3-Month Update

[Reef Mike]

Something screwed up so I am gonna post again

[Reef Mike]

Okay Here goes again..

This is my 3-Month Update after the cycle completed. Enjoy. Critisism and suggestions welcome. :)

Full Tank Shot

[Reef Mike]

Another View of the whole tank

[Reef Mike]

Left Side Zoom

[Reef Mike]

Right Side Zoom

[Reef Mike]

Equipment Under The Tank

I am using two main pumps. The T3 for a closed loop system and a Mag 9.5 for the Sump return. I have a EuroReef Skimmer, a Won Brothers 250W Titanium Heater. My water level is controlled by two float switches which control a powerhead in the resevoir chamber.

[Michael_Lambert]

Looking good!

[Reef Mike]

Lighting

[Reef Mike]

And finally a pic of the whole setup

[Red-Sea]

Very nice Mike, love the powder brown tang... :cheers:

[afss]

Very nice looking set up, but I would suggest slowing down on the stocking. It looks pretty heavily stocked for a 3 month old tank. You may have no problems if you continue to stock heavy or you may have huge problems.

Either way tank looks good so far.

[Reef Mike]

Scott

Good point. I have been fighting the urge to splurge on lotta stuff for the tank. I have slowed down a lot recently and I am not really planning on adding anything in december.

I am planning on getting a few SPS colonies in the new year though.. I think that should be alright. I am actually surprised I have managed to keep all my levels at 0, but I have added things spaced out. Never more then 2 things at a time.

As for fish I think I am done for now. I have all the fish I really want. I still want a regal tang but I can't sleep well having 3 tangs in the tank so he will wait till I get another tank.

Mike

[visor]

i agree with afss.it looks great.if you do it to fast it takes all the fun out of it

[ReefGeek]

Looks awesome. That is some wicked coralline growth for three months. Couldn't help notice the Sea Chem container. I have been using Sea chem for alk and calcium for a while now and I been really happy with the results. Still planning on getting a reactor though.

What size is your skimmer and how do you like it so far. I am upgrading very soon and am definately considering the euro reef models.
Dave

[ajx22]

Originally posted by Reef Mike
I am planning on getting a few SPS colonies in the new year though.. I think that should be alright. I am actually surprised I have managed to keep all my levels at 0, but I have added things spaced out. Never more then 2 things at a time.



WAY Too soon for SPS!!!

[Michael_Lambert]

I agree on the sps.. Although im one of the worst ones for not listening..lol,

But you need to make sure your tank peramiters are stable nad have been for a while.. the last thing you need is some spike in somthing when you got SPS in there as they will most likly die.. and you need to ensure that you have the means of getting into the water what they need at the rate they remove it... Like Calcuim.

[Reef Mike]

The EuroReef is the ES5-3 model.

As for Calcium I also use B-Ionic 2-part. I try to aim for a calcium of 450 and a dKH of 11-12

I have 2 acro frags which I tried a few weeks ago for fun and they are doing well. They are actually growing. I guess I will wait a few more months before introducing some SPS colonies.

Not many more corals other then SPS that I want. Any suggestions?

Thanks
Mike

[ReefGeek]

Ooops

Sorry for the mistake on the additives.

[Reef Mike]

I do have a bottle of kent superbuffer dKH for bumping up alkalinity :)

There are so amny additives on the market anyone can make a mistake.

Mike

[aesop]

Very nice powder tang...

As for the sps; I find the montipora digata is the best one to start off with; much hardier then most; and grows like crazy (also cheap and abundant).

Had a 65 before; once the SPS's start to go in; I found it hard to keep up the calc/alk with 2part, also very $$ since i was going through a large amount. Changed to consumer grade kalkwasser instead and saved a bundle.

[Mckitrick]

Nice!! Looking very established for such a young tank! I can understand your fear of three tangs in there though. That could be a non-stop Wrestlemania event.

Aesop - Is that Charlie Brown's shirt?

[Reef Mike]

Aesop

What exactly is consumer grade kalc :)

Thanks
Mike

[aesop]

I think it is charlie browns shirt; it was one of the selections here on the board.

As for the consumer grade calc; its probably the same stuff that hark was selling a while back. Basically its bulk calcium hydroxide sold through a chemical supplier.

It came in a ~50lb; which is enough to last a lifetime, at around 80$ beats paying 25$ for a box which won't last me a month.

[Sohal Tang]

Hey Mike, NIce tank!
Looks like you are on your way to a perfect system.
You have a good skimmer and the tank looks healthy
with lots of coraline....verrrrry nice especially for the
little bit of time it has been set up!
COngratulations!

Tim

[Duce]

Mike....
I would wait another 3 months or so before adding SPS...try with some frags first..

[2Oceans]

Hi question about your lighting, why are your atinics placed down so low , how do you get things in & out of your tank also your fans are hanging by wire, are you ever worried they may accidently drop in ! tank looks good for three months , good things come with time !