Jasonanatal's JBJ 28 gallon Nano Cube HQI Nano Reef Aquarium.

[Jasonanatal]

jason Im amazed how butiful that clown looks the orange color it very vibrant coming off the fish it look awsome. Also the wave maker looks nice it was realy swaying thanks for sharing
Raymond

Rayme, thank you for the compliments.

[Reef Newb]

Well 3 LFS later no picasso clowns. I will be going to a few in a few weeks as well. I will keep my eye open for you though.

[StevieT]

I think I could have helped you with the cup. I have made a few of these for the JBJ recently since the Tunze is a good choice, but the cup doesn't work right.

This is a JBJ cup in a RSM just for picture sake











Very nice tank !

[rroselavy]

SteveT - Pretty nice. I am not fond of rectangular collection cups because I have found them harder to clean, but in this case, fitting the cup trumps the shape of the cup. BTW: Is the neck of your collection cup the same height and diameter of the Tunze 9002 cup?

[StevieT]

Thanks. I created the cup to solve the Issue with the RSM hood clearance with the Tunze 9002, that was after making a media basket, so I had the acrylic and boom things started off....

Yeah, round is easier to clean, but overall you need to dump this since the Tunze is more of a liquid skimmate. The neck is easy to clean with a finger, and for the tight areas I believe the Tunze came wiht a cleaning wand that I use.

Yes, the diamater of the Tunze tube is 1.5" and so is my cup, the height is the same bellow the cup, the area that goes into the skimmer. The distance between the deflector on the tunze cup is the same on my cup, the only difference is the shape and height, which helps in most AIO tanks since the filtration is rectangle in shape, and the tunze cup is round.

more info here on my build thread if you would like:

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/inde...&#entry1689249

[CarmieJo]

Hi StevieT and to TR.

[StevieT]

Thanks CarmieJo!

[rayme07]

Hellow StevieT welcome to TR.
Thanks for showing us you JBJ cup it looks neat.

[Jasonanatal]

Well 3 LFS later no picasso clowns. I will be going to a few in a few weeks as well. I will keep my eye open for you though.

Reef Newb, thank you very much for looking around for me. If you manage to find a Snowflake Percula Clownfish that would be awesome.

[Jasonanatal]

Thanks CarmieJo!

SteveT, thank you for the compliments on my aquarium. Nice design on the collection cup. I actually have seen your thread on Reef Central. Would you be able to start a thread on the Skimmate Progression using photographs over a weeks time to so that I can make a comparison to the Standard Tunze Collection Cup. I'm sure individuals who currently have or want to purchase this Protein Skimmer would definitely be interested. Thanks.

[StevieT]

SteveT, thank you for the compliments on my aquarium. Nice design on the collection cup. I actually have seen your thread on Reef Central. Would you be able to start a thread on the Skimmate Progression using photographs over a weeks time to so that I can make a comparison to the Standard Tunze Collection Cup. I'm sure individuals who currently have or want to purchase this Protein Skimmer would definitely be interested. Thanks.

You're welcome, it is fun reading through other tank threads, just a bit of a change is nice from the tank I own.

Possibly Nano-Reef? I have a few photos on RC but have yet to post an actual thread farther than an ID.

Sure, I can do that. It will be in my RSM and will come out of that sized cup, which is wider than the JBJ cup I make by 21mm, but it will give you a good idea of what it can do. Overall the skimmate production is pretty much matched with the stock Tunze cup and of course every tank will be different. But I think you have a great idea and I will start taking pics today.

[Jasonanatal]

You're welcome, it is fun reading through other tank threads, just a bit of a change is nice from the tank I own.

Possibly Nano-Reef? I have a few photos on RC but have yet to post an actual thread farther than an ID.

Sure, I can do that. It will be in my RSM and will come out of that sized cup, which is wider than the JBJ cup I make by 21mm, but it will give you a good idea of what it can do. Overall the skimmate production is pretty much matched with the stock Tunze cup and of course every tank will be different. But I think you have a great idea and I will start taking pics today.

SteveT, awesome. I look forward to the new thread.

[Jasonanatal]

Chemistry: Two Part Calcium Additive Issue "When It Rains... It Pours!"

I wanted to apologize for my dissapearance for that last few weeks. My new job has been extremely demanding and I have had a few issues that I am in the process of dealing with when it comes to my reef aquarium. So here are the laundry list of problems.

During my weekly water changes I would conduct my normal testing using Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Liquid Test Kits and it would show a rather large level of Calcium depletion. So I would calculate the amount of Kent Tech CB Two Part Calcium Additive that would be required to make up for the loss of Calcium and then add the necessary amount. Soon after I would see the results of my dosing as a calcareous substance form on the glass which would take me hours to remove.




Photograph - Friday, October 26, 2008 - Calcareous substance formed on aquarium glass.

Amphibious as well as others explained that it could be from a bad batch of additive or too much additive being dosed in a short period of time. He generously sent me a complimentary set of Ocean's Blend Two Part and Magnesium to resolve my problem which I have been dosing by the instructions for 1 week and so far no signs of the Calcareous substance.



Photograph - Saturday, October 11, 2008 - Ocean's Blend additives.

[rayme07]

Glad everthings turning out ok. Once again dicks there to save the day. lol

[Jasonanatal]

Equipment: American Marine PinPoint pH Probe

I finally decided to place an order for my American Marine PinPoint pH Probe that connects to my Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper 2. I also purchased plenty of calibration fluid so that every 2 weeks I can remove the probe to calibrate it to make sure everything is within working condition. This little device has actually led me to see a gradual decline in the pH of my reef aquarium which I'm currently working toward rectifying.




