Ne 30 gallon with Tonga Rock from Dr. Mac

[fishboarder]

Hi everyone,

I've seen other members kinda log their tanks progress through this forum, so I thought I'd add mine to the lot. Not much goin on so far as I've only had rock in the tank for 3 days. Below are pics and current parameters.

temp = 80 F
ammonia = 0.2
spec grav = 1.023 (IO hydrometer) (I've read that these typically measure low, so I'm keeping it a tad on the low side until I save up for a refractometer to get a more accurate reading)

Pics:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/IMG_0577-4.jpg

10 galllon sump with a mag 7 pump
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/IMG_0578-4.jpg

50#'s of LR from Dr. Mac
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/IMG_0585-4.jpg
Rock in the tank...notice the clam shell that is used for the overhang.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/IMG_0599-4.jpg

What is this? Is it anything?
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/IMG_0602-4.jpg

At this time I have 2 powerheads, the return from the sump and the HOB skimmer all providing movement in the tank. I'm using the Jebo copy of the CPR Bakpak 2 skimmer. Seems to be working really well. A tad bit noisy, but I think I can deal with it since it was only $59 shipped. For lighting all I have is a NO actinic light for the curing. Still deciding on whether to get MH or T5 after the curing is done. That's it for now. If I see anything new I'll update.

Feel free to comment or ask questions.

[mmancuso13]

Looks like a cup coral. You might want to consider getting a skimmer running. I find die off on rock not matter how quick you get it in the tank and the skimmer will keep you ahead of the problem.

Great start!

[CPT. MURPHY]

nice tank! :)

[fishboarder]

I do have a skimmer running. It gets about 1/2 a cup of skimmate a day. Didn't expect it to work this well. Bonus for me.

I checked the parameters this morning. This is what I got.

temp = 80 F
spec grav = 1.023
ammonia = 0.0~0.1
nitrite = 0.2

Readings are kinda low (ammonia and nitrite), no? The tank is only 4 days old with the Live Rock in.

[fishboarder]

Cup coral? I'll have to look that up. Hope I can keep it alive. Thanks.

[loyalty]

i think i have that exact same tank. how did you get the sump in there? through the top before you placed the main tank in place?

[bluenassarius]

that clam shell is freakin nice :)

[horkn]

i think you should do t5 ho....i love it on my 35 g

glad to see the cpr style skimmer works well.. what kind of pump do you have running it?



nice setup too, i still am working on my 10g sump/ fuge...very very slowly at that;)

[ribs]

did you ID the the coral in the pic, fishboarder?
I also got rock from Dr. Mac this past saturday and have a clump of about 50 of those polyps shown in your pic. Each polyp is IDENTICAL to the one in your pic, but they are on more of a pad, I think the cup coral ID may be right-on.
If it is, mine and apparently yours are very bleached, in bad condition, and have lost fleshiness, but the one I have will close it's polyps alittle if touched, so it's still somewhat alive. If I can locate my camera cable, I'll post a pic.

I'm just wondering if I should be feeding it while the tank cycles.

[fishboarder]

loyalty:

I was able to get the 10 gallon in the stand squeezing it in the door. I had to grind down some of the black plastic frame, but I eventually got it to fit. It's quite tight. I've also read of some people just taking the frame off.

horkn:

How deep is your tank? I was thinkin about a 2x39W T-5 setup. I just wasn't sure if it'd be enough light. The power head that came with the skimmer is a AP1500. I think it's rated at 290 GPH. Not the quietest thing, but it works well.

ribs:

I haven't been able to ID the coral yet, but will get on it pretty soon. Let me know what you find out about it. Whether to feed or not. Also, I'd like to know if you get any hitchhikers or how your cycle is doin. My readings are low. I wouldn't think that my rock could cycle in 5 days.

Readings today:

temp = 80F
spec grav = 1.0235
amm = 0.0
nitrite = 0.0
nitrate = 0.0

Is it possible for the tank to cycle that quickly?

