Brand New Reefer - Fluval 13.5

[SDudge]

Or better yet, since you haven't started the cycle, why not go get some real live rock?! Real live rock from the ocean is a million times better because of all the biodiversity it contains. You can't recreate that biodiversity with dry rock....

Yeah I defo wanted liverock for that reason. The LFS did say something about the rock curating for 6 months. Sounds like they maybe just used dryrock and tried to establish their own bacteria on it and sell it as liverock?

 

[Mschmidt]

Some good ideas in here too. I like the look of GSP but I'm scared of it taking over so blastos and acans could be the route. If clownfish stick to one part of the tank could you move the Duncan and save the pestering?

I also like the sound of goby/shrimp combo as they seem to develop an interesting relationship.

The Duncan moved to my other tank. He's quite happy now. The clowns "mostly" stay in an area.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Yeah I defo wanted liverock for that reason. The LFS did say something about the rock curating for 6 months. Sounds like they maybe just used dryrock and tried to establish their own bacteria on it and sell it as liverock?

I hate when they do that! They probably threw it in some water and poured a bottled of bacteria in there with a total of 1 or 2 strains of bacteria. If you got live rock from the ocean you'd have thousands of bacterial strains plus countless other microfauna that would help you tank mature greatly!

 

[reeferpat137]

That fish combo sounds amazing. They in a 13.5? Will the tank be too small when those are fully grown?

All these fish full grown will still be relatively small. 3.5in max. And that will take some time. Also getting fish that inhabit different areas of the tank will help keep things happy. The clowns free swim but normally have their area, the cherub free swims the whole tank. The yellow goby will prob chill on the rock work or in a sps coral. Yes its a 13.5

 

[SDudge]

I hate when they do that! They probably threw it in some water and poured a bottled of bacteria in there with a total of 1 or 2 strains of bacteria. If you got live rock from the ocean you'd have thousands of bacterial strains plus countless other microfauna that would help you tank mature greatly!

I suppose the best way to test this all would be to add some ammonia and see if it breaks down? If it does then there's a decent amount of bacteria in there?

If not I need some liverock and a new LFS.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I suppose the best way to test this all would be to add some ammonia and see if it breaks down? If it does then there's a decent amount of bacteria in there?

If not I need some liverock and a new LFS.

You should add ammonia and see if it breaks down...if not, then add bottled bacteria.
You don't absolutely NEED natural live rock from the ocean but it helps tremendously through helping to establish your microbiome.

 

[Mschmidt]

Also, Matt at brs has a good beginner reefing series on the yous tubes.

 

[SDudge]

So I've reached the next step. Turns out I did have live rock and I had an ammonia spike on day 10 that cleared within 24 hours.

About a week in the rocks were pretty well covered in Diatoms and which is slowly being replaced by GHA.

I went to LFS and got 2 Turbos and 2 Blue Hermits as I love the look of them. Planning on waiting another week before I had my first fish. Still thinking a single female clown. Does adding this first on its own increase chances of aggression?

I'll probably wait another few weeks for corals too. Need to upgrade chamber 1 to InTank as currently just running floss.

Excuse the dirty glass. Tank was left alone during cycling.

 

[SDudge]

WE HAVE FISH!!
I got two clowns yesterday. Coco and Nemo. I also got a small frag of GSP that I've decided to try and grow up the back wall. Nemo is tiny and after acclimating was put in the tank. He seemed to struggle with the flow and looked like he was being carried by the current around the tank a bit. I started to panic thinking exhaustion could get him but after a bit of research told myself to calm down and went to sleep.

Woke up 3 times in a cold sweat convinced Nemo had passed away and ran downstairs to check on them all. No issues other than my hermit was climbing all over the GSP. On a side note, will he destroy this or is he just inspecting?

Woke up this morning and ran downstairs and my night terrors unfolded infront of me. Nemo was nowhere to be seen. Not floating on the water, not on the sand bed or in my rock. Lid on tank so no free Willy.

Looked into my chambers and there he was floating next to the heater in chamber 2. Said my goodbyes and went to scoop him out. Lo and behold, Nemo is not dead, and Nemo doesn't seem exhausted. It took me 15 minutes to scoop him out of there, glad I have small hands as that chamber is tight!

Put him back in main display and fed them both, seem happy.

What on earth happened, do fish just swim through that little hole in chamber 2 if there's space or was he exhausted and it dragged him in there? I presume plugging it will restrict flow. Anyone any suggestions so that I can sleep tonight - although my 10 day old daughter has her say on that too..


Also note to self. Need to see how to improve my photography skills..

 

[SDudge]

So added a few more corals. Pulsing Xenia, Duncan and a Zoa. I think the Zoa is Sunny D but not 100% Haven't had any real outbreaks, not sure if my CUC is onto of everything or if the nasties will come soon. Tanks been up a month now.

Going to pick up a Royal Gramma next week to accompany the two clowns. Wonder what other fish I could get away with after those 3? Any suggestions?

And what about coral suggestions - I think I'll fill out the right hand rock with a zoa garden. Any ideas what might look good on top of the bridge and/or on the left rock?

Planning on adding some LED strips to the lid to improve the look of the whites, anyone in the UK any suggestions on this?

Few pictures below (blue lights on & 2 hours after new additions)

 

[Mschmidt]

I like my tail spot blenny.

 

[SDudge]

Ugly stage is well and truly here. Thought I had got away with this lightly as I was a good 6 weeks in but now I'm starting to get dirty sand, rocks and glass.

I have 2x Hermits and 2x Turbo's and a Nasarius in my CUC. Do I just sit and wait this out? I'm doing Water Changes once a week. Can I up this to try and keep things looking cleaner or better to just ride the wave?

I also got a few new corals that I'll take better pictures of later after my hermit has stopped crawling all over them. 2x Zoas, the tiniest Mushroom I've ever seen (superman I think) and a GSP frag for the glass on the back right.

 

[SDudge]

Coming out the other side of the dirty stage now. Grabbed a few new corals and a Royal gramma. Finally starting to look like an actual little fish tank. Need to get some LED strips for the lid to improve the lighting and maybe start to look at improving the filtration. Currently just running floss.

 

[SDudge]

Or maybe I'm not out of the dirty stage. My sand is absolutely hideous. Long wavy brown algae on it and no matter how much I siphon or stir it up its back in a few hours with vengeance. Anyone any tips?

I'm thinking maYbe time to upgrade my filtration. Currently just running floss.

 

[SDudge]

So it's been a while.... my tank is fast approaching two years. Have to say I really have put in minimal effort. Haven't tested the water for over a year. 15% Water changes every week or two. No skimmer and I don't dose anything.

Battled serious detritus for a while and so added another wavemaker which seemed to help, tank has been "clean" for a good 6 months.

Coral growth hasn't been fantastic, lost a fair few through negligence. Have my Duncan from day one which has quadrupled in size, some zoas from the start as well.

Have thoroughly enjoyed dipping my toe in this hobby and I'm most definetely considering an upgrade to 60/70 gallon with a few more gadgets and better lights, so watch this space!