New 100gal Reef setup
- Thread starter Jerm77
- Start date
Jerm77
New member
The original plan was SPS - tons of it. I know I want some ricordia and maybe some other soft corals.
For fish - I'm still trying to decide. My girlfriend is now interested in the fish I put in the tank, and most of the fish she picks are not reef safe.
I will have a few gobys, a dragon goby for sure. I have had one before, he was always in the open and very active.
the GF want me to get a small Boxfish, and I'm still trying to determine if it will work with the amount of flow I have - the understanding is they are weak swimmers.
I will have a few wrasses, not sure which yet.
I will have a Tang, I have had a yellow tang - he was a bully and would nip at my feather dusters - dont think I will go with a yellow again.
and I've been toying with the idea of having a coral beauty, copperbanded butterfly, and mandarin.
I plan to have no more than 7 fish.
as far as invertebrates, maybe a few more cleaner shrimp, 1 anemone, a few feather dusters, a few crocea clams, a maxima clam, and maybe a sea cucumber.
My goal is to stock the tank in a way where the inhabitants are somewhat peaceful to each other. although a coral war might be cool to watch, I think I would prefer to avoid it.
For fish - I'm still trying to decide. My girlfriend is now interested in the fish I put in the tank, and most of the fish she picks are not reef safe.
I will have a few gobys, a dragon goby for sure. I have had one before, he was always in the open and very active.
the GF want me to get a small Boxfish, and I'm still trying to determine if it will work with the amount of flow I have - the understanding is they are weak swimmers.
I will have a few wrasses, not sure which yet.
I will have a Tang, I have had a yellow tang - he was a bully and would nip at my feather dusters - dont think I will go with a yellow again.
and I've been toying with the idea of having a coral beauty, copperbanded butterfly, and mandarin.
I plan to have no more than 7 fish.
as far as invertebrates, maybe a few more cleaner shrimp, 1 anemone, a few feather dusters, a few crocea clams, a maxima clam, and maybe a sea cucumber.
My goal is to stock the tank in a way where the inhabitants are somewhat peaceful to each other. although a coral war might be cool to watch, I think I would prefer to avoid it.
Jerm77
New member
Day 39, count was off by 1.
Day 39, count was off by 1.
Still Dosing Vodka at 1.6ml
Added a few more cleaners today. 5 Fuzzy Chiton 15 Limpets.
Chiton
Limpets
Note: The algae on the sand seems to be spreading. I assume its part of the cycle, lack of flow, and the amount of daylight I give the tank. I have upped the flow on the Tunzes once again. Tomorrow I am going to cut back the light by 1 hour. I am also only running one 250w light out of the 2. Also thinking about adding some type of sand sifting goby or blenny.
here is a turbo grazing the sand. they dont do it often, but I guess everybit helps,
and here is a full shot for everyone to enjoy
notice the green coralline taking hold
Day 39, count was off by 1.
Still Dosing Vodka at 1.6ml
Added a few more cleaners today. 5 Fuzzy Chiton 15 Limpets.
Chiton
Limpets
Note: The algae on the sand seems to be spreading. I assume its part of the cycle, lack of flow, and the amount of daylight I give the tank. I have upped the flow on the Tunzes once again. Tomorrow I am going to cut back the light by 1 hour. I am also only running one 250w light out of the 2. Also thinking about adding some type of sand sifting goby or blenny.
here is a turbo grazing the sand. they dont do it often, but I guess everybit helps,
and here is a full shot for everyone to enjoy
notice the green coralline taking hold
Last edited:
Jerm77
New member
Day 41
Day 41
I have incresed my Vodka dose to 2.3ml / day as per the article
Today I got my pinpoint nitrate meter back from American Marine(fixed)
I conditioned the probe per the instructions - soaking it in each calibration solution for 20 minutes. Then I did the calibration. I calibrated both the high and low ranges.
The reading finally settled at 10ppm NO3. the error range is supposed to be +/- 1.
I will test using the salifert test tomorrow.
I still have alot of the brown algae growing on the rocks and sand. my CUC seems to be keeping up with the growth on the rocks, but not on the sand. I prefer not to siphon off anything at this point. I would rather the tank take its course.
Note: on day 39 I added a Bullet goby(dragon goby) in hopes he would help with my sand algae problem. he has remained hidden since introduction. there are alot of hiding places and I dont think he is ready to venture out yet. I'll get a picture as soon as he comes out.
I have cut back my lighting further. Still only running 1 of the 2 halides.
DT
Actinics 2:30pm - 9:30pm
Halides 3:30pm - 8:30pm
Sump
4pm-4am
Day 41
I have incresed my Vodka dose to 2.3ml / day as per the article
Today I got my pinpoint nitrate meter back from American Marine(fixed)
I conditioned the probe per the instructions - soaking it in each calibration solution for 20 minutes. Then I did the calibration. I calibrated both the high and low ranges.
The reading finally settled at 10ppm NO3. the error range is supposed to be +/- 1.
I will test using the salifert test tomorrow.
I still have alot of the brown algae growing on the rocks and sand. my CUC seems to be keeping up with the growth on the rocks, but not on the sand. I prefer not to siphon off anything at this point. I would rather the tank take its course.
