Diggler's Weird 90 Gallon Reef Tank

[Hemmdog]

DIY optical sensor holder. I have enough acrylic to make an ugly probe holder as well as a dosing tube holder. I might just buy one. I've never threaded anything before.

Did you get your salinity back up to 1.025?

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Did you get your salinity back up to 1.025?

Salt won't be in until monday, so no. No rush though.

 

[Diamond1]

DIY optical sensor holder. I have enough acrylic to make an ugly probe holder as well as a dosing tube holder. I might just buy one. I've never threaded anything before.

As long as it works!

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

As long as it works!

That's what I'm all about for stuff under the tank.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Ok, so please let me know if I'm way off here, but I'd like to share my thoughts on a stocking concept. I think we should add the smallest, and most simple creatures to the reef first. Bacteria is added via live rock or bottle, or seeded media. It conditions the water to handle the waste from everything else. Then we should add pods, and phytoplankton, as the phytoplankton, if live, will absorb nutrients from the water, which is in turn eaten by the pods, which make for plentiful, and nutrient packed pods. Then small fish and CUC, which will impact the pods due to preditation, but not in a way that would cause the pod population to crash. Then the larger fish, and CUC get's added. Then finally corals if that is what you're going for. I'm pretty sure someone has already written something similar, and explained all the science behind it, but I haven't read that book, so I'm reaching this conclusion on my own. I'm also super stoked to be getting my first shipment of pods and phytoplankton today, so that I can take the next step in this process.

 

[count krunk]

That sounds like a good plan

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

That sounds like a good plan

Thanks! I'm hoping it works well.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Ok, so please let me know if I'm way off here, but I'd like to share my thoughts on a stocking concept. I think we should add the smallest, and most simple creatures to the reef first. Bacteria is added via live rock or bottle, or seeded media. It conditions the water to handle the waste from everything else. Then we should add pods, and phytoplankton, as the phytoplankton, if live, will absorb nutrients from the water, which is in turn eaten by the pods, which make for plentiful, and nutrient packed pods. Then small fish and CUC, which will impact the pods due to preditation, but not in a way that would cause the pod population to crash. Then the larger fish, and CUC get's added. Then finally corals if that is what you're going for. I'm pretty sure someone has already written something similar, and explained all the science behind it, but I haven't read that book, so I'm reaching this conclusion on my own. I'm also super stoked to be getting my first shipment of pods and phytoplankton today, so that I can take the next step in this process.

That is basically what I did. I would say corals before big fish, though, if I were to “go in order.” You want coral branches and such to be part of the environment for fish for hiding spots and swim through areas.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

That is basically what I did. I would say corals before big fish, though, if I were to “go in order.” You want coral branches and such to be part of the environment for fish for hiding spots and swim through areas.

Thanks!!

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

That is basically what I did. I would say corals before big fish, though, if I were to “go in order.” You want coral branches and such to be part of the environment for fish for hiding spots and swim through areas.

When you say big fish, what kinda fish are we talking about?

 

[NY_Caveman]

When you say big fish, what kinda fish are we talking about?

The kind of fish who when they swim by, the little fish hide in the corals. Corals benefit from fish waste, so having some fish when you add corals is good. Some fish naturally look to hide in coral structures. Once those structures are in place, they will have a place to hide after adding larger or more aggressive fish. It is also a good idea to add the most peaceful fish first and work up to the most aggressive. This way small fish have homes and hiding spots established when new fish come in.

I am no expert on specific big fish though if that is what you mean. My largest marine tank ever was only a standard 55 gallon.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

The kind of fish who when they swim by, the little fish hide in the corals. Corals benefit from fish waste, so having some fish when you add corals is good. Some fish naturally look to hide in coral structures. Once those structures are in place, they will have a place to hide after adding larger or more aggressive fish. It is also a good idea to add the most peaceful fish first and work up to the most aggressive. This way small fish have homes and hiding spots established when new fish come in.

I am no expert on specific big fish though if that is what you mean. My largest marine tank ever was only a standard 55 gallon.

I haven't gotten there yet. I'm still working on getting the tank cycled and my QT fish into the DT, which I suppose would be the small fish. There is a good chance that this tank will never have a fish that other fish hide from, but I get what you're saying.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

I added the pod culture, and some baby brine to the tank last night, along with some phytoplankton for them to eat. The baby brine was free with the order, so I figured I'd just toss them in there to see what happens. I am getting antsy though, and I'm about to pull the trigger on another 2 pod cultures from a different vendor, just to help them get better established. I should probably get more phyto if I plan on going that route, or maybe not, if these guys can just snack on the fish food im ghost feeding with, which would be great in all honesty. I should be checking the water today to see where things are with respect to the cycle. Hopefully the tank is close to being ready, but even if it is I think I'll hold off until I'm sure the pods have taken root in the tank which should be a week or so.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

The cycle has been stalled for a week or so where the ammonia level has remained the same. I even went to far as to add another bottle of Dr. Tim's One and Only to the DT and Sump, only for it to kinda budge, but not much. So I finally went and got 1.5 pounds of live rock rubble for the fuge, including a slightly larger piece for the DT. Hopefully this helps things along, but I'm also hoping for some cool hitchhikers as well. Didn't see anything on it, and these aren't big pieces by any stretch, but if I can get some cool and useful microfauna, I'll be happy.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Ran some tests today, and I've decided that the tank is cycled. I will dose with prime in the meanwhile, but I cannot trust this tropic marin kit. I will probably get a red sea, or a sailfert, whichever ya'll recommend in all honesty, but the fish are going into the DT right now. Wish me luck!

 

[Pinback]

good lucK! hope it goes well for ya. what fish are you adding?

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

good lucK! hope it goes well for ya. what fish are you adding?

1 Royal Gamma, that may have already gotten sucked into the overflow, or hopefully in the rocks ;Nailbiting
1 Splendid Dottyback, that is probably in the rocks now
1 Solor Wrasse, who is wandering the tank making himself at home
3 blue/green Chromis, who are doing just fine
3 Scissor Tail Dart Fish, who are also doing well
2 Clownfish, who are exploring as well
and 1 Chalk Goby, who is probably in the rocks as well

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Did you get your salinity back up to 1.025?

As long as it works!

That sounds like a good plan

The kind of fish who when they swim by, the little fish hide in the corals. Corals benefit from fish waste, so having some fish when you add corals is good. Some fish naturally look to hide in coral structures. Once those structures are in place, they will have a place to hide after adding larger or more aggressive fish. It is also a good idea to add the most peaceful fish first and work up to the most aggressive. This way small fish have homes and hiding spots established when new fish come in.

I am no expert on specific big fish though if that is what you mean. My largest marine tank ever was only a standard 55 gallon.

good lucK! hope it goes well for ya. what fish are you adding?

Folks, I did the thing!

 

[Diamond1]

Good luck with the new fish.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Good luck with the new fish.

Thanks!