★ 110 Gallon (In-Wall Office Dream SPS Reef Tank) ★ PROJECT GENESIS [Total Automation, DIY & More ]★
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WallyB
REEF Techno-Geek
Well, I used to have Urchins. A pencil and a Tuxedo.
They were great for cleaning rock of Nuisance Algae.
One thing I didn't like about them is where ever they pass on Coraline Covered rocks, they leave white track marks, in zig zags.
That is because they also clean off the Coraline.
Sure it would SLOWLY grow back, but I hated the WHITE STREACK of missing coralline.
Also one URCHIN almost KILLED ME. He chewed thru one side (of insulation) of a heater power cord. Totally exposed the Copper wire.
My Tank was 110 Volts, and I had removed my Ground Probe so my GFCI didn't trip off the power.
When I touched the tip of my finger I got a strong Shock.
Puttting back the ground probe tripped the Power off.
The pencil urchin was a pain since he was really strong, and could move rocks.
After those experiences, unless I get Nusiance Algae, I won't be getting any urchins.
For now, I have a TUNZE Strong Glass cleaner with the Metal BLADE. It keep my glass Coraline Free. Pumps I soak once in a while in Citrix Acid (Vitamin C Powder).
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WallyB
REEF Techno-Geek
STARTLING DISCOVERY ( RO Reservoir Again High TDS values) Is RUBBERMAID Garbage Can Leaching something?
After my two years of Struggle with SOAP going into my RO Reservoir, I decided to check TDS in the Container.
I was suprized that is wasn't 0 ppm (or close). It was like 27 ppm.
The reservoir is a 35 Gallon Black Rubbermaid Brute Garbage can.
I tested another smaller reservoir. Never cleaned for years, and TDS=4.0
So I clean out the Rubbermaid, and let it fill TDS=7
Much better, but I think since it's not food grade, it is leaching something in the TDS=0 water.
I know the water going in is 0 TDS since I measured it.
7 isn't bad, but I will be looking for a FOOD Grade RO reservoir Container.
After my two years of Struggle with SOAP going into my RO Reservoir, I decided to check TDS in the Container.
I was suprized that is wasn't 0 ppm (or close). It was like 27 ppm.
The reservoir is a 35 Gallon Black Rubbermaid Brute Garbage can.
I tested another smaller reservoir. Never cleaned for years, and TDS=4.0
So I clean out the Rubbermaid, and let it fill TDS=7
Much better, but I think since it's not food grade, it is leaching something in the TDS=0 water.
I know the water going in is 0 TDS since I measured it.
7 isn't bad, but I will be looking for a FOOD Grade RO reservoir Container.
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WallyB
REEF Techno-Geek
Actually I did some analysis.
Getting TDS to stay 0.00 in any container is virtually impossible.
I tried with all kinds of cups, glass, etc.
It drips out of Hose 0.00, but even the smallest bit of contaminant in container raises TDS up from 0. 0.00 is pretty darn PURE.
And after testing I realize my RO system output is about 7.0 just before the DI canister.
DI bring it down to 0.00
The only way to consistently get 0.00 is in my INLINE TDS, which measures purity (in the RO tubes) before being exposed to the outside world.
I also wonder if De-Ionization is only temporary and water Ionizes again once back in AIR. I'm no expert.
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WallyB
REEF Techno-Geek
Algae Scrubber (Update) Working Much Better
The Extra LED and Change to Cheato has finally made my Algae Scrubber useful.
I do see that the two Macro Algaes are a bit mixed. Will inspect better at First Harvest.
The Extra LED and Change to Cheato has finally made my Algae Scrubber useful.
I do see that the two Macro Algaes are a bit mixed. Will inspect better at First Harvest.
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WallyB
REEF Techno-Geek
Full Tank Photo (3 Week Changes)
OCT 5th
OCT 19th
This is not Photo Shop improvements in Color (Since if you look at Base Coraline, the 2nd photo is less Color)
The Frags are certainly Healing and Coloring up.
Some like the Forest Fire Digi has Healed very well, and is getting it's Green Neon Tips.
Best example of improvement is the GREEN Christmas Present Plating Monti.
Only the Ice Fire Enchinata has been struggling (after a few cuts to stop STN), but it may make it.
OCT 5th
OCT 19th
This is not Photo Shop improvements in Color (Since if you look at Base Coraline, the 2nd photo is less Color)
The Frags are certainly Healing and Coloring up.
Some like the Forest Fire Digi has Healed very well, and is getting it's Green Neon Tips.
Best example of improvement is the GREEN Christmas Present Plating Monti.
Only the Ice Fire Enchinata has been struggling (after a few cuts to stop STN), but it may make it.
looks good. I disagree with your signature though -- I think the key to success is not patience necessarily... But possibly... not dosing soap. I'm pretty sure that was the game changer.
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WallyB
REEF Techno-Geek
I will never know if the soap thing was the issue last tank, or possibly that and something else too (like messing with the tank too much)
The "patience" signature I actually did on purpose...So I get constant reminders to wait, and not try to make changes to improve the tank. It helps to read the reminder.
It also helps to see positive progress since with last tank, I had no choice but to make adjustments since my frags were dying almost weekly.
Soon you will learn SPS are easy. You just gotta keep things consistent, doesn't matter if you like lower alk, or sky high, low or high nutrients, low or high light. So long as you're consistent, that's 90% of what matters with SPS.
