120g tank build

[ludnix]

I thought it was time to share my 120g tank build, so here it is:

The stand was built in May of 2008, this was an upgrade from a 33g cube which didn't really have much in it other than clownfish.

All of the stands that AGA (aqueon) sells are very short so we decided to build our own at 40" tall!

http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/empystand.jpg
The stand is built to hold a tank! I have never been concerned about structural integrity with how massively overbuilt it is!

Here I've painted the stand with kilz primer and sealer. More coats than I can remember, I just kept painting it until it was solid white. This has worked out quite well, almost two years in and no significant stains, it always wipes clean.
http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/standpainted.jpg

The doors are made of marine plywood with euro hinges:
http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/paintedwithdoors.jpg

I unfortunately have no pictures from the decorating process, but we managed to transform that white stand into this:
http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/tankinplace.jpg

http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/tankinplace.jpg

http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/doors.jpg

http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/trim_front.jpg

We made this stand design by using large sheets of bamboo reed mats we bought in Hawaii for very cheap. They were glues flat onto the stand's outside with wood glue and the excess trimmed. we then were able to apply cherry trim to the corners, top and bottom. The corner pieces are actually pine stained cherry, but the top and bottom are actual cherry.

[ludnix]

The sump is a 40g breeder with a compartment for the OTP-2000 skimmer, 10g of refugium, and remaining for the return section.
http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/water_day/sump.jpg
The power strip on the right was removed for safety concerns, luckily I never had an issue, but I always would rather be safe than sorry. The pump is a Mag-12, 1200gph.

Water going in!
http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/water_day/we_have_water.jpg

I got this refractometer for $20 on ebay:
http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/water_day/refractometer.jpg

[ludnix]

We ordered 200lbs (90kg) of fiji live rock. We didn't want 200lbs in total, but this would allow us to cherry pick the rock for the best pieces. This rock is all direct from the collector so it had to be cured. Since it was uncured the LFS sold it to us for $2.22/lb!

http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/rocks/inbox.jpg

In the tank cycling away:
http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/rocks/intank2.jpg

Construction of the canopy:
http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/canopy/frameandlights1.jpg
The canopy frame was made out of poplar and painted with more kilz primer and sealer. The canopy houses 4x 54w T5 flourescents with individual reflectors and 2x 250w metal halide fixtures.

http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/canopy/frameandlights2.jpg

Skinning with bamboo:
http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/canopy/bambooskin.jpg

http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/canopy/trim.jpg


First light test, MH lights only:
http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/lights/mhon.jpg

[ludnix]

A tank this size definitely needs an Auto Top Off device to keep the water level correct as well as the salinity. Here is a double float switch which I ordered from autotopoff.com The float switches control a mechanical relay which switches an outlet on and off.

Float switches:
http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/floatswitch.jpg

Top off container next to sump, the container was ordered from US plastics and fits exactly within the available space.
http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/topofftank.jpg

Pump in the ATO container:
http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/topoffinside.jpg

[ludnix]

Doing the rockwork:

I was inspired by the rockwork done by Carl Swaby in his video on www.reefvideos.com, I wanted to do a lot of arches and pillars for the fish to swim around in giving them more opportunities to get away from each other if they need to. I also wanted the rockwork to be viewable from all sides, so no piles of rock where razor blades could get lost in.

We started the towers. They are held together with Aquascape epoxy putty. We first dry fit the rocks and then puttied them together out of water. We lowered them in and let them cure for a few days before expanding on it.

http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/rocks/rocktowersphase1.jpg

http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/rocks/rearview.jpg

All the rocks are sitting on a layer of eggcrate light diffuser. This keeps them from being able to slide around.

