Moving from a 125g to 180g Journey

[Acronuts]

Well week 6 of running 1 liter of EB.
All is well. AMEN!
EB is tumbling nicely.
Stats
Phosphate is a 0 according to Salifert
Nitrates are at around .02 to .08 according to Salifert
Colors in corals are still holding. Interesting fact that even the zoes that are not under lights have excellent color.
When you guys measure Nitrates using Salifert test kit and it is below 10ppm do you guys folllow the low range results, since that is what they recommend?

 

[Apollo1K9]

Glad to hear it! I'm looking at one of these for my EB reactor, considering they are built for EB and it's competitor: NextReef SMR1 Solid Media Reactors

 

[Acronuts]

Glad to hear it! I'm looking at one of these for my EB reactor, considering they are built for EB and it's competitor: NextReef SMR1 Solid Media Reactors

Hey there apollo I use the reactor and love it! It does have two holes at bottom where flow enters chamber. What I have to say is that the media that is closest to the two holes do tumble best. Now in middle they seem to tumble a lot less. But with enough flow I can only assume that never is one pellet in the same place while in reactor.

 

[Acronuts]

Well guys its OFFICIAL!!! My 180g is now a year old! I did though have some early success but right around month 8 to 10 all **** broke loose. A massive alk spike, out of control phosphates and nitrates.
We are back on track and ready to go on.......!

A couple come back kids....

Superman monti

Just imagine that whole piece was an actual piece of pvc that was covered by it. I almost chucked it but decided not to.


Only chalice left, all died including a 10 eye bubble gum monster! ugggghhhh!

Here are some pieces that were not affected at all!! Thank God!!!

Pearl Berry

Odd angle but pic taken from the top is a sponges monti and my biggest acro, about 8 inches in diameter.

 

[Acronuts]

Some new additions to the tank.
Picked up at MACNA and can't remember what it is. Not sure if this is a cyphastrea or not what do you guys think?

Ora's Tri color picked up at MACNA

WWC pink red millie, you can't tell from this over head shot but this coral already just two weeks in tank is already showing growth on the base and growth of new coralites on one of the branches. It is an aquacultured piece and still maintaining its color! Looks like it likes my 250 Radium MH's and will be a moderate grower.

Never had a clam in any of my tanks so I thought this would be a good try and keep your fingers crossed it is doing well and my flameback angel has completely ignored it!

 

[Acronuts]

For my tanks' one year birthday I got it a BIG cake to celebrate!
I bought it a great present that will hopefully allow it to have many more birthdays.
A Reef Octopus SRO 3000 Internal skimmer!
Plan to set it up starting this evening.
Wish me luck!
Any of you have this model skimmer that may give me some pointers?
Thanks

 

[Acronuts]

Well guys here is the maiden start up video of the Reef Octopus SRO 3000. Man this thing is a beast!!!
10:00am Hookup

 

[Acronuts]

Well guys it now has been 4 1/2 months since I added 1 liter of EB to my system. System is now 1 year 4 months old.
Phos are at 0 - salifert test kit
Nitrates are between 0.5 to 0.8 - salifert test kit
Things are REALLY stable with all the other water parameters.
No hair algae or red/green slime algae!
Growth has been very good with my sps's, even the newer pieces. Color is OUTSTANDING!
My sps's that were on the verge of complete extinction are coming back. Even Mike's Paletta's blue monti is coming back from with in the rock it died on!
One other thing I have been doing as well is feeding the tank once a week with Dr. G's decapsulated brine shrimp eggs, oyster magnifique, phytoplankton enriched brine shrimp, copepods,rotifers, and Brightwell's zooplanktos-s, microvore.
I still clean glass about twice a week though.
Skimmer is pulling out a LOT of gunk for sure.
EXTREMELY happy right now with my tank!!!
I'm in the poor house after holidays, but it feels good not adding anything new and seeing what I have grow and prosper!

 

[nottooslow]

You have an amazing tank. Im glad you got all of the problems sorted out.

any current fts shots? please?

 

[Acronuts]

I am actually working on those new fts's. Will post soon!

 

[Acronuts]

Well guys here they are. I did these rather quickly and I am not too happy with they quality but you can tell what my tank is looking like so far.

FTS

Closer shot of middle of tank

Closer shot of right side

Closer shot of left side

My fav view is the right side panel

 

[SeverumGuy]

Looks amazing. IMO it's the best looking SW tank I've ever seen. Great job. Makes me want a SW tank even more.

 

[Acronuts]

Looks amazing. IMO it's the best looking SW tank I've ever seen. Great job. Makes me want a SW tank even more.

Thanks SG! Salt water reef tanks just like fresh water tanks are always works in progress. The more time you have them the more they develope.

 

[SeverumGuy]

Yeah, I'm learning that. I've slowly been adding live plants and a more natural feel to my tank. I'd imagine that freshwater plants grow quicker than coral and the such. I have pics under my profile if you'd like to take a look at my current arrangement. What all equipment is required for setting up a reef tank?