If You Are New to Reef Central, Introduce Yourself Here!

[Sisterlimonpot]

I have a 40 gallon reef tank that had been doing very well for around six years. Then about a year ago I started getting some green hairy algae growing all over the live rock, then over the corals, pretty much everything. I tried massive water changes, scrubbed algae off the rocks, phosphate control and eventually decided to pull and toss all the live rock and corals since the algae was clearly not going away and covered everything.
With my tank empty, except for 3 fish and some hermit crabs, I installed a fluval cannister filter, put in some fresh live rock, continued frequent water changes and boom the new live rock is again covered in green hairy algae... how do I get this stuff to **** off? I've changed power compact bulbs, should I change out some/all live sand? what next? see photos...

[welcome]
Hair algae grows when you have excess nutrients in the tank, (i.e. nitrates and phosphates) Do a search on how to reduce them, There are many ways to do it, I prefer vodka dosing (which would have worked for your 6 year old tank, but since you killed everything off I wouldn't recommend it on the newer tank). But there are plenty others out there that will help.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hello!

I'm the newest addition to the hobby I suppose!:fun4:

My family and I just got a 150 to set up reef style!

my mom - (TAB Studio) and my brother (Bozo_the_Clown) have been reef keeping for years, but I have never been involved with the hands on process.

With this tank it's time to start learning!

I absolutely love reading and watching the build threads and read them every morning before work. So my first question is, which area of this forum does the build thread for my 150 belong?

I'm truly looking forward to becoming a part of this community and getting to know people who love the hobby as much as my family!

Pictures soon! (once I know where to put them!)

[welcome]
There's no forum spacific for 150 gallon tank builds, Your tank wouldn't fit in the Nano forum and too small for the Large Reef Tanks forum, RC has designated Reef Discussion for the normal size tanks build threads. So definitely start your build thread there and don't forget to take lots of pictures.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hi everyone.

My name is Kevin. I live in Ontario, Canada. I've done the freshwater thing but I've always wanted more than just fish in my tank. My wife told me that if I bought her a big house I could get a salt water tank. We move next month!

I don't plan on buying a tank for at least a few months (I'm thinking at least 48"x24"x24"). I'll be obsessively researching until then.

I was wondering if you have any views on the best way to ease into a full-on SPS tank? With my new mortgage payments, I won't be able to buy everything at once. I'll probably buy a used setup and plan on buying dry base live rock and getting live live rock from as many sources as I can. Can I get away with a HOB skimmer for a little while? Can some soft corals take less lighting until I upgrade?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[welcome]
You're right on track with starting off with soft corals and progress (when money is available) to LPS and then SPS. there are a lot of LPS that can thrive in low light conditions so it's a great stepping stone to master softies then LPS and then by the time you have money for the lights and everything else that's required for SPS dominant tanks.

Good Luck

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

My name is Jenny...Im looking to buy my first tank...Its 95 gallon...Trying to figure out how to move it...It maybe over my head

[welcome]
There are plenty of people that were in your shoes. Do a search on moving a tank and you'll find many people documenting their experiences.

 

[jennyking]

OK I bought the tank..it is a big green harry mess...Should I drain it and start fresh...or should i get some snails, fish etc to clean it up...We are moving it next weekend

 

[Hermes`]

Hi RC World,

My name is German, I'm not new to the hobby just wanted to introduce myself. Been in this hobby for 2.5 yrs all from pico to my current 55g Reef. A couple months ago I was careless in not watching my salinity that it dropped from 1.026 to 1.020 in a sort while. My softies were very upset (slimmed up). I found the tank very cloudy when I got home, lost 80% of my SPS and all softies gone and both cleaner shrimps also. All fish survived, Clam and other invertebrates. HA started taking over half of my tank from this disaster, been using GFO which I think I'm winning the battle very slowly. I'm in the process of purchasing a controller to be better aware or my livestock. I still learning, and I am getting better organized.

 

[tomn916]

Hi. My name is Tom. I am new to reef keeping, but not new to marine tanks. I've had a 50 gallon fish only bleached coral (fobc?) hex tank for about 10 years. Now I'm stepping up to a 185 gallon rectangular tank, 60" long by 24" thick by 30" tall.

