Sir P's 50 G

[Sir Patrick]

Yes- another new tank thread. This time its a 50 gallon breeder. Took a bit of a break, but am up and cycling again. Due to my basements drain tile system needing work, the 150 build is on hold, unfortunately, so here is the 50G build that will be entertaining me till then-

Tank- 50 gallon breeder
50 Gallon Breeder Sump w/ refugium area
Mag 7 return pump
Reef Octopus NWB 200 in Sump skimmer
Bio Pellet Reactor
Carbon Reactor
Lighting- Ice cap 175w E-Ballest/Iwasaki bulb/w/ Lumen Bright Mini Reflector and 12 blue LED Strip
Modded sure flow maxi jet propeller pump

I have decided for the fish and other inhabitants sake to go with a shallow sand bed, Ive gone strickly bare bottom for years, figured try something different this time around. Will be starting very sterile this time also. Killed and completely treated my rock that I have been using for the last 15 years or so and am starting new. Going to grow Cheato this time also, along with the Katalyst Bio-Pellets/MB7 that I normally use. Going to keep this, like most all my previous tanks very simple.

Heres some pics so far-

Filling up-
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/fishtank/10537396_739103919482661_3527004699686927111_n_zps 42bcc92e.jpg

Sump Circulating-
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/fishtank/IMG_0475_zps93b8961f.jpg

Filled with rock and light-
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/fishtank/10569014_744216892304697_7898980025077643726_n_zps 5a64ce04.jpg

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Nice. Glad you're back. This has all the makings of a great system. What are the stocking plans?

Tom

[MizTanks]

Welcome home Sir Patrick! Missed you a bunch and am looking forward to watching your new tank grow :)

[larryandlaura]

Great to see your back. The tank is looking good so far. I'm starting a new build as well, and using a fresh batch of Marco rocks to cycle. Starting fresh so I can do things a bit different this time around.

[Sir Patrick]

I am sure this tank will become full of Zoas, going to try to only put "choice" sticks, and a few of my favorite LPS.

I am still really wanting to put together a nice Blasto Wellsi collection, and might even give some acans a try in this tank.

No clue on fish yet.....but leaning towords a school of devils, I mean domino damselfish. Possibly a single yellow damsel, and a six line or yellow coris wrasse.

I wouldnt mind trying to get another symbiotic relationship between a Domino and Condy anemone a shot. Think my 4 year old would enjoy it alot.

[Sir Patrick]

Going to use my "old trusty" breeder tank stand for this build, built back in 2009 and still taking names....might need a light sanding and a couple coats of poly on the outside soon-

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/Picture036.jpg


http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/Picture039.jpg


http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/Picture040.jpg


http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/Picture041.jpg


http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/100_1936.jpg



Holds another breeder tank footprint sump underneath perfectly.

[Sir Patrick]

Light is hung, wires still need organized-

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/fishtank/IMG_0477_zps4ef64c5f.jpg

[larryandlaura]

Coming along nice Chris.

[Sir Patrick]

Substrate is getting that familiar rust brown surface color....

Just added my first Domino Damsel that my youngest picked out.

About time to get my lights on a timer, and running daily I am thinking.

[larryandlaura]

Coming along good so far Chris. I'm hoping to be wet today.

[Sir Patrick]

Going to try to visit The Fish Doctors Ypsilanti Sunday!!

About time for a clean up crew.

[larryandlaura]

That's great Chris. What are you planning for a clean up crew?

[Sir Patrick]

That's great Chris. What are you planning for a clean up crew?

Likely a Serpent star, Hermit crabs, an Emerald crab, some Peppermint shrimp, Cerith, Trochus and Nassarius snails. Would like to find some Stomatellas and Collonistas, if possible also. Might get an Urchin of some sort if algae decides it really likes my clean rock for some reason.

Going to stay away from the Margarita and Astrea snails.

I havnt gotten to the fish doctors yet....works been keeping me tied up these days.

[binford4000]

When your ready for some freebies LMK Chris

[Sir Patrick]

When your ready for some freebies LMK Chris

Thanks Chuck, will do!

