New Shallow Rimless Build

[creefer]

So the time is upon me where I have nearly planned the entire build, I have nearly all the equipment, and am nearly complete with the modifications to a stand I bought used. I have a SERIOUS love for both LPS and SPS corals however I can't really afford to have 2 tanks to allow me to dedicate one to each because I simply lack the room in the house to do so. As such, I have decided that an SPS dominant mixed reef is for me. If anyone has seen http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/basics/planning-new-system-18902/, then you have a clue as to the direction I'm headed with this tank. The tank has the dimensions of a 40 breeder however it's rimless and has a starfire front panel. It's sitting waiting for me to pick it up. I have been confused about the overflow for a while, but more about that later. I have also, as evidenced in the other thread, had difficulty with the lighting plans for this tank.

I'll be using the following equipment on this tank.

Custom 36 x 18 x 16 rimless tank with starfire front
Custom stand built by another reefer that I picked up used. It's getting refinished to match the adjacent furniture.
New reservior for ATO that will be purchased from US plastics.
MP 10
Tunze 6045 (until I can afford another MP 10 or an MP 40)
20 H sump with DIY baffels
Bubble Magus NAC5e Skimmer (temporary as it is an HOB that will hang on the sump)
Mag 9.5 for return
Retrun plumbing to be split to feed the fuge as well as a manifold for reactors.
TLF reactor for Rowaphos
BRS reactor for carbon
RKL
Aqautic Life 6 lamp T5 with moon lights.
Overflow??


So, related to the overflow....I wanted to to a "beananimal" style external overflow but didn't get the rear panel notched. Now I run the risk of having someone do it with an assembled tank or I go another direction. I originally thought of using one of these 1500 gph complete kit - Glass-Holes.com dope aquarium stuff (http://www.glass-holes.com/1500-gph-complete-kit-gh1500kit.htm) and putting a gate valve on one of the drains to sort of replicate a "herbie" style overflow. What makes it attractive is the limited area that it consumes in the tank and with the back of the tank being painted black, it would be relatively well hidden. The other option I have seriously considered is this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJGpSKJec1I. (Skip to the 1:00 mark to get the point). I would improve on it by adding strainers and putting a piece of acrylic over the glass to allow me to have teeth.

Well, all is set and ready to go, but I would like some opinions on the overflow before I pull the trigger on that. I have all other items set and ready to go. All livestock I have in the solana will be transferred to the new tank when complete as I have the solana sold. It has been a great tank to start with being my first reef, but its limitations are growing difficult to deal with. My camera sucks and my photo skills are worse which is why that tank has never really been documented well here. It's doing well and is full of livestock and is really thriving over a year into its development. While I'll be sad to see it go, I'll be much more pleased with a system that has a sump even though I'm not getting much more water volume. Plus, I think the 36 x 18 footprint will allow for some nice scaping and stocking.

Photos to follow as progress develops. I welcome all comments, both good and bad.
4618

[Tom@HaslettMI]

This sounds like it's going to be a really nice setup. I'll certainly be following your progress.

As for the overflow. I think the one in the video is cool. But I think it would ruin the aesthetics of a rimless, star-fire tank. You've already invested a lot of time and money to set up a high quality system... it'd hate to see it blemished with an awkward overflow. JMHO.

Tom

[creefer]

This sounds like it's going to be a really nice setup. I'll certainly be following your progress.

As for the overflow. I think the one in the video is cool. But I think it would ruin the aesthetics of a rimless, star-fire tank. You've already invested a lot of time and money to set up a high quality system... it'd hate to see it blemished with an awkward overflow. JMHO.

Tom

Thanks, Tom. This is the kind of feedback I'm looking for.

[reefhead]

Good decision on the mp10 + tunze. I have an 24x24x12 with mp10 and it seems to still need more flow. Good flow is necessary to a successful tank.

[creefer]

Good decision on the mp10 + tunze. I have an 24x24x12 with mp10 and it seems to still need more flow. Good flow is necessary to a successful tank.

Agreed. I have the MP10 on the solana and it does well in that tank bout would no doubt need to be supplemented in the new tank.

Need more comments and suggestions on the overflow though. Anyone??

[Sir Patrick]

I really like the glass holes kit.

[creefer]

I'm leaning more and more to the glass holes 1500 gph kit due to the dual drains. I may just order it and be done with it so I can start this build already.

