My Reef Journey Begins!

Brew12 · Sep 19, 2016

mcarroll said:
I don't know if there's a trade name for your 120, BTW...it's closer to a 125 in look, but it's shorter. I think you have a "120 Low". B)

It really is an odd size tank which is why I think the guy got the dimensions so messed up when he advertised it. A tape measure would have helped!

Mark Shelly · Sep 20, 2016

Everyone always recommends adding a clean-up crew early. Just remember that they need to eat also and don't have an established food source. I like you rock work. Note that most of my hitchhikers have come on frags, but I wanted the bio-diversity that came with them. I specifically selected frags with coralline algae colors I liked, or that had sponges and kep the life in my tank light until it could get established..

Brew12 · Sep 20, 2016

Mark Shelly said:
Everyone always recommends adding a clean-up crew early. Just remember that they need to eat also and don't have an established food source. I like you rock work. Note that most of my hitchhikers have come on frags, but I wanted the bio-diversity that came with them. I specifically selected frags with coralline algae colors I likes, or that had sponges and kep the life in my tank light until it could get established..

I have been using a food recommended by the supplier of my CuC as well as algae tablets to keep them fed. It looks like they are all fairly happy right now.
And thank you, getting the rock work done was a chore but I'm pleased.

Part of me wants as many hitchhikers as I could get and then I read some of the horror stories on these forums and I can't help but think "sterile"! Love the idea of picking frags for the coralline colors! Fantastic advice, thanks!

Brew12 · Sep 20, 2016

I was excited when I got home from work and looked into the aquarium. I have diatoms starting to bloom! Woohoo!

Brew12 · Sep 21, 2016

I still can't figure this out.... the guy I bought it from said it wouldn't last in a new tank... granted this is only day 5 but so far it is looking good! Much better than my sad camera skills would show!

mcarroll · Sep 22, 2016

Maybe ask him to specify why he thought that?

Brew12 · Sep 22, 2016

mcarroll said:
Maybe ask him to specify why he thought that?

It was strictly based on the age of the tank since it has been set up for under a month. My water testing has shown my tank to be very stable at this point, even <5ppm nitrate. My ato is keeping my salinity very constant. I'm guessing that is why things are going well so far

mcarroll · Sep 22, 2016

Don't be stingy on the nitrates, but do keep PO4 controlled.

Don't let alkalinity vary....I'm guessing that may be what he meant.

Brew12 · Sep 23, 2016

Today continued with slowly stocking the tank. Today my BTA arrived in the mail, along with some macro algae. FedEx came when my wife was home and she called me in a panic. The bottom of the box was wet. I came home (I live close to work) and opened the package. They had double bagged everything and both bags of the macro algae had leaked. Fortunately, the BTA looked a little rough but not too bad compared to the bad shape the package was in. FedEx was not too careful despite it being marked as containing live fish.
I followed the direction for drip acclimating it and into the tank it went. I put it right where I wanted it knowing it wouldn't stay there. Sure enough.... it walked off in about 20 minutes. For as rough of a trip as that little guy had he sure was resilient.
Unfortunately, my BTA must be a teenager. The rebellious nem walked right to the back side of my rocks where I can only get a small glimpse of it. It looks great, fairly open and not deflated. My guess is it is jamming away to ITunes with it's ear buds in. Maybe tomorrow it will come out where it is more visible.

RamsReef · Sep 24, 2016

GET OUT OF MY ROOM DAD!

Brew12 · Sep 24, 2016

When I purchased this tank it came with 2 Vortech MP40wES powerheads. I loved the flow they gave at the sides of my aquarium but they were just too noise since my favorite sitting spot is literally feet away from the tank. Some other powerheads that came with the tank were much quieter and gave me better flow in the center of the tank but not as good of flow over my rockwork.
Understanding how the electrical waveform being sent to a motor can impact its noise I decided to take the chance and upgrade to the Quiet Drive. Doing the upgrade was very easy. I have to admit that even though I expected some improvement it exceeded my expectations. They are still a touch louder than the internal powerheads but I would say it cut down their noise by at least 70%. Very happy with the upgrade.
Still need to find a small powerhead to put on the back of the tank to get better flow in the center. Actually, I really don't since that is an open spot to give fish room to swim but I still would like a little more flow.

gettaReef · Sep 25, 2016

I was contemplating upgrading my 2 mp40s; thanks, this was helpful

Brew12 · Sep 25, 2016

Everything in the tank is continuing to look great. Well, other than a distinct lack of fish.

I ended up tearing apart my rock structure to get to the anemone. I couldn't get it to move with a powerhead. In fact, I can't get it to move out of it's spot even after turning the rock around. If he stays there I will need to do some modifying to make it look better and get it secured. I'll give him a day or two.
Seeing as my Zoa's and single SPS frag are doing great I am considering getting some more coral frags. I love the look of World Wide Coral's LPS frag pack and the Reef Starter Pack #2. Anyone following my build see any problems that I need to consider to add these to my tank?

Brew12 · Sep 25, 2016

I almost wish I would have left him alone. I couldn't see him but he looks fantastic. My thanks to Blue Zoo Aquatics for delivering what would appear to be a very healthy nem!

helen ann · Sep 25, 2016

Let the lil' guy be and he will come around, he will continue to move to spot which makes him happy.

Brew12 · Sep 25, 2016

helen ann said:
Let the lil' guy be and he will come around, he will continue to move to spot which makes him happy.

I was just worried that I wouldn't be able to see if he wasn't doing well. I've heard horror stories of anemone's dying and crashing tanks. He is free to go wherever he wants at this point as long as I can monitor his health.

helen ann · Sep 25, 2016

Brew12 said:
I was just worried that I wouldn't be able to see if he wasn't doing well. I've heard horror stories of anemone's dying and crashing tanks. He is free to go wherever he wants at this point as long as I can monitor his health.

I had one go into a crack and didn't see for over a month and out he popped one day.