My 10 Gallon Tank

[Fenix]

First of all I would like to thank everyone here for helping me get my new hobby started. Without your advice and knowledge I wouldn't have known what to do and would probably still be figuring it out. Thanks!

I know I post pictures all the time and you've probably seen most of my pictures. I thought I would create my own thread to post my pictures in and show my progress.

December 8th 2007

I just finished the semester and was now beginning to write my final exams. I usually don't really care about them and find any excuse I can to not study... I thought I would start a fish tank.

Originally I intended to buy a 20 gallon tank off some dude for 20 bucks but it turns out i bought a 10 gallon tank. I was kinda pissed so I went and bought a new 20 gallon tank (no canopy). Then I went to a friend of my dads who owns a fish store and bought a 29 gallon aqua cube. I brought all the tanks home and put them on my counter to see which fit the best. The main reason I wanted the tank was to fill some room in my living room cause the counter looked very bare.

I ended up going with the 10 gallon cause it fit perfectly.

It was pretty dirty but nothing some water, bleach, dish soap (yeah i used dish soap), windex and razorblades couldn't fix.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Heres the tank after I cleaned it.

It was critical that it fit in this location. The close proximity to the sink was something I value a lot!!! It's just so much easier when dealing with the cleaning of it and stuff. I would consider myself a pretty lazy person when it comes to cleaning fish tanks. This way since its easier for me to do I will most likely do it... I hope.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[Fenix]

December 9th 2007

I started to buy supplies

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Heres 42 pounds of salt i bought. I think I saved 25% buying bulk.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

After I filled up the tank.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[Fenix]

December 11th 2006

I bought more supplies and live rocks.

Personally the hardest part of setting up a marine tank with live rocks is actually placing the assorted live rocks you have into the tank, in a way that looks decent. As many of you know I kept changing it and changing it. It really pissed me off, I'm kind of a perfectionist so thats why.

I love the look of the live rocks so I bought 17 pounds of it.

I bought both a black and blue background just to see the difference.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Before I added the rocks into the tank I thought it would be a good idea to arrange outside of the tank because it would be a lot easier. I came up with a pretty crappy configuration as you can see in the pictures below.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

You are probably thinking that this looks awful and you are right! I just wanted to get the rocks in the water.

[Fenix]

December 13th 2007.

I was pretty annoyed looking at my tank so I changed the rocks again.

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

I had purchased some backgrounds earlier and gave them a try.

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Here is a picture with my crappy canopy and a black background. To be honest I actually thought it looked decent when I lit up the light, but now I know it looks so horrible! The yellow is just gross. If you look closely in the picture you can see a tube worm stretched bewteeen two rocks.

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[tropfish]

Its all coming together nicely. I like the way you placed the rocks. The natural jumbled rock structures always look better then the planned ones, it looks more natural.

[Fenix]

December 14th 2007.

I added an all glass canopy. Now I just need my new light, which should arrive soon.

The canopy really holds tight in my tank, there is like no way water can get out! More importantly there is no way that starfish can get out [Explained Later]. I wouldn't say I'm afraid of fish but things like starfish that looks like spiders I kinda am. I always wear gloves when I put my hand inside.

The thermometer is kinda important and so I got one. When i first bought the tank there was one on it but i ripped it off cause I didn't want to see it on the front of the tank.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

With a blue background.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[Tigerbarb]

Good luck setting up your SW aquarium. What are you going to do next?

[Fenix]

December 16th 2007.

Life finally emerges from my rocks. Its funny cause it all came on one day. I watch my tank closely and it wasn't until now that I noticed weird sea creatures.

Brittle Starfish.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Sea Cucumber.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
I actually noticed this guy the day I got my rocks but thought it was nothing until i really examined it. He burrowed under some rocks somewhere and I haven't seen him for awhile.

[Fenix]

December 16th Continued.

Bristle Worm.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Unknown Mushroom.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Feather Dusters.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
Originally I had no clue they were even there until someone pointed them out while I was trying to get them ID the pic with the mushrooms.

Not Sure Still.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
I have no idea what this is but I killed it anyways just in case. At first I was told it was a nudibranch but upon further research I don't think it was. It was kinda cool but not anymore. I have pictures of when I killed it. Will post later.

[squirt_12]

the last pic look slike feather dusters...they are harmless.

EDIT -oppps or is it the big yellow thing under the feather dusters?????

[Fenix]

Opps wrong picture I'll change it.

[squirt_12]

ok i thought so......they looked just like feather dusters and the pic right above it was the same......lol........

[~Erik3.8.07~]

nice thread showin your progress fenix :thumb:

[squirt_12]

the thing that you are unsure of....sort of looks like a mushroom or a cucumber...but i am no SW expert. so don't go by what i say.

[Fenix]

December 19th 2007.

I finally decided on the blue background for my tank. Here is how it looked like after adding it. I cut it to fit perfectly on the glass and used tape to stick it in place. I read that others used spray on glue, silicon and stuff but didn't want to make a mess. Currently the tape is holding up ok but i can see it coming off on the edges.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[Fenix]

December 20th 2007.

Finally after sometime my light finally arrived. I purchased a 80 watt Power Compact light over the internet. The best thing to ever happen to my tank.

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

That night I headed over to Home Depot and picked up some timers and some other things for my lights. I grabbed 4 in total for each light and for the fan.

The timers are pretty good. The only problem I have with them is that when my move my cords around they they hit the timers and change the current time of them. I wish they kept their time better cause I like things synchronized. I'm actually thinking about building my own timing device with 5 grounded outlets we'll see how that goes.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Here are my timers all ready to go. If you are planning on getting ones like these do it they are easy as pie to operate.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[Fenix]

December 20th 2007 Continued.

Here are some pictures of the how it looks with the various lighting schemes.

This one is by far my favorite.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

This is just the blue actinic light
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Here is a photo of the Blue LED moonlight. It was pretty hard to take this picture so i set up a tripod and used a shutter speed of 1. Turned out pretty good. The effect is great! What you can't see in the picture is the light shimmering off the moving current. It creates a surreal look, simply amazing! Never thought a light can make such a difference.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Finally I thought I would post a comparison between the various lights.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[Fenix]

December 28th 2007.

After 17 days into my cycle I got bored and thought I would try to add some coral. My goal is to get the most diverse colors I can get. Here are the items I bought. I know I maybe should have cycled for longer but I got a pretty reasonable deal on this stuff and I couldn't pass it up.

2 Heads of Frogspawn. The picture just shows 1 of them only. When I first got these I had no idea that they were aggressive until I noticed one of the Zooanthid was closed up after a brief encounter with it.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Purple Mushrooms. I love these! Does anyone know if there is a way I can remove a mushroom and place it somewhere else in my tank?
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Brown Zooanthids. I call these trumpets.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

The second sighting of my starfish. It's good to see him alive and well. He has grown and seems to be happy with the new company.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[Fenix]

December 28th 2007 Continued.

Later that night when my mist lights came on I took some more photos. All the coral changed colors which looks amazing. The photos are really blue but I can't really help that.

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

I also made a lighting schedule when I got my lights. Thought I would share that too.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[Fenix]

December 28th 2007.