[creefer]

Overflow decision is made. I'm going with the glass holes 1500 gph kit. This way I can valve one of the drains like a herbie and keep the look a bit more clean. I'm noy going to run that much flow through the sump but the dual drain will give a safety factor that I think is important.

I'll be picking up the tank this week and will post pictures then. I'm now debating sand or BB. I plan on painting the bottom black in the event I decide to go BB. If i go sand it will likely be a small grain size sand. Final livestock decisions will drive this. More to come on livestock later. For now, all of my corals will be transferred over, as will my two true perculas that refuse to host my GBTA. I have 2 blue/green chromis that I may or may not move to the new tank.

Headed to HD today to pick up some plumbing goodies. I'm going to plumb in a tee off of the main drain to use for easy WC. Looking forward to simplifying that task for sure.

[creefer]

Ordered the overflow and hole saws today! I'll pick the tank up either Thursday or Friday this week and will take some pictures this weekend.

[larryandlaura]

Waiting on the pics!

[creefer]

Waiting on the pics!

Me too! Going to pick up my fixture at lunch.

[creefer]

Crap......just realized i have 2 threads on thus build. Mods...ca you please combine them???

Here is the otherhttp://www.captivereefs.com/forum/members-reefs/creefers-new-40b-rimless-20004/

Feeling a little stupid right now for making duplicate threads.

[EMUreef]

Crap......just realized i have 2 threads on thus build. Mods...ca you please combine them???

Here is the otherhttp://www.captivereefs.com/forum/members-reefs/creefers-new-40b-rimless-20004/

Feeling a little stupid right now for making duplicate threads.

kinda wondered what was going on here lol

[creefer]

kinda wondered what was going on here lol

That's what happens when I lack sleep. We have a newborn here in the house along with a 3.5 year old and the adjustment is resulting in sleepless nights.......and......I totally forgot I started a build thread. :doh:

[creefer]

PROGRESS!!!!

I'm going to use this thread for all updates considering it was started first. Again, rather moronic of me to do 2 threads, but things do happen.

Today I did a little work on the system. I went to HD and picked up a ton of plumbing items. I also drilled my tank!!:big_grin: I have never drilled a tank and was a bit nervous but all went well. The overflow is installed and the return is in. I'm super excited now!! one step closer.

Related to my bulkheads, should I silicone them in? I will follow up later tonight with progress pics.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

PROGRESS!!!!

Related to my bulkheads, should I silicone them in? I will follow up later tonight with progress pics.

Excellent. I've been eagerly awaiting updates on this build. As for the bulkheads... I've only ever done one and I did not silicone it.

Oh, and congratulations on the new baby!

Tom

[creefer]

Excellent. I've been eagerly awaiting updates on this build. As for the bulkheads... I've only ever done one and I did not silicone it.

Oh, and congratulations on the new baby!

Tom
Thanks, Tom. He and mom are well however we all need a bit more sleep.

[creefer]

As promised, here are some pics. I hope to get more work done tomorrow but both my wife and I need to spend sometime working, so I may not be able to put much into the tank but I remain optimistic.

[creefer]

I can't figure out how to put multiple pics in a post....so....a few posts will do.

[creefer]

Here are a few more.
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee490/creefer01/New%20Rimless%202012/Tank6.jpg

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee490/creefer01/New%20Rimless%202012/Tank5.jpg

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee490/creefer01/New%20Rimless%202012/Tank4.jpg

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee490/creefer01/New%20Rimless%202012/Tank31.jpg

One of the pics in a previous post shows a ton of fittings and valves. Most of them will be used. I plan to build a manifold off of the return to allow me to easily add reactors for carbon, gfo, and or bio pellets. It will also have a valve for quick and easy water changes between tank cleanings. It will make more sense as it comes together.

