Keith's Frag Tank / Coral Propagation Tank Build

[Keithhjs]

When it's this cold I don't receive or ship live stock, too risky.

Yup just not worth it.

 

[54seaweed]

When it's this cold I don't receive or ship live stock, too risky.

I learned that last xmas all my live stock was a solid ice cube fed ex lost it in transit came 3 days later

was almost a $250. claim took almost 6 months to get my money back
so now I know better

 

[Keithhjs]

I learned that last xmas all my live stock was a solid ice cube fed ex lost it in transit came 3 days later was almost a $250. claim took almost 6 months to get my money back so now I know better

Guess I got lucky as last year this time I received several shipments that arrived fine. It's not too bad weather wise here but I always worry about the journey they take to get here. This is also a good time to make sure a signature is required for delivery. Eliminates freezing on the porch so really all we need to worry about us what it went through before arriving lol.

 

[Gregcoyote]

This time of year packages get stuck on the truck. I ask for depot pickup, at least it stays in the building.

 

[Keithhjs]

This time of year packages get stuck on the truck. I ask for depot pickup, at least it stays in the building.

That's probably a better option. The only time I did that though they couldn't find my package at first. After 20 min of them searching they finally found it but didn't realize it contained live animals either.

 

[Gregcoyote]

That's probably a better option. The only time I did that though they couldn't find my package at first. After 20 min of them searching they finally found it but didn't realize it contained live animals either.

And they don't really care.

 

[Keithhjs]

And they don't really care.

Ahh, the decline of the American worker!

 

[Keithhjs]

Few pics of where I'm at now.

 

[Keithhjs]

Finally one tank actually has saltwater lol. Swapped out a canister filter from my chiller at home and some live rock so hopefully the cycle gets jump started.

 

[Dary421]

Finally one tank actually has saltwater lol. Swapped out a canister filter from my chiller at home and some live rock so hopefully the cycle gets jump started.

Omg ... It's starting for real now

 

[Keithhjs]

Update of the first tank:

 

[Dary421]

Cute...striped angelfish right?

 

[Brilliant_Barbs_21]

Cute...striped angelfish right?

Lol. Rarest of all angelfish!

 

[Gregcoyote]

I hope he didn't poop in the bucket!
Looks really good, what's the next steps?

 

[Keithhjs]

Thanks guys. That might be the striped devilfish, haven't been able to positive ID it yet. Might be best left to Santa lol. Next is drain all the freshwater from the main multi tank system and start filling that one up with saltwater. Also on tap my new 180 arrived yesterday to replace the one that was built warped. Now I just need to finish the stand and canopy for it. Also have a couple nano tanks to figure out where to put them! Merry Christmas & Happy Reefing to all!!

 

[Dary421]

Merry xmas Keith !

 

[Keithhjs]

Merry Christmas people!

Probably there are a lot of people here who will disagree with my fish choice here but here goes. Monday I was at my local wholesaler and saw a beautiful juvenile Copperband Butterfly fish. I've never kept one before but decided that my environment may not be as good as some but has to be better than some others that might of ended up with it. That being said the little bugger was eating prepared food two hours after acclimation and has been eating like a pig since. A little territory display by the Tomini but all in all okay. And now anytime I come in the room he comes out to greet me. Hoping I can keep it fat & healthy as I want to put it in my 180 later on at the store before I add a couple other fish that wouldn't probably leave it be if added after. Sometimes trying a challenging specimen pushes us to be better caregivers and also a lot of these animals that are probably better left in the sea are already sentenced to aquarium life so I might as well try to provide a suitable home before another who isn't setup too.

I'll get off my soapbox now!

 

[Gregcoyote]

Nobody is gonna give you any grief for a decision they themselves have made once and again. Copperbands are perhaps the easiest butterfly fish to keep. I think proper nutrition will be a key factor.

 

[Rpbustillo]

Good luck, gorgeous fish!

 

[Keithhjs]

Thanks guys. I'm encouraged as it is quite active and a voracious eater.