08trdoffroad's Rimless 60 gal Mixed Reef Build

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Some updated FTS of the tank!

Yellow filter only

Yellow and orange filter

Definitely time to start my cuc with the diatoms on the sand and a pretty heavy coating of film algae on everything!

 

[JoJosReef]

Some updated FTS of the tank!

Yellow filter only

Yellow and orange filter

Definitely time to start my cuc with the diatoms on the sand and a pretty heavy coating of film algae on everything!

Conch heaven down there!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Tank doesn't have much algae to nibble on, yet. I'd start with ceriths, a couple of trochus and astraeas to get started on film algae, and maybe a conch if you think diatoms will show up soon (conches LOVE diatoms on the sand bed). Some Nassarius that can help with extra food--you can always keep them fed too by feeding more or target feeding till the tank takes off. After things start ramping up, then's when to think about the heavies.

Do you recommend drip acclimating for cuc inverts?

 

[Arkayology]

Nice tank! It will be nice to get some CUC in there to start cleaning up the place. Have you added pods yet?

I like to drip acclimate my snails and hermits.

 

[JoJosReef]

Do you recommend drip acclimating for cuc inverts?

I've only drip acclimated urchins and special inverts. Snails get temp acclimated only. Most crabs temp only--might consider a pom pom for dripping since it carries nems, but that's not really CUC. Shrimp temp only. I think I dripped a sea hare. Urchins are the ones that worry me the most.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Drip acclimating the new additions as i type. My LFS had slim pickings, but I picked up

3-nassarius snails
3-hermit crabs
3-astrea snails

 

[Mas0n]

Drip acclimating the new additions as i type. My LFS had slim pickings, but I picked up

3-nassarius snails
3-hermit crabs
3-astrea snails

Nice starter CUC! Big fan of Turbo snails (even if they’re little bulldozers ) once you get some more algae going.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Already getting to work!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

My trip to my LFS yesterday was a disaster....

For my wallet!!!

Picked up 4 corals!

The new corals haven't opened completely yet this morning, but I will try to get pics of them later today.

And probably one of my favorite fish of all time (that I hadn't seen anywhere locally since the Hawaii ban)...drum roll please!

Yellow Eye Kole Tang!!!

 

[Mas0n]

Nice prices and pick ups! On my way to a LFS right now actually lol.

Jealous of the tang, that’s awesome.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Nice prices and pick ups! On my way to a LFS right now actually lol.

Jealous of the tang, that’s awesome.

Yeah. He is fat and healthy to boot! Hadn't seen one in years and when I found them online they were $$$! I paid $70 for him. He is about 3-3.5" right now.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Well...I love zoas, but they don't seem to love me..the orange oxide zoa will not open....any suggestions? I initially placed it low on the sand bed in the front corner. I moved it up to the layer of my rock structure by the Duncan to see if anything changes.

 

[JoJosReef]

Well...I love zoas, but they don't seem to love me..the orange oxide zoa will not open....any suggestions? I initially placed it low on the sand bed in the front corner. I moved it up to the layer of my rock structure by the Duncan to see if anything changes.

oxides are pretty robust growers. I'd just leave them alone for a few days.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

oxides are pretty robust growers. I'd just leave them alone for a few days.

Should I leave them where I moved them on the first tier or put them back on the sandbed?

 

[JoJosReef]

Should I leave them where I moved them on the first tier or put them back on the sandbed?

I have my oxides above the sand bed in the first level of my rocks, sitting around 150-200 PAR. They grow quite well once they get started.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

I have my oxides above the sand bed in the first level of my rocks, sitting around 150-200 PAR. They grow quite well once they get started.

I will leave them be for a while then. I fully expect it to melt given my track record with zoas...

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Hmm...I followed the directions, but don't believe the results...

 

[Mas0n]

Hmm...I followed the directions, but don't believe the results...

Do you have any uglies right now? It’s possible that the nutrients are being consumed as soon as they’re available.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Do you have any uglies right now? It’s possible that the nutrients are being consumed as soon as they’re available.

Oh yeah. Diatoms everywhere! At least that is what I think it is!

 

[JoJosReef]

Oh yeah. Diatoms everywhere! At least that is what I think it is!

I'd be skeptical. Diatoms have never dropped my nutrients to zero. Massive amounts of GHA have given me low readings before, but not diatoms. Might be best to run another test side by side first.