When I say "stepping up", I'm really referring to the learning curve! This reef stuff seems complicated. Fortunately this forum has been helping me with that. I thank you all in advance for answering my future stupid questions.

Best of all, after an 8 week wait the tank is supposed to be here tomorrow! I'm very excited.

 

[aquaman760]

Hi RC World,

My name is German, I'm not new to the hobby just wanted to introduce myself. Been in this hobby for 2.5 yrs all from pico to my current 55g Reef. A couple months ago I was careless in not watching my salinity that it dropped from 1.026 to 1.020 in a sort while. My softies were very upset (slimmed up). I found the tank very cloudy when I got home, lost 80% of my SPS and all softies gone and both cleaner shrimps also. All fish survived, Clam and other invertebrates. HA started taking over half of my tank from this disaster, been using GFO which I think I'm winning the battle very slowly. I'm in the process of purchasing a controller to be better aware or my livestock. I still learning, and I am getting better organized.

What is GFO? I've been battling hair algae for too long. I'm about to empty it and start over.

 

[Hermes`]

Granular Ferric Oxide (Phosphate Remover). I have mine in the TLF PhosBan Reactor 150 with MJ 400. The HA after a month and 1/2 is starting to turn brown and easier to remove. I use a turkey baster to suck it out. I also switched skimmers from a seaclone 100 to a Octopus recirc 110 - I modded it to accept an OTP 2000 NW Pump with 1" sch 40 tube, custom venturi with 3/8 tubing, and using the pinwheel impeller - pulling 37.5 watts its rated 38w - i get almost a full cup of really dark skim in a day.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

OK I bought the tank..it is a big green harry mess...Should I drain it and start fresh...or should i get some snails, fish etc to clean it up...We are moving it next weekend

Start a new thread asking your question, I personally would take the rock out and clean it the best I could and cut back on lighting and change up my husbandry a bit to ensure very little nitrates and phosphates are produced in the system. As for the snails, as long as the cycle has taken place you can add a few to help out.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hi RC World,

My name is German, I'm not new to the hobby just wanted to introduce myself. Been in this hobby for 2.5 yrs all from pico to my current 55g Reef. A couple months ago I was careless in not watching my salinity that it dropped from 1.026 to 1.020 in a sort while. My softies were very upset (slimmed up). I found the tank very cloudy when I got home, lost 80% of my SPS and all softies gone and both cleaner shrimps also. All fish survived, Clam and other invertebrates. HA started taking over half of my tank from this disaster, been using GFO which I think I'm winning the battle very slowly. I'm in the process of purchasing a controller to be better aware or my livestock. I still learning, and I am getting better organized.

[welcome]
Sorry to hear about your salinity problem, Have you looked into an Auto top-off system? It will maintain your salinity fairly well.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hi. My name is Tom. I am new to reef keeping, but not new to marine tanks. I've had a 50 gallon fish only bleached coral (fobc?) hex tank for about 10 years. Now I'm stepping up to a 185 gallon rectangular tank, 60" long by 24" thick by 30" tall.

When I say "stepping up", I'm really referring to the learning curve! This reef stuff seems complicated. Fortunately this forum has been helping me with that. I thank you all in advance for answering my future stupid questions.

Best of all, after an 8 week wait the tank is supposed to be here tomorrow! I'm very excited.

[welcome]
a 185 gallon is going to give you plenty of leeway to get the hang of this hobby. Be sure to ask questions when they pop up.

 

[55lookn2upgrade]

hi all, I’m new to rc and just recently picked up this exciting hobby of saltwater aquariums. learning this site and how to post things so just checking.

 

[55lookn2upgrade]

it worked im so happy, i have lots of question

it worked im so happy, i have lots of question

:spin3:it worked im so happy, i have lots of question

hi all, I'm new to rc and just recently picked up this exciting hobby of saltwater aquariums. learning this site and how to post things so just checking.

 

[kimberlee]

Hi, my name is kim. I've only had my saltwater tank for 3 months, and this forum concept is completely new to me so a little patience will be greatly appreciated. My question is regarding my emerald cabs. They don't appear to be damaging my corals, but they climb over the top of them all the time. Should I worry that this cuases the corals to close up during the light cycle?

