coraltopia

[coraltopia]

JBJ 28g Nano aquarium, fully stocked with upgrades/extras - $1600

This is a very well established and mature tank looking for a serious buyer. I've tricked out every element of this guy, but I'm moving across country in a few months and need to find a good home. Feel free to email me with any questions

I've kept a relatively up to date blog (coraltopia dot com), keep an active facebook page (fb dot com/coraltopia) and run an active twitter stream (@coraltopia) if you want to see more updates/pictures that have gone into this. The tank is show room ready with extensively upgraded lighting (HQ with actinic add ons), includes wireless network connectivity, full controller integration (APEX lite), a BRAND new stand and chiller, as well as a FULL livestock setup. Details are below, WILL NOT PART OUT.

Buyer takes all and must come pickup. I'll help with breaking down, but will not help you transport or provide any type of packing or shipping containers. Full breakdown is below, along with suggested retail prices on all items. This tank would cost you well over $4000 to setup if you went to a store a and picked it up.

========= Hardware ========= JBJ28g HQI + stand ($700 new) Aquamaxx HOB-1 Skimmer ($200 new) InTank media basket ($50 new) Mini Arctica Chiller ($400 new) APEX Lite Controler ($350 new) Netgear game controller ($40 new) Nano Tuners Actinic Upgrade (~ $50 new) 30lbs live rock (~$50 retail) 30lbs Fiji Pink Substrate = (~$60 new) 2lF Phosban Reactor ($40 new) MJ600 (~$20 new) MJ1200 x2 (~$20 new) Koralia1 (~$30 new) Eheim automatic feeder (~$25 new) BRS 75 GPD RO/DI 5 Stage Drinking and Reef Water System (all hookups, hoses, etc...) (~$200 new) Dual Inline TDS Meter DM-1 HM Digital (~$30 new)

======== Misc ======== Water jugs 5gal x2 (~$10/per new) Water jug 2.5gal (~$10 new) Elos Calcium (~$20 new) Elos Phosphate (~$20 new) Elos Magnesium (~$20 new) Elos Alkalinity (~$20 new) Pumps (4-5) MJ1200 x2, MJ900, MJ600 Calcium, Alkalinity, Reef Trace, Reef Iodine, Pure (water treatment)

========= Livestock ========= Mated Onyx Misbar Clowns Cleaner Shrimp (~25 new) Clean up crew (snails, hermit crabs, etc ...) California Tort Large (3") x 4 Neon Green (Kryptonite) Candy Cane (2 heads) (Apple? )Hammer Coral Small medium x3 (go for $80/per at ATL) Orange Crush Ricordia Small (3 heads) Orange Crush Ricordia Small (10+ heads) Meteor shower Cyphaestra (1.5" plug - go for $40 at ATL) x3 Ultra Orange Digitata x3 (4" multi branch - go for $80 per at ATL) Hollywood Stunner Chalice (1") x4 Hollywood Stunner Chalice (2") x2 Hollywood Stunner Chalice (3") x2 Surf and Turf (2") x3 TRPE Paly (3+ heads) Green Sparkle Paly (5+ heads) Lunar Eclipse Paly (10+ heads) Purple Joker Paly = (10+ heads)

[coraltopia]

JBJ 28g Nano aquarium, fully stocked with upgrades/extras - $1600

This is a very well established and mature tank looking for a serious buyer. I've tricked out every element of this guy, but I'm moving across country in a few months and need to find a good home. Feel free to email me with any questions

I've kept a relatively up to date blog (coraltopia dot com), keep an active facebook page (fb dot com/coraltopia) and run an active twitter stream (@coraltopia) if you want to see more updates/pictures that have gone into this. The tank is show room ready with extensively upgraded lighting (HQ with actinic add ons), includes wireless network connectivity, full controller integration (APEX lite), a BRAND new stand and chiller, as well as a FULL livestock setup. Details are below, WILL NOT PART OUT.

Buyer takes all and must come pickup. I'll help with breaking down, but will not help you transport or provide any type of packing or shipping containers. Full breakdown is below, along with suggested retail prices on all items. This tank would cost you well over $4000 to setup if you went to a store a and picked it up.