Photograph - Saturday, October 04, 2008 - American Marine Pin Point pH Probe.

[CarmieJo]

I am glad to hear that the Ca issue seems to be under control!

[Jasonanatal]

Chemical: D&D The Aquarium Solution H2Ocean Salt

As you all know I'm always itching to purchase quality products for use in my reef aquarium so I purchased a bucket of D&D The Aquarium solutions H2Ocean Salt. This salt is derived from the process of solar evaporation of water from the Red Sea and I have heard good things about it so why not give it a try. I'll let everyone know if their are any added benefits from using this salt. However, their definitely is something to be said when a company invest time and money into extra wrapping for this salt.






Photograph - Saturday, October 11, 2008 - D&D The Aquarium Solution H2Ocean Salt.

[Jasonanatal]

Livestock: Kole Tang "Ctenochaetus Strigosus"

Maximum Length: 7.1 Inches
Care Level: Moderate
Family: Acanthuridae
Reef Compatibility: Excellent
Minimum Aquarium Size: 70 gallon
Range: Indo-Pacific, Hawaii
Diet: Herbivore- herbivore preparations, macro algae
Water Conditions: 74-80° F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4

The body of the Hawaiian Kole Tang is brown in color and is marked with about 35 fine, light, longitudinal lines which continue onto the rear of the soft dorsal and anal fins at the back of the body. Indian Ocean specimens bear spots, rather then the distinctive stripes. The Hawaiian Kole's eye is encircled by a bright yellow ring, small blue spots cover much of the head, and the chin appears to be a purplish color. Some juvenile specimens have a greenish yellow color with blue markings and faint dark stripes. The Kole Tang has a very interesting history from Ancient Hawaiian times. It was considered as "Royal" food and was kapu (forbidden) to be caught or eaten by anyone accept Royalty. The penalty, if found with the Kole, was death. Remember, if you have one of these fish, it has a very sacred history with the Hawaiian people, and in Hawai'i today is prized as a delicacy. Even though the Kole Tang is one of the less aggressive Surgeonfishes, it will battle with its own kind, and possibly with close relatives. Because it is less aggressive it may also be picked on by other, more aggressive Surgeonfishes. For this reason it is best kept singly, one per tank, but it does make a good choice when it comes to compatibility with other more docile, non-related species. To reduce compatibility problems, if you decide to put this fish together it generally helps to introduced them into the aquarium at the same time. Like all Surgeonfishes, the Kole has a very sharp spur or razor by the tail. It may seem small, but it can inflict a pretty nasty cut. Therefore, use caution when handling this fish. This fish is a workhorse when it comes to eating various types of algae in an aquarium, particularly brown diatom microalgae. From our experiences of keeping this fish we could put a few in a tank that had a brown diatom algae accumulation on the glass, and within days it would be gone. All that was left were the little lip marks on the glass where the algae used to be. The Kole Tang spends it day constantly grazing and eating, so providing it with an environment with plenty of algae growth is best. However, beware not to put one in a small reef tank, as it can do a lot of damage if you have delicate plants and algae growth that you want to keep. In a very large reef tank the plant growth can recover, as the Kole has so much to pick from. The Kole Tang adapts to eating tank fed foods extremely well. It will accept blue-green alga Spirulina, fresh romaine lettuce and other vegetable matter such as broccoli and zucchini. It likes nori (dried seaweed), flake foods made from dried marine algaes, and will even nibble on some meaty foods like dried shrimp and blood worms. When feeding with fresh romaine lettuce, broccoli or other fresh vegetables, place these foods in the freezer long enough to partially freeze them, then let them thaw out. This helps to break down the tough fibrous matter in the plants and allows the fish to digest them more easily. You can also blanch them to get the same results.







Photograph - Sunday, October 19, 2008 - My new Kole Tang "Ctenochaetus strigosus".

[Jasonanatal]

Livestock: Aarrowhead Crab "Stenorhynchus Seticornis"

Care Level: Easy
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Carnivore
Range: Carribean
Family: Majidae
Water Conditions: 74-80° F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12

The Arrow Crab uses its very long legs to walk over the reef and to climb over almost any obstacle. It will not bother corals, however the occasional large specimen may pick at small passive fishes. Some Arrow Crabs will eat troublesome bristle worms. Overall, a great reef inhabitant that can live for several years in the home aquarium.





Photograph - Sunday, October 19, 2008 - My new Aarowhead Crab "Stenorhynchus Seticornis"

[rayme07]

Jason nice write ups on both and also beautiful pics of your new livestock. Thanks

[Jasonanatal]

Jason nice write ups on both and also beautiful pics of your new livestock. Thanks

Rayme07, thank you!

[Reef Newb]

Jasonanatal,

Hope all is going well looks like your tank is doing really well. I just had a quick question, How is your flame angel doing with the SPS and clam? I was thinking about adding one, but a little nervous about the angel with my SPS.

Thanks,

Daniel

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal,

Hope all is going well looks like your tank is doing really well. I just had a quick question, How is your flame angel doing with the SPS and clam? I was thinking about adding one, but a little nervous about the angel with my SPS.

Thanks,

Daniel

Reef Newb, honestly it is a luck of the draw in my personal opinion. I have owned two Dwarf Flame Angels in other aquariums housing SPS and Clams and never had a problem. This latest on seems to pick at the Polyps but leaves my clams alone. It's definitely worth a shot for such a beautiful fish.