"Phil's 125 Semi-Aggressive Reef"

[Duke4life]

Over the last week and some, I've continued to feed the DT a little less than a quarter worth of flakes in the am, the 20 gets about a penny of flakes and the molly gets fed in the 10.

I purchased a sybon refractometer off of the market place forum and am really happy with it, very easy to use and read. DT currently reads 1.023 and the QTs @ 1.020.

I've torn down the rocks because I just wasn't feeling it and have yet to rearrange them. Torn between more openness and the tiered look with a lot more knocks and crannies. I was also surprised about how clearly the tank cleared up after moving the rocks, it was overnight. I did find spots I need to get more flow to the area below my overflow box.

Question I have is: How much water do I need to allow above the peak of my tallest structure?
The way I had it setup before I had about 2 inches from top of rock to top of waterline.

 

[jjk_reef00]

There is no rule for how tall your rock structure can be as long as it is stable and not going to fall over, and your fish have enough room to swim around in the tank. If you really wanted you could build a rock structure that goes higher than your waterline. I thought about that for a little when I had a tank with a canopy. Ended up not doing it.

 

[Duke4life]

There is no rule for how tall your rock structure can be as long as it is stable and not going to fall over, and your fish have enough room to swim around in the tank. If you really wanted you could build a rock structure that goes higher than your waterline. I thought about that for a little when I had a tank with a canopy. Ended up not doing it.

I've got a canopy but I'm not going to use it because I think the tank looks more open without it. I'm being probably a little over cautious but the falling over part is on my mind every time I try a new design, it's gotta be eel proof (1/2 pvc will be running through all rock that will used in structures).

 

[Duke4life]

Next ?

While I'm incorporating pvc (2.5 inside diameter), I was curious if the eels would primarily use this or do I need to incorporate some spots for them. How high do most long nose hawks like to perch in the typical tank?

Yes I know every 1 will be different but was curious to what others have had experience with and hopefully help me zone more in on my scape.

 

[Duke4life]

Tampa

Tampa

Yup this is where she eats, a bit of a free feeder.

 

[Duke4life]

Didn't want to ruin a good picture, but yes the bio balls will go, the container with the fewest has more flow than the other with more. Have to ditch in order to add a protein skimmer at some point.

 

[Duke4life]

The beginning of my semi-aggressive reef tank.

The beginning of my semi-aggressive reef tank.

Just a pile of rocks but soon a mini underwater world.

Titan wanted in on the pics 2.

 

[Duke4life]

Just back from my LFS where I had my water tested and can proudly say all 3 tanks show no ammonia or nitrite, with nitrates at .5 (previous test was 2 weeks ago and showed .25 ammonia in the DT). I tested my own salinity with the DT at 1.024 and the 2 QTs at 1.020.

 

[Duke4life]

Tomorrow will be another step, adding a small CUC of red tip hermit crabs to the 20 gallon QT unless I decide to add to the 10.

 

[Duke4life]

Also I've thought about adding a pair of cleaner shrimp. Would they end up being tasty little meals for the eels or hawks?
I know under certain circumstances certain things can be added and established and be fine, but if you add the wrong things 1st things don't work out.

 

[Duke4life]

Had an oops moment earlier, so instead of adding the small little CUC I purchased to my 10 gal QT I put them into my 20 gal QT. Luckily I had moved the molly to my 125 DT this morning.

 

[Duke4life]

So far the hermits and 2 turbo's are doing good, funny little creatures to watch. Planning on moving them to the 10 in order to have the 20 for a group of cardinals. Here's a couple ?'s I have:

Is a small hob filter good enough for the CUC in the 10 or should I add a powerhead?

Coral and eels? Any suggestions on some types for me to take a look at? Take into account I'm not looking to add right away (I like to know what I'm dealing with and do lots of research), low to medium light, and good for a beginner like myself.

It's hard not getting drawn into the reef/coral side a little

 

[gavinsepanik]

Chain link and snowflakes are both awesome eels

 

[Duke4life]

Update:

Update:

The lights were put up today, this got me in a mood to scape my rocks and am very happy with the look. Waiting on clear pvc and substrate to arrive later this week.

Made a journey across the river to a store new to me, glad I did as they have different items than the 1 down the street from me.

 

[Duke4life]

The new look

 

[Duke4life]

Closer

 

[Duke4life]

More

 

[Duke4life]

Angle view

 

[jjk_reef00]

Very nice, what kind of lights are you running?

 

[Duke4life]

Very nice, what kind of lights are you running?

A dual T-12 ballast, 48 inches long, 48 watts per bulb, 96 total watts, currently at 7 inches above water level. I know it's not the best lighting to use, but for $10 it's better than room only light at the moment, and the Molly has become more active. This is the 1st piece to be upgraded, as I'd rather put what $$$ I can into a good protein skimmer and stock over the next 4-6 months, plus Xmas is only about 6 months away lol. I'll be going with some sort of LED with a controller.

Would any type of coral do good/great/thrive under my current lighting setup?