========= Hardware ========= JBJ28g HQI + stand ($700 new) Aquamaxx HOB-1 Skimmer ($200 new) InTank media basket ($50 new) Mini Arctica Chiller ($400 new) APEX Lite Controler ($350 new) Netgear game controller ($40 new) Nano Tuners Actinic Upgrade (~ $50 new) 30lbs live rock (~$50 retail) 30lbs Fiji Pink Substrate = (~$60 new) 2lF Phosban Reactor ($40 new) MJ600 (~$20 new) MJ1200 x2 (~$20 new) Koralia1 (~$30 new) Eheim automatic feeder (~$25 new) BRS 75 GPD RO/DI 5 Stage Drinking and Reef Water System (all hookups, hoses, etc...) (~$200 new) Dual Inline TDS Meter DM-1 HM Digital (~$30 new)

======== Misc ======== Water jugs 5gal x2 (~$10/per new) Water jug 2.5gal (~$10 new) Elos Calcium (~$20 new) Elos Phosphate (~$20 new) Elos Magnesium (~$20 new) Elos Alkalinity (~$20 new) Pumps (4-5) MJ1200 x2, MJ900, MJ600 Calcium, Alkalinity, Reef Trace, Reef Iodine, Pure (water treatment)

========= Livestock ========= Mated Onyx Misbar Clowns Cleaner Shrimp (~25 new) Clean up crew (snails, hermit crabs, etc ...) California Tort Large (3") x 4 Neon Green (Kryptonite) Candy Cane (2 heads) (Apple? )Hammer Coral Small medium x3 (go for $80/per at ATL) Orange Crush Ricordia Small (3 heads) Orange Crush Ricordia Small (10+ heads) Meteor shower Cyphaestra (1.5" plug - go for $40 at ATL) x3 Ultra Orange Digitata x3 (4" multi branch - go for $80 per at ATL) Hollywood Stunner Chalice (1") x4 Hollywood Stunner Chalice (2") x2 Hollywood Stunner Chalice (3") x2 Surf and Turf (2") x3 TRPE Paly (3+ heads) Green Sparkle Paly (5+ heads) Lunar Eclipse Paly (10+ heads) Purple Joker Paly = (10+ heads)

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[coraltopia]

The Frag Farm Grows

It's been another busy month here at Coraltopia, we sold off some Meteor Shower Cyphaestra frags and setup some more zoa/paly frags for the next round!  I thought it would be a good chance to give you guys a preview of the last month worth of growth if you haven't caught it yet!

In other news, our we been posting pictures several times a week at our facebook page and the following is growing (find us at facebook.com/coraltopia/).  You can also continue to get daily updates and shared industry knowledge by following us over at Twitter (@coraltopia)

Growth Shots – September 26, 2011

Growth Shots – September 11, 2011

Growth Shots – August 14, 2011

[coraltopia]

The Cycle is Over

It's been awhile (2 months to be precises) since I've added an update. However, the lack of entries is not unwarranted as I did a COMPLETELY new aquascape and added 60lbs of Fiji Pink sand! There are new images in the photos sections, a new video, and now that the cycle is finally over, a few frags have been "permanently" placed; life is starting to look good again!

[coraltopia]

New Aquascape

After minor changes over the past 4 years I decided it was time to overhaul the aquascape! I took everything out, spent a week putting together the new scape, and put it back in  earlier this week.  Here are some pics, there are more in the gallery.  What do you think of the new look?!

[coraltopia]

JBJ Nano Arctica Chiller

When I got into this hobby back in 2008 I knew one thing for sure, I was going to need a chiller. So I looked around Craigslist and finally found one from a local reefer who was upgrading his! It wasn't new, but it worked and it that's all that mattered. Nearly four years later I figured it was time to upgrade that chiller to a newer model (what can I say, I'm a sucker for digital displays!).

The JBJ Nano Arctica Chiller

[coraltopia]

Cyano update and new DJ4 power center

Looks like the cyano disaster is finally subsiding.  After pushing a couple good doses of Boyd Chemiclean, and using the turkey baster liberally, the cyano is subsiding.  I also made a minor adjustment to one of my Koralia 1 pumps to push more flow to the area.

I noticed during this debacle that my diamond goby is nowhere to be found .... coincidence? I think not.  I'm guessing the death caused the spike and the cyano went on a rampage.  At any rate, things are back in check now and I'm in the process of finding another goby.  I've burned through 2 or 3 of the diamond backs.  They last a year and change and then die off.  Guess they just can't handle the small tank sans refugium (which I'm planning to add as time and $$ allow in the near future).  For the next sand sifter goby, I'm thinking about going with a 2 spot - thrive in smaller tanks and still churn up the sand pretty good.  Check out the Two Spot Goby when you get a chance and let me know what you think, as I'll most likely have to have on shipped.

I'm also upgrading to a dual DJ4 power center that I'm setting up inside my stand.  The current DJ8 has been great, but it's just laying behind my stand kicking off ambient light to the room.  Time to upgrade and get things in house.  If you or someone  you know has a need for a used DJ8, I'm willing to trade for colorful frags in the West Los Angeles area.