[ribs]

Mine's been brewing since last saturday.
I inspected and cleaned the obvious gunk(not much) before I put the rock in the tank, but I opted to leave on 2 mushy melted hunks of some sort of orange soft coral on the rock to start the cycle.
3 days later ammonia peaked at 0.5. By the sixth day (fri) ammon had dropped to .20, but phos was .25, and nitrate was 100. I removed the known rotting coral on fri, and today had
Temp 80
SG 1.025
ammon 0.20
phosphates 0.15
nitrite 1
nitrate 50
PH 8.1
calcium 390
alk 4.11
I think I'm exiting the initial spike, and pretty quickly. IMO, leaving the known hunks of rot in the tank for a week caused higher readings than you have.
I also don't believe this rock will have hitchhiker inverts, but while picking out the rock from Dr.Macs holding vats, one of the employees helping got bit pretty good :D Somebody is gunna get a fiesty freebee soon :)
I've gotten brown fuzz, almost certainly diatoms, and I try to swoosh them off the rock with a spatula once a day to get them up into the water column.
I ground up some shrimp and left around the suspected cup coral, no action, tho.
I am getting small dark red/marroon-colored hard growths (stiff "tufts") in lots of places, not sure what that is, but I'm going to keep using b-ionic 2-part during the cycle.
Good luck with your setup! I'm actually excited having rock in there, I'm with ya on this reef tank ride!

[fishboarder]

I have a nice diatom bloom on my rocks now. Readings for amm and nitrite still at zero this morning. I'm goin to add some hermit crabs to help the cycle along. Maybe by the end of the week if things look stable still I'll add a fish. The LFS has a few nice yellow watchman gobies. I think I'm going to get some of the B-Ionic today along with a calcium and alk test.

[fishboarder]

I almost forgot to mention this. This morning I saw what looked like 2 feelers or antennae sticking out of a small hole. Could this be a featherduster? I'll try to post a pic when I have time. They were waving in the water and would retract when spooked.

[ribs]

nice diatom bloom, me too. Who'd have thought we'd be calling diatom blooms NICE ???:lol:

I'd guess those were worm tentacles you saw, but I'm new here :)

I figured I'd do the b-Ionic during the cycle just to help along as much as possible, I'll be using different methods eventually, B-Ionic could get pricey full time on a 120g tank!

My cycle is not near over :D
today nitrate shot from 50 to 100, maybe I need a better eye for the test charts, hehe
Nitrite 1
ammon 0.25
Phos 0.20
PH 8.1
I also wonder why our tests show such a difference, I wouldn't be concerned, we're both probably on the right track, you're just righter , hehe
Here's a pic of that coral I believe you have, this one's got a few more polyps, tho...
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8754Hitchhiker_1b.jpg

and here's the whole 120 tank with 160lbs rock.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8754RockStew_1.jpg

Anyways, good luck with your setup!
I'm prepping for a couple snails, inverts to add for this weekend, hope my numbers are inline with yours by then.

[Stevan]

Nice work-

Raise your SG there Fish...

1.025-6

[fishboarder]

I'm getting kinda concerned about the tests I'm using. The readings I got this morning were zeros all across the board again. I even had my wife check the colors to make sure I was seeing them right. I'm using the fasTest kit. Does anyone have any experience with these tests? I'm thinking about buying a different test to make sure the readings are the same.

I was thinking about raising my SG, but a lot of other people have written that they would keep their SG at 1.025 with a hydrometer, but when they tested with a refractometer the water would read 1.030. Should I just go ahead and raise the SG according to the hydrometer?

ribs:

Great lookin tank. Those polyps do look alike. I just added 6 blue legged hermits and 2 queen conchs to the tank. They look to be cleaning off the rock some. I saw some yellow watchman gobies and a pistol shrimp at the LFS too. Must resist...

[AJP]

If you want to find out how far off your hydro is, find some one with a Refractometer and compare a similar water sample. That will let you know how far off you are.

[fishboarder]

I think I'm goin to take some water to the LFS today to have them check it. Hopefully I didn't get a bad test kit. If the water checks out ok I'll probably pick up an emerald crab and some cerith snails if they have them.

