Thought I would post an update on how the tank is doing.
Here are some pictures from today; not much to see yet:
<a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/P6030001.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/P6030001_TN.JPG" border=0></a><a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/P6030003.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/P6030003_TN.JPG" border=0></a><br><a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/P6030006.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/AGA92/P6030006_TN.JPG" border=0></a>
<i>(Click for larger image)</i>
We haven’t done tests since the 5th of May, we’ve been busy and inclined to just let it do its thing. Evaporation rate appears to be hovering around seven or eight gallons per week.
We are up to ~170 pounds of rock in the tank; 100 base and 70 live. We may add another 20 lbs or so more to the refugium at some point.
There are lots, and I mean LOTS, of pods and we’ve started feeding 15 ml of DT’s Phytoplankton daily. We will step this up to 30 ml daily in a week or two. We are considering <a href="http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1400971" target=_blank>growing our own</a>, but haven’t made any purchases yet.
We are still looking at getting the CUC in July or whenever we have a major algae bloom, whichever comes first.
We will likely get the light and the first round of inhabitants in September.
I have also been researching <a href="http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1400679 " target=_blank>food recipes</a> and feeding schedules so that we are well prepared for when we start adding our inhabitants.
As far as equipment and stocking lists go we have narrowed a few things down...
<u>Lighting:</u>
Coral Vue Lumen Bright SE Large Pendant (19"x19"x12")
Coral Vue 400 watt Dimmable Electronic Ballast
Coral Vue Reeflux 400 watt 12,000k SE Bulb
We found a local supplier for the light so we don’t have to worry about shipping/duty/etc., plus they are on par with the prices I’ve found online.
Related thread - <a href="http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1395669" target=_blank>Reflector Help? (Lumenarc, Lumen Bright, or Lumen Max)</a>
<u>Clean Up Crew - Round 1:</u>
5 - Astrea Snails
5 - Margarita Snails
5 - Cerith Snails
5 - Nassarius Snails
Blood Red Fire Shrimp
We have not had a significant algae bloom yet so we are going to start slowly and add more as needed.
<u>Fish:</u>
Pair of Green Mandarin Dragonets
Stonogobiops Dracula Goby with Alpheus Randalli Shrimp Pair (or some other Goby and Shrimp Pair)
Yellowhead Jawfish
Bicolor or Fridmani (Purple) Pseudochromis
Royal Gramma Basslet
Pair of Black and White Ocellaris or True Percula Clownfish
Kole Yellow Eye Tang
Yellow Tang
If sacrifices need to be made, the jawfish will be removed first, then either the Royal Gramma and/or the chromis, and finally the yellow tang.
Related threads:
<a href="http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1389322" target=_blank>Stock list for AGA92; comments/suggestions? </a>
<a href="http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1401850" target=_blank>Chromis/Basslets with Mandarin</a>
<u>Quarantine Tank:</u>
30 Gallon Glass Breeder with sides, back, and bottom painted black
Fluval 404 with floss which has cycled in the sump and carbon
100 watt Ebo-Jager Heater
Koralia 2 Powerhead
A few pieces of PVC
Normal Output Fluorescent Light
The mandarins will go directly into the tank. The goby and jawfish will be quarantined for a month or more and then added. The chromis, royal gramma, and clowns will follow and will be quarantined for a month before being added to the tank. And finally the tangs will be quarantined and then added.
Related thread - <a href="http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1391288" target=_blank>Quarantine Setup and Questions </a>
<u>Coral/Inverts:</u>
Green Carpet Anemone
Crocea Clam
Various Zoanthids (Man of Steel for sure)
Couple of (rare/unique) Ricordia
A few Large Polyp Stony Coral
One or two Small Polyp Stony Coral (Superman Monti for sure, maybe a “different†coloured Acropora)
We like the look of the carpet anemone more than the Rose Tipped Bubble Anemones. We don’t want any mushrooms (Corallimorpharians) in this tank as they have taken over the 10 gallon nano. We also don’t want any Xenia or Star Polyps in this tank.
The carpet anemone will be added with the clowns. The clam will be added late fall. The rest will be added as we find specimens we like. Still need to research dipping procedures for corals...
Related thread - <a href="http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1401226" target=_blank>Coral from Krypton?</a>
That's it for now, we will likely do more tests this weekend...
