Starting new Reef build. Help plz

[Doc_Sid]

Added about 250 pounds of dry rock and 80 pounds of sand
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Was trying out different scapes. Aim is to have maximum space to place corals. Won't keep many fish.

Might remove the top 1/4th layer of rocks. Flat tops for sps..

 

[Dkuhlmann]

In my opinion that rock work isn't going to work very well. If you are going to have corals they will grow and you need to keep that in mind while setting up your rock. You need to look at more tanks and how the rocks are setup and you will see that most have in mind like you see natural in a reef, yours look like you are building an Asian building or something similar is what it reminds me of.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it's not eye appealing at all.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

This thread will be very helpful to you for setting up your rocks.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1524985

 

[Doc_Sid]

In my opinion that rock work isn't going to work very well. If you are going to have corals they will grow and you need to keep that in mind while setting up your rock. You need to look at more tanks and how the rocks are setup and you will see that most have in mind like you see natural in a reef, yours look like you are building an Asian building or something similar is what it reminds me of.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it's not eye appealing at all.

Lol @ asian building [emoji1]
You are right. Doesn't look natural. Changing the scape already. Removed a lotta rock. Created a step like pattern tapering up

 

[Doc_Sid]

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The bottom part is pretty much the same... just spread out and levelled a little better.

I wanted to scape like this because I'll have more places to stick corals. I can remove any rocks in the future if necessary.

I'm planning to (eventually) keep softies on the substrate, lps at the first level and sps at the top two levels... if I manage to keep them alive. Let's see how it goes

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Whatever you like, it's your tank but my opinion is still the same.

FYI you are a long way away from being able to have any SPS corals, you need to wait I would say a minimum of 6 months if not a year so your tank becomes fully mature. It's a tricky balance to keep all three types in the same tank. If the water is too clean the LPS and Softies/Leathers suffer, if it's too dirty the SPS suffer Plus the light requirements for SPS are much greater than the others.

But YES, it can be done

 

[Doc_Sid]

Whatever you like, it's your tank but my opinion is still the same.

FYI you are a long way away from being able to have any SPS corals, you need to wait I would say a minimum of 6 months if not a year so your tank becomes fully mature. It's a tricky balance to keep all three types in the same tank. If the water is too clean the LPS and Softies/Leathers suffer, if it's too dirty the SPS suffer Plus the light requirements for SPS are much greater than the others.

But YES, it can be done

Once the tank matures and the corals are in place I'm hoping it'll look better.

I'll stock very slowly. I have all the patience in the world [emoji6]

I don't have my DIY LED ready yet.. might take a month.
And I'll not be adding any livestock for at least 2 to 3 months to let the tank cycle.

Will install my ATS and get macro algae growing in my sump refugium soon. Will connect the 60g refugium tank to the system after a month or two(for ease of access around the tank till I set everything up)

I'm setting up a quarantine tank soon and am planning to get 3 to 4 fire fish as my first additions. (Still not sure if i can keep them in a group without them fighting to their deaths)


Planned stocking list

1 regal angel
1 or more blue mandarin dragonet ( after 6 months or when a good pod population is established)
4 firefish
1 yellow tang
1 powder blue tang
1 kole/ bristletooth or any other smaller tang
1 blue throat trigger
1 blenny sp
1 goby sp
1 orchid dottyback(??compatible with firefish?)
And a few other compatible small fish

No wrasses or dwarf angels as I don't want competition for the mandarins for food (pods).

Is my fish list ok?

 

[Doc_Sid]

Rescaped... removed a lotta rock. A tower and a wall. Better circulation around the rock now.
View attachment 333669View attachment 333670View attachment 333671View attachment 333673

 

[Doc_Sid]

Added RO water and salt today. Added 4 mollies to start cycling.

These mollies were quarantined for 2 weeks and acclimatised over an hour before adding

 

[Doc_Sid]

Added new equipment about two weeks ago.

2 X Jebao RW 15 wavemakers with controllers
Jecod dct 8000 DC pump


Added new livestock 10 days ago after a 10% water change

2 ocellaris clowns
3 purple fire fish
1 pink bar goby

Didn't quarantine them this time. All fish eating good.

Added 5 turbo snails and a red linkia starfish a few days ago. Not sure if the starfish will survive in my new tank.

Planning to do 10% water changes weekly now. Rescaped again.. removed more rock