Saguaro Reef 130

saguaro reefs · Nov 7, 2021

Hello,

I will start my new reef journey here. My Crystal Dynamics tank was delivered September 9th 2021. I will focus on SPS with a select few other pieces. Below are the details:

Tank: CDA 48*28*22
Stank: CDA frame. Adding Porter Barn Wood doors and "bar top"
Sump: 30*15*16 Black
Control: GHL
Return: Ecotech M2
Flow: Maxspect 350's - Thinking about 4 - MP 40's
Skimmer: Deltec IX1000
UV: Pentair 40W
Lighting: 2 -ATI Straton's s- Pre-ordered ETA 11/15/2021
ATO: Tunze 3055 w/
Dosing: DaStaCo Compact C2
Rock: CaribSea dry rock- NSA - Brewing in a Brute trash can since July

Still a lot left to do but I'll share a few pictures.

saguaro reefs · Nov 11, 2021

Just got my Octo Aquatics lid today and added the Avast Marine Plank auto feeder. Should be fun programming the GHL for the feeder.

saguaro reefs · Dec 7, 2021

Straton’s are here!

saguaro reefs · Dec 15, 2021

Straton's are on! Only a week in and I'm very impressed. No fan noise, super cool and look great. Time will tell how they grow coral. I added the Avast Marine Plank feeder to GHL. It's working great so far. Programing wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I've been slowly adding stock to the tank. Heading to Porter Barnwood this weekend for the doors and bar top.

Fish list to date:
Midas Blenny
Two Blue Green Chromis
Splendid Pintail

In QT:
Helfrichi

Future Fish:
Yasha or Dracula Goby
Golden Rhomboid
Lineatus
Flasher Wrasse - Undetermined
Leopard Wrasse - Undetermined
White Tail BT - Already in frag tank
Watanabei Angel

saguaro reefs · Jan 8, 2022

The Helfichi is in the DT and a Golden Rhomboid is now in QT. I received an order from Indo Pacific Sea Farms and Reeftopia recently. Extremely happy with both orders. I worked on some cable management today. The Porter Barnwood order will be in soon.

Tomorrow is frag tank cleanup day! Added a Harlequin shrimp for asternia control.

saguaro reefs · Jan 22, 2022

GR in the tank yesterday afternoon. The other fish took a look and went about their business. I will be releasing her in the morning.

cromag27 · Jan 25, 2022

nice lid and acclimation box!!

saguaro reefs · Jan 26, 2022

They turned out great! The dual heater holder isn't too shabby either.

saguaro reefs · Aug 6, 2022

Long overdue picture... the tank is doing great. Almost done with my fish list. The "last one" is in QT, an earmuff wrasse. The list turned out quite different than the original plan. I've started moving SPS from my grow out tank to the DT. I will be moving more frags into the DT in the coming weeks with better pictures to follow. The Porter Barnwood doors turned out like I imagined. I am thinking about pulling them off and filling them with epoxy to protect the wood. If anyone has any input on what to use or how to do it that would be greatly appreciated. I have old gas pump reset levers for keeping the doors closed. I will install those after the epoxy.

1ocean · Aug 12, 2022

looking good so far.....

Phxreefer · Aug 15, 2022

saguaro reefs said:
Long overdue picture... the tank is doing great. Almost done with my fish list. The "last one" is in QT, an earmuff wrasse. The list turned out quite different than the original plan. I've started moving SPS from my grow out tank to the DT. I will be moving more frags into the DT in the coming weeks with better pictures to follow. The Porter Barnwood doors turned out like I imagined. I am thinking about pulling them off and filling them with epoxy to protect the wood. If anyone has any input on what to use or how to do it that would be greatly appreciated. I have old gas pump reset levers for keeping the doors closed. I will install those after the epoxy. View attachment 1022

What’s the problem with the doors? I didnt see. I can absolutely give you some advise with finishing work, epoxy is only one option depending on your needs. “ total boat“ 2:1 epoxy is what I’d suggest to you first
-B

Phxreefer · Aug 15, 2022

From what I can see from the manuf of your doors it’s just some 90 channel Frame that the doors are screwed from the backside. Depending on your thoughts I’d suggest scrapping diy epoxy. It’s probably not going to turn out as nice as you’d want unless you have some Experience. a much easier and probably cheaper solution would be to order some white poly sheeting at 1/4” thickish id look at “HDPE starboard” let me know
-B

saguaro reefs · Aug 17, 2022

Thanks for the reply! I should have been more clear. I was thinking the front of the doors. They are made from mushroom wood and not easily cleaned. The wood is sealed on all sides with stainless screws on the inside. I know I would have to seal the inside of the doors to prevent the epoxy from leaking through before it hardens. I am worried about the epoxy doors being vertical. I generally see epoxy laying horizonal.

Phxreefer · Aug 18, 2022

You would definitely need to remove the wood from the frame and epoxy flat and reinstall. If you’re worried about the epoxy soaking into the wood there are sealers for deck wood that may work better laid on with a foam roller, Have you thought of vinyl wrap? That might be a simple solution. You could wrap the insides of the doors white and that would hide anything if you were worried about it soaking through.
Epoxy is so temperamental with temperatures, bubbles, acting differently per substrate etc. it’s generally the most difficult, I’ve made quite a few epoxed live edge wood dining tables some with resin poured etc. Finishing epoxy is a PITA.
When we grew mushrooms at Warren Wilson College back in the day (for labs)

I know they used hardwood, So hopefully the epoxy wouldn’t soak through as badly as a soft wood.
-B