Derek's Custom 180G SPS Reef Tank

[Jewel]

The tank looks great Derek, Just one problem, You are running out of space.

 

[AdInfinitum]

Everything looks unreal Derek!!

You've certainly got the touch....

More incentive for me to add some RB's to my halides.

 

[spyd]

Thanks guys. I am definitely running out of room! I purchased a couple Tonga Shelf rocks that I will be cleaning up and then adding them to my tank to allow some more room and finish my aquascaping vision. I just have to get them 100% clean before adding them. They are some really nice pieces though and were hand picked with the dimensions that I needed.

For the LED lighting I purchased the Actinic Supplement kit from RapidLED. 2 x 24 strips of 3W Cree XT-E Royal Blue LEDs. I went solderless as well. Just easier and for the extra $10 it is well worth it. There are no lenses on the LEDs at all because I didn't want to add too much direct lighting to the tank. There is a lot of spill over though and I will be adding a piece of aluminum plate to the viewing side that extends about 1/2" below the bottom of the aluminum channel. I went with dimmable drivers as I run an Apex Controller. I like how the LEDs ramp up and down as it gives a really nice sunrise / sunset look to the tank.

 

[spyd]

SOOO...... I am all ready bored of my frag tank. LOL. It does all right with SPS, but, it is fantastic at growing LPS. So, I am going to do an overhaul on it. I purchased some Tonga shelf rock with the bases on them and am going to drill holes in them for frag plugs. I am going to add a sandbed, one or 2 nice shelf rocks and make it more of a display tank that can also grow out some SPS frags higher up. I am still going to run the WP25 as the sole powerhead. It creates a perfect wave on my 36" long tank.

What is the best way to cure this dry rock? Should I just soak it in RO/DI water for a while and change out the water constantly until it reads 0ppm for PO4? This tank is still connected to my entire system so it will definitely have the benefit of getting live bacteria fed to it constantly.

For fish, I will only be adding 1 or 2 fish tops. I will add a small Tang of some sort just to keep any bubble algae, etc in check. Once it gets bigger, I will just sell it off and keep replacing with a small tang. I'm not going to add any wrasses or anything of the sorts as it is a great tank for expanding my pod population. Any input welcome. I just love seeing my LPS thrive in a seperate system that is more designed for their up keep. My main display can keep LPS alive and thriving but I don't like the super cluttered sandbed. This LPS / frag tank will be mainly some choice chalices, torches, acans and some zoos. Mainly chalices though.

 

[jroovers]

Sounds good Derek.  I too am getting less and less fond of the cluttered sand bed look.  I'd pm teebone, he is about to cure his liverock for his new display, last time I spoke with him he seemed to have the process down pat, and I'm sure he can help you out with that.  I think there is a lot of info on RC about it as well (power washing, cleaning with acid, RO/DI bathes, and then curing).

 

[teebone110]

Sounds good Derek.  I too am getting less and less fond of the cluttered sand bed look.  I'd pm teebone, he is about to cure his liverock for his new display, last time I spoke with him he seemed to have the process down pat, and I'm sure he can help you out with that.  I think there is a lot of info on RC about it as well (power washing, cleaning with acid, RO/DI bathes, and then curing).

Can't wait to see the progress and I really like the tonga shelf rock, that stuff is pretty sweet!!

Back when I got my shelf rock when things were warmer, I power washed it a few times, then let it dry out in the hot sun.

I have a large Brute that I put the shelf rock in along with RODI water. I changed the water out weekly and let things soak for about a month, then back in the sun to dry out.

I just grabbed some Pukani, and this stuff has more dead organics, so I will probably do the  same method along with a soak in a 25% vinegar solution, dump it all in a curing tank and watch for phosphates.


I did notice that in the initial stages, there was a nasty odour coming from the rock when it was drying out, versus the later stages it became smell free - which I think was a sign things were getting cleaner.

 

[Darryl_V]

Lack of stank is a good sign. No matter what you do though the rock will still go through typical algae stages, especially diatom.

 

[Reef Hero]

When I have added dry rock in the past I just rinsed it well with rodi water and then added it in.... However I would add as little as possible(like one piece) at a time and if at all possible let it cycle without seeing any light for 4-6 weeks or even longer if permitted. This will allow for as little impact as possible on the system as a whole and also allows you to keep an eye on any changes you might see and deal with them asap

 

[spyd]

So, I've ordered some smaller Tonga Shelf pieces as well. My plan is to use one large piece and 3 smaller ones that will be attached to the base of the larger one. I am going to cement them together and see if I can get a really nice aquascape for the tank. My plan is to still keep this functional as a "frag tank" by drilling multiple holes for frag plugs in the large piece of rock up top.

