The Island Reef

[PmRg]

Hello everyone,

Let's start a new chapter, well my old Island Reef was having a lot of problems for almost an year I was trying to fight them but I was always having STN then bubble algae attacked my rock scape and since I like everything spotless so I could not take it anymore, I decided to take down the tank and keep some of the live stock that is currently spread around LFS and friend's tanks ahah

Then I also had problem with the cabinet and that needed to be replaced.., another "excuse" to move to another system ahah whoops.

So I decided to build a completelly new system from scratch, with a new custom made optiwhite tank and custom made black cabinet, ideas start to come up and I decided to build an outside sump area where I can just keep all the equipment and make water changes without damaging the inside wooden floor.

Not to make this post massive let's talk setup...

Setup:
Tank 110 x 70 x 50 cm - with an external "coast-to-coast" overflow custom made with optiwhite glass by Fragário do Norte – Propagação de corais | Propagação de corais, frags, peixes, invertebrados, produtos para aquariofilia, loja on-line
Sump 50 x 50 cm - will use my current sump for now but will upgrade soon
Outside sump area 180 x 70 x 90 cm - Custom made with double insulation to minimize heat loss in the winter and heat up during summer.

Scape Dead rock and dead sand, my objective is to start from the beginning.

Equipment:
Lights 3x Ecotech Marine Radion XR30w Pro com kit de suspensão Multi Light RMS - Sponsored and supported by Ecotech Marine
Flow 2x Ecotech Marine Vortech MP40w ES Quiet Drive - Sponsored and supported by Ecotech Marine
Return Pump Ecotech Marine Vectra M1 - Sponsored and supported by Ecotech Marine
UPS Ecotech Marine Battery Backup - Sponsored and supported by Ecotech Marine

Skimmer Royal-Exclusiv Bubble King Double Cone 200 with DC RD3 pump
Doser Pacific Sun KORE 5TH Pro

Monitorization Ecotech Marine ReefLink - Sponsored and supported by Ecotech Marine

Method Triton method - I think the problem during the long run was due to using Balling Light so in this build I will be using Triton Method.

For now here it is the first video of the layout creation.

VIDEO The Island Reef Layout - YouTube

Pedro

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[jennybugs]

Sounds good! I will check the video out later

 

[PmRg]

Progress finally on Saturday the tank got WET


This is the video of the rock scape final touch and cimenting


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6RbsR-MGbY


I finally the main tank build I put a lot of effort on details on this one I hope you all enjoy it this was only possible with the help of some good friends that's what makes this build so amazing and leaves me very satisfied also a big thank you to Ecotech Marine and Triton Labs for the support


And some pictures

It's cycling time now... so... boring month ahead hehe time to tidy up the cabinets and equipment will keep pictures and videos coming




Pedro.

 

[PmRg]

Well update... The tank is now 2 weeks old 3days ago I raised the lighting period to 8hours... and now waiting on brown algae ZzzzZzzz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDBLqWTRn5s

.

 

[Phil077]

Looking Good

 

[chippypah]

Looking good there.

 

[PmRg]

Thanks guys

 

[PmRg]

Hello everyone

News... I collected my old LPS and softies stock from a friend, have it in for more than 3 weeks now and everything looks good even with the cloudy water.

Having clear water I got two new fishes in and they are looking fine as well.

Here it is a small video of the new inhabitants going in the tank

[media

Cirrhilabrus lubbocki
Halichoeres chrysus


Now it's time to start with Triton dosing


Pedro.

 

[PaulW]

Following with interest your last tank was lovely

 

[PmRg]

Cheers Paul

Update

Dosing is almost starting already done the testing and the values are a low... been advised by Triton Labs to raise the parameters so I can then start dosing the BASE Elementz, I have been sourcing MgCl2 and NaHCo3 on the local pharmacies ahah just could not find CaCl2 errr had to order that... will delay my dosing for a while but it's ok after all this time waiting I'm loving the clean look of the tank

Enjoy a The Island Reef moment my Halichoeres chrysus coming out of the sand

[media

Pedro

 

[PmRg]

Hello everyone

Last week I was in Oporto and had the chance to go to Fragario do Norte, one of my favourite shops in north of Portugal, since I did not get anything from the shop ehhehe (will do next month) whoop new corals... I made a small video of the shops stock

enjoy

[media

Pedro

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[PmRg]

Hello,

News the tank is clear and algae free almost time to add some acros hehe

.

Pedro

 

[PmRg]

News

First acros are in, looking good so far

Now rising Ca, Mg and KH during 7-9days so... very slowly

meanwhile I'll be attending Interzoo if anyone is around and wants to meet let me know

When I get back it's time to start Triton BASE

Pedro.

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[PmRg]

More news:

now on my way to Interzoo and left the sis with the task of dosing Ca Mg and NaCl so when I arrive it's time to start with the BASE elementz

meanwhile... an extra green stylo.

Pedro

 

[nodster]

All looks to going good Pedro really nice colours on your corals Big Thumbs Up

 

[PmRg]

cheers nodster

UPDATE.

First of all, here it is a video I did on my trip to Interzoo

[media

Now I'm back from Interzoo for a week, but while I was away I left dosing instructions to get my parameters in check before I started Elementz BASE, but since I had some corals already the dosing calculations were a bit short ahah, so when I got back the only thing that was correct was the Mg... bummer... spent the last week raising Ca ang KH and maintaining Mg and finallyyyyy after multiple tests per day I had the perfect values so time to start dosing Elemtentz BASE 2 days ago the dosing started and so far so good

New sump system arriving soon, completely design to work with the Triton method

Pedro.

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[Phil077]

Superb! Well thought out system

 

[CEECH]

Very nice system Big Thumbs Up

 

[PmRg]

Thanks guys

More stock is coming soon, finally I have more things to tale pictures ahah

 

[PmRg]

No news yet

Just another video I did during my trip to northen Portugal before Interzoo A mini road trip visiting some really nice tanks.

[media

Pedro.