BIG NEWS! PLEASE ASSIST!

[john.m.cole3]

Must I rinse the sand with RO water?

Have some clean saltwater on hand first. Second, put the old dirty sand in a 5 gal bucket and turn on your garden hose and stick it in the bucket at the bottom. take your hand and turn the sand over and over and over. It can take 30 - 60 min per bucket (do about 20 lbs per bucket). You'll know it's clean when the water running out of the top is clear. To test it, take a handful of sand and let it go at the top of the bucket. It should sink to the bottom w/ no cloud. Now that your sand is clean, drain the hose water and cover with salt water. It's ready for your tank and you lost some but not all bacteria that you want. this is not the agreed norm amongst the masses, but it works. I've done it personally. @brandon429 gets the credit for steering me this direction.

 

[john.m.cole3]

Oops, i just saw you went with new live sand. Looking forward to seeing your outcomes. Good Luck!

 

[brandon429]

I use that literal exact sand, it can be rinsed in tap water and still retain its bacteria if you like. use sw if it feels better, bacteria don't mind either way. choose whichever is most convenient. not rinsing is ok too, many do, it just creates headaches later we think.

 

[JonPhillips]

Oops, i just saw you went with new live sand. Looking forward to seeing your outcomes. Good Luck!

outcomes are going well. most fish seem happy..

 

[JonPhillips]

I know you all have been waiting faithfully at your computer screens for my big update. Well, the anticipation is over. Here it is! Fish are happy and things seem to running smoothly. Have some live rock in the sump to get bio filter going. Fish are happy are happy and hungry. Anemone keeps hiding and I am not sure why? Return is spitting bubbles off and on but I am pretty sure its because my valve is not airtight. Will work on this next week. Also starting a plan to build either a glass or acrylic topper. trying to cut down on evap and prefer the cleaner look without the bulging hood. should be easier to do feedings also. Yippie for reefing! It's everything and more I thought it would be.

P.S. got my eye on a couple Zoa frags a guy is selling locally. Nervous!!!!!!!

 

[john.m.cole3]

Very nice! I like your aquascape. I see a clown fish and what looks like a yellow angel. What else is in there?

 

[McMullen]

Glad to hear the big move was successful!

 

[JonPhillips]

Glad to hear the big move was successful!

Yup. Thank you. lost one cleaner shrimp. but man was it cold! somehow, the rock made it in the back of the truck. Don't know how! The fish were next to me in the cab but it was sloshy sloshy. 3.5 hrs!

P.S. Could not have don't it without all of your help!

 

[JPSika08]

Congrats! Good job moving everything

 

[JonPhillips]

Congrats! Good job moving everything

Thanks, man! It was a beast, but totally worth it! Really enjoying the hobby now!

 

[tj w]

Be careful with that lemon peel angel if you plan to add zoas. I had one that devoured a few colonies before I was able to catch him

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Now is when we sit back and laugh your Pain.

Night

Way to go Dude!

You are a complete nut.
Welcome to the club!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

FWIW. IMO. Now is the hard part. Waiting.
That girl has gotta get her rest. That was major surgery and the tank metabolism is gonna need to catch up.
You should see "the Uglies" coming. Its all good. Pers I wouldnt dump a bottle of anything while it happens, just enjoy and watch natures magic and clean. (ok maybe some Fiji mud)
On a microscopic level theres buffering and Ion wars(new sand n salt), bacteria dukeing it out for supremacy and micro flora and fauna building up to make a happy place for the new residents. "maturing"and "stabilizing"
That's why the nem is so mad, btw.

Keep an eye on the ammonia, the rest usually works it'self out.

If your dead set on tossing corals in there, get em CHEAP.
jus sayin.

Happy Reefing!

 

[JonPhillips]

FWIW. IMO. Now is the hard part. Waiting.
That girl has gotta get her rest. That was major surgery and the tank metabolism is gonna need to catch up.
You should see "the Uglies" coming. Its all good. Pers I wouldnt dump a bottle of anything while it happens, just enjoy and watch natures magic and clean. (ok maybe some Fiji mud)
On a microscopic level theres buffering and Ion wars(new sand n salt), bacteria dukeing it out for supremacy and micro flora and fauna building up to make a happy place for the new residents. "maturing"and "stabilizing"
That's why the nem is so mad, btw.

Keep an eye on the ammonia, the rest usually works it'self out.

If your dead set on tossing corals in there, get em CHEAP.
jus sayin.

Happy Reefing!

You rock, man. Thank you!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Eye candy and Species info......"research"

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=597

 

[JonPhillips]

Well, after enduring a 3.5 hour move cross country, my tank has been up and running for a solid week now. The fish are happier than ever. The anemone is happy on its rock and took some more shrimp down today. The peppermint shrimp even came by and stole some on the second round. Kind of let that one happen...I am having visions of both clowns nestling down quietly within its feathery branches in the future, probably far into the future. I must say, it's highly rewarding to see my fishy friends enjoying their new home. Here is a pic of just one of those happy tank mates. Cheers!

 

[JonPhillips]

Eye candy and Species info......"research"

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=597

[drools on pillow all night, wakes up and goes to work, repeats]