Step-by-step account of my first reef (with lots of pics)

[Dudester]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8444104#post8444104 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 2639
I need to do some reasearch on what corals are best to place directly on the sand. Does anyone know of a 'list' that I can read? I'm still a newbie when it comes to coral placement.

I'm not aware of any list, but if you're interested in a particular coral, just read about it either here on RC or another online source, or look it up in any of the many available coral books (such as Borneman's, Veron's, Delbeek/Sprung, et al.). Just be sure to read up on it before making a purchase, as this will save you from a lot of worry, as well as increase your chance of keeping it alive. Other things to research with regard to coral placement include flow and light availability, as well as nutritional requirements, and all of these have to be taken into consideration.

Bax - You're obviously having more success with lettuce nudibranchs than I had. Of course I am a little handicapped with my HOB overflow . I hope they're making a dent in your algae.

bcoons - Funny you should mention it, but yes I have considered this a good opportunity to upgrade some things. Of course this will depend on fulfilling some holiday wishes. I really want to get rid of the loc-line returns for 2 reasons. First, it's 3/4" diameter, and second, there's a substantial amount of salt creep through the individual pieces. I could solve both of these problems, and increase flow, by upgrading to OceansMotions OmniFlex nozzles. I have 1 on my sump return line, and it's been great. The second thing I want to do, also to improve flow, is to get rid of the MaxiJet in the tank and replace it with a Tunze Nanostream. These won't be available until the end of the year, but I have time since I won't be able to return my SPS to the tank for at least another 9-10 weeks. Having the corals out won't matter for this next item, but I'm also thinking about replacing my Remora skimmer for a Deltec HOB skimmer that just came out. As far as the aquascape, I think I'd like to keep it as is - thedude and I did pretty well the first time out, and I don't want to ruin it.

 

[techreef]

Hello! That's right, Christmas is coming up, isn't it? Wow, my first Christmas with my new money pitt, er, reef tank. This could be great!

Dudester, I know everyone has opinions about their skimmer, but I will definitely support your interest in the Deltec line of products. Mine pulls out decent skimmate, but I think the real benefit is the 1/8" of dark green sludge that I clean out of the inside cylinder every 4 days. Concentrated nastiness. I empty it out over the toilet for a reason!

I am thinking of tinkering w/ my closed loop now, perhaps capping 3 of the 9 nozzles to up the flow rate coming from the nozzles. I was considering using locline. Do you find that the only problem is salt creep? Is that doing something to your performance, or is it just messy?

 

[bcoons]

I would also like a little elaboration on the Loc-Line, as I was planning to use it. What problems have you had with it? Any others things besides salt creep? It seems such a popular product, and I see it in a lot of tank build threads.

 

[Dudester]

Loc-line is, in my opinion, a great product guys, don't get me wrong. The problems I have with it relate primarily to its size (3/4"). As a result of that, my CL return plumbing has to be reduced in diameter to accomodate the loc-line, which therefore reduces flow. Of course the SCWD is also 3/4", which means my plumbing goes from 3/4" SCWD --> 1" PVC --> 3/4" PVC --> loc-line. My goal, when the new larger SCWD becomes available, is to have a 1" SCWD --> 1" PVC --> 1" OmniFlex nozzle, and I would expect this to result in some appreciable increase in flow compared to my current situation. With respect to the salt creep, most people have the majority of their loc-line submerged, so tiny leaks between the connections don't become apparent. Since I (usually) have SPS at the top of my tank, and my tank's only 30g with limited space, I have very little loc-line beneath the water surface, so most of the connections are above the water. Salt eventually works its way out between the connections and ultimately forms long stalagmites (or is it 'tites?) that fall to the floor or onto my cabinet. Unsavory. The exposed portions of the OmniFlex nozzle that I use do not leak any salt creep. So these are the reasons for my decisions. If anyone has better ideas, please share them with me.

 

[Dudester]

Here's what I am talking about.

I'd like to put a stop to this, as this is the only area on my system where I have what I would consider to be bothersome salt creep.

 

[jnarowe]

nasty.

 

[Bax]

Yieks!

I've used about ten different sections of Loc Line in 1/2" & 3/4" and not seen salt creep like that! ... Impressive!

 

[techreef]

as a holder of useless info, I can answer the stalactite/stalagmite question! stalactites hang from the ceiling, while stalagmites "grow" from the ground. you can remember it by "C" for ceiling, and "G" for ground. Learned that nugget in a Spiderman comic book YEARS ago.

 

[2639]

If they don't hold TITE to the ceiling, they MITE fall to the ground. Learned that from a Batman episode ( the one's with Adam West and Burt Ward )

Damn I miss that show!

 

[Dudester]

Bax, I guess I could just replace the loc-line, since this is felt to be atypical, but I'd rather go with the 1" returns .

You guys were right about the 'mite/'tite issue; thanks for clearing it up. Fo those that want a little more information, check here.

I saw both new peppermint shrimp, so I'm assuming that all of my clean-up crew from Reeftopia made it after entering my tank. I haven't seen the emerald crab, but if it died I'm sure I would have seen the shell somewhere. I'd really like to try another cleaner shrimp, but I don't want to get another one if my sixline is just going to kill it. What do you think, should I go for it?

I do miss having acropora in the tank. One of the monti caps is growing like mad, and I don't really like where it is, so I'll probably try to remove it and donate it to someone in our reef club at our next meeting on 11/11. gkarshens, if you're out there, you can have it if you want, since the piece you got at the last meeting didn't make it, if I recall correctly.

 

[jnarowe]

I thought all my mythrax were dead until I saw them about 2 months later. They are very secretive to be sure. I am also fairly certain that hey have taken chunks out of a couple of fish...

 

[Dudester]

New emerald mithrax crab spotted last night - 100% viability confirmed.

I also got my hands on the Deltec MCE-300 skimmer. We (thedude and I) did a wet run at his store and, while there were a few imperfections with it, we eventually got it up and running nicely. It's very quiet and creates a hefty amount of fine bubbles considering it runs on a MJ1000 pump. I took it home but it was quite late at night so I didn't have a chance to hook it up. I'm going to have to see if it will fit behind my cabinet and on my sump; it's about the same height as my Remora but it's considerably wider. If it fits onto my sump I may just have to buy this thing, or at least convince my wife to buy it for me .

 

[fishypets]

Mike,

Tell John to put the skimmer you want on my account. It is the least I could do you giving you the AEFW.

 

[Dudester]

Clint,
What can I say other than I appreciate the offer but NO WAY! It's my own fault that I have AEFW; everyone should take responsibility for their own actions or, in my case, 'inactions' since I did not perform due diligence and dip the corals you gave me. It's extremely nice of you to offer, but you're already doing more than you should by treating my corals for me in your quarantine and hospital setup. How's that going, by the way, everybody still happy (other than your pink birdsnest)?

 

[fishypets]

So far the loss since Wed. is birdsnest, two tables and a coral you brought over. I think more flow is needed. I will be adding another stream next week so that should help.

 

[Dudester]

 

[fishypets]

I'll keep my chin up if you keeps your's up....Deal?

 

[Dudester]

:bigeyes:

is that better?

 

[fishypets]

More bad news. Overnight we lost about 6 more corals including the biggest one you brought over and a few of my favorites. Something must have went way wrong during yesterdays treatment.

 

[Dudester]

Krikes, I hope this isn't the beginning of the end! Clint, please call me when you get home from work and let me know if there were any more losses today.