First of all, I like to apologize for wasting 3 days of your life that you will never get back when you would've been doing something a lot more constructive...lol

Thank you very much for all your kind words, I am definitely no master or ambassador but merely an enthusiast like everyone on this board. I would've never had the success in the 300dd without the help from all my friends on here.

This hobby is full of ups and downs, and for the most of part, that is what keeps us interested and brings us back. I guess you can say reefers are glutton for punishment. :redface:

I am hoping to have the same success with this tank as the previous but with more precautionary measures. I will try my best to keep it entertaining and enjoyable for all.

Thanks for tuning in, I am sure we will meet up sometime soon.

Rich

Soooo, any updates ?

Damn, Rich. Seeing your updates makes me wanna get back in the game...!

Glad to see all is going well. All the best in 2015 buddy!

We should have a poll for when we think Rich will win TOTM again...

Soon my friend....soon.

You should get back in the game...40-60 gallon cube would be perfect...and this is how it starts lol. Thanks man! All the best to you in the 2015!

Don't jinx me Walter...just kidding lol plus, isn't it your turn now?!:wink:

Pics pls

+1

+2

Oops, look what I started :boink:

It's pretty lame right now lol. Okay I'll take some tomorrow and post it.

SUMP PICS
 

So I had a skimmer that I borrowed from my friend T.diddy Chris which was an Alpha cone 170, I figured it would be plenty enough to accommodate my tank.

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...psz2amixzx.jpg

After running the Alpha for a few weeks, I found that it would just overflow for no reason and bubble level controls are over-sensitive. I really didn't like it. So I decided to shoehorn the bbk 250 in there.

At first I was worried about the skimmer might be too big for the system and could possibly have an inconsistent output, but soon after all my concerns were alleviated. The skimmer is running like a champ and I couldn't be happier.

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...psor523pmq.jpg

Sump area isn't nearly as clean as Wardog but I did gave a honest effort.

Hooked up both brs dosers.

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...psmlbmn7lz.jpg

After trying out the bulk chemical from JL I must say I am not too happy with the mix...I am all for buying local and support local but when it comes to the quality of product I am putting into my tank, I want the best, period!

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...psakvjjvvo.jpg

This is mixed from my calcium batch, as you can see the brown stuff is all the residue settling on the bottom of the bottle. I have mixed up BRS stuff and its crystal clear. I am not chemist so I don't know if the byproduct on the bottom matters but either way I don;t feel comfortable putting it into my tank. I will reflect my findings to Jeff and pretty sure he will step up and source out better stuff.

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...psg3i2uzei.jpg

Installed a new toy to try-out. Thanks Peter. Vertex skimmer neck cleaner. Yes, I am like to automate as much as I can.

Looking good. I have installed a neck cleaner for my BK Mini180 and it works like a champ, just find the blade to be a little too long so I'm having issues removing it from the sump... I'm thinking to somehow redesign the sump to accommodate this.

I am ordering you some bulk stuff from BRS shortly, need anything else? free shipping 175 :)

Well, in that case where is Jesse...lol I'll look tonight. Thanks buddy.

Been battling a good level of phosphate. my ultra low range was reading at about 0.1 ppm a few weeks back, so I decided to do a water change and start my phosban reactor with rowa. To my surprise, the reading went down for about a day and shot right back up. I was scratching my head thinking WTF. The following week and a half, I did 2 more water changes and triple the amount of rowa media, finally got a handle on it. last test was 0.022 and I'll do more testing to make sure I stay on top of it.

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...pswh337hk0.jpg

You know you are in trouble when your meter reaches the max number...:sad: I am just kidding, that's not the highest it goes up to but still bad.

Fail
 

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...ps85be3bx6.jpg

Thought I give it a try but.....the very next day...fak

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...pspk88d0pl.jpg

Sorry to hear. IMO, these are a 9 in 10 die kind of fish. I would never buy one unless it came from an established tank. Even then, super sensitive. Mine lasted 3 months downgrading to a 115g tank.

Sump looks pretty damn good to me Rich. Too bad about the bulk chemical, I was gunna use that stuff, but now I'm not sure.

Sorry to hear about the fishy!

