Lugmos12 Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 So this is my first saltwater/reef tank; I've had several FW setups since 2011. Tank: IM Nuvo Fusion 20 gallon Pump: Siccra 1.5 Light: AI Prime HD Heater: EHEIM 50W Skimmer: Reef Glass Filter media: InTank media basket for 1st chamber with 2x chemi pure blue nano, filter floss (some carbon); also use phosguard as needed Substrate: Arag-alive bimini pink sand - about 4lbs Wavemaker: Jebao SW2 I set up my tank with live rock and sand on 7/6/17. Corals: Utter chaos paly frogspawn green star polyps ricordeas green toadstool leather Duncan mushrooms Livestock: 1 frostbite clown 1 mocha picasso clown 1 six-line wrasse hermit crabs nassarius snails FTS 5/2/20 Spoiler FTS as of 7/6/18: Spoiler FTS as of 4/7/2018 Spoiler FTS as of 2/7/18 Spoiler FTS 10/24/17 Spoiler FTS 9/12/17 Spoiler FTS 8/24/17 Spoiler FTS 7/18/17 Spoiler 4 1 Quote Link to comment
TJ_Burton Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Like the layout! I highly recommend the GSP is on an island as well - it grows fast and stings hard (or irritates hard anyways) 1 Quote Link to comment
Lugmos12 Posted July 10, 2017 Author Share Posted July 10, 2017 Just now, TJ_Burton said: I highly recommed the GSP is on an island as well - it grows fast and stings hard That's what I've read and see on youtube.I like it. I want it to grow on the black wall on the tank and just cover it like grass maybe? I don't know if that's possible. If not then i will give it it's own island lol 1 Quote Link to comment
TJ_Burton Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 3 minutes ago, Lugmos12 said: That's what I've read and see on youtube.I like it. I want it to grow on the black wall on the tank and just cover it like grass maybe? I don't know if that's possible. If not then i will give it it's own island lol It is definitely possible. Quote Link to comment
Lugmos12 Posted July 11, 2017 Author Share Posted July 11, 2017 Update: Took out my hermit crabs and I lost one. ugh Not sure where it fell but it did and i feel like a dumb*ss. I changed my filter floss today. I bagged it in a filter bag; makes it easier to take in and out. I also finally figured out how to use the surface skimmer properly lol Also what is this brown looking thing growing on the rocks? is it algae? Quote Link to comment
Lugmos12 Posted July 11, 2017 Author Share Posted July 11, 2017 Found a legit worm in the tank 1 Quote Link to comment
Lugmos12 Posted July 12, 2017 Author Share Posted July 12, 2017 How would you read the following phosphate test; this is API btw. In person the liquid looks a bit more pale. Quote Link to comment
Lugmos12 Posted July 12, 2017 Author Share Posted July 12, 2017 Do I need to feed these hermi crabs? I'm afraid their going to die Also is it possible I won't see an ammonia/nitrite/nitrate spike since i'm using live rock? Quote Link to comment
GregEmmitte Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Hermit crabs should eat algae Quote Link to comment
truepercs Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 If you put in cured live rock most likely you won't see much. (ie... live rock bought locally) I did the same... I added my clowns right off the bat (within weeks). Your aquarium will continue to grow bacteria as needed as the livestock is added. (Just do it slowly) I found that it is difficult to test with the API kits with any type of accuracy. Ideally you want a small trace of phosphates, and some nitrates. With the API kit generally you will have phosphates even when registering 0. Quote Link to comment
Lugmos12 Posted July 12, 2017 Author Share Posted July 12, 2017 22 minutes ago, truepercs said: If you put in cured live rock most likely you won't see much. (ie... live rock bought locally) I did the same... I added my clowns right off the bat (within weeks). Your aquarium will continue to grow bacteria as needed as the livestock is added. (Just do it slowly) I found that it is difficult to test with the API kits with any type of accuracy. Ideally you want a small trace of phosphates, and some nitrates. With the API kit generally you will have phosphates even when registering 0. I was temped to add a pair of clowns or maybe some CUC - something that i can feed lol Quote Link to comment
truepercs Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 If you truly have live rock there is nothing to cycle, its ready for action. Adding livestock will continue to increase your biological filter. If at anytime you are seeing increase in algae do small regular water changes... Eventually the bacteria will be adequate to handle. When feeding, use small amounts so that the fish will eat most that is put in the aquarium. You may get some cyno on the substrate just vacuum and change water for a bit and all should be fine. I start feeding my clowns a few live black worms each day. Wow they love em.... nothing falls in the aquarium (This is in addition to frozen foods) Quote Link to comment
truepercs Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Refrain from adding SPS until you have a good handle on testing and keeping water parameters stable. 1 Quote Link to comment
Lugmos12 Posted July 12, 2017 Author Share Posted July 12, 2017 1 hour ago, truepercs said: Refrain from adding SPS until you have a good handle on testing and keeping water parameters stable. for sure, corals are too expensive to play around with (maybe a Xenia lol) Quote Link to comment
Lugmos12 Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 I introduced a pair tiny Ocellaris clowns. I did my research and I picked one slightly bigger than the other one. I acclimated them for about 30 hour using airline tubing and about 1 drop per second. The store salinity was 1.022 and mine is 1.025 so I don't think it's THAT much of an adjustment; PH value was about .1-.2 difference. I introduced them to the tank the wavemaker and lights off - for about 45 mins. I saw no fighting or fin nipping. I actually said the smaller one shake a little when near the bigger one - I read this is a good sign of submission. My params are also stable. I will keep testing throughout the week as well. Their keeping to one side of the tank and occasionally venture across to explore. I will post some pictures tomorrow. 1 Quote Link to comment
Lugmos12 Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 water params still good. How soon can i add a beginner coral? Quote Link to comment
Lugmos12 Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 Ammonia reading zero even after adding two clowns ? 2 Quote Link to comment
morri307 Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Exciting! Good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment
Lugmos12 Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 Tank shot for 7/14/17. I kinda dislike my two little loose flat pieces of rock. I don't know what to do with them. Would the tank take a hit if I was to remove one of them or place one in the sump? Also, local refer has zoa and pulsing Xenia frags for $5 and I'm tempted 2 Quote Link to comment
Lugmos12 Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 Okay. This is the last time I mess around with the rocks. I call this my final scape 2 Quote Link to comment
greenlinenshirt Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 Lugmos12 Just got caught up on your thread, looking great. What is that purple thing/stuff on the sand? Quote Link to comment
Lugmos12 Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 1 minute ago, greenlinenshirt said: Lugmos12 Just got caught up on your thread, looking great. What is that purple thing/stuff on the sand? Thanks! It's a piece of flat live rock. My plan is make it a pulsing Xenia island 2 Quote Link to comment
greenlinenshirt Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 I've noticed a lot of purple live rock, that's not purple algae is it? (Silly Question I know) I just remember the last time I tried to start a salt water tank, I got live rock, and it wasn't purple at 1st, and then I got this purple algae stuff) Quote Link to comment
Lugmos12 Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 @greenlinenshirt It's coralline algae to my knowledge; I like the look. Quote Link to comment
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