Tswifty's Custom 40g Rimless Build Thread

[Tswifty]

Originally posted by Jay4Robin
My PL was 1/2 when I purchased it from Hugo /Sniper SPS a few years ago when the coral first showed up. I begged him for the frag. it was 90$

Its now a giant. Once its happy it will encrust like crazy. and get huge.

I know man... the Pink Lemonade is still pretty darn hard to find, and usually the price is pretty steep. A LFS here was selling one for $90 as well a while back, except it was only the encrusting on a plug with one little 1/4" nub that had just begun to go vertical!

Originally posted by Taqpol
Hey Tj, how much Kalkwasser do you put in your reactor and what is its water volume? How often do you refill it?

Hmmm... I would say somewhere between 2-4" of slurry in the bottom of the reactor. I actually think I just dumped one whole container in there the first time. It's not really an exact science.

Then every 4 hrs the MJ 600 mixing pump kicks on for 5 minutes. I refill it about once every 4-5 weeks. It's 4" diameter, and I think 18" tall or so. I'm not really positive. I'll have to measure it.

Originally posted by kudora
wow nice frags TJ, i have been trying to hunt down a piece of that pink lemonade. none to be found here in the dakotas will have to order it in lol

Originally posted by MADtanks
im jelous!!! .... i want pink lemo!!!! and aqua deli!!!

very nice bro

Thanks guys.

The Pink Lemonade has been #1 on my most wanted list for a looooooooong time. Now I just need to hunt down a Purple Monster and IceFire Echinata.

If you haven't guessed it yet, Jay4Robin is who I purchased the frags from... I wish I had more room, because he's got some killer stuff.

[MADtanks]

does he have a thread or some kind of link i can take a look at .... def looking for 2 or 3 more killer frags!!! but so far all my frags are about 2-3" apart just the way i want it, so that they have some growth room. but im pretty sure i can fit an additional 2 or 3 frags

[Johnny C]

TJ... you've got mail.

[maroun.c]

Originally posted by Tswifty
Thanks Maroun. Yes I still have the Green Millepora... however it was determined that it's actually a Acropora Tenuis, and not an Acropora Millepora. I always thought the polyps looked a bit different, but it took a close up shot for some others and myself to go "wait a sec?"

The colony became infected with Red Bugs, and I treated my system with Interceptor. Here was the struggling colony, and path to recovery... it's still not 100% IMO, but getting there. I think the bacteria dosing has also helped.

July 26, 2009



August 9, 2009



August 30, 2009

Nice come back TJ hope it continues to improve.

[maroun.c]

Love the new frags too.
So is your tank full now or is there still room for frags. I really can't imagine how it'll look in a year from now when these grow.

[DEERE G]

Nice new frags TJ. Nice size too as mentioned earlier.

[Tswifty]

Originally posted by MADtanks
does he have a thread or some kind of link i can take a look at .... def looking for 2 or 3 more killer frags!!! but so far all my frags are about 2-3" apart just the way i want it, so that they have some growth room. but im pretty sure i can fit an additional 2 or 3 frags

This was the original thread.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1699837

I was checking the coral selling forum the other day, and there were some awesome packs for sale.

Originally posted by CaliDreaminjC
TJ... you've got mail.

Replied.

Originally posted by maroun.c
Nice come back TJ hope it continues to improve.

It's still got a long way to go, but it's on the right track.

Originally posted by maroun.c
Love the new frags too.
So is your tank full now or is there still room for frags. I really can't imagine how it'll look in a year from now when these grow.

Thanks. I've got a little room here and there, but some corals will be coming out. The Tri-Colors will probably get pulled, and the neon green acro from my 90g tank just hasn't looked great since I moved home. Those are the first on the chopping block.... and at some point in the future I will be pulling all the digi's. I'm going to wait until some of my frags grow into mini colonies before I do that though, so that area in the tank won't look empty once I pull the digi's.

