ETBReefer's Tank

[ETBReefer05]

Alright, I'm finally at the point where I can show some before and after pics of my tank.

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6214.jpg
Here's the tank the week after I bought it, moved that Biowheel on the right into the sump.
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6219.jpg
Added Powerheads and painted the back deep blue. (I love the blue by the way). Custom built the hood with the help of a friend's neighbor.
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6216.jpg
Lighting is two build-your-own T5 VHO's with 1x 39w Aqua Blue special and 1x 39w Blue Plus both by ATI (Just under 3w per gallon)
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6224.jpg
20 gallon sump with DIY overflow from the tank and Marineland pump rated at 300GPH. Protein skimmer is not shown, but its is a Coralife.
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6222.jpg
Added Liverock
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6235.jpg
Full Tank Shot. Fish: Coral Beauty Angel Fish Coral: One Frag each of Pulsing Xenia, Kenya Tree, and a small colony of Zoa's

Added some cleaning crew today, will post more pics tomorrow after they acclimate.

[Manoj's Reef]

Thats a very good start Eric. Looking good, keep us all updated.

[Sir Patrick]

Cant wait to see the pics!!

[ETBReefer05]

Ok, I promised some pics a few days ago, so here they are. Since adding my cleanup crew, I think one or two of the shrimps molted. Found one yesterday and one this afternoon and I could see through the exoskeleton...there were no organs or anything, so that's why I think they just molted.

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6251.jpg
New Branching Frogspawn Frag (courtesy of XSiVE). Three Heads (one baby) with one more coming in.

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6248.jpg The Overflow Box I went to XSiVE's house for in the first place. I commented on how wonderful his Frogspawn was and he fragged one for me :) Thanks Man!

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6247.jpg Coral Beauty being herself.

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6246.jpg Turbo

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6245.jpg Updated FTS

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6244.jpg The Xenia is doing much better, but still hasn't regained its color, could I move it closer to the T-5s?

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6243.jpg The Kenya Tree is fully open about 1 hour after lights on every day and has regained about 98% of its color.

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6242.jpg I know this isn't the ID thread, but I know these are pretty common. Pallys or Zoas? Anyway, the colony opened wider than ever today.

[XSiVE]

Good to see the new stuff working for you :)

[vittleking]

nice start, looks like your well on your way.

[cg5071]

I like your rock work. Those are paly's, are they blue in color? If you want to, you could move your xenia closer.

[ETBReefer05]

Haha, yeah Chris, heater is in the sump. Cut the PVC return shorter to stop it from churning my sand...added more CUC and a shy Starry Blenny. Will update pics in the next few minutes.

[ETBReefer05]

Since the last update, I have added a Starry Blenny, 5 Cerith snails, 5 Astrea snails, and 5 blue legged hermits. I have also cut my return plumbing back so that it doesn't stir up my sand bed. Here are some pictures

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6266.jpg
Paly's in full bloom, center is a blue/green with brown outer

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6263.jpg
Kenya tree has shown marked growth since my last post, it also turning a dark purple.

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6270.jpg
Dr. Rockso the Rock N Roll Blenny. He does cocainnnneeee k-k-kyeaaaahhh!

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6268.jpg
Dr. Rockso kicked a peppermint shrimp out of this hole and now lives in it.

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6273.jpg
Cool Blur effect, she was shy tonight lol.

[Sir Patrick]

Great updates! Cool blenny!

[ETBReefer05]

The addiction has officially taken over. Looking at a 60 gal tank and stand for $50 near me. I can't pass this up (I don't think). More on this later...

[RedfordReefer]

Those unknown Palys are Texas Trash. they will overwhelm anything near them. I've pulled at least 50 or so out of my tank and trashed them. they grow fast, and they grow all over the place.

The tank looks great! I really want a smaller tank to set up as a Mantis tank, but i just don't have time right now. What little time I have is sucked up my my 90G display.

I really hope you get the 60. Your build/grow thread here is real nice!

[ETBReefer05]

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6277.jpg
New Hammer. Finally figured out the manual focus on my camera. These shots look 100x better.


http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6274.jpg
New Nem

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6280.jpg
The Blenny in his hidey hole.

[shovelhead91701]

Looks awesome man! Nice shots!

