Step-by-step account of my first reef (with lots of pics)
- Thread starter Dudester
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ToTaLCHaoS13
New member
Thanks for the advice. I have moved my Skimmer intake and heater as suggested...
and added a cleaner crew of:
15 - Scarlet Hermits
2 - Emerald Crabs
50 - Blue-leg Hermits
12 - Astae Snails
2 - Fighting Conch
12 - Nassarius Snails
6 - Nerite Snails
12 - Cerith Snails
1 - Red Brittle Star
1 - Serpent Star
4 - Peppermint Shrimp
In addition I added two small Ricordia. It sounded like they would be a good, easy start. I also have ordered 2 Maxi-Jet 1200's to add to the tank for flow. To answer your questions, my return to my main tank is a "Mega-Flow" which you can see an expample of on the All-Glass website (http://www.all-glass.com/products/aquariums/megaflow_demo.shtml). I was also asked about the Mag 9.5 proving to much flow through the sump and if you look at the picture you can see there is a ball-valve in-line to turn that down.
My next questions are when should I begin adding SPS/LPS and do any of you know where I can get some starter frags? It sounded to me like there is a fair amount of trading/donating that takes place in this online community and I would just like to know where to start. Thanks.
and added a cleaner crew of:
15 - Scarlet Hermits
2 - Emerald Crabs
50 - Blue-leg Hermits
12 - Astae Snails
2 - Fighting Conch
12 - Nassarius Snails
6 - Nerite Snails
12 - Cerith Snails
1 - Red Brittle Star
1 - Serpent Star
4 - Peppermint Shrimp
In addition I added two small Ricordia. It sounded like they would be a good, easy start. I also have ordered 2 Maxi-Jet 1200's to add to the tank for flow. To answer your questions, my return to my main tank is a "Mega-Flow" which you can see an expample of on the All-Glass website (http://www.all-glass.com/products/aquariums/megaflow_demo.shtml). I was also asked about the Mag 9.5 proving to much flow through the sump and if you look at the picture you can see there is a ball-valve in-line to turn that down.
My next questions are when should I begin adding SPS/LPS and do any of you know where I can get some starter frags? It sounded to me like there is a fair amount of trading/donating that takes place in this online community and I would just like to know where to start. Thanks.
Hey Dudester,
The latest pics are really great. Glad the tank came together for you and that you are off on a BIG adventure with your next tank. This is a great thread and has provided tons of valuable insight as I embark on my first reef tank.
Since you and your buds have been a most entertaining and informative group I have to ask if there is a thread for your new tank?
James
The latest pics are really great. Glad the tank came together for you and that you are off on a BIG adventure with your next tank. This is a great thread and has provided tons of valuable insight as I embark on my first reef tank.
Since you and your buds have been a most entertaining and informative group I have to ask if there is a thread for your new tank?
James
Dudester
Premium Member
I'm just getting back from being away for nearly a week, hence the lack of replies. I must say, I'm a little disappointed. As starved for pics as everyone is, I finally post a bunch, and the only comments regarding the photos are from Melev (always appreciated, of course), Alex, and axciom333.
Oh, by the way axciom333, <img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
No other questions or comments about the corals? OK then, I'll first address the comments made while I was gone, then I'll update the thread with new stuff. So here goes ...
melev -
alexk3954 - Thanks for the compliment. Yes, the sixline is a beautiful fish. Read along (that is if you're still out there) for a sad story about that very fish. Oh, and glad you got your questions answered. Melev's right in that there are tons of people here to help you. I don't mind you asking questions here, since I learn as well, but your purpose will probably be better served in a thread of your own
. I definitely support reef-related questions posted here on this thread. The more information available in one place, the better, as far as I'm concerned. I'd just like to echo a comment that Melev made to you about the MaxiJet 1200's. Definitely get 2 and if you don't use them immediately, trust me, you will eventually for some reason or another. In fact, I just bought another one only 1 week ago. I think I now have 4 of them, in addition to some MJ 600s and 900s. And they're all being used for one thing or another. For example, I use the MJ1200 to mix my saltwater, and I have 2 mixing containers. I also have a MJ1200 hooked up to vinyl tubing for transfering water. When I had to fix my CL pump, I put 2 MJ1200s in my tank for circulation. You can never have enough!
