4679_zps00c8d736.jpg

Some of the fish w/ new Magnificent Foxface
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_4682_zps0ade7549.jpg

[SharkChum]

Got myself a Harliquin Shrimp. The tank has become over run with 1000's of asterina stars. These stars were eating my zoanthids.

Harliquin Shrimp sitting on his orange scolymia
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_5204_zps1a279aa3.jpg

You can see the Harliquin shrimp at the bottom just to the right of the green richordea.

Mass evacuation of asterina stars form the rock work right after adding the Harliquin Shrimp
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_4750_zps252617b2.jpg

[SharkChum]

Added about 25lbs of LR to the top of the reef. Also put some GSP on the overflow box to help it blend it.

Replaced my bulbs with ATI bulbs 2x Blue+ and 2x Coral+. I really like this combination of bulbs. The blue+ replaced the Geismann actinics. I got tired of the KZ fiji purple. That bulb made my tank two purple with just a 4 bulb fixture.

FTS
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_4986_zpsecbb0699.jpg

[SharkChum]

I started having some aggression issues with fish as the tank started to become full of coral and LR. I said good bye to the Purple tang and magnificent foxface. All the tangs were causing my nitrates started to slowly climb. I added back the HOB skimmer to help remove some extra waste.

I also decided to scrape the back glass of all the coralline algae. It was really eating up calcium. I like the new look of the back glass and the contrast it creates with the rock scape. The tank now seems less chaotic visually.

FTS
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_5142_zps05aab128.jpg

[SharkChum]

Random shot with of the tank with my new iphone 4s. Pictures seem more crisp with the new camera that the phone boasts.

3/4 Shot
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_5191_zpsaf4b8485.jpg

[SharkChum]

I have still been having nitrate issues with the system. No matter what I do mechanically or with water changes I can not get them to drop. The reason for the increased nitrates is do to my sand bed. The sand bad is only about an inch and a half deep and is comprised of many different sizes. This has caused my sand bed to essentially be a litter box that I have no way to clean. A stir of the substrate and all kinds of crazy crap comes floating out.

I am also not happy with the rock work in this tank.

I decided it is time for a major over haul of the system.

I figured I would take one last photo of the tank before the transformation takes place.

Final FTS, before the overhaul
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_5631-1_zps14cb3cea.jpg

[SharkChum]

The time has come to begin the over haul.

A couple of things were going to take place during this over haul.

First we decided that the tank needed a larger sump that allowed for the skimmer be be placed before the refugium section. So, the existing refugium would be replaced completely.

Secondly we would trash the old sand bed and replace it with a 4" deep sand bed made up of sugar fine sand from Nature's Ocean size #0 live aragonite. This new sand bed would also be seeded with sand from another established system.

Thirdly we would be creating a rockscape that had more caves while minimizing the rock's contact area with the DSB. This would reduce dead spots and increase overall flow within the tank.

My fiance was such a big help. She was right there with me the entire time.

Rock was placed in a brute trash can for holding
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5637_zps6e6e4499.jpg

Removing the last of the sand and water.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5634_zps47a607cd.jpg

Took a quick break to take this shot - you can see the new sump on the bottom right of the shot, a Trigger Systems Sump
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5639_zps145f597d.jpg

Corals in their temporary holding containers. - the Styrofoam is a great insulator.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5652_zps62fffac3.jpg

Corals in their temporary holding containers 2.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5635_zps0c44b830.jpg

Plumbing the Trigger Systems sump
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5643_zpsc281c496.jpg

[SharkChum]

Early morning. The skimmer has been working hard to clear out the fines from the water column. The corals will go back in once the majority of the cloudiness is gone.

Check out the aquascape ;)
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5651_zpsd0eb91a6.jpg

Skimmer's collection after just a few hours
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5653_zps732372f5.jpg

[SharkChum]

The tank has cleared up quite a bit and I was able to get the corals back in later yesterday. You can really see the difference in the aquascape. I like this more open look.

