Argent's 24G Aquapod HQI upgrade...

[Argent]

I have been running my 8G BioCube with little problems or work now for the last couple years - and have just recently moved in to a house and decided to upgrade my tank size. I found a great deal on here for a 24G HQI Aquapod (Thanks Jim!) - which I now will slowly start work on with the end game being to move all my stuff from my 8G BC over to the 24G AP (and then of course adding more corals!) so this begins my build thread....

So on to the spec's -

24 gal Aquapod with a 70W HQI SunPod, extra new bulb, extra new Ballast, extra new return pump, a sturdy 2x4 stand, and a HOB skimmer filter UV light (ViaAqua Multi-Skimmer Deluxe w/ 5W UV Sterilizer)

And now some pics -

The tank etc...

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/aquapod01.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/aquapod02.jpg

ok here's some shots of the Via-Aqua skimmer thingy

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/skimmer02.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/skimmer01.jpg

Leak testing with lights

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/aquarium10.jpg

Got a Maxi-jet 1200, hydorflo and a korelia 1 on its way

already got another 20# bag of tahitian black moon sand

just need to get some buckets to get some saltwater - and then some time to work on switching over the sand/rocks/livestock from my BioCube

[ReeferRob]

Paul are you entering this bad boy in the Nano Contest?

[Argent]

what contest?

EDIT: Nevermind - I found it

not sure the tank qualifies - as I have coral/livestock I'll be moving in to this tank from my 8G BioCube

Pair of Black Clowns
Orange Spotted Goby
Mantis Shrimp named Natasha
Many red mushrooms
Couple Orange Ricordias
Smattering of small blue clove polyps

[jimsflies]

Yes, we can make it work for you to enter the contest. We'd have to assign a value to the current corals you have as there is a max spending limit of $150 on corals.

BTW- I am moving your thread to members reefs for now...but if you want to enter the contest we can move it to the contest forum.

[Argent]

thanks for the move Jim :)

I could tell you originally I spent probably less than $75 on the corals I have - they've just grown out since then

though not really sure I want to enter the contest as I'm not 100% sure it'll even be ready in time

[jimsflies]

I think you'd have plenty of time...beginning stock date is Jan 3. But the standard frag pack doesn't get added until the first week of February.

[Argent]

I still don't know - guess I still have time to decide though

here's a shot of my 8G that I'll be moving in to this tank

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/tank.jpg

[Argent]

Yay - Christmas came early!

Koralia 1, Hydor Flo, Maxi-Jet 1200

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/002-1.jpg

[Argent]

Rinsed my sand and put it in the tank

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/005-1.jpg

[Argent]

The update most of you have been waiting for....

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/002-2.jpg

20G of saltwater and 7 new frags courtesy of Skyhigh!

Thanks Bryan - you and Shane have a very impressive setup and I'm sure I'll be shopping there some more in the future!

[Argent]

Patience Grasshopper

it will all come in good time - and when it does - there will be pictures :)

[Sir Patrick]

Already had a build thread?!?!? You never mentioned that fact....

[Sir Patrick]

That skimmer filter combo should work well for you- I sen it in action on the tank it ran on before you scored on it. I am looking forward to a really sweet set up on this build- just to let ya know!

[Argent]

Thanks Sir Patrick - I just hope I can get everything transferred and set up today without too many problems - and of course I will have pics up afterward (good bad or otherwise)

[Argent]

Progress Update:

Tank in place
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/ap04.jpg

Tank with 15G of water in it and waiting for the temp to raise to 70+ degrees before I can continue
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/ap05.jpg

[whitetiger61]

looking really good Paul..and yeah the head thingy must stay in there..lol

Rick

[Argent]

Thanks to the guys here in CR who helped talk me through some stressful bits yesterday I managed to get the tank finally up to a temperature I could feel safe introducing my frags and fish to...

Note my 1G Ziploc bag filled with HOT water floating in the tank to help increase tank temps from 60-75 degrees

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/003-1.jpg

Obviously rock placement is not final - I need more and I just wanted to get everything in the tank

[Paulo]

Paul, tank looks nice. Glad to see the water in it. Now no one can hassle you in shout(chat)box

[whitetiger61]

Nice going Argent..see no need to get stressed out..everything came out ok..:)


Rick

[Argent]

thanks guys - I need to level the tank and figure out how this skimmer thingy works (and move the rock rubble from my 8G to the rear chamber of the skimmer - I think) the collection cup doesn't come off very easily and its filling with liquid

[Argent]

Think I may also get rid of the hydor flo - the return it pretty close to the water surface and doesn't take much for it to make splashing sounds as it rotates

anyone have a duckbill and some loc line?