My tank is currently very white, ha!

[Sir Patrick]

Bio-Pellets, Sump/refugium is lit, online and running-

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/fishtank/IMG_0487_zps025d1f2a.jpg

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Looks good. How about an updated FTS?

Tom

[Sir Patrick]

Looks good. How about an updated FTS?

Tom

Will do, later today. Working on adding my first peice of coral, and the LED's first.

[Sir Patrick]

Heres the latest FTS, sorry- no LED's.....

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/fishtank/IMG_0488_zpsabd982a1.jpg

[Sir Patrick]

I have added some Green Candycanes (trumpet coral), and replaced the korlia 1 with a modded maxi jet. Tank needed some extra flow.

Also, got the LED's all mounted, and splashed water on them...and some died, while the rest fizzled, and are now dim. Think I'm going to order 12 new led's and a different heat sink to compliment the tank and the exsisting MH pendant, and start over.

[MizTanks]

Awww poor Trumpets :( lol Sorry about the lights Chris. Love your rock!
You really should check out Reef Radiance - Home (http://reefradiance.com)

[Sir Patrick]

Candy canes are finally settling in, under the light. I beleive my light is packing a punch on this tank. The button polyps are still not happy. Almost possitive its a high lighting issue.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/fishtank/IMG_1088_zps551a8df9.jpg

And an updated full tank shot-

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/fishtank/IMG_1089_zps1c6c8d73.jpg

[larryandlaura]

What LEDs are you using?

[Sir Patrick]

What LEDs are you using?

None at the moment, got a couple wet, and burnt them out.Likely going to build a new set of 12 blues in a better configuration for this tank and the pendant MH light I am using soon.

Was using my DIY 36" strip, from my past tanks, till they got wet. Damn algea scraper magnet, when going around the corner glass, splashed a lot of water strait up, into the leds that didnt have optics over them....

[Sir Patrick]

Did a quick re-scape, so I could capture the yellow damsel (who killed the domino) so he could be banned to my sump.

Payed a visit to a fellow local reefer- CReefer, to re-home his tank till he gets his new build set up and situated, hers a quick little video-

Sir Patricks 50G - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWrYhbt804s&feature=youtu.be)

[binford4000]

Looks healthy and happy Chris!

[Sir Patrick]

Looks healthy and happy Chris!

Thanks! I am glad to have something to look at, work has been brutal this past 2 months...most of the time doing 7 days, 12 hours a day. I am hoping to stop over your place before Christmas, and check out your tank. Its been a while, last I saw it, it was relatively young.

[binford4000]

Bring a cooler and we will hook ya up!

[Sir Patrick]

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_0505_zps9d1fb2b7.jpg



http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_0514_zpsa598002b.jpg



http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_0513_zps3a55a5ea.jpg



http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_0512_zps78b17276.jpg



http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_0511_zpseae31f88.jpg


http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_0510_zps03d898c0.jpg



http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_0509_zps89c01c2f.jpg


http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_0508_zps1ac09721.jpg




http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_0507_zps18932f2e.jpg




http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_0506_zps9eb3a9df.jpg

[MizTanks]

Awesome!!! Nice choice of corals Sir. What kind of clam? :)

[Sir Patrick]

Sure is a nice choice in corals! Wish I could say I picked them. I am holding them for a few months, for a local reefer freind, till he gets re-set up and situated in his new tank/upgrade.

I am unsure what kind of clam it is...any ideas?

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Sure is a nice choice in corals! Wish I could say I picked them. I am holding them for a few months, for a local reefer freind, till he gets re-set up and situated in his new tank/upgrade.

I am unsure what kind of clam it is...any ideas?

Looks like a maxima to me. But I can't be certain by the pic.

Tom

[creefer]

Looks great!

[Sir Patrick]

Chris (creefer), if you look close, behind the large blue/red LPS, you will see the Wrasse, in both pics- doing very well and eating great.

[creefer]

Chris (creefer), if you look close, behind the large blue/red LPS, you will see the Wrasse, in both pics- doing very well and eating great.