Note: on day 39 I added a Bullet goby(dragon goby) in hopes he would help with my sand algae problem. he has remained hidden since introduction. there are alot of hiding places and I dont think he is ready to venture out yet. I'll get a picture as soon as he comes out.
I have cut back my lighting further. Still only running 1 of the 2 halides.
DT
Actinics 2:30pm - 9:30pm
Halides 3:30pm - 8:30pm
Sump
4pm-4am
Jerm77
New member
Day 42
Day 42
continuing with the vodka dose recommendations @ 2.3ml
took another nitrate reading today with the digital meter.
after calibrating again today the reading seemed more reasonable. I even checked the readings with the calibration solution as 1ppm, 10ppm, and 100ppm.
today's reading was 4ppm. my RO/DI tests at 0, and my freshly mixed artifical saltwater also tests at 4ppm.
Salinity tests at 52.9 mS or ~1.0258
tried to take a top down picture of the pipe organ. I need a macro lens i think.
some more tank progress shots
Day 42
continuing with the vodka dose recommendations @ 2.3ml
took another nitrate reading today with the digital meter.
after calibrating again today the reading seemed more reasonable. I even checked the readings with the calibration solution as 1ppm, 10ppm, and 100ppm.
today's reading was 4ppm. my RO/DI tests at 0, and my freshly mixed artifical saltwater also tests at 4ppm.
Salinity tests at 52.9 mS or ~1.0258
tried to take a top down picture of the pipe organ. I need a macro lens i think.
some more tank progress shots
budbreak96
New member
Is pipe organ the same thing as star polyps? Those look like star polyps. Also i may be wrong but that greenish brown on your rocks looks like algea. I have never seen green coraline.
Jerm77
New member
Day 59
Day 59
been a while since my last update. Merry Xmas, Happy New Year !
My lighting schedule was increased by one hour. I don't think the mechanical timer for my sump light is working - I will soon replace it with a digital timer, so its probably been running 24/7.
DT
Actinics 2:30pm - 10:30pm
Halides 3:30pm - 9:30pm
Sump
4pm-4am
Vodka Dosing was cut back to 1ml from 2.3 due to a zero nitrate reading a week ago.
water changes have been done at 5-10gal a week. I have used the water changes to siphon excess ditritus from the sump. with the lack of a filter sock I have notices a build up on my return pump prefilter. I may go back to a smaller filtersock.
I have added an additional 35lbs of live rock. this brings my estimated total live rock to about 160lbs or more. I expect a mini cycle for the next couple of days / weeks.
Figure I would do another water parameter test today.
Ph: 8.0
Temp: 75
Salinity: 52.3 ~1.025 SG
Alk: 9.0
Cal: 400
Mag: 1350
Phos:
Nitrate: digital read = 0, salifert = 0
Nitrite NO2: 0
Ammonia: 0
here are some pictures:
before new live rock
after live rock and some aquascaping
found a starfish of some type. think it may be one of the bad ones.
pic of the bullet goby and a cleaner shrimp
update on the cup coral attached to the snail. seems to be getting bigger.
Day 59
been a while since my last update. Merry Xmas, Happy New Year !
My lighting schedule was increased by one hour. I don't think the mechanical timer for my sump light is working - I will soon replace it with a digital timer, so its probably been running 24/7.
DT
Actinics 2:30pm - 10:30pm
Halides 3:30pm - 9:30pm
Sump
4pm-4am
Vodka Dosing was cut back to 1ml from 2.3 due to a zero nitrate reading a week ago.
water changes have been done at 5-10gal a week. I have used the water changes to siphon excess ditritus from the sump. with the lack of a filter sock I have notices a build up on my return pump prefilter. I may go back to a smaller filtersock.
I have added an additional 35lbs of live rock. this brings my estimated total live rock to about 160lbs or more. I expect a mini cycle for the next couple of days / weeks.
Figure I would do another water parameter test today.
Ph: 8.0
Temp: 75
Salinity: 52.3 ~1.025 SG
Alk: 9.0
Cal: 400
Mag: 1350
Phos:
Nitrate: digital read = 0, salifert = 0
Nitrite NO2: 0
Ammonia: 0
here are some pictures:
before new live rock
after live rock and some aquascaping
found a starfish of some type. think it may be one of the bad ones.
pic of the bullet goby and a cleaner shrimp
update on the cup coral attached to the snail. seems to be getting bigger.
marineaddict
New member
I just spent the last 30 min reading - great set-up. Can't wait to read as the tank moves forward!
I would put the filter sock back on and clean it every few days. Helps catch a bunch of stuff you want to get rid of... if you are like me you will be moving rock around until it is "just right" That will kick up a bunch or "junk" and you can ctach it in the sock and get rid of it. Just a thought!
Again, I love the tank - can't wait to see what is next.
I would put the filter sock back on and clean it every few days. Helps catch a bunch of stuff you want to get rid of... if you are like me you will be moving rock around until it is "just right" That will kick up a bunch or "junk" and you can ctach it in the sock and get rid of it. Just a thought!
Again, I love the tank - can't wait to see what is next.
