Shrimp Dude's IM50 Lagoon Journey

[shrimpnreefdude]

Looks to be one of the Asterina stars. Some eat co als, some eat algae. I've got one that's almost an inch and a half across.

Just posted in the hitchhiker ID forum. Someone else also thinks it's a type of asterina. I'm reluctant to keep it, but I'm also kind of intrigued because it looks nothing like the typical small and white asterinas. Makes me want to keep it but this is my main display tank and slowly adding more corals. I'd hate to see this turn into an uncontrollable population and then see corals getting chomped on. Not sure what to do.

 

[kevgib67]

Just posted in the hitchhiker ID forum. Someone else also thinks it's a type of asterina. I'm reluctant to keep it, but I'm also kind of intrigued because it looks nothing like the typical small and white asterinas. Makes me want to keep it but this is my main display tank and slowly adding more corals. I'd hate to see this turn into an uncontrollable population and then see corals getting chomped on. Not sure what to do.

A popular saying on here “ When in doubt, throw it out.”

 

[shrimpnreefdude]

A popular saying on here “ When in doubt, throw it out.”

Yeah...I'm thinking that might be the right philosophy on this scenario.

 

[shrimpnreefdude]

I got a bunch of corals that arrived yesterday from @AquaSD ! I am still struggling to keep my pH where I want it, so I need to get my butt in gear and get my doser pumps and kalkwasser container sorted out. In the pic below, I'm planning on building or buying something where I can keep the doser pumps, containers, and ato reservoir all inside, then place it on the left side of the tank where the roller cart thingy is at.

A few of the pieces I received!
Aussie Nuclear Birdsnest

Purple Rim Blastomussa

Interstellar Mushroom

Really liked this maze coral on their website. Did some basic research and found a spot I thought it would be happy in. This is the first coral to get comfortable and open up. Within an hour of going into the tank.

What other corals can I place near it safely?

And a bunch more spread throughout the front to keep an eye on things. Plus I added a load of inverts to help me with my algae issues.

Also...are these things really that dumb?!

Found a Margarita snail underneath the tank this morning?! Is there something wrong with my water maybe that they don't want to stay in there?

 

[shrimpnreefdude]

@Peace River

I've been going back and forth with my rockscape. I've added some. Taken some out. Added some more. And currently, this is where I'm at. It's really difficult to see all the swim throughs and spaces. It definitely looks cluttered...I know. But it's not finished. There's a couple pieces in there just marinating for another tank setup. But after having those pieces in there, I realized I could fit a couple more pieces as long as they weren't as bulky. I'd love to try those new branch kits from Ecoscape. They would be perfect to keep the higher PAR stuff perched up and shade out the lower regions for the other stuff I love.

Forgive the algae...but in someway, I think the green is beautiful!

 

[shrimpnreefdude]

I haven't updated in a bit. A few changes but overall, the tank is doing good! I added a bunch of CUC and corals from @AquaSD

The reflection is horrendous. I wish I could show how beautiful it was looking with all the natural ambient light.

One of my new blastos from AquaSD. This is the "Rose Rim" wellsi

Neptune, the N. wennerae mantis shrimp has been getting more bold and comfortable with me watching him all the time.

 

[tbrown]

My new tank has so much glare from the reflections but only in pictures it seems like. I'm hoping once I get the lights installed it's going to fix some of that.

 

[shrimpnreefdude]

My new tank has so much glare from the reflections but only in pictures it seems like. I'm hoping once I get the lights installed it's going to fix some of that.

Yeah, I need to try the anti-glare filter to see if that helps. I just received a new kit that I won from OceanBox Designs. I didn't even think to try that. Lol

 

[mamarea4]

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!!!
I figured I would start my thread today to mark off one of my goals here on R2R! The next goal is to become a supporting member/partner here as well. This place has already been a great value just joining as a regular member.

IG: shrimpnreefdude
If you have an IG account and give me a follow, please reply and drop me your @ here too and I'll give it a follow!
Innovative Marine Nuvo Fusion 50 Gal Lagoon started 12/6/23

I'm still playing with rock placement. Some of the angles are difficult to see the space between the rock and glass. Nearly all of them have enough space to fit a floating scraper. There is one rock on the lower left that needs to be adjusted inward to make more clearance. There is lots of caves and swim throughs for future fish. I've tried to maximize surface area for coral mounting of course.