After I added my coral I knew I had to remove that strange creature. I was told by a reliable source that it was a Zooanthid Eating Nudibranch. After further investigation I didn't think it was. Well whatever, I wasn't going to take any chances so I removed him from the premise. Early that morning I armed myself with a flashlight and a net, sure enough he was foolish enough to emerge. I got rid of him but before I did I took some pictures.

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

I feel kind of bad killing him because it was bad case of mistaken identity really, I wish I knew what he was but I didn't want to risk it. I'm sure if he was in my position he would have done the same.

The weirdest thing about this dude is that its skin can come off. From my previous photos of it you can see a kind of spiky back but when i poked it with a net the skin on the back unraveled and exposed this smooth inner skin which you can see in these pictures. Just weird!


I also looked out for my sea cucumber too. After reading the thread on why not to have a sea cucumber I was persuaded to remove it as well. Lucky for him/her I hate moving my rocks (its under the rocks), especially after I have arranged them in a manner that pleases me, which took a long time. Well I guess he can live a little longer.

[Fenix]

December 30th 2007.

So this morning I went out and got some more Coral, I know what you all said about adding things slowly but again I COULD NOT PASS UP THIS DEAL!!! I got a bunch of stuff including a frag which I accidentally killed while being a retard. It was so cool looking too! I felt sad but I couldn't let it get to me... I needed to move on with my life. I'm sure its in a better place now... aside from my trash can.

I added the following corals.

more Zooanthids.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Torch Coral
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

I don't know what this is but its cool.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

I did get a picture of that coral after I had killed it, and was going to ask you guys if it really was dead but whatever, I got really lazy and tossed it.

[Fenix]

December 30th 2007 Continued.

I took a photo of everything in my tank. I tend to do this every so often to keep tabs on the stuff inside. Mainly to monitor growth.

Here it is.
No thumbnail.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]


Well there are still lots of empty spots in my tank. I plan to slow down my addition of new stuff drastically. Every week from now on I'll try to add something new but if my local fish store has nothing that catches my eye I guess I ll wait.
There are still lots of cool coral I want but was told that I needed to wait for my tank to become more mature (I know its a little early for the frogspawn but I wanted it).

I guess this is the last picture for awhile unless something interesting happens.

ONE MORE THING. What do you guys prefer? Thumbnails or Just direct link to pictures (as seen in this post)?

[Tigerbarb]

I preffer thumbnails.

Is that a hang-on power filter in the back of your tank?

Was all of that in your tank really expensive?

[Fenix]

I preffer thumbnails.

Is that a hang-on power filter in the back of your tank?

Was all of that in your tank really expensive?

No its a protein skimmer, it was only 30 bucks and also filters your water too. Most people say you don't need one but I just got one anyways. Well its not really expensive but it does cost a fair amount considering I only have a 10 gallon tank. Usually when people add coral they do it over a long period of time so the cost is spread out so its not too bad. The initial start up cost is the most but after it gets established then theres really no costs unless you want to add more things and of course theres food costs.

[Tigerbarb]

Do you think a hang-on power filter work for a nano-reef anyway?

[Fenix]

Do you think a hang-on power filter work for a nano-reef anyway?

Yeah I don't see why not. Though I have a fish tank I am definitely not the best person to ask. I'm just as new as you to this whole salt water thing.

[Tigerbarb]

Ok thanks. Nice aquaium.

[Fenix]

Ok thanks. Nice aquaium.

Thanks. Though my knowledge is limited I'll do my best to be as helpful as I can.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

Do you think a hang-on power filter work for a nano-reef anyway?
yes it will, im currently using an aquaclear 30 on my nano for now, but i just order a mini canister filter for it

[cocoa_pleco]

yep, regular HOB's work fine, like aquaclears

[Tigerbarb]

It sounds like I will be able to set up a nano reef sometime this year or the next.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

lol being the last day of the year, my vote is the next:c10:

[Tigerbarb]

Lol. Never thought of that.
Or, I could be impatient and race to my local fish store and purchase a nano cube, live rock, sea salt mix, a powerhead, coral sand, a hydrometer, a mixing bucket, corals, and two clownfish tonight, pay for it with a Visa card and spend the night setting up a nano. Only to prove that I can set up a nano reef this year.
lol.

[coachfraley]

The tank is looking great fenix, nice work!!!

[Tigerbarb]

When do you think you will be adding any fish to your aquarium?

[Fenix]

When do you think you will be adding any fish to your aquarium?

I don't know not for awhile. I want to the majority of the coral figured out before I start adding shrimps and crabs. Then after those are established then the fish. I'm still debating on the kind of wish to add. I'm guessing 2 - 3 months.

[snipers_den]

your tank really looks great.......good job.........

[country_boy454]

Every time I look at a SW tank I want one! They are just stunning to look at. I want to start with a 29-55 gallon though. Your tank looks really nice Fenix!

[Tigerbarb]

Every time I look at a SW tank I want one! They are just stunning to look at. I want to start with a 29-55 gallon though. Your tank looks really nice Fenix!
I have the same thing. When I look at a SW tank all I can think about is gettting one for myself.

[Fenix]

Thanks for the kind comments guys.

THe whole saltwater thing actually started when I used to work in a petstore back in high school. Though we sold salt water fish I didnt know very much about it for my department was freshwater and coldwater fish. Well I always wanted to get saltwater. I wasn't until I was really bored that i entertained the idea. After doing lots of research into what I needed and looking at all these wicked reef tanks I decided to take the plunge.

[Tigerbarb]

I don't know much about SW either. I am currently doing research on marine aquariums too. I am expecting to get a nano reef eventually this year.

[Fenix]

Thought I would share some photos of something crazy. I'm sure most of you have seen it but I find it pretty neat.

The Cladiella during night vs day.

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[CAX474]

All looks good, you are doing a great job.

[Fenix]

Thanks CAX474!

January 4th, 2008

More creatures.

This time I actually have a Zooanthid Eating Nudibranch. They look nothing like the one I killed earlier. These are the real deal, very tiny.
I'm currently trying to figure how to remove them permanantly.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

I grabbed my pipet and sucked as many of them up as I could. I caught 4 of them but I'm sure theres a lot more that haven't started feasting yet.

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[unleashed]

I had similar nudibranchs.

Just take the rock out of the tank and dump it in warm freshwater for about 5-10mins. The polyps should all close up and they will be fine.

When your done, wash the rock under a high powered tap to remove all the dead nudibranch.

My polyps were closed for about a week. After about 5 mins of doing this treatment, they were all fully opened.

[Fenix]

wont hte high power wash knock hte polys off the rock?

[unleashed]

wont hte high power wash knock hte polys off the rock?

no, they will be fine. just use your own judgement. Relatively high power, but not full blast

[squirt_12]

wow...very nice...keep up all of the good work :thumb:

[coachfraley]

Too bad those nudibranches are bad guys, I really like the way they look!

I think it would be cool to make a pest tank, with all of the cool looking pests in it. You could have majano anemones, nudibranches, cool looking bristleworms, mantis shrimp...The tank of evil!

