SRC Member illumnae Posted January 14, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted January 14, 2013 The old office set up crashed and got overrun with hair algae. I suspect it has to do with lack of skimming (the Dymax iQ skimmer stopped working after awhile) and fish dying over the weekend. The ammonia/phosphate spike probably triggered the algae, and thereafter it was really hard to get rid of. Since the new year was approaching, I decided to just bring the tank home and bleach bomb it, and to upgrade the office tank 1 size up to the Ocean Free 34L instead (previous setup was OF 24L). I decided not to go with a budget setup this time but spend a bit more on quality equipment so that the tank can be low maintenance but still look nice (otherwise colleagues see the tank so ugly very malu!) Here's the details of the current set up: Tank: Ocean Free 34 litres AIO Filtration: 4kg live rock + Bubble Magus e3 skimmer Lighting: Beamworks 6x 3W (2 blue 4 white) Clip-on LED Substrate: Carib-Sea Ocean Direct Aragonite sand (10lb) Water: D-D Instant Ocean mix Pumps: Stock 480L/hr return pump + Hydor Koralia Nano 900L/hr Additives: Prodibio Nano Reef Kit Current Livestock: Swalesi basslet - 1 pair Tectus fenestratus snail - 2 Nassarius sp snail - 3 Rose Bubble Tip Anemone - 1 Super sun coral - ~10 heads Ricordea california - 3 Ricordea yuma - 4 Bispira sp. feather duster worm - 4 Future Livestock: Mandarin goby (pellet trained) - 1 Helfrechi firefish - 1 Percula clownfish - 1 or 1 pair More corals! Here's a picture of the current haphazard and ugly setup: Hopefully I'll be able to rescape it nicely soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine_fanaticz Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Nice.. Where did you get your bubble magus..? Can pm the price . thx:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member illumnae Posted January 14, 2013 Author SRC Member Share Posted January 14, 2013 Bought from forum sponsor DE Lightings. Best to contact them for price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slayer213 Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Budget and helfrichi? haha... bro, very ex leh helfrichi.... Btw bubblemagnus skimmers are awesome! i have one that gives me a big cup of kopi-o every week! nice setup! Quote Buy fish that excite YOU, and respect others' passions. Yes, we know, there's a cheaper and prettier fish than the one were talking about. - John Coppolino Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiraltian Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Nice setup. Quote Display Tank : 36" x 20" x 20" Herbie overflow box design, Sump : 36" x 21" x 17", Frag Tank : 16” x 20” x 16”, custom built by Tank Culture. Lightings : Ecotech Radion XR15 Pro x 2 for Main Display Tank, Inled R80 x 1 for Frag Tank. Chiller : Dalkin 1hp compressor with build-in drop coil. Skimmer : Skimz Octa SC205i Protein Skimmer. FR : H2Ocean FMR75 Fluidised Media Reactor with Hailea HX-2500 (Feeder Pump) running Rowaphos. CR : Skimz Monzter E Series CM122 Calcium Reactor. BPR: Marine Source Biopellet Reactor with Continuum Reef Biopellet Fuel. Main Return Pump : SICCE Syncra ADV 9.0 & Jebao ACQ-10000 Water Pump. Wavemaker : Jebao MOW-9 x2 for Main Display Tank & Jebao SLW-20M Sine Wave Pump for Frag Tank. Water Top Up: AutoAqua Smart ATO Lite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member illumnae Posted January 17, 2013 Author SRC Member Share Posted January 17, 2013 Budget and helfrichi? haha... bro, very ex leh helfrichi.... Btw bubblemagnus skimmers are awesome! i have one that gives me a big cup of kopi-o every week! nice setup! Haha I said that I decided not to go with a budget system this time round....that's why decided to go with helfrechi I'm using a Bubble Magus Curve 7 in my 3ft tank. Used to give me a big cup of kopi-o, but after a few months liike not much skimmate leh. Dunno is it because my bioload is low (only 4 fish in a 322) or something is wrong. Nice setup. Thanks Still trying to get the scaping right and deciding what corals to put in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member azlindaza Posted January 17, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted January 17, 2013 nice scape.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member illumnae Posted January 18, 2013 Author SRC Member Share Posted January 18, 2013 Shifted one of my rocks a little so that the anemone can be facing abit more to the front...overall I think it actually improves the scape. The tank now has a more "open" feel and from the side, it's actually a large arch created for fish to swim through and around. I think I like this scape better. Not sure whether to add another rock on the right side, or leave it open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David5077 Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Nice anemone. .. Must be very ex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flavs Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Looking