Full tank shot

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...pslwppudjp.jpg

Got some frags from a few good friends. Thanks very much guys.

Fish list so far,

-Pair of breeding black ice clowns
-Pain in the butt damsel
-Royal gamma
-3 fire fish

Clean up crew

-5 trochus snails (Thanks Jess)
-2 cleaner shrimp
-2 fire shrimp


I will get another Achilles. That is the one fish I want in the tank.

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...psulmmi8ti.jpg

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...psqe2zsjiv.jpg

Ya I know, I guess I am gullton for punishment. One more please...

You got water in your tank yet!? ...... just kidding. :mrgreen:

I was pretty disappointing when I mixed it up. I was told that they are pharmaceutical grade but probably farm animal pharmaceutical grade. I hope Jeff can bring in better stuff or maybe it makes no difference, it could just be me, anal retentive.

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...pslwppudjp.jpg

take a look the two rock structures. Right island is an animal doing a certain action, left island is a well know cartoon character.

right answers on both get a free frag, ricereef is not allow to join the contest.

Mackey mouse and a dog taking a whiz!

you are good!!! however it can be minnie as well, if you mount a setosa on the ear.

whats will you like for your prize?

Ding ding ding, pay the man Peter. Lol

Once your tank is ready Warren, we will head out to peters and Chris's house for a visit and frag picking.

Sounds like a plan buds.

I agree rich.. alpha skimmers r horribly sensitive.
Good thing I didn't buy that achilles ;)

Sorry to hear about the tang bud

Nice frags you have there
Guess mine are all too plain for ya ? Don't blame ya though as I'd like to get some nicer stuff one day

Tank looks great so far Rich!
Sorry to hear about the Achilles.

You know me buddy. I am way to picky. Lol

Thanks buddy. It's slowly coming along.

Ya too bad for the fish.

That's OK though
Now I again have a local place for some sweet frags after a reset :razz:
Grow babies, grow !!!

I too have the same sediment from J&L's Calcium stuff, but I've always had it as I've never used any pure bulk products. I also had it when using DowFlake Xtra and hoped J&L's stuff would be a bit cleaner ...
I never had any sediment when using Seachem's Reef Advantage Calcium, but the cost was horrid
I'll be following along to see what you find out

Are you still using that 180 degree black ABS stuff in your overflow ?
I've always questioned it's potable water qualities ...
If you like, I could pick up a couple street 90s from Corix on my way home
2 would lock together to create a replacement with no glue needed
And it'd be a good excuse to come by to check out your new setup
LMK

Keep those pics comin' my friend, and happy growth !

Tank is looking good :) I am also very happy with Concept. They built me a 36x30x20. Love it. Just getting water into it now!

pm'd some info for your next achilles :)


cheers buddy

denny

that is such a gorgeous tank can't wait to see it full of hot sps.

i might rethink the location of the serious looking gas range right next to the tank. might cause some overheating issues down the road when it's in use.

No, I didn't end up using the abs elbows, but you are more than welcome to stop by anytime. you know that. :wink:

Boys over at concept does good job. Just make sure you get Denny to do it personally....:mrgreen:

Replied, thanks bud! :smile:

Keepin it real with the strawberry shortcake oven...lol

Hey Rich. Tank looks super sweet! Is there a reason you went eurobraced instead of rimless? Was it suggested because of the size of your tank or because of glass thickness? Or was it just to keep water from splashing over the edge of the tank?

Hey buddy, thanks for the kind words. The reason I went with euro is because the splash control, rimless is pretty sexy but I just wanted to have the extra security and not have to worry about water splashing on the carpet or anything. keep it clean so the wife don't give me shyte. :smile:

Wait a minute....sounds like someone is in the market for a new tank!!! :mrgreen:

I agree with you 100% rich. I love the look of my rimless tank but I wouldn't buy another one as the fish constantly splash water over the edge making a wet floor and an ugly looking water marked tank. Sure does take the sexy right out of the tank.

I would do the same as you next time and get a eurobrace.

You live and you learn...

There are always pros and cons, that one piece euro brace has rounded corners and I am having a real tough time making a mesh screen for it...sigh. :ohwell: