220 Inwall - Plan

[bheron]

Ok, I'm about to order a cleaner crew from Reeftopia.com.

Here's the two i'm deciding between:

Option #1:
100 Turbo Snail [astrae]
100 Small Blueleg Hermits {with 48 transition shells}
48 Cerith Snail
12 Nassarius Snails
4 Emerald Crabs

or...

Option #2:
200 Turbo Snail [astrae]
200 Small Blueleg Hermit
48 colorful transition shells added at no charge

They're both close to the same price. I'm leaning towards #2. The idea of having 200 snails and 200 hermits makes me think I'll be all set to go for a long time!

My only fear is not having ENOUGH to clean to sustain them. Right now I have 200lbs of rock that needs cleaning, a 1" sandbed, and a nice case of algae and hair algae.

Think thats enough?

Thoughts on which choice to go with?



EDIT: Oh, also, they have some good deals on some real simple coral so I might go for it. Here's what they have that I was thinking about:

- Ricordea. Large single polyp 1.5". Does not come with a rock base. This was going to be one of my first corals anyway.

- Condylactus Anemone. No idea how easy these are to keep.

- Flower Anemone. Again. No idea.

Should I go for any of them if Im gonna drop $150 for the CC anyway and get free shipping?

 

[gkarshens]

Condy anemones are known to wander the tank and have a strong sting. I would stay away from that one.

Ricordea are easy. Look at my avatar!

 

[tgunn]

I'd go with option 1; more snail variety. The ceriths will also readily reproduce in your tank and grow to whatever population is required. I started with about 30. I have seen about 10 babies in the sump, and there's probably more in the display.

Not sure with the microbubbles, I'd suspect it takes a bit of time for them to leave the system; otherwise I'd guess they must be coming from somewhere. I'm still trying to figure it out myself..

Tyler

 

[tgunn]

Forgot..
I would steer clear of the anenomes until you're more established.. From what I've read they can be even more fussy and sensitive than SPS...

The ricordea sounds like a good idea; that or some zoos (zoos are indestructible in my opinion)...

Tyler

 

[Knyght]

Wait at least 6 months before adding an anemone. They really need a stable system.

:beachbum:

 

[bheron]

Hey all, thanks for the helpful feedback here! Really good stuff.

On the anemone's: yea, thats really what I thought. In fact, I read some good articles about only the truly advanced aquarists should have an anemone. But, yet, I still see people with different types that seem "easier" than other anemones. Regardless, I'll keep away until a later date, like Knyght said.

Rics - yep. I knew thehy would be easy. Have no idea what to expect for $8 here, but why not? gkarshens - love the avatar.



Tyler -

I'd go with option 1; more snail variety. The ceriths will also readily reproduce in your tank and grow to whatever population is required. I started with about 30. I have seen about 10 babies in the sump, and there's probably more in the display.

Hmm, good point about variety. Option #1 is about $20 cheaper as well. You know, I had Cerights in my tank before - maybe about 10, and they never reproduced. In fact, alot of my snails laid eggs in my old tank but I never saw any actual reproduction.

Ok, either way I need to place my order w/in the next hour to get it tomorrow!

Thanks all.

 

[tgunn]

I have a feeling the sump and refugium areas will really help allow the babies to reproduce without anything else eating them. I think in the display a lot of the little babies just get eaten.

Wow, $8 for a ricordia! I only wish I could get some polyps that cheap!

Tyler

 

[bheron]

very good point! i now have some good refuge space to do that.

yea, reeftopia is selling little pieces for that price. since i'm getting free shpping i figured, what they hey. but, who knows what it'll look like!

 

[tgunn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6289950#post6289950 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bheron
very good point! i now have some good refuge space to do that.

yea, reeftopia is selling little pieces for that price. since i'm getting free shpping i figured, what they hey. but, who knows what it'll look like!

Yup, I think they'll probably reproduce nicely in the 'fuge and sump areas. One of my rocks was from a local reefer's sump. It was where the ceriths always laid their eggs for him.

For $8, why not?

Tyler

 

[bheron]

THanks!

 

[bheron]

Just ordered their "Total Reef Care #2" package and got:

-100 Turbo Snail [astrae]
- 100 Small Blueleg Hermits {with 48 transition shells added at no charge,
- 48 Cerith Snail {the good kind}
- 12 Nassarius Snails
- 4 Emerald Crabs.
- Free Shipping & Box via FedEx Priority Overnight.

- Also got a small ricordia polyp.

- And, they have a special this week and also got 3 peppermint shrimp added to the order!

$149.

Hello clean tank!