Readings were still zero this morning. Upped the SG to 1.024.

[fishboarder]

The LFS measured the same things I did. I guess all is good. Bought an emerald mithrax and some cerith snails. I'll probably have a fish in there by the weekend if the parameters still look good. I'll post some pics of the crab later.

Still surprised by the quick cycle.

[ribs]

yep, I must have really polluted the water with the mushy dead coral that I had left in there. If my numbers are still high, I may do a 25% water change tonight.

How are the earlier critters doing, munching and wandering around still?

[fishboarder]

All the critters are doin great. All seem to be eating and are healthy. Here are a few pics of the new inhabitants. Anyone have any experience with a yellow watchman goby?

Had to make some changes to the plumbing in the sump. Notice the Ball Valve on the left. Keeps the overflow from sounding like a toilet. I have a guard on the overflow so a snail or crab won't get sucked down.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/IMG_0604.jpg

The new Queen Conch. I have 2.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/IMG_0629.jpg

My Emerald Mithrax Crab. I really like this guy. Might have to get another later. Depends on how much this guy hides.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/IMG_0633.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/IMG_0636.jpg

I've decided on getting a 4x39W T5 setup. Should be plenty for my tank.

[fishboarder]

Someone in my tank murdered one of my blue legged hermits. Could it have been my emerald mithrax? The other inhabitants are just some cerith snails, queen conchs, a turbo snail and other blue legs.

On a good note, I have pods!!! My wife thinks I'm so weird for getting excited over things happening in my tank.

[ratimpulse]

I wouldnt say its a mithrax ive seen them living with snails and crabs for along time. Did something else come with the rock?? like a mantis shrimp?? Thats the only thing i would think off. They love hermits. At least everyone at the mantis forum and mine loves them. They wait till it gets close and then attacks soo where u found the parts in thats general area. Be careful there bite is as strong as a .22 or pinchers

[reverai]

I would think it's the emerald mithrax if any of the hermit crabs came it. A friend had a major with this and he gave the crab away and the no hermit crabs died after that.

Steve

[fishboarder]

I'll have to keep on the lookout for a mantis. Usually Dr. Mac's LR doesn't come with a lot of hitchhikers, so I'm not sure there's a mantis. Would I be able to hear the clicking pretty easily?

If any more hermits go missing, I might have to get rid of the mithrax to make sure it wasn't him.

Steve, what do you feed your yellow watchman? I'm really interested in getting one.

Just got an ocellaris clownfish and some astrea snails. Seem to be acclimating well.

Parameters are still pretty negligible even with the dead hermit.

[fishboarder]

Just ordered the tek 4x39W t-5 fixture from reefgeek. Should be Thurs. The tank is doing well. I just adjusted the skimmer some so that there aren't as many bubbles coming into the tank. It still skims very well. I'm noticing that the skimmate is becoming smellier than it previously was. I highly recommend it for anyone on a budget. I'll post some pics when the lights come in.

The clownfish isn't eating right now. Is this just because she's getting used to her new surroundings? I'm feeding her frozen brine and some flake. Do I need to turn the pumps off when feeding?

[ribs]

KA-CHING!!!

/me watches fishboarders savings account drain


Have you decided on what combo T5 bulbs you'll be using?

[fishboarder]

The fixture comes with 2 6500K bulbs. I ordered 2 03 Actinic bulbs and a 11000K bulb, so I can mix and match some. I'll probably go with Actinic, 6500K, 11000K, Actinic. What do you think? I was going to go with some cheaper T5 fixtures, but they didn't have the individual reflectors. I read that without the individual reflectors, that the T5's weren't anything special.

As soon as I started the hobby the money has been draining like the water down my overflow. Thank god I have an understanding wife.