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WallyB
REEF Techno-Geek
Tried to Get some Frag Photos (GOT NONE) Fish were in a Posing Mood
Weird. I tried to get some Frag Photos for Growth Compares, but the DARN Fish wouldn't get out of the way. (It's close to feeding time)
So I gave up and got some Fish Photo's instead. BEST EVER of a few of my Tank Residents.
Wanatabei Angel [ his tail is almost fully grown back ] (Tang wouldn't move aside)
Black Capped Basslet
Blue Green Chromis (JUMBO)
Sunburst Anthias (Yes, he is eating well now)
And the YELLOW TANG (who wants to be in Every PHotos, but I got one of him SOLO)
After this Photo Shoot (I fed them EXTRA)
I could not get a photo of the Cariberryi Anthias. He is the most beautiful specimen in my tank. But lighting fast, and doesn't stand still for very long.
Weird. I tried to get some Frag Photos for Growth Compares, but the DARN Fish wouldn't get out of the way. (It's close to feeding time)
So I gave up and got some Fish Photo's instead. BEST EVER of a few of my Tank Residents.
Wanatabei Angel [ his tail is almost fully grown back ] (Tang wouldn't move aside)
Black Capped Basslet
Blue Green Chromis (JUMBO)
Sunburst Anthias (Yes, he is eating well now)
And the YELLOW TANG (who wants to be in Every PHotos, but I got one of him SOLO)
After this Photo Shoot (I fed them EXTRA)
I could not get a photo of the Cariberryi Anthias. He is the most beautiful specimen in my tank. But lighting fast, and doesn't stand still for very long.
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WallyB
REEF Techno-Geek
What is this Growing on my Monti PLUG? (Safe??)
It's been there since I got the Frag.
I can't cut off the Monti easily since it's partially encrusted.
The plug came from the Bottom of a VERY MATURE TANK.
The Green might be Green Cyano. (not algae since Tang hasn't eaten it)
But what are those Polyps?
It's been there since I got the Frag.
I can't cut off the Monti easily since it's partially encrusted.
The plug came from the Bottom of a VERY MATURE TANK.
The Green might be Green Cyano. (not algae since Tang hasn't eaten it)
But what are those Polyps?
You can very easily cut that off. The whole monti will most likely come off the plug.
My guess is those may be cloves, or some other softie pest. If that's the case, do literally anything within your power to kill it immediately.
My guess is those may be cloves, or some other softie pest. If that's the case, do literally anything within your power to kill it immediately.
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WallyB
REEF Techno-Geek
I got the plug out. NOTHING SPREAD to the Main Rock yet. I had a glob of epoxy between the Plug and Rock.
I guess I can just break/cut off the Little Rock with the Monti on it (from the plug)
Then I'll mount on some Epoxy Putty to wrap the Rock and any possible edges. With Some Cryano glue too.
Sure I'm not taking any chances, but look at the First Photo I posted.
Those Softie Pests look almost the same as the Monti Polyps.
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WallyB
REEF Techno-Geek
MONTI Frag ( Cleaned up & Remounted ) Cut, Custom Epoxy Platter Plug, Mounted Back
Done.
I first cut off the Rock with Monti, OFF of Plug. Then worked on removing the Monti from the Rock.
The Monti Piece was nicely separated. Minor Damage.
Then I made a CUSTOM plug from Epoxy (Red & Slate Grey Color mix). 3- PARTS:
-> Dome Base Hardned with Monti inserted
-> An Extension Arm
-> and (Soft Glob of Putty to attach Platter to Rock)
Came out better than before. More Upright. Bigger Growth BASE, and exposed to better light. [ I can expand if needs growing room ].
The blurry RED Streak is the MAGMA Wrasse. It's getting comfortable in the DT.
I feel better NOW about not worrying about a pest invasion down the road.
Done.
I first cut off the Rock with Monti, OFF of Plug. Then worked on removing the Monti from the Rock.
The Monti Piece was nicely separated. Minor Damage.
Then I made a CUSTOM plug from Epoxy (Red & Slate Grey Color mix). 3- PARTS:
-> Dome Base Hardned with Monti inserted
-> An Extension Arm
-> and (Soft Glob of Putty to attach Platter to Rock)
Came out better than before. More Upright. Bigger Growth BASE, and exposed to better light. [ I can expand if needs growing room ].
The blurry RED Streak is the MAGMA Wrasse. It's getting comfortable in the DT.
I feel better NOW about not worrying about a pest invasion down the road.
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WallyB
REEF Techno-Geek
Tank Water Chemistry/etc MUST BE GOOD (When OLD Dead Plugs start coming back to LIFE)
An ODD GLOW caught my attention today.
That's a OLD DEAD plug from the Past. My Branching Caphystrea came from that Plug there when moved to new location.
It's coming to life, months later. Must have been a few molecules of SPS on there.
I ALSO NOTICED some PURPLE that I never saw before. On my Bonsai.
That New TIP Growth is more colorful then the rest.
This Mickey-Mouse Progress may be boring everyone to tears, but to me this is never before achieved Excitement.
An ODD GLOW caught my attention today.
That's a OLD DEAD plug from the Past. My Branching Caphystrea came from that Plug there when moved to new location.
It's coming to life, months later. Must have been a few molecules of SPS on there.
I ALSO NOTICED some PURPLE that I never saw before. On my Bonsai.
That New TIP Growth is more colorful then the rest.
This Mickey-Mouse Progress may be boring everyone to tears, but to me this is never before achieved Excitement.
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