Aquatop Recife eco 40 build

[Seandrae3000]

Started my first saltwater tank a few months ago and here’s everything I’ve done so far!

Equipment
-Aquamaxx 1.5 hob protein skimmer
-InTank floss holder
-jebao powerhead
-Nero3 powerhead
-AI 16 prime reef light
-magtool ato

Fish
-pair of clown fish
-orchid dottyback
-watchman goby and a pistol shrimp
-cleaner shrimp(my favorite)
-2 peppermint shrimp
-3 turbo snails
-6-7 hermit crabs
-bi color angelfish
Would love any suggestions for new fish!

Coral
-candy cane
-duncan
-gsp
-hammer
-frogspawn x 4
-waving hand
-zoas x 6
-green fuzzy mushroom
-orange mushroom
-red cap
-spicy lemon favia
-Xenia
-bird nest x2
-acro
-joker torch
-cotton candy torch
-black light torch

I am really enjoying building this tank! I already want to upgrade to a bigger tank.
I can’t wait to see how it comes out!

Anyone else with a similar tank that wouldn’t mind sharing their build. I would love to see other Aquatop set ups!

Any tips or advise is very much appreciated!

 

[Reefing102]

Looking like it’s coming along great!

 

[griss]

Looks great. I will definitely follow your progress.

 

[JohnL]

Welcome to Reef Central. I'm looking forward to watching your tank progress.

 

[Seandrae3000]

Update!

Changed my scape just alittle and added a ton of new coral! Got a new frogspawn, mushroom added a couple zoas to my garden, favia and got a rainbow tip anemone!

Added a nero3 power head and love it! It’s so easy to use and makes a world of difference for circulation!

Still trying to decide what other fish I want to add thinking a coral beauty but not sure if it will work out. If anyone has any suggestions on fish please share!

 

[Reefing102]

Looking great! The only thing with a coral beauty is it may pick on corals

 

[griss]

Yep, looks good.

 

[Seandrae3000]

Yep, looks good.

Thank you!

 

[Seandrae3000]

Looking great! The only thing with a coral beauty is it may pick on corals

Thank you so much! Can’t wait for the coral to start growing in haha. Any recommendations for fish? I think I need a semi aggressive my dotty back is a bully

 

[Reefing102]

With angels, they’re always going to be hit or miss. I’d possibly look at cherub, African flame back, (if you can swing the cost, a captive bred potters angel but they’re still fairly hard to come by and very expensive). I’d also look at some wrasse’s

 

[Seandrae3000]

Got a bi color angel yesterday. Lfs told me he would be okay in the tank and “reef safe”. After doing research that is not true . He’s very timid even at lfs he was hiding behind a rock. I am going to give him a trial so fingers crossed he works out!

Also working on catching the a hole dotty back and replace him with a Royal gamma. If anyone has any tips sucker is fast lol

 

[griss]

Good luck catching the dottyback. As you mentioned, they are quick. Just curious why you're looking to replace him?

 

[Seandrae3000]

Good luck catching the dottyback. As you mentioned, they are quick. Just curious why you're looking to replace him?

He is a bully he picks on the watchman goby and I feel bad for him. He’s a cool fish and has a lot of personality just not a good fit unfortunately

 

[griss]

He is a bully he picks on the watchman goby and I feel bad for him. He’s a cool fish and has a lot of personality just not a good fit unfortunately

Ah, I understand. Try asking your LFS if they rent fish traps. Worth a shot.

 

[Seandrae3000]

Update!

Finally got a torch!!! Bi color is doing good and not eating coral! Tank is a bit cloudy I repositioned power heads so hopefully it clears up soon!

 

[Reefing102]

Looking good!

 

[griss]

Awesome.

 

[Seandrae3000]

Got a cotton candy and black light torch yesterday and starting arranging coral onto the rock work. Starting to really come together!

I lost my cleaner shrimp yesterday too which I am very sad about he was one of my favorites for sure. I think he had a bad molt I found the molt for his head a few days ago and when I found him yesterday he was twitching and covered in fuzz. I think I am going to get another one. They add so much life in the tank.

Everything else is happy my hammer coral is starting to get new heads and fish are happy!

 

[Seandrae3000]

It’s been awhile since my last update but, everything is going well. I have coralline algae growing everywhere so I must be doing something right haha. Everything seems to be growing and is happy! Thinking about adding more coral soon

 

[Reefing102]

Looking great!