YEAH I got my first tank!!!!!!

[pv1191]

Well,

Thanks for all the help.....NOT........I got the tank running today. I installed a ball valve in the return. I did not want to do that but there is no one in my area who carries a hose large enough to fit over a 1.5 fitting. Right now it is running, skimmer is working and I'll post pics tomorrow

 

[pv1191]

I had some problems that needed correcting. Micro bubbles were the worst. It was like smoke comming out of the hydors. I broke down and bought a bigger sump. 20+ gallons. It is rated for tanks up to 100 gallons. I found the correct overflow hose, installed a check valve in the return, got everything else in place and fired it up. Salt was added two days ago and I put the live sand in. I added about 1/2 of the live rock to see how it was doing. It was a suprise to me to see most of coroline intact. A few hermits and sanils were also still alive in the rock. I'll post pics in the morning.

 

[pv1191]

Here are some new pics. I didn't go with the complte rock wall in the back of the tank. I got it finished and didn't like the results. Si I kept part of the right and middle sections and stepped it down for a more natural look. The pick don't show it but the right side looks like a semi open cave. Lots of ledges and overhangs to place frags.

 

[pv1191]

I think this will be final aquascape. I might add one or two more rocks but that will be it

 

[pv1191]

OOps forgot the pic

 

[jski711]

nice.

 

[pv1191]

Thanks. It's been alot of work!

 

[pv1191]

Been testing the last three days and all my levels are dead on and stable. If all is good on friday I'll stock the inverts, and snails.

 

[pv1191]

Most of the stocking is done. 25 snails (various), 20 hermits (mostly red leg, one or two spotted), 5 spotted cardinals for schooling, one blue tang, one true perc, two cleaner shrimp, 2 emerald crabs, one arrow crab.

 

[pv1191]

If you look just above the arrow crab you can see his first Bristle Worm victim! moments after the pick was taken he was toast. The crab dragged him into the rock and he has not come out for a while. Oh sorry for the crappy pics but my camera sucks and my ability does not help much.

 

[pv1191]

My perc was murdered! One of the emerald crabs ambushed him while he was sleeping. I went to feed the tank and he did not come out. When I looked closer I found the crab enjoying what was left of the fish. I will post a full investigation tomorrow. By the way I was a cop for a long time so stay tuned.......This is going to be good.

 

[ThomasinKind]

You're stocking REALLY fast - too fast. That's a full, IMO over- (esp. with the Hippo who's going to outgrow the tank quickly) bioload added within a very, very, very short timespan. I'm not trying to discourage, but everything takes some patience - esp. if you don't want to kill anything.

Also, Arrow Crabs can be risky in smaller systems with smaller fish and inverts. Back when I worked at an LFS we kept them by themselves. Crabs in general are opportunistic feeders as you've discovered.

 

[zma21]

I don't think your crab murdered your perc. I think too big of a bioload in a short period of time did.