FTS
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_5662_zps65e7797c.jpg

[SharkChum]

Here's a few shots with the tank almost polished clear. The black background was taken off and will be replaced. The tank looks a lot lighter with the white wall showing through. You can see some diatoms on the sand bed and power heads. No diatoms are on the rocks or within an inch of the rock. The beneficial bacteria in the rock is creeping to the sand bed.

FTS
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_5687_zps65fee81b.jpg

Left Front
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_5689_zpsd47b1d12.jpg

Left Side
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_5690_zpsce18976d.jpg

Right Front
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_5688_zps6ce4ab4f.jpg

Right Side
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_5691_zps553ecab9.jpg

[SharkChum]

Quick shot of the tank about a week after the rebuild. All the corals are fully adjusted and looking great. The yellow tang loves all the open space and has been swimming everywhere.

FTS under ATI Blue+ bulbs only
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/IMG_5724_zpsfa33f55f.jpg

[bbandu]

Nice work, looking good keep the pics coming.

[SharkChum]

Nice work, looking good keep the pics coming.

Thank you. This tank has been a work in progress. Many more pictures still to come.

[SharkChum]

Update shot of the tank. The RBTA split and has healed up nicely. They are getting big. I finally got an orange torch that I have been searching for.

Updated FTS
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5800_zpsd9758372.jpg

Orange torch
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5818_zps207e34cc.jpg

[SharkChum]

Some more notable additions. Tyree Toadstool and a small frag of Acropora from Paul.

Tyree Toadstool 4"
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5851_zpsb1ac6806.jpg

Acro frag 1" 1/2
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5847_zps378c1ae3.jpg

[SharkChum]

Quick update shot of the tank. The tank is starting to fill in nicely. All parameters have been stable.

FTS
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5856_zpsc0c4890e.jpg

[SharkChum]

Got this mating pair of cowrie. They are constantly linking up and laying eggs. Very cool and different from other snails. I like how the mantle wraps around the entire shell.

Cowrie
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5928_zps232c3b2d.jpg

[SharkChum]

Time for another update shot of the tank. Anemones continue to grow as well as the Tyree toadstool leather. The frag of Acropora sp. has really started to take off with lots of new branches. The gold torch polyp has started to grow larger with regular feedings. Also, went to MAX and picked up a couple acan frags and a chalice of some sort.

FTS
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6246_zps51de1263.jpg

[SharkChum]

New fish addition. Picked up this small 1"1/2 maroon clown from Ron's store. Hopefully he gets hosted by the RBTA's that my two percula clowns have ignored. The percs are being hosted in a euphyllia on the left side of the tank and the RBTA's are on the right side. Hopefully this mixing of clowns can work. Fingers crossed.

1"1/2 Maroon clown
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6283_zps96da1df5.jpg

[SharkChum]

I wanted to show a growth comparison of this Acropora sp. frag after roughly six weeks. Seems like a pretty fast grower to me.

Acropora sp. March 26, 2012
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5847_zps378c1ae3.jpg

Acropora sp. May 10, 2012
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6382_zps935e91a2.jpg

[SharkChum]

Update shot of the tank. I'm really liking the way this tank is starting to look. Seems like the over haul is starting to pay off. The tank has been very stable and nitrates are still undetectable. The DSB has been generating nitrogen bubbles due to anaerobic bacteria in the lower 2" of the sand bed, thus completing the nitrogen cycle. Lots of coralline algae growth as well, which can be seen on the back glass.

3/4 Shot
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6430_zpsf7113140.jpg

[SharkChum]

Random photo of these mushrooms that I have had for over a year. They have gone from 4 - 12 in that time. I can't get over the coloration of these.

You can also see part of the orange torch to the left side of the shot. The polyp really stretches out.

The pulsing xenia is also growing quite quick.

Blue and Orange mushrooms
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6514_zps46959389.jpg

[SharkChum]

Woke up this morning to find my pair of percs being hosted in the RBTA's. After a year these clowns finally decided to jump in the RBTA's not long after adding the maroon. They beat the crap out of the small maroon clown. I took out one of the three RBTA's and the maroon and placed them in their own tank.

