My 300g to 120g Upgrade

[DaveMorris]

Glad to see you at least posting, hopefully we see some cool pics soon.
What pump is on the cad?
Is that the DC pump?
Why are you dropping the vort?

The CADLights skimmer uses a TIA1220 pump. It is not a DC pump. I haven't been able to find impeller parts for it. I think I am ready for a new skimmer anyway. I am getting rid of the MP40 because it is too loud. I have a RW8 and RW15 and will be using those for flow driven by my Archon controller. Yeah I know...You can't believe that Dave is actually putting powerheads in his tank. We'll see how well they work. The Archon gives a ton of control over them so I should be able to get a lot of random flow. I just need to find time to get the Arcon back on the tank and set everything up. Between work and planning MACNA 2016, I have had no time to do anything to the tank. I'll post some pics soon.

Dave, I still don't have glass on my doors. No time to get over to Alpine Glass and get it done!

[davocean]

Wow you have been busy.
Sounds like you'll be on track soon though.

[DaveMorris]

It just takes time and that's something that I have had in short supply lately.

[DaveMorris]

Well today I added a few items to the tank. I picked up a tuxedo urchin and Rainbow Monti from Pet Kingdom and a really nice blue tort and a green hammer from AquaSD. It is nice to be able to put coral in the tank again. And yes, I know...if there ain't any pics, it never happened. I will try to shoot some decent shots of the tank in the next few days.

[DaveMorris]

Got a couple deliveries this week. Today I got in an order from ReefCleaners. Got a bunch of crabs and snails. I will probably do an order from IPSF as well just for further diversity. Yesterday I received a Live Aquaria order that included a Royal Gramma, a Bicolor Blenny, a six line wrasse, and a blue maxima clam. The fish are, of course, being shy. I have seen the royal gramma a few times as well as the six line, but the blenny is being very shy. My skimmer died again. I have decided that it is time to replace it. Probably going to replace it with either a Nyos or a Vertex. I'll have to look at them and figure out which one I want. Corals are growing well. Lots of growth spreading out on the rocks. I'll try to get some pics up soon.

[davocean]

The Vertex skimmers are nice, especially the Alpha if you can afford it, the Omegas I hear are a little fussy getting them dialed in at first but good once you do.
Nyos looks good, have not heard much about them yet.
Yeah get some pics up!

[DaveMorris]

So I added a Vertex Omega 150 skimmer and finally got it up and running. When you actually follow the manufacturers directions, ie remove the collection cup and let it overflow for 24hrs, it actually breaks in very easy. It has been running great. Took about 5 minutes to make adjustments on it after the 24hr break in period and haven't had to touch it in a week. It works great!

Next I am working on getting my Vertex RX-6C calcium reactor set up. I bought a cabinet from Ikea to house it right next to my tank. It has a pull out drawer so I will be able to access things very easy to service it. I have to finish up a few things on the cabinet but it is coming along. Have a few modifications that I need to make first. I will be using Two Little Fishies Reborn reactor media and mixing in some Zeo Mag to help keep my Mg nice and elevated. I can't wait to get this beast set up. Photos will be posted once I am done installing everything figure out how to access my personal website so I can upload photos. (Long story behind problems modifying my website)

The one other item I did today was install new filter media in my MelevsReef RODI unit. I also added a second membrane to it. The waste line from the first membrane goes into the second membrane to basically reprocess the water to be more efficient. I also bought a new and very nice digital TDS meter and installed it. 507ppm going in and a big, fat 0 TDS coming out. Works like a charm.

I have some more GHA showing up in the tank but I am pretty sure that it has been because of neglect the last couple of months. RODI filter change was long overdue as well. I will dose some PhosRX tomorrow and then do a big water change the next day. That stuff works great so I think the tank will be cleaned up pretty quick.

[DaveMorris]

A little update...I have my Vertex calcium reactor plumbed into the tank, but I need to get the controller set up to deal with the ph probe inside. I may do that tonight. I ordered some GFO from BRS because I am having issues with phosphate. I've been using Phosphate RX, but the levels are not moving so I am going to add a few more methods into the mix. I'll find the culprit here soon.

I have also added an exquisite wrasse and finally found very nice pyramid butterfly. I got them both at Vets Pets and they are doing great. My current fish list is:

Foxface Rabbitfish
Naso tang
Yellow Tang
Pyramid Butterfly
(3) Lyretail Anthias
Bicolor Blenny
(3) Percula Clownfish
Exquisite Wrasse
Sixline Wrasse
Orangespot Goby
Matted Filefish
Rose bubble tip anenome
Tuxedo Urchin
And of course a bunch of snails, stars, worms, hermits, etc.

Once the algea is under control (from the phosphate issues) I will start adding more corals. It is coming along pretty good.

[davocean]

Time for some new pics Dave!

[DaveMorris]

Did a bit of a tank cleaning today. Thought I would take a couple pics.





My rose anenome split a few days ago and I think my three clowns aren't sure which half to hang out in. Hopefully I will be rid of the algea soon. I had it under control and then went through a period where I was traveling a ton and let the tank go a bit. Fish are doing great though!

[nanoreef1]

I love your tank!

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

[davocean]

Looks great Dave!