[Futureboy]

a pest tank would be cool

buying corals just for food for them wouldnt

nice tank iv decided im going to setup a 10g SW too today
im cleaning up the tank atm hopefully in a few months it will look as good as yours so far

[Tigerbarb]

AHH! I feel it rushing it! No! I now am obbsessed and can think about nothing in the aquarium world but setting up my own SW aquarium.

[Fenix]

AHH! I feel it rushing it! No! I now am obbsessed and can think about nothing in the aquarium world but setting up my own SW aquarium.

Breathe:c3:

[Tigerbarb]

lol. I go almost insane whenever I am in the marine section of a fish store.
Have you seen your corals at night? hard corals extend tentacles at night toeat plankton and other bacteria.

[Fenix]

Here are some updates.

I got some fuzzy green mushrooms.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

I thought i would try some sps coral.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

if anyone can tell me how to get rid of hair algae it would be great!

[cocoa_pleco]

if its long hair algae manually remove it, when my tank was young i had alot and after pulling it out manually it went away.

do you use tapwater for water topoffs?

[unleashed]

you shouldn't really have sps corals in a tank while it has hair algae. You are just increasing the chances of your corals dying

[Tigerbarb]

I want a mushroom. Are htey expensive or hard to keep?

[Fenix]

well at first i did use tap water now i use purified water, seeing how it is.
yeah my tank has so many problems, hair algae is the least of it. i ll deal with that later.

Heres an important lesson.

DO NOT KILL ALL YOUR AIPTASIA's AT ONCE!! IT WILL CAUSE YOUR TANK TO CRASH!!!!!!!! LIKE MINE IS DOING RIGHT NOW!!

as for the mushroom. They are cheap and easy to take care of unless your tank crashes then its hard.

[coachfraley]

DO NOT KILL ALL YOUR AIPTASIA's AT ONCE!! IT WILL CAUSE YOUR TANK TO CRASH!!!!!!!! LIKE MINE IS DOING RIGHT NOW!!


:ssuprised: Oh no!!!!!! Are you doing a water change????

[squirt_12]

would you beable to post a new pic of the entire tank????

i hope the tank gets better.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

DO NOT KILL ALL YOUR AIPTASIA's AT ONCE!! IT WILL CAUSE YOUR TANK TO CRASH!!!!!!!! LIKE MINE IS DOING RIGHT NOW!!

how exactly does it cause it to crash?

[Dave66]

how exactly does it cause it to crash?

Its a kind of toxin to kill the Aptasias. Dump any kind of toxin in a reef tank, and it'll crash and all within, including the nitrafying bacteria, can die. To use that Aptasia killer, a tiny bit is squirted directly in its mouth. That tiny bit is ingested and the anemone dies.

Dave

[Fenix]

What does this mean to you guys?
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[~Erik3.8.07~]

i think i had that color one time, i wasnt sure either so i redid the test and came out to 0 the second time

[~Erik3.8.07~]

Its a kind of toxin to kill the Aptasias. Dump any kind of toxin in a reef tank, and it'll crash and all within, including the nitrafying bacteria, can die. To use that Aptasia killer, a tiny bit is squirted directly in its mouth. That tiny bit is ingested and the anemone dies.

Dave

oooo so its best to just kill one at a time and wait a couple days between each one?

[Fenix]

oooo so its best to just kill one at a time and wait a couple days between each one?

Yeah i wish i knew that. Also after they die they decompose which adds bad stuff to your tank too.

[cocoa_pleco]

ive never had any aiptasia in my 55g, good thing since i probably would have made the same mistake

[Tigerbarb]

What is aiptasia anyway?

[cocoa_pleco]

a pesty coral like thing that can sting other corals, theyre annoying

[Fenix]

ive never had any aiptasia in my 55g, good thing since i probably would have made the same mistake

in a 55 gallon i wouldnt be so bad cause of all the water you have. in a 10 gallon the smallest mistakes can turn deadly.

[Fenix]

I think its dead.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

The torch coral is looking worst and worst.

The blue/purple mushroom and green fuzzy mushrooms are not doing well either.

The small zoos are not opening up fully.

THe brown zoos looks great!

the Cladiella looks amazing. I have never seen it look so good.

the sps coral looks normal like always.

[cocoa_pleco]

yep, looks like hes dying

[Fenix]

Does anyone know if i should keep my lights on to help them pull through during the night or just proceed with regular lighting?

[coachfraley]

I would assume that the dark might help them to rest and heal up, but that is only a guess. Hopefully someone else will know for sure.

Did you end up doing a water change?

[Fenix]

Yeah i did 2 water changes.

[coachfraley]

Don't get down Fenix, your frogspawn could still bounce back. Give it chance, and see what it looks like tomorrow!

[Fenix]

Thanks dude! Yeah its looking better but still nothing like it did in its prime.

I took this photo about a week ago. Sigh
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Before I went to bed yesterday it looked sweet!

[Dave66]

Euphyllias are pretty tough corals, especially for a stony. I'd be very surprised if it didn't bounce back, since you did a 30 percent total water change, helping dilute the chemical. You might want to run high grade carbon for a week or so to remove any residual toxins. In your case one of those little skimmers for nano tanks would also be helpful cleaning things up. Despite the small size of your tank and you could get by without one, a skimmer prevents many ills.

Dave

[Dave66]

What is aiptasia anyway?

Aiptasias are actually called Glassrose anemones. Most people use live rock from the South Pacific, and that particular kind of Aiptasia spreads wildly in the confines of aquarium. In the S. Pacific there are creatures that eat them to keep the population in check; in aquariums, there isn't. There's a nudibranch available that eats them, but that's all they can eat, and once the anemones are gone it quickly starves to death.
Glassrose anemones from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic don't spread, and are a good deal larger. I use aquacultured live rock from there, and have four or five glassrose anemones that came in on the rock. Been there for years.

Dave

[Fenix]

Thanks for all your advice Dave!!

Things are looking good! Its coming back to life. Thank goodness! This is kind of a late question is this a frogspawn or a hammerhead coral?
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Nitrite = 0 ppm
Ammonia = 0 ppm
PH = 8.2
Calcium = 460 ppm
Temperature = 79 F
Salinity = 1.022 ppm
Mg = I'll do it later.

I'm not in the clear yet. Lets hope it will make it through the night. I think i ll take tomorrow off school cause I m lazy and to keep an eye on things.

[Dave66]

Yours is Euphyllia paradivisa, or branching frogpawn, though they are also called hammer corals. Here ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) is a larger version, so you can see what yours will look like in a year or so.
You do need to SLOWLY over a couple weeks bump your salinity to 1.025. 1.022 is fine for FOWLR tanks, but corals are more touchy, and need the proper salinity. Otherwise, your pH is perfect, temp is good, calcium a touch high, but with the stonys you have, when they take off growing, they'll whittle it down in a hurry.
When you get your larger tank, go for E. divisa, which is the same look but is a single base, and E. ancora, who's green-blue tentacles look neat. In a year divisa can be as large as a dinner plate, and ancora forms curved walls that are quite attractive.
This ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) is where a lot of my corals come from, and you can see the ones I mentioned. Others have come from here ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]). Look around there, as there's some real coral eye candy there.

