labnjab's 29 Gallon FOWLR

[labnjab]

Exactly a week ago, we started planning. we thought it would take months before we would even have the tank setup. But then I sold my snowmobile, which didn't run and had $500 to blow.

We already had the 29 gallon tank sitting around so that was a big help.

Currently the tank is cycling with 5 lbs of very live rock (will explain later), and 25 pounds of dead rock. We are looking for more live rock and hope to have a total of 50 lbs.

Heres our setup
API master saltwater kit
Koralia 2 powerhead
Stealth 250 watt heater
Digital Thermometer
Coralife Skimmer (en route, should be here soon)
Salt (we will probably get hung for this, but we are using instant ocean. It is all the stores have around here and they swear by it. I didn't want to have to order it online so that if I needed it in a pinch we could get asap. If we start noticing anything bad, we will switch, but so far its good)
RO water bought from walmart
29 gallon walmart special tank we bought when we first got started last April

We have around $400 invested so far.

Here's the first picture we took, before we filled it all the way

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0400.jpg

And here is the tank filled
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0403.jpg

Within a day of the tank being set up, and after we installed the powerhead we already noticed life on the rock. First it was small hairlike growths.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0399.jpg
Then this afternoon we started seeing worms. There are atleast 2 waving around that I think are nemertea
We also saw one Sipunculida Worms (http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-04/rs/index.php)
that is atleast 2 inches long.

After lights out we noticed the biggest hitchiker. Its some sort of snail, and will anyone who knows what it is please identify. I turned the lights off and looked in half an hour later, and I saw a section missing, well, turns out it was a snail. you can see it in the center of the picture.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0404.jpg

These are all the pictures we have for now, but will have much more very soon. This is turning out to be a very fun project and it its very interesting seeing all the different unique creatures pop out.

Our current water parameters

ph-8
Ammonia- 1 ppm
Nitrate and nitrite- 0
Specific Gravity- 1.022
Temp- 80

Note: the hob filter is just temporary until we get our skimmer. Thank you to all that have been helping and we are open to any comments and suggestions. Keep watching, more to come soon

[labnjab]

I also forgot to mention, we are planning on a clown fish a yellow watchman goby for fish, as well as a few snails and other inverts. lol, we got our 1st one for free.

[spudbuds]

Good start so far.

Instant ocean is a fine salt and is one of the most commonly used. It is low in calcium so if you ever add coral to your tank, you'll likely have to supplement additional calcium in your tank and your water change water.

Not sure what the snail is. Can you get a closer pic?

From your other thread, your pH likely dropped because of the die off occurring in the tank. It's normal during cycling and will level off once the tank is more established.

Keep the updates coming.
- Bill

[cocoa_pleco]

no problem with instant ocean, ive always used it. ive had no issues at all and i keep soft corals and SPS

[labnjab]

good to know about instant ocean, for some reason I thought it was disliked on this site. I will be posting more pictures tonight. We got our skimmer yesterday. Its coming along really good, we also got about 3 pounds more live rock with alot of coraline. I'll try and get a better picture of the snail too. He seems most active at night. I'm hoping he will eventually more from the rock to somewhere he doesn't blend in so well with. We also noticed 2 or 3 fry of some sort, their red with yellow eyes and very small, but they swim and don't crawl and are very fast, and don't leave the crevasis of the live rock. I'm assuming their fry, but how they got there i'm not sure. The tank the live rock was in at the store only had a solitary goby.

[Halelorf]

I use instant ocean since I was given a giant 5 gallon bucket of it for free by a friend. Works pretty good, i've kept soft corals, mushrooms, and polyps with it. Once I run out i'm going to try reef crystals and see how that does. Looks like your tank is coming along fine just remember to take it slow. Don't add a whole bunch of livestock at once or you will be sorry later.

[labnjab]

We don't plan on adding any livestock unill we have all the live rock we need, around 50 or 60 lbs, and until all the dead rock is live, and when it is fully cycled. We are in no rush to add livestock, its just as interesting watching the live rock, you see something new every day...lol

[labnjab]

Here are some new pictures. I did some rearanging, and added around 3 more pounds of live rock.
The first few are of the skimmer, http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0413.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0414.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0416.jpg


Here is how we repositioned the rocks
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0417.jpg

[oldhead]

Nice job! That collection cup with be filled with some dark and make you wanna gag smelling stuff before you know it. Be careful to keep that one clean, I've read where more than a few people have had it overflow on them. Tank is looking better day by day, congrats.

