beesnreefs
Well-Known Member
First started in reefing about 4 years ago when Biota ran a Kickstarter for an all-inclusive Evo 13.5 reef setup. Over that time it's grown into our favorite little entertainment as my wife and I have the nano right next to our dining table....we watch our goofy clowns and enjoy the several corals every day.
So, a few weeks ago, as an awesome new LFS opened about a mile from our home, we decided to go bigger! Just set up our first "big boy/girl" tank as a living room centerpiece. It's a JBJ 65 AIO with the two stock return pumps (396 gph), 2 IceCap gyre 2k wavemakers, Kessil AP9X light, a JBJ titanium heater, a JBJ skimmer, and an Icecap ATO.
Looking to add a UV sterilizer when the cycle is complete.
Built the aquascape last week using Aquaforest dry rock, AF Stone Fix, and AF Bio Sand. Added water and ammonium chloride to get the tank to 4 ppm and then added the Bio Sand bacteria, bacteria food, and two bottles of Turbo Start. Tracking the cycle now and patiently waiting to add our first fish. (Pics of the scape just before we added water attached here)
The plan is to make this a mixed reef with some softies, several LPS, and a few reef-safe fish. We'll likely get a snail-based CUC and perhaps an invert or two at some point, like a pistol shrimp to go with a fun goby (maybe a Watchman?). Eventually, the clowns in our nano will move over with some of the corals in there as well. For other fish, considering things like Blue Spot Jawfish, a small group of Zebra Barbed Dartfish, a peaceful wrasse like a Flasher or Fairy, and maybe a nice dottyback like a Splendid.
For coral, my lfs was kind enough to sell me a stunning trachy they will hold on to and care for until the tank is ready for it. That guy will live front and center in the sand. Of course, I'd love a torch or two to wave about in the flow of the water and I'm a huge fan of scoly's and rock nems. Lower down we'll have some acans and blastos and in various rocky spots some mushrooms and maybe, someday, one of those wild multi-colored chalice. Eventually we'll consider a cynarina as well.
So excited for this adventure over the coming months, and years!!
So, a few weeks ago, as an awesome new LFS opened about a mile from our home, we decided to go bigger! Just set up our first "big boy/girl" tank as a living room centerpiece. It's a JBJ 65 AIO with the two stock return pumps (396 gph), 2 IceCap gyre 2k wavemakers, Kessil AP9X light, a JBJ titanium heater, a JBJ skimmer, and an Icecap ATO.
Looking to add a UV sterilizer when the cycle is complete.
Built the aquascape last week using Aquaforest dry rock, AF Stone Fix, and AF Bio Sand. Added water and ammonium chloride to get the tank to 4 ppm and then added the Bio Sand bacteria, bacteria food, and two bottles of Turbo Start. Tracking the cycle now and patiently waiting to add our first fish. (Pics of the scape just before we added water attached here)
The plan is to make this a mixed reef with some softies, several LPS, and a few reef-safe fish. We'll likely get a snail-based CUC and perhaps an invert or two at some point, like a pistol shrimp to go with a fun goby (maybe a Watchman?). Eventually, the clowns in our nano will move over with some of the corals in there as well. For other fish, considering things like Blue Spot Jawfish, a small group of Zebra Barbed Dartfish, a peaceful wrasse like a Flasher or Fairy, and maybe a nice dottyback like a Splendid.
For coral, my lfs was kind enough to sell me a stunning trachy they will hold on to and care for until the tank is ready for it. That guy will live front and center in the sand. Of course, I'd love a torch or two to wave about in the flow of the water and I'm a huge fan of scoly's and rock nems. Lower down we'll have some acans and blastos and in various rocky spots some mushrooms and maybe, someday, one of those wild multi-colored chalice. Eventually we'll consider a cynarina as well.
So excited for this adventure over the coming months, and years!!