Wow! She blended in well. I'm glad to hear she's eating well. She's a great fish.

[Sir Patrick]

I stopped by Binford4000 house, got the hook up on some nice starter sps frags- Pics to follow soon! Thanks Chuck!

I also stopped at Tom Toro's place, and picked up a 135g w/ 100g sump- ha!!! Future upgrade....and these- Thanks Tom!

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/1482814_791938740865845_5501594014198663697_n_zps5 a48f271.jpg

I got 2 of them, and one of those 2 is 1/2 way into currently splitting

[MizTanks]

Score!! Christmas came early or what?! Lol

[Sir Patrick]

Yes it did Miz!!!

Went from white oasis to packed tank in 2 weeks.

I am very greatfull for the generosity of my fellow local reefers, and as always- happy to help others when they need it.

I still have a few others homes to visit, just need to let all this settle into place, before i go finish filling this tank.

[Sir Patrick]

Wow! She blended in well. I'm glad to hear she's eating well. She's a great fish.

Shes doing great still. Very active, and almost always out to be found. Eating like a pig!!

The clowns on the other hand...1 of the fancy small ones got bullied, with the tank change, and have not seen it for 2 days. The other 2 are happily swimming together, and seem to have paired off- I am thinking. Sorry to relay the bad news. I think the change of scenery has caused some changes in the 3's relationships.

[Sir Patrick]

Heres some more pics-

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1096_zps23973d3d.jpg








http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1095_zpsdc81ab57.jpg






http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1094_zps5f3e729b.jpg







http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1093_zps6f91ad26.jpg

[Sir Patrick]

Loving this Iwasaki bulb on the electronic ballest. Nice and white, crisp light w/ a color pop, without blueing the whole tank.

In the past, Ive used this bulb with magnetic ballests. It was (yellow) terrible. The ballest makes a night and day difference with this bulb.

Right now, i have the reflector/ light hung about 2.5ft over the water level.

[MizTanks]

Nope I'm not jealous!!!! And you got a clam too!!! Talk about going from rags to riches-lol!! Gonna look all kinds of sweetness when it's all grown in :)

[creefer]

Shes doing great still. Very active, and almost always out to be found. Eating like a pig!!

The clowns on the other hand...1 of the fancy small ones got bullied, with the tank change, and have not seen it for 2 days. The other 2 are happily swimming together, and seem to have paired off- I am thinking. Sorry to relay the bad news. I think the change of scenery has caused some changes in the 3's relationships.

I'm not surprised to hear the environment change affected their relationships. They were VERY territorial when first acclimated to my old system.

I'm SUPER happy to hear the leopard is doing well!! She's very personal once familiar. I nearly had her eat out of my hand one day, which is kind of unheard of with them.

The tank really looks good. Keep a close eye on the nems, particularly the one near the maxima. Nems can mess up a maxima in a hurry which in turn could really mess up a tank. Hopefully the nems find a happy spot to chill and stay away from the clam.

Seeing all this in your tank has me really wishing I could get my crap together more quickly than I can.....

Thanks again. Let me know when we can have that beer we discussed.

[binford4000]

Gotta watch those Torro rose nems. Beautiful but they grow like crazy!!! Tanks looking good Chris

[Sir Patrick]

Thanks Chuck.

[Tom Toro]

You've got that right, Chuck! Whatever you do, don't feed 'em.

Hey Chuck, I went down to one tank. You were right, Pal!

Guess I've gotta post a different picture once the hole is patched up.

Chris, you're welcome Bud! Hope to see a build thread in the spring on that 135g.



Gotta watch those Torro rose nems. Beautiful but they grow like crazy!!! Tanks looking good Chris

[Sir Patrick]

Settled in nice, and clown have taken up residence-

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/10364220_795854110474308_3508145924510875602_n_zps 91b70b97.jpg

[Sir Patrick]

The tank really looks good. Keep a close eye on the nems, particularly the one near the maxima. Nems can mess up a maxima in a hurry which in turn could really mess up a tank. Hopefully the nems find a happy spot to chill and stay away from the clam.