Dave

[Fenix]

Should I do a 10% water change 2morrow for good measure?

[Dave66]

Should I do a 10% water change 2morrow for good measure?

If everything is normal, no. If the corals still look a bit peaked, yes. I bet they'll be right as rain tomorrow.

Dave

[Fenix]

If everything is normal, no. If the corals still look a bit peaked, yes. I bet they'll be right as rain tomorrow.

Dave

I hope so.

would you beable to post a new pic of the entire tank????

i hope the tank gets better.

Heres one the night before the crash right after I killed those asptinas.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Fenix]

OK everything looks good. The blue/purple mushrooms like a lot better, almost fully recovered. On the other hand the torch coral and frogspawn looks pretty bad still and are alive and on the road to recovery.

Does anyone know how long i will take for htem to flourish once again?

[Tigerbarb]

Do you plan to get any fish? If so, what kind of fish are you intending to buy?

[coachfraley]

Glad it worked out OKthumbs2:

[Fenix]

Do you plan to get any fish? If so, what kind of fish are you intending to buy?

Not for awhile. Anything i add will practically be too big. I like clown fish but currently looking at alternatives until I finally decide.

I have so much algae!

Thanks coachfraley glad it did too. Thanks for the pick me up.

[cocoa_pleco]

if its long hair algae wash your arm then manually pull it out, i tried that method on my 55g and it never returned

[Fenix]

i guess i can do that 2morrow after school. i have so much of it on this one rock. well the good news is i m not getting any new hair algae since i changed my water source.

[Fenix]

I have at least 4 bristleworms. Are they harmful in large numbers? Even during the day I see them.

[Dave66]

I have at least 4 bristleworms. Are they harmful in large numbers? Even during the day I see them.

The vast majority of the species that show up are detritus eaters, and thus are beneficial. They only show up in plague proportions if you overfeed your fish or corals.

Dave

[Tooch]

I've just read through this entire post now, making it seem like I'm hard at work :ezpi_wink1:

Curses, I want a SW tank! You're is lookin great, and it seems like your doing an excellent job! Keep up the good work!

[Fenix]

Thanks civic I appreciate the comment.

Ok its been 4 days since my crash. I just wanted to show you how things are doing. Everything survived which is great and everything looks like it did before the crash.

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[Dave66]

Pleased to see it, fenix. I know how much you were stressing after your little mistake, but water changes and time healed all the wounds. Congrats.

Dave

[Tigerbarb]

I've never seen your corals look so good! Makes me want a SW tank even more!

[Fenix]

I've never seen your corals look so good! Makes me want a SW tank even more!

You should post a list of things that make you not want a SW tank. :ezpi_wink1:

[Tooch]

You should post a list of things that make you not want a SW tank. :ezpi_wink1:


1. $$
2. See #1

...That's about all I can think to put on my list... :ezpi_wink1:

[slinky]

Another challenge is that there are far more things to worry about than freshwater. Some people have time and like it. Another is the need to have more specialized equipment. For those with very busy schedules and not a great deal of room (even the 24 gallon nano-tanks don't look very large) it may require more than the usual work. But those that have time, they are extremely beautiful and interesting.

[Fenix]

I totally agree! I find caring for my aquarium really fun and I love doing it. I'm fortunate enough to have the available time to maintain it, which like you said is a crucial in SW tanks.

[Tigerbarb]

What did you use to attach your corals to rocks?

[Fenix]

This epoxy stuff. Its like puddy, you mold it into place and you have like 5 minutes before it hardens.

[Fenix]

Bristleworms. I have so many. I know for sure over 6 and some are pretty big. I turned off the fan and a bunch of them came out. Theres a pic of 4 of them but a couple that ran off before i got my camera.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[Dave66]

Bristleworms. I have so many. I know for sure over 6 and some are pretty big. I turned off the fan and a bunch of them came out. Theres a pic of 4 of them but a couple that ran off before i got my camera.

Fenix,
There are only two species of bristleworms you need to be concerned about; Eurythoe complemanta and Hermodice caruncula. Fortunately, they are rather easy to ID, as they reach a foot long and are about the thickness of your thumb. And both have very visible white fluffy bristles along the sides with orange or red bases. Easiest way to find Eurythoe is in the middle of the night with a flashlight. You'd see Hermodice during the day.
The problem with those two, beside being really large, is they are both coral eaters.
The rest of the ones that show up in reef tanks are detritus eaters thus are useful, if unsightly.
They can reach plaque proportions if you had fish and overfed them.

Dave

[Fenix]

I'm not sure if i over feed or not. Each month i use 1 cube of that brine shrimp stuff, which cant be that much. Well maybe since i m only feeding corals.

Soon i ll have a tank of just bristle worms.

[Fenix]

Since all my stuff got deleted i ll post it again.

So i got a large hermit crab and it didnt work out cause it was too big and wrecked stuff.

heres a pic of him.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
turns out he eats hair algae too, last night he ate all my algae but harmed my corals in the process. I m going to bring him back as soon as i can.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
today i got some Green Star Polyps.
It didnt come on a rock so i had to tie it up for a few weeks.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[cocoa_pleco]

green star polyps are cool, i have lots of them, you'll find they will spread fast in proper conditions

[Fenix]

Havent posted anything new in awhile.

Picked up a bubble coral.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

These are really sweet!

Here is an updatd picture of the GSP coral.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
They are really starting to come out. Hopefully in a few months you wont be able to see any rocks.

[Fenix]

Today I noticed my button polyps falling off the rock that they are on. It's been like this for sometime but now its gotten worst.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Heres a photo of that chunk thats breaking off.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
As you can see this cluster of polyps all grew on a tiny rock the size of a ball bearing, no wonder it was so dangly.

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
I ended up cutting of 2 pieces and reattaching them to the main rock. The whole procedure took only a few minutes and in the end everything worked out. There may have been a few casulties.

[squirt_12]

very nice...it is coming along nicly.....i love the GSP coral....looks amazing.


could you give us an undated full tank shot???

[spudbuds]

Nice pics Fenix! Those GSPs are going to look good when they fill in that rock. Keep us posted.

[Tigerbarb]

wow! I love coral pix!
The cause of your polyps falling off ay be linked to water temperature. You should ask someone at your lfs what your tank's water temperature should be.

[Fenix]

The reason it fell off is because there was no where else for it to grow and so it expanded to this little pebble. On top of that it used to be placed in a high currnet area. There wasnt much holding to the original rock at this point.

very nice...it is coming along nicly.....i love the GSP coral....looks amazing.


could you give us an undated full tank shot???

Thanks! I find full tank shots so boring, well mine are. How about a side view?

In the photo some of the Xenias just closed up after I turned off the powerheads.

I still have lots of those Aiptaisa, after what happened last time I think I'll just let them be and get a peppermint shrimp later.

The elastics dont really go well but they will be a part of my tank for awhile.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Dave66]

Fenix,
Just use Joe's Juice, follow the directions, and only kill one or two a day. That way you won't have an episode like you did. Make sure you do a partial water change after killing a couple; there isn't much left in a dead Aiptasia, but in a 10 gallon, I'd change the water to dilute any Aiptasia leavings.