Originally posted by DEERE G
Nice new frags TJ. Nice size too as mentioned earlier.

Thanks Keith.

[Jay4Robin]

I still have plenty of PL and others. Just pm me for details.

I really hate posting in the 4 sale forums. Too many people low balling me and not serious.
I only frag when the corals fight and hit the glass or steal the light from another colony.

[Taqpol]

Am I correct in remembering that you used the www.aquahub.com float switches to construct a top off like that shown on melev's site?

If so, did you shield the tops of them from water in any way? On the site it says you have to buy a special adapter so that no moisture gets near the top (where the wires enter). I have an amazing idea as to how to get my ATO to dose kalk water under pH 8.3 and normal water above 8.3, but I need to construct a second ATO extension cord.

[Electrobes]

Hi TJ i am glad to see your tank is moving back in the right direction, sorry to hear about the issues, I've just come out of a war with bryopsis... definitely know how you feel.

I, like you, have a 40Br. Our methodologies are vastly different (I am a softie kind of guy ) but I noticed you have a Vortech. I'd like to remove my MJ900's (I have two, it's an eyesore) and possibly replace them with a Vortech.

I am gravitating towards a single MP10 for my tank. Considering my current tank thinks the two MJ900's are sufficient, I think this would be a logical choice. I am not looking to upgrade the tank anytime soon (Have had a 40Br for 5 years), and after 6-7 years in the hobby I am a soft coral lifer. I like the MP10 for it's smaller size and considering it can do 1500 GPH, it's definitely enough flow for my tank!

Do you believe a MP10 would be the best option for my tank or do you think a MP20 would be a better candidate?

Thanks, looking forward to more pics of your tank!

[Tswifty]

Originally posted by Taqpol
Am I correct in remembering that you used the www.aquahub.com float switches to construct a top off like that shown on melev's site?

If so, did you shield the tops of them from water in any way? On the site it says you have to buy a special adapter so that no moisture gets near the top (where the wires enter). I have an amazing idea as to how to get my ATO to dose kalk water under pH 8.3 and normal water above 8.3, but I need to construct a second ATO extension cord.

Yes, I use the aquahub float switches, and purchased the little adapters. Then clear tubing fits over them.





I thought about using 2 reservoirs before, but don't have the room. The code would probably be fairly simple. I've seen a few threads pop up lately about using kalk to chase a pH number, and don't think it's a very good idea. However, setting a maximum pH setting to prevent it from continuing to dose kalk if the pH is already high is a great idea.

I'll be interested to see what you come up with.

Originally posted by Electrobes
Hi TJ i am glad to see your tank is moving back in the right direction, sorry to hear about the issues, I've just come out of a war with bryopsis... definitely know how you feel.

I, like you, have a 40Br. Our methodologies are vastly different (I am a softie kind of guy ) but I noticed you have a Vortech. I'd like to remove my MJ900's (I have two, it's an eyesore) and possibly replace them with a Vortech.

I am gravitating towards a single MP10 for my tank. Considering my current tank thinks the two MJ900's are sufficient, I think this would be a logical choice. I am not looking to upgrade the tank anytime soon (Have had a 40Br for 5 years), and after 6-7 years in the hobby I am a soft coral lifer. I like the MP10 for it's smaller size and considering it can do 1500 GPH, it's definitely enough flow for my tank!

Do you believe a MP10 would be the best option for my tank or do you think a MP20 would be a better candidate?

Thanks, looking forward to more pics of your tank!

Thanks.

I've talked to a few guys about the MP10, and the people who have tested and sell them say that there are really only 2 choices when it comes to VorTech pumps. The MP10 or the MP40. Most feel like the MP20 is a waste of a pump... since you could just dial down the MP40, and there is no benefit of a smaller footprint like the MP10 has. Also, they said the MP10 is the best "nano" pump currently available considering its capabilities. I was looking to add one to my tank, but the magnet is only rated for up to 3/8" glass I believe. If EcoTech ever comes out with a magnet upgrade, you'll see one on my tank.