 

[ToeJam]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6290161#post6290161 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bheron
Just ordered their "Total Reef Care #2" package and got:

-100 Turbo Snail [astrae]
- 100 Small Blueleg Hermits {with 48 transition shells added at no charge,
- 48 Cerith Snail {the good kind}
- 12 Nassarius Snails
- 4 Emerald Crabs.
- Free Shipping & Box via FedEx Priority Overnight.

- Also got a small ricordia polyp.

- And, they have a special this week and also got 3 peppermint shrimp added to the order!

$149.

Hello clean tank!

That is a great package Bryan. It is the same one I got from them and I am really happy with it.

Jamie

 

[gkarshens]

Good call on the shrimp. If you do have any aptasia they will take care of it.

 

[Im Lon 2]

I got that same package as well. :thumbsup:

 

[tgunn]

You'll love the turbos Bryan. I picked up 25 from the LFS the other day and WOW are they making short work of the algae on the rocks... The ceriths I have are great, but being a lot smaller they're nowhere near as quick of eaters. I think your tank will be sparkly clean with that crew you've got coming!


Tyler

 

[bheron]

Thanks everyone.

Jamie - great to know you go the same one. In fact, I think I saw you post about it either in this thread or another one and that made me first check it out. Havent found a better deal yet.

Gkarshens - I hope the shrimp help. Actually, they were a freebie they threw in this week for anyone ordering for a Wed,Thur, Fri delivery! Even better.


Tyler - I really hope I notice a difference. I never knew in my old tank if they were helping. Most likely, I didnt have enough of a cleaner crew to make a diffefrence. The two biggest things I need are, like you said, to keep the rocks clean and also to keep the sand clean. I dont mind cleaning the glass.

Well, I just checked and I cal already pick up the package. I discovered something really great for ordering online...

In the past, because my wife and I both work full time, its been tought to have someone at the house to sign for a package. So, I learned you can just have it left at the Fed Ex depot for Pickup! Not only does it remove one more leg of the trip - hence less risk - you can also pick it up waaaaay earlier. It left the store in Key West last night at 5:30pm and was ready for me to pick up here in PA by 7:30 am! Since I wasnt planning on such an early arrival, I havent even picked it up yet. I'll go over soon and get 'em.

Wish I had a camera so I could take before and after. Actually, my wife has an "old, antique" camera that I can try and develop the film.

Thanks all. Updates to come....

 

[bheron]

Surge Protector

Surge Protector

To anyone that can provide input, I came across this in a local forum here on RC. Really kinda scares me. This came up when someone bought one of those DJ-PC power strips from Guitar Center

If anyone has one experience with this stuff, please post!

http://www.zerosurge.com/HTML/movsres.html

Thanks

 

[tgunn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6296907#post6296907 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bheron

Tyler - I really hope I notice a difference. I never knew in my old tank if they were helping. Most likely, I didnt have enough of a cleaner crew to make a diffefrence. The two biggest things I need are, like you said, to keep the rocks clean and also to keep the sand clean. I dont mind cleaning the glass.

Oh trust me they make a HUGE diffrence. I didn't realize how much algae had grown all over my rocks until I saw the white trails the snails are leaving behind! Works for me!

Tyler

 

[kris101]

Excellent thread Bheron.. I have been reading this since the start and I am building my 210 pretty much the same as you have. I just got the tank tonight, moved it down the basement and all I can say is wow, it huge.. What is the floor to ceiling height of your basement? I know its some where in this thread but since it up to 30 pages now I cant find it. In your photos, the tank looks very proportionate for the room. What height did you build your stand at? I was thinking of putting mine at 40" but it is one tall tank

 

[bheron]

Hey Tyler - thanks. They're all settled in now and getting right to work! I've spent a good deal of time tonight, however, righting up all the darn turbo snails! What a pain. I hope I dont lose many.

Kris - thanks for the kind comments!! Glad to be of help. Thats the whole point of this place, right? Its a great feeling to ge the tank moved in, huh? Way bigger than you think! Awesome.

My basement floor to ceiling height it about 8 feet. Yea, I spent a good deal of time figuring out exactly how high to make the stand b/c I wanted it to look proportional, as you said, and also didnt want to be bending down to see it all the time. My tank starts about 42" from the floor. Its aout 30" tall so that leaves about 2" to the ceiling. However, when you factor in things like the carpet height (dont forget that one) and the thickness of any plywood top you might have on the stand, it adds up.

All I would say is take your time in this area. Its best, if you have time, to make a model of some sorts. I was gonna make one out of PVC to give me the best guage on how the tank might look. But, in the end, I made a 2D model out of some old cardboard boxes. Then I held it up, had other people hold it up, as I figured out the best "look" for it. I have to say, I'm very happy with its position.

Also, I'm really glad I decided to go with the one side exposed. Adds a whole new dimension to the tank.

Good luck! And stop back with any ques.