Phlox's New Reef Setup

[Phlox]

Hello all, I just wanted to post a thread here with my tank. I'll post updates and pictures etc here. Hopefully I'll get some feedback.

Tank Specs:
55 Gal Tank
35 lbs Live rock
BH-1000 Reef Octopus HOB Protien Skimmer (Ordered today)
Marineland 90 gal power filter
Power head- 950gph
Uv sterilizer (bulb is old so pretty much used for extra circulation lol)
Fuval Marine and Reef 2.0 LED 48"- 60" 25000K lighting

Livestock:
1 Picasso Clown
1 Fire Goby
1 Emerald Crab
1 Sally Lightfoot Crab
1 Peppermint Shrimp
5 Red leg hermits
5 Blue leg hermits
3 Astrea Snails
1 Large Turbo Snail
1 Eagle eye zoa frag
1 Radioactive Dragons eye frag
2 unknown type zoa frags
1 purple/blue mushroom colony
1 Green Toadstool Leather
1 Duncan

Tank Parameters 6-8-15
Salinity: 1.026
Temp: 82
Ph- 8
NH4- 0
NO2- 0
NO3- 20ppm
dKH- 8
Cal- 520ppm

I don't test for phosphate, mag, strontium, or iodine. I am slowly buying these kits so it's a work in progress.

Pictures Time!
Eagle eye zoas

Green zoas

Unknown type zoa

Unknown type zoa

Duncan

Green toadstool leather

Purple/Blue Mushrooms

Fire Goby! <3

Question: So I just bought the leather about three days ago. It was happy looking in the store so I couldn't resist. Ever since I brought it home it's been droopy. After doing all my tests I am slowly raising the ph and dKH to proper levels. I have read that they tend to be temperamental and also shed. I have noticed that a paper like residue was starting to peel off the surface so I am guessing it is shedding. I don't know how long this takes and I hope the coral ends up ok . I want to stay away from anemones and they are a good substitute aesthetic wise I think. Experience anyone?

 

[Skonig]

I have a toadstool leather and a finger leather and about one-two days a month they get drouppy and sag. There is lots of slime on them but then they are back to normal in a short time

 

[youcallmenny]

Perhaps you could paint the back black? I just did on my 75g after being reluctant to do so and it looks a ton better. Plus paint can be removed easily with a razor if you decide you want to.

Sounds very much like your leather is just shedding as it gets used to its new environment.

Also why reluctance on the nems? I only ask because I had taken a pretty firm stance against them for the first couple months, and after getting a couple, I have learned they don't seem to be as much of a threat as some online reading would have you believe. If that isn't why, then nevermind. If it IS why, I can tell you I've had nothing but awesome experiences with mine.

 

[Phlox]

Thank you for the comments! I was debating on painting the back black but didn't because I have never done that before. I'm hoping once I start to get coralline algae it will cover the back and it wouldn't make a difference. Is is hard to paint the back after everything is running? I'd be so worried about the spray paint fumes in my home and I have a zoo in my house so I worry about all the fur babies, birds, and reptiles that are roaming around my home lol. As far as anemones go I'm just worried they would "wander" to much at first. I don't have a ton of corals but I would be so sad if the nem went all over the place until it found its home and stung and killed corals in the process. Specifically my Duncan and toadstool that I love so much. i would love one but I just worry. Plus this lighting is new and I've had mixed comments that nems need more light but this fixture is like crazy bright so idk. My corals are growing great so I figure that the light is more than enough but not sure. Since this post I've added a black ocellaris clown! The Picasso and her paired up right away and are best buds and never leave each other's side! I also added a Banggai Cardinal, and a Yellow Kole eyed Tang. (I did much research before purchasing the tang and it's supposed to be one the smallest ones. Hopefully the tang police don't give me hell because this tang is very happy and picks at my rocks all day long and is already a little piggy when it's dinner time. Mind you if he does get to big I'm already planning a 100 gal tank that will be FOWLR so he will go there if need be in the future.)

 

[youcallmenny]

I used a can of paint and a brush. I thought about waiting for the corraline as well but quickly got tired of seeing cables. I have 3 bta's and an established seebae and have literally never seen them contend with a coral or sting really anything. Just much humble experience.

 

[DrPheel]

You can also use a piece of vinyl for decals , I used this on 2 tank builds and have had great success . Gloss black is a good color with the glass. try to stay away from mat colors as they don't come out as nice.

 

[Phlox]

Tank Update July 2015

Tank Update July 2015

Here's an update for my 55 mixed reef tank. I recently ordered 20 more pounds of dry reef rock and 5 pounds of dry branching tonga! I needed more rock as I wanted to fill up the tank more it just looked so boring. So I got it from BRS and i was very pleased. Practically no breakage at all! Here is the new aquascape. It's from an iPhone so not the best lol :bounce2:

Everything seems to be going great and my zoas are growing like mad! My Duncan is also growing really fast and has gone from one head to two and now there are three more buds coming off! I plan on painting the back of the tank this month when it is time to clean all my equipment so I can do it all at once since I have a HOB skimmer and pump. I also added a skunk cleaner shrimp today. Going steady and hopefully will be able to get some more frags in the coming months.

 

[Phlox]

Oh I forgot to put this too. My older rocks have bright green on them. I tried to brush it off and nothing so it's not slime or hair. I did some research and it seems to be coraline?! I have a few random hot pink spots on my rock but it's sparse. Does the green get overtaken by purple and pink or does it change to those colors? I found mixed info on this so I figured I'd ask and see what people say here.

 

[Phlox]

Well I unexpectedly ended up with some new fish lol nothing to special but I added a Yellow Assessor Basslet (which I got for $5 what a steal!) The assessor had been at my local LFS for over a year and they wanted it gone so I told them I'd take it if they sold it cheap and that's what I got. I also added a few green chromis. Tank is also painted black now and I love it I'll post a pic soon!

 

[Phlox]

Okay so I decided instead on taking pics of my tank since I painted the back I would start doing video updates and reviews! Here is my first update on my tank. I will be also reviewing my Fluval LED lighting and Reef Octopus skimmer later today! Like and subscribe if you wish. If like to follow some reefers in YouTube as well!

Here's my first update! : http://youtu.be/FlNRXF5QrQ0

 

[sixpackgarage]

are you feeding the Duncan, or?