[Fishgeek88]

Love the Easter Island dude!

[Argent]

Thanks :) I'm hoping to really be able to work him in to the final rock structure when I get some more LR

[Fishgeek88]

you should grow star polyp on him like hair and a beard

[Fishgeek88]

sorry someone already suggested that lol

[Argent]

haha yeah there have been plenty of suggestions made as to what I should try growing on him :P

[Argent]

gratuitous FTS (for now)

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/aquapod06.jpg

[Argent]

These are for (and from) Skyhigh.....

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/corals01.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/corals02.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/corals03.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/corals04.jpg

[Argent]

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/016.jpg

Also picked up two cleaner shrimp last night from Seashells (one didn't last the night though :( )

[Argent]

Stopped at the Trop today - got a sweet yuma (pics of that later) a bi-color blenny (he's quite the character already!) and a couple pieces of lace rock (thanks Bryan!)

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/040.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/047.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/039.jpg

[whitetiger61]

very cool argent..i still say star polyps on the tiki dudes head

Rick

[Sweetpea]

very cool argent..i still say star polyps on the tiki dudes head

Rick

I second that! Kind of like a psychadelic buzz cut...

[Argent]

Some more shots of my newest coral aquisitions

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/016-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/018.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/019.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/021.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/022.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/030.jpg

[ReeferRob]

Looking very nice Paul. Normally I can't stand it when people put items like your statue in their tank. Put I really like the looks of that guy! Very cool! Great coral pic ups too!

[Argent]

Thanks Rob :)

I was trying to make him blend in a bit - like he fell in to the ocean during an earthquake or something

[Argent]

nice shot of my duncans

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4329248604_c55faa2d57_o.jpg

[Sir Patrick]

Sweet duncans!!

[Argent]

Thanks - I think there's somewhere between 8-10 heads there

[whitetiger61]

very nice duncans.. i reall need to get me a good camera..i want pics like that

Rick

[Argent]

Saturday boredom leads to....

more pics!

Rock Nem
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/003-2.jpg

Orange Yuma and Kedds Reds
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/010.jpg

Rock Nem
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/012.jpg

Orange Ric
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/024.jpg

Duncan
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/027.jpg

[Skyhigh]

sweet pics Paul, you do remember how to take pics of the corals lol, again great pics.

[Argent]

Thanks Bryan!

its like riding a bike :)

just need to get a new lens

[Argent]

new bored pics!

Superman Monti
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/080.jpg

Kedds Reds and a feather duster
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/073.jpg

'Deepwaters' from Skyhigh
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/071.jpg

Pink speckled Zoas (no clue what they are called)
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/069.jpg

Armor of God Zoas
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/059.jpg

Some kind of shroom I got from Seashells
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/057.jpg

and last but not least...

Yuma from The Trop
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/050.jpg

[ReeferRob]

Ha ha, I have 4 of that Rhodactis Mushrooms brothers from SeaShells. I bought the colony and Michelle cut one polyp off to keep. But now you have it!!! Cool

[Argent]

that thing glows crazy under blue LED's

[Skyhigh]

now thats what im talking about!!!! SUPER SWEET PICS!!!!!!

[Argent]

Thanks Bryan - all top down with my 300mm + Canon 500D close-up filter and flash

[MizTanks]

:wave::wave::wave:


Gotta :love2:that shroom!

Gotta:love2:those duncuns!

Freaking eye candy or what~geeeeeeeez!

[Argent]

New yuma rock!

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/019-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/009.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/002-3.jpg

[ReeferRob]

Wow those look great. The pink is awesome. What are you going to do to address the need for lower light in your tank?

[Argent]

need for lower light? my lights pretty low already...

[ReeferRob]

need for lower light? my lights pretty low already...

don't you have MH HQI or something?

[Argent]

yeah a big whopping 70w one

[ReeferRob]

Yumas are notorious for melting, I wish you luck. Those are some spectacular colors.

[Argent]

my orange one seems to be doing good so far - if they seem to be unhappy I have some shaded areas I can move them to

[CalmSeasQuest]

I find the Yumas like more light than Floridas. The only melting experiance I had was from Yumas touching regualr Rics - They do NOT play well together (at least in my tank.)

