Back in Hobby - New 30 Gallon Reef started 09.03.2012

[mrauch3389]

To All:

Been lurking here for a while and finally had a chance over the long holiday weekend to get a new 30 gallon reef started. I got the ball rolling so hopefully in 3-4 weeks I can start adding some species into my tank.

I've been thinking about purchasing some GARF GRUNGE, as I saw it in action on a neighbors new 55 gallon tank last year and it added some amazing corraline and critters to his tank. I will update my signature with my reef details when I have more time.

Regards

Mick

 

[Loki]

Welcome Mick! I have also thought about addind some of the GARF but just haven't done it yet. When you get a chance post some pictures of your tank. We would love to see it! :xd:

 

[Clownfish Depot]

Welcome Back and good luck!!

 

[slugwall]

Welcome and please post some pics?... We love pics

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to R2R!

We appreciate your membership!

Thanks for joining and please make sure and post often!

 

[mrauch3389]

Thanks for the Welcomes

I will get some pics up shortly. Right now I'm just using on hang on emperor filter to help settle some of the debris from adding the sand and Pukani Rock from BRS.

So right now my setup will be 30 gallon tank, Corallife Lunar Aqualight HO T5, overflow and return to/from a 10gallon sump below with a BAk Pak protein skimmer.

I'm not 100% sure what corals I will place in the tank as I have been looking for a while, but I do know that I would like to have a BTA with 2 clowns and for some reason I'm a fan of Mandarins.

So as of right now trying to map out a plan to slowly introduce new members into the tank in about 4 weeks. But I know that I will need to start a colony of pods to help feed the Mandarin.

Regards

Mick

 

[mrauch3389]

Here is a pic from my iphone sorry for the lack of clarity on the pic.

 

[revsgirl]

Lookin' good!! Welcome to R2R and back to the hobby!!

 

[prsnlty]

looks great! good luck to you

Sent from my SGH-T769 using Tapatalk 2

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Looking good! I'll be tagging along for this build.

 

[uall8up]

Welcome to R2R and back to the addiction....I mean hobby!!! lol

 

[mrauch3389]

OK getting excited...15 days into the cycle stage and I've had my diatom bloom and am now seeing some blueish-green algae blooms showing up on the rock. I added some seeded live rock and a piece of shrimp to the tank on the 8th to help kick start the process and we are a moving.

Now to keep sitting on my hands and waiting for the cycle to end so I can start adding things....SERENITY NOW!!!

 

[mrauch3389]

Alright guys...sitting here 5 weeks into it...I've added 4 small crabs and 5 small snails for cleanup...my water parameters seem to be staying consistent. I'll do another test tonight but was wondering when does it make sense to start adding corals? The neon green algae bloom that I got (and to be honest have never seen that color before) is almost gone and I'm starting to see the maroon colors starting to come in. I don't want to move too fast but I'm also getting restless. I've always had a fish only tank so I'm some what hesitant to put something in and take a chance at killing it.

mick