Eggyoke's SCA 50 cube reef log 24 x 24 x 20
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I decided to create a log of my SCA 50 gallon reef. I'm a budget reefer and don't have the latest and greatest equipment, but it's mine.
Just a little background on the tank. Its been running coming up on a years now. I started my first SW tank back in 98. I had a few in my time but decided on this cube because this was in my budget. This tank was neglected for the past 6 months but now I have the sickness again. My last tank was a four foot tank and I didn't have too much success, probably because I didn't have too much knowledge of water quality for reef inhabitants. This time I followed the Red Sea program, well what I wanted to use. I used the Red Sea Coral Pro Salt, Foundation A B & C, Red Sea Coral Colors A B C & D, Reef Energy A & B. Watched the videos and it all the information was handed to me. It started out well, until I didn't have the time to keep up on my manual dosing. My corals faded but didn't die due to water conditions, so that was a good thing. Most of the corals that die was from getting stung, I didn't secure them to the rocks.
Tank-SCA 50 Starfire rimless
Skimmer-SCA 301 Not the greatest skimmer but it works.
Return pump-Atman 2500
Water movement-2x Jebao WP-10
Lights-AI Hydra 26 HD
Just a little background on the tank. Its been running coming up on a years now. I started my first SW tank back in 98. I had a few in my time but decided on this cube because this was in my budget. This tank was neglected for the past 6 months but now I have the sickness again. My last tank was a four foot tank and I didn't have too much success, probably because I didn't have too much knowledge of water quality for reef inhabitants. This time I followed the Red Sea program, well what I wanted to use. I used the Red Sea Coral Pro Salt, Foundation A B & C, Red Sea Coral Colors A B C & D, Reef Energy A & B. Watched the videos and it all the information was handed to me. It started out well, until I didn't have the time to keep up on my manual dosing. My corals faded but didn't die due to water conditions, so that was a good thing. Most of the corals that die was from getting stung, I didn't secure them to the rocks.
Tank-SCA 50 Starfire rimless
Skimmer-SCA 301 Not the greatest skimmer but it works.
Return pump-Atman 2500
Water movement-2x Jebao WP-10
Lights-AI Hydra 26 HD
To fast forward a bit, i wasn't impressed with a single AI Hydra 26, so what does one do? I got a second Hydra. If I were to do it again, I would at least get the Hydra 52. I don't think I have great front to back coverage but i you mount them high enough, I think they will work.
I switched to BRS 2 part some time back. I was looking to save some cash on dosing but that's where I kind of lost the colors. I think I was missing something in the water chemistry. My ALK and CAL were low, I test with the Red Sea Pro test, I used the BRS calculator for the dosage but by the next time I tested I was low again, it could be a week or so before I tested and my water fluctuated a great deal. I sucked on my water changes, probably once a month, it that.
I switched to BRS 2 part some time back. I was looking to save some cash on dosing but that's where I kind of lost the colors. I think I was missing something in the water chemistry. My ALK and CAL were low, I test with the Red Sea Pro test, I used the BRS calculator for the dosage but by the next time I tested I was low again, it could be a week or so before I tested and my water fluctuated a great deal. I sucked on my water changes, probably once a month, it that.
My latest changes are adding a Jebao DP-4 to my system and dosing BRS 2 part with Fauna Marin Trace 1 2 & 3. The best investment for my system, i highly recommend a doser, if a high dollar system is out of the question, get this $65 doser. Currently I dose 63 ml of BRS ALK and Cal and 3 ml or Acropower daily. I've had this up and running for about a month and I've seen the color come back, not fully but it's getting there.
Another addition to my system I must mention is getting a Jebao DC 6000. I was so F'n mad when i hooked it up because the dang thing sounded like it was a turbine engine. The more I turn it up the louder it got. I figured out that the impeller housing was a bit wonky so I straightened it up how it sat on the bushing.
The black disk, I spun it at it was all wobbly, couple of presses and now the pump is silent. Initially, I was going to return the whole darn thing but the seller sent me a new impeller but it ended up just a couple presses and the noise is gone. My impressions on the pump, its areat pump for the price. I usually set it on half power.
The black disk, I spun it at it was all wobbly, couple of presses and now the pump is silent. Initially, I was going to return the whole darn thing but the seller sent me a new impeller but it ended up just a couple presses and the noise is gone. My impressions on the pump, its areat pump for the price. I usually set it on half power.
I recently purchase some corals from Battle Corals. I sent Adam a message for the !!!GRAB-BA-BA-BAGGIE BATTLEBOXES!!! I think corals are way over priced so if I can get a deal on a pack, I would. I actually was looking at WWC pack on ebay but I liked the Battlecorals name better. Yep, he got my name based solely on the name. So this is what I got. All i requested was at least one milli and he delivered 2.