Cycled using live rock, live sand, mature biomedia, and SeaChem Stability dosed for 1 week (not necessary but a good boost).

Seeded with Tigger pods the first and second week and fed PhytoCrit every day since the setup, both from @Nutramar Foods . Ran out yesterday unfortunately and our local shops don't carry it which sucks. Ordering more asap.

Various inverts survived the transition into the new tank from day 1! One of the live rocks had a Christmas tree worm! So lucky to have had this survive the transit, the temporary setup in the garage in a tote, and then finally into the new tank. Anyone know what type of organism is on the right side? I'll be posting in the hitchhiker ID thread soon.

and loads of feather duster worms!
Ended up finding a N. wennerae mantis shrimp too! My daughter named him Neptune and this is officially his tank is what she's told me.

Equipment Breakdown

• Light: Nicrew HyperReef 150 w/ Nicrew Controller

A much nicer light would be nice, but it's doing its job for now. It's very bright so it will be nice to get my hands on the PAR meter to get my settings right.

• Return Pump: (2) Vivosun 800 GPH - Each return line has a dual flow return nozzle and each one with a Aqua Gadget Spin Stream - still playing with placement and flow. The spin streams dramatically reduce the output. Having four different nozzles with various flow patterns makes for nice turbulence in the water column and the surface.

Both pumps connected to Kasa smart outlets. Automated commands like "Feed Corals" turn off my return pumps and MP10 for a certain amount of time. Or so I can turn pumps on and off as needed. They restart automatically if I forget to turn back on as well.

• Filtration: IM Media Basket & InTank Media Basket - fine floss pads, course foam, bulk carbon and GFO in media bags when needed / Also have a IM Fleece Roller I'm trying out but not decided on yet. It is convenient but a bit of an eye sore on the sleek AIO look.
• Dosing: Jebao DP-4 - not yet installed. Getting it used from a buddy this week.

1. Kalkwasser to be installed in the next couple weeks to help with pH drop in busy room full of people and dogs.
2. TBD
3. TBD
4. TBD

• Heater: Hygger 200W Titanium + Inkbird WiFi ITC-308

Plan to add another and switch to the Inkbird WiFi ITC-306 Dual probe controller for redundancy

• ATO: IM HydroFill Ti Controller and Pump
• Power Head: EcoTech MP 10QD

Would love to have another one. If anyone has a used one that inexpensive, please let me know. Will be trying a smaller Hygger model to help add more movement in the back section and lift detritus.

• Sand: Caribsea BioLive Fiji Pink &
• Rocks: Salty Bottom Reef Co., Caribsea, other misc live rocks from another reefer

This is as much as possible, a budget build! So buying used or budget friendly equipment is the goal.

I acquired the tank used from a fellow member of Bay Area Reefers and got an amazing deal that included the older style MP10. It's not mobius ready, but from what I understand, all I have to do is switch out an internal component for the app connectivity. May do that soon but I've figured out the settings and it's working.

My plans are to have a mixed reef aquarium with a variety of inverts and fish. I know Neptune the Mantis shrimp may take out a few inverts here and there, but that's how life will be in this reef!

I have no particular stocking list yet for fish. I have some ideas but I really just don't know enough about the kind I would like and if they'll be a useful addition. I want utility fish that serve a purpose to keep this ecosystem running smoothly. I want them to thrive because they're working to keep their home in tip top shape.

I started off the tank with some dumb mistakes. Adding sand before making up my mind on the rockscape. That means having to take out sand causing a nightmare with fines and turbidity. I think I have a few minor tweaks to make to my rockwork and then I'll have to just be content and see how it works out. There's some badly shaded spots on the sides because I insist on having those side structures. One way I could avoid that is to mount the light higher using the wire hangers and making a mount coming off the wall or hang them from the ceiling. That would help spread the light further to the edges.

The first couple weeks, the lights stayed off. I left the light on accidentally all day after playing with the settings and that's all it took for the diatoms and various other algaes to go bonkers.
I decided to add a couple Trochus snails from my other tank to help keep things in check. I've got various other snails on order and arriving next week. These guys are beautiful!

