jphong's 75G + 40G Breeder + 15G Refugium

lastlight · #1 09-14-2010, 08:40 PM

Lots of nice rock you have there. Is any of that secured with ties or anything? It's amazing how your definition of stable will change once you're working in there all the time and once you start adding corals it's tough to make changes.

That one rock in the front left looks neat but what was your trick to keep that in place?

That shot of you pouring sand directly from the bag had me scrolling for the 'super cloudy water' shot and I found it! Too late now but I spend a good hour or more rinding my new sand and on occassion I've found pieces of wood and a massive amount of crud and dirt which is odd considering the bags always say 'just add to tank' lol.

Best of luck on your first tank. I'm impressed you got that trim off without issue. That can be a risky move!

jphong · #2 09-14-2010, 08:50 PM

Thanks lastlight, I got all the rock from a fellow reefer here and he sold me some really nice pieces. No zip ties yet and the rock on the left is held up by that underwater epoxy putty you get at the stores. Doesnt work great but it works for things like that.

Yeah the bag did mention rinsing but that slipped my mind cause of the excitement! Lesson learned for sure but the filter floss works so good.

Removing the trim wasnt that bad actually, the rim was already loose when I got it used off someone who was using it to keep reptiles. It was in really good shape just the silicone holding the trim wasnt bonded that well at the top. I ended up re-siliconing the top corners and the top of the glass rim along the perimeter where there was missing chunks. I know its kind of frowned upon but I wanted to try it anyways. Ive been keeping an eye on it the last week and so far nothing has changed so no prob! Its shallow as well so it should be fine, I think its at about 13" of height for water depth.

ponokareefer · #3 09-14-2010, 10:43 PM

Things look great thus far!

One thing to consider is damsel's can turn into terrors and go after all of your fish. You may want to reconsider getting one. Fish are quite hard to get out of a system once it is established.

jphong · #4 09-14-2010, 10:51 PM

Thanks ponokareefer. I like the blue of the damsel, any ideas on an alternate fish? I was planning on using it to cycle the tank in the next few weeks.

Twinn · #5 09-14-2010, 11:18 PM

Tanks looks good congrats. You might want to try a Starki damsel. Has the same blue as the damsel you like with a great yellow stripe on top. Although the Starki is a damsel it is not as aggresive as normal blue or yellow tail damsels.

rstar · #6 09-15-2010, 03:16 AM

Looks good so far! I believe if the tank didnt have a center brace, then the trim is purely cosmetic. I am working on a 40 breeder right now too and mine doesnt have a center brace. its a hagen tank and the glass is pretty thick!

reefwars · #7 09-15-2010, 03:27 AM

glad you liked the rock lil buddy youve got some nice pieces from some of the best tanks in the city

nice rock work and caves

any questions you know where i live

good luck

when that badboys established come see me ill set you up with a load of frags to fill it

free!!!!!!!!!

ponokareefer · #8 09-15-2010, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jphong

Thanks ponokareefer. I like the blue of the damsel, any ideas on an alternate fish? I was planning on using it to cycle the tank in the next few weeks.

Blue is actually a color that seems to be hard to find in marine fish compared to other colors. There are large angels with blue in them, and the regal tang that is really large as well that wouldn't work in your system. I did try a blue chromis, but it died in quarantine a little while back. I'm not real familiar on the Starki damsel that was recommended.