Tycho's 70g Rimless Starphire Build

[Tycho]

I haven't had any problems with my aqua lifters. I have run my ato dry a few times while at work. The pumps chugged air for hours and still work fine.

If plugged in to a PC4 they wont turn off unless used on one of the relay outlets.

[Tycho]

It's been a while since my last update. I got a few fish and a couple of frags from the lfs a couple weeks ago, but have been too busy to take any pics.

Orange Cap


Pink Birdsnest


I picked up a few Chromis and a One Spot Foxface.


I am receiving a big order from Fantasticfrags on tuesday. I'm really excited! I'll post more pics once I get them in the tank.

This is what I'll be receiving:

Aussie Three Color Acropora
Pink Lemonade Pocillopora
GARF Bonsai
ORA Ice Tort
ORA Verde
Sanjay’s Leprechaun’s Beard
Purple rim M. cap
Tyree Pink Lemonade
Rainbow Monti
Pink Tip Sarmentosa
Peppermint Acan
Green Balls of Fury Acan
Chocolate Chip Zoas
Spidermans Zoas

[Tycho]

So it's been a while since I have posted an update of my tank. I have had some great success so far, as well as some epic fails too! First off I have learned "not" to try to clean the inside of my glass after I have been drinking. I got a piece of sand stuck in my sponge and scratched up the glass pretty bad. the tank needs to be replaced now. Oh well, I'm learning to live with it, but at some point in the future I'll tear it down and swap the tank. After that it will be bare bottom all the way...

I love some of my new corals though. The ones I got from Fantastic Frags a couple months ago don't even look like they are alive. I feel like I threw away $450 on those. I do LOVE my new corals I got from my LFS though. Here are some pics of how they look, and some new fishies too.







new fishies


new red tail trigger (reef safe I was told, and so far so good)


This guy is straight outa Compton!!! I'm not sure what kind of Acro it is. Maybe someone can ID it for me.

[Tnconcept]

Epic...

[Tycho]

Thanks! has been an epic headache for sure lol! But learning hands on is so much fun.

[Saltwatercoral2]

Any updates? did you end up going with 2 vortech mp10s? If so, do you think its enough flow?

[PistolShrmp]

Great looking tank.

[DIYnitemare]

The tank is still looking awesome

[Tycho]

Originally Posted by Saltwatercoral2

Any updates? did you end up going with 2 vortech mp10s? If so, do you think its enough flow?

Yes I have 2 MP10's. I moved them to either side facing eachother and the flow seems to be perfect. On short pulse I can make a wave that moves the water about 2 in. up and down. any larger pump and water would be spilling out the sides.

I also removed my GFO and converted the reactor into a Biopellet reactor. I had some issues with RTN and lost a few colonies. I'm still trying to get it all sorted out. I'll take some pics soon. It's weird. My big colonies are looking like Sh@t, but most of my frags are looking awesome.

I don't know if biopellets are the answer, but I have alot of fish and not so much rock. My Nitrates are always around 10. So I thought it couldn't hurt to try. Been seeding them for 6 weeks now and not seeing any reduction in nutrients yet.

[Tycho]

Originally Posted by kidrobot

Love your tank

Thank you!

[kelp47]

The purple coral you right in the center is spectacular! Did you ever ID it?

[Tycho]

Originally Posted by kelp47

The purple coral you right in the center is spectacular! Did you ever ID it?

I never did find out what it is. I'm guessing some kind of Staghorn? It makes a great centerpiece and it grown like a weed. About an inch and a half in every direction since i got it a couple months ago. I keep breaking the tips off by accident cleaning and they just heal in no time. This is the easiest coral I have to care for.

[kelp47]

Originally Posted by Tycho

I never did find out what it is. I'm guessing some kind of Staghorn? It makes a great centerpiece and it grown like a weed. About an inch and a half in every direction since i got it a couple months ago. I keep breaking the tips off by accident cleaning and they just heal in no time. This is the easiest coral I have to care for.

That gives me somewhere to start. At this point, I acknowledge that I'm a little ignorant when it comes to IDing corals :-)

[E30]

Any updates?

[A_Z]

Super nice tank.

[dlai531]

Nice tank!

[CeeGee]

Tank looks good. Sucks about the scratches but it could be worse. Keep the updates coming.

[schaNYC]

What's your water change schedule/volume
like? I am thinking of upgrading to this size but also live in an apt and not sure if I can handle the large volume of water change. I don't have a brute container either.

[ReefProDiablo75]

how would you rate cad light skimmer. I have used both the reactor and have had
bad experience with both of it. I heard their tank have bad review from some people
i know in person and on reef central.

[JN93]

that is a beautiful tank, love the center piece

[phillytec]

thanks for posting this i now the thread is super old but i really like the dimensions of these tanks and I'm thinking about taking the plunge

[Tycho]

Anyone local to portland, OR. I am parting out this system. Its been a few years and there is new aquarium tech out now, however this gear still rocks. I have everything dry in my garage and well kept.