Milt's 90g Reef (under construction)

[Miltonic]

Im going to start my own aquarium journal so you guys can see my progress through the construction of my 90g reef that will soon come to be. Right now I have most of the main things I need but far from done purchasing everything. As many of you know this will be my first reef and this is very exciting for me and scary at the same time since this is my first experience with saltwater. I hope everything goes and with all the research I've done will help me be successful with this project. Ok, enough talking so heres the rundown of what I've got so far to start.

What I've got:
- 90g Oceanic Reef ready tank
- Oak Stand (will be arriving like next Thursday :/)
- ASM G2 Skimmer
- Quietone 4000 return pump (1017 gph)
- Two Hydor Koralia 4 power heads
- 29g sump

Future purchases/plans:
- RO/DI system (Need help choosing which brand is best but not too over priced)
- Make artificial rock with my step-dad who works in construction. Im glad he found someone he works with that actually made rock for his own tank :D
- Still need to get basics like nets, heaters, salt ect
- Coralife 48 Inch Aqualight Pro, 2x250W HQI Lamp + 2x96W CF Lamps Sq. Pin + 4x1W LED (open to other choices since this one is a bit pricey)
- any other suggestions on what I should purchase would be great since I plan on having a wide range of corals.

After all the main things are done I will start thinking about livestock but I'm not going to worry about it now.

Thanks for reading:hmm3grin2orange:

well Im going to add some pics of some of the stuff I have now here:

Tank:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_0863-1.jpg

Skimmer:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_0872.jpg

Sump just about ready to be put together:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/IMG_0091.jpg

[Friendly]

Awesome! Can't wait to see how it turns out.

I've always wanted to do a Saltwater tank, but then like my special friend says, "Pssh, can't even keep Freshwater fish living for a week Tom." :hmm3grin2orange:

But good luck with your new Salt water tank though!

[Deleted User]

Jeez that looks so complicated. I so would like to try the marine side of things but looking at that I think I will stick to taking pics of them. Good luck. thumbs2:

[cocoa_pleco]

looks good!

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Looks good. Can't wait to see that beauty setup.

[Miltonic]

Thanks everyone! thumbs2:

@Celtic Fins - when I started wondering in to the saltwater side of things with research, I also thought it was very complicated and almost decided to not start at all but now that I have an understanding, it's all very simple. :hmm3grin2orange:

Edit: btw I ran into my first problem building the sump and the stupid baffles not fitting even if they're the right size, the bottom part of the aquarium seems to be smaller and failed to measure down there earlier, ugh I have to go tomorrow and get them trimmed.

[oldhead]

Congrats on the start that should be a gorgeous tank once you have it all set up. Post lots of pictures!:11:

[Miltonic]

I finally finished building my sump!

I will post pics as soon as I can take them lol

Im still waiting for my stand to arrive, it apparently shipped Friday from what the seller said when I bought it two weeks ago!, I sent him a message to see if it shipped and to ask for a tracking number but hasn't replied *sigh*

I also found a great lighting system but the price is so good I don't trust it. lol heres a link (http://cgi.ebay.com/48-760W-Metal-Halide-Aquarium-Reef-Light-w-FREE-Ship_W0QQitemZ130282102775QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item130282102775)

[Rue]

Wow! You're moving fast!thumbs2:

[AABatteries]

Awesome can't wait to see it with water and livestock. As for that light, I wouldn't trust it.

Here's another option: http://fishneedit.com You could get 2 150w MH and 2 2x54w t5 fixtures and link them together which would give you 5.73wpg, which would allow almost any coral. If you do get those MH, be sure to replace the bulbs, cocoa had a bad experience with them.

[cocoa_pleco]

milt, i have the 24" 250w halide 2x65w PC light, same brand and everything as yours linked. its good, but switch out the ballast. they are crap and under driven. i replaced mine with a icecap and saw at least 200% more light

with the fishneedits, replace the bulb. i have the 150w halide along with my 250w halide from your post, and one day the bulb on the fishneedit crapped out, and when crapped out it heated up bad and caused connectors in the pendent to flame. it was lucky i decided to come home for a hour in the morning, if i didnt come home it would have full on caught fire. i just had to get a new bulb and fix some wiring and a new connector

basically, with lights you can get a cheap one and pimp it with better parts like bulbs and ballasts, and you can usually still be ahead of name brand

[Miltonic]

Thats scary my mom would ban all tanks if that ever happened :S

I can't decide on the lighting because its either too expensive and the cheap ones need to be modified. *sigh*

I will continue my search since im no hurry for lighting just yet.

[cocoa_pleco]

Thats scary my mom would ban all tanks if that ever happened :S

I can't decide on the lighting because its either too expensive and the cheap ones need to be modified. *sigh*

I will continue my search since im no hurry for lighting just yet.

milt, would you go for T5's? getting cheap T5 fixtures are far less of a risk than halides since they run cooler, this fixture would be good for you

http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-48-8X-39-watt-T5-HO-Aquarium-Light-FreeSHIP_W0QQitemZ180297679720QQihZ008QQcategoryZ4 6314QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[travie]

I can't decide on the lighting because its either too expensive and the cheap ones need to be modified. *sigh*

I am in the exact same position you are in right now. I can't find a light fixture that suits my needs for the price I want. Keep searching, one is bound to pop up on eBay eventually.

[Miltonic]

@cocoa - I really don't want t5's sincei might have to upgrade later on, thats why Im searching for the best possible light source for a wide variety of corals. I'll keep looking, I know i'll find something.

@travie- good luck to you in your search, atleast i know i'm not the only one having trouble with the lighting.

[rageybug]

Skimping on lights is the biggest marine mistake you can make... well, almost. If you don't have the funds for the "good" lights, put your tank build-up on hold untill you save enough to buy them. Marine tanks are stupid expensive to stock and maintain so that extra $100- $200 for the good lights might save you 10 times that in lost corals.

Starting a proper marine tank is a long slow process as it is. Don't rush any of the steps to getting the tank going. I know first hand how tempting it is to start a SW tank and load it up with goodies right away... big mistake.

Wait to buy the better lights and your tank will be awsome. Get the cheaper lights now and it may start off looking good but down the road you will be kicking yourself.

I hope this helps...

[kaybee]

..Im searching for the best possible light source for a wide variety of corals....

Does that include keeping SPS corals?

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Skimping on lights is the biggest marine mistake you can make... well, almost.

Totally agree here. I am just getting ready to upgrade the lighting on my tank as well. I'm moving up from PC lights to T5s. Of course I'll need to take some precautions in doing so but the T5s I'm putting on there will allow me to keep pretty much anything.

[Miltonic]

Does that include keeping SPS corals?

probably when im more expience and my tank is mature enough and i don't want to have to be upgrading everytime I want something new.

From what most people have said It seems that im going to have to save up for the lights I want since I don't want any problems arising from getting cheap ones.

[kaybee]

T5HO's emit intense light with lots of PAR and should allow you to keep almost anything, especially if the fixture comes with individual bulb reflectors.

SPS's kept under such lighting should have no issues. I currently keep two types of SPS corals in my tank (5x T5HO bulbs) and they're doing great. For the most light-demanding of SPS's you could probably go with nearly all 'daylight' bulbs, but may risk bleaching everything else (certain LPS's and softies such as mushrooms may require positioning under ledges or other shaded areas to cope with the light output).

[Miltonic]

After more research on T5, I found that I may also be interested in getting that type of lighting, the reviews for it are great but I need you guys to help me. heres a link (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~action~view~idProduct~SL2121~idCategor y~FILTFIT58U~category~48in_Units~vendor~~tab~5.htm l)

I also finally had the time to take and upload some pictures of my sump.

The order of the compartments is skimmer 11">refuge 11">return 6"
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_0875.jpg

not bad for a first siliconing job and omg that stuff stinks I think im still getting headaches from it.

[cocoa_pleco]

the light in the link you posted is awesome and you could keep any corals you want

yeah, uncured silicone smells funky. at first it smells kinda good, then it starts to burn your nose

[coachfraley]

the light in the link you posted is awesome and you could keep any corals you want


+1, that light is AWESOME! You will be able to mess around with the bulb configuration, and color the tank exactly the way you like it.

If you need to go a little cheaper...these are also very cool, but obviously not as nice as the one you listed.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~category~48_inch_Current_USA_6x54W_Nov a_Extreme_Pro_T5HO_3_10k_3_460nm_Actinics_48in_Uni ts~vendor~Current_USA~SearchStr~pro~action~view~id Product~CU01081~idCategory~FILTFIT58U.html

[Miltonic]

I can go for the ones I posted in the link but im not going to buy them just yet since i want the RO/DI water purifier first and have enough time to save for them while the live rock cures since it doesn't need light.

here's a link (http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm) to some RO/Di systems I was looking at.

[AABatteries]

I've looked at those before, tried to find reviews, but I was unsuccessful. So, I'm not sure about those, but here's a good one, but definitely not the best: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4395+12093&pcatid=12093

[cocoa_pleco]

lol, i just heard a horror story about that coralife one. a guy bought one, and coralife didnt tighten one of the tubes properly, and when he had it on he got a major flood on his floor

[Miltonic]

That pretty much assures I won't get that brand, I don't want any accidents.

I was looking at this brand (http://bwiplumbing.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=390)also but its kind of expensive.

