new 55gl cube opinions please

[lil b]

hello , just got this 55gl cube set up with about 40lbs of sand 20lbs of live sand and about 70lbs of live rock. i have an emperor 400, hydor 4, maxi jet 900 and trying to get a red sea prizim skimmer to fit as well. for lighting i have 2 nova etreme 2x24 T5HO's. i would like to hear some opinions on the setup please tried my best on the rockscaping. trying to do a reef set up. Thanks. trying to get a picture up. i'll try this

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=270555&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500

 

[pimpinitup6969]

i really like the rock work!!! that types of corals do you plan on keeping?

 

[Toad42013]

I like it. Would like to see a pic when its clear. How long has it been running?

 

[lil b]

its been running since saturday, i want corals that move around alot not sure of the names. i'm really new to the corals. i want it to look nice

 

[spleify]

[welcome]

Check out the LPS forum there is a lot of good info there about corals that move around.

 

[Michael]

well mushrooms will if the flow is too much for them, and anemones which are animals will if they are not happy, soft corals will sway about in the flow and probably a good choice for a beginner, not sure what else you are reffering to, but welcome to the forum

 

[lil b]

thanks for the input , when i go to the fish store during lunch i'll ask them what they're called. they look like they just stick to whatever rock you put them on and they're usualy pink or brown in color. i also like the one that looks like grass with a neon green glow on the tip. i want so much i have to slow down and let the tank take its course; and going to the fish store every day during lunch does'nt help any lol

 

[Aquarist007]

If you mean coral that move and sway back in forth then you could be referring to xenia, frogspawn, hammer, and torch coral.

 

[lil b]

thanks , thats a better way to put it sway back in forth with the water flow. how do i point my hydor, not point but position. it blew all the sand from the front of the tank all the way down to the glass.

 

[lil b]

ok, i found out what they were. i wanna start of with xenias - wild and green star polyps

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14730816#post14730816 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lil b
thanks , thats a better way to put it sway back in forth with the water flow. how do i point my hydor, not point but position. it blew all the sand from the front of the tank all the way down to the glass.

place your hydor low in the tank and point it up to the surface of the tank. That way it won't create a sand storm but you will have lots of surface turbulance--that's what you want for oxygen exchange.
You will still create a flow from the substrate but it will be one created by the pulling of the hydor rather then the pushing of it.

xenia is a good starter coral--it grows like a weed however.

 

[919]

Get rid of the magfloat, it looks trashy...

 

[stricknine]

Looking good already, tuff time though as you just want to throw it all in there and watch it grow!

My suggestions: Take it slow, one item every week or two at most. Give your bac time to catch up to the load. Sounds like you have a pretty good set up, so dont lowball on the corals (xenia/kenya trees are a PITA, star polyps not bad, but will spread and try to take over). Have you looked in to wicked coloured zoos for a starter? Also research euphyllia: hammer, torch, bubble, frogspawn.
I havent heard anything good about the red sea prizm. I was going to mod my 24cube to take one until I read reviews and opinions. IMO, dont waste the money. You will end up replacing it.

Nice tank, and GOOD LUCK!

 

[lil b]

ok water cleared up nice, all rocks and sand turned brown. i'm guessing its part of the cycling?

 

[lil b]

everything in my tank is very VERY brown now sand rocks and everything else that touches water, is this normal ?

 

[1DeR9_3Hy]

Sounds about right, another couple weeks and you should be moving into the green nuisance algae's lol.

Nice tank, keep up the patience....it pays!

My first xenia doubled in size in about 2 months, then split a week later. My first mushroom has turned into about 6 diffrent ones, my hammer is sprouting another head and all my zoa colony's have started to grow like weeds. Soft corals are fun

 

[lil b]

My first xenia doubled in size in about 2 months, then split a week later. My first mushroom has turned into about 6 diffrent ones, my hammer is sprouting another head and all my zoa colony's have started to grow like weeds. Soft corals are fun [/B][/QUOTE]

THATS what i want :rollface: hopefully i have the right stuff to do it with, i'm now growing grass on top of the brown lol need a mower.