[labnjab]

I will have more later. We have seen atleast 7 or 8 higher lifeforms on the live rock, several worms, 2 snails, and a few fry looking things. lol, maybe they will be clown fry and then we won't have to buy them, yeah like that will ever happen. We are working on getting an all glass top and some better lighting, but one step at a time for now. The hood hardly fits now with the skimmer


I have just 2 questions, Are the positions of the powerhead and skimmer ok, or should they be moved.


Thank you for looking and I will keep it updated

[cocoa_pleco]

looks good. move the air silencer on the end of that tubing out of the water though, if water gets in it its done for

[labnjab]

looks good. move the air silencer on the end of that tubing out of the water though, if water gets in it its done for

Thanks, I'll do that now, we got a few possible hits on live rock, so hopefully they pan out

[labnjab]

I'm gonna try and get just the light out of this craigslist item. http://nh.craigslist.org/for/837882131.html

i won't use it now, but if we ever want to add coral it will be useful

[labnjab]

Upgraded the lighting, nothing fancy, but it did double the lighting. I got a 2 bulb 24 inch t-8 fixture. We are running cheap aquarium bulbs for now, but will soon be upgrading to 50/50's. Now we have 36 watts vs 17.

here are some pictures of the lighting
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0430.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0427.jpg

Now we need an all glass top. We had to modify the current one to make room for the lights and skimmer.

[labnjab]

Here are a few close ups of our live rock
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0431.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0432.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0434.jpg

And one of the dead rock pieces that is starting to be converted
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0433.jpg

[labnjab]

Does anyone have a recomendation for a glass top that will allow room for our skimmer?

We are hoping to get some more live rock in the next few days (fingers crossed) Took water parameters today. They are .5 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and just just under 5 ppm nitrate. I was shocked when I nitrate this early and we have never seen any nitrite in any of our tanks. This one is cycling faster then we thought it would.

[cocoa_pleco]

Does anyone have a recomendation for a glass top that will allow room for our skimmer?


your best bet is to do what i got for my 90g, go to a glass shop and get 1 or 2 (depends if you have a center divider) panels of glass cut, and take off a few inches on the width for the skimmer and other equipment. should cost $~25

[labnjab]

Do you just feed throught the skimmer hole? I was thinking about going this route, but I wasn't sure, we have glass places all over the place. Does it need to be a certain glass type or thickness to support the light?

[cocoa_pleco]

i just got the thinnest regular glass they had. i wouldnt get a hole for the skimmer output, too risky

[labnjab]

Looks like 29 1/4 x 7.5 would fit perfect and flush. lol, I meant to say opening, not hole. I'll get it priced out tommorrow if their open. Thanks cocoa

[labnjab]

Noticed some new and wired growth after we added the new lights, and were wondering if it was normal, or if it was something we should be worried about. The large piece of live rock has some white spots starting to sprout. Some of the smaller pieces have blueish stringy things and white tubes. I've circled the harder to see things on the last 2 pictures.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0442.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0443.jpg


http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/growth.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/growth2.jpg


I don't know if I should be worried about the white spots or not, its starting to look like the same color as the dead rock. what do you think? I see new things every day on these rocks, thats half the fun. You never know what your gonna find when you turn on the lights in the am.


Our skimmer still isn't ready to be used, so I still have it in the break in setting. It still creates to many bubbles. How long did your coralife take to break in cocoa_pleco? Hopefully it will be ready in a day or two

[labnjab]

We made some large changes today. we bought 100 lbs of live sand and 40 lbs of live rock for $120. It was an early birthday present from my aunt. The rocks were in a tank that was running for over a year and he upgraded to a awsome looking 75 gallon bowfront (although I think it was a little overstocked, 4 clowns, a yellow tang and several other fish I didn't reconize).

I completly emptied my tank and removed the play sand and used 50# of the live sand for an average depth of 3 inches. I then added all of my live rock for a total of 48 pounds. I was shocked I got it in there and still have room for fish.

So far I've seen a few hitchikers, a few sponges, featherdusters, hermit crabs, snails and worms. There is also a small, translucent anemome. I don't know how well it will thrive, but it was open in my tank with only 37 watts. If you think i should take it to my lfs I will, but it seems ok.

