Update on tank 6 weeks after part 2

[snodine]

If anyone is interested here is an update on my 130 gallon tank about 6 weeks after installing part 2 of The Package. All the parameters are good:

ammonia - 0 ppm
nitrite - 0 ppm
nitrate - 20 ppm

I have been dealing with a little cyanobacteria (red slime) off and on but siphoning and weekly ~20% water changes have been keeping it manageable. It will eventually go away as the tank matures.

There was a big gorilla crab playing hide and seek with me for a while but I have not seen him in a couple of weeks so maybe he has shaken off this mortal coil. I have added some coral but no fish yet. waiting until the first of the year - maybe later as my wife just learned that I will need another tank to quarantine fish before they go into the display tank.

OK - less talk, more pictures.

This is the tank from the front:
<a href="http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/?action=view&current=DSCF2353.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/DSCF2353.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Tank from the back:
<a href="http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/?action=view&current=DSCF2357.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/DSCF2357.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Torch LPS coral:
<a href="http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/?action=view&current=DSCF2347.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/DSCF2347.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Bird's Nest SPS coral:
<a href="http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/?action=view&current=DSCF2344.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/DSCF2344.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Condylactis Anemone who has gotten himself wedged in the rocks (came with package):
<a href="http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/?action=view&current=DSCF2343.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/DSCF2343.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Condylactis Anemone (came with package) with a small Bubble Tip Anemone:
<a href="http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/?action=view&current=DSCF2354.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/DSCF2354.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

More later.

 

[snodine]

Here are a few more.

Here are a few more.

Sponge that came with the package:
<a href="http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/?action=view&current=DSCF2350.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/DSCF2350.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

One of four Sea Cucumbers that came with package:
<a href="http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/?action=view&current=DSCF2360.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/DSCF2360.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Flower Anemones that came with package:
<a href="http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/?action=view&current=DSCF2356.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/DSCF2356.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Tongue LPS coral:
<a href="http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/?action=view&current=DSCF2340.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/DSCF2340.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Anchor LPS coral:
<a href="http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/?action=view&current=DSCF2341.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/DSCF2341.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Montipora Spondoges SPS Coral:
<a href="http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/?action=view&current=DSCF2346.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh216/snodine/DSCF2346.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[divemonster]

Hey Steve-O! Your tank looks serene and beautiful. Someone in my local MAS club told me it takes a year for a tank it mature and "get into its groove."

So what did you mean by this:

as my wife just learned that I will need another tank to quarantine fish before they go into the display tank.

JUST learned? Are you only giving her bits and pieces of information when you think she's ready? Or did you have something happen to your main display like a case of flatworms or something?

I try to keep my husband as informed as possible but sometimes he just doesn't want to know. He enjoys looking at the tank and making the occasional "why don't YOU move this xxxxxxxx over to that rock" comment. When he started on the "when are YOU adding fish" business I told him "WE need a quarantine tank" he quit asking that question. Now he's telling me that he wants me to start a planted tank.

 

[snodine]

Teri, my wife has learned that when she comes down to the "man cave" and asks about the tank, she is pretty much stuck for 20 minutes listening to me go on and on and on. She is very patient and has gotten really good at looking like she is interested.

We were in the LFS the other day (after we went to dinner) and I was looking at some of their small tanks with the idea of setting up a quarantine tank. She said "you already have 2 tanks" to which my response was "if I am going to get fish, I need a quarantine tank." This lead to an explanation of what a quarantine tank is and its use.

She gets it - she is not really happy but she gets it.

I have heard and read the same thing about how long it takes for a tank to "mature". I figure as long as the critters are healthy and growing everything is fine.

This hobby is not really hard as long as one is patient, researches constantly, and stays on top of any issues.

BTW, don't you owe us some pictures of your new acquisition?

 

[divemonster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13807945#post13807945 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snodine
BTW, don't you owe us some pictures of your new acquisition?

Funny you should mention that. I was taking pics a few minutes ago which I will post in a bit. I cannot get a good one of the full display because of glare from the sun this time of day. Once the sun begins to set then I will take some of the full display.