Back after 10 years- 75 gal reef tank start

[ktbug545]

After moving from state to state and completing college, my fiancé and I have purchased a home. I always promised myself when I settled down and bought a home, I would start up another reef tank! (I have missed this hobby so much!).

With all of that being said, After planning and researching, I’m finally all set up and running! I bought the tank and set it up the week before Christmas. My fiancé and I got it plumbed, and I am so happy how it turned out!



I have started with a 75 Gal. Tank. Hang on overflow box, powerhead, a Trigger System Emerald Sump, Heater, 40 lbs of dry rock and 25 lbs of live rock.

It’s been cycling since. Finally, last weekend, my nitrogen cycle completed. And I was elated to finally make an order. I ordered a small clean up crew, (few snails, hermits, and a sea hare) and two small false percula clowns. They came in on Wednesday, healthy and beautiful! Acclimated, and put them in the tank!

I ordered 10 turbo snails, and all of them, fell of rocks, landed on their back... (i guess couldn’t turn over??) and died So i had to pull of of them out. (Nastiest smell ever) So I did a small water change, just in case. (Everything was still testing great, just didn’t want to risk it) Has anyone ever had this issue?? Tips? I’ve never had a bunch of nails just die off.... I have nassarius snails, and they are all doing great! Same with the Sea Hare. He is absolutely my favorite.

We decided to go with a Star Wars theme for Names. My clowns are Luke and Leah. My Sea Hare is Jaba the Hut.

Yesterday, we went to the LFS, and I purchased an Anenome for my clowns (not named yet.. suggestions?) , a fire shrimp (Darth Mall), and a sally light foot (Boba fett).

The tank is looking great! My plan is to hold off for about a month, and then I’m ordering my lights, my protein skimmer, and I’m adding another heater, and another power head. I’m going to make another order in late March for live stock and I want to add some “beginner” corals.

Any suggestions on how to start prepping my tank for corals? Suggested test kits? Should I start dosing anything? All feed back is welcome!

 

[dantimdad]

Welcome aboard!

 

[SPR1968]

The tank looks great so far and welcome to R2R!

Just be careful with the sea hare as they need a constant food source and in a new tank Jaba will more than likely starve unless you find or provide him with some food. It might be worth finding him a temporary new home until you get some algae in the system.

I would do a little research on Sea hares and see what you need to do, or maybe loan him back to the LFS until you need him.

With the corals you need to maintain stable water parameters, and you might find these articles useful as well. Anything else just ask

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

 

[ktbug545]

The tank looks great so far and welcome to R2R!

Just be careful with the sea hare as they need a constant food source and in a new tank Jaba will more than likely starve unless you find or provide him with some food. It might be worth finding him a temporary new home until you get some algae in the system.

I would do a little research on Sea hares and see what you need to do, or maybe loan him back to the LFS until you need him.

With the corals you need to maintain stable water parameters, and you might find these articles useful as well. Anything else just ask

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

Thanks for the tips! I use to keep sea hairs back in the day. I actually use to loan him to the LFS when they had issues. When I’m my home tank, I order him algae’s to feast on They are one of my favorite critters!

 

[ks2509]

One of my LFS has 2 sea hares they loan out $21 gets it for as long as needed then take it back and get $10 back. This one I have currently is better than my lawnmower for my yard. My son named him booger since he looks and feels like one. Gonna be a sad day when he has to be returned.

Awesome start on the tank keep us updated on how it goes.

 

[ktbug545]

One of my LFS has 2 sea hares they loan out $21 gets it for as long as needed then take it back and get $10 back. This one I have currently is better than my lawnmower for my yard. My son named him booger since he looks and feels like one. Gonna be a sad day when he has to be returned.

Awesome start on the tank keep us updated on how it goes.

They are such funny creatures! I’m obsessed! has ALWAYS been one of my favorites. After cycling, I had quite a bit of hair algae. Jaba has already wiped half of it out! I feed algae sheets every other day, and usually order some macro algae for him to much on as well. They are so rewarding if kept fed properly! And hey, never have to worry about an algae issue haha

 

[ks2509]

I had a gha problem because I decided to start feeding my coral...apparently they aren’t as hungry as I thought lol. Few days later boom gha everywhere and my urchin and snails couldn’t keep up and the awesome people at my LFS introduced me to booger and a week later it’s almost all gone. My wife has fallen in love with it. The day we take it back will be a sad day for her.

 

[ktbug545]

I had a gha problem because I decided to start feeding my coral...apparently they aren’t as hungry as I thought lol. Few days later boom gha everywhere and my urchin and snails couldn’t keep up and the awesome people at my LFS introduced me to booger and a week later it’s almost all gone. My wife has fallen in love with it. The day we take it back will be a sad day for her.

Haha! Sad day indeed!! My fiancé has never had a fish tank, period. Introducing him to the saltwater world has been so funny. Walking through the LFS with him is like having a five year old.
“Why can’t we buy this?”
“That will eat everything in our tank...”

 

[NY_Caveman]

Nice start! Love that Sea Hare.

Welcome to R2R!

 

[count krunk]

sorry to be the bearer, but generally speaking anemones need nice established tanks. Keep an eye on it, it could wither away.

 

[ktbug545]

sorry to be the bearer, but generally speaking anemones need nice established tanks. Keep an eye on it, it could wither away.

Thanks for your input! I’ll make sure to keep an eye

 

[ktbug545]

I got word today that my tax refund will be here Wednesday. (Woo! )

I’m ordering my protein skimmer (nyos quantum 120 Protien Skimmer
and my lights (aqua illumination prime HD LED) 2x

Does anyone have any other suggestions for any equipment that would be a good addition to my tank?

I also want to start prepping my tank for corals. I’m going to start with some simple mushrooms and leathers, but i want to work my way up to LPS and SPS.

What do you do to prepare your tank for corals? What test kits should I pick up? Anything I should start adding to the tank?

I don’t want to spend money on anything I dont need!

 

[count krunk]

established live rock helps. let your tank mature some more.

the plan for my tank is that i have some 8~ year old live rock getting colored up again in a 10g. For the rest I will get live rock from Tampa bay saltwater. I'll build up the CUC, fishes, start with soft and LPS corals. Eventually moving to clams, anemones, and SPS.

 

[count krunk]

for now, i think the best thing you can do is let your tank mature. soft corals should be fine

 

[ktbug545]

I do have 25-30 lbs of live rock in the tank right now

 

[ktbug545]

I do have 25-30 lbs of live rock in the tank right now

I ordered from the Salty Bottom Reef Company. They were super great. My rocks are beautiful, and have lots of life! I would for sure recommend!

 

[count krunk]

let it help the other dry rock mature. Usually, you will get some GHA at some point with that dry rock as it ages.

 

[ktbug545]

I don’t want to add anything else for a few months, but I would like to start prepping my tank