I will have pictures of the tank tommorrow once the dust settles, right now you can't see much. They will be camera phone pictures as I dropped my digital camera into a bucket of saltwater.

Here is a picture of the live rock after I bought it
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/DSCF0449.jpg

One final question for the night, will 48 pounds of live rock and 50 pounds of live sand be sufficient for this tank if I keep it lightly stock, or should I add a few more?

[spudbuds]

That will be more the enough rock and sand for your tank. Congrats on the new stuff.

Can you get a pic of the "anenome"? It's hard to say if you can keep it (or even if you'd want to) unless we can ID it.

- Bill

[labnjab]

We managed to get a few crappy pictures. The first 2 will be the anemome, the second is both hermit crabs, and the third is a fts
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/GetAttachment4.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/GetAttachment2.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/GetAttachment-1.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/GetAttachment3.jpg

Its still a little cloudy, but has cleared up alot. I saw 2 clear featherdusters this morning and 1 red one by the anemone. What is the best way to get the dust off of the rocks?

[labnjab]

Saw this little guy just after posting. I konw if I ever want to add corals he will have to be removed, but its a cool hitchiker for now.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/GetAttachment5.jpg

[oldhead]

Difficult to say from that picture but the nem looks like it could possibly Aiptasia which you'd wanna get rid of asap. Google it and see if what the pictures resemble what's on fron of you there. If so you wanna get it before it starts to spread.

[labnjab]

The ones on google look tan or brown, and this one is almost clear. I talked to the guy I bought the rock from and he says it has been there a long time, and it has just been the one.



Update on parameters

.25 ammonia
0 nitrites
between 5 and 10 nitrates
1.022 specific gravity

[spudbuds]

That is an asterina star. There are some species that aren't reef safe, but most seen in the hobby are okay. They are good detrivores and shouldn't bother any corals.

- Bill

[labnjab]

Does anyone have a clue what type of anenome that is? I don't think its an Aiptasia because it it clear and not tan or brown. I can't find a picture online or any info on it. I don't think its a large feather duster either because it doesn't have any tubes that it hides in. I can try and get some better pictures later, but for now its all i have.


Only a few changes to the tank today. I got a panel of glass to fit the top. It looks pretty nice, alot better then the broken modified stock top. i also repositioned the powerhead for better flow

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/GetAttachment-2.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/side.jpg

[labnjab]

I decided to put a list together of what everything cost us so far so others can see

Tank - we already had this so it was free
Stealth 250 watt heater- $32 for tank
Tetra 200 watt heater $22 for mixing bucket
60 lbs Instant ocean salt $50
30 gallon mixing tub $10
Coraline Protein skimmer $100 new ebay (including shipping)
Aquatic gardens powerhead $20 for mixing bucket
Koralia 2 Powerhead $45 ebay (including shipping)
5 gallon bucket $5 home depot
24 inch double t8 bulb shoplight $8.88 walmart
Custom cut glass top $9 local glass store
API Saltwater master test kit $35.00
Digital thermometer $8
2 24 inch aquarium bulbs $12 soon to be upgraded to 50/50
48 lbs of live rock and 100 lbs of live sand $180
30 gallon R/O water at walmart $44 had to buy jugs normally 33 cents a gallon
Hydrometer $12

A total of $592.88 so far and please inquire if I'm missing anything

[oldhead]

Man WalMart gets me for .74 cents a gallon on their RO water. Can't wait till I can make my own here shortly. Driving there to buy water gets old really quick...

[labnjab]

We go there once a week for grocery shopping, so its no problem to pick up 5 gallons a week for top offs and water changes. And if we need it in an emergency, its only a 2 minute drive

[xximanoobxx]

Theres a place here that just sells RO water... Single RO is 25 cents/gal and Double RO is 45 cents/gal... Is that a good price????

[labnjab]

what is single and what is double? those look like good prices but i didn't know there was more then one type of ro

[cocoa_pleco]

yeah, never heard of double either

[xximanoobxx]

Double is like when they filter the water twice with the RO system... lol..
The whole store is just a water filling station and in the back it has a huge RO system(literally)

[cocoa_pleco]

that double RO is weird. once should be enough to get it pure. im thinking the double RO is a cash making scam

[xximanoobxx]

Oh, I guess I should just get the 25 cents/gal one for drinking...