I have no idea what all is growing on this one's shell. At one point, I saw some sort of filter feeder organism growing on it too! You can vaguely see it just above the bluish stuff on the left edge of the shell.

Since leaving the light on, it's been an up and down battle as the copepod population tries to compete. I turned the lights off for a few days and they got put in check while the pods and snails worked. Then I decided to forget about the lights again recently and bam, they came back with a vengeance. This time, I scrubbed away a lot of it and then did a water change. It's part of the cycling process so I'm not too worried about it.

I've also got some of this green algae growing on the front of the glass. Thoughts? I scraped it down before a water change a couple days ago and it was back in a few spots by today. The copepods are using it to eat or to just hang onto it. Not really sure.

Wow!

 

[mamarea4]

I also found these this morning. Every day, I seem to find new lifeforms. Good and bad. These live rocks sure do come with a lot of surprises. So it looks like some type of filter feeder and then a starfish of some sort. Not sure the species of either. Definitely going to post on the invert ID forum.

Another cool shot of a feather duster worms.

And a quick sneak peak from Neptune. He's getting more confident with seeing my ugly face pressed up on the glass...and the

I introduced my first corals to this tank a couple nights ago! With that, I decided to take the plunge into the SPS world. I put in a purple Stylophora!
Here it is under my balanced light settings and then color corrected.

Here it is under actinic lighting with UV spotlight and orange filter. The UV makes it pop!

I also added one of my favorites, a Holy Grail Micromussa.
Oof...boy was it stressed out after the dip and acclimation process. I just had to hold my breath and hope for the best.

The following evening!!!
Balanced light settings

Actinic lighting with UV highlighting

I also put in these awesome Ricordea Florida mushrooms that I named the Grinch Twins

I had some extra Pandora zoa frags in my other tank so I threw these in here too to start figuring out where I want to make a zoa garden. These are such amazing looking zoas.

And that's where I'm at with this tank. Almost 30 days in. A few more tweaks here and there. I recently ordered quite a few frags from AquaSD. Acans/micromussa, Blastos, Duncans, and a couple other random ones I liked. I have a feeling I'm going to fill these spaces too fast for this size tank. Easy fix...buy a bigger tank!

Nice pics! Could you come take some pictures of my coral in my 40oz. tank for me? Do you have minute rates?

 

[shrimpnreefdude]

A big update was added yesterday. Expanded to a second Nicrew HyperReef 150. I adjusted them to be lower to the surface to reduce the light spill. Plus adjusted the light levels significantly to allow the corals some time to adjust. Eventually, I think I would prefer to have them hanging from the ceiling or a wall mount system. We'll see, but for now, this is already better.

Plus a quick shot of one of the blastos from Aqua SD looking puffy and happy!

 

[shrimpnreefdude]

Nice pics! Could you come take some pictures of my coral in my 40oz. tank for me? Do you have minute rates?

Yeah...I can work something out for you. Will you be home alone? Discount if you are...

 

[Gumbies R Us]

A big update was added yesterday. Expanded to a second Nicrew HyperReef 150. I adjusted them to be lower to the surface to reduce the light spill. Plus adjusted the light levels significantly to allow the corals some time to adjust. Eventually, I think I would prefer to have them hanging from the ceiling or a wall mount system. We'll see, but for now, this is already better.

Plus a quick shot of one of the blastos from Aqua SD looking puffy and happy!

Nice light upgrade!

 

[shrimpnreefdude]

Nice light upgrade!

Appreciate it! It's nice to get more spread, less wattage, and just having an extra light as a backup in general.

 

[shrimpnreefdude]

Another update...getting my kalkwasser dosing setup. Used Jebao DP-4 and a super fancy, custom designed, and limited edition dosing bottle.

I still need to figure out my dosage but I have a couple calculator links to try and figure it out. My hope is that I don't drive my alkalinity through the roof.

Alk has been slowly dropping to 7.8-8 by the end of the week before a water change.
pH is typically 7.7-8.0. Goal is to get to a steady 8.2-8.3 with a little higher alk.