rjwilson37
New member
I just wish I had a budget like yours, everytime I have put together a tank the cost has doubled very quickly, I hope yours did not double... because that would be a lot.Hop said:
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Addiction wins, 450 gallon system begins
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rjwilson37
New member
Oh... Beautiful new fish, I just love the naso tangs and wish I could get one, but that would require another upgrade and that is just not feasible for some time.
melev: Yeah I have 3 chromis and a coral beauty that were transferred with the live rock, along with 3 peppermint shrimp, four crabs and a couple snails here and there. Everyone seems to be doing great in the big tank.
As far as feeding in the q-tank goes, I put a small sheet 1"X1" of nori in there after 24 hours of quiet time and the FF took right to it. The Naso seems to grab a bit here and there as it floats by. My plan to date was to work on the nori and hope they took to flake as well, IE prime reef formula 1 and 2.
Is there something here that I have missed?
rjwilson37: I can tell you that the budget went over. Basically I ran out of cash and the finishing of the cabinet work has stopped. I was also going to buy a new couch and remodel the room the tanks in... Can't now, no $. LOL, I figure I need another 1,800 or so for that. I had to tap into my new roof fund that was going to happen in spring and am working OT to get the bank account back up
Just all part of the hobby I guess...
As far as feeding in the q-tank goes, I put a small sheet 1"X1" of nori in there after 24 hours of quiet time and the FF took right to it. The Naso seems to grab a bit here and there as it floats by. My plan to date was to work on the nori and hope they took to flake as well, IE prime reef formula 1 and 2.
Is there something here that I have missed?
rjwilson37: I can tell you that the budget went over. Basically I ran out of cash and the finishing of the cabinet work has stopped. I was also going to buy a new couch and remodel the room the tanks in... Can't now, no $. LOL, I figure I need another 1,800 or so for that. I had to tap into my new roof fund that was going to happen in spring and am working OT to get the bank account back up
Just all part of the hobby I guess...
rjwilson37
New member
Yep... our little hobby seems to grab ahold of us at times so it may seem. I just finished my upgrade and it will be the last for a good while. My wife kept telling me, you said it was not going to cost much and you would be able to use almost all your stuff from the 55g tank.
Like I said... it ran over budget a little.
Like I said... it ran over budget a little.
melev
Well-known member
Hop, you haven't missed anything. I track a lot of threads, and didn't remember the particulars. You have a new tank, set up less than two weeks and already have some relatively large fish that are huge poopers. They both forage for algae all day long, and need swimming space. Knowing that you plan to keep them in quarantine for six weeks, the tank is going to have time to cycle and increase the beneficial bacteria levels.
Btw, each time you add something else (ie: new) to your quarantine tank, you have to start over with your six week countdown. You can't buy a gorgeous new fish and put it in with your Naso and Foxface, and then pull them out one week later because it is time for them to move to the reef. Once exposed to the new fish, they are exposed to new parasites as well. You probably knew this, but others reading this thread might not until now. Hopefully this post will help one person some day.
Btw, each time you add something else (ie: new) to your quarantine tank, you have to start over with your six week countdown. You can't buy a gorgeous new fish and put it in with your Naso and Foxface, and then pull them out one week later because it is time for them to move to the reef. Once exposed to the new fish, they are exposed to new parasites as well. You probably knew this, but others reading this thread might not until now. Hopefully this post will help one person some day.
Whew... being new to both fish (albeit that I had a white cheek tang that came in with some nasty stuff and succumbed to it's illness before I could get a q-tank set up and wiped out all my fish in 12 hours, might I add also that taught me my quarantine lesson!) , I thought I over looked something during my homework phase! I am a slight bit concerned over the tangs eating as I figured that he should be nipping at the nori more, but this really is only day two. I may soak some nori in garlic in the next day or two in order to stimulate his appetite some
I'll be honest and tell everyone that I'm not certain on any additional stocking. These were the only two fish that I was set on. I also figured that after the six week quarantine, they would assist with the clean up crew in the algae problems that are sure to arise in the first year I'll have the next few years to deice on some more fish
I'll be honest and tell everyone that I'm not certain on any additional stocking. These were the only two fish that I was set on. I also figured that after the six week quarantine, they would assist with the clean up crew in the algae problems that are sure to arise in the first year
I'll have the next few years to deice on some more fish
melev
Well-known member
That is smart thinking. You might put some large PVC fittings in the q-tank for the fish to hide in. They like shelter when they rest.