[cocoa_pleco]

BWI had a group buy for a RO unit on reefsanctuary, dont know if its still on or not

[Miltonic]

I found the group and posted hopefully it's still going on. It would save me a lot of money.

[kaybee]

lol, i just heard a horror story about that coralife one. a guy bought one, and coralife didnt tighten one of the tubes properly, and when he had it on he got a major flood on his floor


That pretty much assures I won't get that brand, I don't want any accidents...

All tubing and housing connections should be inspected and tested for water-tightness prior to leaving the unit unsupervised. Any leaks should be quickly apparent.

Very easy to adjust the tubings and quick to determine water-tightness (just push them all the way in until they click in place). Moreover, the tubing connections of probably all RO/DI units are very near-identical. It'd be unfair to entirely 'write off' Coralife on that one mishap as the potential for that happening could occur with any unit.

Miltonic, the 3rd RO/DI unit down on the filterguys link you posted (OCEAN WAVE+ FIVE STAGE 75 GPD RO/DI) seems like a decent set up and best bang for the buck from what has been posted thus far. When the time comes to change out the first two filters, the first two stages could be replaced with smaller micron filters (1-micron or less in the first two stages).

Edit: the group buy on that other site is also decent. My unit is of the same model, PurelyH20 Optima Vision, (though I've added another stage to it since then).

[cocoa_pleco]

yeah, im sure the coralife one is good, good companies have the odd bad thing happen. i just meant to check everything before you use it

[Miltonic]

I'll get either, i'll wait to see if the offer on the other site is still available and if not i'll got for the filter guys one.

Edit: and btw I got my first dry rock today, its kind of small and it was 19 pounds, i'll be using it as reference to make the artificial rock.

[Miltonic]

I finally got my stand and put it together yesterday and so here are some pictures :D

Im really happy everything is coming together.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1014.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1012.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1021.jpg

heres my skimmer in the sump.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1016.jpg

[coachfraley]

WOW!!!! Very Nice!

[Miltonic]

Thanks :D

I forgot one picture of my sump any suggestions on the skimmer chamber will be appreciated.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1026.jpg

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

That skimmer is in the perfect spot. You always want your skimmer locatedin the very first chamber of your sump where the overflow runs.

[Miltonic]

yeah it fits perfectly in that spot, I cant wait to get my RO/DI unit to start mixing the salt. Then I'll be able to get the live and some dry rock to start the curing process.

[Miltonic]

well, I have a huge update! My RO/DI unit arrives tomorrow and i'll finally be able to start filling my tank,oh man im so excited. I also found someone in my area who will be tearing down his tank and will sell me about 125 pounds of fiji live rock for $300 and will be picking it up on Monday. I also ordered my lighting and I decided to go for T5's, I went with the 8 bulb ATI fixture and will be arriving here on Wednesday. This is going better than I though y the ended of next week everything should be up and running, even though I still need to get alot of stuff like substrate, more buckets, and other randoms and that stuff can wait until the rock is recured.

[coachfraley]

Sounds awesome! I can't wait to see the pics!!!

Have you seen the guy's liverock to see what kind of shape it is in?

With cycled LR, you will be able to get your tank up in no time at all!!!

[Halelorf]

Shaping up to be a very good tank build. Just remember to pour the first few gallons of water from your RO/DI down the drain as they will have preservatives in it from the membrane. Keep us updated!

[Miltonic]

Sounds awesome! I can't wait to see the pics!!!

Have you seen the guy's liverock to see what kind of shape it is in?

With cycled LR, you will be able to get your tank up in no time at all!!!

yep I saw the rock in pictures from his tank, it's sad that he has to tear up because he needs the money to pay his mortgage and can't maintain the tank anymore. He has about 600 -700 punds of rock and i'll only be getting a fraction so if anyone lives close and wants to buy some of his other stuff, heres a link (http://lancaster.craigslist.org/for/1012880047.html) to where I found the ad.

[coachfraley]

looks good! No algae!

Looks like a lot of big pieces, but you could always break it up more if you need to.

[Miltonic]

I asked for a couple of big pieces and lost of pieces in the medium to small range. I just wonder how my aquascaping will look.

I want this weekend to go quick so I can start the process i've been waiting for for almost two months.

Edit: congrats on your 1k post btw!

[coachfraley]

lol, thanks...I didn't even notice.

[Miltonic]

got RO/DI unit yesterday set it up and fixed a leak on it. Im now waiting to fill a tub with water. I'll be getting my LR Monday so I hope I have enough water mixed by then.

[Miltonic]

im so excited!! last night I finally had enough RO water to start filling my tank.

WATER!
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1060.jpg

top view while salt is mixing. (im using Seachem reef salt)
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1061.jpg

[Miltonic]

more pictures!!!

Almost full with salt mixing
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1069.jpg

Sump with skimmer working
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1070.jpg

top view of skimmer
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1071.jpg

about 140 pounds of live rock gotten today for $300 nothing can beat that deal.:D

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1076.jpg

im so excited even though Im worried I don't have enough water for the LR but it'll cure once the water in the tank is ready which will probably be tomorrow.

Edit: Im also worrried Iw on't know how to start the overflow. :s

[digital3]

Good luck man... It looks good so far. I'm also posting so I can subscribe to your thread!

[coachfraley]

If I were you, I would get that rock in some water...even if the water is cloudy, or the SG is a little off, it is better than leaving it exposed to air. The longer it is out, the longer you will have to cycle it.

You could just throw it in the display, and then aquascape once the tank clears up.

But you obviously made a nice score. It is going to be fun to watch your tank come together!

[Miltonic]

Thanks everyone. Im so happy its finally coming together.

@Coachfraley - Yeah I was worried about the rock, and I will take your advice and out it in the water.

[Miltonic]

I did all my aquascaping and I think im happy with what I have done.

Before aquascaping
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1091.jpg

after aquascpaing
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1113.jpg

I also put a huge piece of dry rock I had gotten before and its now supporting the structure with all the rocks.

weird looking thing in the LR
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1094.jpg
anyone know what it is?


Oh and Im having some issues deciding if I should skim or not. What would you guys recommend?

[cocoa_pleco]

yep, you can skim during curing/cycling

aquascape looks awesome! personally i would move that flat piece going up the glass on the left side, and put it branching on the right side of the rock with the hole in it on the left leaning on to a rock to its right

[coachfraley]

I agree with Cocoa (if I understand him right). Flat rocks are really nice to have laid flat, so that you can use them as a shelf. It might be best to find a spot were you can lay it down.

That rock with the hole is nice!

[Miltonic]

Thanks for the tips on the aquascape but are you guys im not sure which flat rock, the one kind of in the center going up? or the one next to the overflow going up?

clearer picture here
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1115.jpg

and another with the view of the tank.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1124.jpg

[labnjab]

Looking goodthumbs2:

[Miltonic]

Thanks! I finally understood what Cocoa said about the rocks I should and i'll try it later today and see how it turns out. Also Im excited because my lights arrive today.

Now I can start thinking about about my stocking list!!! I have no idea on what fish im going to keep but I know two that will be in for sure. I want a Yellow Tang and a pair of clowfish thumbs2:

[cocoa_pleco]

its the rock on the left thats flat and straight under the Koralia on the left. it looks a bit unnatural placed there

[Miltonic]

took your advice and moved the rock and now looks a lot better, here's a pictures of the final product, incase someone didn't see from the other thread.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1135.jpg

also here's pics of my lights <3
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1128.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1125.jpg

I was literally blinded when I turned them on.

[Miltonic]

My water still hasn't cleared after adding the sand Thursday, should rinsed some of it but whatever, its getting batter after placing filter pads on my return pump and overflow. My skimmer has also gotten a decent a mount of the sand particles so i think it should be clear by Monday or tomorrow.

here are some pics.

My tank clearing up, it kinda loos like it snowed on my rocks.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1148.jpg

My ATI's turned on
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1142.jpg

oh and before I added the sand in my tank I found this on my glass, anyone know what it is?
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1138.jpg

I also built a stand for my skimmer and now sits at 9 inches of water
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1151.jpg

[lava]

Man that looks so good! I wish I had the money to go with salt water! you are very lucky! Are you keeping track of the spending? If so I would love to know the total that you spent so far .

[Miltonic]

To tell you the truth,I have not kept that much tract of the otal for everything but I know what everything that i bought for it cost. Im afrad of adding it all up but I think it's around 2k. That without getting fish/corals and inverts that i still need.

And for the others following my setup I happy to announce that IM finally done with all the equipment purchases and my tank is fully setup and alsmost ready for fish. Here are my parameters for today the 7th day after I put the Live rock in my tank.

pH: 8
Ammonia: 0 ppm (it topped at .50ppm earlier in the week)
Nitrite: its between 0 and .25 because its between blue and purple but not as purple as the one for .25
Nitrate: 0 ppm
Phosphate: 0 ppm
kH: 8 drops
Calcium: 28 drops (a little high)
Salinity: 1.25

I think my tank will be ready for 2 clownfish tomorrow, if the nitrite disappears. How long should I wait until I add a coral in my tank? Im kinda nervous about the caring for corals. I was also wondering what are some foods I should start stocking on?

[kaybee]

What test kit are you using to measure calcium? What does "28 drops" equate to in Ca ppm?

