Rich's 45G Build - First Timer

[rdnelson99]

Finally got my DIY sump/fuge and DIY HOB Overflow on line today. I would post some pics but it aint pretty. LOL Very tight space and my arms now feel like jelly. Need to raise my fixture a bit but that will have to wait until next weekend. Now I just need a bit of Cheto and need to do a good cleaning of my canister so I can sell it or trade it for a skimmer. :-) Yeah, that will happen.

[rdnelson99]

Haven't updated this tread in a while. Today, I added a Tunze 9006 skimmer to my sump. Yeah! Now if just need to figure out how to use it. :-) I am thinking I will do a new full tank shot and maybe a video on Jan. 1st so that in a year I can look back and see what kind of progress I have had.

[rdnelson99]

OK. I needed a coral fix so I went to see my lock pusher. Picked up three nice frags on the buy two get one free deal at Imagine Ocean. Got a nice chalice, a nice candy Cain and a real nice birds nest. Pictures at 11. Well maybe tomorrow because the lights will be off at 11.

[rdnelson99]

That should have said "local pusher". I really need to start proof reading these post.

[rdnelson99]

OK, here is my end of year update video. Done with iPhone so it isn't the best video in the world but it will be fun to look back at the end of next year and see the changes. Being short on cash is a great way to ensure patients when building a reef tank. LOL Hopefully, it will be a little more "Occupied" next year.

Rich's 45 gal reef 12-30-11 - YouTube

Rich's 45 gal reef 12-30-11 - YouTube

[grouper therapy]

That's an excellent first time tank ! Actually that's a nice job period.

[rdnelson99]

Thank you. I appreciate it. I love the way it is coming along and the fact (kock on wood) that I have had no hickups yet. I know the day is coming but...... LOL

[rdnelson99]

Yesterday I added a nice 4" RBTA that I purchased in a group buy from LA Reef. Man, very nice for what I paid for it. :-) Here is a video of it right after it went in the tank. You can see it started bubbling up immediately. I had to leave right after it went in the tank and while I was gone it moved. While it isn't front and center at least it parked itself between two rocks on the end of the tank that you can view. Today I fed it a half of a silver side and it gobbled it right down. I hope it decides it needs a little more light and comes to the front of the tank in a few days. The picture was taken about 30 minutes after it ate.

New RBTA - YouTube

New RBTA - YouTube

[Jaycen B.]

Rich, the tank looks great!

[rdnelson99]

Thanks boss. Definitely a work in progress bit I am having fun. :-)

Originally Posted by Jaycen B.

Rich, the tank looks great!

[PFCDeitz]

Looks killer bro!

[rdnelson99]

Thanks Kris. I appreciate it.

[rdnelson99]

Yesterday I picked up a Bleeding Apple Scoly in trade for an electric heater that has been collecting saw dust in my garage for the past 6 years. :-) I think I got the better end of the deal as evidenced by the picture below.

Up until now, I have not dosed anything other than magnesium on occasion and have never fed the corals. The fish have been fed New Life Spectrum Marine Fish Formula pellets. My plan is to start implementing a 2 part dosing schedule this weekend and also start supplementing with some different foods for both the fish and the scoly. So far, the RBTA I added last weekend seems to love the silversides. :-)

[rdnelson99]

OK, after a couple Silver Sides, my new Bleeding Apple Scoly is fattening up nicely. :-)

[PFCDeitz]

Very Nice Difference! Glad he got fat for ya!

[rdnelson99]

He is taking after me. LOL

[PFCDeitz]

Originally Posted by rdnelson99

He is taking after me. LOL

After us both! lol


Ims till on that Army Diet! Eat all you can in 10 minutes

[rdnelson99]

I was the youngest of 8. I learned to fight for my food. LOL

[rdnelson99]

Added a couple of things this week. Ripped Tide gave me a couple of nice frags as a thank you for delivering the salt in the group buy. I love the purple monti cap. :-) He also gave me what I think is a frag of birdsnest. At least that is what it is starting look like but hasn't fully opened yet. And, I picked up a nice purple feather duster from Atlanta Aquarium when I was on that side of town.

Today is going to be a very busy day. In addtion to the weekly WC, I have big plans. LOL Need to scrape the tank walls a bit, pull the powerheads and give them a good cleaning and clean the overflow box. That is the routine maint. Next, I want to get my DIY ATO in place and running. I finished the build on it yesterday and have been running it in my QT tank in the garage to make sure it functions properly. So far it working like a champ.

I also picked up the remaining parts I needed to get my RO/DI and mixing station tied in perm. in the laundry room. Hope to get that all completed today as well.

Edit: BTW, momma isn't overly thrilled about the mixing station in the laundry room. hehehehe

[rdnelson99]

Update....Auto Top Off up and running. Yeah!!! Skimmer cleaned out. Didn't see anthing glaring but we will see if it starts skimming when I get it back in place. Now on to water tests and WC.