Tank Journal Archive

[aussieant32]

Decided to start up a tank journal tonight. Tank is about 7 weeks old now. This journal was spread over 2 other sites but I like it here :)

Reefing Since: 09/01/2012

System Objectives: To learn about marine keeping before getting a big tank when we buy our first home, hopefully within 2 years.

Type of reef: Basic!

Display System:

Initial Fill Date: 09/01/2012

Display Tank Dimensions: 30*24*12

Display Lighting: Maxspect Mazarra S-Series 100W

Stand: Custom Pine

Hood or Rimless: Rimless

Sump Design: Nil

Filtration: Berlin

Support systems:

NSW or ASW: Mixed of both.

Display Water circulation: 2 Hydor Koralia 900LP/H, hoping to add another tomorrow!

Return Pump: Nil

Skimmer: HOB Rio Nano (on the upgrade list)

Evaporation Top Up: Manual

 

[aussieant32]

ok so first set up was a bit rushed on my behalf, I intended on taking it slow but got a call saying that the rock I had ordered that was due in 3 weeks would be in the following day. I got everything set up and that evening the tank looked like this.

Things turned sour pretty quick as I had massive die off and came home from work one day to an awful stench that I could smell on the street!

Readings took about 5 weeks to come into line. Cycle ended and looked to add my first CUC. I ordered in 5 hermit crabs. Unfortunately after 2 weeks I hadn't heard anything, still haven't to this day but luckily I didn't pay as they were a pick up item so I didn't lose out.

 

[MagicJ]

Good to see the TJ started - keep the pictures coming :)

 

[aussieant32]

should say the above was taken 20 minutes after adding the rock so it was cloudy and running a single T8 tube as I had not updated my lighting!

So after the cycle completed I picked up 5 turbo snails and 2 GSP from Ad, and a couple of black clowns from Ben, they are going well, few photos below.

Tomorrow I am getting my LED's and a couple more snails. Going to get a Duncan as well off a fellow Reefuge member, speaking with Ad's tonight my phosphate may be too high but getting a good batch of NSW tomorrow and will do a big change before adding it to hopefully reduce it. I will do my best to keep him going!

 

[aussieant32]

Good to see the TJ started - keep the pictures coming :)

cheers.

Had a good chat with Ad's tonight and he gave me some top advice. Really think I am going to get a new skimmer tomorrow, it seems that most of the concerns I have relate back to it just not being decent.

 

[MagicJ]

It's always going to be harder with a relatively small tank and no sump, but I am sure that you will get something sorted.

Remember, don't rush it :)

 

[aussieant32]

yer i am sure I will. Its only short term anyway, its all about learning :)

 

[aussieant32]

So I got the lights yesterday, wow! Cracking lights they are, easy to use with the LCD display on each unit, tank looks great, well in my opinion anyway! Also picked up a nice duncan off malau yesterday and it is looking really good. Few photos below.

I will try get some photos of the different time periods I have it set on, tried on my phone and its all grainy, cant find the wife's camera! Also going to get some black cover for the back of the tank

 

[aussieant32]

quick update of dusk mode. Looks a bit blue but the whites are only at 16% so far, raising 1% per day.

 

[NiCd]

Personal opinion but I think tanks look cleaner if you remove those black strips

 

[aussieant32]

might be a bit hard to as they are siliconed and go right to the bottom, which is covered by the stand

 

[MagicJ]

Personal opinion but I think tanks look cleaner if you remove those black strips

Aren't they there to hide the second rate silicon job :rolleyes

 

[NiCd]

heheh yeah that seems to be the case most of the time, but nothing half an hour with a razor dosnt to get ontop of

 

[aussieant32]

so got a few new corals yesterday. Not 100% sure what happened, I had a phosphate reading of about 4.0 last weekend. All i did this week was top up with NSW and did a 15% change and my reading was 0.1. I tested it 3 times and took it to LFS and all read 0.1. So I got a hammer from Alan and a few morphs off a guy on masa. Also had some top growth on my duncan in a week, so posting a comparison from the earlier pic.

LED's are looking tops as well, I turn the white down to 0% yesterday with the new corals but back up to 20% today, should hit 20% about 12:30pm.

 

[MagicJ]

What are you using to test the phosphate?

Corals look great - time for a new FTS :)

 

[aussieant32]

I am using sera marine tests but the LFS i went to used red sea. I think I am going to buy a hanna tester

 

[aussieant32]

also, while at alans the guy there advised I could have a sailfin tang in my tank as they do not require the space most tangs do. Any input?

 

[MagicJ]

also, while at alans the guy there advised I could have a sailfin tang in my tank as they do not require the space most tangs do. Any input?

My opinion - that guy has no idea what he is talking about :rolleyes

Sailfin tangs (Zebrasoma desjardini or Zebrasoma veliferum) are large tangs that can grow to 45cm+. I would think that a minimum tank of 6 foot+ would be required.

This post http://www.thereefuge.com/board/threads/tank-size-guide-surgeonfish-tangs.19/ recommends a minimum of 8 foot.

Did this guy know what size tank you have? If so, I would carefully consider anything that he tells you in the future.

 

[aussieant32]

yes he did, I have been told by alot of people that this place is one of the best to go to for advice/corals/fish?

 

[MagicJ]

NiCd - I think you know Alan - any comment?