Rags2Riches - The Learning Curve. 125g

[RichtheReefer21]

Well, I couldn't resist a sale..

Lfs has buy 3 get 2 free. So I went reef rescue hunting for SPS piece that were cheap to test the parameters and conditions of my tank with some easy sps, and some not-so-easy sticks.

6 frags for 70 bucks. Couldnt say no.

I took all the ones that were showing recent growth and had either encrusted or were in the process of encrusting..


Random stick , I got another cheap chunk of this too, but with a bigger base. 10 bucks a pop

Greenish Pavona

Deep Magenta/Red Monti Cap

Spongi Monto:

No clue help:

Also wanted to show some new growth happening on a few corals that have been in for a month or so..

Rainbow infusion (I think)

JF Star Gazrr

Shroom had a baby! (Radioactive Dragon eye zoa above with a baby growing on its' back side)

Lobo appear to be sprouting a 5th mouth. (Left mouth splitting)

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Also, stopped at my folks house for a visit and mom handed me a plastic bag full of these...

I'm thinking a vinegar and rodi soak and rinse and they should be good to go in the tank?

 

[Raege]

Geez guess I don’t need to go to school if fish for the sale now that ya scarfed all the good stuff

 

[Fudsey]

I'd bleach soak the shells then rodi soak and let completely dry.

Nice haul on the frags

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Geez guess I don’t need to go to school if fish for the sale now that ya scarfed all the good stuff

If u have the bank, the 40 and 50 racks are full of gorgeous acans ray. And some fire Falvia. Hes got some nice colonies and a fire digi he is gonna frag soon.

 

[RichtheReefer21]

I'd bleach soak the shells then rodi soak and let completely dry.

Nice haul on the frags

K thanks I'll try it

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Decided tonight is the night I'm gonna tackle the rodi ATO and resevoir. The pumps and tubing are all in a hot vinegar soak, and I'm about to binge tunze 3155 how to's. Then I'll either hit it hard in the morning or bust it out tonight.

For the resevoir I Decided to go with a temporary 18g Rubbermaid container I've always had laying around for water changes. I had two 30g containers as well that will be stored in the basement covered between wc's.

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Gotta get current orbit to send me a longer controller chord for the return pump. I already have the extension chords for the skimmer and the heater to run those wires up the center post and across hidden.

Heres the 18g ATO Res. Tight fit. Had to trim the far edge of the cover to get it snug...

Meh, not what I wanted or had in mind, but itll do for now. I get about 7 gallons of evap a week. That should lessen once I get it covered.

The glass hinged lids I have for the tank are getting a vinger/rodi wipe and rinse x2 and going on tonight too. That should help with evap considerably. Just gotta watch pH.

I figure I'll get about 3 weeks out of the resevoir if its topped off. Going to educate myself on the 3155 till I'm tired, and hit it tomorrow. Got 40g of rodi ready and waiting.

 

[Janci]

When u have jerks, u get bigger jerks to keep the little jerks in check.

Haha, looks like straight from a horror movie.

Well, I couldn't resist a sale..
Lfs has buy 3 get 2 free. So I went reef rescue hunting for SPS piece that were cheap to test the parameters and conditions of my tank with some easy sps, and some not-so-easy sticks.
6 frags for 70 bucks. Couldnt say no.
I took all the ones that were showing recent growth and had either encrusted or were in the process of encrusting..

Nice haul and growth

Tight fit for sure.
But it will turn out doing its purpose.

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Haha, looks like straight from a horror movie.



Nice haul and growth



Tight fit for sure.
But it will turn out doing its purpose.

Thanks, it's nice to see them growing...

The new sps appear strong and healthy... even got some secretions after the dip from 2 of the sticks.. And the pavona is spreading onto the plug. Just cheap test pieces. If I can save these, and maintain them, and maybe get a bit of growth, then at about $12 per frag, I'll take it.

They are all placed about 8 inches down from the surface, in a 10" circle under the hydra pucks. The par mapping I did resulted in 330ish at in these spots. Time shall tell.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Greenish Pavona

Deep Magenta/Red Monti Cap

Spongi Monto:

No clue help:

Also wanted to show some new growth happening on a few corals that have been in for a month or so..

Rainbow infusion (I think)

JF Star Gazrr

Shroom had a baby! (Radioactive Dragon eye zoa above with a baby growing on its' back side)

Lobo appear to be sprouting a 5th mouth. (Left mouth splitting)

Nice haul for $70!

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Nice haul for $70!

No complaints here, even if they dont make it, just a test basically.

Hoping the monti's and pavona do fine, and I have hope for the sticks but not very high ones

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Lids are drying after a vinegar scrub

and the tunze 3155 is going through testing and performance evaluations. 3:1 vinegar / hot water mix in the bucket for extra de-junking.

Hope to have it hooked up, dialed in, and running shortly

 

[najer]

Frags look great.

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Frags look great.

Thanks I thought so too..

We'll see what they look like in a couple weeks before I start counting chickens

 

[RichtheReefer21]

The left side is untouched.
The right side after 10 mins of hard work and vinegar. At this point I realized what I was up against...both sides look like this...

Ready to roll... even with #elbowgrease , I couldnt clear all the hardware deposits. After an hour of scrubbing and razor blading... not perfect, but not worth the work of getting to perfect. Maybe down the down I'll try CLR or simple green.

#goodenough

 

[RichtheReefer21]

They dont fit... smh... correct length, too short on the depth. Never even thought to measure. Will need to MacGuyver these lids too.. ::shrugs::

Never easy

 

[Fudsey]

They never do, you need the 2" plastic piece that goes on the back.

 

[RichtheReefer21]

They never do, you need the 2" plastic piece that goes on the back.

Amazon browsing for it already. Might just make my own pending prices online. I have an idea to use a 3" piece of seem-gap weather stripping... soft vynil maybe...

something I can trim easily.

 

[Fudsey]

https://www.amazon.com/Perfecto-Manufacturing-APFR01062-Marineland-Aquarium/dp/B000255O68