Do I need anything else before BTA purchase?

[GuySmily]

I'm itching to get a BTA. What am I missing?

Equipment
40gal tank (36" x 15 x 18)
200w Finnex heater - solid 78F temperature
AC110 chaeto fuge w/foam guard
AquaC Remora skimmer w/foam guard
2x Vortech MP10 w/foam guard (reef crest mode)
Instant Ocean salt (regular / non-reef)
Spectrapure RODI
Established: 9/6/11 <-- As far as I know, this is the only flaw

Lighting: ReefLEDLights Phoenix 25 Kit (customized) - "This Kit was designed with only the best components and is a no kidding replacement for a 175-250 watt Metal Halide" - TWO of these
Contents per fixture (2 fixtures)
5x XP-G Cool White "high noon"
5x XP-G Cool White "premium"
12x XP-E Royal Blue
3x XP-E Blue

Biological Filtration:
40 lbs live rock, about to add 30 lbs BRS reef saver dry rock
40 lbs live sand (1" bed)

Chemistry:
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5-10 ppm (WC performed at 10ppm)
Cal: 350 ppm (low, before WC)
Alk: 6.5 dKH (before WC)
Mag: 1450 mg/Lt (before WC)

Fish:
2x Ocellaris (mated pair, small)
2x Red scooter (only keeping one)
1x Yasha goby

Inverts:
1x Pistol shrimp
2x Cleaner shrimp
2x Electric blue hermit
Lots of snails (reefcleaners package)

Corals:
1x Leather (random hitchhiker)
Blue clove polyps (small colony, only on small ground-level rocks)

Feeding cycle: rotation, 1-2x daily
San Francisco Bay Brand Marine Cuisine (more dense, so usually only half cube)
Hikari Brine
Hikari Mysis

Planned additions:
10-20gal sump (to replace AC110 as fuge/filter)
Coral? Maybe something grassy like GSP. Something colorful, compatible with BTAs
Mid/upper-level fish?

 

[uf_gators]

Established: 9/6/11 <-- As far as I know, this is the only flaw



I would really think about waiting at least 6 months for water par. to be in pristine conditions.... I thought mine was ready, and anemones are very :crazy1: to changes in water chemistry.... just my thoughts, But if you do. Good luck, and I hope it works out better for you...

 

[Toddrtrex]

Yeah, I would wait a bit longer -- total of 6 months. There are a lot of changes going on with your tank during that time. Will have several different algae outbreaks, and other changes that are difficult to measure with test kits. Plus, during this time you will learn about your tank -- ideally you will learn to spot issues before they become problems.

 

[GuySmily]

Gonna shotgun a few questions here.

Think this lighting is ok?

Does everyone feed silversides, or can I stick with the frozen stuff I already have?

Do I have any fish incompatibilities? When/why do nems catch and eat fish, anyway?

Any recommendations for other cool, nem-safe fish to add? I'd love to have some small, colorful schooling fish like neon tetras (freshwater). Sounds like you need a big tank to keep blue/green chromis.

I've heard all kinds of nightmare stories about fish/nems getting sucked into powerheads, intakes, etc. Do I need to run the foam guards on everything? Will the BTA climb up the glass?

 

[Toddrtrex]

I won't speak about the lights -- I have zero experience with LEDs, heck I just got a full T5 fixture last year, still have MH over my other 2 tanks.

I don't use silversides anymore -- they are too messy and a couple of us (( myself included )) have lost an anemone right after using them. I just use frozen (( thawed )) krill now, granted I haven't feed my anemones in a while now.

If you are will to take a risk with some corals, a dwarf angel might work.

I would keep all pump/intakes covered.

If the lighting isn't enough an E. quad will climb the glass.

 

[nino4u]

I personally believe your lighting should be fine with your setup... Best of luck...

 

[GuySmily]

I didn't like the idea of feeding whole fish / silversides so I'm relieved to hear that it's not necessary. I was surprised to see pictures where the waste was just black liquid, without solid bones/etc.

How often do you feed? I was wondering if it was even necessary when they have good lighting? Glad to hear that my lighting is ok.

I'm sure it's ideal for them to food from a variety of sources. I could spot feed, but if they're going to catch stuff floating around from my daily feedings anyway then maybe it's not necessary.

 

[Whip316]

i never fed any of my nems really unless i felt compelled to. i feed heavy and from feeding mysis and cyclops and alot of other meaty food. so eventually some of that will fall into the nem. if you feel like feeding a nem. go get some fresh shrimp from the grocery store and feed them a small peice. i dont trust frozen food cause i lost a nem like Toddrex did as well.

 

[jwoyshnar]

Way too early to add one. Wait around 3-4 months.

 

[Faye]

I don't know how well established your rock is, but adding BRS rock now and then adding an anemone a week later is not a smart idea. BRS rock is loaded with trapped phosphates that are going to release for a while. You will probably see an algae out break unless you give it a good acid bath.