[EMUreef]

As promised, here are some pics. I hope to get more work done tomorrow but both my wife and I need to spend sometime working, so I may not be able to put much into the tank but I remain optimistic.

im kinda curious in what you have planned for all this plumbing lol seems like a bit much. Are you doing a remote sump?

its like a race to who can finish there shallow tank first... lol

[creefer]

Yes, I will have a sump. I'm using a glass holes overflow but plan to plumb it in like a herbie. GH says not to valve their product because it will make it noisy but I bought the 1500 gph kit because it has (2) 1-1/2" drains. This way, I can valve each one and dial in the appropriate display water level as well as split the drain so I can feed the fuge directly from the display. I'm using a mag 9.5 for the return so I expect that I'll be running about 800 gph given the head. As stated earlier, I'm going to run a manifold off the return......I'm going to Tee off the return and reduce to 1/2" pipe with 3 other tees that will feed reactors. One for carbon, one for GFO, and a future one for biopellets if I decide to go that route. I'll also have a valved drain that will allow for quick water changes. While it seems like a lot, it will allow me some flexibility that would be difficult to add later vs. putting it all in now while everything is still dry.

No worries though Russ....I think you're going to beat me to the finish on this one. I still have lots to do on the stand before I can even do a leak test. Plus, I have a crazy week at work this week and will get nothing done on the tank so tomorrow is my last day to get anything done. Hopefully I can build (dry fit only) the manifold tomorrow and basically "rough" in the plumbing. I'm not going to glue anything until I'm confident all fits properly. Then I can glue and leak test.

[creefer]

I have some questions for you reefers with more experience than I. Regarding the tank transfer, my plan is this.


Put new substrate in (if I use any....not sure yet)
Put freshly mixed sw in.
Drain down existing system enough to easily remove LR and and coral. Drained water will be added to the new system.
Use 1 cup of existing system sand for seeding the new system.
Move LR, coral, and fish.
Move chaeto to new fuge.
Seed new fuge with sand from current system.


So, the questions are these.


Is this the right way to go about the transfer?
Should I expect to go through another cycle?
How likely is it that livestock will survive the transfer?


Thanks.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

That's a pretty good order of things. A few details I would suggest...

Be sure the new SW is the dame temp and salinity.
Use all of the old substrate if you want to. Why limit the bacteria your adding to a single cup? The more bacteria you add the less change you'll have of seeing a cycle. The tank may be cloudy when you switch but there should be no harm using it.

You should see 100% survival.

Tom

[creefer]

That's a pretty good order of things. A few details I would suggest...

Be sure the new SW is the dame temp and salinity.
Use all of the old substrate if you want to. Why limit the bacteria your adding to a single cup? The more bacteria you add the less change you'll have of seeing a cycle. The tank may be cloudy when you switch but there should be no harm using it.

You should see 100% survival.

Tom

Definitely will be sure the new SW matches temp and salinity of the current tank.

I was concerned about using all of the old substrate because in removing it I would stir up a bunch of detritus and any nitrates trapped in the bed. That's one of the biggest concerns I had really.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

My tank has substrate that is 15+ years old. And when you saw in my 75 the other week it had recently been transferred from the old 50. I didn't test to see if there was any kind of cycle but I had zero issues with the livestock during or after the upgrade.

Tom

[EMUreef]

im gonna have to tell ya with what your thinking, dont use old substrate, it just isn't worth it. i would get new sand and just use a cup or two to seed the new sand. i've seen plenty of threads on RC saying just skip using the old stuff and get a bag or two of new sand. also, dont fall for the "live sand" crap thats like 40$ a bag, its not live by the time it gets to you lol.

[creefer]

Interesting that both you and Tom have total opposite positions on this. I'm inclined to go new if I decide to use a substrate. Reason being is that it's kind of like a fresh start to the display. I'll do some searching on RC as well.

[creefer]

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=333&pictureid=2750&thumb=1 ('http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=333&pictureid=2750') http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=333&pictureid=2749&thumb=1 ('http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=333&pictureid=2749') http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=333&pictureid=2747&thumb=1 ('http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=333&pictureid=2747') Super huge disappointment that I have not done much or updated this in a month. Oh well....I hoped to do this more quickly than I have thinking I would have more time than I do. So, here's the update.

I have painted both the bottom and back panels of the tank black. Bottom was painted in the event that I go BB. I completed stripped all exterior exposed surfaces of the stand. I left the inside finish that was previously on there when I bought it. When the exterior color and finish is done, I'll put an additional coat or 2 of poly on the inside.
Right now, I have one coat of the new finish stain on it. I picked up hinges and door pulls, so this weekend, I'll get the second coat done. Next week I'll put the final poly coat on, install doors, and bring it back to the house and finish the plumbing and do a water test. I figure I'm about 3 weeks out from getting it wet.