We then finished the arches but gluing on the rest of the rockwork, you can also see the inhabitants from my 30g moved over, 2x clownfish, their hammer coral, a clam and a flame hawkfish.

http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/August/clowninhammer.jpg

A month later I added more livestock, a yellow tang, sailfin tang and other fish. The sailfin turned out to be a huge mistake and should never have gone in there in the first place. Not only are sailfin's way too large for a 120g aquarium but the overall fish load on the tank was too much too quickly. Because of the excessive load you can see I had quite a cyanobacteria problem:

http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/August/fulltankfront.jpg

http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/August/fulltankback.jpg

The sailfin was removed and the cyano started to subside:
http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/February/update/FTS_thumb.jpg
http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/February/update/back_thumb.jpg

http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/February/update/side_thumb.jpg

http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/February/update/SPS_thumb.jpg

[ludnix]

I switched to a bluer variety of 15k bulbs:

http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/April/fts_thumb.jpg

http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/April/fts_back_thumb.jpg

http://someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/April/zoanthids_thumb.jpg

[ludnix]

Canopy was finished with a faux grass mat roof.

http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/june/tank_and_canopy.jpg

http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/june/canopy2.jpg

The sump has chaeto and mangroves now:

http://www.someawe.com/uploads/120gallon/june/sump.jpg

You can see some pretty bad light leaks in the canopy doors so I added some plastic trim to block the light:
http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/June//thumbs/light-seal-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/June/light-seal.jpg)

No more light leaks!
http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/June//thumbs/doors-light-proof-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/June/doors-light-proof.jpg)

The canopy doors attach via magnets. Small peices of metal are embedded in the doors for the magnets to grab onto:
http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/June//thumbs/door-diagram-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/June/door-diagram.jpg)

[ludnix]

I decided to add a frag tank to the system, I went with a 10g tank with 150w MH light from fishneedit.com

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/Frag-Tank//thumbs/stand-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/Frag-Tank/stand.jpg)

Painting the stand to a more tropical theme, attaching bamboo skin over the uprights:
http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/Frag-Tank//thumbs/stand_painted-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/Frag-Tank/stand_painted.jpg)

Finished product:
http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/Frag-Tank//thumbs/Frag-tank-finished-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/Frag-Tank/Frag-tank-finished.jpg)

[ludnix]

August 2009
http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August//thumbs/FTS-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August/FTS.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August//thumbs/acans-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August/acans.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August//thumbs/mandarin-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August/mandarin.jpg)

[ludnix]

November 2009
http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/November-09//thumbs/FTS-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/November-09/FTS.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/November-09//thumbs/FTS_BACK-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/November-09/FTS_BACK.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/November-09//thumbs/FTs2-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/November-09/FTs2.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/November-09//thumbs/favia-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/November-09/favia.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/November-09//thumbs/wesophyllia-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/November-09/wesophyllia.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/November-09//thumbs/red_lobo-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/November-09/red_lobo.jpg)

Some Top down photos:
http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/December-09//thumbs/top-down2-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/December-09/top-down2.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/December-09//thumbs/top-down3-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/December-09/top-down3.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/December-09//thumbs/top-down-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/December-09/top-down.jpg)

[ludnix]

April 2010:
http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-10//thumbs/fts_front-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-10/fts_front.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-10//thumbs/fts_back-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-10/fts_back.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-10//thumbs/fts_side-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-10/fts_side.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-10//thumbs/acros-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-10/acros.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-10//thumbs/flamehawk-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-10/flamehawk.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-10//thumbs/tangs-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-10/tangs.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-10//thumbs/yellow_tang-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-10/yellow_tang.jpg)

[ludnix]

Here is my frag tank after installing a new LED light. This replaces the cheap 150w metal halide I got from fishneedit.com

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-10//thumbs/fts-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-10/fts.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-10//thumbs/frag_tank_with_led-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-10/frag_tank_with_led.jpg)

http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-10//thumbs/led-800x600.jpg (http://www.reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-10/led.jpg)

[ludnix]

The frag tank light was a success so I ended up replacing all the lights over the 120 with LEDs.


http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/September-10//thumbs/led_light_fixture-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/September-10/led_light_fixture.jpg)

http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/September-10//thumbs/LED_lights-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/September-10/LED_lights.jpg)