[Argent]

thanks for the heads up CalmSeasQuest - I'll keep my rics and my yumas away from each other :D

[ReeferRob]

You can condition just about any coral to any lighting condition. Its just important to keep new transitions in lower light and acclimate them out slowly. You can try and get them up to super high light, the yuma will quickly let you know if its happy or not.

[Argent]

Well besides that yuma rock - LucidProp also sent me 2 zoa frags which I've finally been able to photograph!

Now way back in the days - these were called zombie eyes (very small polyps)
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/020.jpg

and I haven't a clue what these are but they look like they should color up nicely! (also very small polyps)
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/017.jpg

[Argent]

And for those who've been following my ordeal with USPS shipping from California - I finally got my corals yesterday (22nd) and they shipped the 16th....

needless to say I don't think they're going to make it...

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/002-4.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/013.jpg

[The Rugger]

6 Days??? No wonder. I hate to see that... Insured?

[Argent]

nope - probably won't get anything back either - but that's the risk you run when doing private sales via the internet on other forums.

[The Rugger]

Yeah, I try to avoid stuff from Cali just because of the distance. Just not worth the risk for the animals for me. Bummer too because I trip over nice stuff on the left side quite often...

[Argent]

yeah those were some really sweet palys called Black Widows

the cyphastrea I can get locally if I really want some...

[The Rugger]

Maybe they will come around... Looking rough though. I assume they met with some pretty cold temps???

[Argent]

I'd guess so - that and the 2-3 day Priority Mail through the USPS got them to me in 6 days

[Sir Patrick]

Heard about your shipping ordeal...sorry to hear it- good luck w/ the corals!


That tank has come a long way since I last checked in. Very nice, and great choices in corals. You running skimmerless??

[Argent]

Thanks Sir Patrick - the corals didn't survive - I pulled their rocks out last night

As for my choice in corals - I have Skyhigh to thank for most of them :) and I finally got some super glue gel so I can start moving stuff off the sandbed and up on to the rocks - but I need to get me a ton of snails to help stir the sandbed and eat the algae starting to form on my lace rock.

As for the skimmer - yes I took it off a while ago - and just tossed my LR rubble in to the 1st rear chamber - I really think I need to do something more for filtration but just not sure what it is...maybe a HOB fuge or something...

oh and I'm still not happy about the lights - will be going back to T5's or LED as soon as I can figure out how to afford it

[ReeferRob]

Have you considered going bacterial driven on the tank?
Also be sure you stirr up that rubble rock pile in chamber 1 so that not to accumulate too much detritus. I assume you have some sort of mechanical filtration, like filter floss or a pad to help catch and remove the stuff?

Sorry to hear about the shipping ordeal. The palys looked like they might have made it, did they get worse than the picture?

Your coral selection and colors are great! Keep those killer pics coming!

[Argent]

Thanks Rob - would you care to elaborate on the bacterial driven stuff?

as for mechanical filtration - nope I've got nothing - just LR rubble in the bottom of my 1st chamber (water flows UNDER the divider wall so it goes through the LR before the pump fires it back in to the tank)

I have been considering getting the InTank Media Basket - just haven't been able to justify the cost yet http://shop.mediabaskets.com/AquaPod-24-Media-Basket-AP24MR.htm

http://shop.mediabaskets.com/images/IMG_7489.jpg

[ReeferRob]

Bacdriven, the MB7 and vodka diets. I've picked up the Prodibio system myself. That way I only dose every other week rather than every single day.
Its like putting your existing nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria in your system on steroids. Only issue is you are not running a skimmer. A great skimmer is imperative.

That media basket would definitely help control your nutrient issues. My only concern is much like yours, the price. Depending on your time and tools you have already you could probably make one of those for 1/3 the price.

[Argent]

yah probably could whip something together out of eggcrate and zip ties

and after the noisy ruckus my last HOB skimmer made (not to mention the irritating microbubbles) I'm pretty hesitant to bother with a skimmer again unless it was a deal I couldn't pass up (the one I had came with the tank) because it didn't really seem to do anything for me

[Argent]

Well I finally got around to moving some of my frags off the sandbed and glueing them to the rocks...

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/020-1.jpg

And since I can't just take one pic....here's some more eye candy

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/011.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/012-1.jpg

and the new gratuitous FTS
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/005-2.jpg

[demonclownfish]

very nice argent cant wait till i figure out how to mount mine to rocks

[Argent]

thanks demon - can't wait to see them grow out across the rocks!

