Coral Joe's 45g

[coral_joe]

I am new here but have had a salt water aquarium hobby for over 30 years.

 

[GHOSTLY]

Looks good! What ars you running

 

[coral_joe]

It is a JBJ 45 gallon from back when they used bent glass. It is self contained with the sump system behind the false wall on the back. I run a protein skimmer & heater in the compartments in the back along with filter media (carbon) & bio-balls. I keep it simple. All that live rock is Fiji and about 20 years in my tank. I think that keeps it stable. I use an aqualife LED only with its build in controller that is about 10 years old.

 

[jgirardnrg]

Looking good

 

[coral_joe]

I only have 2 fish (with all the craziness in Hawaii going on). A dottyback & a coral beauty reef angel. The clown in the photo above was returned to the LFS due to aggressiveness. I have a rimless aquarium and have had a couple of 6 line wrasse jump out (I really liked them). I would like a 3rd fish - any suggestions?

 

[GHOSTLY]

I only have 2 fish (with all the craziness in Hawaii going on). A dottyback & a coral beauty reef angel. The clown in the photo above was returned to the LFS due to aggressiveness. I have a rimless aquarium and have had a couple of 6 line wrasse jump out (I really liked them). I would like a 3rd fish - any suggestions?

Coral beauty? Have you had it eat coral? I suggest a pair of banggi cardinals or a blenny of some sort.

 

[coral_joe]

The coral beauty has never messed with the corals. The blenny seems like a good choice, I just reviewed some photo's online. Thank you!

 

[coral_joe]

My LED light is about 10 years old. Does anyone know how long they last? The reason I ask is back in the metal halide days, I had to replace the bulb before it burned out to maintain the intensity.

 

[coral_joe]

Does any one have suggestions for CUC that can dig & push the crushed coral bottom around? It is difficult to stir up myself with all the rock I have.

 

[jgirardnrg]

Does any one have suggestions for CUC that can dig & push the crushed coral bottom around? It is difficult to stir up myself with all the rock I have.

Fighting Conch... they're like bulldozers

 

[coral_joe]

Fighting Conch... they're like bulldozers

Thank you! I will check them out. I have never had them before.

 

[jgirardnrg]

Thank you! I will check them out. I have never had them before.

Awesome animals... do not tick them off though. They'll hop around like frogs. If you REALLY tick them off they emit a slime that gets everywhere. I had one do this when I tried to move him with a stick once.

 

[coral_joe]

Does anyone have experience with a flame hawkfish? I have a coral beauty angel & a dottyback in a 45 gallon AIO. I have no top on the tank and one article I read said they may jump out.

 

[CanuckReefer]

Does any one have suggestions for CUC that can dig & push the crushed coral bottom around? It is difficult to stir up myself with all the rock I have.

Nice tank, 30 years I am just shy of that, glad to see you sticking with the hobby. As for the sand bed, agree with a Conch, Fighting or Stawberry also does a nice job. Another suggestion would be Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber. Have had mine for about 15 years, it does a brilliant job stirring and 'cleaning' the bed....

 

[coral_joe]

Thank you all for suggestions. I got a fighting conch & a narcissus snail. They are doing a great job!

 

[coral_joe]

It is time to pick out a new light. I was a little worried about the age of mine (10 years) but now the clock resets to midnight every time I turn it off and I have to bring a computer over and plug it in to get it to correct itself (pain).

Fellow reefers - I am reaching out for recommendations on a new LED light (no fluorescents please).

Tank:
45 gallon AIO
softies, sps, & lps corals
16 x 26 inches with a depth of 19 inches