The Nem and Clam had their argument, clam let loose its foot hold for me, so it could find a safer home. Both combatants are happy now.

[creefer]

Settled in nice, and clown have taken up residence-

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/10364220_795854110474308_3508145924510875602_n_zps 91b70b97.jpg

Sweet!!!!

Looks awesome. I presume that's the big percula that's taken residence in the nem??

[Sir Patrick]

Yep- Thats the big perc. The other clown loves it also. They go from one nem to the other, but seem to sleep in this one up front.

[larryandlaura]

Beautiful tank Chris. Love that rose it has a amazing color.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

What's shaking with the tank? We need an update... with pictures!

Tom

[Sir Patrick]

Feeding time!!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmnJNPoIQoY

[MizTanks]

That Nem looks perfect! Next video don't move so fast. I didn't get to see everything :(

[binford4000]

Looks good Chris. How'd your frags work out??

[Sir Patrick]

Looks good Chris. How'd your frags work out??

All the frags but one died, I am sorry to say. I had 2 issues happen, one my fault and one just bad luck....toasted all the sps.

Bad luck- Heater went bad, overheated the tank. Put a smaller heater on, and the temp dropped too low. The sps didnt appreciate that.

My fault- I forgot an entire zoa colony in a bucket of rock and saltwater. There was alot of coral in the bucket....how I forgot the zoa colony is beyond me...The water went stagnant, but figured the zoas may have survived, so I tossed it into the tank, where it slowly disentigrated, causing huge water quality issues.

I am going to give it some more time before I try anymore sps- bummed I lost all those nice frags. They were doing so well. Think my little break got my skills a bit rusty...

[Sir Patrick]

On a brighter note-

I changed lighting today and picked up a bunch of my corals from my previous tank, that I had stashed in my father in laws tank.

I dropped one of these on it- Had one sitting around that needed new ballests and bulbs

Odyssea 48 inch Metal Halide Fixture 2x250W HQI + 4x54W T5 +6xDual LED (http://www.aquatraders.com/48-716W-Metal-Halide-T5-LED-Combo-p/54267.htm)

And replaced the 250w ballasts with electronic IceCap ballests w/ 14k HexArk Blue DE bulbs and ATI blue T5s

Loving the new color and even spread of light, even if it is too long by 5 inches hanging over each side...

[Sir Patrick]

Uploading a new video now-

[binford4000]

All the frags but one died, I am sorry to say. I had 2 issues happen, one my fault and one just bad luck....toasted all the sps.

Bad luck- Heater went bad, overheated the tank. Put a smaller heater on, and the temp dropped too low. The sps didnt appreciate that.

My fault- I forgot an entire zoa colony in a bucket of rock and saltwater. There was alot of coral in the bucket....how I forgot the zoa colony is beyond me...The water went stagnant, but figured the zoas may have survived, so I tossed it into the tank, where it slowly disentigrated, causing huge water quality issues.

I am going to give it some more time before I try anymore sps- bummed I lost all those nice frags. They were doing so well. Think my little break got my skills a bit rusty...
Bummer,LMK when you want try again. Stuff needs trimming again. Since switching to the Gyre power heads the SPS have gone nuts!!

[Sir Patrick]

Heres a newer better video-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPkpwAOakb0&feature=youtu.be

[Tom@HaslettMI]

the tank is looking good!

What substrate are you using? It looks mighty coarse.

Tom

[Sir Patrick]

Bummer,LMK when you want try again. Stuff needs trimming again. Since switching to the Gyre power heads the SPS have gone nuts!!

Cant wait to see them, and thank you. I just have a few more adjustments to make on the tank, and Ill stop by for a visit soon after.

[Sir Patrick]

the tank is looking good!

What substrate are you using? It looks mighty coarse.

Tom

Thank you Tom.

Its a crushed coral and sand mix.