Dave

[squirt_12]

Very nice Fenix....the side view looks amazing...:thumb:

[Tigerbarb]

I love the GPS coral view

[NickFish]

Very nice tank fenix. I love those corals, and the side view is awesome!
How much has this tank cost you so far, if you don't mind me asking.

[jbeining75]

Nice tank man...... good luck with it!!

[Fenix]

OK its time for an update.

So I got some new crabs.

2 Electric Blue Hermit Crabs

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

I started attaching my corals to the rocks. They arent stuck to the rocks but are firmly attached. Its a good idea to not attach anything permanently cause you never know when you change your mind or when it dies.

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Wont be long before the blue turns to green.

The crabs seem to eating the hair algae but at a very very slow rate, nothing like the other crab who ate all my hair algae in a single night. HAIR ALGAE I HATE YOU!!

[karbomb]

i really enjoy this thread. i loved reading it from the beginning. makes me want a saltwater tank. and your pictures are beautiful. what are you attaching the corals to the rocks with? did the live rocks produce the sea slug and the worms?
and at this LFS in chicago they have this tiny little blemmy with huge teeth. he is in a 10g there and i think he would be a perfect addition to any SW aquarium. next time i go in there i will find out his species. when he eats he darts like lightning to the top of the tank and then back to the rocks, it's awesome to watch.

[Fenix]

Thank you very much!

That actually sounds wicked. I'm still deciding on the fish i want to keep, I'm leaning towards a clown but looking at other options. Wont be for awhile though. If you can find the name I would really like to know.

I m attching the corals to the rocks with this epoxy stuff which is a puddy that you mold the way you want it. And yup the worms and stuff came with the rocks i got.

[Tigerbarb]

If you are still deciding on fish, some firefish would work out well.

[squirt_12]

Very nice....lookin' good :thumb:

[Fenix]

Still havent gotten a picture of hte other crab yet. it just doesnt do much. who knows...

well i picked up some shrimps today. I'm tired of cleaning my tank every other day so i thought it was time for a clean up crew.

I got 1 Shunk Shrimp (pic below) and a Peppermint shrimp to help with the pest problem, it doest come out either, so you'll have to wait for some pics.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

I m thinking about another shrimp too, a fire shrimp.

Does anyone know if there is such a thing as too much shrimps?

[karbomb]

i will definitely find out what type of blemmy he is for you.
in the tank it was him and two clowns. so you could probably have the best of both worlds, i am not sure if he was a baby but he was only an inch long at the most.
i have a bunch of shrimps in my FW 10g i think in general they do more good then bad for a tank.

[cocoa_pleco]

there is a such thing as too many shrimp, if there is too many they will have to fight for food

[Fenix]

would 3 be too many in a 10?

[karbomb]

good point cococa, i have 3 types of shrimp, a filter shrimp, algae eating shrimp and bottom feeding shrimp

[Fenix]

Are shrimps very active? Its been about 5 hours since I added them and the two of them havent even moved. They just sit there. Whats going on?

[cocoa_pleco]

most are nocturnal. in day my coral banded just sits upside down in the live rock, and at night he runs allover the tank

[squirt_12]

Cool shrimp Fenix!!!! :thumb:

[spudbuds]

Congrats on the shrimp. It's been fun watching your tank get populated. Keep the pics coming.

[Fenix]

Thanks for the comments. I ll do my best to show you guys the other ones.

[Fenix]

Hahha i just took a look at my tank and saw this.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

One climbed on the other ones back and started clawing him then he felll off. The drop is pretty big too. Well tomorrow i ll get some extra shells. Maybe a new one too.

[Tigerbarb]

Did those come with your rocks?

[Fenix]

No they were an after market addition.

Heres a photo of the pepermint shrimp. At night all it does is jump around like in hte matrix. Crazy! The skunk shrimp doesnt move around much.

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

I got some more frags
More Zoas
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Finger Leather
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Oh yeah my tank started crashing today. I think it was because of the super glue i used to mount those frags. I was worried that they would die so i tossed them in the tank as soon as i could. some of the glue possibly might have contaminated the water. i could be anything. well i did like 2 water changes and checked back in a few hours and saw things didnt look good then i did another one. well see how it is in the morning. the only corals that look bad are the mushrooms and the frogspawn everything looks great! all hte inverts too.

[spudbuds]

Cool new additions. I hope everyone works out with your mushrooms and frogspawn.

[karbomb]

i went to old town aquarium today and the fish in question is a barnacle blenny.
they only get about an inch in length.
heres a pic... check out those teeth!

[Fenix]

Thanks for the info. I saw that the to other day. Its pretty cool and it digs a hole for itself too. Spudubs, the frogspawn and everything else seem to be fine now, just needs a couple of days to heal. I gotta be more careful to what I put in my tank.

[Fenix]

Speaking of being careful I am totally not. Its as though I never learn.

Heres another DO NOT DO!! So last night I was adding some more water into my tank for earlier that day I took some out. I was adding 500mL of salt water. I put about 3 or 4 tablespoons into a container and assumed that when I added the water it would dissolve/mix the salt. Well I was wrong and proceeded to pour the salt water into my tank. The first portion of water was just mainly fresh water but the last bit was all salt crystals. I can see see huge chunks of salt crystals enter my tank. I tried my best to dissolve the crystals as fast as i could but i wasn't fast enough. Many of the crystals landed on my frog spawn and onto my zonathids. The zoanthids then closed and I'm sure you can tell what happened next. The tentacles on the frogspawn retracted and then all this weird stuff started coming off the frogspawn like white smokeish kinda of stuff. While this was happening many of the Zoanthids were spewing all this brown stuff. It wasn't a pretty sight.

Well as far as I know everything is still alive but the frogpawn once again is in rough shape. Why is it that all the bad stuff always happens to it. I'm beginning to think this hobby isn't for me. I'm going to really need to stop screwing around. This is it I am now going to be responsible!!

Here are some photos.

Burns on the Zoanthids
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Frogpsawn a few minutes ago
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)


I'm also having a lot of problems getting my gsp coral to stick to the rocks. Its been sometime now and they are not sticking at all. At night I see all these bristleworms come out from beneath it. Possibly they are causing it not to stick. Well I had this small bunch of like 5 poylps so i glued it to a rock.

Here it is.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Oh yeah my finger coral is missing. Turns out the high current blew it off the rock I glued it to. I cant seem to find it so I guess I ll need a new one.

I am quite sure I have the WORST reef keeper there is.

For the next few days I'll be doing a series of waters changes. I've calculated that I need to do 14 10% water changes to bring my existing water down to ~%30. Hence I'll have %70 new water. Maybe someone can tell me if this is a bad idea.

[coachfraley]

I am quite sure I have the WORST reef keeper there is.


lol, I don't think so Fenix, you obviously care about your corals, it is just easy to make mistakes.