Photos will be up in a minute.

[MizTanks]

I too used all my substrate ( 2+yrs old) from my old tank for my new tank. Added all new dry Pukani and 1 rock from old tank. Never had an issue. Don't believe I even had a cycle :)

[creefer]

Good to know, Jamie!

Thanks for the info.

[creefer]

Update:

Stand is complete. Just need to put on the doors, which I hope to do this weekend. Additionally, I'll be plumbing the tank this weekend and building the sump. I'm going to use a 20L in lieu of the 20H now that I have changed skimmers. I ended up getting a BM NAC6 for a **** of a deal so I have since sold my HOB BM NAC5e. I hope to have all plumbing roughed in this weekend and next week I should be able to do a leak test. Pics will follow when plumbing is done.

Regarding the sump......anyone have any good plans for a 20L sump they'd like to share?? Right now I'm thinking return in the middle with main drain on one side to the skimmer chamber and secondary drain on the other to the fuge. Alternatively, I'll drain both to the skimmer chamber and feed the fuge from the return to better control the flow off the return. Any ideas?? Never built a sump before, so I'm open to good ideas from fellow reefers.

TIA.

[Badfish]

Looking good! I like your stand, it took me forever to finish mine.

Here's my DIY plans for an acrylic sump, it's not for a 20L, but rather than making it 36"x18"x16" like i did, you could just use your own measurements to get the size you want. Hope it helps.

Acrylic Sump DIY (http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/diy-projects-plans/badfishs-diy-vol-2-dont-chump-build-your-own-sump-17098/)






Alternatively, I'll drain both to the skimmer chamber and feed the fuge from the return to better control the flow off the return. Any ideas?? Never built a sump before, so I'm open to good ideas from fellow reefers.

TIA.

That's how I plumbed my sump; I split my return pump to feed the DT and fuge, and I controlled the flow with ball valves.
http://media11.dropshots.com/photos/881776/20110617/175733.jpg (http://www.dropshots.com/BadFish#date/2011-06-17/17:57:33)


*
http://media9.dropshots.com/photos/881776/20110615/214530.jpg (http://media9.dropshots.com/photos/881776/20110615/214530.jpg)
*In this pic you can see where the 2 ball valves are located. The only thing I wish I would've changed is the first ball valve off of the pump; I should have placed it AFTER the Tee, that way I could isolate the DT and still supply the Fuge :doh:.

[creefer]

Looking good! I like your stand, it took me forever to finish mine.

Here's my DIY plans for an acrylic sump, it's not for a 20L, but rather than making it 36"x18"x16" like i did, you could just use your own measurements to get the size you want. Hope it helps.

Acrylic Sump DIY (http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/diy-projects-plans/badfishs-diy-vol-2-dont-chump-build-your-own-sump-17098/)





That's how I plumbed my sump; I split my return pump to feed the DT and fuge, and I controlled the flow with ball valves.
http://media11.dropshots.com/photos/881776/20110617/175733.jpg (http://www.dropshots.com/BadFish#date/2011-06-17/17:57:33)


*
http://media9.dropshots.com/photos/881776/20110615/214530.jpg (http://media9.dropshots.com/photos/881776/20110615/214530.jpg)
*In this pic you can see where the 2 ball valves are located. The only thing I wish I would've changed is the first ball valve off of the pump; I should have placed it AFTER the Tee, that way I could isolate the DT and still supply the Fuge :doh:.

Thanks, Badfish. I agree on the location of the valve on the return being after the T. I'll take a closer look at what you've done as well. I have limited space under the stand. I would have like to have done a larger stand but space in the house where this will be located is somewhat limited.

Thanks again.

[Badfish]

I had the same problem with space under my stand, it was only 24"x24". That's why I opted to just run the plumbing through the wall in to my utility room.

[creefer]

That's a luxury that I wish I had. I have a utility room on the opposite wall of the tank, but there's simply no space in there for a sump. I had considered it but simply can't make it happen. Then, I got the great idea of plumbing the sump into my crawl space. This would work however would create some temperature control challenges and accessibility challenges that I'm not willing to entertain.

[creefer]

Had a few minutes to work on the tank today. I have most of the plumbing complete. I ran into a few problems with the stand and had to make an unexpected modification. No big deal. I'll be picking up some glass this week to get the sump done and hopefully I'll be able to leak test next weekend and get this thing going....finally.