1 or 2 MP10's would be a great choice for that size of a tank. Especially since you are keeping softies. The only reason I say "or 2" is because I've found it very difficult to get adequate flow through all regions of the tank using just 1 pump (regardless of how strong). There always seemed to be 1 dead spot no matter what I did with the MP40. So I added a Tunze 6025, and it solved the problem.

Hope that helps.

[Taqpol]

Originally posted by Tswifty
I thought about using 2 reservoirs before, but don't have the room. The code would probably be fairly simple. I've seen a few threads pop up lately about using kalk to chase a pH number, and don't think it's a very good idea. However, setting a maximum pH setting to prevent it from continuing to dose kalk if the pH is already high is a great idea.

I'll be interested to see what you come up with.

I'm pretty excited about my plan as it only requires one reservoir, two pumps, and two sets of ATO chords.

Basically, the main ATO pump is connected to my "main float switch". whenever this water level drops it activates the pump that pushes fresh water through my kalk reactor, but it is also plugged into my reef keeper so that it does not activate if pH is above 8.3. My second set of ATO switch/cord is plugged into a normal outlet and is set slightly lower (~.5") then the main switch and uses a second pump to push fresh water straight into the tank while bypassing the kalk reactor. It will only ever activate if the pH is greater then 8.3 due to the main switch being turned off and it has the added effect of pushing normal water instead of a large amount of kalk water if you lose more then normal evaporation amounts.

Kind of confusing to explain, I can draw a diagram if you're interested.

[IridescentLily]

All you need now is another LPS piece.
I'm thinkin' you need a cynarina, green or rose. Or an acanthophyllia deshaysiana. I'm living vicariously through now, sorry, lol.

[Electrobes]

Yeah thanks. Guess I got lucky going with a standard 40Br with 3/8 glass?

The only thing that stops me from getting one now is having a dead spot. With my two MJ900's I literally have one minor dead spot. That would mean that getting the MP10 would be more for looks, less equipment in the tank... though I guess flow would be a different-better than what the MJ's provide. Granted if the vortech were to break I would have no back up working should I not be home.

Decisions decisions!

[Tswifty]

Originally posted by IridescentLily
All you need now is another LPS piece.
I'm thinkin' you need a cynarina, green or rose. Or an acanthophyllia deshaysiana. I'm living vicariously through now, sorry, lol.

There are a few other LPS pieces I like, but I'm not sure where I would place them as they look much better in low lighting. Also, I'm pretty much out of open real estate, but I really like the Tyree Cyphastrea Japonica and I've always wanted a Scolymia australis "Bleeding Apple".

[Tswifty]

Originally posted by Electrobes
Yeah thanks. Guess I got lucky going with a standard 40Br with 3/8 glass?

The only thing that stops me from getting one now is having a dead spot. With my two MJ900's I literally have one minor dead spot. That would mean that getting the MP10 would be more for looks, less equipment in the tank... though I guess flow would be a different-better than what the MJ's provide. Granted if the vortech were to break I would have no back up working should I not be home.

Decisions decisions!

Yep, the Vortech will give you a lot more capability, control, and be a cleaner install than the MJ's.

Be sure to let us know what you decide.

[Tswifty]

Originally posted by Taqpol
I'm pretty excited about my plan as it only requires one reservoir, two pumps, and two sets of ATO chords.

Basically, the main ATO pump is connected to my "main float switch". whenever this water level drops it activates the pump that pushes fresh water through my kalk reactor, but it is also plugged into my reef keeper so that it does not activate if pH is above 8.3. My second set of ATO switch/cord is plugged into a normal outlet and is set slightly lower (~.5") then the main switch and uses a second pump to push fresh water straight into the tank while bypassing the kalk reactor. It will only ever activate if the pH is greater then 8.3 due to the main switch being turned off and it has the added effect of pushing normal water instead of a large amount of kalk water if you lose more then normal evaporation amounts.