I have a thread on how I built the LEDs over here:
http://reefsome.com/forums/threads/66-Ludnix-s-DIY-LED-light-build


http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/September-10//thumbs/FTS-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/September-10/FTS.jpg)
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/September-10//thumbs/FTS_back-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/September-10/FTS_back.jpg)
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/September-10//thumbs/clownfish-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/September-10/clownfish.jpg)
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/September-10//thumbs/chromis-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/September-10/chromis.jpg)
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/September-10//thumbs/feather_and_ricordea-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/September-10/feather_and_ricordea.jpg)
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/September-10//thumbs/tri-color-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/September-10/tri-color.jpg)
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/September-10//thumbs/yellow_pocillapora-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/September-10/yellow_pocillapora.jpg)
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/September-10//thumbs/pocillaporas-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/September-10/pocillaporas.jpg)
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/September-10//thumbs/montiporas-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/September-10/montiporas.jpg)

[ludnix]

One month after LED lighting:

http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/October-10//thumbs/fts-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/October-10/fts.jpg)
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/October-10//thumbs/fts_side-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/October-10/fts_side.jpg)
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/October-10//thumbs/fts_back-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/October-10/fts_back.jpg)
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/October-10//thumbs/bottle_brush-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/October-10/bottle_brush.jpg)
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/October-10//thumbs/montipora-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/October-10/montipora.jpg)
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/October-10//thumbs/pocillapora-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/October-10/pocillapora.jpg)
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/October-10//thumbs/tri_color_acropora-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/October-10/tri_color_acropora.jpg)
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/October-10//thumbs/ricordea-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/October-10/ricordea.jpg)

It took the corals a little while to adjust, they didn't look stressed at all, but they didn't explode in growth in the first month. They have since been growing very well now they are used to the light and seem to be loving it.

[GMan]

It took the corals a little while to adjust, they didn't look stressed at all, but they didn't explode in growth in the first month. They have since been growing very well now they are used to the light and seem to be loving it.

Your tank looks awesome....very professional. How long have you had the LEDs running on the main tank? Sure like to see a few photos of the corals now that they are used to the light.

[FishFAQs]

Beautiful--I'm really taken with the zooanthid and frogspawn growth. Your tank looks very "filled in." The fish must be very happy--

[ludnix]

I've had the LEDs for a while now and things seem to really be responding to it. I found they are simply too much light for my Cualastrea in their old spot though. The parts exposed directly to the light have bleached, while the shaded parts still had their color. I have ended up moving it much lower in a different spot.

Here's a photo of it after bleaching out:

http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/December-10//thumbs/2010-12-25_11-24-44_518-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/December-10/2010-12-25_11-24-44_518.jpg)

I'll try and get a new photo of it's new spot as well. This seems to be the only coral which couldn't handle the light intensity. The SPS really seem to be doing good with it though, I'm seeing some completely new growth and coloration in a lot of the SPS corals.

[GMan]

I am pretty sure that I am going to give the LED system a try.....I will start a thread so I don't change the subject of yours.....I sure could use any advice.

[ludnix]

Here's the full tank shot:
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/January-11//thumbs/fts-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/January-11/fts.jpg)
Side view:
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/January-11//thumbs/fts_side-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/January-11/fts_side.jpg)
Back of tank:
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/January-11//thumbs/fts_back-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/January-11/fts_back.jpg)
Bottle brush acro:
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/January-11//thumbs/bottle-brush-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/January-11/bottle-brush.jpg)
Tricolor acropora
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/January-11//thumbs/tricolor-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/January-11/tricolor.jpg)
Switching to the vortech provided a new view in the tank:
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/January-11//thumbs/side_view-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/January-11/side_view.jpg)
The vortech's famous shot:
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/January-11//thumbs/vortech-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/January-11/vortech.jpg)
Some good growth on this pocillopora:
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/January-11//thumbs/pocillopora-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/January-11/pocillopora.jpg)

[ludnix]

The clownfish were laying eggs today. It's always a nice sign to see them spawning.
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/January-11//thumbs/clownfish-eggs-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/January-11/clownfish-eggs.jpg)
I had moved the juvenile clownfish that I raised into the main tank. The adults will not tolerate them sharing the same coral, but otherwise they seem to be adapting to the big tank well. When they mature they can start hosting in their own coral (away from the current clowns).
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/January-11//thumbs/clownfish_jouveniles-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/January-11/clownfish_jouveniles.jpg)
pH in the tank has been great, kalkwasser top off seems to keep that in check.
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/January-11//thumbs/pH-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/January-11/pH.jpg)
Here is the spot where I removed a large chunk of Montipora "capricornus".
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/January-11//thumbs/foxface-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/January-11/foxface.jpg)
The foxface loved to get in the way of the camera the entire time, so I finally let him be the star of a picture.
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/January-11//thumbs/foxface2-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/January-11/foxface2.jpg)