I'm no-one to talk. When I moved my 280g reef into my home, all the livestock was moved from their tanks into the new reef. It was a quick procedure, and one person referred to it as a transplant rather than an upgrade. I only lost one thing in that transition, and that was my beautiful maxima clam that I'd had for 2 years.
You've just set up a 450g system and I'm sure it will be quite forgiving and these two fish won't suddenly cause a disaster to occur. I'm sure they'll be just fine. For some reason, when I saw your new additions I guess I just got worried you were going to stock too much too soon too quickly. That doesn't end well, as you probably know. But with the amount of water you have to work with, everything should be okay as long as you can be patient.
Are you going to order snails online? Our club just had a group buy, and we are getting in 2000 inverts, that will arrive on Tuesday and be divvied up among 20 members. It cost us roughly .30 each, shipped. I'll let you know how my order does, but I do have good expectations. The company I chose to use has a $100 minimum order charge, and to that you'll need to add roughly $70 for overnight shipping & paypal fees. Since you need so many snails for that tank to keep the algae under control, this is actually the cheapest way to do so.
I'm no-one to talk. When I moved my 280g reef into my home, all the livestock was moved from their tanks into the new reef. It was a quick procedure, and one person referred to it as a transplant rather than an upgrade. I only lost one thing in that transition, and that was my beautiful maxima clam that I'd had for 2 years.
You've just set up a 450g system and I'm sure it will be quite forgiving and these two fish won't suddenly cause a disaster to occur. I'm sure they'll be just fine. For some reason, when I saw your new additions I guess I just got worried you were going to stock too much too soon too quickly. That doesn't end well, as you probably know. But with the amount of water you have to work with, everything should be okay as long as you can be patient.
Are you going to order snails online? Our club just had a group buy, and we are getting in 2000 inverts, that will arrive on Tuesday and be divvied up among 20 members. It cost us roughly .30 each, shipped. I'll let you know how my order does, but I do have good expectations. The company I chose to use has a $100 minimum order charge, and to that you'll need to add roughly $70 for overnight shipping & paypal fees. Since you need so many snails for that tank to keep the algae under control, this is actually the cheapest way to do so.
it's 3/4"...
I do have four pieces of 2" PVC and two 2" Ts in there for them to hide in, but I cropped them out of the picture as they were in better focus then the fish LOL I really have to get a better camera and practice! Last night sometime the two of them pushed the PVC into the left hand side. When I'm in the wetroom they hide in and around them. The rest of the time they hang out in the corner together. Seems as though they're already getting along pretty well.
I belive that I caught the thread that you mentioned the order you are placing. I was pricing them out and it sounded like a good deal. I'm still up in the air on the exact clean up crew stocking. Really there is not much sand in the tank, only in the front where you can see, the rest is bare and accessible with a small hose to remove buildup.. So I'm looking at only a few sand cleaners. Here in the next few weeks I'll be seriously looking into the cleanup crew I'm a little burned out on crabs as they mutilated my last few snails. Hop's crabs are definately not snail safe.:lol:
I do have four pieces of 2" PVC and two 2" Ts in there for them to hide in, but I cropped them out of the picture as they were in better focus then the fish LOL
I really have to get a better camera and practice! Last night sometime the two of them pushed the PVC into the left hand side. When I'm in the wetroom they hide in and around them. The rest of the time they hang out in the corner together. Seems as though they're already getting along pretty well. I belive that I caught the thread that you mentioned the order you are placing. I was pricing them out and it sounded like a good deal. I'm still up in the air on the exact clean up crew stocking. Really there is not much sand in the tank, only in the front where you can see, the rest is bare and accessible with a small hose to remove buildup.. So I'm looking at only a few sand cleaners. Here in the next few weeks I'll be seriously looking into the cleanup crew
I'm a little burned out on crabs as they mutilated my last few snails. Hop's crabs are definately not snail safe.:lol:
melev
Well-known member
Be careful with it. It is possible to do a number on your finger if the two halves snap together. I have a hammerhead on the 280g, and a piranha from my smaller tanks.