Salinityspecific gravity: you probably meant 1.025 instead of 1.25.

What corals are you interested in getting? Mushrooms and zoanthids, among others, are great starter soft corals and are generally forgiving. Trumpet coral/candy cane coral (caulastrea) makes a great starter LPS. (I'd recommending adding stoney's after water quality and parameters have demonstrated stability).

[Miltonic]

I'm using the API test kit and it only goes up to 26 drops which like 520 ppm.

I'm asuming that's a bit high.

I'm interested mainly on LPS and later on sps/anemones.

[Miltonic]

after having some issues with my stocking list and cleaning crew yesterday, found here (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=37844&page=3) and going a little over in my fish, I tested my parameters after 24 hours of them being introduced and everything is checking out ok with Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate all being 0ppm. IM sure this is not enough time to see an ammonia spike but everything is going great so far.

here are some pictures i took with my cell.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/IMG_0099.jpg

Clownfish!

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/IMG_0103.jpg

[coachfraley]

Your final scaping looks very nice!

I am sure you know that you probably rushed the fish a little, so I will not lecture you...but keep a close eye on the clowns. I rushed a pair of percs. into a 16g tank I set up 2 years ago. Even though the water parameters were perfect, the pair got velvet almost immediately and croaked. Then I had to leave the tank empty for a month to get the velvet out of there. I would have been much better off just waiting a little while for my tank to settle down.

Hopefully it will work out better for you.

Nice choices on your CUC!

[lava]

the pair got velvet almost immediately and croaked. Then I had to leave the tank empty for a month to get the velvet out of there. I would have been much better off just waiting a little while for my tank to settle down.


Hey coach what is velvet? and Miltonic that looks amazing even though its just rocks! :) I am happy for you! those clowns look so cool , I am sure they'll love you , if you give them one of those annenome thingies

[travie]

Hey coach what is velvet? and Miltonic that looks amazing even though its just rocks! :) I am happy for you! those clowns look so cool , I am sure they'll love you , if you give them one of those annenome thingies

Anemones are not required to keep clownfish happy. Once you start getting some coraline algae and/or some corals, you tank will look amazing.

[coachfraley]

Marine velvet is pretty similar to ich, but it is WAY more deadly. It literally killed the fish before I could set up a hospital tank to treat them.

[Miltonic]

Your final scaping looks very nice!

I am sure you know that you probably rushed the fish a little, so I will not lecture you...but keep a close eye on the clowns. I rushed a pair of percs. into a 16g tank I set up 2 years ago. Even though the water parameters were perfect, the pair got velvet almost immediately and croaked. Then I had to leave the tank empty for a month to get the velvet out of there. I would have been much better off just waiting a little while for my tank to settle down.

Hopefully it will work out better for you.

Nice choices on your CUC!

yeah, I know rushed the fish a little but I thoughy that since the water in my volume in my tank is quite large (about 115 gallons), three small fish wouldn't have a high impact. hopefully everything will be alright. I'm still not sure how long to wait for my first coral and which to get.

CUC? sorry don't know what it stands for :S

[AABatteries]

CUC = Clean up crew. Tank is looking great, I cannot wait to do SW.

[Miltonic]

Thanks, AA hopefully you can star one soon.

Saltwater is so exciting, It brings so much variety to the table and Im finally seeing some interest from my mom in fish. She offered to buy a yellow tang for me at the LFS for me yesterday but I told her I couldn't get one yet. It was so hard to say no tbh lol

[labnjab]

Marine velvet is pretty similar to ich, but it is WAY more deadly. It literally killed the fish before I could set up a hospital tank to treat them.

I had a clown get it, and by the time I discovered anything wrong it was dead. I've found locally its more of a problem with wild caught clowns. Tank raised are a lot more hardier

[lava]

Anemones are not required to keep clownfish happy. Once you start getting some coraline algae and/or some corals, you tank will look amazing.
Hmmmm...I see. I just thought that those clown fish did not like living with out anemones , cuz everytime I saw them in the video, they would always be playing with them and never leave them alone LOL. Guess I was wrong :D

[labnjab]

Hmmmm...I see. I just thought that those clown fish did not like living with out anemones , cuz everytime I saw them in the video, they would always be playing with them and never leave them alone LOL. Guess I was wrong :D

A lot of clowns are tank raised and have never even seen an anemone. The main reason they host them in the wild is for protection from predators. Without one, a clowns bright colors will quickly make them lunch.

I have a pair of tank raised clowns, and recently added an anemone, and they haven't even paid any attention to it. They are perfectly happy hosting a crevice in a rock, lol. I hope some day they will host it, but they may never host it.

[Miltonic]

man this velvet stuff is scary, I hope I can get away without getting it.

about the clownfish, mine are happy hosting the sand lol since they're the only fish in there they don't worry about predators.

in other news my tank is finally going through the diatom stage with some brown algae growing but its not too bad. My current CUC should take of it but i think I should get more hermit crabs since mine like to stay in only one part of the tank and don't wonder off too far.

[Miltonic]

ok so the brown diatoms have really taken off now so I went out and got 2 more Aestra snails and 4 more hermit crabs. I also got myself a nice emerald crab The green algae is also starting to grow on some rocks I was wondering how long does it usually take for this process to end?

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

About 6-8 months. :) The Cyano Bacteria stage is coming up next, and it will be heavier because of the 3 fish in there.

[Miltonic]

oh gawd, what surprises me is how fast the brown diatom stage went, the green algae grew quick, it took like one day after the brown to started growing.

I just tested my parameters and everything is going great, no ammonia spikes, no nothing just algae growing.

pH 8.2
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 0 ppm
phosphates 0ppm

[mac]

Tank is coming along nicely.
mac

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Your nitrate reading could very well be a "false" reading with all that algae in there, and at this stage it likely is. The algae will be using the nitrate faster then the anaerobic bacteria will, as a result you will have a 0ppm reading on it. It is perfectly normal though.

[Miltonic]

so I do have nitrate but it's getting consumed fast by the algae/anaerobic bacteria?

I have a question about my refugium, is it necessary to have a DSB in it? the sand bed I have in there is about 1.5 inches since I didn't have enough live sand to add more but I o have extra dry sand so could that work? incase I do need a DSB, right now my refugium also has a some chaeto and a piece of LR.

also here's a picture of my tank in its current algae stage, even though its not very visible on the pic

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1160.jpg

one of my turbo snails

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1153.jpg


@Mac - Thanks :)

[AABatteries]

Tank is looking good.

As for the DSB, I'd say its not required, but beneficial if you have one. I'm not 100% sure, only about 90%, hopefully somebody else can give you the right answer or confirm mine.

EDIT: Forget my question about size. Just looked at it in the sump in the pic. Got a light over it?

[Miltonic]

yeah, but you can't see it in the picture thanks to my stands middle piece, its one of those desk lamps with an incandescent bulb I hope that enough for the chaeto.

ugh I hate my stand I still need to try and stain it and put that thing that protects it from water because I keep spilling water around it on the floor and sides :S

i'll keep googling info on refugiums and see what i can find.

[labnjab]

If you have the room a DSB is nice. It all depends on how large your refugium area is. I was going to put a DSB in my sump, but if I did, it would leave me with only 2 inches of water flowing over the top of it, making it useless. Another thing to remember aboout a DSB is you need plenty of life to stir it up or else dangerous gasses will build it.

The algae stages suck. My diatom stage was quick, then I had a short hair algae stage and I also had a quick cyno stage, but the hair algae came back and its been relentless. I think I finally got a handle on it and its 90% gone, after 3 months of fighting it. I would get cheato and other macro algae algae in your fuge under a 6500K light if you don't already have it and run the light on a reverse schedule from you display. I think that helped the most. If you don't have any coral yet, only having your display lights on during viewing time will also help

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Personally I would only go with Chaeto or Halimeda for macro algae. Neither of those are prone to go sexual. You can run you fuge lights opposite your main display, or you can run them 24 hours, either way is fine. Generally the off schedule is recommended to avoid pH swings. Another option for you would be to do a Xenia fuge, That is personally what I have started. Pulsing Xenia is a great nitrate and phosphate reducer and as such, many reefers have begun to use it in refugiums.

[Miltonic]

my refugium area is 11w x 10L x 14h, im not sure how many gallons it holds and if its enough for a DSB.

I do have chaeto in my fuge now with some live rock rock.

[travie]

How deep the DSB only matters in relation to how much water flow goes over and through it. If there is low flow, you won't need the sand bed to be too deep. If there is high flow, you will need it to be deeper.

[coachfraley]

its one of those desk lamps with an incandescent bulb I hope that enough for the chaeto.


They have "screw in" compact flor. bulbs at target that are in the 6500k spectrum. I have found that they work well for chaeto. This picture is of the 15watt version, but they also make a 20watt:

http://www.cshm.org/images/fraley/bulb.jpg

[Miltonic]

@travie - do you know, how I would figure out how much flow goes through my fuge?


@coach - i'll be on the lookout for those bulbs, we use them here at home for lighting but we don't have any in reserve since they never seem to go out.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

If your fuge is built into your sump then the flowrate through the fuge would be the same as the flowrate of your return pump.

[Miltonic]

well since that is the case then the flow going through my fuge right now would be around 800 gph.

so would a DSB in my fuge would be recommended? yes, no?

