My first salt water reef tank experience: 38 gal Innovative Marine

[Mark SF]

Nice looking build as well, this is something that I am going to follow as you have laid out a similar plan to what I am looking for.

Keep us updated! Good luck with the aptasia.

Mark

 

[apw63]

Nice build. I'm glad I found this thread because you have almost the identical equipment I am planning for my first saltwater build. How is your Ecotech Radion mounted? I would like something that attaches to the back with a mounting bracket but I think Ecotech only offers hanging mounting options. Thank you for taking the time to keep up the thread. I will be following it closely and using it as a blueprint for my build.

Thank you for the kind words. I have the Radion hanging from the ceiling with the ecotech hanging kit. If you purchased the IM matching stand, it will be hard to mount to the back. I will post some pics of the tank and stand with a light shot.

Nice looking build as well, this is something that I am going to follow as you have laid out a similar plan to what I am looking for.

Keep us updated! Good luck with the aptasia.

Mark

Thank you, The peppermint shrimp layed waste to the aptasia. I could find 5 or 6 aptasia before the introduction of the shrimp, now I cannot find any.

Andy

 

[apw63]

Here is a pic that shows radion mounting for greenhead882

Bought 2 locally bred true percula clownfish yesterday. Have both in my QT and they are doing great. Gave them a little bit of OMEGA ONE marine flakes, both had a little bit to eat.

Here are some rough pics of the 2

Thanks for looking at my tank build progress, all constructive comments welcome.

Andy

 

[ERivera65]

Awesome! what are you treating your QT with?

 

[apw63]

If you are referring to some sort of medicine none at the moment. I have them in QT for observation. If I don't see any indications of illness. I don't see the need to treat. I will be doing regular testing and water changes.

Andy

 

[Dbondaruk]

Put CUC in today

Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit x 2
Astraea Turbo Snail x 5
Nassarius Snail x 6
Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab x2
Mexican Turbo Snail x 5
Verity Snail x 16
Peppermint Shrimp x 1
Fighting Conch x 1
Electric Blue Hermit Crab x 2

They all looked to have made the trip from LiveAquatica just fine.

Andy

I would get rid of the hermits... They will most likely eat your nassarius snails and pick at the rest... I had all 5 of mine killed and 2 Astraea so I'm ditching mine. That's my opinion but I am not a reef master lol. Nice set up

 

[apw63]

I would get rid of the hermits... They will most likely eat your nassarius snails and pick at the rest... I had all 5 of mine killed and 2 Astraea so I'm ditching mine. That's my opinion but I am not a reef master lol. Nice set up

Thank you for the input and compliment. Do you think they are killing the snails for there shells? I'm getting some extra misc size shells for the crabs this weekend.

Andy

 

[Reefbuoy]

If hungry, hermit crabs will go after any snail. If they can't find a suitable shell to grow into, hermits will go after the Nassarius snails and not the Astrea snails. In my 40 gallon, I'm down to 1 Scarlet Hermit and plan to stay there.

 

[apw63]

My clowns made it thought the weekend without a problem. Both fish look great, very active during the daytime. No signs of illness or infestation yet, but its early. I did a 2 gallon water change yesterday after water tests showed ammonia was up slightly. I figured changes out some water and retest. After retest ammonia was back down to 0. The little guys are eating some flakes and a little bit of brine shrimp. These guys are dinks they might be an inch in length.

Andy

 

[kga943]

nice job good looking tank

 

[apw63]

Its time for an update:

My clown fish have been in QT for 3 weeks, They look and act healthy. I decided to put them in the DT, clowns in my acclimate. Thank you to the wife for buying it for me. They spent 30 minutes in drip.

First day in the Tank

I got some more CUC from reef cleaners, no crabs this time. I have had a out break of hair algae. These guys and my old guys are taking care of algae. I got a lot of smaller snails this time.

I also picked up a fuge basket from InTank and some cheato from reef cleaners. I have a power compact florescent shinning on the cheato. I dont like the light setup and will be changing to some sort of LED. Thinking of removing some of the vinyl from the back of the tank. Make a little window for LED to shine in.

Some reef cleaners doing there job.

and the clowns enjoying them selves.

No corals as of yet. I'm thinking next weekend of putting in an internet order. I do have a lead on a local guy selling corals. This is private seller not LFS.

Water perimeters
Temp 77-78 F
NH4 0
NO3 0
NO2 0
pH 8.03
Salinity 1.024

Still doing weekly 10% water changes.

Thanks for looking

Andy

 

[JohnnyHeavens]

Looking good. I made the move to an intank basket for my RSM too. I'm sure you'll like it.

 

[apw63]

Thank you for the pat on the back. Being a beginner it means a lot. I like the basket so far, just got to let the algae grow.

Andy

 

[moondoggy4]

Neon dottyback's are great fish to add.

 

[apw63]

Thank you for the suggestion moondoggy4. I will look at them. Next inhabitants will be some coral. My plan was to wait at least a few months before anymore fish go in.

Andy

 

[apw63]

Hello all tank and coral still stable. I placed my first coral order yesterday from Vivid Aquarium. Waiting on them to call and setup delivery date.

Here is the list of coral:

Electric Torch Coral (Euphyllia glabrescens) - One Head:
Eagle Eye Zoanthids (Zoanthis sp.) - Frag 10-12 polyps:
Purple Death palys (Zoanthus sp.) - 2 polyp frag:
ORA Green Polyp Toadstool Leather Coral (Sarcophyton sp.) - Size: 1.5"-2"
Fiji Yellow Leather Coral (Sarcophyton elegans) - Small: 2"-3"
Green Pipe Organ (Tubipora musica) - Small: 2"-3"
Red & Green Blastomussa (Blastomussa Wellsi) - One Polyp:
Red Lobo Brain Coral (Lobophyllia hemprichii) - Small: 2"-3"
Toadstool Leather Coral (Sarcophyton sp.) - Small: 2"-3"
Purple Tip Frogspawn Coral (Euphyllia paradivisa) - 2 Heads
Fluorescent Green Star Polyps (Pachyclavularia sp.) - Frag: 1"

I would be interested to hear people's opinions on my selections please.

I also purchased:

Marine Snow
Micro Vert
PhytoPlex
ReVive Coral Cleaner
Sea Lab 28 Automatic Replenisher

I'm hoping this gets me a good start. I'm mentally working out placement in the tank. Think I've figured out placement for most.

Thanks for looking at my tank

Andy

 

[tylersarah]

This is looking good!

Gonna watch the thread for progress.

 

[apw63]

This is looking good!

Gonna watch the thread for progress.

looking very nice so far...I'll be following to see

Thank you both. I'm trying to take my time and do it right.

Andy

 

[apw63]

My corals should be here in a few hours. I'm very excited to get them acclimated and in to the tank. I'll be posting pictures later today.

Andy

 

[apw63]

I have my radion in natural mode and the intensity turned down to 45%. The light is 10" above the surface of the water. Does anyone think I should dial the intesity down more?

Thanks far any input.

Andy