The McKay build thread.

[Steve McKay]

love the pics steve! those acans look real nice! the one in the last pic that is in the difficult list, what is it?

My mistake, I forgot to name it. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. It is a Merulina, common names Lettuce, Cabbage, Ridge, or Ruffled Coral.

[Steve McKay]

Thanks Metal and Parrot.

[zhenya]

Nice shots, Steve.
Who's eating silversides in your tank? I used to go through huge packs of them in two weeks when I had full tank of anemones.

[Chameleon Bob]

I was wondering what you use to dose your tank? kalkwasser, 2 part or just rely on water changes? I didn't see a reactor in your pics. I got a 55 and trying to see what other people use in this tank size.

[Steve McKay]

Nice shots, Steve.
Who's eating silversides in your tank? I used to go through huge packs of them in two weeks when I had full tank of anemones.

Thanks. Besides me. There for my Acan lord. I'll cut them up but I'll make sure it gets the guts and all. If my Sun coral didn't have a million polyps I'd feed it silver sides too, and still might do so.

[Steve McKay]

I was wondering what you use to dose your tank? kalkwasser, 2 part or just rely on water changes? I didn't see a reactor in your pics. I got a 55 and trying to see what other people use in this tank size.

Part two. For me it is the way to go, I've figured out exactly what daily dose to use to keep my Ca,KH and Mg stable at all times. I dose 3.5 ml. each day of Ca and KH. I haven't had to add Mg because my water changes keep it at about 1300-1320.

[Chameleon Bob]

Thank you that seems the way everyone is going, I'm going with the 2 part kit from bulk reef supply.

[Steve McKay]

Thank you that seems the way everyone is going, I'm going with the 2 part kit from bulk reef supply.

[metalhead]

Thank you that seems the way everyone is going, I'm going with the 2 part kit from bulk reef supply.

Check this out...

http://itunes.apple.com/app/dose/id307075679?mt=8

I've been using the seachem two-part. It works much better than b-ionic and is not much more expensive than the brs stuff. Plus it's all lab-grade chemicals and you don't have to dose separately for mg.

Just another option, if you do go that route the 1 pound seachem containers will mix perfect with 5 gallons so if you've got a couple of old salt buckets with lids you're in business.

[Steve McKay]

Check this out...

Dose for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store

I've been using the seachem two-part. It works much better than b-ionic and is not much more expensive than the brs stuff. Plus it's all lab-grade chemicals and you don't have to dose separately for mg.

Just another option, if you do go that route the 1 pound seachem containers will mix perfect with 5 gallons so if you've got a couple of old salt buckets with lids you're in business.

First, why make us hunt through itunes to find Seachem, itunes can kiss my............. The only thing I found at Seachem was Reef Fusion part two. And it is most definitely not the way to go. It has Mg mixed in already, giving you no control over the Mg level. I don't need to add Mg because my water changes do that, if I used Seachem I would be adding too much Mg. Not to mention that they have added strontium, boron, iron, manganese, and molybdenum, my salt mix contains these trace elements. I want control over what I dose and I want my Ca, Alk and Mg to be separate entities. Since you don't mix Reef fusion with water, it's probably not what you are talking about. No cut on you but if you would provide a direct link or tell us the name of this product, I'll check it out but I'm not hunting through itunes.

[charlie]

I am glad someone else thought the same thing:eek3:

[Steve McKay]

I am glad someone else thought the same thing:eek3:

Just hope he doesn't take it the wrong way.

[metalhead]

First, why make us hunt through itunes to find Seachem, itunes can kiss my............. The only thing I found at Seachem was Reef Fusion part two. And it is most definitely not the way to go. It has Mg mixed in already, giving you no control over the Mg level. I don't need to add Mg because my water changes do that, if I used Seachem I would be adding too much Mg. Not to mention that they have added strontium, boron, iron, manganese, and molybdenum, my salt mix contains these trace elements. I want control over what I dose and I want my Ca, Alk and Mg to be separate entities. Since you don't mix Reef fusion with water, it's probably not what you are talking about. No cut on you but if you would provide a direct link or tell us the name of this product, I'll check it out but I'm not hunting through itunes.