Last night I decided to re-arrange my rocks a little, to make more room for my sinularia coral, and while I was moving the rocks around, a large one slipped out of my hands and landed on my frogspawn and one of my hairy mushrooms. I won't know for sure how badly they got hurt until I get home today...So I know how you feel, my big emergencies usually come from rather routine operations.

BTW, I think it is normal for the GSP to take a while. I might be wrong, but I think the matting has to grow before it anchors on the rocks.

[Tooch]

I don't know anything about reef tanks, but it looks like you are learning alot from the mistakes, and not just blowing them off. It's good to see you're doing the work that's needed to correct things! Keep up the good work, and don't let these things get you down! thumbs2:

[spudbuds]

Don't worry Fenix. We all make stupid mistakes from time to time. You obviously care about your tank inhabitants, so don't let it get you down. Just keep learning from them and sharing your experiences with us so we can learn from them too. I've now learned a few things from this thread that I didn't even consider before. My future reef thanks you. :sbiggrin:

[Fenix]

Thanks guys. Good news. Everything is doing well and the water changes are over.

Heres a water change chart I made when I had to do my changes. Maybe it will be of some use. Just a basic exponental graph.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Maybe someone can answer this. Is there such a thing as too many water changes?

[Tigerbarb]

Thanks guys. Good news. Everything is doing well and the water changes are over.

Heres a water change chart I made when I had to do my changes. Maybe it will be of some use. Just a basic exponental graph.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Maybe someone can answer this. Is there such a thing as too many water changes?
I believe there is such thing as too many water changes, because: "Why did you cycle your tank in the first place and let bacteria grow?" Too many water changes might take out some healthy bacteria from your tank, though LR will supplement it.

If I had a SW tank, I bet I would be doing alot of water changes too lol. I would be nervous of having a lost fish overnight and would be obsessed with keeping excellent water quality.

[cocoa_pleco]

in FW tanks you can not do enough, but in SW i wouldnt do much more than 2 10% weekly ones

[Fenix]

Yeah I didn't think it seemed right but its all over now. I think it was needed though my tank went through a lot of drama last week.

I was hoping someone can tell me whats wrong with my polyps

I think its time I start using the attachment thing on the forum.

Well its been in my tank for almost a week now. When i first got it there was some polyps open and then for the last 4-5 days no polyps. Is it dead? All the other stuff in my tank seems to be alive and well. Its just this that is having a problem.

[Tigerbarb]

Wierd... Your polyps are definitly not liking something... Maybe you should look it up on Google.

[cocoa_pleco]

somethings not right, maybe do a iodine dip on them

[Tigerbarb]

Polyps from what I've heard will close in quickly when they catch a piece of trace element or something edible.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Fenix]

No i don't think thats it. When they eat stuff they usually open back up. I think i ll move it around to a less flow area and see what it does.

[Fenix]

Heres something new.

Inspired by the coach. the ricordea

and some yellow polyps

[cocoa_pleco]

trust me, the yellow polyps will spread. i had 2 hitch on my leather coral piece of LR and now 2 became 20

[Fenix]

good i want them to spread i want them to all cover my sea floor and turn it yellow that would be sweet.

[squirt_12]

Very nice fenix!!!!! thumbs2:

So how many corals do you have in there now??

[coachfraley]

Nice ric. Fenix! I wish mine had come on a nice piece of LR like yours did.

Good buy!

[Fenix]

Nice ric. Fenix! I wish mine had come on a nice piece of LR like yours did.

Good buy!

I m glad i have the LR but its a little large. I m going to be breaking it down when i find a place for it.

[coachfraley]

I m glad i have the LR but its a little large. I m going to be breaking it down when i find a place for it.

Just be careful, I have had some really bad experiences with LR splitting where I didn't want it to...like right under the coral.

[Tigerbarb]

Nice! I love yellow polyps. They are one of those things that really brighten up any marine aquarium.

[karbomb]

i really like that little orange and blue guy in that first pic. quite interesting. i am taking marine biology this semester, and i didn't realize until last week that corals are part plant and part animal. i always thought they were all animal. so awesome. can you buy jelly fish for SW?
edit: sorry i don't know what the thumbs down is about.

[spudbuds]

Very nice Fenix! I love the ric. They are so cool looking.

[cocoa_pleco]

can you buy jelly fish for SW?


yes you can, but they are extremely extremely needy, they need specific food, flow, and rounded corners.

IMO only public aquariums, or extremely knowledgeable people like dave66 should have jellyfish

[Fenix]

Yeah my friend told me about the rounder corner thing. Why is that?

[cocoa_pleco]

if theyre not in a rounded corner tank they can get stuck in the regular 90 degree corner

[Fenix]

Yeah during the summer i went to an aquarium and noticed that.

Guess what i found today? More zonathids! I got 4 colonies of this. They are all small and all look the same.

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[cocoa_pleco]

awesome! look exactly like one of my patches of zoas

[spudbuds]

Nice looking zoanthids Fenix.

[squirt_12]

Very nice Fenix!!! :thumb:

I know that you say front tank shots are boring to you.....but could you post one??? i really want to see what the tank looks like now since you added all of this coral to the tank.

[Fenix]

I'm still getting things the way I like it. but in the mean time heres a photo of my frag area behind my rocks. Besides, my digital camera is out of film so you''ll have to wait ;)

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Theres a feather duster, brown zoanthid, leather coral and a cladiella ohh and a shrimp

[Dsoto87]

Besides, my digital camera is out of film
Lol...is this a joke or something?

[Fenix]

sorta...

There seems to be something wrong with my tank. Every week something weird happens when things dont look healthy. So i just do a water change (10%) and all is well. I know a weekly water changes are good but I would like to do it when things are fine, not because I have to do it. How is my tank ever going to mature?

[cocoa_pleco]

it takes 12 months to mature

[Fenix]

maybe you can enlighten me. What does it actually mean to have a mature tank?

[cocoa_pleco]

theres enough good stuff for the tank to run stable, no random algae blooms or crashes should occur

[squirt_12]

lookin' good Fenix!! :thumb:

[Fenix]

Damn! One of my sps corals died, sad but I was kinda expecting it for a few months now.

[Tigerbarb]

I don't mean to take over the thread, but why must coral lightning be compacted? Will power tube lighting work?

[Fenix]

Well it just means that the lighting is compacted into a smaller space. So compact lighting means that instead of having a 40 watt huge tube. its all compacted into a a small tube. So you can fit more small bulbs into a smalller amount of space. thats what i think, not entirely sure.

[Tigerbarb]

I guess corals just like more of their light coming from less sources.

[AABatteries]

That tank looks awesome. I might get a cube about the same size in a year or two. I wouldn't have that many coral. I like fish and shrimp better.

[Fenix]

Thank you! Good luck with your future tank.

Update. Dead Crab. Well its been busy fighting with the other crab and unfortunatly it fought its last battle.

Heres a photo. You normally don't see crabs outside their shells so I thought I would show all of you guys.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[karbomb]

:( dead hermit crabs make me sad.

[Tigerbarb]

You gotta admit that dead crabs aren't much fun. It is nice that Hermits are not at all expensive.