20161010/8be066b57c135e9ab461fa9d318f756a.jpg[/IMG]
I placed the corals for a bit, I sure ill have to get rid of a few because my tank is crowed. I took the photos at 10k, the tips look brighter than in real life but its close.
This is some brown mini colony i purchased from my LFS. It's getting some color now.
Another from the LFS. It looks bright yellow at 20k but it's actually a lime-ish green.
This stared as a small frag from the LFS. Kind of grows like a weed no matter what.
Got this from a friend. It was about an inch.
This is some brown mini colony i purchased from my LFS. It's getting some color now.
Another from the LFS. It looks bright yellow at 20k but it's actually a lime-ish green.
This stared as a small frag from the LFS. Kind of grows like a weed no matter what.
Got this from a friend. It was about an inch.
Lets go with the Battle corals pack. Vivids Rainbow Delight
Dales purple, I broke the plug and my gluing job is horrible, I hope I didn't harm the coral.
Hell raiser II
Ultra Venus
Raindrops on roses milli
Pink tip something - I cant read his writing
Dales purple, I broke the plug and my gluing job is horrible, I hope I didn't harm the coral.
Hell raiser II
Ultra Venus
Raindrops on roses milli
Pink tip something - I cant read his writing
I just want to give Adam a big thank you for the order. He was awesome with the communication. Delivered on the day I wanted and the value was twice what I paid. If you don't mind the mystery box game, this is a way to get some awesome corals. You won't be disappointed.
Now at the present day. My current system-I'll just go top to bottom.
Lights-2 x AI Hydra HD
Water movement-Jebao WP 10-I think these pumps are too small for my set up and would like to put it on the wave mode but I don't think I have enough water movement. I like the value of Jebao but when these stop working I think I'll go with the PP-8, they are rated up to 2000 gph but who knows what they really put out.
Doser-Jebao DP-4 still by best investment
Refugium-Some cheap light from Amazon or ebay. Its kind of Mickey Mouse mounted and probably will switch it out soon. 3 bags of mud. 4 mangroves. I had a bunch of calupra in it but I think my pencil urchin ate most of it. He was in my tank but was knocking corals over. I have to take him to the LFS.
Skimmer-SCA 301- I would love to get a Deltec but that's not in my budget. I have a small space for a skimmer so until this one breaks.
Sump-SCA the one the tank came with. I took out a glass wall. I actually have it running backwards for more space for the return pump.
Reactor-BRS single I run carbon and GFO. Its been off for a while. I think Im going to stop running GFO for a bit because I don't get a reading for phosphate.
Return Pump-Jebao DCT 6000
Lights-2 x AI Hydra HD
Water movement-Jebao WP 10-I think these pumps are too small for my set up and would like to put it on the wave mode but I don't think I have enough water movement. I like the value of Jebao but when these stop working I think I'll go with the PP-8, they are rated up to 2000 gph but who knows what they really put out.
Doser-Jebao DP-4 still by best investment
Refugium-Some cheap light from Amazon or ebay. Its kind of Mickey Mouse mounted and probably will switch it out soon. 3 bags of mud. 4 mangroves. I had a bunch of calupra in it but I think my pencil urchin ate most of it. He was in my tank but was knocking corals over. I have to take him to the LFS.
Skimmer-SCA 301- I would love to get a Deltec but that's not in my budget. I have a small space for a skimmer so until this one breaks.
Sump-SCA the one the tank came with. I took out a glass wall. I actually have it running backwards for more space for the return pump.
Reactor-BRS single I run carbon and GFO. Its been off for a while. I think Im going to stop running GFO for a bit because I don't get a reading for phosphate.
Return Pump-Jebao DCT 6000
I've been reading about Aquaforest products. Seems the company is the new trend. I don't think I'll use their salts until the price comes down. I wanted to start using the component 1 2 & 3 but i just spent 40 some dollars on Fauna Marin's trace 1 2 & 3 and I have a bunch of BRS 2 part to last me at least another year. I have a bucket of Red Sea Coral Pro. Maybe when I need to order some I'll go that way. I did just get some of their coral food. Going to start with this tonight. Going to stop using Acropower. Nothing wrong with the product, I noticed good color changes in my system. I'm hoping this stuff is the real deal snake oil that's going to give my corals growth and amazing coloration.
Is there anyone out there using this stuff? It say 1 drop per 27 gallons, how often? Ill start with one drop of each. My system contains about 45 gallons of water. Just doesn't make sense if you have 1 coral or 50 corals.
Is there anyone out there using this stuff? It say 1 drop per 27 gallons, how often? Ill start with one drop of each. My system contains about 45 gallons of water. Just doesn't make sense if you have 1 coral or 50 corals.
Blue tip stag-Since dosing I've notice about 1/4 inch growth and the tips have become a baby blue.
From the LFS it was a brown mess when i got it.-i think its some kind of Bonsi. This poor thing has fallen down about a thousand times and lost the battle with other corals. Its glued down. Lets see if i can make it fix its self. The tips have changed back to a purple color.
