my first reef tank 20 gallon tall

[cpt]

started in June 2012 my 20 gallon tall reef tank with diy acrylic slot together live rock stand/shelf, pvc overflow syphon, 10 gallon sump, small skimmer, and diy fluid sand filter

 

stocked with:

bicolor blenny

ocellaris clownfish

2 skunk cleaner shrimp

sea hare

hermits

emeralds

 

and a variety of corals still identifying all, most were gifts

 

battling small outbreaks of hair algae every so often

 

still learning my ways around the reef world

please leave feeback or questions

thanks

 

will update photos periodically

[seabass]

I'm concerned about the Sea Hare. But if you still have algae, then it shouldn't starve. They are usually able to clear a tank relatively quickly and then starve.

 

With all the herbivores, I'm wondering why you would have any algae left. Do you use tap water? Do you have a low range phosphate test kit? If so, what is your phosphate level?

 

Let me guess, iPhone camera? From what I can see, it looks like you have some nice corals that seem to be doing well.

[cpt]

i get my water for "Marine Tech" they hold very high parameters for their water, i also do a 10%-20% water change every week and i also have a phosphate reducer pillow/pouch in use as well as skimming. the marine tech guys think some live rock may be leaching phosphates. there maybe 30-40lbs of live rock in my tank wich makes it difficult to pinpoint, so as long as the inhabitance can keep up with the algae growth thats fine with me. they are all specific for the reason.

havent tested water in a few weeks and gf's IPAD

[dtitus1]

Have you ever had anyone independently test their water? Don't know anything about them so I'm not hating on them but they could be selling you complete crap and you might not know it.

[cpt]

unless u live in Grand Junction CO i doubt that you would know of Marine Tech. i have seen them test their water as well as mine, and i have also tested the water of other fish and marine store local to me. Marine tech's water hasnt shown anything out of range and they are always willing to show anyone who asks. i am confident in their resources.

 

so where do you get ur water?

[cpt]

this shows better the (diy acrylic reef rack/shelf)

i did this because my rock and corals kept shifting when i cleaned and did WC, it also allowed for much better circulation and arangement

 

i found if difficult to make an astetic composition in such a tall narrow tank (20 gallon tall)

 

these pics are several months apart

[cpt]

various pic in tank, corals and live stock

[seabass]

this shows better the (diy acrylic reef rack/shelf)

Interesting. Nice work.

[cpt]

 

an update pic

[crashburnoveride]

Tank still up?