MatroxD mad 180 build thread..

[MatroxD]

Ok, here is where it all began.. I stared a 50 gallon system approximately September of 2014 after over a year hiatus from reefing(divorce, moving, etc).. I had this tank until approximately April of 2015. At which time, I was able to aquire a 180 system. It included the tank, stand and 75 gallon sump and an asm g3 skimmer.. I then decided I would build my own stand, and I have been building my own stumps for a while, so I decided it was time for a dual project..

To make things short, I made modifications to just about everything, but this was the initial setup:

180 gallon dual corner overflow display
75 gallon(baffles set to hold 30 gallons of water total) sump with huge refugium area
Reef Dynamics bpr135 pellet reactor
ASM G3 skimmer
Reefbreeders 24 and 48 led fixtures
3- 5 for t5 bulbs(3 blue+ for suppliment)
Neptune apex Jr with Bob, extra eb8 and pm module
Finnex 250 watt heater
7" filter sock holder
Jebao rw20 and rw15(to start off)
Emporer Aquatics 27 watt UV unit
Jebao DC 12000 return pump

Below are some of the beginning shots

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[MatroxD]

The first thing I did was upgraded my skimmer to a skimz SM251 skimmer and jebao dosing pump.. And the skimmer rocks massively to this day. I also did under Cabinet lighting to be controlled with my apex.. At that time, I Also upgraded my ato unit to a 20 long tank that I hide in an Ottoman. I also, was running a kalk stirrer at that time along with 3 part for alk, calcium, magnesium..

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[MatroxD]

It's funny how things went, and I cannot completely remember, but I had to, in June of 2015, break the tank down and move it across the room.. Do I really consider this the true startup date of the reef, because it was after that one that I began aquiring frags.. Just a few to see if they would survive and the tank was ready.. I changed my rock quite a bit back then just to get used to the much larger space I had, as I quickly discovered that it takes a lot more coral, even frags to look kinda like something is going on..

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[MatroxD]

I have actually backtrack a little bit. I had the g3 skimmer until approximately October. And it was not until that time that I began noticing significant growth of the tank. Coral began encrusting better and faster, and my color began to get better..

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[nanoreefing4fun]

Very nice - Cheers for starting a tank thread & sharing with us !

 

[MatroxD]

I also have always used high powered lighting in my fuge in the game of a hps 150 light. I was commonly, every 2 to 3 weeks getting a good 3/4 of Alfaro bucket of cheato and I was happy with that, but I really didn't care for the orange glow of the sodium.. But I decided a few months ago to try my hand at higher powered led lighting.. So I ordered a Mars Hydro 300 watt led light. And ever since, I have pulled a full 5 gallon bucket of the most dense growth I have ever experienced.. These photos are taken 4 days apart..

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[MatroxD]

I also upgraded my UV to an aqua UV 57 watt unit, plumbed so it's output goes to a spray bar in the fuge section.. This section also houses my small spotted snake eel..

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[MatroxD]

Very nice - Cheers for starting a tank thread & sharing with us !

Thanks for inviting me to do so. It's probably going to be video and picture heavy at first, because that is how I have logged my progress..

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[MatroxD]

This is the latest video I have taken, and I'm waiting to take more, as I made a massive change in my system(I will share in the next post) , and I'm just viewing the progress for now.. However, things are looking good..

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[Mayja]

Wow. You and I were going through the same stuff in our lives at the same time. How crazy is that?

The tank is beautiful. Grats!

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[MatroxD]

And the almost newest thing I have done.. About 2 months ago I helped a buddy break down a 400+ gallon system.. My payment, a GEO 618 calcium reactor setup. I created my own 2ndary effluent chamber, and coral has taken off very well. I added about 1.2lb of NeoMarine, and that's it.. If I had know that it would do this well, I would have set one up long ago.. The ph holds its own pretty much, and I haven't had to touch it at all in a month and a half..

alk-8.0
Calcium-482
magnesium-1500


I also had, before that, needed to increase my 2 part consumption adjustment massively twice.. It went from 24 to 128, to 264ml a day within about a 2 month time span. So it was time..

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[MatroxD]

And my last and latest was simply put off necessity. I needed to replace my t5 bulbs. I have always like the "fill in" light that t5 produces, but I definately have never cared for the short lifespan of the bulbs.. So I replaced 2 of the 3 blue+ with euro aquatics blue pop led retro bulbs.. I am much happier also with the look an results.. Now, just to replace the last t5 bulb, and I am done..

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[MatroxD]

Wow. You and I were going through the same stuff in our lives at the same time. How crazy is that?

The tank is beautiful. Grats!

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Yeah, it's sad and funny isn't it.. I was reading your thread almost in tears, because I know how horrible that feels and throws you.. And I thought the same exact thing.. How ironic.. But im glad for you and the Mr that your in a definately better place..

And thanks M.... It's still a work in progress as you know with me, but it's coming along!

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[MatroxD]

Oh.. Took a few comparison pictures for a buddy today with the phone.. They're nothing special and we're more or less just so he and I can compare the same coral frag that we have a intervals..

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[Oxylebius]

It's funny how things went, and I cannot completely remember, but I had to, in June of 2015, break the tank down and move it across the room.. Do I really consider this the true startup date of the reef, because it was after that one that I began aquiring frags.. Just a few to see if they would survive and the tank was ready.. I changed my rock quite a bit back then just to get used to the much larger space I had, as I quickly discovered that it takes a lot more coral, even frags to look kinda like something is going on..

There isn't a clear answer on this. Short ans: is that you can refer to the date of when you first got frags. Or when you first cycled the tank.

Long ans: I would say in this case since it was the same tank with the majority of the same contents, that the start date was from the original date you cycled the tank. If you are talking about a specific critter, then I would use the date of when you got the critter regardless of when the tank was first cycled.

For instance, I had upgraded my tank from a 40g to a 65g. I had the 40g for two years prior to the upgrade. In the move from the 40g to the 65g, the rocks and CUC moved as well. But, when I talk of about the start date of my current tank, I talk of the date when I set up the 65g (4.5 years old). If I refer to the age of the CUC then I go back to the time in the 40g tank, so they are well over 6 years old. If I talk about the age of my corals, then I start from the date I initially got them (4 years ago).

 

[MatroxD]

Ok, yes, I'm losing my mind.. I read threads on viewing algea in a microscope, along with other things.. So here we go.. My first attempt at making slides in well over 30 years.. They look terrible(to the naked eye) , but I do see images under the scope..

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[cracker]

Nice Matrox, Thanks for sharing, I really like the chaeto growth You have.

 

[MatroxD]

Nice Matrox, Thanks for sharing, I really like the chaeto growth You have.

Thanks much.. I actually need to harvest again..

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[MatroxD]

A few quick pics taken with the cell.. I really need to start using my dslr again.. Lol

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[Scott Conoly]

Great detail on the close-ups. Beautiful polyp detail!


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