[labnjab]

IMO I would skip it and stick to macro algae. They have been doing a great job keeping nutrients down in my tank.

[Miltonic]

yeah I think, I'll stick with macro algae, I don't feel like clouding up my tank again.

[AABatteries]

Do you have any sand in it? If not, I'd put a little sand in, no more than an inch though. That's just me though.

[Miltonic]

right now, it has about 1.5 inches of live sand with a piece of LR.

[travie]

If you can, pick up the March 2009 issue of Tropical Fish Hobbyist. It has a pretty good article on DSB's and just SB's in general. 2 inches will be more beneficial then bare bottom in my opinion.

[Miltonic]

i'll look out for that issue.

I was thinking about getting some shrimp to go with my CUC and I was wondering what are some good species to start out with?

ps - One of my rocks looks like a nasty green hair fur ball and my current CC doesn't seem to be able to get to it, so i'll bee getting more snails and hermits Monday.

[kaybee]

A deep sand bed/DSB (depth generally at least 4", depending on the grain of sand used) will create anaerobic areas in the tank which will enable the establishment of anerobic bacteria (which will convert most of the nitrate into harmless nitrogen gas). In this way a DSB fills the role of keeping nitrates consistently at non-detectable levels. However, t will take at least a 4" depth (preferably with sugar-grain sized sand) to create the oxygen-free zone (less depth that and the anaerobic bacteria cannot develop).

Some people have DSB's in the main tank or remotely such as in refugiums.

Bare-bottom display tanks (no sand or substrate) are used by many hobbyists because, when combined with protein skimmers, filter socks, refugiums, etc, keep nutrient/detrititus accumulation down to minimal levels. The trade off is one has to relay on other means to keep nitrates at 0ppm.

There are pro's and con's with DSB's and bare bottom systems.

[Miltonic]

there are so many decisions to make in this hobby and pro's and cons to everything and it just makes every decision so much harder.

anyway, My tank looks disgusting right now, its so depressing. The green algae finally took hold and is starting to cover everything. I unfortunately have to go to work all day today and don't have time to clean so it has to be tomorrow. Im also planning to get more snails and crabs because the ones I have now can't keep up, this is going to be a long road.

[cocoa_pleco]

dont worry about the algae. it will magically go away. i remember with my 125g's diatom stage the whole sandbed was brown. one day it magically lifted off and it all left

only thing you can do with the algae stages is water changes, skim, feed a bit less, and wait it out.

[Miltonic]

So when I came back from work all the algae grew like and inch longer ;-;

I'm planning to change 5 gallons of water tomorrow and at least clean the glass and overflow because its clogging it and the water is draining a lot slower and I have to top off a lot or my water is evaporating a lot faster than before.

yay, 100 replies btw :hmm3grin2orange:

[Miltonic]

I got a magnefloat yesterday and cleaned all my glass of that algae, this made my tank look like 50% better, it'll be a 100% better once all the algae is gone.

I also got 5 scarlet hermit crabs, 5 astrea snails, 1 skunk cleaner shrimp man are they expensive, the small ones are $20 a piece and 2 cat's eye turbo snails.

I feel embarrassed of going to the LFS now, I've been going atleast twice a week for like 2 months lol The store is big but I feel they all know me already and this That fish place, Im talking about.

How my tank looks like now:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1186.jpg

I was also planning about getting seahare but my algae is not that bad yet so i'll wait, someone also recommended I get a sea orchin to clear up the algae but I don't know which type.

[AABatteries]

Tanks looking good.

I finally pretty much have an okay to start mine. =D

[Miltonic]

Thats awesome, when are you going to get started? or did you already start?

Edit: I can't believe, its been more than two weeks since my tank started cycling, I hope the rest of the process goes by without problems like i has been.

[AABatteries]

Ummmmm... Going to be starting. Just gotta convince my dad.

[kaybee]

How long are you lights on each day?

With no corals in the tank yet, you could significantly curtail the photo-period, which, in turn, will put a serious dent in that nuisance algae.

[Miltonic]

@AA- sigh, parents make things so much harder, I want another tank for a planted aquarium while I wait for my reef to mature since right now its kind of boring since I don't have corals but I have to convince my mom first.

@kaybee- I keep the lights on for like 12 hours a day.............lol

I knew that keeping my lights on so long now wasn't a good idea but i like looking at the tank. Im looking to maybe getting a seahare to clean the algae so my chaeto can take off and grow to control the HA algae.

I have a question, when do you guys think I should get my first coral?

[AABatteries]

I'd cut back the lighting. Only have it on when you'll be viewing it. I would wait at least 6 months before any coral.

[Miltonic]

I was told at around 6 weeks after the tank cycles, six months seems like a long time since there are hardy corals but for the more delicate ones i'll wait even longer than 6 months. i'll wait for more opinions but I should really catch up on some corals since im not very familiar with many of them so I can't say.

[travie]

6 months is a little extreme especially if you bought fully cured live rock. Waiting a couple weeks after a cycle and once all parameters stabilize is a good time to start with the hardy corals and work your way up to the more delicate ones.

Usually if a person wants a full on reef, its good to start out with only corals, get them settled, get their maintenance down, and then add fish.

[Miltonic]

I do want a full reef but rushed the fish but im not planning to get anymore fish anytime soon.

here are some suggestions some made for me to start out with:


As for the corals i would add some lps like a brain or flavia or even if you can find one a colourful leather, they all can be easy to keep, if you want to keep an sps right away a montipora is very easy to keep, they come in a variety of colours, and morphs

I'll probably add some of those in about 2 -3 more weeks depending on how the algae and my parameters are.

[Miltonic]

i'll be going back to the LFS today to get myself a sea hare and maybe some other goodies. The green HA looks gross so I just want o get rid of it.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Don't get the Sea Hare. They only eat Hair algae, and when they run out they will starve to death.

[cocoa_pleco]

ditto with GB, unless you can get a constant supply of hair algae afterwards, sea hares arent a good idea.

dont worry about the hair algae, it will go away on its own

[coachfraley]

I know an LFS where the owner lets people bring in rocks and drop them in with his sea hare. The SH cleans them up, and then the people pick up their rocks. I never asked how much he charges, but it is pretty funny.

[Miltonic]

I got the Sea Hare since I wasn't here when you guys posted but its kind of small and my tank is full of algae so it should supply it with food for months. The guy at the LFS told me they are slow feeders so I'm not worrying about it starving and when the algae runs out i'll bring it back to the LFS. My mom also kind of pushed for me to get it since the tank doesn't look very presentable and its sitting in her dining room.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

This is where it pays to do research before you make the decision to buy. They are not as slow as you might think at eating. What's your mom going to do when the Cyano stage hits and your tank is covered in a lovely brownish red slime? That's just the nature of having a marine tank, these algae stages happen and patience is an absolute must. Understand, that that Sea Hare will blow through that algae faster then you might think, and if it dies before you can get it out, it is going to foul your water quality rather bad.

[Miltonic]

I think, it would be easy to tell when he eats up all the algae and take it before it dies. I mean, Its not going to die right after all the algae is gone and can't eat for like a day or two.

I wonder, how the cyano stage is going to go, I can't see a trace of it yet and it's almost been 3 weeks, while the green algae showed up after a few days.

[cocoa_pleco]

the cyano can take some time, with my 55g that was a fresh tank, it took a few months to hit. it hit my 125g only after a month of running because i transferred everything from the 55g over so not much changes

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

You may not see the Cyano hit until 3-6 months after the initial setup of the tank. How bad it ends up being often depends on how heavily you have your tank stocked. The lighter you stock during the first few months the easier it should be.

[cocoa_pleco]

yep, GB's right, the higher the stock the worse it gets. my big beginner mistake with my old 55g was overstocking at the start, and i had a nasty cyano stage. the excess nutrients from the fish just fed the cyano and it multiplied.

when the cyano comes, keep your skimmer going and keep up with water changes. if any cyano gets too close to some corals, just gently brush it away or use a turkey baster to suck it up

[coachfraley]

i've had cyano at the 6 week mark on all three of the tanks that I have set up.

[labnjab]

You may find that you hit the algae stages more then once, as well. I had diatoms, Hair algae and a small cyno stage fairly early and it all went away, then diatoms came back for 2 weeks, and I'm almost finished with a 2nd hair algae stage that has lasted since well before Christmas, so I'm planning on getting another cyno stage after this too (which may or may not happen)

[Miltonic]

I keep the skimmer running 24/7 and use RO/DI water for top offs, i'll try to keep only the clowns and goby I have for a while, to keep the cyano stage small.

Edit: I have a question about top off water, does the water have to be same temperature as the aquarium?

[labnjab]

If your only adding a little then it doesn't matter. I always top off several times a day with room temp water and never see a change in temp.

[Miltonic]

yeah, thats what i've been doing but I didn't know if it would affect anything when I have corals or something.

Thanks for all the info everyone, im learning a lot. thumbs2:

[cocoa_pleco]

yep, you can use room temperature water

since you have a sump, the water gets fairly spread out when it hits the main tank and any slightly cool water will warm up fast from being spread out. just dont use freezing water or boiling hot water

[Miltonic]

I was wondering how snails breed? because this morning my water got blurry and whitish all of a sudden and I kinda tried looking up the reason since all my pumps were running and water was circulating, this also happened the day before but it was when my return pump was shut off for maintenance and thought that was the reason but now suspect my astrea snails spawned but I need more opinions.