Onyx Perculas in their new home
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6564_zps587516a2.jpg

[SharkChum]

Some more SPS additions, green bali slimer and a small Acropora Milliapora. Also more growth from the Acropora sp. frag, which is starting to become a little colony.

Green Bali Slimmer
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6629_zpsf57c6eba.jpg

Acropora Milliapora
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6635_zpsade26bb6.jpg

Acropora sp. growing fast
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6630_zps6a8f964d.jpg

[SharkChum]

Testing out the camera to capture the tank and sump. Can't quite get good contrast while both are illuminated.

Tank and Sump
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6709_zps6ed9374a.jpg

FTS
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6722_zpsae796cca.jpg

[SharkChum]

My rose bubble tip anemone has split again. This time it is one of the original two clones from the mother anemone. Here are a few shots showing the splitting process up close.

RBTA Splitting 1 - Anemone on bottom right showing signs of splitting
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6748_zps54d2ad0b.jpg

RBTA Splitting 2 - Anemone foot starting to move in opposite directions
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6747_zpsc584b42f.jpg

RBTA Splitting 3 - Continuing to stretch
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6805_zps526b1934.jpg

RBTA Splitting 4 - Almost there...
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6808_zpsb088e29c.jpg

RBTA Splitting 5 - Fully seperated
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6831_zps0fadfd00.jpg

RBTA Splitting 6 - Clones moving away
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6847_zpsf87c8b1a.jpg

[SharkChum]

Current SPS are growing nicely. So, I decided to add a couple more.

ORA Hawkings Ecinata
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6955_zps5fb29a83.jpg

ORA Red Planet Frag
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_6957_zps693cf941.jpg

[SharkChum]

My good friend's son taking a break from watching tv to watch the tank.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_7312_zps8d83c437.jpg

[nanoreef1]

Got this mating pair of cowrie. They are constantly linking up and laying eggs. Very cool and different from other snails. I like how the mantle wraps around the entire shell.

Cowrie
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_5928_zps232c3b2d.jpg

What are those orange mushrooms in the top.And will you be willing to sell some.I see you have lots of those.lol

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

[SharkChum]

This past summer was particularly hard on my tank. I was having heat issues with the tank. As a result the corals and anemones started stressing and losing color. I knew it was time to take action and the search was on for a chiller.

Corals have lost a bit of their color
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_7709_zps545d4c4c.jpg

RBTA's are clearly bleaching out
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_7711_zpsc74d9024.jpg

another shot of the RBTAs bleaching out
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_7718_zps7d715b2d.jpg

[SharkChum]

Found a great deal on a JBJ 1/4HP chiller. Water is pumped through the chiller by a Mag 7 and dumps into the sump before being returned to the DT. This should do the trick. Hooked it up and the tank stays at a steady 77 degrees F. Lets see what happens with the anemones once the temperature holds stable.
Don't mind the messy wires. I was in the process of hooked up my Reef Keeper Elite

JBJ 1/4HP Chiller
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/image_zps9b2f3b3a.jpeg

[SharkChum]

Thought I would share a photo of the sump after six months. The EV-180 skimmer is a beast and pulls a dark green gunk. The green is a good sign that there is lots of phytoplankton being grown within the system. The skimmer is over driven with a Mag 9.5 with the gate valve removed and replaced with a 'T' fitting. Growth of the cheatomorpha is fast under the LED light and with the addition of a 15w Macro Glo light. I have to harvest every two months.

Sump/Refugium w/ EV-180 skimmer fed by Mag 9.5
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_7725_zpsaf73b6e1.jpg

[SharkChum]

Update on the RBTA's after plumbing in the JBJ 1/4HP chiller.

Color is beginning to return to the anemones.

Anemones a couple weeks after addition of the chiller
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_7871_zps6f048fc0.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_7867_zps770365cd.jpg

[SharkChum]

Decided to put the Maroon clown back into the DT. The maroon clown has grown quite a bit. The RBTA it was being hosted by crawled behind a rock for a while, was not getting adequate light and bleached almost completely out. Hopefully the Maroon clown sticks to its side of the tank and the RBTA regains it's color.