[Fenix]

This might sound kinda bad but I was getting tired of the crabs. They arent eating enough hair algae and they refuse to eat the big chunks of it. Not only that but they tend to step on my zonathids.

[dgoulston]

wow I just read this thread the whole way through, i wish i had read this before filling my tank with Fresh Water Fish. I really want a SW tank like yours, looks amazing, and love the look of the fish you can get, espically clown fish. But i spent £300-400 this month setting up me 24G FW aquarium + fish, so shouldnt really buy another tank next month,, lol.. but hay, its only money :P

lets wait and see how good me bonus is this year me thinks, fingers crossed....

so how much in total roughly have you spent on this project so far, just to give me an idea? if you dont mind me asking!.

Darren,

[cocoa_pleco]

crabs arent miracle workers, nothing can fully take care of hair algae, you need to manually remove it

[zackish]

You made a good choice with that light. On my 10 I went with the next one up, the 24" 130 watt.....it's way overkill.
I must say my closed brain, my acro, and my bird's nest are growing faster than anything in my tank though hahah

[Fenix]

wow I just read this thread the whole way through, i wish i had read this before filling my tank with Fresh Water Fish. I really want a SW tank like yours, looks amazing, and love the look of the fish you can get, espically clown fish. But i spent £300-400 this month setting up me 24G FW aquarium + fish, so shouldnt really buy another tank next month,, lol.. but hay, its only money :P

lets wait and see how good me bonus is this year me thinks, fingers crossed....

so how much in total roughly have you spent on this project so far, just to give me an idea? if you dont mind me asking!.

Darren,

Thanks. Well I spend a lot more than I should. I buy a lot of stuff that is totally unneeded. But hey its only money. :P ~$1550 and still rising

Well I built this in the last few days. Took a long time to build cause I was trying out a lot of different materials for a more sleek look. I tried 1/2" vinyl tubing through a 265gph water pump, then to 3/4" vinyl tubing then to 1/2 PEX tubing. I tried almost everything. Finally after none of that panned out I went with 1/2 PVC and a 350gph water pump. Its not as sleek but its so much easier to work with and more sturdy.

Heres what I made...

A CLOSED LOOP SYSTEM FOR A 10 GALLON.
Its kinda overkill for my ten but I made to to replace a Korilla Nano (300gph) and a Korilla a (400gph). So a total of 700gph. Again I know that was overkill too.

Well here it is.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Its a wave maker. So the tube on the left pumps in water for like 10 seconds then it turns off then the tube on the right pumps water for 10 seconds. They alternate and in the end I have a waves like in the ocean.

I basically stole the design from this guy
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Why mess with a good thing. I'm a lot happier with this than my powerheads. Looks a lot more clean and opens up a lot more space, which is very important since I don't have all that much to begin with.

[Tigerbarb]

Wavemakers seem like really cool aquarium inventions. can you show us a video of your wavemaker in action, and o f your SW tank in general?

[coachfraley]

Cool setup Fenix! Are you going to cover that intake with anything? I bet you could suck a fish up that thing with all the draw coming from that pump.

EDIT: oh i forgot, you are fish-less right now, aren't you?

[Fenix]

yeah i have no fish :( In 10 days I will get a fish.

[Tigerbarb]

What kind of fish do you plan on getting? A clown goby would do great in your tank, and will probably love your frogspan and mushrooms.

[Halelorf]

That is a very cool DIY project that I will have to keep in my brain for a rainy day in the future :1luvu:

[Fenix]

As cool as it looks i think i prefer my powerheads over it. Sure it looks cool but it doesnt move water well. I going to need to get some jets on the end of the pipes. Hmmm.

[coachfraley]

As cool as it looks i think i prefer my powerheads over it. Sure it looks cool but it doesnt move water well. I going to need to get some jets on the end of the pipes. Hmmm.

That is strange...I figured with such a massive pump, that it would move a ton of water:confused:

[Fenix]

Even though my pump is rated at 350gph. I m guessing its only 300gph. Its enough but not enough for me. I used to have 700gph. So its such a huge decrease. I dont think my coral like it either. They are all pretty used to the strong flow. They arent expanding out like they normally do. Hmmm ugh

[coachfraley]

Have you tried using the setup, but putting the koralia nano back in too? You could keep the wave motion AND increase the flow.

[Fenix]

Have you tried using the setup, but putting the koralia nano back in too? You could keep the wave motion AND increase the flow.

Yeah i m thinking i need to do that. My tank looks dead since nothing is really moving. I m gonna get those end cap jets they use and maybe i can make the flow stronger.

[Fenix]

OK i found out why the flow was so weak. the prefilter stopped the slow. Now everyhting is nuts but i like it

i think to avoid the prefilter i ll make an overflow box or buy

[coachfraley]

Could you use something like this over the intake to prevent snails and other critters from going into the pump:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Fenix]

wow i think i ll get that. i need one really bad before my shrimp starts its matrix routine. thanks!

nows with the flow the current is changing like every 4-5 seconds which i m so happy about. looks cool but really chaotic at the same time.

[Fenix]

Someone tell me what these are.

When i poke them with a stick they get small.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[cocoa_pleco]

too blurry to see, but are they polyps?

[Fenix]

hows this?

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Fenix]

another view

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[coachfraley]

Dude, crazy camera work!!!

They look like chitons to me.

[spudbuds]

I have no idea what those are, but I wanted to say nice job on the close loop. I love that site that you stole from. Lots of good info.

The SQWD will most likely cut the flow a bit as well. You will also want to get a prefilter on there soon as I hear the SQWD doesn't function too good with debris running through it. I'm curious to see how you like it after you've used it for a while, so keep us posted.

- Bill

[Fenix]

Dude, crazy camera work!!!

They look like chitons to me.

What do i do about them?

[coachfraley]

Not positive that is what they are, but here is an article:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Fenix]

I have no idea what those are, but I wanted to say nice job on the close loop. I love that site that you stole from. Lots of good info.

The SQWD will most likely cut the flow a bit as well. You will also want to get a prefilter on there soon as I hear the SQWD doesn't function too good with debris running through it. I'm curious to see how you like it after you've used it for a while, so keep us posted.

- Bill

Thanks yeah I actually visited that site before I even started my tank but never saw the closed loop thing. Well without the pre-filter I like it a lot. It gives that strong water flow and looks really cool. I dont like it with the pre-filter cause 1. water flow sucks. 2. Water pump gets loud and rattles.
I think I'm going to run without a pre-filter. I want the pump to to last me awhile so I think I'm going to put the entire pump into a bucket of water and change the water now and then. I hear they overheat a lot and can leak so i m preparing for both situations. If it leaked onto my carpet I will never hear the end of it.

I'm not too concerned with the SCWD, they aren't too pricey and if it lasts me a year then that would be good enough for me. I would gladly pay the extra cash to have water flow that my coral and I can enjoy.


Not positive that is what they are, but here is an article:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Strange, I hope it doesn't turn out to be these. I'll give it a few more pokes tomorrow.

[Fenix]

So I was just taking a look at my tank and saw this guy just sitting there. Photo was taken with a flash in the dead of night.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
I havent fed my tank for a couple weeks and this guy is huge.