[cocoa_pleco]

usually the eggs look like a trail of whitish dots on the glass, but it shouldnt cloud the tank. did any sand get stirred up or were there any recent deaths?

[Miltonic]

As far as I know nothing has died, all the fish and all the big inverts are there.
I also didn't put my hands in the tank today so idk.

The weird thing is the it happened in the morning twice in a row

[cocoa_pleco]

did the cloudiness clear up after a while or did it linger?

[Miltonic]

It cleared up within a few hours, like now the water is crystal clear

[cocoa_pleco]

hmmm, im guessing someone must be kicking up sand or something

[Miltonic]

It didn't happen today but yeah it was odd.

update:

My Sea Hare was pregnant!!! I just found a bunch of eggs in the one spot it was staying at and not moving at all or eating algae but today when it moved away there was an egg sack in that spot. I really don't want anyone sea hare so i'm going to scrape them out or maybe hatch them and put them for sale lol

[AABatteries]

You could give it back to the LFS with all the babies, and try to get store credit or something.

[Miltonic]

I think they only take "donations" ah well

I'll give this Sea Hare a few more days to find the algae on the rocks, right now its eating the one on the glass seams.

[Miltonic]

well, that sea hare was useless so i'll never get one of those again. :/

I'll be pulling out all the super long HA by hand tomorrow and do a small water change.

also, tomorrow i'll be going back to That Fish Place like I always do on Mondays lol

Im going to be getting some more inverts for my 3 week tank anniversary.

here's what I have planned;
1 Sand sifting Starfish
1 Sea orchin (still have to decide which type)
5 more astrea snails
maybe some more hermit crabs

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Wait on the Urchin and the Star. Your tank is too young for those yet. Most Urchins feed on coraline algae, something you likely have very little of at this point, and sand sifting stars don't have the greatest survival record in tanks. Just stick to snails and crabs right now. Do a little reading on what eats what and then plan accordingly.

[Miltonic]

will do, that cuts down on my costs for tomorrow so I can get a bucket of new salt mix I want :D I've been doing some reading and after looking at many peoples opinions, I decided, I want to change my salt brand to Tropic Marin Pro Reef salt since by people opinions is the best. I have been using Seachem reef salt but it has alkalitny problems and my calcium is high with it atm so I've been dosing to bring my alkalinity up so it can bring calcium down, im glad my pH has been consistent at 8.2 since I begun.

Also Im freaking out because my TDS meter on my RO/DI unit is reading 1 ppm after 3 weeks of use and I don't know if I should change the filter or what ppm is acceptable, anyone care to help?

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Have a look at Coralife Salt. A lot of people in my reef club are raving about the stuff. A LFS acutally ran some tests on it and it came out better then Oceanic, Instant Ocean, Kent, and even Reef Crystals. It came out with the best balance of Calcium, buffer (calcium carbonate), and Mg.

[Miltonic]

Is it a good sign that the green HA is turning white and losing its green color?

bw, no one has answered if its alright to use water with a TDS reading of 1 or should change one of the filter in my RO unit.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Yes, it is perfectly fine to use that water. I use water that has a TDS reading of about 24-30. A TDS reading of 1 is extremely good.

[Miltonic]

I was worried though since I was using water with a 0 TDS reading for the last 3 weeks and up until now its I started getting a reading of 1.

also it looks like the algae is starting to dry out out to make things go faster im going to pull out all the really long pieces.

[kaybee]

I change out my DI resin when the TDS becomes detectable (at 1ppm). If the resin is fully expended it may start to leach what it has removed (at higher concentrations that it removed it at) and there's no telling what that "1ppm" of TDS actually is. For example a liter of that 1ppm may have higher concentrations of certain 'stuff' than 1 liter of 450ppm from the tap. In this regard 1ppm in doesn't necessarily equate to 1ppm out). For example 1 gallon of unfiltered tap may contain 0.015ppm of 'undesireable element X', but the resin may leach out 1ppm of it when the resin is exhausted.

What type of DI resin-housing do you have (is it horizontal or vertical? The vertical ones are more efficient).

Also what type of RO membrane? Approximately how much water have you made with the unit? 3 weeks is way too fast for it to already be registering TDS and possibly suggests that the RO membrane isn't working up to par. (I make RO/DI water for several marine tanks and the resin lasts for months).

Please test the TDS of your tap or source water and then test the TDS of the RO output (after the membrane but before the resin). The membrane should be removing 98%+ of the TDS.

[Miltonic]

my RO/DI unit is a 6 stage filter and it has two DO resins and they're both vertical, this is the unit I have (http://www.bwiplumbing.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=390).

My tap water comes in at like at 245 ppm but it varies, I think, ive made like 300 gallons of water maybe less but idk.

[kaybee]

With two DI chambers you definately should have had more use out of them (I only run a single DI chamber on my unit).

What's the TDS after the RO?
With an expected 98%+ TDS removal rate, the RO water should be approximately 5ppm or less prior to the DI.

[Miltonic]

up until now the TDS after just the RO had been 0 but It doesn't test the water after the DI because it only goes up to the water coming from the RO. I don't have a seperate DS meter to test after DI. So im still safe using the water?

[kaybee]

Does that mean the 1ppm you're seeing is after the RO and not the DI?

Per the link you provided, the description states, "Built in HM Digital Dual inline TDS meter that lets you check the TDS after the membrane and after the DI with the push of a button!", so do you have your's configured differently? (I think you may have it before and after the membrane since you cited your tap water's TDS and were unable to provide the TDS of the RO/DI water).

If this is the case then your RO membrane is performing superbly and your DI should still be fine (from my understanding, you've got 1ppm after the RO membrane, so the DI resin should be reducing that to 0ppm).

I highly suggest getting a hand held TDS meter (in addition to the inline one), or some how configure the inline TDS meter to measure the TDS of RO/DI or the end result. This will indicate to you when the resin needs to be changed.

[Miltonic]

Mine is different after looking at my RO/DI the TDS thing only connects up the tube that has the RO water coming out, then RO water goes to the DI and then the water comes out of the yellow hose, so I have no idea how my RO/DI water is, so a handheld TDS meter will be my next purchase. Do you think hot water could have affected my membrane? because on the first day after installing it I accidentally connected it to the hose where hot water comes from since my thing isn't marked but I noticed right away and only filtered a tiny bit of hot water.

[labnjab]

It depends on how hot. Hot water much over 100 degrees will destroy a ro membrane, although I don't know how quickly

[Miltonic]

well it took a bit for the hot water to come up and i was touching the hose so as soon as i felt hot i shut it off. I doubt it was over 100 degrees but idk. I just hope my RO/DI keeps working like its supposed to for a bit longer.

anyway, next week is my tanks 1 month anniversary and its very exciting since this is my first reef and im glad everything is going so well. Since my CUC is almost set I was wondering what would be a good thing to get for my tank? other than fish.

[AABatteries]

Some inverts?

[Miltonic]

yeah but I really don't know which anymore since I have my a huge collection of hermit crabs and snails already and I think my CUC is pretty much set for now.

I think, this what I have so far.

1 Emerald crab
2 Skunk cleaner shrimp
4 turbo snails
9 scarlet reef hermits
11 blue/red leg hermit crabs
20 Astrea snails

I really don't know how many of each I still need for my 90g with the 3 fish it has.

[AABatteries]

Other than coral, which the tank isn't mature enough for. So, fish is pretty much the only thing you could get.

[Miltonic]

Im not getting anymore fish than what I already have for a few more weeks, i'll probably end up with 10 more astrea snails since are doing a superb job on the algae. ALSO

I discovered a bunch of small feather dusters on one of my rocks a few minutes ago its so exciting, they are brown and small and there are lots of them(like a colony), thats pretty much how I can describe them. I had seen the tubes of the worms before and there lots on my rocks but just unitl today I saw the "feathers" coming out of the tubes, Im so glad they didn't all die during the curing process and are coming back on the rock.

[Miltonic]

Im super excited, Today I discovered a new hitchhiker on one of my rocks but its a bit hard to see since its a bit behind one of the rocks, I didn't notice it before maybe because it was smaller. It looks like some type of SPS coral, that has survived. It has moldy green color but I cannot get a good picture to show you guys but it has that branchy tree SPS coral shape.

[travie]

You probably could get one or two of the more hardy soft corals like Pulsing Xenia, Mushrooms, Green Star Polyps, Zoanthids, or Palythoas, for the one month anniversary.

[Miltonic]

I was thinking about getting Zoas but im afraid that they take over the tank since I want more SPS and LPS corals.

btw, Its amazing how my LR has bloomed with life over the last few days, Im starting to see bristle worms, all the feather dusters, and now this thing that kinda looks like a coral.

[AABatteries]

I would get zoas out those options. Mainly because zoas are my favorite coral. Maybe a riccordia.

[Miltonic]

I was bored and decided to come up with a list of species of fish I like and might want to add to my tank in the future.

So, here some species of fish I like:
Yellow tang
Purple tang
Blue Hippo tang
Lyretail Anthias
Barletts Anthias
Dispar Anthias
Bannerfish
Mandarin
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Flame Angelfish
Copperband butterfly fish

and others but this are some the ones of the top of my head, I would like to know more good species. I want to atleast have a few of those in my tank because I know all those don't fit in my 90g.

