My "Newbie Mistake Tank" aka The Experiment

scoopsthedog · Dec 7, 2016

I have technically been a reefer since 1997. Three different reef tanks, all nanos, made all of the mistakes, defeated by all of the nuisances and deaths of TIHNBB (things I had no business buying). Last reef was dismantled maybe 4-5 years ago.

3 Months ago I go to the LFS - lets call him Crackhead LFS- cause he doesn't care what he sells you as long as you buy it and come back for more. "Check out these easy all-in-one nano reefs! Grow All The Corals! Easy / No Maintenance. Only $240!" Screw it lets go! $700 later (how did that happen?) I leave with everything (read nothing) I need. No Name 28G 25D) Japanese Tank with No Name LED Kit (just small Blues and Whites). Tiny in-tank skimmer. Carbon and Bio Balls. Live Rock & Sand. Oh and this awesome water that is pre-cycled and you don't need to cycle (I can feel your cringe from here). $100 worth of this stuff: https://www.amazon.com/Worldwide-Imports-AWW84130-Seawater-4-4-Gallon/dp/B003SNL91A

What follows is a timeline of what has happened over the last 90 days. The major thing that has happened is I stopped around day 60, realized what I was doing and jumped deep into research. ReefBuilders, SuccesfulReefKeeping, ReefKeeping, GARF, Reef Central (and most importantly R2R the forum I ultimately joined). So I have now made the investment into doing this right with a new setup - which will be detailed in a separate post on this forum - but I still have this tank!! So here is the timeline for the Newbie Mistake Tank which for now is my Experimental Tank. What does that mean? I am going to take care of this tank but also not invest any more money. I will try and get the coral and fish to be as healthy as possible but also not invest in equipment. I'll try and update every 10 days with pics, details and you guys can tag along. Please feel free to give me advice and support, please try and minimize the scolding (SHAME! SHAME!). I'm learning from my mistakes. Meanwhile stay tuned for the First 30 Days coming tomorrow.

Chrisfish · Dec 7, 2016

Welcome to R2R, you've come to the right place. There are lots of people here that will be very helpful so ask all the questions you want.

scoopsthedog · Dec 7, 2016

Ok so here are the first 10 days. Take the Tank plus stuff home. Setup. Admire cool blue tank with rock. Dream of all the cool coral I'm gonna grow. 10 days later test the water. API - 0 across the board. Hmm. Guess the water worked. Go to the store and pickup a clown + leather. Hade back. Acclimate and put into the tank.

scoopsthedog · Dec 7, 2016

I also order CUC from LiveAquria - as I'm sure the forum is aware I order way too many critters (But what LA tells me I need for the tank). Number of critters attached below

scoopsthedog · Dec 7, 2016

plus 10 turbos. They were all orders "small size". They come 48 hours later. I acclimate and only lose one turbo.

Day 15. Two peppermint shrimp and a cleaner shrimp from Crackhead LFS. He throws in SPS frag.

water test all 0 (only testing NH3, NO2, NO3).

Day 20. Test again - 0s. Now here's the deal - 20 days in and either I had a 10 day cycle or the water worked. Not recommending anyone waste $100 on the water but these are the facts.

Back to LFS. Pickup Galaxea, Mushrooms, and Zoas (a rock with about 40 polyps).

Day 30. More basic tests. Galaxea not looking great. Get concerned. Maybe the all-in-one light isn't the best. Do research. Hmmm. Starting to realize lots of issues now. Order at Orbit Marine Pro (highest PAR). Start to feed the coral.

Day 40. New light setup. Coral have stabilized. Mushroom is doing well. Leather with Green Polyps doing very well. Galaxea has stabilized. Pickup blue green sympodium and (cringe) blue "Sea fan". I ask if this will do well in my tank - "sure just drop it right in!"

Day 50. Zoas are disintegrating. Leather is growing. Everything else looks good except the Gorgonia. I start doing more research. I realize this is not the right way.

Day 60. Non stop research. ****. I've done bad. Make the decision to upgrade. Dip the zoas in Furan 2. Notice a weird cocoon thing on the side. Take it off. Gorgonia not doing well either.