[coraltopia]

Cyano algae with bubbles

I've been fighting this area of my tank for quite some time.  It's in the front corner, on the sand bed, and for some reason red cyano algae seems to crop up there on a regular basis.

I've tried pointing my Koralia pumps at it, turning it over regularly with a turkey baster, even dosing some Boyd Chemiclean ... no luck.  My diamond goby used to turn the sand over BIG time in the area, no he won't go anywhere near it.  Any ideas what might be going on here - I'm at my wits end!

[coraltopia]

New bulb = lost color

Those of us in the nano-tank world know that you should routinely change out your bulbs.  Experts say you should "burn in" the bulb for awhile before going full intensity (chances are good your old bulb wasn't kicking out anywhere near the PAR of the new one).

I've been running on a 14k bulb for quite some time now, but opted to upgrade to a new 20k Ushio bulb about a week ago.  I "burned in" the bulb over a couple of days by adjusting my aqua program to periodically turn the bulb off for a bit (theoretically allowing all those critters in your tank to recover from the new blast of light).  After a couple weeks of this, I'm now noticing that coral colors have definitely faded, some have even bleached a bit, due to the new light.  Of course, the chances are good that the color will return within a few weeks/months but it left me wondering ... should you upgrade your lighting spectrum when you replace your bulbs?

I'd love to hear your thoughts/experiences and share any links you might have to offer.  Feel free to comment below!

[coraltopia]

Nano aquarium skimmer analysis (AIO)

Today I'll be looking at a couple All In One (AIO) skimmers for nano tanks.  Specifically, I'll be looking at solutions for my tank - the JBJ 28g HQI tank.  Nano tank purists (like myself) have the mindset that part of the challenge of a keeping  a nano tank is keeping your equipment self contained - or All In One.  Others will argue that just because you have a small tank, does not mean you have to keep all the equipment in house (some will even go as far as to add sumps onto their tanks - essentially turning their nano tank into a larger tank with a smaller display).  The argument rages on, but today I'll be looking at a couple of skimmers you can buy and use within the rear compartments of your nano tank and still stay true to your AIO roots.

Tunze 9002 ($145) - It's Tunze, which pretty much speaks for it's self.  If you do any google searches you'll quickly find that this a favorite amongst the AIO purists (and other hobbyists that want a quality skimmer at a pretty good price).  The major beef seems to be that the collection cup is a weird size, and thus needs to be changed out or modified in order to work with my specific tank (JBJ 28g HQI).  You can certainly do your own Do It Yourself (DYI) project - or just bounce over to InTank Designs and pick one up a custom made Skinny Tunze Cup

Sapphire Aquatics NC24/28 (n/a) -There are several above average elements of this skimmer, and there are also some areas it leaves lacking.  Construction is awesome, pump is SUPER quiet, The collection cup fits without any modification to the hood (and is VERY easily removable), price is good for what you get, customer service WAS great (company went out of business).  For those of you that missed out, I wrote a more extensive review of this skimmer last week.  Just follow the link above and you'll get the full 411

Next week we'll be looking at a few more protein skimmer options, this time Hang Off the Back (HOB) which opens nano tanks up to a lot more options and power when it comes to picking a scum kickin skimmer.

[coraltopia]

Project "growth shot" in full effect!

I've been playing with the idea of starting up a full blown page to post weekly growth shots to, and tonight I finally decided to sit down and make it happen!

The wife is out of the house on Monday nights, so I get some bonus fish tank time.  I usually do a thorough glass cleaning, check my levels, do the dosing, take care of any other maintenance issues that need addressed.  However, now that I have this fancy new iPhone it's easier than ever to take weekly growth shots!  You'll see the link to the page up there in the navigation - other than that, not much to report for this week.  Added some extra rubble to the tank to try and close up some of the dead space under the over hang.  Still pondering tearing that all out and do a complete rebuild (always the case right?!) but for now I am going to let it sit and grow.  I'll be sure to post another update next, till then - happy reefing!

[coraltopia]

Sapphire Aquatics NC28 Skimmer Review

I'm turning over a new leaf this week and starting into a series of reviews on my current equipment. I've been toying around with the idea of adding several pieces of gadgetry lately, and the first one is a new skimmer.

I upgraded to Sapphire Aquatics NC28 from the stock skimmer on my JBJ 28g HQI shortly after I bought it. The Sapphire skimmer is a pretty solid skimmer, primarily because of the high end laser cut construction. It is specifically engineered to fit into the center rear chamber of the JBJ 28g HQI tank, keeping the aquarium true to its AIO (All In One) roots. The provided pump is a small sicce pump with a custom mesh modified impeller wheel.