I know your tank is in wall so you only have a front panel to clean, but turning corners is a skill too. Letting the two magnets slam together can crack a tank.
I know your tank is in wall so you only have a front panel to clean, but turning corners is a skill too. Letting the two magnets slam together can crack a tank.
jnarowe
New member
hey guys! Tried to post earlier but the site was down I am guessing.
Sixxer: I do not have a construction thread going yet. Isn't hi-jacking more fun? Just kidding HOP. As soon as I have all the accumulated crap removed from the tank and viewing rooms, I will start with photos. There is so much stuff that I am embarrassed to show it. I have a dumpster coming Thursday! i would really caution you against using your overflow for part of a closed loop. I think that will invite a variety of problems like air bubbles, squashed animals, not enough flow, etc. Closed loops are just that: Closed. No access to anything other than directly to the display tank, and I don't think the overflow qualifies. I certainly will not combine the two.
HOP & RJ: Budgets are for wimps! LOL...do you guys let your wives see the checkbook? maybe we need to do a little group session on this topic? Maybe a forum devoted to tank financing and spouses?
I just figured out I need to run 100amps into my fish room, which is a good 125' from the main panels. I will run 2 - #2s and 1 - #6, and that's going to be tough. hehehe...what's a few more holes anyway?
Melev et al: Any suggestions for a magnet on my tank? The viewing panel is 3/4" and the top is 2.25", both of which need to be kept very clean.
HOP: How about some rock in the QT? Tangs totally love rock and I think they would adjust better that way, no?--Jonathan
Sixxer: I do not have a construction thread going yet. Isn't hi-jacking more fun? Just kidding HOP. As soon as I have all the accumulated crap removed from the tank and viewing rooms, I will start with photos. There is so much stuff that I am embarrassed to show it. I have a dumpster coming Thursday! i would really caution you against using your overflow for part of a closed loop. I think that will invite a variety of problems like air bubbles, squashed animals, not enough flow, etc. Closed loops are just that: Closed. No access to anything other than directly to the display tank, and I don't think the overflow qualifies. I certainly will not combine the two.
HOP & RJ: Budgets are for wimps! LOL...do you guys let your wives see the checkbook? maybe we need to do a little group session on this topic? Maybe a forum devoted to tank financing and spouses?
I just figured out I need to run 100amps into my fish room, which is a good 125' from the main panels. I will run 2 - #2s and 1 - #6, and that's going to be tough. hehehe...what's a few more holes anyway?
Melev et al: Any suggestions for a magnet on my tank? The viewing panel is 3/4" and the top is 2.25", both of which need to be kept very clean.
HOP: How about some rock in the QT? Tangs totally love rock and I think they would adjust better that way, no?--Jonathan
Melev: Thanks, Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve heard stories about loosing fingers with those things!
Jnarowe: Hijack all you want, but I may start referring to you as jnarowe the friendly terrorist
Also I may wind up adding some rock to the q-tank if he doesnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t start eating soon. I spent some time researching the eating habits of tangs while in quarantine and learned that I shouldnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t be worried yet. Heââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s still swimming and exploring, his coloring is good and temperament is fine. But I do have about ten pounds or so of rubble left over that I was going to use for frag mounting and such that I may wind up putting in the q-tankââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦
So I took readings of the tank today and things seem to be on track.
Nitrate less than 2.5
Nitrite zero
Ammonia 0.25
Calcium 400
Alk High side of normal (I need a better kit LOL)
PO4 less than 0.1
PH 8.45 (Within 0.3 of my probe)
Hopefully by next week things are at normal/stable conditions. I may have to get my calcium up a tad and start dripping kalk.
A few positives on the system are that the coraline is taking off in the fuge. Granted that those rocks have been seeding for several months before being added to the system, but the bare spots are growing dark green coraline algae and filling in fairly quickly. In the display, the coraline, which was predominately green, is showing much more growth in the pink to purple spectrum. The skimmer is also beginning to really skim. Itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s still not coffee skimmate, but light tea with a foul odor. I still have some adjusting to do and become familiar with this type of skimmer, but Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m really impressed with it thus far!