 

[Ohio]

New member

New member

Hi, I am Jenn. I have visited this sight countless times and finally decided to join. I have been in the freshwater hobby for about 5 yrs. We decided after the vacation several months back to start saltwater. It is so great, even now when the is hardly anything in the tank- I can look at it and find something new every time. Well worth the expense.

 

[salth20newbie]

New to RC

New to RC

Hello Everyone!
I am fairly new to RC although I have spent several hours over the past week or so researching past posts, forums, etc in order to make my first saltwater tank more successful than not. You all have been so helpful to me so far! Thanks alot!

Im working with a 20gal tank so far hermit crabs only a few worms that hitchhiked on my LR from LFS, and hopefully a fish or two soon once my Nitrates get figured out. My tank has been cycling going on 7-8 weeks now.

 

[Durbelethwen]

Hello, my name is Heidi and after having a fresh water aquarium for two years and with the advice of my mom I am thinking of getting into salt water aquariums. I recently bought a thirty gallon tank at a yard sell of ten dollars which was used as a nursery tank when my moms two female platys turned out to be pregnant. The babies have vacated the tank for new homes.
I am using the book "Saltwater Aquariums make A Great Hobby" by John Tullock. Yesterday I added up all of the equipment I would need to get started, including the first animals I would like to put once started, and came to $329.45. I decided I should wait until I have a little more money saved because I only have a part time job and I am paying back student loans. I have decided to continue to gather information about my proposed hobby while I wait.
This is the collection of animals that I wish to put in my tank, which I hope will be well balanced. A fire fish, a pair of clown fish, a Scarlet Skink Cleaner Shrimp, a Bumble Bee Snail, and a Margarita Snail.

 

[louiserose]

Hi

Hi

Hi :wave:

My name is Louise, i'm 30 years old and live in Bedford.

My husband bought my trgion 190 as an early 30th birthday present. It was already set up with marine fish in and we thought it would be easy to keep as it was all ready. Boy were we wrong!!!!

The tank came with the fuval canister filter that the tank came with as it's only filtration and the following fish:

1 x regal tang
1 x yellow tang
2 x percula clown fish
2 x yellow tail damsels


We bought some hermits, a fire shrimp, a couple of gobies and a star fish pretty soon after we got it to help keep the tank clean but we had some issues with high nitrates.

We did a fair bit of reading up on the subject and found that not only were half of the fish not suitable for our tank but the filtration wasn't eaither.

We decided that i should ask for money for my birthday and buy live rock, skimmer, powerheads etc to make sure we had sufficient filtration etc and we planned on rehoming the regal once her white spot had gone.

On my birthday we went to our local lfs who advised us how much live rock we would need and we bought it, the protein skimmer and powerheads, we went home and put them in.

The next morning we got up and half of our fish were gasping. We checked the water and we had an ammonia spike (lfs didn't mention that adding a huge amount of live rock in one go would do this). Into the qt the fish went. We only managed to save the clowns and the inverts, everything else died

While the main tank was cycling we decided it would be a good time to make a sump so we did (pain in the back side on a corner tank!!!).

Anyway, the fish etc are back in the tank now and we're starting to get a collection of coral frags so we have a bit of colour in there now. We're going to wait another week or so before adding more fish as we don't want to rush things.

We are also in the process of deciding what to upgrade our lighting to (from t8's) and i plan on doing that in the next few days.

Needless to say the purse is now very very empty!!!

I would like to say though, it was completely worth it!!

 

[arumney]

Hello,
I've had a 55 Gal. FOWLR tank for about 10 years and finally decided to start corals when I upgraded to my now 220 gal tank. I've had it up and running only about a month now, and I currently have just two fish, a yellow tank and an unknown damsel. It's all black with a yellow tail and a small bit of yellow on the back of his dorsal fin. He's about 3 inches or so. I also have just some starting frags of some Frogspawn, some green star Polyps, and I also have the infamous green brittle star in there. I think I'll need to take him out soon, he's a bit much with the coral in there I think.