SPS Shallow Reef Tank Build Thread

[ClownReef®]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12038499#post12038499 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bleedingthought
Beautiful!

Thanks!...Right now its just...bare.. nothing there but 3 snails that **** like newborns, my starfish and the two clowns..which have names of course.. Brian and Christina in honor of our best friends..

But, i cant wait to move on to SPS....

Fish are whatever... i just keep them because my gf thinks coral is boring..LOL

 

[melev]

Well, I didn't have much luck with it, but here's a nice long thread about it.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=809340&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

 

[ClownReef®]

Hmmmm..Interesting..

Should i run a reactor along with it?..or should i just run Prodibio by itself?

 

[Nickde123]

Marc PLEASE do not take this in the wrong way I know you know your stuff.

I feel that adding all the fish you want to have first is the best possible way to go. And here's why. (Not saying add them all at once lol.) Ok once you gather your fish list you want you slowly add them until the list is done. Now while you are doing that you monitor your nutrients and make sure that your tank handles what you wanted fish wise. Now that you have everything added and nutrients where they should be all "0" and PO4 @ least .03, then you add your corals so you knpw that the envioment is @ its best for your corals to strive to ther max.

Please LMK if im wrong thinking this way.

 

[Nickde123]

Marc PLEASE do not take this in the wrong way I know you know your stuff.

I feel that adding all the fish you want to have first is the best possible way to go. And here's why. (Not saying add them all at once lol.) Ok once you gather your fish list you want you slowly add them until the list is done. Now while you are doing that you monitor your nutrients and make sure that your tank handles what you wanted fish wise. Now that you have everything added and nutrients where they should be all "0" and PO4 @ least .03, then you add your corals so you knpw that the envioment is @ its best for your corals to strive to ther max.

Please LMK if im wrong thinking this way.

 

[melev]

There are many ways to set up a tank successfully. You'll read threads where people let the tank cycle and sit virtually empty for months on end. Others will set up the fish and add a little more fish every week. Others will focus on corals first. The variety of methods that actually work is what can make this hobby so frustrating, because several methods work rather than only one.

I made a suggestion of how I would proceed with this tank. When I set up a tank, I follow this method. However, if I'm setting up a new tank and transplanting my reef to the new larger system, everything moves over at once.

Did that answer your question? If not, let me add that I think your method is a good one as well. I like the idea of keeping those numbers in check before adding corals. Anything that promotes stability is a great idea.

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12039599#post12039599 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nickde123
Marc PLEASE do not take this in the wrong way I know you know your stuff.

I feel that adding all the fish you want to have first is the best possible way to go. And here's why. (Not saying add them all at once lol.) Ok once you gather your fish list you want you slowly add them until the list is done. Now while you are doing that you monitor your nutrients and make sure that your tank handles what you wanted fish wise. Now that you have everything added and nutrients where they should be all "0" and PO4 @ least .03, then you add your corals so you knpw that the envioment is @ its best for your corals to strive to ther max.

Please LMK if im wrong thinking this way.

Nick, that's how I like to set up tanks, too. I want to make sure my trates are in check before placing SPS. Don't want any spikes after I add that Vlamingi tang I agree that you shouldn't add all the fish at once, but at least get the big poopers in there early on, and in phases.

 

[GSMguy]

Tank is looking great

 

[ClownReef®]

Marc doesnt know anything! what are ya'll talking about?!?!..Marc..PUUUHH-LEEASE!

Well, Marc is right..there are 1001 ways to set up a tank..and believe it or not, ever since i left the hobby i forgot how to do a lot of stuff! I used to be able to set up a tank with my eyes closed..now im having questions about this one!..

Im only keeping 4 fish..Ill keep the clowns for about a week or two.. then add the hippos (small).. and then start with SPS.. i want to make sure all the levels are in check (Alk.. Ca...etc)..

How soon can i start adding zoas???!?? (see? i forgot ..lol)..

 

[Nickde123]

O I know theres a million ways to do it but It seemed like he was saying not to do it this way and I wasnt sure why

 

[uhuru]

I'm also for adding the fish first, seems like common sense to me.

 

[melev]

I don't really see how my comments were that out there:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12038188#post12038188 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
It might be a tad early for the tangs, since they are heavy eaters and heavy poopers. I'd give it a week with the clowns, then introduce your corals. Three weeks later, the tangs. Then sit back and enjoy the carnage...er...I mean the beauty of your reef.

Hippos can be a tad destructive, ime.

After all, ClownReef started off with 3 snails to test the waters. It seems like he is going the patient route, which is a good idea.

 

[Nickde123]

lol I might of read it in a way that you didnt attend it (Most likely)
Bro you are one of the very highly knowldgable hobbit out there. And tats why I was wondering why you mentiond to do t the other way

 

[ClownReef®]

UPDATE:

Well, the clowns are eating.. and Tunzes are a pain in the buns to dial in.. My water looks cloudy because of the sand they move..GRRRRR!!..

I decided to take a break before i get so frustrated ill pee in the sump..LOL

I also threw some Bio-Balls inside the overflow box to cut the splashing.. works amazing!

 

[aggie4231]

Another way to start the tank is PBITAWA!!!!













Just joking, keep doing what you are doing.

 

[quiksilver]

AHHAHAHA

 

[FunkieReefJunkie]

The cult of the reefcast grows! :lol2:

Clownreef your system is coming together nicely!

 

[ClownReef®]

Hey guys..sorry i havent posted an update..

As of now i have all the fish i wanted in.. Here are a few pictures..

I am debating whether i need a Ca. reactor.. its not really a large system (90+ gal. maybe..).Will i be ok with dosing a 2 part (b-ionic) and using Prodibio? (giving it a try..)

Any ideas????

Thanks!

 

[bleedingthought]

2 part is fine for any size system. Of course, the more calcium demand there is, the more you will dose. That's when you decide if you can deal with the constant dosing or not. A 2 part doser, like the Litermeter3, helps a whole lot.

 

[ClownReef®]

Thanks BLEEDING!

What if i use a twin doser (like the Aqua Medic one..).. to dose a 2 part solution..

Any ideas?