There are several above average elements of this skimmer, and there are also some areas it leaves lacking. First off, let's start with the good stuff (that's why you're reading this right?).

Construction is awesome

Pump is SUPER quiet

The collection cup fits without any modification to the hood (and is VERY easily removable)

Price is good for what you get

Customer service WAS great (company went out of business)

The cons are a short list, but significant none the less.

The unit tends to not pull as much quality skimmate as I would like to see (either that or my cube just doesn't have any protein buildup [not-likely]). I typically empty a quarter inch or so of light brown/yellow skimmate once a week max.

The control is fine tuned by a thumb screw on the side that slides a small gate up and down the side of the skimmer to adjust the flow. The problem with the thumb screw is that you can only open it up so much before the screw hits the collection cup. This leads to a very wet skimmate, and more of it than you would like.

Company went out of business, so no more support or easy to get parts

Overall, I'm giving this skimmer a 7/10 rating.  For the price, it's pretty good.  No modifications, easy to install, and quiet.  But, if you're in the market for a higher quality skim - you should look to a higher end device.

Next episode I'll be looking at some possible replacement units, including my personal vote - the Deltec MCE300 HOB (Hang On Back). Until then, here is decent video of how the NC28 fits and works in the back of your nano - enjoy!

[coraltopia]

Growth shots via iPhone HD video

Nothing too fancy, but the iPhone 4 allows you to shoot full HD video and upload to YouTube all without leaving your phone. Finding it's INFINITELY easier to do short vids and growth shots.

Here is a short clip from last night, enjoy

Video No Longer Available ...

[coraltopia]

iPhone 4.0 = more pics and vids on the way!

I've been on a Twitter frenzy lately, mostly becuase (as the concept might dictate) micro-blogging is quicker and easier than full blown blogging (follow us @coraltopia).  However, there have been several updates in the past weeks so I thought I would take a chance to reflect and share with any people who are silly enough to still be reading ...

As you may have heard, I just picked up my new iPhone 4.0.  This thing is pretty much amazing, and I can't wait to start taking more pics and vids to get get posted on the site. I've been doing some cleaning in the past couple weeks, including adding some extra sponges for some mechanical filtration and taking the old school razor blade to the glass (which I do every couple months regardless).  I'm going to try to post an update weekly for a bit and see how it goes ... Hoping to have some more active growth shots as well as some more video as I start to add more pieces to the collection.  This weekend I'm hoping to grab a little hammer coral from a guy down in Redondo Beach, look for pics next episode!

[coraltopia]

New growth shots

The tank has been looking pretty dang good lately, so time for another round of growth shots.  My raspberry prostrata is finally branching off, and I've got a handful of plugs of purple joker palys ready to hit the market.

Still looking to add a cleaner shrimp (the last one died some time ago) as well as a nice piece of hammer coral, in the hopes my clowns will host it.  Kyle is in LA this weekend, we'll see what he has to say about things ...

[coraltopia]

Growth shots

Terrible snap shot cannon, but the tank is FINALLY starting to come back around. Lost quite a few frags and some of them are slowly recovering. Here's hoping the next round of shots shows some notable improvement!

[coraltopia]

Salinity crash

If you've been following Clinton's 28g (mostly via the Twitter feed) then you'll know that I've been struggling with some stability lately. I finally got the fans upgraded and the CA/MG issues on the mend. Everything was starting to stabilize nicely. On Sunday my wife and I went for a relaxing Sunday drive up to Kernville to catch an afternoon on the River. When I got back, the salinity had completely crashed down to 1.022 from 1.026.

I've always run a pure RODI top off sump under my tank, and never had problems. I guess on this particular day something inspired the water to evaporate at an unusually high rate - causing the top off to push extra fresh water into the tank and in turn cause the salinity to crash. Several pieces were on the verge of having to be thrown away (including my best piece of Palmer's Blue Milli)

I quickly set up a station of 5 gallon buckets and began mixing more salt water. Pulling a gallon out of the tank, mixing with higher concentration solution in the bucket, then topping off the tank - checking the SG and repeating. After a couple hours of this exercise, I got the salinity back up to 1.025 and called it a night. The levels appeared stable over night, and this morning I did another water change leaving the salinity safely at 1.026. I've detached the top off for the day, and will see how much evaporates throughout the day today.

Moving forward, I guess I'm going to have to add a little salt to my top off solution. As it turns out I'm usually low on CA and MG anyway, so making a batch of reef crystals salt water with a slightly diluted salinity (1.020?) might help keep it more stable. This whole process has been very frustrating to say the least, and now I'm even considering upgrading my control to allow a Specific Gravity probe to help keep this in check. For now, daily manual checks will have to do.