Finally, here's a top down view of some of the SPS corals. I really like the coloration on the corals in this picture. You can see a newly introduced "pink lemonade" frag on the top left that I received from Gman.
http://reefsome.com/gallery/u/ludnix/January-11//thumbs/top_down-800x600.jpg (http://reefsome.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/January-11/top_down.jpg)

[GMan]

Your tank is looking awesome; everything looks real healthy; good job! I'll have to visit soon to see it in person, are you interested in any corals?....I owe you.

[ludnix]

You're welcome to come over some time, but I think I have gotten a lot more corals from you than you have from me.

[ludnix]

I've gotten some new corals that I'll post pictures of soon. I finally got a Euphyllia divisa "wall frogspawn". I'm trying to get some of each Euphyllia species except for torch.

The biopellets I have been using seem to be working well. I really need to clean my skimmer more often if I want to get the most out of them though. The chaeto in my sump has pretty much completely stopped growing since the biopellets started working, so I am in the process of cleaning up my refugium to run it as a dark zone. Not having lights in the sump will help keep coralline from growing all over the inside of skimmer and save a little more energy. The corals are doing well, however my sand dwelling corals and clams are all being constantly moved or buried by the engineering gobies. I might end up taking them out in the future so I can have a little more say in where the corals go on my sand bed.

[ludnix]

Here's an updated picture of my 120 gallon aquarium. The water is a little cloudy from the engineering gobies digging up sand.

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/March-11//thumbs/Full-tank-shot-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/March-11/Full-tank-shot.jpg)

[ludnix]

I thought I'd share some updated pictures of the tank.

I have cleared out my refugium so I'm just running a dark zone now instead of chaeto. The biopellets and protein skimmer were out-competing the chaeto too much to get any good growth anymore.

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3134-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3134.jpg)

Don't mind the chaeto in the sump, just some extra I need to get rid of.

Here's my TLF reactor with biopellets in it. Biopellets still seem really intact, I have extras, but I don't think I'm going to have to add anymore for a long time.
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3135-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3135.jpg)

Skimmer is foaming heavily with the biopellets.
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3136-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3136.jpg)

There was a bunch of texas trash polyps in my frag tank, I was worried they were starting to grow on my frags so I cleaned the whole thing out and bleached the racks. I think it's a lot nicer now.
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3111-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3111.jpg)

Mega_Mike's Cyphastrea
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3112-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3112.jpg)

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3114-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3114.jpg)

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3117-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3117.jpg)

Display tank is looking good.
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3107-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3107.jpg)

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3108-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3108.jpg)

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3109-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3109.jpg)

[ludnix]

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3123-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3123.jpg)

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3124-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3124.jpg)

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3125-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3125.jpg)

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3129-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3129.jpg)

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3130-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3130.jpg)

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3131-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3131.jpg)

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/April-11//thumbs/IMG_3138-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/April-11/IMG_3138.jpg)

[squirrelieygrrrl]

love the tank!

now i get your comment about the rimless. lol, that canopy would drive me nuts after running topless for all these years.

a thought on your dark sump, have you considered running it as a cryptic fuge? there has been some recent studies that link cryptic organisms and carbon to facilitate further dentrification. ill see if i can find you a link. essentially what i got from it was that if you run a bp reactor and run the effluent into a skimmer and then the skimmers effluent into a cryptic fuge holding sponges that the sponges themselves are sent into an accelerated growth phase. further removing doc, and the bacterial mulm that exits the bp reactor. limiting cyano and other nuisance algae. you could still run it dark, and not have to be concerned with ph swings caused by running it on a reverse photo cycle, in reaction to the bp reactor.

