Erin O's 75G Build

Katrina71 · Feb 17, 2020

Erin O said:
@Katrina71, I'm working on reading through your Miracle build thread, and I've hit the part about QT (page 24). From what I gather, you don't QT? It looked like there were a few others that said they don't either. Can you walk me through this? I was under the impression that SW critters should always be QT'ed.

We don't. We were advised against it in the beginning. You will get arguments on both sides. I think a varied diet and smart stocking plays a big role as well.

Erin O · Feb 17, 2020

Katrina71 said:
We don't. We were advised against it in the beginning. You will get arguments on both sides. I think a varied diet and smart stocking plays a big role as well.

What is your opinion (and anyone else who would like to chime in) on not QTing critters that are going into a tank without a sump? Do you think it would matter if the tank was running a canister?

Right now, I have FW tanks, and I have never QT'd. In FW, I've always been told not to treat prophylactically, so I'm having a really hard time wrapping my head around treating a fish for something they may not have.

sfin52 · Feb 18, 2020

Erin O said:
What is your opinion (and anyone else who would like to chime in) on not QTing critters that are going into a tank without a sump? Do you think it would matter if the tank was running a canister?

Right now, I have FW tanks, and I have never QT'd. In FW, I've always been told not to treat prophylactically, so I'm having a really hard time wrapping my head around treating a fish for something they may not have.

I don't my lfs holds the fish for two weeks in seperate tank. To be honest if I bought from another system I would put it in with out qt.
I don't qt anything. Once you qt everything has to be qt.
I make my own food that I think is better than most frozen. I would be happy to share my recipe if you want it. It costs me about 35 to make and lasts me 4 months or more and thats two sw tanks. A 90 and 55

crusso1993 · Feb 18, 2020

IMHO, having good biodiversity is a factor too.

Erin O · Feb 18, 2020

sfin52 said:
I don't my lfs holds the fish for two weeks in seperate tank. To be honest if I bought from another system I would put it in with out qt.
I don't qt anything. Once you qt everything has to be qt.
I make my own food that I think is better than most frozen. I would be happy to share my recipe if you want it. It costs me about 35 to make and lasts me 4 months or more and thats two sw tanks. A 90 and 55

I'd definitely be interested in your recipe!

crusso1993 said:
IMHO, having good biodiversity is a factor too.

Can you explain the biodiversity factor, please?

sfin52 · Feb 18, 2020

Erin O said:
I'd definitely be interested in your recipe!

Can you explain the biodiversity factor, please?

One way is starting with lv rock and not dead rock or dry rock

Erin O · Feb 18, 2020

sfin52 said:
One way is starting with lv rock and not dead rock or dry rock

I was going to do a combo of live and dry rock. Should I only do live?

sfin52 · Feb 18, 2020

Erin O said:
I was going to do a combo of live and dry rock. Should I only do live?

I would.its more expensive but the life makes up for it.

sfin52 · Feb 18, 2020

Tampa bay saltwater is what I would use I am starting a new tank.

Tampa Bay Saltwater – America's #1 Live Rock for Reef Aquariums

Erin O · Feb 18, 2020

sfin52 said:
I would.its more expensive but the life makes up for it.

My lfs has a bunch of "live" rock in SW under they're frag tanks. They put dry rock in there to become "live" as room becomes available. I have been told, by one of the employees, that those tanks were started with live rock (I plan on asking the owner to verify). Would that do the trick? I've looked at TBS and for 75lbs of rock, it would be over $400 with shipping and everything. That's something I just can't swing right now.

sfin52 · Feb 18, 2020

Erin O said:
My lfs has a bunch of "live" rock in SW under they're frag tanks. They put dry rock in there to become "live" as room becomes available. I have been told, by one of the employees, that those tanks were started with live rock (I plan on asking the owner to verify). Would that do the trick? I've looked at TBS and for 75lbs of rock, it would be over $400 with shipping and everything. That's something I just can't swing right now.

That's understandable. I would buy the lfs rock.

DownSouthBandit · Feb 18, 2020

Katrina71 said:
We don't. We were advised against it in the beginning. You will get arguments on both sides. I think a varied diet and smart stocking plays a big role as well.

Buying from reputable fish farms is a big plus also.

sfin52 · Feb 18, 2020

24 clams
Oysters 1/2 pt
Flounder used half
Shrimp $ used half
Fish eggs used 1/6 30 cube used 5 cubes
Squid
Try to use as much fresh as possible.
I also now add freeze dried plankton
One note I'll make is that I used cookie sheet with plastic wrap. It was hard to get the wrap off. I suggest wax paper on cookie sheet.

Erin O · Feb 18, 2020

sfin52 said:
24 clams
Oysters 1/2 pt
Flounder used half
Shrimp $ used half
Fish eggs used 1/6 30 cube used 5 cubes
Squid
Try to use as much fresh as possible.
I also now add freeze dried plankton
One note I'll make is that I used cookie sheet with plastic wrap. It was hard to get the wrap off. I suggest wax paper on cookie sheet.

Awesome, thanks! Maybe I'll get some of those silicone ice cube trays. I just looked and I can get Star Wars and Harry Potter trays! Lol

sfin52 · Feb 18, 2020

Erin O said:
Awesome, thanks! Maybe I'll get some of those silicone ice cube trays. I just looked and I can get Star Wars and Harry Potter trays! Lol

I use a cookie sheet with wax paper. I let it freeze than cut into small cubes. Works well

sfin52 · Feb 18, 2020

It makes a lot. It's enough for 5-6 months with my new feeding schedule and that's two tanks

DownSouthBandit · Feb 18, 2020

Erin O said:
My lfs has a bunch of "live" rock in SW under they're frag tanks. They put dry rock in there to become "live" as room becomes available. I have been told, by one of the employees, that those tanks were started with live rock (I plan on asking the owner to verify). Would that do the trick? I've looked at TBS and for 75lbs of rock, it would be over $400 with shipping and everything. That's something I just can't swing right now.

You could use mostly dry rock and jus buy 2-3 "live rock" from the lfs to help seed everything and start the coralline growth.

sfin52 · Feb 18, 2020

DownSouthBandit said:
You could use mostly dry rock and jus buy 2-3 "live rock" from the lfs to help seed everything and start the coralline growth.

In my opinion the more lr you can start with the more it help your tank in the long run. This is one of those cases where nobody is wrong. I've seen tanks with dry rock and all lr have amazing tanks. It's just my opinion on the lr.