Not really a new build but I restarted my tank, so I might as well start the thread over too.
Big shoutout to @OGfrenchorn for hooking me up with some great dry rock he had on hand, as well as letting use his tunze skimmer for this. I believe the left structure was from my tank around 10 years ago, which is pretty cool. The center of the right structure is a killer piece full of channels my chromis are already utilizing. I bought some of @joseserrano's live/cured solomon island branch rock to scape the rest. I used GlueMaster's super thin set glue and sand to quickly build of that main rock. It turned out pretty good, I didn't focus too much on the detail of this or that branch, just overall outline/space filled and how things seem to fit naturally. Then glued them in place. I'm happy with the outcome and have spots for whatever I decide to keep.
My goal was to keep the rock minimal as possible, leaving open swimming areas and room for growth as far as height goes, I still tried to keep enough overhangs, channels and tunnels for fish to feel secure.
Current fish are all from my breakdown:
Magnificent foxface
7 Blue/green chromis
2 true percs of some CB lineage I can't recall
1 lyretail anthias
Wish list
White tail bristletooth (red)
leopard wrasse
pintail wrasse
angel of some type
I'd love a psuedo but that'll be way later
I'd love a pistol/goby but not sure I want to deal with that mess.
Ultimately I don't plan to QT coral and I didn't QT my liverock (didn't ask if it was fishless) so I opted not to QT my exsisting fish. They've all been with me for over a year.
I overbought sand, and Carson's Tropical was kind enough to let bring it back, I walked away with a small copperband butterfly fish that was eating. He will be going through TTM QT, with peroxide dips. All future fish will. I stopped treating fish due to feeling like I was losing to many, this method seems less stressful/toxic. So I'll be giving that a go.
Excited about the sand bed. and I'm committed to keeping it this time around, that'll be new to me really.
Overall plan:
Sps on main rockwork; I want to track down Lime in the Sky. Lokani (yellow). One stag type piece per structure, couple millepora/smooth skins. With focus on color contrast, shape and structure contrasts. We'll see how that goes.
Anemone front left structure - not sure I want to try a gig again, but most likely something other than a BTA. My clowns have never used it as a host nem, spoiled true carpet in the past i guess.
Overhangs, on separate small branch islands I want to do some softies. Mushrooms, maybe a couple zoa islands.
As demand kicks in, I'll start with Kalk (hunting for a kalk stirrer). Eventually if all goes well, going back to a calcium reactor +kalk. At that point I might consider upping my controller.
I'll be running UV or ozone (ozone if I upgrade controller, so later) for water clarity. That's a top priority this go around. Less rock, more space between glass, I want things to be nice and clear .
Next on my list is a CUC. I had zero cuc when I broke down, but my alk was 3.5-4 so that's what I get.
Fish shot, reefcrest Quanta Pro x 3. Other 2 are 2x Kessil 500x, 80% color. They'll be ran in combo once I start adding color, for now it's just the kessils running to build up some algae for a cuc.
Big shoutout to @OGfrenchorn for hooking me up with some great dry rock he had on hand, as well as letting use his tunze skimmer for this. I believe the left structure was from my tank around 10 years ago, which is pretty cool. The center of the right structure is a killer piece full of channels my chromis are already utilizing. I bought some of @joseserrano's live/cured solomon island branch rock to scape the rest. I used GlueMaster's super thin set glue and sand to quickly build of that main rock. It turned out pretty good, I didn't focus too much on the detail of this or that branch, just overall outline/space filled and how things seem to fit naturally. Then glued them in place. I'm happy with the outcome and have spots for whatever I decide to keep.
My goal was to keep the rock minimal as possible, leaving open swimming areas and room for growth as far as height goes, I still tried to keep enough overhangs, channels and tunnels for fish to feel secure.
Current fish are all from my breakdown:
Magnificent foxface
7 Blue/green chromis
2 true percs of some CB lineage I can't recall
1 lyretail anthias
Wish list
White tail bristletooth (red)
leopard wrasse
pintail wrasse
angel of some type
I'd love a psuedo but that'll be way later
I'd love a pistol/goby but not sure I want to deal with that mess.
Ultimately I don't plan to QT coral and I didn't QT my liverock (didn't ask if it was fishless) so I opted not to QT my exsisting fish. They've all been with me for over a year.
I overbought sand, and Carson's Tropical was kind enough to let bring it back, I walked away with a small copperband butterfly fish that was eating. He will be going through TTM QT, with peroxide dips. All future fish will. I stopped treating fish due to feeling like I was losing to many, this method seems less stressful/toxic. So I'll be giving that a go.
Excited about the sand bed. and I'm committed to keeping it this time around, that'll be new to me really.
Overall plan:
Sps on main rockwork; I want to track down Lime in the Sky. Lokani (yellow). One stag type piece per structure, couple millepora/smooth skins. With focus on color contrast, shape and structure contrasts. We'll see how that goes.
Anemone front left structure - not sure I want to try a gig again, but most likely something other than a BTA. My clowns have never used it as a host nem, spoiled true carpet in the past i guess.
Overhangs, on separate small branch islands I want to do some softies. Mushrooms, maybe a couple zoa islands.
As demand kicks in, I'll start with Kalk (hunting for a kalk stirrer). Eventually if all goes well, going back to a calcium reactor +kalk. At that point I might consider upping my controller.
I'll be running UV or ozone (ozone if I upgrade controller, so later) for water clarity. That's a top priority this go around. Less rock, more space between glass, I want things to be nice and clear .
Next on my list is a CUC. I had zero cuc when I broke down, but my alk was 3.5-4 so that's what I get.
Fish shot, reefcrest Quanta Pro x 3. Other 2 are 2x Kessil 500x, 80% color. They'll be ran in combo once I start adding color, for now it's just the kessils running to build up some algae for a cuc.