Kind of confusing to explain, I can draw a diagram if you're interested.

I think I see what you're doing. I like the idea of 2 pumps vs 2 reservoirs as well. I mean... duh... the kalk is in the reactor. I can't believe I never thought of that.

I'll be very interested to see how it works out for you, and may incorporate something similar in the near future. Right now I just have a max pH setting that would shut off my ATO is the pH hits 8.5. I figure a slight rise in SG due to not having the ATO on for a day is better than nuking the tank by skyrocketing the pH with kalk.

[Electrobes]

Originally posted by Tswifty
Yep, the Vortech will give you a lot more capability, control, and be a cleaner install than the MJ's.

Be sure to let us know what you decide.

I think for now I am going to stick with the two MJ's. They leave me only one slight dead spot versus a single vortech that will prob leave me with the same thing at best.

I get to use that money for corals instead!

[Kreeger1]

Just picked up the Tyree's Cyphastrea Japonica as well as the tyree blood red and Limited Edition Cyphastrea decadia. Completes my collection of cyphastrea now....thanks cherrycorals.com

[Tswifty]

Water Parameters:



I'm planning on increasing my 2-part dosing to 30 ml of each part. Currently I have been dosing 25 ml of each part, but alkalinity has still been falling.

Also, I'm hoping to get the Pink Lemonade and Aqua Delight mounted up into the rockwork tomorrow. The Pink Lemonade has great polyp extension now that it's settled into the tank.

[Tswifty]

Originally posted by Electrobes
I get to use that money for corals instead!

Haha... that's definitely another way to look at it!

Originally posted by Kreeger1
Just picked up the Tyree's Cyphastrea Japonica as well as the tyree blood red and Limited Edition Cyphastrea decadia. Completes my collection of cyphastrea now....thanks cherrycorals.com

Sweet. You'll have to let me know how the color on the Japonica does.

[IridescentLily]

Originally posted by Tswifty


There are a few other LPS pieces I like, but I'm not sure where I would place them as they look much better in low lighting. Also, I'm pretty much out of open real estate, but I really like the Tyree Cyphastrea Japonica and I've always wanted a Scolymia australis "Bleeding Apple".

Oh gosh! Can you imagine? :-o. The bleeding apple is so insane looking, I love them. I'll cross my fingers that one comes your way for a good price.

Originally posted by Kreeger1
Just picked up the Tyree's Cyphastrea Japonica as well as the tyree blood red and
Limited Edition Cyphastrea decadia. Completes my collection of cyphastrea
now....thanks cherrycorals.com

I'd DIE.

I bet they'll look sooo cool together.

[Tswifty]

Originally posted by IridescentLily
Oh gosh! Can you imagine? :-o. The bleeding apple is so insane looking, I love them. I'll cross my fingers that one comes your way for a good price.

I know where I can get one for a nice price, I'm just not sure where I would place it... or how much light it could tolerate. About the only room in the tank for one would be in the front right corner on the sandbed. Everytime I see them, they are in shaded regions or very low in the tank.

However, if I switch to 1 - 400w Radium... it may be an option, as those front corners will probably end up being less intense areas.

They are crazy looking though. There was a TOTM a few months back where the guy had a bunch of scolys.

[Tswifty]

Took a few hours today to try and manually remove some of the nuisance algae present in the system. I was shocked to see how much bubble algae had returned.



Also snapped a quick FTS when I was done. You can see where I mounted the Tyree Pink Lemonade. I used an old maricultured plug in order to get it raised where it won't grow into the other corals located near it. So that spot will look a little unsightly until the coral grows out into a colony.

[Western_reefer]

Originally posted by Tswifty
So I'm thinking the new guy's name should be like Shrek or Booger...

I also have a sea hare. They are AWESOME!!!!! They get up to 12 inches if you didn't know that... lol Here is a picture of mine.
[IMG]http://i31.*******.com/atum1k.jpg[/IMG]