Maroon clown back in DT w/ anemone
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_7883_zps2cd7421e.jpg

Maroon clown back in DT w/ anemone 2
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_7884_zpsba35b7c7.jpg

[Octoman4]

Nice tank man its a beauty

[skate858]

very nice! i also have a 60gal long now. hopefully one day it will look at great as yours!

[jbvdhp]

Impressive!

[SharkChum]

Nice tank man its a beauty

Thanks Octoman4. It has been quite the journey so far. I owe a lot of thanks to those people that have been very generous with their knowledge.

[SharkChum]

very nice! i also have a 60gal long now. hopefully one day it will look at great as yours!

Thanks skate858.

The 60G long is a good size in my opinion, does not have a large foot print and has a decent length so it isn't much stress on a small tang or two. Only complaint that I have is the glass center brace of the tank. It is always getting covered in salt spray and requires constant cleaning. I also wish the tank hand an internal overflow.

I'm sure you're will be great too! Keep pressing forward.

[SharkChum]

Impressive!

Thank you. This tank is continuous work in progress. I can't seem to ever be satisfied with the way it looks.

[SharkChum]

A few shots of the tank for reference. Since adding the chiller more color is starting to return to the corals. Some of the corals are not doing so well, but are starting slowly come around. The wellsophyllia radiata in the middle is getting huge along with the Tyree toadstool leather. SPS corals are still showing good growth despite the lack of color.

Left Front - lots of new growth on the Acropora sp.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_7911_zpscd62fe69.jpg

Right Front - mushrooms are really multiplying and the RBTA's are looking better.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_7913_zps4868db32.jpg

Middle
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_7915_zpsc827c15e.jpg

[SharkChum]

A close up shot of the new growth occurring on this milli. I really like the polyp extension. It must really be liking the flow pattern here.

Milliapora close up shot
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_8134_zpsf214f9b4.jpg

FTS
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_7996_zps17f00064.jpg

[Vince]

wow Great looking tank--let me know when you chop the candy canes :rock:

[SharkChum]

The tank is officially two years old. Here's a video, from my youtube channel, discussing the tank's status as well as some reflection on the past two years. It's crazy looking back and seeing how far this tank has come. A big thank you to all those that have helped me along the way!

My reef tank after two years

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--O5wdpLSo8

[SharkChum]

After a year and a half one of my RBTAs decided to go on the move. Luckily it moved away from the MP10. I would have hated to lose one of these beautiful anemones. Hopefully the anemone finds its way back to the rock. If not I will gently remove it form the glass and place it back on the rock.

Rose Bubble Tip Anemone on the Glass
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_8326_zps2daaae3c.jpg

A Hour Later - parked right under the return
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_8329_zps7c2ae4d8.jpg

Front View
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_8332_zpsc7f9f99b.jpg

[fresh2120]

Wow really nice build and progression.

[SharkChum]

Rose bubble tip anemones (Entacmaea quadricolor) spawning in my reef tank.
At approximately 10PM PST, San Diego CA, on Nov. 13, 2012, water temp 25.4C (77.8F), my five RBTA's, all clones from one original parent, seem to have spawned eggs. Tonight is a new moon as well as a total solar eclipse occurring in the Southern Hemisphere. Prior to release of eggs the anemones oral disc flattened and the anemone column was extended and tentacles were shortened. The anemones each expelled a cluster of small ground pepper sized eggs, roughly 3cm across, secured loosely together. The eggs slowly split apart and dispersed in the water column. The water is now cloudy resembling deluded milk and 1000's of eggs are drifting around the tank. The pair of clown fish (A. percula), primarily the female, are feeding on the eggs. The SPS and LPS corals are capturing the eggs. Soft corals seem to be irritated and are closing up with the exception of a large toadstool leather. I assume this is due to a sudden change in water quality. After 30mins most of the eggs have been either eaten or captured by the filtration.