 

[teebone110]

So, I've ordered some smaller Tonga Shelf pieces as well. My plan is to use one large piece and 3 smaller ones that will be attached to the base of the larger one. I am going to cement them together and see if I can get a really nice aquascape for the tank. My plan is to still keep this functional as a \"frag tank\" by drilling multiple holes for frag plugs in the large piece of rock up top.

what kind of cement are you going to use?

 

[jroovers]

Don't use any cement if you can avoid it!  I used hydraulic cistern cement on my pillars and it slowly breaks down over time, leaving nice little bits of debris.  I'm not sure, but I also have a theory that it could be linked to HLLE in my tank in my tang and has shown up a bit in my regal angel (just one spot, seems to be going away with heavy Selcon dosing of pellets and frozen food).

 

[spyd]

Thanks for the input Jordan! Maybe I will just use acrylic rods and epoxy. I have both at home and can make that work.

 

[jroovers]

Thanks for the input Jordan! Maybe I will just use acrylic rods and epoxy. I have both at home and can make that work.

It will cost you more to use epoxy, maybe you can get some of the cheaper non-aquarium specific stuff state-side, but in the long run you'll be happy you did.

 

[spyd]

No issues there. I buy Aquamend by the case. LOL I think I have 20 tubes left still.

 

[jroovers]

No issues there. I buy Aquamend by the case. LOL I think I have 20 tubes left still.

You're just telling me this now lol?

 

[Jewel]

What type of Led did you attach to your light and how many?

 

[Reef Hero]

Don't use any cement if you can avoid it!  I used hydraulic cistern cement on my pillars and it slowly breaks down over time, leaving nice little bits of debris.  I'm not sure, but I also have a theory that it could be linked to HLLE in my tank in my tang and has shown up a bit in my regal angel (just one spot, seems to be going away with heavy Selcon dosing of pellets and frozen food).

I plan on using Portland cement and aragonite sand to make some nice frag disks..... I heard that you just have to let the disks cure in tap water for a couple months while changing the water daily....so I plan on putting them in toilet tanks.... Then I am going to soak in rodi water for Atleast a couple weeks and then finally I will soak in rodi and then test the water to see if anything is leaching.... A lot of ppl seem to use this method.... Unless of course your lucky and got a kiln and can make ceramic.
I have heard of people using this same method to make rock work or aqua scape.....

 

[jmonker]

Wow your tank is absolutely stunning would love to see some more full tank shots... Gorgeous!!! Keep it up.

 

[spyd]

All right party people... Time for a photo dump! I have been working on my white balance and am starting to get the hang of it. Pics look a tad on the greener side of things, but hey, my Hippo tang actually looks blue in the photos instead of purple!

Spongodes growing like crazy and starting to cap now.

Here's a better look at that clam along with my Branching lobo, open brain, superman monti and Tyree Mystic monti.

Ultimate Bonsai is growing like crazy! Love the ultra green polyps!

Here's a sweet new frag. It's the RR Subzero. I bleached it a bit from those new RB strips. I didn't think they would add as much par as they did and am now only running them at 50% for now. It is bouncing back nicely now. More baby blue with dark blue tips.

My RR Gold Buddah up close. It is a fantastic golden colour with burgundy polyps. Nice tabling growth pattern as well.

Love this pic of my Leopard Wrasse swimming past my Purple Dragon and DV Bottlebrush Acro.

Here's a sweet shot of my Flame BTA. I have about 5 of these things now... Free to whom ever can take them off the rock without damaging anything.  ;D It would be a whole lot easier if the rock they are on wasn't the only one that is doweled and epoxied into place....

Group Shot of my Tubbs Pink Jade, DV Cobalt Tort and DV Candlelight

Nice Macro shot of a Confused War Coral Frag I got off Copper Kills.

Close up of my Mystic Monti. Glass could be cleaner at the bottom of the tank...  :

Close up of my new clam!

Group Shot of my BS Birdsnest, DV Sunset Milli and my own Devil's Breath Acro

Close up of my DV Limeade. Growing nicely!

Group Shot of my DV Limeade, Red Dragon, ORA Cali Tort in the back, noname Pink & Yellow acro and another Bonsai frag.

Right Side shot of Tank

Left Side shot of Tank

Full Tank Shot

That's a good start for now... Lots more to come!!! I am getting excited to switch over my frag tank to a LPS dominated tank. Rock is all most done curing. Sand is rinsed and the corals I have for it are SPECTACULAR!!!! I will show them off soon enough.

 

[jroovers]

Looks fantastic Derek, that RR Gold Buddha especially looks awesome.  You seem to be getting great growth on all of your SPS.