It was this big... Now its this big...

[F i s h y]

I read this entire thread. Is there a medal?

Thanks for riding along. Let me know if you have any questions about anything. Welcome to the madness.

 

[ryany25]

Thanks for riding along. Let me know if you have any questions about anything. Welcome to the madness.

Thank you. I bought 5 frags from lfs in a live auction that I’m picking up tomorrow. They are a trumpet, a Red and Green Cyphastrea, a Purple and Green Goniopora , an Eagle Eyes Zoa, a Sandstorm Letpa, and a JF Sector 001 Favia. I got them all for $50, so it’s a good toe-dip I think. Im leaving on a cruise Saturday (scuba!) and will be looking at fish when I return.

 

[F i s h y]

Thank you. I bought 5 frags from lfs in a live auction that I’m picking up tomorrow. They are a trumpet, a Red and Green Cyphastrea, a Purple and Green Goniopora , an Eagle Eyes Zoa, a Sandstorm Letpa, and a JF Sector 001 Favia. I got them all for $50, so it’s a good toe-dip I think. Im leaving on a cruise Saturday (scuba!) and will be looking at fish when I return.

First corals are always fun. Be careful it can quickly become an addiction. Before you know it you are @Nate Chalk sleep ordering coral like they are on the home shopping network and then feeling buyers remorse the next day because he should have just upgraded in the first place...

 

[ryany25]

First corals are always fun. Be careful it can quickly become an addiction. Before you know it you are @Nate Chalk sleep ordering coral like they are on the home shopping network and then feeling buyers remorse the next day because he should have just upgraded in the first place...

lol. 6 frags, not 5. I have Salifert pH and kH test kits coming. My API strips say that my pH is only 7.5. If Salifert confirms this, would soda ash be the way to go? I’d like ph to be around 8.

 

[tbrown]

lol. 6 frags, not 5. I have Salifert pH and kH test kits coming. My API strips say that my pH is only 7.5. If Salifert confirms this, would soda ash be the way to go? I’d like ph to be around 8.

Depends. Do you need more Carbonate Hardness or Bicarbonate Hardness?

 

[F i s h y]

lol. 6 frags, not 5. I have Salifert pH and kH test kits coming. My API strips say that my pH is only 7.5. If Salifert confirms this, would soda ash be the way to go? I’d like ph to be around 8.

In my opinion PH is of lesser importance than Alkalinity, Calcium, Magnesium, Nitrate, and Phosphate. My PH runs in the middle 7's during the winter because of the house being closed up and closer to 8.2 in the summer when the windows are open.

If you are just starting out, I will recommend to you this advice.
After you get your first batch of coral and maybe a couple of fish do yourself a favor. Invest in quality test kits.
I use Hannah for Salinity, PH, Alk, Po4, and No3.
I use Salifert for Ca and MG.
This will save you money on lost coral n the long run and you will enjoy your tank more.
What size tank are you running? What kind of equipment do you have?

 

[tbrown]

Thank you. I bought 5 frags from lfs in a live auction that I’m picking up tomorrow. They are a trumpet, a Red and Green Cyphastrea, a Purple and Green Goniopora , an Eagle Eyes Zoa, a Sandstorm Letpa, and a JF Sector 001 Favia. I got them all for $50, so it’s a good toe-dip I think. Im leaving on a cruise Saturday (scuba!) and will be looking at fish when I return.

That sounds like a good grouping or corals. Keep an eye on the Goni - they can be cranky.

Eagle Eye Zoas are neat, I've had a set in each of my tanks.

Watch the sweepers on the Favia, mine send out 1" - 1.5" sweepers occasionally after lights out.

 

[ryany25]

You sure you’re ok with me hijacking the thread? I did post my setup in the meet and greet forum. I do intend to get better test equipment, but I’m on sort of an allowance for this hobby. Until I get the wife obsessed as well that is. It’s. A 75 gallon Aqueon with an fx4. Two 300 watt heaters and a 4000 gph gyre. I seeded it it with pods and a couple snails and a couple hermit crabs that rode in on the live rock I got at lfs. I’ve been feeding he tank phyto, ammonium chloride, and algae wafers, just trying to keep the tank at max readiness. It’s been cycled for awhile. Oh, lighting is two 48” current usa led strips. I’m well aware that I will outgrow this equipment.

Edited spelling.

 

[ryany25]

Depends. Do you need more Carbonate Hardness or Bicarbonate Hardness?