great bro! Not interested in zoas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member illumnae Posted January 21, 2013 Author SRC Member Share Posted January 21, 2013 At the moment crazy over ricordeas After I set up my ricordea garten in the lower right front, I may try and find spots for some zoas too. I just get a little uneasy thinking about fragging zoas due to their palytoxin. I also intend for at least an open brain and a Euphyllia sp. LPS somewhere near the back right corner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiraltian Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 U r using your office air con to chill your tank? Quote Display Tank : 36" x 20" x 20" Herbie overflow box design, Sump : 36" x 21" x 17", Frag Tank : 16” x 20” x 16”, custom built by Tank Culture. Lightings : Ecotech Radion XR15 Pro x 2 for Main Display Tank, Inled R80 x 1 for Frag Tank. Chiller : Dalkin 1hp compressor with build-in drop coil. Skimmer : Skimz Octa SC205i Protein Skimmer. FR : H2Ocean FMR75 Fluidised Media Reactor with Hailea HX-2500 (Feeder Pump) running Rowaphos. CR : Skimz Monzter E Series CM122 Calcium Reactor. BPR: Marine Source Biopellet Reactor with Continuum Reef Biopellet Fuel. Main Return Pump : SICCE Syncra ADV 9.0 & Jebao ACQ-10000 Water Pump. Wavemaker : Jebao MOW-9 x2 for Main Display Tank & Jebao SLW-20M Sine Wave Pump for Frag Tank. Water Top Up: AutoAqua Smart ATO Lite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member illumnae Posted January 21, 2013 Author SRC Member Share Posted January 21, 2013 Yup that's what I'm doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Anthony Posted January 22, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted January 22, 2013 Hi Bro, Your tank is OF 34L. Where u hang/store your Bubble Magus skimmer? Is your model Bubble Magus NAC QQ? Quote ... click here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jythong Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Yah I am also wondering where you site your skimmer. The compartments behind are rather tight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Anthony Posted January 24, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted January 24, 2013 Yah I am also wondering where you site your skimmer. The compartments behind are rather tight. I just got my Bubble Magus e3 skimmer. u can hang this skimmer on the compartments . Bro Illumnae, how u managed to control the Micro bubble? Even with the black sponges at the outlet I still get mirco bubble in my tank.. care to share Quote ... click here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member illumnae Posted January 25, 2013 Author SRC Member Share Posted January 25, 2013 I don't get any micro bubbles in my tank leh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Anthony Posted January 25, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted January 25, 2013 I don't get any micro bubbles in my tank leh Hmm... Your skimmer outlet goes into the Return pump compartment right? I facing Micro bubbles issue here. Can share your trick Quote ... click here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member illumnae Posted January 25, 2013 Author SRC Member Share Posted January 25, 2013 Sigh...like i said, I don't face any micro bubbles issue. I just assemble the skimmer, hang it there and switch it on. No trick. Keep asking the same question, answer will be the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member illumnae Posted January 28, 2013 Author SRC Member Share Posted January 28, 2013 After 2 weeks in the tank, the Swalesi basslets are finally losing their shyness and coming out into the open. In the first week, I could barely see them...in the second week they only came out briefly to feed whenever I threw pellets/mysis into the tank. Now they're out in the open a lot more, and I see them protecting their territory against the more active blackfoot clowns I added last week. Here's an updated picture of the tank. Forgive the ricordeas lying all over the place. I need to find a cutter strong enough to cut away the base of the frag plugs I glued them on so that I can stick them to the designated "Ricordea corner" in the front of the scape. For now, they are mostly lying around on the sand waiting to be placed. I intend to add an open brain coral where the currently bleached looking yuma is sitting (to the right of the super sun) as well as a green/purple hammer towards the right back on the ground. Livestock wise, I'm hoping to add a helfrechi goby and a mandarin once I manage to source a pellet trained one. If I can't manage to get my helfrechi, do guys think a small flameback angel would do ok in this tank? My only concern is that it would harass the swalesi basslets and keep them in hiding all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcoVan Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 34L put 2 basslets? won't that hike the po4 up? Quote Happy Reefing, Marc