[creefer]

I had a set back in getting the glass for the sump....never had time to get there and pick it up. Hope to do so this Saturday. Today though I received a nice little package of goodies from ATI!! I really need to get this thing done....soon.

More to follow.

[creefer]

I had big hopes for this weekend. Had being the operative word. I did a leak test on the sump and one of the baffles had a minor pin hole in it so I tore it out and re-installed it. Everything else is done, so I hope to get this think in the house this coming weekend.

[Speedracer]

Nice setup there!

[Sir Patrick]

Almost there!!!

[MizTanks]

I'm tired of waiting!!! Hurry up already!! I got some ideas ;) lol

[creefer]

Nice setup there!

Thanks. Still not in the house yet though. I hope to get it in the house this weekend and get it going.

[creefer]

We'll, as stated, everything is done now with one exception.....aquascaping. I was considering transferring all the contents from my Solana however I have reconsidered that plan. I'm going to start fresh with this one. All dry rock, live sand, and will get a primo piece of LR to seed the tank with. After the cycle I'll start to transfer the livestock slowly so I don't force the tank into another cycle by shocking it with bio-load.

I'm scaping with a mixture of tonga and reefcleaners rock leftover from when I set up my solana. I will have some rubble in the sump in addition to what's in the display. I would like to keep the display with minimal LR to maximize the open look. Hope to have pictures up soon.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Hope to have pictures up soon.

Come on now! I've been waiting sooo long for some pics of this setup...:oldman:

Tom

[creefer]

Come on now! I've been waiting sooo long for some pics of this setup...:oldman:

Tom


Sorry.

The second kid thing really is an adjustment in time management. That in addition to both me and my wife having very busy schedules has made this difficult to complete.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Sorry.

The second kid thing really is an adjustment in time management. That in addition to both me and my wife having very busy schedules has made this difficult to complete.

No need to apologize. My second kid is ~18 months and I still get little to no time with my tank.

I'm confident that your patients will pay off. I'm just saying I'd like to see some pictures along the way!

Tom

[creefer]

No need to apologize. My second kid is ~18 months and I still get little to no time with my tank.

I'm confident that your patients will pay off. I'm just saying I'd like to see some pictures along the way!

Tom

I will put some up this weekend. Hopefully the system leak test passes. I will have pics in any case.

[creefer]

Update!!!

The system passed the leak test! I am super happy about that. Having only owned anAIO, this was my first attempt at plumbing a tank. I put a manifold in the return to run reactors off of but you can't see it in this pic. I will take more pics as I finish it. I left the doors off until I get it in place. It's in the house and I hope to put it in it's final location today.

[creefer]

Ok, the tank is in it's final location and just got wet tonight. I'm kick starting the cycle with a little MB7.

Still need to install the doors, but here's a pic of where it all sits now. I didn't take a pic after filling it because the dust needs to settle a bit.

[Badfish]

Looking good, can't wait to see it with some life.

[creefer]

Looking good, can't wait to see it with some life.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to that too. Here she is full, waiting for an ammonia spike, with only the blue+ lamps on.

[creefer]

Not much new to report. Still cycling. I will say that I'm happy with the glass holes overflow. I picked up the 1500 gph so I could have 2 drains. It's not silent by any means, but it doesn't gurgle or anything, so I'm pleased. One thought though....I should have made my return chamber a little larger. I think it's ok but should have been a bit larger.

[Sir Patrick]

Lookin good man!

[creefer]

So...I've not updated this is a heck of a long time. I recently took a few pics that I'll post shortly. I've some ups and downs with this tank. A few alk swings due to a haywire kalk reactor, some power outtages, a few lost SPS colonies as a result of alk swings, etc. Seems like things have stabilized now, so that's a good thing. Goal is still to be SPS dominant, so we'll get that rolling just as soon as the frags I had to cut due to the RTN caused by the alk swings start to grow. The only other thing is that I've updated the biopellet reactor. I've been running ecoback pellets in a TLF 150 and just upgraded to the Reef Octopus BR-70. Certainly a good choice.

[creefer]

So, here are a few updated pics.

[creefer]

And another...

[creefer]

And one more for good measure...

[creefer]

I'm sure you do....your loss was FAR greater than mine.