[labnjab]

I wouldn't drink ro, it doesn't do you any good. No nutrients

[cocoa_pleco]

RO is actually drinkable, but yeah, as long as theres not something crazy bad in your tapwater, regular tapwater is your best bet for drinking

[labnjab]

Not much happening in the tank today. i did get the skimmer working properly thanks to the help of Cocoa_pleco and ILMGB. I emptied it once, it filled about halfway, now its slowed down a little which is good because I will be heading to bed soon.

I have discovered 4 hermit crabs and added a few extra shells for them. They have been steadily feeding on the algae.

Here are a few pictures of some of the rocks which have had significant alage growth in the last few days. Sorry for the crappy quality, their from a camera phonehttp://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/Algae3.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/algae4.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/algae1.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/algae2.jpg

.

[labnjab]

This next one is of some of the newer live rock we purchased. It has some green alage starting to grow on it.http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/GetAttachment4-1.jpg



Our cycle has also completed. I tested this evening and had 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and 5 nitrate 8.2 Ph and 1.022 specific gravity. There won't be many updates for a week so because now we are just waiting for algae to grow. i will post if we find any cool hitchikers. We will hopefully adding fish in 3 or 4 weeks.

There is some confusion on the test charts for the api saltwater test kit. For the Nitrate it shows the same color for 5 and 10, but on the freshwater test ket, they are seperate. Is this a mess up un api's part or is it normal

[cocoa_pleco]

There is some confusion on the test charts for the api saltwater test kit. For the Nitrate it shows the same color for 5 and 10, but on the freshwater test ket, they are seperate. Is this a mess up un api's part or is it normal

this is gonna sound stupid on my part. lol. but, have someone else look at the test chart. everyone sees color shades different and it could be that your eyes read them as the same color. i actually read all but light colored shades of purple as blue

[labnjab]

I just had someone look and it is the same. i would think it would be alright to use the freshwater chart, all the other colors match up. The biggest one we have trouble with is the high range ph. The actual liquid could be any of the shades of purple, its really hard to tell exactly which one it is, but as long as its above 8 I'm happy. The color has pretty much stayed the same and over 8 so thats all that matters.

[labnjab]

I have some new pictures and since the cycle was complete, we decided to add a fish insted of waiting for the algae to grow. Its a sabae clown. He has already made himself at home and eats like a pig (we haven't overfed, but he finishes everything in about 30 seconds. I also have an updated FTS. I borrowed my uncles camera.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010041.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010031.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010032.jpghttp://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010034.jpg

[labnjab]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010039.jpg


I will be rechecking parameters tonight and make sure everything is good after the added bioload. In a few weeks I will probably add a watchman goby and a pistol shrimp. I will also be looking into getting a few mushrooms in a few weeks or months, but I have to do research on those. I'm impressed with how clear the water is without mechanical filtration.

[labnjab]

Heres some better pictures of the anenome
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010030-1.jpghttp://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010031-1.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010032-1.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010033-1.jpg


if anyone knows what type it is please help identify it, i'd like to learn about it.

[oldhead]

Nice shots, still out on the nem. Looks like you got some cyano shaping up on those rocks. Hard to tell from the pics though. Tank is lookin sweeter and sweeter though.

[labnjab]

I moved the anenome more towards the bottom of the tank, and it seemed to open up more, so I'm guessing it likes lower light. He has a redish pink "mouth" and its foot (saw it for the first time) is also redish pink. I also discovered some sponges on the bottom of the rock that it is on, which is cool. The algae is spreading fast, i see more and more every day, red, purple, green, and a little brown. i love how colorful it its becoming. Theres even some starting to grow on the sand and on one of the hermits.


Checked the water parameters and adding nemo didn't change them at all. Still perfect, which made me happy. He already found a sleeping spot, he was curled up under one of the big rocks all night. He has got alot of personality. Next water change is monday if everything stays good.

i will hopefully be getting a new digital camera tomorrow. I will try and get a great up close shot of the anenome. Next project is to get moon lights because its a whole other world after dark

[labnjab]

We did a 10% water change today and also started our CUC. We bought 3 turbo snails for $3.99 each. Wednesday we will be buying more snails and hopefully some hermits. We are still on the lookout for mushroom coral locally, but may have to resort to buying online. We also had to scrape hair algae on the front glass for the first time. We will probably leave it on the back and sides.

