My 180 build by DFM34

[dfm34]

Originally Posted by extoker

what did you hang your lights with (chains, cable, kit, etc)?
thanks, tim

I used chain and electrical pipe. I hung the pipe under the joists then drilled a hole in the pipe place eye hooks then s hooks and chains. Hope this helps. Pm if you need more info.

[dfm34]

Cycle is moving great ammonia .25 nitrites 5

[dfm34]

My cycle has been going for a month

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1433205127.225614.jpg

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 5
Nitrates 50

[dfm34]

Been a while since I cycled a tank and been re reading some info and saw that high nitrites can produce a false reading with nitrates? Thoughts anyone???

[dfm34]

We have life!!!! After consistent 0 ammonia 0 nitrites and .5 nitrates I added a small clean up crew 10 nassarian snails and 1 blood shrimp.

I should have taken a pic of the shrimp before adding to the tank. Maybe when I comes out I will get on but right now he is hiding well in my aqua scape. Here are some of the snails.

[dfm34]

I am looking for some diversity I have placed an order with ipsf and I am getting some mini - bristle worms, mama Mia worms, sand activator and pods. Can't wait to start adding fish in a few weeks!!!

[dfm34]

So I decided I am crazy and the wife agrees. I am so excited about my worm order I can't wait for their delivery tomorrow. They are worms!!!!!

[dfm34]

We have pods worms and mini stars!!!! My order from ips came also have wonder mud live sand activator and macro algae. I will see how the tank reacts tomorrow and test for any spikes.

Ips packed everything great and all was alive and well.

[dfm34]

[dfm34]

So I started this thread to share my experience with those who knowingly and unknowingly helped me through the years. I have been doing this hobby on and off for a long time and still learn something every day. I want to share this point with all the newbies reading this and want to rush into things.

I have done many tanks with many mistakes and some mistakes twice lol. This time is no exception. So far I have left my rodi on which overflowed into my sump dropping salinity I then added macro algae which got stuck into pump killing the flow for a day or two.

In my eyes mistakes that could have been avoided but the good news is I am going slow no live stock other than a clean up crew. I M working out my mistakes before adding fish and corals. This is why many say wait six months for corals or anemones. Not only does your tank need to mature but so do your skills and knowledge of how your tank works. Each time I set up a tank it is different and new issues arise. Part of the challenge we all love. But taking it slow helps in so many ways. I hope this post and thread helps others along the way.

[dfm34]

Unleashed a few fish into the DT 2 PJ cardinals and a female carpenter wrasse. I will try to get a pic. My next two acquisitions will be in DT in a few weeks.

[dfm34]

Wrasse was camera shy hiding in the rocks but this guy was not shy

[dfm34]

It is amazing what a little food will do to bring out the camera shy. Not a great photo by here she is

[dfm34]

Typical next phase of a cycle I am starting to see HA I have added a fighting conch some Nerite snails some Florida Cerith a Few ringed cowrie and a tuxedo urchin. Did a 20% WC and tested

NO3 .2
CA 380
Alk 8.3
MG 1110
PO4 .24

Changed out and uped GFO to 2 cups

[dfm34]

Been a while since I posted so I figured I would show off what has been added since early July.



Blond naso and red tabling acro



Black saddle back clowns



A shy Starry Blenny



Finally a good shot of my carpenter wrasse

[dfm34]

Can't wait have some goodies coming from battle corals. Post some pic this weekend.

[dfm34]

Battle coral shipment should be coming Thursday.

BC Secale
E-City Table
Copps miyagi
Bennet yellow
Red planet
milli of Adams choice

So far my experience with Battle Corals has been fantastic. Pics to come

[dfm34]

Highly recommend Battle Corals received all healthy corals and Adam gave me 2 extras

[dfm34]

Originally Posted by vbxgn

be sure to make sure your chiller has enough airflow around it. i dont run one but ive heard they can prematurely fail when inclosed in a cabinet and such.

Yes thanks can't remember if I posted it but I did move it to outside next to tank. Based on similar advice. It is appreciated.

[dfm34]

So I am still fighting GHA and decided to try an algae scrubber. Here are some photos of the build



Started with an acrylic box purchased on line from a site specializing in retail displays.



Added a 1" drain on the bottom with a 1" emergency drain on the right 8" from the bottom.



Attached 2 Led light strips with 8 1w red and 1 1w blue LED bulbs.



Drilled out a grove for the 3/4" spray bar and will be using a Jebo dc1200 pump




I will keep you posted on how it works.

[dfm34]

ATS has been running fur three days on the second pic you can see brown specs of algae staring to grow on the mesh.

[dfm34]

Two weeks of growth with the ATS not too bad. I am starting to notice o difference in DT as well. I decided to do three days lights out this week end so hopefully there will be some good changes.

[dfm34]

Just released my newest addition to the DT. A Powder Blue Tang and three Dispar Anthias (one male two female) all eating like champs. I will post pictures this weekend.

[dfm34]

As promised here is my PBT







So far a very aggressive eater and starting to take over the tank a bit

Here are two of the three Dispar Anthias

[dfm34]

So I a became a little inpatient and it cost me!! I was very frustrated by my corals lack of color (very brown) my parameters we very consistent always (Salifert and Hanna UL PO4)

CA 380
KH 8.3
MG 1400
NO3 < 1
PO4 .15

Since I have been beating back hair algae I assumed my PO4 levels were the cause of my brown sps. And also wanted to get CA to 420.

I decided to take action. I went and purchased Red Sea NO3 PO4 X and Kent Turbo CA.

After dosing on Fri I woke up on Sat to a cloudy tank. Realized it's a bacteria bloom I re read the Red Sea directions and realize I overdosed.

I do an emergency WC but it's too late for my male Anthias.

I do a water test and my KH is now 9.3 and Ca is the same. One frag is lost (rtn) due to the KH change I assume.

Good news is PO4 is now .3

I sat back and looked at my log book and although I have been building the tank for almost a year live stock as only been in tank since July!!! The tank is still very new and settling in and I rushed things and paid.

I guess it could have been worse.