Since the change in water flow the other shrimp (Skunk) which is still extremely shy has explored another 2 inches of the tank.

[cocoa_pleco]

fire shrimp! hes awesome

[Tigerbarb]

How the -------- do you get such good pix?! I am amazed by the quality, color, and content in every one of your photos. thumbs2:

[Fenix]

fire shrimp! hes awesome

Its actually a peppermint shrimp. But yeah Its really red too.

[coachfraley]

My skunk is a maniac...he cruises all over the tank, and practically fights my clowns for food. Hopefully yours will warm up a little over time. Has he been eating well?

[Fenix]

haven't fed shrimp in two weeks

[coachfraley]

Drop some food in...see what he does

My shrimp go bonkers for this stuff:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

My fish won't touch it, so I use it occasionally to "target feed" my peppermint and skunk.

[Fenix]

Drop some food in...see what he does

My shrimp go bonkers for this stuff:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

My fish won't touch it, so I use it occasionally to "target feed" my peppermint and skunk.

I just feed them brine shrimp is that ok?

[Fenix]

Whats this?
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[coachfraley]

Looks like STOMATELLA VARIA to me.

Do your shrimp go after the brine shrimp? I know they will usually eat normal marine flake and pellet food as well.

[Fenix]

OK I know I said I was getting fish in like 10 days but whatever I was bored and payed a visit to my LFS.
I picked up TWO clownfish. I know I said I was only going to get 1 fish but these are so tiny. Ughh!

Well I dropped them in and they started hosting my bubble coral.
Heres my fishies.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

one more thing. the flow in my tank is pretty strong is it bad for the clownfish. seems like they can never stop swimming and are getting tired.

[cocoa_pleco]

they always wiggle and swim, as long as the flow isnt like a hurricane its fine

[Tigerbarb]

Wow. Glad to see you got fish. You should post a video of your clowns.

[NickFish]

Congrats Fenix!

They'll grow but as long as you keep the water in tip top shape they should be fine! I know a man who even bred clowns in a 10 gallon!

Your tank is one of the nicest nanos I've seen, you should make a video, or a slideshow of all your pictures! It would great, and good luck!

[coachfraley]

Fenix,

You are really lucky they hosted your coral so quick! Some people try forever to get their clowns to host, and then they end up hosting a powerhead. lol.

Clowns are great fish, I am sure you will enjoy them.

[Fenix]

Thanks guys. Yeah the funny thing is they only host the bubble coral at night. During the day they dont. I think its becasue during the night the tentacles come out of the bubble coral so it looks like an anenome. During the days its just bubbles.

I'll post a pic after i find one last piece of coral. Its a common piece so it shouldnt be too hard but for the last month its been impossible.

[Tigerbarb]

Lol. Glad to hear you have the chance to see your clowns host a soft, bubbly coral. Not every aquariust has that chance.

[Fenix]

Yeah but its not as cool as watching it host an anemone.

I don't know if this is hosting but I think it is. Hard to tell since my bubble coral has small tentacles.
Always swims beside it and every once in awhile it brushes up against it.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
Well only one of them host the bubble coral.

The other one is doing something weird. Its hosting the Brown Zoanthids.
I see it brushing up against the polyps and trying to swim between the polyps unsuccessfully.
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Well the two are still males. How long will it take for one to change? There is a noticeable size difference between them. When they pair will they agree on one thing to host or will they continue hosting different things?


][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[coachfraley]

Once they pair up, the male usually stays very close to the female all the time.

[Fenix]

So another one of my crabs died. Heres a photo becasue... I dont know...
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

Its death has really made me reflect on the other one that died before him. I'm begginning to think it wasnt murdered but perhaps it died of other causes. Possibly old age or more likely cancer, since its a crab. Just kidding I think they died of starvation. Everything in my tank seems to be fine, so why is it that the crabs died? Hmmm. I'm thinking its because I don't feed them. I don't feed them because I thought they ate hair algae and by not feeding them they will be forced to eat all of it. Turns it it didn't work. They would rater die than eat hair algae. I guess their hatred for hair algae is greater than mine.

I'm done with crabs now. They are pretty annoying so I think its for the best.

I think I'll just get more shrimp.

Sexy Shrimp or Coral Banded Shrimp or Skunk Shrimp or Fire Shrimp?

[cocoa_pleco]

if youre having problems with those crabs, why not try those $1 hermit crabs?

i would get a fire shrimp, coral bandeds should have a 33g+ tank

[Fenix]

No, i m done with crabs. I'm going shrimps. Probably 3 of them.

Which shrimps are NOT nocturnal? I want one that does stuff during the day.

[cocoa_pleco]

pretty much all are nocturnal

[Fenix]

Can I get a pistol shrimp?

[Halelorf]

My LFS has some of those and they seem really cool. Heard one "clicking" in one tank. Would like to maybe get one someday but since my tanks are in my room I think it would keep me up or wake me at night.

[Fenix]

I think i ll have to pass on it.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

It will get expensive to feed.

[Tigerbarb]

Wierd video. It does look kinda hard to keep and expensive to feed. You could try a peppermint shrimp. I've heard those are great.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[coachfraley]

Fenix, have you seen fire shrimp at your LFS? They may not be very active, but they sure are pretty!

[Fenix]

Yeah I saw them they are cool but lazy. I may pick on up this weekend unless something else catches my eye.

[PetRanch6892]

at work we have, fire shrimp, and peppermint shrimp, there pretty active. when you stick your hand in the tank, they crawl on it to try and clean it.

[Fenix]

at work we have, fire shrimp, and peppermint shrimp, there pretty active. when you stick your hand in the tank, they crawl on it to try and clean it.

I know, i saw some guy do that. Thought it was a pretty inefficient and time consuming way to clean your hands.

Well after school I picked up a FIRE SHRIMP
Here it is.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[AquaBANG]

fenix, awesome pics... you should enter this into POTM. my vote will go to you :)

[Fenix]

fenix, awesome pics... you should enter this into POTM. my vote will go to you :)

No I think I'm done with that competition. Thanks for your kind comment though. I love how the red shrimp really contrasts the blue mushroom.

oh yeah. do you think it would be excessive to have 4 shrimps in a 10 gallon? I have lots of caves and rock work. I want a sexy shrimp cause they are so sexy.

[AquaBANG]

I know nothing about SW tanks, so will leave that to the experts...

[cocoa_pleco]

i would kinda think its excessive, most people have only 1 shrimp in tanks 20g and under

[Fenix]

If having shrimps equivalent to having crabs? In terms of cleaning?

[coachfraley]

I think shrimps are mostly scavengers. They don't go after any algae, as far as I know.

BTW, nice fire shrimp! I don't know anything about their behavior, but they are the prettiest shrimp IMO.

[cocoa_pleco]

most shrimp wont eat algae, scarlet crabs may eat a bit though

[jimpierce]

sexy shrimp? Thats gettin' kinda creept ain't it? hehehe

[cocoa_pleco]

sexy shrimp? Thats gettin' kinda creept ain't it? hehehe

lol, the first time i saw that name at a store here i figured it was just a joke, but there really are sexy shrimp