Doratus' 40G - updated 4/29/2012

Thanks and thanks.

Yeah, I'll take your word for it being cyano. Whatever it is I know its because my nitrates are at about 20ppm. I just removed some coral that I think might have been dying/decaying and I've been doing 5 gallon water changes every couple of days. It doesn't seem to be helping much, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop. I have no mechanical filtration what-so-ever, and I blow on the live rock with a turkey baster every day. The only thing left is the possibility that a Royal Gramma that I never did find is decaying under a rock somewhere. Either way, at this point it's back to the waiting game I suppose. Thanks again for the positive comments, overall I'm quite pleased with my tank. Even with the nitrate problem everything seems to be healthy and any new additions seem to acclimate themselves very quickly. I'd still be standing there with my thumb in my mouth if it wasn't for 3reef!

 

Really nice, good job!

 

Thanks, Aquarium Fanatic.

A little update for today. My battle with nitrates is really getting me somewhere. I started running carbon in a canister filter which I hooked up to the sump. My nitrate reading at this point is down to about 10 ppm.

I have plans for a McCoskers Wrasse, so the Six Line had to go. I made a fish trap out of a 2 liter soda bottle and caught the little sucker within 10 minutes. Her curiosity and intelligence were her downfall. It was a great fish, but still too aggressive for my goals.

I thought I would reward myself and my efforts by picking up something new as well. This little green Clown Goby is now living in my leather coral.


I recently setup a QT but never put this guy in because it's so small. I saw it eat at the LFS just before I purchased it, and I've been watching this guy for over a month. It's been in my tank for about 6 hours and already is picking bits of food from the water. I know that I'm still playing a risky game but it's a risk I'm willing to take.

Anyway, enjoy the picture and have a good Saturday!

 

Just finished reading all 10 pages... Whew! lol

Your tank has evolved dramatically from the first pics. Very beautiful.

Like your latest addition, too.

 

Thank you Mr. Bill!

You know, my favorite uncle was named Bill.

 

I just realized that I have never really taken any pictures of my whole setup. So today I did, and here are just some random shots of everything. I'll try to explain everything in captions. It might take 2 posts for all the pics, so hang in there. 8)

This shows you what the tank looks like from a distance, something I don't think I have ever taken a photo of. I like the simplicity and cleanliness of it.


This shows the back of the tank with overflow and return lines going through the wall. Kinda messy back here but you'd never know from the front.


This shows the surge protector for all the equipment this side of the wall. You can also see where I found a source to ground the display.


This is the laundry/sump room. You can see the sump on the bottom shelf to the left and the QT on the right.

 

Congrats on the new add, tank setup is great

 

This shows my sump with CPR skimmer and Fluval canister (for carbon/GFO)


This just shows my complicated and messy sump setup.


This is my entire sump. Nothing fancy at all. The smaller pump aimed sideways is just there to help keep things from settling to the bottom.


Finally my QT with drawers underneath for all my testing supplies and other dry goods.



Thanks for lookin! Feel free to ask any questions or make any suggestions.

 

very cool.

 

Okay I lied, two more pics. ;D

This just shows my top off bucket. I never let it get below 25 gallons or so just for emergencies.


Okay last pic! (for now) Another photo of the new Green Clown Goby I picked up the other day.