[ludnix]

Well right now I think it is pretty much just a cryptic fuge. My bio pellet reactor effluent is running straight into it currently, I don't think there will be an easy way to run it into my skimmer though just because the skimmers plumbing is all glued (by the manufacturer). I currently have a lot of rock down there covered in sponges, I will try and see if I can get a picture of it today.

[squirrelieygrrrl]

ahh ok,

its hard to tell from those shots. the reactors i use im able to run them externally so it makes it a bit easier on me to achieve that. i have a few neat sponges if you would like to further your bio diversity, a ball sponge, and some sort of bright yellow encrusting sponge. ive noticed an explosion of growth from the yellow one since adding my reactor.

[ludnix]

I would love to get some new sponges, I'm sure I have some others I could bring you as well if you wanted to do a diversity trade :p.

I'll take a picture today, but i'm currently using two TLF phosban 150 reactors, one for carbon and one for the biopellets. They can be run externally, but there's no room in the sump if they actually hang on the tank, so I have them in backwards in the water.

[squirrelieygrrrl]

deal! once i get my schedule for this week ill see if i can swing by fnf to do a trade, i need more tech m anyway.

[squirrelieygrrrl]

when are you going to be available for that sponge swap, i have early in the day on tues, wed and thurs avail. also if there is any sps youre interested in id be willing to bring ya a few chunks of that as well.

[ludnix]

I'll be working wednesday so that'd be a good day for me. I don't have known SPS I'm looking for right now, but I'm always interested in trading. I'm planning on starting some frags of ponape birdnest if you're looking for some of that.

[ludnix]

This thread is long over due for an update! The tank has been under LEDs lighting for 11 months now, soon I get to join the 1 year club!

FTS:
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3324-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3324.jpg)

Back of tank:
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3332-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3332.jpg)

Sideview of SPS forest.
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3344-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3344.jpg)

Fungia closeups!

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3326-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3326.jpg)

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3327-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3327.jpg)

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3328-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3328.jpg)

http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3329-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3329.jpg)

I picked up this ORA red hammer. Not red yet, but I'm just happy it's polyps are out! When it arrived it looked like it was going to be DOA.
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3331-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3331.jpg)

[ludnix]

Green Pocillapora still growing in it's new location. I wasn't sure if it'd be happy here, but so far it's only getting bigger.
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3333-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3333.jpg)

This bottlebrush is getting huge.
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3335-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3335.jpg)

Ponape is getting some nice new growth:
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3336-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3336.jpg)
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3343-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3343.jpg)

Montipora spongodes hidden behind an eternal cloud of green chromis.
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3340-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3340.jpg)

Clams!
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3339-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3339.jpg)

My first and favorite trachyphyllia in the middle has been slowly receeding for the past 3 years. I think I will have to just to rehome it and hope for the best, as it doesn't seem to be happy here :(
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3330-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3330.jpg)
The other two are just ridiculous though.

Bubble coral trying to regrow to it's former cololssus state after being cut into fourths with a hack saw.
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3342-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3342.jpg)

The neglected SPS corner, a sort of odd mix of green digi, blue tip stag, and more bottle brush. I wouldn't mind replacing these with some more interesting SPS in the future, but they are pretty well grown in, which makes me hesitate.
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/u/ludnix/August-11//thumbs/IMG_3338-800x600.jpg (http://www.saltwatermasters.com/gallery/focus/v/ludnix/August-11/IMG_3338.jpg)

[mega_mike]

uh oh one more moth till the leds destroy every thing lol

[mega_mike]

sir your ponape birdsnest is http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm176/Mega_Mike_photo/1310712277438.jpg

[mtnd3w88]

Looks Great!!! Hope my tank looks that good after they get used to the LED lights....

I do have a question though. When u first put up the LED system, did you notice a set back in the corals. I have the led going for about 3 to 4 weeks now. Started to notice the tips of the sps have brown and dark red algae on them. Any thoughts?

[ludnix]

I didn't have any negative reactions from my SPS, the only coral affected by the change was Candy Cane which bleached out.

Usually burned tips on SPS is chemistry related, not lighting. I would make sure your alkalinity isn't too high and check the magnesium and calcium as well.