reef-rc IM EXT 150 lagoon tank | an extension of the sps dominate WB 190.5

[reef-rc]

Weekend parameters' testing & 10% water change routine

Nitrate - 6.2
Phosphate - .01 (a little low. had to check twice to be sure. did dose NeoPhos to raise phosphate a little to .04)
ALK, CAL, MG - in relatively good range
Specific Gravity - 1.025

 

[reef-rc]

Anyone plan their "annual" maintenance around the holidays when they have more time off?

I am starting off with replacement for most of the RO tubing and recalibrating any respective dosing pumps. The only one I can think of that does not need replacing is the product RODI tubing. It's clean so no worries there. However, of special need is the automatic waste water tubing. Going with every 2 years on that just as precaution to ensure no clogging.

With holiday weather, it also makes going into the attic a much more pleasant experience than in the heat of summer .

 

[reef-rc]

Lighting updated...

Four months since adding water, lighting is slowly coming together. This was the original light plan. It's coming close per plan. I had planned to swap out G5 from WB190.5 and place them here. Instead G6 is used since it does offer a little better spread and this tank is wider.

Updated plan

Implementation:

It's good timing as I have started to move a large portion of the LPS over and was not able to do it sooner since I needed sufficient lighting across the tank. All four xr15 and a360x max @ 96%. The two front max @55%.

 

[reef-rc]

NEW Oscillating Tower Circulator Fan For Dissipating Heat

In preparation for the upcoming summer, this past week I installed a oscillating fan to help with dissipating the heat from XR15. The fan is relatively small, wall mountable, oscillate (up to 360º) and works with Alexa.

Compare to a reefing fan, this is so much better, offer more features and at a lower price point in most cases. The other advantage is the fact that it's a regular compact oscillating fan and can serve other purpose around the house if it's not needed.

Up close image of the unit from the vendor

 

[reef-rc]

18 Months In Update

Back in October 2022 I transfer one of the island over and this was what it looked then from the front view

Front view of the island 5 months later - March 2023

Left side view of the island in October 2022

Left side view of the island 5 months later - March 2023

I had not realized how fast these fast sps could grow without a perspective of what it looked like before. On a day to day basis I knew there were growth but seeing back to back picture sure puts things in perspective. The whole island pretty much took off now that it's the center of attention .

 

[Gumbies R Us]

18 Months In Update

Back in October I transfer one of the island over and this was what it looked then from the front view
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Front view of the island 5 months later
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Left side view of the island in October
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Left side view of the island 5 months later
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I had not realized how fast these fast sps could grow without a perspective of what it looked like before. On a day to day basis I knew there were growth but seeing back to back picture sure puts things in perspective. The whole island pretty much took off now that it's the center of attention .

Congrats on 18 months!! Tank progress looks excellent!

 

[reef-rc]

Congrats on 18 months!! Tank progress looks excellent!

Thank you. It's at a point that you just have to sit back, do your maintenance and watch progress as it runs it's course.

 

[reef-rc]

I took the following eye candy pic yesterday of the overall progress. As a dominating LPS tank, I have jumped on the goni bandwagon.

The tank is starting to settle in and growth has been good with no major issues. As you may noticed below, faster sps like slimer and forest fire monti are already growing out of the water for some time.

Having said that, it's not all rosy as I am still trying get the flow right on each side of the tank. There seems to be more detritus and very minor algae build up near the left and right side by the glass than what I expect or like.

 

[FlowGod]

I took the following eye candy pic yesterday of the overall progress. As a dominating LPS tank, I have jumped on the goni bandwagon.

The tank is starting to settle in and growth has been good with no major issues. As you may noticed below, faster sps like slimer and forest fire monti are already growing out of the water for some time.

Having said that, it's not all rosy as I am still trying get the flow right on each side of the tank. There seems to be more detritus and very minor algae build up near the left and right side by the glass than what I expect or like.
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This is one of my favorite builds on here. I love that you do your own thing and that your process works dang well. Keep it up, one day I will be getting the 150 as well. Those dimensions are just do darn good to pass up

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I took the following eye candy pic yesterday of the overall progress. As a dominating LPS tank, I have jumped on the goni bandwagon.

The tank is starting to settle in and growth has been good with no major issues. As you may noticed below, faster sps like slimer and forest fire monti are already growing out of the water for some time.

Having said that, it's not all rosy as I am still trying get the flow right on each side of the tank. There seems to be more detritus and very minor algae build up near the left and right side by the glass than what I expect or like.
View attachment 3088452

View attachment 3088454


View attachment 3088455
View attachment 3088456

View attachment 3088457

View attachment 3088458

View attachment 3088460

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Love the new pictures!!

 

[reef-rc]

This is one of my favorite builds on here. I love that you do your own thing and that your process works dang well. Keep it up, one day I will be getting the 150 as well. Those dimensions are just do darn good to pass up

@FlowGod Thank you for the compliment. IM 150 & 170 are good dimensions for those wanting wider tank without going custom. I did noticed IM 150 are no longer available on their website. Options are 112 and 170 now.

 

[reef-rc]

Love the new pictures!!

Thank you. It does not do the corals justice with a phone camera but it's close to reality.

 

[FlowGod]

@FlowGod Thank you for the compliment. IM 150 & 170 are good dimensions for those wanting wider tank without going custom. I did noticed IM 150 are no longer available on their website. Options are 112 and 170 now.

I think it is still on there website? I think its just made to order now. Maybe I will have to go with the 170! Ha

Shop | Innovative Marine Products

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Another question, did you just buy t slot aluminum beams and retrofit it? I really like the look of the t slot

 

[reef-rc]

I think it is still on there website? I think its just made to order now. Maybe I will have to go with the 170! Ha

Shop | Innovative Marine Products

Shop Now | Innovative Marine's Official Store | Free Shipping on all orders* | NUVO aquariums and saltwater reef supplies.

www.innovative-marine.com

Another question, did you just buy t slot aluminum beams and retrofit it? I really like the look of the t slot

150 Lagoon - you're right. I missed that somehow.

Aluminum beams - I did purchased the T-slot aluminum frames (from 80/20 Inc.). I took those lessons I learned from WB190.5 and just made a smaller version of it. It's simple, functional and the look goes with house.

 

[FlowGod]

150 Lagoon - you're right. I missed that somehow.

Aluminum beams - I did purchased the T-slot aluminum frames (from 80/20 Inc.). I took those lessons I learned from WB190.5 and just made a smaller version of it. It's simple, functional and the look goes with house.

Super strong too. I have my heavy t5 and LED fixtures hanging from the celling and I pray she holds up with the thin metal wire. Man I am jealous of your tanks! Keep it up my friend

 

[reef-rc]

New clean up crew - Trochus Maculatus | Donkey's Ear Abalone

Earlier this week I finally received some new clean up crew: trochus maculatus and balone snail . These were delayed for some time due to availability.

Trochus Maculatus

Donkey's Ear Abalone

For years now I have only been using banded trochus snail as my core clean up crew because they do so well. These two are the first for me. I received more than what I need for this tank and I so will have spread them across other tanks to ensure all have enough algae to graze.

My updated clean up crew list:

• Banded trochus snail
• Emerald crab
• new Trochus Maculatus
• new Donkey's Ear Abalone