ToTaLCHaoS13 - Love the new sump setup, and it looks like an excellent choice for your cleanup crew! Keep an eye on the fighting conch(s). They have a rather large appetite and require a large amount of substrate to adequately nourish them. I think I remember that 1 fighting conch needs almost 2 cubic feet of substrate. You could probably add a hardy LPS pretty soon (like a frogspawn or hammer coral), as long as your nitrates are very low and your other parameters are stable. By the way, what's your pH, Ca and alk? I wouldn't add any SPS for quite some time. I think I waited about 3 months before adding my first SPS frag, and I didn't add any more for over a month after that. I don't have my log with me right now (yes, I keep a log of every addition I make to my tank, as well as every loss, chemical parameter, treatment, and overall interesting observations) but I'll check it and give you more exact dates if you're interested.
axciom333 - Glad you like the pics. Yes, the tank has come together, but it's far from perfect. I still have bryopsis, flatworms, a horrendously loud fan, and lots of exposed live rock. All of these will change in time, however. Muuuuaaaahhhh. Good luck with your first reef -- you've found the right place for help!
The thread for my new tank is here . It's kind of interesting to read it now, since the title indicates I'll be setting up a 180-280g tank. In actuality, and not yet mentioned in the thread, I'm setting up a 450 gallon tank. Once I have some final drawings and equipment plans, I'll update the thread. Stay tuned ...
Now, for the new news. As you all know by now, I'm unable to leave town without something bad happening to my tank. When I got home, I first noticed a dry floor. This was good. Unfortunately, the next thing I noticed was a larger population of flatworms than I had been used to seeing. I did a quick head count, which should have equalled "2" and I only came up with "1." My sixine wrasse was gone. Our house sitter/fish watcher left town the day I returned, so I haven't had a chance to talk with her to find out if she even noticed that one fish was missing. If you recall, the last time I left town a sixline wrasse disappeared. There are no visible remains and no crispies on the floor. It was so pretty and healthy when I left, and a real flatworm killer to boot. I missed this fish so much that ...
I got another one today! I also got a Rainford's goby (Amblygobius rainfordi), a fighting conch, and a beautiful purple with green mouthed Favites coral. I'll get pics of this coral soon.
Speaking of pics, I have one image that's back-logged, that is, I forgot to post this one. This is my setup for cleaning gear with muriatic acid.
Notice the chemical-proof gloves. To clean out the skimmer, I simply placed it in the rubbermaid tub with dilute muriatic acid and plugged it in. After about 30 minutes it was spotless. I used this same tub to clean out my pumps.
Oh, by the way axciom333, <img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
No other questions or comments about the corals? OK then, I'll first address the comments made while I was gone, then I'll update the thread with new stuff. So here goes ...
melev -
You're welcome!
alexk3954 - Thanks for the compliment. Yes, the sixline is a beautiful fish. Read along (that is if you're still out there) for a sad story about that very fish. Oh, and glad you got your questions answered. Melev's right in that there are tons of people here to help you. I don't mind you asking questions here, since I learn as well, but your purpose will probably be better served in a thread of your own
. I definitely support reef-related questions posted here on this thread. The more information available in one place, the better, as far as I'm concerned. I'd just like to echo a comment that Melev made to you about the MaxiJet 1200's. Definitely get 2 and if you don't use them immediately, trust me, you will eventually for some reason or another. In fact, I just bought another one only 1 week ago. I think I now have 4 of them, in addition to some MJ 600s and 900s. And they're all being used for one thing or another. For example, I use the MJ1200 to mix my saltwater, and I have 2 mixing containers. I also have a MJ1200 hooked up to vinyl tubing for transfering water. When I had to fix my CL pump, I put 2 MJ1200s in my tank for circulation. You can never have enough!ToTaLCHaoS13 - Love the new sump setup, and it looks like an excellent choice for your cleanup crew! Keep an eye on the fighting conch(s). They have a rather large appetite and require a large amount of substrate to adequately nourish them. I think I remember that 1 fighting conch needs almost 2 cubic feet of substrate. You could probably add a hardy LPS pretty soon (like a frogspawn or hammer coral), as long as your nitrates are very low and your other parameters are stable. By the way, what's your pH, Ca and alk? I wouldn't add any SPS for quite some time. I think I waited about 3 months before adding my first SPS frag, and I didn't add any more for over a month after that. I don't have my log with me right now (yes, I keep a log of every addition I make to my tank, as well as every loss, chemical parameter, treatment, and overall interesting observations) but I'll check it and give you more exact dates if you're interested.
axciom333 - Glad you like the pics. Yes, the tank has come together, but it's far from perfect. I still have bryopsis, flatworms, a horrendously loud fan, and lots of exposed live rock. All of these will change in time, however. Muuuuaaaahhhh. Good luck with your first reef -- you've found the right place for help!
The thread for my new tank is here . It's kind of interesting to read it now, since the title indicates I'll be setting up a 180-280g tank. In actuality, and not yet mentioned in the thread, I'm setting up a 450 gallon tank. Once I have some final drawings and equipment plans, I'll update the thread. Stay tuned ...
