Iostream's 90G Mixed Reef

[Iostream]

tydtran: Thanks for the advice. I will be leaving most of the rock in the RSM which has the algae, though it is not as bad as was pictured there. Perhaps after the RSM has had some time with no nutrients I can move a little more of that rock over, but I plan to make the RSM a FOWLR, so I need rock in there. The other thought was a tang might eat most of that algae, but I will have to be careful where I experiment there.

In other news, the cycle is complete. Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates are all undetectable. As soon as the new temp probe arrives, I will begin moving fish over.

[Iostream]

Now that the cycle is done and my replacement temp probe has arrived, I have added the Inland Aquatics detrivore kit to seed the tank, as well as a good selection from the IPSF Mix and Match special. Inland sent the standard detrivore kit, and IPSF sent:

6 bristle worms
6 sandbed clams
a clump of tang heaven red
wondermud
liquidnreducer
6 nerite snails
6 strombus grazers
reefamphipods
lives and activator

I will let those fester in the tank for a week or so before moving the fish over from the RSM, hopefully they will get a good population started for the eventual mandarin. So far I am happy with the tank setup, and hopefully things will stay on track.

[Iostream]

Well, I let them fester for a few days. I have started to move occupants from the RSM to the 90G, but I am doing it slowly so as to not stress the fish too much. Rather than tear down the RSM and transfer things over, I am using a specimen container and moving a fish at a time. I caught the clowns last night while they were sleeping, and moved them over. I then left the specimen container in the RSM and caught the Potters Angel when it was investigating the inside of the specimen container. The rest will be harder to catch, but I am going to try and get them the same way. Frankly I won't be able to catch the wrasse with a net unless I tear down the RSM and dig up the sandbed, so I am hoping this way works.

Current 90G inhabitants:
2 False Percula clowns
1 Potter's Angel
1 Frogspawn
det kits from IPSF and Inland.

So far everything seems to be doing well.

[Iostream]

Does GSP migrate if it isn't touching anything? I have a pretty good size rock covered in GSP. My clowns basically hosted in it in the RSM. I had not planned to move the GSP to the 90G because I dont want it spreading everywhere like it has in the RSM, but if I put the GSP rock in as an island, will it spread, or stay isolated to the rock?

[Iostream]

Well, I have finally migrated everything that I intend to migrate over to the 90G. The wrasse was by far the hardest to catch without undue stress. I have the GSP isolated, but if it starts to spread I guess I will have to send it back. So far everything is looking pretty good. I accidentally fragged a couple of heads off of the frogspawn, but none were lost, and I think it will be a good thing. FTS after the last move and some time to settle:

[macronut]

nice rockwork. Wouldn't change at all. Your corals will enjoy growing upward.

[Iostream]

Thanks. The more I look at it, the happier I am with the rock work. Plenty of room for corals, and plenty of places for the fish to hide, but lots of room for swimming and growth as well.

[Iostream]

The tank has been doing great, finally got calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium where I want them, and started maintaining them with the 2 part from Bulk Reef Supply. The last inhabitants for a while are on their way from liveaquaria (Yellow and Regal tang) as well as the snowflake for the RSM. I will post pictures once things are arrived and settled.

[lowendmelody]

I like it... I don't like alot of rock as I won't be having alot in my new display. Yours has a great look for a 90. kudos.

[Iostream]

lowendmelody: Thanks. I am very happy with it. With the latest additions, I think this tank is pretty much done. I plan to add a mandarin once the pod population is more established, and perhaps another coral or two if I see something really spectacular, but I really want to watch things grow and see how this tank evolves.

[Iostream]

The tangs are in. The regal is settled and seems to be doing well... The yellow is still pacing the back of the tank, and does not appear to be eating... Any ideas there?
Yes, I realize QT is a good thing, but I don't have a tank of reasonable size to QT tangs, and research seems to show that the stress from QT is not worth it for regals in particular.

Some shots from today:

Full Tank Shot


Regal Tang and Yellow Coris Wrasse


Actinic, Clowns playing in GSP

[Iostream]

Sadly I have to report the loss of the eel. It was a very small snowflake, but I honestly didnt think escape was much of an option in the RSM. It made its way into the back chambers, and just got sucked into one of the circulation pumps. It is always sad to lose a life in our care, but especially when it was something I could have easily prevented...

