Iceman's Cobalt C-Vue 40

[iceman14555]

Does the C-vue have a sticker on the back glass similar to the IM tanks that can be cut and peeled away for a stick on fuge light?

Yes, it's a black paper like material that is stuck to the glass; so, you can go that route if you want. I'm actually going to post an update of my tank soon. I just removed a lot of dead material from the fuge area today. I completely removed the fuge all together, i'm testing a different route to see if it actually was doing anything. I may introduce a small algae reactor in the future.

 

[SaltyWaffles]

Yes, it's a black paper like material that is stuck to the glass; so, you can go that route if you want. I'm actually going to post an update of my tank soon. I just removed a lot of dead material from the fuge area today. I completely removed the fuge all together, i'm testing a different route to see if it actually was doing anything. I may introduce a small algae reactor in the future.

Awesome! I havent looked into algae reactors much but do they do a similar thing to refugiums?

 

[iceman14555]

Awesome! I havent looked into algae reactors much but do they do a similar thing to refugiums?

They are actually more efficient and work better than a refugium in many ways. They force the water through the algae providing longer contact with it, the export of nitrate and phosphate is much higher than with a traditional refugium. However, they aren't as good of a home for beneficial micro fauna, like a fuge.

Here's a good video on building one.

 

[SaltyWaffles]

They are actually more efficient and work better than a refugium in many ways. They force the water through the algae providing longer contact with it, the export of nitrate and phosphate is much higher than with a traditional refugium. However, they aren't as good of a home for beneficial micro fauna, like a fuge.

Here's a good video on building one.

Ok that makes a lot of sense, and like a lot of things with the hobby has trade offs like less pods in the tank

 

[iceman14555]

Big update!!!!

Well the mini refugium is gone, I feel it may have been doing more harm than good. My big pieces of macro algae I had in the display, became victims of vibrant.

The big addition is three beautiful rose bubble tip anemones from the friend that sold me the tank. I still can't believe he gave them to me for free. Hopefully my clowns host one or two of them. Take a look at the pictures.

 

[iceman14555]

 

[iceman14555]

Figured I'd show off my dirty tank under early morning natural light.

 

[Karl Sanders]

Any updates? What do you think of the tank? I am considering it.

 

[iceman14555]

Any updates? What do you think of the tank? I am considering it.

No real complaints, the stock tank definitely needs mods. I really enjoy it the way I have it setup. Don't skimp on a skimmer.

I can pay a better update when I'm home.

 

[iceman14555]

Hey all, haven't updated in a long time. Today I upgraded my ATO to the Autoaqua AWC+ATO, now I can keep my water changes much more consistent, since I don't really do them to begin with (about 1 every 6 months to a year). I also recently swapped out my Nero5 to a Vortech MP10 and switched everything over to Mobius. Thinking about swapping the lights out to a single Radion XR15 Pro, but not sure I want to yet.

Also, changed the Nero 3 and MP10 guards to match up and make them easier to clean. If anyone wants a set of their own, go check out iSeaLive. He 3D prints these guards and can also do custom designs.

Here are some photos from today's project:

 

[iceman14555]

Hello All,

The tank is still up and going. According to my logs, 4 years and 18 days to be exact. No major issues, the fish are all happy and healthy, except for a weird scare a couple of weeks ago that sorted itself out. Lately, I've been trying to dial in the newer Radion G6 Pro I put on the tank, playing with settings for over a month or more now, to try and get the look I'm wanting and what the Anemones want. I've also been dialing in the Vortechs. I think I'm finished with flow, everything seems good there.

The latest light settings seem good as well. The nems, well they are much smaller than they used to be, even from a year ago. I'm not sure what's up with them, but they seemed to start becoming unhappy about the time I started doing more water changes. You'd think the opposite, but it could also be lighting, flow, ect. However, I feel if it was lighting/flow they'd be moving around more. I'm going to try spot feeding them and see if they perk up from the extra nutrition. I've also started dosing Reef Brite Reef Enhance and Live Rock Enhance in alternating weekly doses. I'll update when I notice any change. This week was the first dose.

Here's a shot of the tank as of this post entry.

 

[iceman14555]

Some current tank shots, added new stuff lately. All photos taken with a pixel 7 pro, no filters, no editing.

Current livestock:
Royal Gramma
2 black snowflake clowns
Potter's angel
TG Sakura Zoas
TSA Smurfette zoas
3 feather dusters
2 flame scallops
5 Rose BTA
2 green mushrooms
1 Kenya tree

 

[iceman14555]

Some testing and hardware shuffling today.

Current parameters:
PH 7.6 (always historically low)
Alk 8.4
Nitrate ~50
Salinity 1.026
Temp 76F (a bit lower than normal cause my wife turned the AC to deep freeze today)

I got rid of the large water change containers, they were taking up too much room in my cabinet. I downsized from 22L to 8L.

Then I also have a new project. The addition of a macroalgae reactor...

And there's a couple of new additions to the display, unnamed zoas that are pretty awesome looking:

And a few extra shots....