Now, for the new news. As you all know by now, I'm unable to leave town without something bad happening to my tank. When I got home, I first noticed a dry floor. This was good. Unfortunately, the next thing I noticed was a larger population of flatworms than I had been used to seeing. I did a quick head count, which should have equalled "2" and I only came up with "1." My sixine wrasse was gone. Our house sitter/fish watcher left town the day I returned, so I haven't had a chance to talk with her to find out if she even noticed that one fish was missing. If you recall, the last time I left town a sixline wrasse disappeared. There are no visible remains and no crispies on the floor. It was so pretty and healthy when I left, and a real flatworm killer to boot. I missed this fish so much that ...
I got another one today! I also got a Rainford's goby (Amblygobius rainfordi), a fighting conch, and a beautiful purple with green mouthed Favites coral. I'll get pics of this coral soon.
Speaking of pics, I have one image that's back-logged, that is, I forgot to post this one. This is my setup for cleaning gear with muriatic acid.
Notice the chemical-proof gloves. To clean out the skimmer, I simply placed it in the rubbermaid tub with dilute muriatic acid and plugged it in. After about 30 minutes it was spotless. I used this same tub to clean out my pumps.
Dudester - Sorry to hear about the Wrasse (again). Man, it seems that there are a lot of just plain "disappearing fish" in this hobby. I think I've had at least three of them in my tank's short life.
I was in Atlanta all last week at a High School Robotics National Championsip competition. My son stayed home to watch the tank. He called one morning to say that the Green Chromis was lying on the floor in front of the tank, all dried up. That was the only fish that had survived from day one in my tank, since last October. Like you, something bad always seems to happen when I'm away for a few days, and also, my tank has not been conducive to the survival of many fish. Yesterday I bought another Royal Gramma at the big sale at AA to keep the Maroon Clown company.
Are you going to the Austin Reef Club meeting next Saturday at 2:00PM? I'm definitely planning to drive down.
Bruce
I was in Atlanta all last week at a High School Robotics National Championsip competition. My son stayed home to watch the tank. He called one morning to say that the Green Chromis was lying on the floor in front of the tank, all dried up. That was the only fish that had survived from day one in my tank, since last October. Like you, something bad always seems to happen when I'm away for a few days, and also, my tank has not been conducive to the survival of many fish. Yesterday I bought another Royal Gramma at the big sale at AA to keep the Maroon Clown company.
Are you going to the Austin Reef Club meeting next Saturday at 2:00PM? I'm definitely planning to drive down.
Bruce
sucks about the six line wrasse
. I wish you luck with the next one. It sounds like you really like the maxi jets. Have yours ever seized up? I was reading an article which said powerheads tend to produce a little bit of heat, so calcium (or something) builds up on them faster than anywhere else in the tank. Then if they get turned off, when they turn on again, the propellor(?) might not spin, but the thing is still on causing it to heat up a lot. Then from heat the thing might even crack and release stuff into the water. I am concerned because if I run them on a wavemaker which turns them on and off a lot, might they seize up and cause a wipeout? (hopefully this wont be regarded as another hi-jack, just a question about maxijets b/c dudester said he uses them a lot 
)
. I wish you luck with the next one. It sounds like you really like the maxi jets. Have yours ever seized up? I was reading an article which said powerheads tend to produce a little bit of heat, so calcium (or something) builds up on them faster than anywhere else in the tank. Then if they get turned off, when they turn on again, the propellor(?) might not spin, but the thing is still on causing it to heat up a lot. Then from heat the thing might even crack and release stuff into the water. I am concerned because if I run them on a wavemaker which turns them on and off a lot, might they seize up and cause a wipeout? (hopefully this wont be regarded as another hi-jack, just a question about maxijets b/c dudester said he uses them a lot )
melev
Well-known member
Maxijets are pretty much the most reliable / affordable pump you can buy. Heat is really not an issue with them, and they only seize up if calcium levels are too high in the tank or if you drip a lot of kalkwasser.
Nothing a good soaking in vinegar and water can't fix. I've had the same Maxijets for years.
Nothing a good soaking in vinegar and water can't fix. I've had the same Maxijets for years.
Dudester
Premium Member
melev - 60 bucks for an ASM-G3? You lucky dog! Fire up that acid and burn baby, burn.
