Questions and Observations

[adam12]

I've been in awe of TBS rock for years now, and will finally take the plunge and setup a reef tank (135G) as soon as I have the cash. Up till now I've had African Cichlids. But, now I'm ready for the challenge and beauty of a reef.

However, I have some comments/questions:

- It seems that also every other thread is dealing with destructive hitchhikers (mantis, gorilla crabs, etc.). It appears that the only way to be safe is to remove anything moving from the rock shipments. Any comments? Could TBS, maybe post a more definitive pictorial list of unwanted critters that have been observed hitchhiking? Or could responders to this thread help?

- I'm a little annoyed, and amused, at the current recommended requirements for lighting. Four years ago when I was setting up my Cichlid tank, and seriously considering a reef, the recommended watts per gallon for hard corals was 3 to 4. Now the recommended watts per gallon is 6 to 7. I realize that reefing is an on-going learning process, and that new techniques/requirements are being learned all the time But, I have to wonder if the current recommendations are coming from vendors who have seen total revenue from lighting decrease 40 to 50 percent per watt.

- I'm also a little put off by all the "requirements" now being recommended to newbies in the setup of tanks. "You have to over-skimââ"šÂ¬Ã‚, "you have to have a kalk reactor", and ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œyou have to have a ORP monitor". Again, I'm not saying this advice is now important, but how much is being driven by desire for profit versus giving good advice.

I'll have more questions, let's just see what reaction I get from the above.

 

[snooter1]

Have TBS rock, 265 watts of light on my 90 gallon and everything is fine. I did spend a ton, but I wanted to minimize maintenance tasks. I automated my dosing, top off, etc. You can spend less but what is your time worth. Rather spend it in fornt of the tank looking at all of the new creatures.

 

[shanekennedy]

there's only 1 good crab
the porcelain crab (only 6 legs, easy to spot)

the mithrax crab isn't always bad
but i've caught mine picking @ corals
they small ones grow really fast
they have 8 hairy legs & flat pinchers
same as emerald crab, but red

the gorilla crab is a killer
has hairy legs & body
& black tipped pointed pinchers

the hermits can also cause trouble from time to time
i've caught mine nipping on feather dusters, snails & my trimax clam

i've heard a few bad comments on the various types of decorator crabs
you probably won't get many of these
i banished mine to the QT tank



in response to your other questions:
i only run 3.5 watts/gal & have a very happy tank
6-7 might make it happier, but not this year
not sure if i over skim or not.
i bought a skimmer rated for my tank size & run it 24x7
don't run a kalk reactor
don't have a orp monitor

 

[delta]

well don't worry too much about the big ticket item calc reactors/monitors and such not really necessary.
Overskim well I am not sure you could really do that, it is your only nutrient exporter

you might want to ask Richard what he does to his tank if I am not mistaken I don't think its much.

on a 135 you could just use 2 but I would recommend 4 VHO with a of mix 50\50 with actinic or 10kor20k daylight with actinic try hellolights.com nice prices on retros

I actually use 2 actinic VHO and 3 20k MH on my 135 LR from TBS in a deep water so hence my choice for 20k

but pretty much just follow the direction, when you get your shipments leave the LR out for 20 min on a tarp to run out un-wanted hitchhikers and inspect the rock thoroughly before you out it in. should get most out.
some will get by though no worries though.
I find a slow moving hand and a skewer work well for the crabs skewer is for redirect to get a clean grab or squash.
I routed out 5 mantis shrimp following the directions. you will know when you see one

 

[Dexter1334]

Beautiful pictures shaneekennedy. I wish I had seen them before I got my shipments.

Large mantis are easy to catch and small mantis are hard, but haven't caused me any problems.

Still catching occasional gorillas after four months, again, when they get large enough to cause a problem,they are easy to squish. They can get so used to being fed they will hold onto food and can almost be lifted out of the water.

 

[boyooso]

as far as all the gagets, automated systems and such.

YOU can make things as SIMPLE or COMPLICATED as you like. It is UP TO YOU.

OVERSKIM? I have run my tank for some time without a skimmer with no drastic changes.

I think Richard said that this rock comes out of very turbid water, so this rock does not need much light. That is not to say that you can't add other life that requires more life.

HTH,

corey

 

[getinjr]

the gorilla crabs are suckers and easy to catch! a skewer full of food, get them out in the open and nab them with a net. not hard at all to catch!