[XSiVE]

nice stuff, and nice job making the camera cooperate :)

[ReeferRob]

Coming along nicely, the hammer looks really good.

[ETBReefer05]

Got my new ballast and endcaps in the mail today. Gonna have to wait to get new reflectors, but I am officially SPS ready. Running a new Blue Plus and a New KZ Fiji Purple. So, from front to back its:
Aqua Blue
Fiji Purple
Blue +
Blue +

FTS under new lights
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6286.jpg

New Nem, New Lights
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6288.jpg

Texas Trash
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6290.jpg

For Comparison
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6245.jpg

[ETBReefer05]

Blue Plus Sunset on the reef
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6292.jpg

[EMUreef]

looks good! love the color!

[tankdude]

Super clean!

[ETBReefer05]

Saw this guy at Reef Paradise and my Store credit just screamed GET HIM!!!! Its a yellow watchman Goby. Gonna get a pistol shrimp to accompany him as well.
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6307.jpg

[ETBReefer05]

Good call on snaggin that one, when you showed me it the other day I was thinking about asking you what u were waiting for have Mike bag it for ya :)

At that time I was worrying about my $70 clowns coming in any day. Now I know within a week time-frame when they'll be at RP so I can relax a little. Also, I chose this fish over getting more stuff for my 60. If my 60 is up by the end of October, I'll be happy.

[ETBReefer05]

What else do u need to get the 60 going??? Im hoping to see water in that thing by the end of this month LOL J/k man I totally understand on waiting and even worse waiting for funding :( Still need a few things for my 180 thats been up and running for a few months lol

I can start the tank with the current rock I have. Might be a little light, about 5 or 6 lbs short, but adding a little at a time til it suits my idea of a minimal rockwork design can be done little by little. I need 60 lbs of sand...only using a few cups of my current sand to seed my 60...I need to buy acrylic for the corner overflow and saw/bend it, then I need to plumb the overflow for the sump...then I need to buy water...I think that would do it actually...

[ETBReefer05]

What else do u need to get the 60 going??? Im hoping to see water in that thing by the end of this month LOL J/k man I totally understand on waiting and even worse waiting for funding :( Still need a few things for my 180 thats been up and running for a few months lol

I can start the tank with the current rock I have. Might be a little light, about 5 or 6 lbs short, but adding a little at a time til it suits my idea of a minimal rockwork design can be done little by little. I need 60 lbs of sand...only using a few cups of my current sand to seed my 60...I need to buy acrylic for the corner overflow and saw/bend it, then I need to plumb the overflow for the sump...then I need to buy water...and I need a bigger return pump...yup, that would do it.

[iyachtuxivm]

I can start the tank with the current rock I have. Might be a little light, about 5 or 6 lbs short, but adding a little at a time til it suits my idea of a minimal rockwork design can be done little by little. I need 60 lbs of sand...only using a few cups of my current sand to seed my 60...I need to buy acrylic for the corner overflow and saw/bend it, then I need to plumb the overflow for the sump...then I need to buy water...and I need a bigger return pump...yup, that would do it.

Yeah so what are you waiting for? Lol Jk take your time do it right so you have more time to enjoy it.

[ETBReefer05]

Got some new corals yesterday and took pics of them under the Blue Plus' today. Here goes nothing.

Orange Zoos (ID Please?)
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6313.jpg

Blue Spotted Purple Mushroom
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6314.jpg

Uknown Blue Polyps (ID Please?)
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6315.jpg

Green Favia
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6316.jpg

[ETBReefer05]

New livestock!

Tubbs Blue Zoas (courtesy of EMUReef)
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6319.jpg

Couple shots of the new Six-Line Wrasse
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6322.jpg
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6323.jpg
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6325.jpg

Red and green Favia (Courtesy of EMUReef)
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6326.jpg

Current FTS
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6327.jpg

[EMUreef]

lookin good. That hair algae needs to be taken care of though! none the less i like it!

[demonclownfish]

looks good, BTW that red&green favia is called a christmas favia.

[EMUreef]

Uknown Blue Polyps (ID Please?)
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6315.jpg


do the polyps kinda look like flowers? If so i think this is a Gonipora.