[Argent]

Here you go demon - more pics

zombie eyes
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/030-1.jpg

AOG?
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/031.jpg

Nuclear Green
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/035.jpg

[Bella127]

Tank is coming along nicely. Like the black sand bed look. It makes everything pop.

[Argent]

chort - I tried a superman monti up there - it died

[ReeferRob]

Tanks looking great. Every time I look I like that statue more and more. Looks like you could use a bit more movement in there, like a Frogspawn or Hammer coral. Do you like those types of corals or have any plans to add any?

Maybe some blue colored corals too, to complement all the oranges and reds!

I think you should sell me those tiny Korilla pumps and step up to the VT mp10......more flow less obtrusive.

[Argent]

I have a frogspawn in my frag rack (you can sort of see it in the upper right corner of the FTS) and a small piece of pulsing xenia hiding on one of my rocks

no clue where to keep the frogspawn happy so it stays up there for now - I'd love to get a torch or something though as well

@chort: if you're gonna donate something that might survive under lower lighting and medium flow conditions then I'm willing to try it :P

[tazzy695]

tank is looking great argent

just need something for hair on that statue I personaly would go with anthiela for the longer shaggy look or even pulsing xiena

[Argent]

new pics

From Lucid Corals.....

Christmas Favia
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/012-2.jpg

Blue un-named zoas
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/008-1.jpg

and a cool shot while trying to shoot my tank under the new moonlights...
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/005-3.jpg

[Argent]

tank is looking great argent

just need something for hair on that statue I personaly would go with anthiela for the longer shaggy look or even pulsing xiena

Thanks tazzy - I was thinking maybe purple mini clove polyps or something too

[ReeferRob]

Thanks tazzy - I was thinking maybe purple mini clove polyps or something too

I've got some if you want some!

Nice shots too, looks like the favia needs to color up a bit.

[Argent]

yeah I'm hoping that it starts to color back up - I can see it fluoresce slightly green under my moonlights

[Argent]

A few quick shots of the zoas I got from Bryan and Shane last night - these were in a rush this morning - I'll try for better shots tonight

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/002-5.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/006.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/007.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/003-3.jpg

[ReeferRob]

Oooo la la, where the **** are you gonna put all these frags now? Do I smell and upgrade in your future?

[iyachtuxivm]

and a cool shot while trying to shoot my tank under the new moonlights...
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/005-3.jpg

Wow really cool!

[Manoj's Reef]

Very nice collection...

[Argent]

Oooo la la, where the **** are you gonna put all these frags now? Do I smell and upgrade in your future?

heck no! just done buying corals! now to save money for a RKJ and lights!

[Argent]

ok new shots from this afternoon...

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/001-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/002-6.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/004-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/005-4.jpg

My favia is starting to get its green back!
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/006-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/007-1.jpg

and this one's for Bryan...
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/011-1.jpg

[Argent]

Two of my 4 fish :)

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/006-2.jpg

[Finding_Nemo]

Two of my 4 fish :)

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/006-2.jpg

what is the fish next to the clown?

[Argent]

Bi-color blenny

[Argent]

a few reasons why I haven't updated this thread in a while....and they are irritating...

red slime
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/014.jpg

GHA
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/008-2.jpg

and some other random algae that's threatening to kill off several zoas
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/006-3.jpg

I also have spotted red flatworms too >:(

and so y'all don't leave too upset....some eye candy (I believe they are AOG's)
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/010-1.jpg

[ReeferRob]

Paul Im glad to see you back on these days, took a bit of a vacay huh!

Don't worry about the "issues", I battling the cyno, GHA and byropsis (the last pic) as well.
Just gotta watch you nutrients and how your exporting them. I ran a 24 hour period with no lights the other day and it seemed to help loads for the algea and the cyno. Should've went for 48 hours but I can't stand not seeing whats up in the tank!!

Killer shots as usual! Keep them coming.

[Riddler]

Looking great Paul,

I just got a media basket for my AP24 and I'm hoping to get cycling soon. I don't know where you buy your corals, but I'll need to find out. They are amazing. The last ones you think are AOG are super nice! I can't wait until I'm at that point where I can add stuff.

Riddler

[MizTanks]

a few reasons why I haven't updated this thread in a while....and they are irritating...

red slime
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/014.jpg

GHA
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/008-2.jpg

and some other random algae that's threatening to kill off several zoas
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/006-3.jpg

I also have spotted red flatworms too >:(

and so y'all don't leave too upset....some eye candy (I believe they are AOG's)
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/ArgentTheReefer/Aquarium/010-1.jpg


WOW!!! I need some of dem!