I'm not trying to make you do anything, if you want to check out the app on your iphone then go download it like you would any other app and enjoy. You shouldn't have to hunt for anything since I already gave you a direct link. I agree with you 100% on not liking itunes in regard to downloading music though. I buy all my music on cd's or vinyl... always have, always will.

As for the seachem stuff, I have been using advantage calcium and reef builder, both are powder available in 1.1 pound packages among others. I have found that the 1lb packs mix perfectly with about 5 gallons of water which makes things pretty convenient as well. You can also get an alternative seachem calcium supplement in powder form that doesn't contain Mg and Strontium but the advantage has it and it's been keeping my levels exactly where they need to be. You can look up them yourself if you like at Seachem.

I looked into the brs stuff and I went this route mainly because I didn't want to dump commercial grade de-icer into my tank. I have no problem with you or anybody else doing so, but I'm not about to do it in mine. Seachem is well known and respected for only using the highest grade chemicals in their products... I'll pay a little extra for that kind of quality and peace of mind any day.

[Steve McKay]

I'm not trying to make you do anything, if you want to check out the app on your iphone then go download it like you would any other app and enjoy. You shouldn't have to hunt for anything since I already gave you a direct link. I agree with you 100% on not liking itunes in regard to downloading music though. I buy all my music on cd's or vinyl... always have, always will.

As for the seachem stuff, I have been using advantage calcium and reef builder, both are powder available in 1.1 pound packages among others. I have found that the 1lb packs mix perfectly with about 5 gallons of water which makes things pretty convenient as well. You can also get an alternative seachem calcium supplement in powder form that doesn't contain Mg and Strontium but the advantage has it and it's been keeping my levels exactly where they need to be. You can look up them yourself if you like at Seachem.

I looked into the brs stuff and I went this route mainly because I didn't want to dump commercial grade de-icer into my tank. I have no problem with you or anybody else doing so, but I'm not about to do it in mine. Seachem is well known and respected for only using the highest grade chemicals in their products... I'll pay a little extra for that kind of quality and peace of mind any day.

Don't have a iphone metal, don't want one. I bought all the Seachem products needed to do what you do except not the powder, then Charlie told me about Bulk Reef Supplies two part. I ordered the two part and never touched the Seachem products. Yes the are known to be very reputable company with quality products. And it's not about the money, I just prefer the two part. However I'm glad you like it and hope all your corals do too.

[Steve McKay]

This month is my one year anniversary since I started back into fish keeping, July will be my reef keeping one year anniversary. I have learned so much in this short time, in fact more than I ever knew. Mostly due to this forum and it's members, so let me thank all the members, moderators and owners of this forum for the help and opportunity to be a member.

[charlie]

You don't need to smooch up Steve, we like ya anyways.

[julesjt]

This month is my one year anniversary since I started back into fish keeping, July will be my reef keeping one year anniversary. I have learned so much in this short time, in fact more than I ever knew. Mostly due to this forum and it's members, so let me thank all the members, moderators and owners of this forum for the help and opportunity to be a member.

Oh crap! You only been doing this for a year now? And I listen to your advice? Boy I can't believe I listened to a NEWB!

Just kidding, I hope I make a year

[Steve McKay]

Oh crap! You only been doing this for a year now? And I listen to your advice? Boy I can't believe I listened to a NEWB!

Just kidding, I hope I make a year

Julesjt, reread post #1095. I had fish tanks before you had hair on your..................................

[Steve McKay]

I've started building the base of my mount for the Sun coral. I also dusted off my brine shrimp hatchery filled it with saltwater and put some eggs in. By tomorrow morning I should have some good food for my corals and fish. The hatchery works quite well, no mess and it doesn't need a air pump. I need to keep it operational, it's good cheap clean food. I ordered a 24" forceps so I could feed my Acan as well as other corals that eat bigger food items. I had no way of feeding chunks of krill or silver sides to the Acan, the seasquirt wouldn't work. Last night I used my cheap plastic tongs (scissor type) to feed krill to the Acan for the first time and while it did work I had to feed larger chunks than I wanted to. I bet the Acan chewed on a couple chunks all night.