J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiraltian Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 After 2 weeks in the tank, the Swalesi basslets are finally losing their shyness and coming out into the open. In the first week, I could barely see them...in the second week they only came out briefly to feed whenever I threw pellets/mysis into the tank. Now they're out in the open a lot more, and I see them protecting their territory against the more active blackfoot clowns I added last week. Here's an updated picture of the tank. Forgive the ricordeas lying all over the place. I need to find a cutter strong enough to cut away the base of the frag plugs I glued them on so that I can stick them to the designated "Ricordea corner" in the front of the scape. For now, they are mostly lying around on the sand waiting to be placed. I intend to add an open brain coral where the currently bleached looking yuma is sitting (to the right of the super sun) as well as a green/purple hammer towards the right back on the ground. Livestock wise, I'm hoping to add a helfrechi goby and a mandarin once I manage to source a pellet trained one. If I can't manage to get my helfrechi, do guys think a small flameback angel would do ok in this tank? My only concern is that it would harass the swalesi basslets and keep them in hiding all the time. Not a good idea, since most dwarf angels need at least 30 gallons of water and there's a chance that it might nip at some of your lps. Juz my 2 cents. Quote Display Tank : 36" x 20" x 20" Herbie overflow box design, Sump : 36" x 21" x 17", Frag Tank : 16” x 20” x 16”, custom built by Tank Culture. Lightings : Ecotech Radion XR15 Pro x 2 for Main Display Tank, Inled R80 x 1 for Frag Tank. Chiller : Dalkin 1hp compressor with build-in drop coil. Skimmer : Skimz Octa SC205i Protein Skimmer. FR : H2Ocean FMR75 Fluidised Media Reactor with Hailea HX-2500 (Feeder Pump) running Rowaphos. CR : Skimz Monzter E Series CM122 Calcium Reactor. BPR: Marine Source Biopellet Reactor with Continuum Reef Biopellet Fuel. Main Return Pump : SICCE Syncra ADV 9.0 & Jebao ACQ-10000 Water Pump. Wavemaker : Jebao MOW-9 x2 for Main Display Tank & Jebao SLW-20M Sine Wave Pump for Frag Tank. Water Top Up: AutoAqua Smart ATO Lite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member illumnae Posted January 28, 2013 Author SRC Member Share Posted January 28, 2013 34L put 2 basslets? won't that hike the po4 up? I am massively overskimming the tank (using a Bubble Magus e3 rated for 100-300L) and dosing the Prodibio Biodigest system to keep nutrients low. Not a good idea, since most dwarf angels need at least 30 gallons of water and there's a chance that it might nip at some of your lps. Juz my 2 cents. That's a good point! I'll just stick to the original plan for a helfrechi then and hope that stock will come in soon. The tank is a lot more exciting now that the basslets come out. I was getting a little tired of having a tank that looked "fishless" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member illumnae Posted February 6, 2013 Author SRC Member Share Posted February 6, 2013 The basslets didn't make it They were doing so well, then one Monday I came into office to find one of them stuck at the wavemaker and the other hiding... one day later the other one disappeared. The blackfoot clowns look perfectly fine though (I wish they would learn to start hosting @ the anemone!) Still hunting high and low for helfrechi. Any other suggestions for other tankmates? P.S. Would it be ok for me to add a small clam to this tank, or is the tank too small to support a clam? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member illumnae Posted February 13, 2013 Author SRC Member Share Posted February 13, 2013 Experienced a tank crash over CNY I did a massive rescape just before the CNY holidays and finally created my "ricordea garden" by using bsi-ic gel and TLF AquaStik putty to stick all my ricordeas (total of 7 pcs of florida and yuma) to a single rock space. However, I think the total amount of glue and putty used was too much for my small volume tank, and I ended up losing all my fish as well as 1 snail. The other invertebrates showed signs of stress too (sun coral closed up, anemone shrank up). Skimmer went crazy too and had to be switched off. After a 15% followed by a 30% wc over 2 days, the tank seems to have stablized. The anemone has opened up again and the skimmer is no longer crazy. The peppermint shrimp and maxima clam I added over CNY (after the 2 huge water changes) seem to be doing fine too. Only the sun coral hasn't reopened yet. Very sad that all my fish is lost Will probably do another large water change on schedule next week before restocking the tank again. In the meantime, I'm getting an sps starter pack from cedricang over the weekend. Do you think my 6x 3W is sufficient for sps? If not, I will switch to 2x lightsets instead of the single one I'm using. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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