Here are some pictures of the new additions
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010002.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010004.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010005.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010007.jpg

[labnjab]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010006.jpg

heres another picture of nemo just hanging out
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010003.jpg

[labnjab]

Looks like were are well on our way in the first algae stage. Brown alage is poping up everywhere. It seems like it doubles everyday. In general, how long does this stage usually last? Its seemed to have accelerated greatly since we added our clown fish. Here are some pitcures of some rocks, which were just about white a week ago. I will be adding more snails tommorrow to help control the algae, but I've yet to find any hermits.

[labnjab]

We will be ordering some joes juice soon to get rid of that nuicence anenome that was finaly identified (thank you all who responded to that thread). Water paremeters have been perfect so I'm happy with that. Im still amazed at how the live rock keeps the cycle perfect, just as good as our 55 gallon freshwater tanks with canister filters and HOB's.

We are waiting on some pictures and prices from someone selling some mushroom coral frags. If we like what they got, then we will buy a few small ones tonight.

[oldhead]

Oh man welcome and have fun. I just got done battling what I think was a cyano stage. It was shorter than I thought it would be lasting only3 weeks. Thank God that's over, what a pain in the ass!

[labnjab]

I like seeing the algae grow, and it grows fast. It looks alot better then the slightly tan rocks that most of them were a week ago. The only problem I see is scraping the glass every other day, but on a 29 it only takes a few minuets. At lights out I've seen close to a dozen worms. I really need to get some moon lights.

I saw the star fish last night for the first time in a week, but now it has disappeared again.

How long does this fist stage last? It seems to be a combo of diatoms and hair algae, which is starting to accelerate in growth too, but not as fast as the diatoms.

[kaybee]

You could try curtailing your photo-period until you acquire the mushrooms. While that won't affect the water conditions promoting algae growth it will curtail algae growth. How many hours are the tank lights on?

[labnjab]

Usually 11.5 hrs, should I cut it back to around 10.

[kaybee]

With no corals in the tank you could reduce the lighting period down to just viewing hours (2-4hrs, down from 11.5hrs).

Prior to getting your first corals (mushrooms), you could even go lightless for a few days (except during feeding time), followed up by a water change prior to adding the 'shrooms and light again. When the nuisance algae and diatoms die back they'll release the nutrients (nitrate/phosphate, etc) that have been fueling them (which will be removed from the system via the water change).

[labnjab]

Thank you for the info, I will give that a try. I'll start turing it on when I get home from work at 5pm rather the 10:30 am when I usually do (I live above my work so I can come up any time) and continue to turn it off at 10 pm like I usually do.

I still have no word on the coral. I hate waiting on emails...lol. They said they had mushroom and zoa frags and would write back with prices and pictures.

What is the typical time frame for this stage of algae before it moves to the next? I know it varies from tank to tank.

Cutting the light won't affect our clown? He seems to go to sleep behind a rock 5 minuets after we turn the lights off and seems to stay there pretty much all night, like he knows its bed time. I know the worms will love less light...lol

[labnjab]

I haven't updated in a few days, but not much has changed. We added some more turbo snails for a total of 6. We will be picking up some Zoas this weekend. The biggest change is I ordered a 192 watt 36 inch pc light tonight,http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=290263209057 so now its a reef in the works.

What kind of corals would work with this lighting?

[cocoa_pleco]

that gives you about 6wpg so youre good with alot of corals. down the road in 6-8 months you could even get a bubble tip anemone.

[labnjab]

that gives you about 6wpg so youre good with alot of corals. down the road in 6-8 months you could even get a bubble tip anemone.

Thats awesome, we were hoping we could add an anenome down the road. I think its cool watching the clowns lay around in them in the stores. Now we need to change the title of this journal bc is not gonna be a FOWLR for much longer

[cocoa_pleco]

Thats awesome, we were hoping we could add an anenome down the road. I think its cool watching the clowns lay around in them in the stores. Now we need to change the title of this journal bc is not gonna be a FOWLR for much longer

just PM william and he can change it

[kaybee]

...We added some more turbo snails for a total of 6...

I didn't see any turbo snails in the previous pics you posted prior to the additional six. You've got 1 astrea snail (seen in the first pic) and at least 7 turbo snails?