Bruce - Welcome back, how was the Georgia aquarium? Sorry to hear about your chromis ... I think they're known for carpet surfing so I can't say I'm all that surprised since you don't have a huge tank (I'm not trying to be mean, I really am sorry). Too bad I missed you at the AA sale, that's where I got the items I listed above. I saw the Royal Grammas (there must have been 50 of them) and was tempted to buy one myself. I don't know if I'm working this Saturday or not, but if I'm not, then I'll definitely go to the ARC meeting.
Alex - Like Melev said, MJ's are very reliable. And cheap! If one of them seizes on you, clean it out and just replace it with the spare that you'll probably buy. The MJ1200 that powers my skimmer had it's impeller "seize" due calcium deposition that occurred after 6 months of use. I have now put myself on a schedule to clean out all of the MJ impellers every 5 months, and in this way I hope to prevent the pumps from becoming clogged with deposits.
Bruce - Welcome back, how was the Georgia aquarium? Sorry to hear about your chromis ... I think they're known for carpet surfing so I can't say I'm all that surprised since you don't have a huge tank (I'm not trying to be mean, I really am sorry). Too bad I missed you at the AA sale, that's where I got the items I listed above. I saw the Royal Grammas (there must have been 50 of them) and was tempted to buy one myself. I don't know if I'm working this Saturday or not, but if I'm not, then I'll definitely go to the ARC meeting.
Alex - Like Melev said, MJ's are very reliable. And cheap! If one of them seizes on you, clean it out and just replace it with the spare that you'll probably buy. The MJ1200 that powers my skimmer had it's impeller "seize" due calcium deposition that occurred after 6 months of use. I have now put myself on a schedule to clean out all of the MJ impellers every 5 months, and in this way I hope to prevent the pumps from becoming clogged with deposits.
melev
Well-known member
Cleaning them monthly will produce better results, and avoid issues early on. It doesn't take long, and can be cleaned in the sink with water and a toothbrush. If you want to make it easier, drop them in a bucket of water and vinegar, and plug them in for an hour. Then disassemble and clean them, rinsing well.
Dudester
Premium Member
OK, I'll change my schedule to every 4 months .
Yesterday I got a lot done with the tank. A week away equals the need for some tuning up. I did a water change, positioned my new coral where I want it, and pruned bryopsis and other algae for about an hour. I originally bought 3 lettuce nudis but I've only been counting 2 in the tank for the last 2-3 weeks. Upon my return I only found 1 in the tank, and this may be why my bryopsis increased in volume. During my water change, I found a lettuce nudi in the sump drawer. I thought it was dead but after scooping it out, I felt it move in my hand. I therefore replaced it into the tank and could tell it was quite emaciated. Poor little guy must have been crushed under the waterfall of my sump's spray bar and starving for days. Once returned to the tank, the Nassarius snails began to converge upon it and tried to eat it alive. I couldn't sit back and let nature take it's course, especially when I paid for that nature and there was plenty of food in the tank to nurse this little slug back to health. So I rescued it from the snails and replaced it on a little patch of bryopsis. Later I saw it being chased along the glass by another hungry snail, and I again rescued it. As of this morning it's still in the tank and I'm happy to say that it's visibly fatter and healthier, hopefully with a belly full of bryopsis! I also have halimeda, valonia, a lettuce algae of some sort, and an odd green algae that looks like 100-legged spiders. I don't mind this stuff, since it's quite easy to peel off of the rocks. I pruned much of this algae along with the bryopsis. In doing so, however, I did manage to knock off my A. nana frag, but this was easily re-mounted and the polyps were fully extended a short time later. By the way, does popping the bubble of valonia kill it, or does it just re-grow in the same spot?
Speaking of extended polyps, I shined a light on my new Favites coral after lights-out, and the whole thing was covered with little extended tentacles searching for plankton. Fortunately I fed my tank with H2O coral food, and I hope it got some nutrition. I'll try to photograph this coral in the next day or two.
.Yesterday I got a lot done with the tank. A week away equals the need for some tuning up. I did a water change, positioned my new coral where I want it, and pruned bryopsis and other algae for about an hour. I originally bought 3 lettuce nudis but I've only been counting 2 in the tank for the last 2-3 weeks. Upon my return I only found 1 in the tank, and this may be why my bryopsis increased in volume. During my water change, I found a lettuce nudi in the sump drawer. I thought it was dead but after scooping it out, I felt it move in my hand. I therefore replaced it into the tank and could tell it was quite emaciated. Poor little guy must have been crushed under the waterfall of my sump's spray bar and starving for days. Once returned to the tank, the Nassarius snails began to converge upon it and tried to eat it alive. I couldn't sit back and let nature take it's course, especially when I paid for that nature and there was plenty of food in the tank to nurse this little slug back to health. So I rescued it from the snails and replaced it on a little patch of bryopsis. Later I saw it being chased along the glass by another hungry snail, and I again rescued it. As of this morning it's still in the tank and I'm happy to say that it's visibly fatter and healthier, hopefully with a belly full of bryopsis! I also have halimeda, valonia, a lettuce algae of some sort, and an odd green algae that looks like 100-legged spiders. I don't mind this stuff, since it's quite easy to peel off of the rocks. I pruned much of this algae along with the bryopsis. In doing so, however, I did manage to knock off my A. nana frag, but this was easily re-mounted and the polyps were fully extended a short time later. By the way, does popping the bubble of valonia kill it, or does it just re-grow in the same spot?
