75g Uncharted Territory

Furyreaver · Dec 6, 2015

The tank is a Marineland 75g. With a 20g Trigger Systems Emerald sump. It's been set up and cycling for a little over 2 weeks now. Testing the water parameters tomorrow to see its status.

Lighting: 2x AI Hydra 26 HD
Sump: 20g Trigger Systems Emerald
Return Pump: Reef Octopus DC
Skimmer: Reef Octopus 110INT 4"
Circulation: Temporary AquaTop
40lbs Live Sand
About 50lbs live rock in display. And about 20lbs in sump.

As for stock list I'm not quite sure yet. I'm thinking something like this so far.

-Clownish Pair
-Coral Beauty Angelfish
-Kole Tang (was thinking yellow tang, but heard they get too big)
-Flasher wrasse group (if I can get females)
-Mandarin Dragonet (possible?)
-Maybe a firefish or cardinal

Corals
Mainly lps
Anemone?
Giant clam (I know it's not a coral, but I put it here anyway)

Any suggestions/input about my setup and stocking ideas?

Sorry for the nasty light in this picture, it's a temp until I get the Hydras installed.

Chris Aldrich · Dec 8, 2015

Nice start, and it's great to see you're patiently waiting (I know sometimes it doesn't seem like it, haha) for the cycle to complete.

Two quick thoughts:

I would build your copepod/amphipod population before considering the mandarin. Even after that, you may need to regularly supplement their population if the mandarin chows them down faster than they can reproduce.
I would hold off on the anemone for 6-12 months. Anemones requires stable water conditions and a new aquarium can be quite volatile, especially as you're learning and inevitably encountering bumps along the way (it's often part of the process, after all). This time will allow the tank to mature and tank conditions to settle into stability that will be much more conducive to success with a 'nem.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Furyreaver · Dec 9, 2015

Thanks for the reply! I know about the mandarin, wasn't planning on getting one soon, just wanted to put it on the list. And I'm still unsure as to whether I want to take the risks to livestock that an anemone can pose.

On another note, the skimmer and Hydra 26's came in today! Got the Hydra's mounted and have a simple schedule on them. Anyone have one of these lights or know of a thread about them? Just want to get them optimized.

Here are some better shots of the tank!

Cleo642 · Dec 9, 2015

It's really nice.

Furyreaver · Dec 10, 2015

I have some pods in the refugim already! Must have come over with the cheato from my 16g

Furyreaver · Dec 10, 2015

Furyreaver said:
I have some pods in the refugim already! Must have come over with the cheato from my 16g

revhtree · Dec 10, 2015

Looking good!

Furyreaver · Dec 13, 2015

After testing the water, I do believe the cycle is definitely over. No ammonia, no nitrite, and nitrates showing. I have added a small clean up crew and so far they are all doing well.

Tank will probably be ready for a fish by this coming weekend or so. I'll be testing the parameters again soon to be certain.

Any suggestions on what I should add first. I'm thinking either a clownfish pair or a trio of flasher wrasses. Any suggestions?

Duke4Life · Dec 13, 2015

Wait for the clowns and get those flashers.

Furyreaver · Dec 13, 2015

Trying to find the female flasher wrasse is the challenge. Can't seem to locate any. Have my LFS looking too.

Chknsamich · Dec 13, 2015

Looking good so far! Mandarins are sweet additions to the tank. Funny little guys.

Furyreaver · Dec 16, 2015

Got a few corals yesterday. They seem to be adjusting well so far.
Some of these came from my 16g.

Furyreaver · Dec 16, 2015

Maxspect Gyre came in today. Thing makes some crazy current. I'm amazed at how much stuff it has pushed off of the rockwork.

jsker · Dec 16, 2015

I have two Gyre's in my 72

Furyreaver · Dec 19, 2015

Added my first fish today after checking parameters. Everything checked out fine, protein skimmer and cheato keeping nitrates nitrates/etc nice and low.

Added a pair of clownfish, a misbar and one standard. Also picked up a small piece of birdsnest.

Furyreaver · Dec 19, 2015

Better picture of the clowns.

Furyreaver · Dec 27, 2015

Everything seems to be going well. Skimmer is collecting nice skimmate, clownfish are doing great (looks like they've chosen the overflow corner as their host though).

The only issue that I am having is a bit of hair algae. Stuff is such a pain to remove. Hermits and snails seem to be making a dent in it though.

Thinking of getting a cleaner shrimp and maybe another fish this weekend. Thinking maybe a flasher wrasse or maybe a lawnmower blenny? What would utilize the rocks a bit more?

Maritimer · Dec 27, 2015

Lawnmower will sit on the rocks and nip algae from them. Flasher will mostly patrol around and above them, waiting for plankton to appear in the water column. Mine often choose a station to hang in the current for a while, then move to another part of the tank, but they're most often in open-water.

HTH ~Bruce

Furyreaver · Dec 29, 2015

Thanks for the info Maritimer. I managed to get to the LFS today and they had quite a few Lawnmower Blennies to choose from. And the ones that they have are eating pellets/wafers regularly. So hopefully he will eat well for me.

Flashy Fins · Dec 29, 2015

I wouldn't focus much effort on sourcing female flasher wrasses, as they will likely all turn male in the tank and then not get along if they are the same species. Better to mix flasher wrasse males for a variety; they'll also be much easier to find.