Screen shot of the conditions the night of the spawn
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_8695_zpsae6c4d1b.png

Here are some photos as well as a video that I took during the spawn.

Anemones earlier in the day before the spawn - they have regained much of their rose color
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_8672_zpsf7e93214.jpg

One of five RBTA's realeasing eggs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5JfNYAi_ZM

Some more photos during the spawning event - the tank is very cloudy and small grey eggs everywhere. The skimmer was working over time.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_8686_zps7b9fa1cf.jpg

FTS
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_8691_zps575a6db4.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_8692_zpsa818c667.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_8694_zps7cec7b70.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_8696_zps06a4d8b3.jpg

[SharkChum]

The day after the spawning event and the anemones are looking great. The tank has also cleared completely. The corals all look amazing after gorging themselves on anemone eggs. The colors in these pictures really pop.

FTS
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_8710_zps154b7a85.jpg

Another FTS from a higher angle - Notice the RBTA on the left side with the maroon clown. It is not longer bleached out and looking great.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_8708_zpsba0b8fe4.jpg

Anemones big and happy
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_8717_zps90c83d09.jpg

Side view of anemones
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_8712_zpsd0f1c46b.jpg

[SharkChum]

Some random shots of the tank. The corals and anemones are really starting to look better and better with each passing day. Picked up a nice SPS colony too.

Acropora Plana - the base is becoming a deep green and the purple tips are getting brighter.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_9013_zps6216287e.jpg

FTS
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_9015_zps84bbafc6.jpg

Four Rose Bubble Tip Anemones - so many new mushrooms as well. The hammer is getting huge.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_9025_zpsbe921beb.jpg

[SharkChum]

Received my first order from an online vender, from Drs. Foster and Smith. A tiny blue spiny lobster and a gecko green ORA frag. Check out how small the lobster is next to the frag. Both acclimated well.

Indonesian blue spiny lobster and ORA Gecko Green frag
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_9033_zps0e6c409c.jpg

Lobster exploring new home
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_9061_zps91cb8292.jpg

[SharkChum]

Just picked up a new light fixture. Coralife 2x250 14,000k Pheonix DE MH with 2x 96w PC actinics and 4x moon light LEDs. All I can say is, wow, this light is awesome. Thanks for the great deal Ryan it was nice meeting you.

The lighting period will be greatly reduced, over the next couple of weeks, while the corals and nems acclimate to the new more powerful lighting. I'm looking forward to seeing how the corals and anemones respond.

FTS with new light fixture
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_9154_zps8216d208.jpg

[SharkChum]

Wow really nice build and progression.

Thanks fresh2120.

[SharkChum]

My clownfish have finally spawned. I was fortunate enough to catch them in the act! The female was getting really fat and both her and the male were cleaning this rock for months. Lots of eggs.

The video shows the female A. percula depositing eggs and the male fertilizing them.

Clownfish with eggs
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0051_zps3b90206c.jpg

Video of A. percula spawning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k4g3iTj4Us

[SharkChum]

wow Great looking tank--let me know when you chop the candy canes :rock:

Thanks. Will do Vince. These candy canes have some of the biggest polyps I have ever seen!

[Crisneg]

Amazing tank loved the video

[SharkChum]

Amazing tank loved the video

Thanks Crisneg! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[SharkChum]

Some nice photos of the RBTAs under the 2x250w DE MH 14,000 phoenix bulbs. I'm using a new camera, iPhone 5, which takes better photos and is way better than the iPhone 4S under lower lighting.

Later in the evening, just as the actinic lights were about to go out, I noticed my anemones spawning once again. I have not made a connection between the lunar cycle and the spawning of the anemones. This time the moon was a waxing crescent.