The first stage of my 125 build will be moving to a bigger unite, that will be a task in itself. Moving a 50 with a 5" DSB intact won't be fun. I'll remove all the rocks above the sand bed and drain the water down to the sand bed, then have it moved carefully. I might even buy a hydraulic cart to move it, I could use it later to move water containers for water changes. Since I'll just be moving within the building if I plan the move carefully and time it right, I should be able to keep the sand bed alive. After the move I'll start buying what I need for a 125 setup. First I'll get a 180 stand, the reason for a bigger stand is for putting the 50 which is 18" wide inside it and it will give me 6" to set things on it like when I'm testing the water and what not. Then I'll get a 125g tank, not sure what kind yet either a Aqueon or a Oceanic. Money won't really be a problem because this will all be done slowly. There will be no rush because I'll still have the 50g. I would prefer a Aqueon because I had a Oceanic 125 and even though the Oceanic is better it has one drawback I don't like, the center brace. It was about 8" or 10" wide, or wider and it was right in the middle it would cut down too much light. The Aqueon has two small braces one at 2' and one at 4'. I still don't know if I'm going to get a drilled tank or not. Anyway the idea I have is to set it up with foundation rock, 5" DSB, one fish (after cycle) and let it run for a few months. Then I'll transfer everything to it and turn my 50 into a fuge.

[metalhead]

I've started building the base of my mount for the Sun coral. I also dusted off my brine shrimp hatchery filled it with saltwater and put some eggs in. By tomorrow morning I should have some good food for my corals and fish. The hatchery works quite well, no mess and it doesn't need a air pump. I need to keep it operational, it's good cheap clean food. I ordered a 24" forceps so I could feed my Acan as well as other corals that eat bigger food items. I had no way of feeding chunks of krill or silver sides to the Acan, the seasquirt wouldn't work. Last night I used my cheap plastic tongs (scissor type) to feed krill to the Acan for the first time and while it did work I had to feed larger chunks than I wanted to. I bet the Acan chewed on a couple chunks all night.

The first stage of my 125 build will be moving to a bigger unite, that will be a task in itself. Moving a 50 with a 5" DSB intact won't be fun. I'll remove all the rocks above the sand bed and drain the water down to the sand bed, then have it moved carefully. I might even buy a hydraulic cart to move it, I could use it later to move water containers for water changes. Since I'll just be moving within the building if I plan the move carefully and time it right, I should be able to keep the sand bed alive. After the move I'll start buying what I need for a 125 setup. First I'll get a 180 stand, the reason for a bigger stand is for putting the 50 which is 18" wide inside it and it will give me 6" to set things on it like when I'm testing the water and what not. Then I'll get a 125g tank, not sure what kind yet either a Aqueon or a Oceanic. Money won't really be a problem because this will all be done slowly. There will be no rush because I'll still have the 50g. I would prefer a Aqueon because I had a Oceanic 125 and even though the Oceanic is better it has one drawback I don't like, the center brace. It was about 8" or 10" wide, or wider and it was right in the middle it would cut down too much light. The Aqueon has two small braces one at 2' and one at 4'. I still don't know if I'm going to get a drilled tank or not. Anyway the idea I have is to set it up with foundation rock, 5" DSB, one fish (after cycle) and let it run for a few months. Then I'll transfer everything to it and turn my 50 into a fuge.

Sounds like a good plan!

Especially the part about not rushing it. I was able to keep my sand bed alive when I transferred it to the new sump so I doubt you'll have any problems. The mess it caused was much more minimal than I had anticipated as well, only took a few hours for everything to settle down and clear back up.

BTW... Does your brine shrimp hatchery say sea monkeys anywhere on it?