[creefer]

I heard that....

[creefer]

Today was not a good day. I noted that I was missing a clown. Searched high and low and found nothing! Not a single thing. So, I assumed it went carpet surfing and the cat got it. Note that the cat is always messing around near the tank. It's always trying to "catch" a fish.

Earlier this evening, my prized tank mate, a radiant wrasse, was not out at feeding time. This is very unusual, but I just figured that the cat scared it and it dove into the sand. Well.....2 hours later, I see the cat messing around the tank stand and look and I see a crispy radiant wrasse!!!! I can't help but blame the damn cat. Partly because I don't like them and partly because it's my wife's cat. Anyway...I'm super ****ed about it and based on the cat's behavior near the tank, have only him to blame because typically, neither of these fish displayed any tendency to jump.

Super disappointed and now the search begins for new livestock.

BTW....anyone want a spotted hawk?? I have one for available that's healthy and not affected by the damn cat.

[Sir Patrick]

Sorry to hear about your losses.

[creefer]

I hear cat is a delicacy in some parts of the world still ;) That sucks tho for real man, especially the wrasse :(

Yea....I'm super disappointed by it. The wrasse was my favorite.

As for the cat.....there's a story there and I think I came out ahead. I convinced my wife that we needed a direct drive ski boat......she wanted a cat. The day I came home with the ski boat, she showed up with a damn cat, so I win!


Sorry to hear about your losses.

Thanks.

[Rabidgoose]

Sorry.....do you have a cover on the tank?

chuck

[creefer]

Sorry.....do you have a cover on the tank?

chuck

No. In light of this event, I'm considering a mesh cover, but it's a drag to take away from the rimless look. I have some ideas, but not sure yet. The wrasse was in the tank for several months with no issue. I've seen the cat freak the fish out numerous times and I'm attributing the loss solely to the stupid cat.


Does the cat like to go skiing? lol

No, but I may use it as an anchor!

[creefer]

I was thinking of the small plastic tabs that you mention. It would be perfect for my situation. As for my acrylic skills, I think I can handle making the frame that will be somewhat concealed so long as its suspended using the plastic tabs. I just need to find the tabs now. I'll have to do some searching. My old Solana had these tabs for the glass top which I never really used but they went with the tank when I sold it.

[Rabidgoose]

I have no doubt the cat contributed to the incident, but wrasses "freak out" even when no cat is present. With wrasses in the tank a cover is mandatory IMO
I have also seen the mesh tops with small tabs that hook on the edge of the tank that aren't very noticeable.

chuck

[jimsflies]

I was thinking of the small plastic tabs that you mention. It would be perfect for my situation. As for my acrylic skills, I think I can handle making the frame that will be somewhat concealed so long as its suspended using the plastic tabs. I just need to find the tabs now. I'll have to do some searching. My old Solana had these tabs for the glass top which I never really used but they went with the tank when I sold it.

You can get those tabs from Innovative Marine. If you contact them via their website, they should be able to hook you up. I think they charge around $5 for the tabs.

I've still got mesh available.

Clownfish are under-rated for their ability to jump out of a tank. Even with my mesh top, I've had several "escape". I can't stress enough how good these guys are at finding gaps in coverage.

[creefer]

What kind of mesh do you have, Jim? Is it the clear stuff?

Thanks for the tip on Innovative Marine. Much appreciated.

[jimsflies]

Yeah the clear mesh, 1/4-inch openings.

[creefer]

Shoot me a PM with cost and availability.

[creefer]

Not much new to report until after the A2 swap when I get more sticks for the tank. Then, I'll site back and let it grow in for a while. I have some goofy things going on in the tank right now, but I think I'm on a path to correction. Sticks are starting to base down well and color up. Some are doing better than others. Params have been pretty stable and that's helping.

I'll post some pics after the swap additions.

[creefer]

Updates.....pics to follow this evening I hope.

I picked up some very nice acros at the A2 swap. After much deliberating, I've decided to change up the scape in the tank. Tonga rock, which most of my LR is comprised of, is very cool however can be a challenge to scape with, IMO. I've pulled the scape apart, started to balance things out a bit. I wanted more open sand bed and more elevated area on which to mount SPS, so I spent a good deal of time yesterday re-scaping. I ran out of epoxy, so I'll finish it sometime this week or weekend.