[cocoa_pleco]

i would get at least a 150g for a blue hippo.

[Miltonic]

sigh, 90g is so small :/

the way I did my rock work allows for a lot of swimming space and I don't plan on adding more, so maybe If I get one small and it should do fine for a awhile maybe i'll be able to upgrade to a bigger tank but Im still iffy on it since my heart is set on a Yellow tang.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Skip on the Copper Banded Butterfly. They may eat well and seem like they are doing well, but they seem to waste away and don't last long term in a tank. Mine was eating great but still only lasted about 5-6 months.

[cocoa_pleco]

agreed with the copper banded. i havent personally owned one but everyone i know that has tried to keep one even in pristine conditions has had them die within 3 months

[Miltonic]

The butterflyfish wasn't high on my list of wants and I don't want to waste my money getting one and have it die, so i'll cross that one off.

anyone have suggestions on the Anthias? like how many is good and when to get them.

[Miltonic]

Im happy to announce my tanks 1 month today! I went to the LFS to decide to what I was going to get and came home with... I'll let you guys find it in my pictures.

I decided to post pictures of my tank from the day one till now for anyone who hasn't been following through since day one.

Feb. 9 2009 - Start of the cycle.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1135.jpg


Feb. 12 2009 - Placed sand in tank.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1145.jpg

Feb. 17 2009 - After the cycle ended in which I added fish, which was a mistake to add them but I did it and now realize it was too soon but yeah...

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/IMG_0099.jpg

I ended up giving my True Perc clown back to the store so I could have lighter stocking.

But wait there's more but I have to double post to show the rest!

[Miltonic]

Feb. 19 2009 - Diatoms started to show.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1160.jpg

Feb. 23? 2009 - Green HA at its worst

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1175.jpg

and this is how it looks like now!

March 9 2009 - 1 Month!

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1210.jpg

There's still lots of long algae on some of the rocks but that because it grew back after I pulled some of it out, the weird part is that it only grows on those few rocks.

[cocoa_pleco]

looks good! with the long strands, just get a stick and put some of the hook side of velcro on the stick. the hair algae will get tangled and you can easily rip it out

[Miltonic]

I just tangle my hand around it and pull out a bunch that way.

btw today, I noticed a huge amount of pods in my display, they are all over the glass and look like little bugs. Im glad they populating quickly.

Here's more pictures!

Yellow Watchman Goby, chillin by his cave.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1232.jpg

Mistriped O. Clownfish
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1240.jpg

[coachfraley]

Nice shots, and that is a VERY pretty clown!

Your tank will look great with some corraline!

[Miltonic]

Thanks! it was very hard to get a good shot he's always moving.

The coraline is growing on some of the rocks hopefully it'll start spreading soon.

Edit: In the next two weeks i'll be planning what corals im going to get for the 6th week anniv. so I need ideas for coral placement within my tank, I was wondering if someone could help me out.

[tim k]

Looking good , I bet you can't wait to get some corals in there.
Tim K

[lava]

Yellow Watchman Goby, chillin by his cave.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1232.jpg

LOL you made me laugh when I read the "chillin" part xD




Thanks! it was very hard to get a good shot he's always moving.

The coraline is growing on some of the rocks hopefully it'll start spreading soon.

Edit: In the next two weeks i'll be planning what corals im going to get for the 6th week anniv. so I need ideas for coral placement within my tank, I was wondering if someone could help me out.Man I envy you! IN A GOOD WAY OF COURSE lol.

[Miltonic]

Thanks lava! and its true he likes to chill by his cave all the time now since he got over the hiding stage when I first got him.

ok, guys this is what I got yesterday for my tank, I didn't quarantine since my Q tank wasn't ready but i'll be watching really closely for ich and at the first sign it'll be moved over until its cured. Also every fish after this one will put QT for a month since I don't want to take anymore chances.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/bluehippotang.jpg

It's been very active since I acclimated it and won't stop nipping at the algae on the rocks. It also loves the high flow in the tank, It should give him the exercise it needs.

[cocoa_pleco]

im hoping the tang does well, tangs are fairly sensitive to young tanks. its best to add them at the 6 month or more mark.

[Miltonic]

I really hoping also so far it looks but its only been one day but also my tank has been very stable, I haven't seen any spikes on anything since the cycle ended. Right now the only thing going on is the green algae but it's also going away. I also had a pod bloom Monday and my tank is covered all over, on the glass I see a lot of white little bug things, I hope thats a good thing.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Well, the Regal Blue (aka Blue Hippo) is really not a good choice on a few fronts.
First, it will get way too large for your 90gal, it should be in nothing smaller than a 125.
Second, the tank is way to young as cocoa pointed out, and Regal Blue's are one of the most sensitive fish to Marine Ich.
Third, they are one of the most, if not the most aggressive member of the Acanthurid family. Any fish you add to the tank now will be an invasion of it's territory and will likely get picked at thus causing stress and creating a higher likelyhood of disease. Furthermore, they have been known to actually bully other fish to death.
Finally, Regal Blue tangs are not herbivorous tangs, they are Planktavores, and as such it is going to need meaty foods in its diet. If you bought him to clear the hair algae, he's not going to do a stellar job.

One final piece of advice. Even though it's the first fish in the tank, you needed to quarantine the fish. If that fish had Marine Ich (which it likely did) then you have just introduced it to the tank, and treating Ich in a Reef display tank is a real pain in the neck. Even if you remove the fish to treat it, it has likely already dropped some parasites and they will be there for a very long time. Because Marine Ich isn't really an Ich at all, it is a totally different parasite then the FW version, none of the FW treatments will be effetive against it. Sorry, but the introduction of this fish just made your tank build a bit more difficult. Good luck.

Sorry if this post sounds like a lot of negative, but it is the reality of the situation.

BTW, how big is the fish? He doesn't look very big.

[Miltonic]

I only have three fish and If my tank catches anything, Im aware of everything that could happen and I will move them all to the qt for hyposalinity treatment. I will also leave the tank barren for the time necessary for the marine ich to end its cycle. I know this may not mean anything but I got the fish from a really good fish store and the fish are well cared for none of them looked stressed and had no signs of of disease. I also didn't get him to help me clean the algae but I got him because I actually like him and in all the places I read it says it should not be kept in anything smaller than a 75 gallon even in the article here about it that you wrote it states so. The way I look at is that if the tank has enough strong flow for the fish to exercise and use up all the energy that it needs to It'll be in good shape. I also seem to be being treated like a total noob on this and that I don't know anything but I have been doing all my research and I may sound childish sometimes but thats because of my awful typing ability and tend to keep my typing minimal.

I hate being pessimist about all the things that could happen so i'll stay positive about it and hope for the best.

The tang is only about 2 inches big.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Pessimism and Optimism don't come into play with marine tanks, reality does. You can't look at a fish and say, "all these things could go wrong but I'm going to be optimistic that they won't." That is playing Russian Roulette with your fish, and every one of those things I mentioned are very good reasons why you should take that fish back and why you shouldn't have gotten him in the first place. Why react when you can plan ahead? An ounce of prevention is worth 10 pounds of cure in the marine hobby.

I didn't see and Ich on my Regal Blue when I bought him but I put him in the QT anyway, and very glad I did. The parasites can be on your fish but not visible. They can hide in the gills or on the inside of the gill cover. Hyposalinity isn't a great option either, you will have to go through cycling your tank all over again. Dropping it to Hyposalinity drops it into the brackish range. Hyposalinity is a treatment meant to be used in a quarantine tank.

Listen, I'm not trying to belittle you or be mean to you at all. I want your tank to be a success, I don't want you to lose fish in that tank and that is why I don't hide the facts. That is the goal for everything that I post. Just 3 days ago you posted a list of fish you wanted and Cocoa told you the Hippo wasn't a good choice, he said that because he knew what he was talking about. Can you get away with one for a little while in a 90? Sure, you definitely can, but you need to be sure you have a place to take him when he out grows it, because he will definitley outgrow it. Even with that being said, a 6 week tank is still no place for a Regal Blue Tang no matter how large the tank.

[cocoa_pleco]

believe me, ive made almost every mistake in the book. my old 10g nano reef a decade ago had a few damsels, clownfish, sea urchin, starfish, a fullgrown condy anemone, etc. and 2 25w incandescent lights. everything was added within a month of the tank being started and of course one day i came home to everything but the urchin dead and the condy was puffed up, i had to give them away.

i did the tang in the young tank thing too, my 55g was only 3 months old i think when i got my yellow tang. i knew i shouldnt but the tang was in a 10g at the store. he had a good life but he got ick twice (which got successfully treated with freshwater dips and garlic) which could have probably got avoided if he went with someone with a larger mature tank to start with. i was lucky with my lunar wrasse, i put him in my 55g when he was small and my tank was 6 months old. seeing him fullgrown now in my 125g i cant imagine him in anything less than a 6' tank, he zips around and i think honestly he deserves to be in the ocean rather than a tank

i just dont want you to go through the headaches i went through with my first tanks, my 125g has been the first of about 10 saltwater tanks that i did everything properly from research. every tank before my 125g had tapwater in it

[Miltonic]

I already knew, I needed to treat with hypo in the QT and not on the display since treating there would kill everything but the fish. Also, why can't it be possible that the fish was totally healthy and didn't have any parasites? you make it sound like all fish have all these things on them and I know prevention is the best way to prevent things from going wrong and I need learn to get start doing so.