I don’t know actually. My API strips (I know) show carbonate hardness to be 120. General hardness about the same. That’s the limit of my current testing ability.

 

[ryany25]

That sounds like a good grouping or corals. Keep an eye on the Goni - they can be cranky.

Eagle Eye Zoas are neat, I've had a set in each of my tanks.

Watch the sweepers on the Favia, mine send out 1" - 1.5" sweepers occasionally after lights out.

Good to know! Thanks for that. I was just sniping stuff that was cheap and I thought I might have a chance with.

 

[F i s h y]

You sure you’re ok with me hijacking the thread? I did post my setup in the meet and greet forum. I do intend to get better test equipment, but I’m on sort of an allowance for this hobby. Until I get the wife obsessed as well that is. It’s. A 75 gallon Aqueon with an fx4. Two 300 watt heaters and a 4000 gph gyre. I seeded it it with pods and a couple snails and a couple hermit crabs that rode in on the live rock I got at lfs. I’ve been feeding he tank phyto, ammonium chloride, and algae wafers, just trying to keep the tank at max readiness. It’s been cycled for awhile. Oh, lighting is two 48” current usa led strips. I’m well aware that I will outgrow this equipment.

Edited spelling.

I don't mind the hijacking. This thread and many others of our fun little group are full of lots of tank related and non tank related stuff as I'm sure you are aware by reading through mine. We can get a little crazy on here sometimes. Your setup will work to get you started, but start looking now for what you think your build would look like when its time to upgrade (upgrade doesn't always mean bigger, might just be better). Start researching costs, differences in equipment, lighting, skimmers, and anything else you will need. I bought most of my equipment used to save costs. Getting your wife involved is a great idea. @Mrs.F i s h y loves our tank, says it isn't big enough. Start the conversation about getting a new set up sooner rathe than later. You can set an amount to save each paycheck and stick to it and have a goal in mind for a date to upgrade. It will help to keep you fueled in the hobby and learning as much as you can. If you and your wife both take the time to learn the equipment and things needed to be successful she will be way more willing to help with the planning of the new setup.

 

[tbrown]

I don’t know actually. My API strips (I know) show carbonate hardness to be 120. General hardness about the same. That’s the limit of my current testing ability.

So if it's high in the Carbonate Hardness you can use Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda). Soda Ash has it's uses for sure but it will add to the Carbonate Hardness.

It's very scientific and I don't understand all of it. Soda Ash is just baked Baking Soda which removes one of the Carbonate ions or something.

 

[ryany25]

I don't mind the hijacking. This thread and many others of our fun little group are full of lots of tank related and non tank related stuff as I'm sure you are aware by reading through mine. We can get a little crazy on here sometimes. Your setup will work to get you started, but start looking now for what you think your build would look like when its time to upgrade (upgrade doesn't always mean bigger, might just be better). Start researching costs, differences in equipment, lighting, skimmers, and anything else you will need. I bought most of my equipment used to save costs. Getting your wife involved is a great idea. @Mrs.F i s h y loves our tank, says it isn't big enough. Start the conversation about getting a new set up sooner rathe than later. You can set an amount to save each paycheck and stick to it and have a goal in mind for a date to upgrade. It will help to keep you fueled in the hobby and learning as much as you can. If you and your wife both take the time to learn the equipment and things needed to be successful she will be way more willing to help with the planning of the new setup.

That’s great advice, and I’m happy to be getting it from your group. You seem like my kind of people. I know that I would like to have a fuge and skimmer, and I wouldn’t want those to be hob. I’ve also been reading the acrylic build threads. I have a full woodworking shop out back.

 

[rmorris_14]

 

[Nate Chalk]

First corals are always fun. Be careful it can quickly become an addiction. Before you know it you are @Nate Chalk sleep ordering coral like they are on the home shopping network and then feeling buyers remorse the next day because he should have just upgraded in the first place...

No upgrade, just keep gluen **** down and on the wall.

 

[F i s h y]

May 11th and today. Came off the rock today. Guess it grew more up than encrust...

 

[fishguy242]

is that a piece of the tri color from me ?

 

[907_Reefer]

May 11th and today. Came off the rock today. Guess it grew more up than encrust...

 

[F i s h y]

is that a piece of the tri color from me ?

Nah I got this when I ordered from a guy over in dayton. Lazy coral house.

 

[Katrina71]

May 11th and today. Came off the rock today. Guess it grew more up than encrust...

It's pics like this that make me want sps!