Lorraine's Rebuilding of 125 gal Tank

[bluespotjawfish]

Thanks tb! I love it too. I was really worried when I got it because it was a bit bleached. I feed it good stuff a few times a week and all the bleaching is gone - I'm very happy with it! It loves me more than my other anemones do. The crabs and shrimp that hang out with it are cool too!

[Frankie]

Super sweet tanks Lorraine! I just love the layout in the 50!

[lcstorc]

Everything looks great.
You're just like me. Started with one tank and now it is three. At least you get to have fun moving stuff between the tanks but it does triple the maintenance. What's wrong with your Remora? I love the one on my 20. Works great and I have a pretty heavy bio-load in that tank right now.

[bluespotjawfish]

Hi Lynn, thanks for stopping by. That is weird, I was just visiting your thread while you were probably posting here. Anyway, I actually have 4 tanks to maintain (125, 50, 30, 29), since I am also taking care of my daughter's tank. Since they are all behaving themselves, it is still easier than earlier this year with just the 125 rebuild. It's much more complicated to leave town though! I haven't like the RemoraPro since I got it. The Mag 3 pump stopped working after a few months, but I sent it back and have had it running again for a while now. I often have a film on the surface of the water that I need to scoop out manually and even with only 1 small fish fed very lightly I struggle to keep the nitrates below 5. I added some chaeto a few weeks ago and that and large WCs seems to have done the trick. I used to have the basket with the skimmer, but that really didn't help either. Since I can't remove the pump to clean the sponge twice a week and I won't run it without one I'm not using the basket any more.

[Dentoid]

I bow down to your masterful skill and unwavering commitment! You are simply my idol! The clowns are magnificent and the FTS of the 125 just blows me away.

[bluespotjawfish]

You are too funny! lol

[Techno-Vicki]

Loraine, a lot of tlc goes into your tanks! Beautiful

[bluespotjawfish]

Thanks Vicki!

[Craig Manoukian]

Originally Posted by bluespotjawfish

Craig - I have three 250w HQI Aqua Medic Pendants (13k/20k/13k), and also two 5'-VHOs.

I agree with Scott, your dedication is stellar! What is your photo period and when due you run your MHs and VHOs? TIA

[bluespotjawfish]

In the summer I was running all my lights early in the day, but now that the weather is cooler I have changed my photo period so that I can watch them in the evening.

125 Light Period - Left MH on at 7:00 AM; VHOs on at 9:00 AM; Middle VHO on at 10:30 AM; Right VHO on at 1:30. All MHs run 6 hours, the VHOs run 12 hours.

50 Light Period - The 2 150w MHs (a Sunpac Unit) -are on at 6:15 AM and off at 12:15 PM.

I am going to change this again, but I am still thinking it through. Problem is, on the weekends I really like to watch the tank in the morning, but if I have company they are there at night. On weekdays, I like some light on before I leave for work so I can feed them, but I don't really get to hang out at the tank until night time. When I had all VHOs, the lights were on for 10-12 hours so I am still adjusting to lights that I can't just turn on because I want to sit and enjoy the tank without frying what's inside.

I had a funny experience a while back. A few months after I got my MHs (and 3 extra tanks), I a call from the power company (I've never had that happen before). They were quite concerned with my increased power usage. I had a $900 debt, and they were going to need to increase my equal pay play amount before the 6 month adjustment period was up. I promptly changed my 7 hour photo period to 6 hours and removed a few pumps from the tank. My son and daughter both moved back home about the same time and the boy has a ton of band stuff plugged in as well, but I think it is mostly me and my tanks.

[Craig Manoukian]

Recreating the sun ain't cheap. that's for sure! Thanks for the photo period recap!

[rebekwl]

Hi Lorraine Everything is looking spectacular! I love those new clowns you got! Sounds like Mr. Pilani wasn't moving out, hehe, good for him Take care!

[vdituri]

Lorraine, I have the same dilemma with my lights. I have them start later after I've left for work so I can enjoy them more at night when I get home.

I hope you explained to the power company that you have fish?
I think I saw on a Cops episode where they use the electric company to sniff out drug farms that use the MH grow lights. lol

$900? Yikes!

[bluespotjawfish]

When they first called, I thought that's what they were up to. I also keep the AC at a cool 74 degrees. It's been nice to be able to keep the windows open now. I have much better pH levels as a result. Heater, when it's needed is set at 70, so the tank is cooler too.

As you may already know, I acquired another Bluespot today. Her name is Good as Gold (GG). My other Bluespot Peek-a-Boo Blue (BB), hasn't yet discovered her, but I hope the meeting goes well. BB is now a month old, I am so proud of her!

I also got a Yellow Tang who went into the QT with the rest of my frags. It is beautiful too. Everyone who comes to my house and looks at my tank tells me that I need one so I finally gave in and purchased one. I have some time to decide if other fish will come out or not. My midas blenny is beating the crap out of the Pyle Wrasse and Anthias so I would love to catch him. Another option is the chromis.

My daughter's tank got a male Yellow-fin flasher wrasse and a tiny little yellow goby.

[forestal]

keep up the great work Lorraine

I got pressure from the wife to cut back on my electric bill, so just switched to t5's, so i figure setting up a couple small tanks on the side can't hurt