I'll do my best for caring for this fish and learn from my mistakes and know that I atleast tried. If my tank gets attacked with ich, i'll face it with my own tank and not just read about it and be scared of it ever happening and then if one day pretending I did everything right and it happens, then I won't be able to treat to my best ability because I never faced it and thats how I look at it.

[labnjab]

The reason its a good idea to qt marine fish is because most are wild caught and there's no telling what they could have. You basically bringing a wild animal into you tank.

[tim k]

I think anyone wanting to or already having a marine aquarium should read the Conscientious Marine Aquarist.
At least twice.

You will then have a greater understanding for the need to have certain essentials like a QT tank, not only to save yourself a lot of headaches but more importantly the undue stress on your system and all life in it.

Tim K

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Also, why can't it be possible that the fish was totally healthy and didn't have any parasites? you make it sound like all fish have all these things on them... That is very simple. As labnjab correctly pointed out, most fish in the marine hobby are still wild caught. Unlike the FW hobby were just a small handful are wild caught, in the marine hobby just a small handful are captive bred. Your Regal Blue Tang was happily swimming about on the reef just a short time ago. A large percentage of reef fish do have parasites on them, that is why they have cleaning stations. Furthermore, one the reef, parasites do not reach plague proportions on most fish because they are spread throughout the population. What you do in a tank is isolate one fish, and maybe have it with a couple of others, and the parasite then has a much smaller population to deal with and no cleaning station to contend with. So, can a fish have no parasites? yes, but it is highly unlikely and it must be treated as such and therefore quarantined.

[tim k]

Another reason why QT is so important is to help the fish adjust.
Think about what that fish has been through over the last few weeks of its life.
One minute it is happily swimming around without a care in the world , its then caught thrown in a pale bagged in chemically enhanced water shipped half way around the world put on display at the store then its bagged again taken home and thrown in a hostile environment to fend for itself.

QT for a couple weeks will allow it to gain it's strength back and just generally calm down from such a traumatic journey.

Tim k

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Throw one more step in there. They sit in the importer's tank for a short time too. Most stores don't directly import.

Tim is exactly right Miltonic, and that is one of the big reasons Tangs generally have marine Ich when they come in.

[labnjab]

I'll admit, I lost some fish in the beginning, and I think they could have been saved if they were qted. My first was fine. It was a wild caught clarkii clown, and I had him a month and I would still have him if he didn't decide to carpet surf. The 2nd was another clarkii and I didn't qt him, and he got velvet in less then a week, and by the time I got him qted he died. If I would have had him there right along he probably would have made it. 3rd clown was wild caught qted and died in a week (found out wild caught clowns here have a very high mortality rate)

[Miltonic]

Thanks for all the insights into what could happen and what the fish go through, makes me wonder how they survive the whole journey. I do have 2 skunk cleaner shrimp in my tank, i'll be moving the tang to qt for a while, I just have to get the water there just right and if it dropped anything in the display maybe the shrimp I have will take care of it.

Edit: To prevent things from going more wrong, i'll be taking the fish back to the LFS tomorrow and hope nothing happens until then.

[Miltonic]

posting again to give my thanks to everyone that explained all this to me and help learn why marine fish aren't safe. I hate how I can make mindless decisions I even though, I had some idea of what was going to happen so now Im banning myself from anymore fish purchases until further notice.

This morning, I got my qt just right and matching my display so I moved the tang over and now it's been there all day. It doesn't seem to be stressed or have any signs of ich yet but well see what happens. Some people from another forum have also helped me out so tomorrow Im going to get it some supplements and high quality food to boost its health.

also I will not make this same mistake with corals because im kind of afraid to jump in and get them and there isn't a particular coral i like. I'll be researching them and get away from thinking about fish.

[Miltonic]

well, tank is at 5 weeks now! fish are in qt so tank is empty without the fish as precaution.

I have one week to catch up on corals but I know I want some Zoas and other easy corals that aren't invasive but I don't know where I might be getting them from since my LFS doesn't have a big selection.

[labnjab]

try looking for a local reef club. Thats were I got all of mine besides the open brain, and 3/4ths of them were FREE:hmm3grin2orange:

[Miltonic]

I tried finding some but I haven't found any :/ maybe I didn't look very well since I didn't look in the found book.

I don't even know anyone with a reef close by.

[Miltonic]

Im happily celebrating my reef's 6th week today! Later this week i'll be getting my first corals so that makes it very exciting. Coraline algae is starting to cover the rocks and the green hair Algae stopped growing in the display over a week ago. will have pictures later today.

[AABatteries]

Cool. You still have another round or two of hair algae to come

[Northernguy]

Your tank sounds like its coming really well!
I'm looking forward to pics too! lol
How are your fish doing in quarantine?

[Miltonic]

The fish are doing great and they've been in there for almost two weeks already, no sign of anything on any of the fish. I'll move them back to the display in three weeks and finally get something else to put in qt :hmm3grin2orange:

Pics are coming soon I have to do some maintenance first :P

[Miltonic]

Picture time!!! (click on the pics to make them bigger)

This is what my display looks now at 6 weeks and I don't know if its visible in the picture but there are what looks like air bubbles in some areas of the sandbed, anyone know what that means?
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/6weeks.jpg



Here's a picture of a rock with what I think is a hitchhiker coral I don't know if you guys can spot the fleshy looking pink around the center.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1368.jpg



My cleaner shrimp at their favorite cave.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1372.jpg


This is a rock that once used to be dry rock and now its getting covered from what looks like coraline algae to me siince the green is very bright with some pink spots and doesn't look like the nuisance algae green.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1373.jpg

[Northernguy]

Very nice! I'm jealous!
Its going to look amazing once you start getting some coral in there.
Fish too!lol

[tim k]

Coming along great , I love the shrimp.

Tim K

[coachfraley]

Very nice!

[oldhead]

Man that is gonna be one gorgeous tank. Already loooks great!

[Miltonic]

Thanks everyone :D

I'll have more pictures tomorrow after I pick up my new corals! THe corals im getting are green Frogspawn, yellow Monti., and some zoa polyps.

[Miltonic]

Im kinda disappointed since I got a message from the guy I ordered the corals earlier today that said that, there was a volcano eruption in tonga (where the corals are coming from) and there weren't going have any shipments until next week. I have to wait one more week but at least that gives my tank more time to mature :) I took the opportunity to order another LPS coral I was looking at and I really like, its called the Galaxy coral so hopefully there won't be anything else going on and I will have my corals by next Thursday.

[labnjab]

Tanks looking great and is coming along nicely

[cocoa_pleco]

galaxia is a awesome coral. ive found it to be extremely forgiving, i bought my large 8"x8" rock with bald patches and brown spots, and now the whole rock is covered in bright green

[Miltonic]

Thats good to hear, Im glad I decided to get one :)

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Galaxia is also one of my favorite corals. Just be careful with your placement of it though. It has some longer sweeper tentacles. Most LPS corals are at least semi-aggressive, but many are aggressive.

[Miltonic]

Thanks for the advice but now I just found out that they don't have Galaxia coral until they order from Australia and not Tonga so I have to wait two more weeks for that coral. If anyone is interested and care to help me pick out another Aussie coral Im going to attach a list of what I can get.

[Miltonic]

7 weeks today! almost two months and now im noticing the coralline algae spread more and more. i saw it begin growing on the powerheads first a few days ago and now the overflow is starting to see some coverage. :hmm3grin2orange: im planning to scratch the some off the powerheads so it can spread more. The pink variety is spreading fast but I can see purple and green varieties on some of the rocks too so I hope I get nice mix. anyways a few days ago I also got hit by another diatom stage but its mostly gone now and the refuge in my sump is getting hit by green HA stage, im so glad it did not happen in the display.

[Miltonic]

Triple post :S

anyways, I was bored and decided to snap a few random pics of my tank earlier today :19:

here a shot of the overflow and a turbo snail, I don't know if you can spot the coralline growing but its there thumbs2:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1393.jpg

Feather dusters!, now that they've been growing they started to turn green :D
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1397.jpg

continued

[Miltonic]

Random rare shot of my sump
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1407.jpg

pic of my refuge, with a huge hater running a across.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1414.jpg

nasty crap in the skimmer cup :fish2: will clean tomorrow
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1418.jpg

Enjoy! (go back a page to see previous post for more new pics)

[kaybee]

...Feather dusters!, now that they've been growing they started to turn green
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1397.jpg


They appear to be pest anemones or colonial hydroids (pests/pest-like) unless my eyes deceive me.
Recommendation, you'll have to kill the rock (soak it in RO/DI water for a few days), unless they appear to be feather dusters to some other viewers.

[tim k]

Hard to tell what you have but here is a link to an article on Feather Dusters.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/feather.htm

Tim K

[Miltonic]

well to me they react like feather dusters sometimes if I get close to fast they all retract into their tube and look like them but Im not sure anymore, unless I can find more info on colonial hydroids.

[Miltonic]

I confirmed they were colonial hydroids and took out the rock put it in a bucket of water I took out from the tank today during water change and I added some kalk paste on the part where I could see the colonies. Im probably going to have recure the rock in a separate bucket for a while since I don't want to cause a spike in my display since im getting coral later tonight.