[demonclownfish]

do the polyps kinda look like flowers? If so i think this is a Gonipora.

looks like blue cloves IMO-

http://www.fragalot.ca/newsh/frags/40.jpg

[ETBReefer05]

Added two black occelaris clowns by Tal Sweet this evening. Pics in the morning.

[lionhead]

Sounds like your tank is starting to pick up for you. Looks nice.

[ETBReefer05]

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6343.jpg

These guys wont stop moving. So after about 30 tries, I put the best pic of them up here. Enjoy!

[tazzy695]

it is all good

what is the actual size on those little guys

[Sir Patrick]

Didnt know Tal had B&W's!!

Nice pick up!

[ETBReefer05]

it is all good

what is the actual size on those little guys

They are both about 3/4" each, I put a measuring tape up to the glass and approximated. I didn't realize this til I was home, but one of them is a Misbar, which, in my opinion is pretty sweet. Still deciding what to name them because I'm one of those hobbyists lol.

[cg5071]

Nice. I didnt know Tal had them either. One of the many things on my wishlist :)

[buckel2]

Everything is coming around nicely Eric!

Those black clowns are a great addition to your tank, after waiting for so long they are defiantly worth it.

We still have a pair of Tal's black clowns up at the store, for anyone who's interested (wink wink)

-Ashley

[ETBReefer05]

Well ladies and gentlemen, it is official. In one week the 30 gallon will be dismantled, the livestock bagged or bucketed, the water drained into buckets and the whole deal will be driven 15 minutes east to settle in the new home in Davison. I ordered a 65 gallon (36x18x25) breeder today through Reef Paradise's tank builder and it will be ready on Friday of next week. As some of you know, I had a 60 gallon, but it was cracked 2 days ago so I ordered a brand-spanking new tank. I will be moving tuesday and stop by the old house Wednesday and Thursday to check on the fish before tearing down the tank and moving Friday. Anyone in the Flint area would be appreciated for any help, looking for maybe one more guy as one of the original helpers can't help on a Friday! I will be posting final pictures of this tank over the next few days, and I will document the move as part of a new thread I will be creating.

[ReeferRob]

Good luck man, hope it all goes well. Any I hope your friend who bailed on you gets ich!

[ETBReefer05]

Haha, it was Chris and he didn't bail, he just has to work that day.

[ETBReefer05]

This will be one of a couple final updates before this tank goes down and I move and setup a 65 gallon breeder. I will be posting these pics and a video at a later date. Tank comes down this coming weekend, its been a good run, can't wait to get into something bigger! (Please excuse my Dino and GHA).


Left to Right: Superman Montipora, ProCorals Pinky Acro, Panope Birdsnest.
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6401.jpg
Superman is hard to see in this pic, but I haven't been getting all that great polyp extension, the Acro extends its polyps about 1/8" but is closed up in this pic, I'm seeing average polyps extension on the birds nest.

PIF Fungia from XSiVE
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6402.jpg
This thing is a beast when its open, as you can see, its only about the size of a pencil eraser, but it will eat 1/2 pieces of mysis.

Purple and Red Acan from Cherrycorals
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6403.jpg
Run of the mill Acan with great colors and great appetite, I feed each of the 6 heads 1/4 to 1/2 piece of mysis every couple days along with broadcast feeding of coral frenzy.

4 polyp war coral
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6404.jpg
Wanted to add some red to my tank and Skyhigh had these in his $10 swap tank, so I snagged it :thumbsup:

ProCorals Aussie Gold Torch
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6405.jpg
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/Avatar587/Aquarium/IMG_6406.jpg
Gold Torch from ProCorals. Has done great in my tank and opens with the longest polyps reaching 2.5"

Tried to take a video today, but it was kinda terrible and shaky. You know its bad when your own video makes you nauseous lol. Will try again and post if I like the results.

[ETBReefer05]

I forgot to take pics of the wavy gravy fungia I won at the swap, but I need to move him to some shade as its started to bleach being in direct light.

[Sir Patrick]

^ The wavy gravy pics are a must!!!!

Glad to here you plan on dosing the MB7. It has helped alot for me more than once, on a tank changeover. Just follow the directions on the bottle for the first week or 2, and go to maintanance dose. Things should, In my experience, go smooth for you.

Dont forget too clean that old sand, if you use any of it!!