My favorite coral if you can call it a coral. It was the finest overgrowth onto a frag plug. I cut it off and placed it here. Im still waiting for it to grow into a coral.
I got this one from Aqua SD. Poor thing has a rough road. One it on eBay. With some other things. Last time I get into eBay auction for corals. I don't think I payed more than 10 buck for it. Has been coloring up to a pink. Not sure what it is.
Bottom coral. Another AquaSD product. Was always ugly because of me. Now turning yellow-ish. Starting to grow. Wonder what this coral will end up being.
Strawberry field-I think, reds are starting to come in. Was colorful when I got it. Getting back there.
I have no clue what this is. Purchased it from the LFS. I saw it at the LFS for several weeks. Every time i saw it, it was turning to a brown mess. For some reason I saw hope. Its bleached out but I has shown some improvement. With room light the spots are purple and the polyps are a faint yellow. I know this will color up.
This is on death row. STN for the past 2 weeks.
Was Red Planet LOL
Unknown from the LFS
AquaSD eBay purchase
From the LFS it was a brown mess when i got it.-i think its some kind of Bonsi. This poor thing has fallen down about a thousand times and lost the battle with other corals. Its glued down. Lets see if i can make it fix its self. The tips have changed back to a purple color.
My favorite coral if you can call it a coral. It was the finest overgrowth onto a frag plug. I cut it off and placed it here. Im still waiting for it to grow into a coral.
I got this one from Aqua SD. Poor thing has a rough road. One it on eBay. With some other things. Last time I get into eBay auction for corals. I don't think I payed more than 10 buck for it. Has been coloring up to a pink. Not sure what it is.
Bottom coral. Another AquaSD product. Was always ugly because of me. Now turning yellow-ish. Starting to grow. Wonder what this coral will end up being.
Strawberry field-I think, reds are starting to come in. Was colorful when I got it. Getting back there.
I have no clue what this is. Purchased it from the LFS. I saw it at the LFS for several weeks. Every time i saw it, it was turning to a brown mess. For some reason I saw hope. Its bleached out but I has shown some improvement. With room light the spots are purple and the polyps are a faint yellow. I know this will color up.
This is on death row. STN for the past 2 weeks.
Was Red Planet LOL
Unknown from the LFS
AquaSD eBay purchase
Last edited:
Today's water parameters:
Calcium 440
Alk 10.1
Magnesium 1450
NO3 > .25
NO4 .08
Temperature 78
I use the Red Sea Pro test kits. I don't use any sort of carbon dosing. Never had much of a reading. I might start running some GFO soon. Normally my calcium is 420 and alk is 9. I just did a 7 gallon water change with Red Sea Coral Pro. I never use get the Pro bucket again because it spikes my readings. I'll test again tomorrow and if i have to, I will adjust the doser a tad.
Calcium 440
Alk 10.1
Magnesium 1450
NO3 > .25
NO4 .08
Temperature 78
I use the Red Sea Pro test kits. I don't use any sort of carbon dosing. Never had much of a reading. I might start running some GFO soon. Normally my calcium is 420 and alk is 9. I just did a 7 gallon water change with Red Sea Coral Pro. I never use get the Pro bucket again because it spikes my readings. I'll test again tomorrow and if i have to, I will adjust the doser a tad.
Following along...want to see how the AF works for you. I previously had this same tank and loved it so much I went with the SCA 66g this time around. They're such great tanks.
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Looking good and following along!
I fed my corals last night with Aquaforest Energy, Amino Mix, Coral V, and Coral Food. One drop of each and a scoop of the dry food. First impressions are the product seems to be high quality and very concentrated. No snake oil magic just yet, and I wasn't expecting anything. My LPS corals on the other hand are fuller than normal. They actually look semi night time feeding mode.
I did a couple test today for cal and all. They dropped as expected to about the norm with my dosing. Cal 410 and all 9.2 dkh. From my experience, the more I put in the more the tank consumes. At 66 ml of each (BRS 2 part) my water stays roughly 420 for cal and 9.0 for all. I haven't dosed mag in a while. Seems my water changes keep it higher than I want, usually in the 1400+ range.
For those wonder about my light settings, 2 hour ramp up at 10 am 65% at 20k, peaks at 2:30 pm 80% 20k and back down to 65% at 20k. 2 more hours ramp down to darkness. No special lighting effects or moon lights.
Simple sump, skimmer, mangrove, I had some algae growing but the urchin ate most of it I think. I really love my custom dosing containers, it came free with custom printing for the description of the product. If all goes well with the Aquaforest products, I plan switching to their component 1 2 $ 3 and the color program.
Simple sump, skimmer, mangrove, I had some algae growing but the urchin ate most of it I think. I really love my custom dosing containers, it came free with custom printing for the description of the product. If all goes well with the Aquaforest products, I plan switching to their component 1 2 $ 3 and the color program.
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