Jerm77
New member
Thanks for reading! and taking the time to post
I am doing the posting so I can learn from my mistakes and so I can track my progress, also so others can maybe know what to expect from a setup similar to mine.
marineaddict: I think you are right about the filtersock. I've already been told by another member that removing the filtersock would cause somewhat of a ditritus trap. after running without one for about 4 weeks, I would agree with that. I plan to add another sock soon.
what am I planning next?
Well, I think I may wait on adding any more corals until I get my calcium reactor up and running. I'll probably have to deal with a little bit of a cycle after adding the new live rock. although the rock was cycling at the LFS for 3 weeks already, so the cycle may be short or not that noticeable.
So far I haven't been detecting nitrite or ammonia. I'd like to say the vodka dosing has helped the cycle, but without a control test to that theory, I can't say that's the reason for sure. I have had a bioload for about 3 weeks - 3 small fish - and I have a very low or undetectable nitrate levels. I've never been able to achieve that with any of my other tanks in the past. Nonetheless, everything seems to be moving like I had expected if not better.
I am doing the posting so I can learn from my mistakes and so I can track my progress, also so others can maybe know what to expect from a setup similar to mine.
marineaddict: I think you are right about the filtersock. I've already been told by another member that removing the filtersock would cause somewhat of a ditritus trap. after running without one for about 4 weeks, I would agree with that. I plan to add another sock soon.
what am I planning next?
Well, I think I may wait on adding any more corals until I get my calcium reactor up and running. I'll probably have to deal with a little bit of a cycle after adding the new live rock. although the rock was cycling at the LFS for 3 weeks already, so the cycle may be short or not that noticeable.
So far I haven't been detecting nitrite or ammonia. I'd like to say the vodka dosing has helped the cycle, but without a control test to that theory, I can't say that's the reason for sure. I have had a bioload for about 3 weeks - 3 small fish - and I have a very low or undetectable nitrate levels. I've never been able to achieve that with any of my other tanks in the past. Nonetheless, everything seems to be moving like I had expected if not better.
LoneRegister
New member
What thickness is the aquarium.
Jerm77
New member
Day 68
Day 68
Continuing with the 1.0ml dose of vodka.
I left for 3 days this last weekend and decided to turn the lights out while I was gone. I decided to try this after reading this thread. while I only had minimal nuisance algae problems, I figured trying this wouldn't hurt. I think I will do this once a month.
saturday: no lights
sunday: no lights
monday: no lights
tuesday: actinics only
wednesday: all lights on
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1078532
what I noticed about doing this was, most(if not all) of the hair algae was gone. my pumps and background acrylic was spotless. there was very few spots on the acrylic in general. My snails shells were almost wiped clean of any algae. I did not notice any recession of the green (coralline?) algae on the live rock. nor did I see any recession of the purple coralline on my pipe organ frag. I did notice one wierd thing. the sand on one area below the top layer turned a dark charcoal color - not sure what it is, but doesn't seem to be spreading.
final thoughts. do I believe this was beneficial to the tank in its current state? in short - yes. we will see how this regiment works out over the next couple of months.
here are some tank shot updates.
Day 68
Continuing with the 1.0ml dose of vodka.
I left for 3 days this last weekend and decided to turn the lights out while I was gone. I decided to try this after reading this thread. while I only had minimal nuisance algae problems, I figured trying this wouldn't hurt. I think I will do this once a month.
saturday: no lights
sunday: no lights
monday: no lights
tuesday: actinics only
wednesday: all lights on
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1078532
what I noticed about doing this was, most(if not all) of the hair algae was gone. my pumps and background acrylic was spotless. there was very few spots on the acrylic in general. My snails shells were almost wiped clean of any algae. I did not notice any recession of the green (coralline?) algae on the live rock. nor did I see any recession of the purple coralline on my pipe organ frag. I did notice one wierd thing. the sand on one area below the top layer turned a dark charcoal color - not sure what it is, but doesn't seem to be spreading.
final thoughts. do I believe this was beneficial to the tank in its current state? in short - yes. we will see how this regiment works out over the next couple of months.
here are some tank shot updates.
buccard
Premium Member
I like your rockscape...looks like it has more caves in the latest shots, that tank is going to look good when you start stocking it with coral frags and fish.
I have some green coralline algae but not the amount you do...you are excersising a lot of patience and it looks like it is paying off, your tank is coming along nicely.
I have rockscape envy...
I have some green coralline algae but not the amount you do...you are excersising a lot of patience and it looks like it is paying off, your tank is coming along nicely.
I have rockscape envy...
Jerm77
New member
day 69
day 69
I think I am having an Apitasia outbreak. I have been noticing over the last week or so, that they have been popping up at various locations. I've tried to siphon or turkey baster them out. but, they seem to be speading and growing fast.
I think I will head to the LFS to get some peppermint shrimp. think thats a good plan?
day 69
I think I am having an Apitasia outbreak. I have been noticing over the last week or so, that they have been popping up at various locations. I've tried to siphon or turkey baster them out. but, they seem to be speading and growing fast.
I think I will head to the LFS to get some peppermint shrimp. think thats a good plan?