[labnjab]

I have 6 living snails that I thought were turbos, I'll take pics tonight. I also have a few empty shells for hermits

[labnjab]

The were listed as turbos at the lfs, and actually I have 2 very small hitchiker snails that I only see at night

[labnjab]

Here of some pictures of the snails that we bought. This will be the last post in this thread because it will no longer be just a FOWLR. I am now turing it into a reef. I should be getting our first corals tomorrow so stay tuned for a new reef journal.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010001-1.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010002-3.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010003-4.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010005-3.jpg

[cocoa_pleco]

awesome!

are you planning on a sump?

[labnjab]

I never thought of it, but now that you mention it I just might do that. I've been thinking of ways to add to water volume and hide the skimmer, cause it takes up alot of space. The only thing is the space under the stand only has room for a footprint of around 7inx22in and maybe 20 inches of height. I just have no clue what would be involved in making a sump for it, and what I would be looking at for cost. Do they make a sump with the odd of a shape.

And heres an updated FTS, Today is water change day so I'll be cleaing some algae on the glass

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/jabsgirlforever/P1010011.jpg

[labnjab]

One more thing, what would be the ideal specific gravity for a reef. Ours has been kept at 1.022, will that be good, or should it be 1.023

[cocoa_pleco]

you can get a 15g long which is 24" long and angle it a bit to fit, i have to angle my sump for it to fit. ive been scared to do a sump for the last 8 years but now that ive done it, its simple. get a overflow, get hosing, make your own PVC output, get a return pump, and voila, thats it. the return pump just has to be less than what the overflow takes in. a big plus is the water level in your tank stays constant always, you only have to top off water in the sump.

salinity should be 1.022-1.026, i keep mine at 1.022 (i usually support the same LFS and they keep it at 1.022 so its less stressful of a drip acclimation on the fish)

[labnjab]

I'll have to start planning that, as for now I'm just gonna get a few corals and keep the stock light. I have to get 2 of my darn wisdom teeth pulled and 3 fillings and I don't have dental insurance. Thats $2000 out of pocket and I only have a credit card good for a grand. That puts additions to the tank other then fish on hold for a few months.

[kaybee]

The were listed as turbos at the lfs...

I see them mis-labled like that sometimes; what you have are actually astrea snails.

Turbo's are (at least at selling size) typically larger (both in terms of sheer size, acorn-sized to plumb-sized) and appetite and the algae they tackle) and differently shaped (with the ability to 'right' themselves if they happen to fall down; an event that usually means doom to an unassisted astrea).


One more thing, what would be the ideal specific gravity for a reef. Ours has been kept at 1.022, will that be good, or should it be 1.023

A stable specific gravity would be idea. 1.026-1.027 happens to be my preference.

The SG of wild reefs will vary geographically and probably even seasonally and can be as low as 1.017 to as high as 1.030.

[labnjab]

When I put the 2 newest in the tank, they both landed upside down, and flipped themselves almost immediately, maybe they were just lucky. How are they compared to turbos as far as cleaning ability? Are they all astrea? They seem to graze 24/7.

I've cut down on light to try and slow down algae growth and will leave it off starting a little later tonight till around 3-4 pm tomorrow, which is when we are getting coral. I've had water mixing and warming up since last night for a water change. The tank is starting to look a little nasty like others said, due to the algae, it looked cool at first, but now its getting a little hairy, but I know it will get worse before it looks better. Water is still crystal clear and parameters are still dead on, so everything is good there

[kaybee]

When I put the 2 newest in the tank, they both landed upside down, and flipped themselves almost immediately, maybe they were just lucky. How are they compared to turbos as far as cleaning ability? Are they all astrea? They seem to graze 24/7.

Astreas which land upside down and are able to right themselves are lucky (depending on objects which may or may not be nearby).

Astreas are decent algae eaters, but turbo's (in my opinion) are exceptionally better in terms of quantity of algae consumed and the time it takes for them to consume it). 1 acorn-sized turbo is easily equivalent to several astreas, which is actually why I posted my first reply (7 turbos in your particular tank would be overkill).

The down sides to turbos, however, are (from my observation): they seem to 'require' large amounts of algae (and are capable of eating algae faster than it can grow in the tank, there-by starving themselves out). Also they seem to do best in cooler water (low-mid 70Fs). They can also become 'bulldozers', knocking over things (corals, mainly) which aren't firmly affixed. It's in these areas that astreas seem to be a better choice.

[labnjab]

Thank you for that info kaybee. I'm actually glad I don't have turbo's we just bought some coral frags and I wouldn't want them to knock them down.


Mods please lock this thread, Its now a reef project so I will be starting a new journal. Thank you