72 Gallon Bow Front - newbie

BewareOfButtlice · Apr 21, 2013

I figured i would start a threat showing the progress i make on my tank. This is my first saltwater tank that i've purchased for a really good price. It comes with pretty much everything needed to start including sand and live rock! Although i do need more live rock, replace some hoses, and media. So here it is. I will log even my failures! Hopefully get a few good tips along the way.

The tank from day 1 inside my room... Had to stop filling the tank with the RO since i noticed my room shaking more than usual when walking past the tank.. time to reinforce the floor (which will be done today with cinder blocks)

and after emptying the tank to reduce the weight on the floor, i took advantage of this to put in new lights and rearrange the liverock. I think i need more or to move them to the middle but i havent decided yet.

Hopefully be filling the tank back up with the RO, hooking up (but not running) the filters, and adding salt.

3Twinklets · Apr 21, 2013

VERY nice tank... Welcome to Reef2Reef!!

revsgirl · Apr 22, 2013

Looks nice! Thanks for sharing!

Chasing the Dream Giver, not the dream! Tonya

stewie · Apr 22, 2013

I Look forward to seeing the progression. I have a 72g bow front as well.

VB68 · Apr 22, 2013

Like the tank, glad you stopped to m ake sure the floor was stable, that could have been bad, :squigglemouth:. Thanks for sharing and keep the updates coming.

BewareOfButtlice · Apr 29, 2013

Ultimately the tank had to move! I had to clear out my closet and put the tank in there. it was a PERFECT fit and looks great. Cranked up the RO, started filling the tank full of water again, and mixed it with salt. I'm slightly over what it should be (1.027) so ill do a small water change and see what happens.

Live rock is starting to show signs of life! Have some green blotches on my live rock which I'm hoping its some nice coraline rather than algae. Along with that, are some great purple blotches on the surface of the rock.

Only problem i have been running into is surface protein. I've got the Red Sea Prizm Protein Skimmer Deluxe with the surface skimmer addon and it doesnt seem to be getting anything from the surface. Bought two brand new Hydor Koralia Evo 1050's to add some current to the tank and agitate the surface but its still there in the corner by the Prizm's surface skimmer... Guess ill get a dedicated surface skimmer soon!

Anyway, here is the tank!

I will be getting two damselfish in the next couple days after i test water and get everything straightened out.

So far the tank specs:

72 Gallon Bow Front Tank w/ Glass top
Stainless stand and canopy
Aquatop D2Ht-300 Digital Heater
Rena Filstar XP3 Filter w/ jet
Coralife Turbo Twist 3x UV Sterilizer
Read Sea Prizm Deluxe Skimmer
2x Hydor Koralia Evo 1050
48" Coralife Aqualight Deluxe 53106 2x 10k and 2x Actinic

mike007 · Apr 29, 2013

Do not get damsels you will regret it later. I would add a bacterial additive to start cycling the tank then test before adding livestock.

SeahorseKeeper · Apr 29, 2013

Looks like you are off to a great start!!

BewareOfButtlice · Apr 29, 2013

mike007 said:
Do not get damsels you will regret it later. I would add a bacterial additive to start cycling the tank then test before adding livestock.

hmm yeah good choice. After finding reasons why you shouldnt have those fish, i'm deciding against it. Thanks for the warning, dont want those little jerks in my tank lol

mike007 · Apr 29, 2013

They can be very agressive.:fencing:

skinz78 · Apr 29, 2013

Great looking tank!

I would just add ether some fish food or a uncooked prawn from the grocery store to get the cycle going.

revhtree · Apr 29, 2013

Very cool tank!

BarbH · Apr 30, 2013

Nice looking tank. Agree with skinz for getting the cycle started. When I had my 72 set up as a saltwater tank I used a piece of raw shrimp to start my cycle. To make it easier to remove the shrimp later I used a piece of cheese cloth to put the shrimp in.

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BewareOfButtlice · May 12, 2013

i decided against getting fish to cycle the tank and bought the API Saltwater Master Kit, which i am impressed with. I tested the water and was at 0 Ammonia, 0 no3, 0 no2, and PH at 8.2. I purchased two Picasso Clown fish about a week ago which seem to like each other and get along with little jockeying.

Here is one of them

Since then, im having either diatom blooms or a brown algae build-up that is starting. I picked up 4 turbo snails, 1 peppermint shrimp, and 10 small crab (cant remember what they're called....) Only one of the crab probably hasnt made it. As soon as i put him in the water, he ran out of his shell. After putting the shell back in front of him, he checked it out then passed it up.

You can definitely tell where the turbo snails have cleaned! The back of the tank and parts of the live rock are looking a lot better. The sand still needs some work so i might pickup a Goby. Only thing is i hear the like to jump out of the tank in small openings. The top is covered in glass except for the rear of the tank where the wires and pumps come in. Should be fine though?

nanoman · May 13, 2013

BewareOfButtlice said:
i decided against getting fish to cycle the tank and bought the API Saltwater Master Kit, which i am impressed with. I tested the water and was at 0 Ammonia, 0 no3, 0 no2, and PH at 8.2. I purchased two Picasso Clown fish about a week ago which seem to like each other and get along with little jockeying.

Here is one of them

Since then, im having either diatom blooms or a brown algae build-up that is starting. I picked up 4 turbo snails, 1 peppermint shrimp, and 10 small crab (cant remember what they're called....) Only one of the crab probably hasnt made it. As soon as i put him in the water, he ran out of his shell. After putting the shell back in front of him, he checked it out then passed it up.

You can definitely tell where the turbo snails have cleaned! The back of the tank and parts of the live rock are looking a lot better. The sand still needs some work so i might pickup a Goby. Only thing is i hear the like to jump out of the tank in small openings. The top is covered in glass except for the rear of the tank where the wires and pumps come in. Should be fine though?

\

Depends on the goby. I had the same outbreak happen at first. Seachem purigen helped a bit. Just give it some time for the new to wear off. After I went through the diatom bloom in my sump I had a bacterial bloom. The tank was cloudy for a week or so. Again the purigen really helped shorten it. After that cleared its been smooth sailing so that's what worked for me.