Speaking of extended polyps, I shined a light on my new Favites coral after lights-out, and the whole thing was covered with little extended tentacles searching for plankton. Fortunately I fed my tank with H2O coral food, and I hope it got some nutrition. I'll try to photograph this coral in the next day or two.
man, your algae stories *almost* scare me away from this hobby. I have HEARD ( I am not sure) that popping valonia will cause it to spread more in your tank. Emerald crabs are supposed to eat it. I could almost swear that I remember reading in your CUC list that you got an emerald crab though...
Good luck with your plagues
Good luck with your plagues
Dudester
Premium Member
Don't be scared, algae happens to everyone. As with all problems, this too shall pass. When your plagues arrive, there will be lots of people here to help you out. By the way, how many MJ's did you buy?
I do have an emerald crab, but it may have lost its appetite for valonia. It primarily eats at night and holes up during the day, so maybe it's out and about and eating a lot of the bubble algae that I don't know exists?? By the way, I haven't done any direct research on the topic, so where did you learn about the cons of popping the bubbles? Maybe I'll do a search on it, or better yet, maybe I'll photograph that Favites coral!
For all local reefers interested, I'm definitely going to the Austin Reef Club's first meeting this Saturday, so I hope to see you there!
I do have an emerald crab, but it may have lost its appetite for valonia. It primarily eats at night and holes up during the day, so maybe it's out and about and eating a lot of the bubble algae that I don't know exists?? By the way, I haven't done any direct research on the topic, so where did you learn about the cons of popping the bubbles? Maybe I'll do a search on it, or better yet, maybe I'll photograph that Favites coral!
For all local reefers interested, I'm definitely going to the Austin Reef Club's first meeting this Saturday, so I hope to see you there!
I ended up getting 4 MJ's
1 for the remora (to replace the rio it came with), 2 with hydor flos, and another incase I feel that there is not enough circulation. I think I actually have everything and might get my LR this weekend! Wish me luck
I will see if I can find that popping valonia source for you. I don't know if I will be able to find it, but I will post a link here if I do.
1 for the remora (to replace the rio it came with), 2 with hydor flos, and another incase I feel that there is not enough circulation. I think I actually have everything and might get my LR this weekend! Wish me luck
I will see if I can find that popping valonia source for you. I don't know if I will be able to find it, but I will post a link here if I do.
sounds like the spore thing might not be that big of a deal.
Much has been said about the danger of liberating spores when popping the vesicles of bubble algae. This is particularly true for members of Order Valoniaceae, but even then, the vesicles are said to be a sporulant risk only when having reached at least a third of their full size. Even if spores escape when you botch the job of vesicle-removal ('vesectomy', anyone?), those escapee spores have to run the gauntlet of herbivorous filter feeders, filtration equipment, and the wild lottery of hitting a good, unoccupied spot to settle and grow. Those spores will eventually be released anyway if you don't remove the vesicles.
from http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcj/feature/index.php
Much has been said about the danger of liberating spores when popping the vesicles of bubble algae. This is particularly true for members of Order Valoniaceae, but even then, the vesicles are said to be a sporulant risk only when having reached at least a third of their full size. Even if spores escape when you botch the job of vesicle-removal ('vesectomy', anyone?), those escapee spores have to run the gauntlet of herbivorous filter feeders, filtration equipment, and the wild lottery of hitting a good, unoccupied spot to settle and grow. Those spores will eventually be released anyway if you don't remove the vesicles.
from http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcj/feature/index.php
I'll second that! I recently had a serious outbreak of Asparagopsis algae (the red cotton candy stuff). I was afraid it was going to overrun my entire tank, and I was getting really frustrated. I did a search on RC, and found an excellent thread about it. Based on the info there, I bought four large mexican turbo snails. Man - did they go to town on the algae. Now, a week later, there is not a sign of the asparagopsis in the tank. They completely cleaned it out. Now the problem is what to feed those big snails. I may have to trade a couple of them away.
Great! I really look forward to meeting you and the other local reefers there.
Bruce
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