The humidity in the house has remained the same as before the additional tank, so that concern seems to be working out perfectly. The wet room seems to have to be balanced between temperature and humidity. If I want the humidity less than 30% it comes at the cost of dropping the temp to 69-70. If I want the temp near 75 degrees, the humidity raises to 50-70%. This I may have to play with. All I have controlling the room right now is a 4ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ fan on a humidistat, monitored by a digital thermometer with humidity reading. Accuracy is most likely not its strong point! I have several ideas to combat this if it becomes an issueââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦
Jnarowe: Hijack all you want, but I may start referring to you as jnarowe the friendly terrorist
Also I may wind up adding some rock to the q-tank if he doesnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t start eating soon. I spent some time researching the eating habits of tangs while in quarantine and learned that I shouldnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t be worried yet. Heââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s still swimming and exploring, his coloring is good and temperament is fine. But I do have about ten pounds or so of rubble left over that I was going to use for frag mounting and such that I may wind up putting in the q-tankââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦
So I took readings of the tank today and things seem to be on track.
Nitrate less than 2.5
Nitrite zero
Ammonia 0.25
Calcium 400
Alk High side of normal (I need a better kit LOL)
PO4 less than 0.1
PH 8.45 (Within 0.3 of my probe)
Hopefully by next week things are at normal/stable conditions. I may have to get my calcium up a tad and start dripping kalk.
A few positives on the system are that the coraline is taking off in the fuge. Granted that those rocks have been seeding for several months before being added to the system, but the bare spots are growing dark green coraline algae and filling in fairly quickly. In the display, the coraline, which was predominately green, is showing much more growth in the pink to purple spectrum. The skimmer is also beginning to really skim. Itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s still not coffee skimmate, but light tea with a foul odor
. I still have some adjusting to do and become familiar with this type of skimmer, but Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m really impressed with it thus far!The humidity in the house has remained the same as before the additional tank, so that concern seems to be working out perfectly. The wet room seems to have to be balanced between temperature and humidity. If I want the humidity less than 30% it comes at the cost of dropping the temp to 69-70. If I want the temp near 75 degrees, the humidity raises to 50-70%. This I may have to play with. All I have controlling the room right now is a 4ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ fan on a humidistat, monitored by a digital thermometer with humidity reading. Accuracy is most likely not its strong point! I have several ideas to combat this if it becomes an issueââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦
jnarowe
New member
watch that ammonia! What are you testing calcium with?
Tangs looked fine in your post BTW. The thing is they like to wedge into the rock, under the rock etc. and if you use the same rock that is in the display, they will have more familiarity when they go into the display. What humidistat are you using? I don't think accuracy is terribly important. Reliability is the real issue.--J
Tangs looked fine in your post BTW. The thing is they like to wedge into the rock, under the rock etc. and if you use the same rock that is in the display, they will have more familiarity when they go into the display. What humidistat are you using? I don't think accuracy is terribly important. Reliability is the real issue.--J
jnarowe: I have a hodge podge of salifert and red sea test kits. I'm actually checking the ammonia again as the scale used in the kit is odd. Lists 14.0 as being a danger... Calcium kit is Red Sea. The humidistat is a bathroom humidistat that an electrician friend grabbed for me. It's used with these highend shower light/exhaust fans they use on some ventilation systems...
NexDog: Yeah we were discussing magnet cleaners. I ordered the tigershark for mine. Also James should throw in a little care package for you with some cloths, cleaner, scratch remover and scrapers
NexDog: Yeah we were discussing magnet cleaners. I ordered the tigershark for mine. Also James should throw in a little care package for you with some cloths, cleaner, scratch remover and scrapers
jnarowe: Well I need more accurate test kits. I ran 3 tests on the main and 3 on the q-tank. I got .25 once and less than .25 on 2 for the main. The indicator card lists 0 as white and .25 as yellow, unfortunately it's hard to discern the colors. Then on the q-tank I got about .25 twice and less than .5 once.
Just for giggles I used a hagen FW test on it and came up with about .1.
Just for giggles I used a hagen FW test on it and came up with about .1.
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