[binford4000]

Like the vid Chris! The Torro nem looks very happy! Don't feed it tho,I called mine the blob it just grew and grew and grew!! Cutting it just makes it angry so it grows even faster! Lol

[MizTanks]

Sweet!! Much better :) Thank you! I see your Clowns Nem moved.

[Sir Patrick]

Sweet!! Much better :) Thank you! I see your Clowns Nem moved.

Yeah- that 1st video sucked.....figured you would like the new one better.

Ill get another, once both the euphilia and new zoas get acclimated to their new surroundings.

[MizTanks]

What is that big beautiful Anemone in the middle called? I can't find anything by the name Torro.

[Sir Patrick]

The name Toro comes from this right here-

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/members-reefs/tom-toros-two-old-tanks-19205/?highlight=Toro#.VKoIknsYH4c

His Nems have gotten around, over the many years. Think hes currently got about 12 of them still....

The one in the center is a sort of Lobo, I am thinking?? Not a Nem, although the clown hosted that before the Nems moved in.

[MizTanks]

Well I'm loving it whatever it is!! Looks perfect in that spot :)

[Tom Toro]

Tank is looking great, Bud! Lobo is real happy in there along with the other lps. The second video on youtube was awesome and showed a lot of stuff I didn't know you had in there around the sides. What did you take that video with?

Good talking to you yesterday.

[Tropical Buff]

Chris

the tank looks great glad to see your back at it I am in fact jumping back in too. we will have to catch up soon

[Sir Patrick]

Chris

the tank looks great glad to see your back at it I am in fact jumping back in too. we will have to catch up soon

Absolutely! If you need anything to get back up, let me know.

[Sir Patrick]

Well, RBTA took a walk, decided the algae was greener on the other side of the tank....but to get there, it decided to walk across this-

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1131_zpsdabf8b6b.jpg

And became LUNCH!!!! All was left was a gnawed on foot....left the foot in tank to do as it may, but doubting it will come back.

[Sir Patrick]

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1122_zps97278135.jpg



http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1125_zps22edda40.jpg


http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1126_zpsea458c09.jpg




http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1135_zpse03680df.jpg



http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1137_zps5220b49f.jpg



Still have one left-

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1133_zps55401a78.jpg



http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1129_zpsdc0aa8cd.jpg



http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1128_zpsda1b1071.jpg




http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1127_zpse19e7a7d.jpg

[MizTanks]

Chris what are these ^^^

[Sir Patrick]

These-


http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1127_zpse19e7a7d.jpg


Are baby Fungia

[binford4000]

These-


[IMG]http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/new%2050%20g/50G/IMG_1127_zpse19e7a7d.jpg


Are baby Fungia

Those are nice Chris. Let us know when you start to frag those

[MizTanks]

Very cool. My first time seeing such great pics of them. Wonder what color they're going to be?

[Sir Patrick]

Those are nice Chris. Let us know when you start to frag those

Absolutely. I think I should really directly feed them. Bet they would grow much faster. Hope this dead skeleton will keep producing for quit some time.

[MizTanks]

Absolutely. I think I should really directly feed them. Bet they would grow much faster. Hope this dead skeleton will keep producing for quit some time.

NLS .05 Pellets are loved by my Fungia. They're tiny enough for your lil ones :)

[creefer]

Looks good, Chris. Let me know when we can have a beer....I'd love to see the stock....it's been a while.:)

[Sir Patrick]

I havnt done a single water change on this system, and cant even grow Cheato.....its all withered away....

Plenty of light in the fuge, high iron water, and overfeed daily....

Since installing the new lights, there isnt a speck of algea in the tank.

Just topping the tank of with kalk water, skimming agressively and running a 6 hour light cycle.

[Sir Patrick]

Tanks still rocking along, stuff is growing and added a couple handsfull of new additions-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-o5JlaD3RU&feature=youtu.be

[MizTanks]

Looking great Sir!! :)

[larryandlaura]

Nice video Chris, tank is looking good.

[Fish Dad]

Tank looks great...... got to try that once I get a decent phone.
Enjoyed talking to you and catching up at the show..

Is that a Purple/Blue Blasto.... too cool...