Anemones earlier in the day
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0127_zps81ea6ef4.jpg

Anemones earlier in the day 2
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0129_zpsdd19ab22.jpg

A photo sequence taken of the top anemone releasing eggs.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0292_zps9ea4a76d.jpg

Eggs starting to leave the mouth of the RBTA
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0421_zps3cc0d04f.jpg

Eggs leaving the mouth along with a recently fed piece of silversides
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0423_zps5cb140fd.jpg

Packet of eggs floating away
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0425_zps98a9cb76.jpg

[SharkChum]

New Equipment - Aquarium Controller

I've had this controller sitting around for quite sometime. I was intimidated by this controller, because I've never owned one before. After talking myself into it I finally started to hook up my Digital Aquatics Reef Keeper Elite. V2 display with two PC4's and SL1 module. Ignore the pH value. The pH probe was not working correctly. I'm looking to get a new temperature prob to replace the stock one and located a new pH probe. In these pictures everything is just temporary until I can get the Reef Keep Elite programed. I really like the My Reef 2.0 software. I just wish I didn't have to plug each module in separately to update the software. I also wish the My Reef 2.0 had a Mac version. Other than that I am really liking this controller.

Reef Keeper Elite V2 Head Unit
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0430_zpsf414a302.jpg

Unorganized PC4's and SL1 During Programing
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0431_zpsbb5c1afc.jpg

[SharkChum]

I wanted to show off the kind of skimate that the AquaC EV-180 skimmer produces for those that have been wondering about this skimmer's performance. This isn't the easiest skimmer to get dialed in, but once dialed in it is a monster and will pull some serious gunk. Phytoplankton in my system is very abundant which causes the skimate to take on a deep green coloration. I clean the cup and tower once a week and soak the feed pump in vinegar over night every three months.

AquaC EV-180 sitting in Trigger Systems sump
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0473_zps46dbcfd7.jpg

Foam tower and collection cup
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0471_zpsf88982d2.jpg

Collection cup close up
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0472_zps4c987951.jpg

[SharkChum]

If you have been loosing clean up crew and are wondering why you might have some of these in your system. These are polyclad flats worms that I removed from my system a few nights ago. These are predatory flat worms that prey upon small mollusks and crustaceans. These worms are photo-negative and only come into view after lights out. If you have a flash light with a red lens use it to look for these after dark. I have been pulling these out, 10 in total, since the start of my tank. They reproduce both sexually and a-sexually, so one worm can make many more. I have seen them from small 1" up to a 7" monster in my refugium. This type is from fiji. Even though they seem beautiful they will eat anything they can catch and envelope.

Two Polyclad Flatworms roughly 3" long
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0538_zps8da4d282.jpg

[fresh2120]

Wow I really like this thread it's growing so fast.. Really good stuff....again!

[SharkChum]

Decided to put together some shots to document the corals and anemones. I'm really happy with the way some of these photos came out. They don't seem so bad considering they are taken with an iPhone 5. Lots of photos.

FTS
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0544_zps1b7f4db3.jpg

Center - The large Acropora sp. has grown so much and is finally a nice colony
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0545_zps30533f49.jpg

Left front - Can you see the maroon clown lurking in the shadow of his anemone?
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0546_zps2f0a4731.jpg

Right front - Lots of mushrooms and the DSB is really maturing
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0548_zps5c2b473f.jpg

Left side 1
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0549_zps0d8b86d2.jpg

Left side 2
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0551_zps37b3a66f.jpg

Right Side 1
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0553_zps8b5c8677.jpg

Right side 2 - You can really see the purple and green in the Acropora Plana. The turbinia coral is looking great.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0555_zpsad9f3b9b.jpg

Right top - The anemones are have come a long way since adding the chiller.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0560_zps7ca3a20f.jpg

Left top - This is where the majority of my SPS are located.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0561_zps4c8af10c.jpg

Right side top - the hammer coral now has 50+ heads and the frogspawn has about 14.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0562_zps3e8172e4.jpg

Top right with no current - You can really see the true color of this Acropora Plana in this picture as well as the contrasting color of the Turbinia coral.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/mad_dog1884/Fish%20tank%20rebuild/IMG_0582_zps1ea2df44.jpg

[SharkChum]

Wow I really like this thread it's growing so fast.. Really good stuff....again!

Thanks. I'm trying to get this thread as up to date as possible. I think I'm finally done, I feel I may have carpal tunnel lol