[ribs]

fishboarder, you mention earlier you used a valve on the drain, how's it working out?
I did that as well, removed the dursos, balanced things out and it seems OK, definately SILENT and BUBBLE FREE.
I'm just not 100% sure on the safety of it all. Both overflows are cut back to about 85% using ball valves. I'll switch to gates if this is the way I'm going to leave it. I'm still watching and tweaking and forming a judgement on the practice, tho :)

[fishboarder]

The valve on the drain helped out with the noise a lot. I was concerned about the safety of this too, but on the drain of my overflow is a sponge to keep snails and anything else from goin down and clogging up the ball valve. Also, if my overflow ever stops, my return pump will run dry before my tank overflows since there isn't much water in the return part of my sump. I'd rather have to replace a pump than have a flooded room.

My clown ate some frozen brine today. I hope this is a good sign.

Now I have to figure out a way to do an auto top off so I can leave the tank for 1-2 days and not worry about the return pump running half dry. Drip or float switch?

-David

[ratimpulse]

Be careful brine shrimp is like LSD/X/crack. They go insane and they dont get alot of nutrient out of them. Read this in like 2 articles. If you do feed them brine enrich them with some type of stuff. OR even better enrich mysis shrimp and feed them. Works alot better. But sprry what skimmer are you using?? and pictures??

[fishboarder]

Thanks for the info on the brine. I'm goin to have to find out what else to feed it. Any suggestions other than the enriched mysis?

This is the little guy I'm trying to feed:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/clown.jpg

Here are some pics of the skimmer I'm using. It's the Odyssea Pro Pak. A copycat of the CPR BakPak for half the price. The only thing I had to do was prop up the intake side of the skimmer to make it level.

Lots of skimmate. Have to empty every day.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/skimmate.jpg

Adjusted so that there are very few bubbles on the return. Only problem with this skimmer is it's a tad bit noisy. I have read the same problem with the real CPR too though.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/skimmeroutput.jpg

I did find a nice little feather duster this morning. It's located on some of the rubble in my refugium though. Should I just move the whole rubble piece to the main tank?

[fishboarder]

Light came in today. Haven't been able to fire it up yet, but am looking forward to it. Hopefully I can have some stands made before I leave work today. Measured my calcium with the Salifert Ca test yesterday. It was a tad bit low (350 ppm), so I added some B-Ionic to buffer it. I'll measure it and buffer again today to try to get it up to 420ppm. Probably won't add any corals until I get it stable. I'll post pics when I get a chance.

[fishboarder]

It's been a while since I've posted anything, so there's quite a bit to write about. Got the lights goin and boy those things are bright. Right now I have the bulbs arranged as follows; (front to back) actinic, 6500k, 11000k and another actinic. The 6500k is pretty yellow. I might end up getting another 11k and replacing it. I read somewhere that corals may grow faster with a light in the 6500k range though.

My calcium is up to 390 now. I've been buffering with B-Ionic. There's a frag swap this weekend so I might pickup my first coral. All other measurements look good.

I put some caulerpa in the fuge which is located in my sump. My LFS didn't have enough to bunch and sell to me, so they just gave me what they had. It is amazing how much it's grown in a week. I can see the growth on some stems of about 3 inches. The main tank is still pretty clear, so I'm assuming it's doing it's job of using up the nutrients. There are a ton of pods living in it now too.

Some really neat things happened in the tank too. I found a clam that hitchhiked on the rock. It's about the size of a peanut and has been moving all around the tank. Then my mithrax crab (not a murderer btw, found the 6th hermit) had babies. I was watching the tank when all of a sudden a saw a bunch of little critters floating around the tank. My clownfish went crazy and was eating them all. When I found the source of the cloud, I saw my crab just flipping them out from under her. Really cool stuff. I'll post some pics later.

[fishboarder]

Got some corals from the frag swap that I attended this past weekend. Some great guys in the Richmond Reef Club. Thanks to everyone that hooked me up with some frags.

Pic of my full tank:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/fulltank.jpg

Pic of the zoos that I just got:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/IMG_0682.jpg

Pic of the button polyp:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/IMG_0683.jpg

Mushrooms:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/IMG_0684.jpg

Porites:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/1953b799.jpg

Montipora:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/dahuynh11/IMG_0686.jpg

Hope I'm able to keep everything alive and well.