[Iostream]

I changed the Phosphate and carbon reactor pump to only run while the display lights are on. Hopefully that will allow enough phosphates to feed the refugium algae at night and get some decent growth there. While the goal is zero phosphates, I am still trying to support a good pod population and grow out gracilaria for the tangs to eat. Hopefully this will help grow out the macros in the refugium without allowing much to grow in the display.
In other news, both tangs are looking good, and the yellow has started to fatten up, though it is solely from the gracilaria and growth in the tank, as I have not seen it touch any prepared foods (even nori). The hippo is eating everything it can find, prepared or natural.

[JAustin]

your clowns are awesome! I wish mine would host anything other than the corner of the tank.

[Iostream]

JAustin: Thanks.

The good news is there is not much to report. The tangs are settled in now, and seem to be eating well. The yellow is still rather shy, particularly for a tang, but seems much more relaxed and is eating both prepared foods and the gracilaria regularly.

About the only adjustment I need to make at this point is with the skimmer. While it performs quite well with the Mag 7, the pump is very wide and barely fits into the skimmer chamber. This causes some vibration noise downstairs, which happens to be in our bedroom. I don't really hear the vibration noise here in the office. After talking with the folks at ETSS, it seems that the Mag 9.5 will make the skimmer perform even better, and has a different footprint allowing an inch of clearance on the sides of the skimmer chamber. This will allow me to do a bit of vibration reduction there and should quiet things down.
For the RSM, I used some fiberglass window screen material to "eel proof" the back compartment. There is a new snowflake, quite a bit larger than the last one, but still rather small. It seems to be doing well, and took about 3 good sized krill today.

[Reeftanks6]

very nice tank i will be following.

[Iostream]

Well, no matter how I rationalized it, the lack of a QT for the tangs was a bad idea. The hippo started to get ick spots bad over the weekend, I tried to pull it to QT, but it was too far gone and died over the weekend. Unfortunately it also means there is ich in my display tank now. None of the fish are showing any signs at this point, but I am sure it is in there. What should I do in this case? I certainly don't have a tank large enough to take the full population for 6-8 weeks...

Lesson is certainly learned, there will be no more additions without a QT.

The mag 9.5 arrived today. Vibration noise is gone, and it is too early to tell for sure, but the skimmer seems to be foaming more.

[Iostream]

A couple of pix from the 90 today:

[Iostream]

And a picture of the snowflake from the RSM:

[Iostream]

The yellow tang and the potters are eating the Gracilaria faster than I can grow it out. I just ordered a full pound to suppliment what is in my sump right now. I am wondering if I should pull cheato all together and just go with the gracilaria to see if that increases grow out much. I am also adding some inside a soap dish to the RSM. That tank is fairly nutrient rich and should support decent growth too.

[BigJay]

My angels won't touch the gracilaria, I'm thinking of tearing it out of the display before it grows stupid wild.

Originally posted by Iostream
The yellow tang and the potters are eating the Gracilaria faster than I can grow it out. I just ordered a full pound to suppliment what is in my sump right now. I am wondering if I should pull cheato all together and just go with the gracilaria to see if that increases grow out much. I am also adding some inside a soap dish to the RSM. That tank is fairly nutrient rich and should support decent growth too.

[Iostream]

I was rather suprised to see the Potters go for it, I have been switching between nori and the Gracilaria, but I put both on the same clip, so the angel knows that it is food, not just something growing on the rocks. Might also be that the Potters is a Hawaiian angel... Either way, happy to have it eating fresh veggies, just need a way to ensure that I have enough. IPSF mentions 150% growth on average can be expected. I cannot comment on that number because I have been feeding quite a bit of it, and started with less than 1/4 lb. Maybe starting with 1 lb I will have plenty.

[Iostream]

Something seems amiss, I just cannot figure out what... Starting yesterday, the yellow wrasse is spending a good bit of time in the corner and thrashing the top of the water a bit. He still comes over to feed, and will occasionally swim around the tank for a bit. I don't see any signs of anything on him, but the behavior is weird. Today, my frogspawn does not has its usual polyp extension, but it is open, and my GSP (2 colonies on one rock) seemed to shut down one colony at a time, when one opened, the other one closed. Parameters seem fine, I don't know how to explain it really... Anyone have any ideas?

[Reeftanks6]

Looking good.

[Iostream]

Well, the pound of Gracilaria came today... Wow, that's a lot of algae... I put 1/4 lb in the RSM and 3/4 in the refugium for the 90G. There really isn't room for more. I am really hoping that I can grow out at least enough for the fish to eat. Hopefully with some extra to give to local reefers.
I had to remove half of my cheato to make room. When I pulled it, I moved it to the DT and shook it out a few times. Pods were flying everywhere. I have never seen so many in one place. This looks good for the eventual mandarin addition.