[Miltonic]

Finally got my corals yesterday from someone here locally but didn't have time to take pictures until today. They are looking great so far and it has been only 24 hours since they have been in there.

so here's what I got;

a whole rock of assorted Zoa polyps
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1428.jpg

Some Acan frags here's a good picture of one and you can see the other one in the background.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1432.jpg

A yellow tip Torch coral
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1430.jpg

AND

An Orange Digi.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1435.jpg

[oldhead]

Man those are some nice corals that you picked up there. I especially like the zoa rock you have.

[oldhead]

Hey what lights are you running again??

[Miltonic]

Thanks oldhead!

I have the 8 bulb ATI powermodule, so I can pretty much keep any coral I want want.

How could I forget this one.

another Acan, I think. (got this for free!)
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1441.jpg

[oldhead]

Thanks oldhead!

I have the 8 bulb ATI powermodule, so I can pretty much keep any coral I want want.
Is that 8x39 or 54? Don't think that I'm familiar with that unit. What's heat like with it???

[Miltonic]

its 54 watts for each bulb.

here it is (http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/ATI/Powermodule_Fixtures/48_inch__8x54W_Powermodule_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_by_ATI)

[kaybee]

Very nice corals there!


...How could I forget this one. another Acan, I think. (got this for free!)
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1441.jpg

That's actually caulastrea (candy cane/trumpet coral), a very hardy LPS (and fast grower too).

Love the acans! They're one of my favorites and also fast growing and hardy as well.

[Miltonic]

Thanks again for the info Kaybee :D

Im really excited to see them grow because right now they little frags, the person I got them from said I should feed them once or twice a week if I want better growth so I'll be doing that.

[kaybee]

Most photosynthetic LPS corals can get by on sufficient light alone, but regular feeding will definately accelerate growth and polyp development (I purchased a 7-polyped acan in october 2008. With regular feeding it's now up to at least 17 polyps).

[Miltonic]

what food did you give them? and how do you feed?

[kaybee]

I feed them mysis shrimp, specifically the product by Piscine Energetics (PE) as they seem to be the largest mysis shrimp available (most 2cm-2.5cm in length). I target feed the polyps with tweezers at night when their feeder tentacles are extended.

[Miltonic]

need to get myself some tweezers soon because I don't think I have any I would want to use my tank lol

[kaybee]

I purchased one specifically for SW aquatic purposes (feeding corals, transferring bristleworms to my FO systems, anthelia removal, etc).

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

I have them for the exact same purposes kaybee. The only corals I don't handle with the tweezers are my larger ones. For that, I have long gloves. The less I have my hands in the tank, the better it is for the tank environment.

[oldhead]

I have them for the exact same purposes kaybee. The only corals I don't handle with the tweezers are my larger ones. For that, I have long gloves. The less I have my hands in the tank, the better it is for the tank environment.


And for you personally. I've been reading here recently that should you have any cuts or scrapes on on your arms/hands there is the potential for health issues. Can't tell you the number of times that I have stuck my hands in the tank without thinking. I try to stick to the practice now of not having my hands in the water at all.

[Miltonic]

I got big gloves a while ago but i only started using now that i actually have corals in my tank. The only thing I don't like is that I have really bad grip since they are too big for my hands.

[Miltonic]

My tank is two months! So I went to That fish place to get myself a bucket of Tropic Marine Pro Reef salt but I couldn't help myself going to the Fish room and looking at all the corals. after staring for a while a certain frag caught my eye so ended up coming home with a new frag. :hmm3grin2orange:

so here it is an ORA green birds nest
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/000_0001.jpg

and here is a FTS from today since I know people wanted to see a current one.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/000_0009.jpg

[travie]

Great looking Bird's Nest. Tank is looking really good too. Once the live rock starts to color up even more, the tank will be spectacular. Keep up the good work. thumbs2:

[AABatteries]

Cool. Can't wait to see this tank take off. ;D

[Miltonic]

Thanks travie and AAbatteries :D

btw Here are the pics of the corals I got the other day again since I fee they got buried too quickly.




a whole rock of assorted Zoa polyps
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1428.jpg

Some Acan frags here's a good picture of one and you can see the other one in the background.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1432.jpg

A yellow tip Torch coral
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1430.jpg


An Orange Digi.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/102_1435.jpg

and a

Green Candycane
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/000_0007.jpg

[Miltonic]

sorry everyone for the lack of updates but there hasn't been much going in my reef lately until yesterday that i got myself some new corals. :19:

I got myself a green galaxia, purple tip hammer coral, purple/pink ricordia, and a blue superman monti. I don't have good pictures of all them just yet but heres the few good pics I got.
purple tip hammer
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1531.jpg

green galaxia
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1526.jpg

im not allowed to ge anymore green corals after these lol

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Very nice. Be sure to give that Galaxia plenty of room as they are one of the most aggressive corals you will find. They can put out sweeper tentacles that can reach 6-8 inches.

[Miltonic]

yep its an area where there no corals around so they're safe from it.

here are the rest of the corals I got and some updates in the older ones.

Ricordia
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1547.jpg

purple superman monti
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1556.jpg

orange zoa
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1551.jpg

here's an update on my red acan and how much it has grown
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1524.jpg

[kaybee]

Nice corals!

Yes, acans seem to grow fairly fast (one of the quickest LPS's from what I've seen as far as new polyp formatation is concerned).

[Miltonic]

Thanks and I've noticed that too from just watching mine and they're quickly becoming one of my favorite corals so many colors :18:

[tim k]

Some great looking corals , love the Red Acan

Tim k

[Miltonic]

o I took more pictures and now I'm here again posting them...lol Taking pics is turning into another hobby of mine recently but I need a better camera to get more amazing shots, so anyway here I go.

I'll start with my other acan frag that I never really managed to get a good shot. when I got it had just one whole head the rest were all cut thanks to being fragged but now im happy that two of them regenerated and now its up to three, almost four whole heads.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1553.jpg


Today at 3 weeks in my tank, all I can say is wow and the growth at the tips is amazing. (look back a page to see right when I got it)
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1577.jpg

random shot of my zoas, that have now migrated to the rock next to them and I don't know how to frag them.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1566-1.jpg


last but not least another FTS :)
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1561.jpg

am I the only one having a hard time finding a spot for corals? because I can't see to find spots for them and Im worried about damaging them while I move them around.

[oldhead]

o I took more pictures and now I'm here again posting them...lol Taking pics is turning into another hobby of mine recently but I need a better camera to get more amazing shots, so anyway here I go.

I'll start with my other acan frag that I never really managed to get a good shot. when I got it had just one whole head the rest were all cut thanks to being fragged but now im happy that two of them regenerated and now its up to three, almost four whole heads.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1553.jpg


Today at 3 weeks in my tank, all I can say is wow and the growth at the tips is amazing. (look back a page to see right when I got it)
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1577.jpg

random shot of my zoas, that have now migrated to the rock next to them and I don't know how to frag them.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1566-1.jpg


last but not least another FTS :)
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_1561.jpg

am I the only one having a hard time finding a spot for corals? because I can't see to find spots for them and Im worried about damaging them while I move them around.

Nope I just have problems finding money for corals..lol. Tank is looking good though man!

[Miltonic]

Thanks man and that's why you don't get the corals from the store ;)

[labnjab]

to frag zoas you just remove the heads from the rock with a razor blade and attach them to rock rubble or frags with glue, wear safety glasses and gloves. They can spray you in the eyes with a palytoxin which can make you very sick

[oldhead]

Thanks man and that's why you don't get the corals from the store ;)

Well where else should I get them????? lol. I need to know! thumbs2:

[labnjab]

Well where else should I get them????? lol. I need to know! thumbs2:
I get them from members of my local reef club. The only one I bought from the LFS is my open brain and that cost me $40. The rest I either bought very cheaply from a member, they were given to me or I traded something for them. I think I've spent no more then $150 between coral and fish

edit: I found locally people love to give coral away. I bought my female clown from a guy for $10, and he gave me a 3 head frogspawn, a toadstool leather, a candy cane, a kenya tree, and a few other softies (most I ended up trading for something else down the road, but I still have the frogspawn

[Miltonic]

to frag zoas you just remove the heads from the rock with a razor blade and attach them to rock rubble or frags with glue, wear safety glasses and gloves. They can spray you in the eyes with a palytoxin which can make you very sick

Thanks for the heads up but doesn't that cut them? and I also need to get myself some fragging tools.


Well where else should I get them????? lol. I need to know! thumbs2:

I found some people here locally that order corals from the suppliers where the stores get them and I place my order with them and when they arrive I go pick them up and pay what the stores pay for everything, which is a lot less than than what they sell them for. Also fellow reefers are pretty generous and give frags for free sometimes I got my candycane frag for free and I also got two purple death polyps for free with my last order.

[Miltonic]

Update!

The Picasso Clownfish I ordered finally arrived this morning and so after acclimating to my qt I recorded a short video since I couldn't get a decent picture. I'll be keeping it in the qt a couple weeks since It came from a very reputable breeder and all her fish are assured disease free.

watch here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xatq41Twf-A)

[coachfraley]

VERY cool fish Milt! Congrats. I can see why you couldn't get a good picture, that guy never stops moving!

Hopefully it gets along well with your O. clown.