New Reef tank setup, need help

rkpetersen · Feb 4, 2019

I'm not expert in mold but ventilation should help. If mold fell in your sump it would probably be killed instantly, I can't see it causing a problem that way. Applying a layer of silicone to seal it off might work or you just might wind up with mold growing under and at the edges of the silicone. Still that would be less problematic than trying to apply paint there, especially water-resistant paints which typically have a lot of potentially toxic volatile hydrocarbons. If the problem turns out to be hard to solve you might start a new thread to ask about it.

HimRathore · Feb 4, 2019

Thanks a lot, I would remove this ****, I mean Mold over the weekend.

I would have to empty and remove the sump so it is going to take a lot of time.
Hoping the silicon works and stops it to grow in future.

My next set of fish has already arrived with the seller, would collect them tomorrow i.e. 2 Ocellaris Clown.
Would share some pictures in a while.

HimRathore · Feb 11, 2019

Update on Mold curing, over the weekend:
1. Removed the sump from the box
2. Cleaned the effected wooden surface with cotton cloth
3. Rubbed the cleaned wooden surface with sandpaper
4. Applied transparent silicon on the effected area and the inside edges of the box
5. Applied another coat of silicon

To make sure this does not happen in future, I have cut big hole in the cabinet door and fixed aluminium mesh. To ensure proper ventilation.
Not seen any droplets on the wooden panel since, although it is too early. Hoping for the best.

PS: Husbands who are trying to do this is future, don't inform your wife about this mesh in the furniture else she would never let you do it.

HimRathore · Feb 11, 2019

Here are some pictures:
This is how my sump cabinet looks now

Have applied some silicon in the inside edges, to make sure no open wood is there to get mold

HimRathore · Feb 11, 2019

Applied Silicon on inside edges as well, hopefully Mold would not come again as well

And the actual problem which is now cured and with two coats of silicon. It does not look neat but does the job. Hopefully, fingers crossed.

HimRathore · Feb 11, 2019

Here is the fish, pair of false Percula in the QT

WOuld add some more clear shots of fish, as I want to be sure of Ich from the experienced reefers.

HimRathore · Feb 11, 2019

2 days update on the Mold problem curing:
No water droplets seen inside the sump cabinet, no new Mold as well.

Happy that is worked.

HimRathore · Feb 15, 2019

Guys need help again:

The pair of clown i got, one of them have ich and it looks severe as well. They are in the QT but what do i do now? Treat them, but I am too afraid to introduce them to the main tank even if they recover.
Whet should be next steps, they are swimming fine and feeding normally as well.

Another problem, I have ordered Powder blue as well, from a reliable seller this time and it may reach me this weekend. And my QT is blocked with Clowns.

HimRathore · Feb 18, 2019

The problem i identified as Ich in my clownfish, is mostly Brook or some worm as I see grey spots near tail of the fish and they are eating fine and swimming well.

One strange behavior i have noticed from the diseased fish is, it lies sideways unmoved at the top of water while feeding for a few seconds as if playing dead but then starts swimming normally. Any clues anyone? These come from wild and not tank bred, got to know that yesterday only. My bad

I am new to the hobby and fish diseases, so still reading and watching a lot about them. Meanwhile I am treating them with worm medicines, and plan to go copper way if they it don't improve in 2-3 days.

rkpetersen · Feb 18, 2019

You should start a new post about your clownfish in the fish disease section, with some pictures if possible; get more eyes on it.

Here's good info on diagnosing and treating various diseases. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fish-disease-index.247600/

HimRathore · Feb 19, 2019

This is super helpful, thanks a lot.

Studying the diseases now, hope I would be a fish doctor in few days

HimRathore · Feb 25, 2019

Got the light changed, now using T5 LEDs 18W 10000K, 1 White & 2 Blues. Happy with the results, don't want too much Blue.

Here are new pictures:

Would I be able to grow LPS with this setup, a bit dark on the sides as my tank size is 5ft and lights are 4ft. Any comments or suggestions please.

HimRathore · Mar 2, 2019

Some new activity seen in the tank, please see the video:

Do you see this small tiny guy, it is moving. I have 3 snails in the tank, could it be a baby snail or an invertibrate which came along the coral. I have a video of this guy moving but not able to upload it.

HimRathore · Mar 2, 2019

Another question is on the coral, one friend gave me this coral, saying a green tip hammer. But since last week it has not opened, it turned brown and now the brown layer/skin is peeling and white coming back.

Is this part of their acclimation process, and is there any chance that this guy would come back to life?

Another part of the story is that i now started seeing red/brown dots on sand and stones:

What do you take from it, what can it be? Is it coraline algae or the coral's brown peel just scattering all over. Anything i should be concerned about?

This orange dots are coming on the glass as well and i have to clean it every 2-3 days now at least the front panels.

HimRathore · Mar 4, 2019

SO the Orange spots are DIATOMS, have reduced light from 11 hours to 6 hours for now. Any other suggestions to control them?

HimRathore · Mar 8, 2019

Did 20% water change and light are on for 4 hours now, Diatoms are not growing at the pace they were some time back but not reducing as well. Added some more fish:

Percula Clown Pair
1 Silver belly Yellow Wrasse

Other Percula pair didn't survive in the QT, and reason was probably my wrong detection of disease. I thought the black patch near tail was worm infection and treated for it but both died in 3 days. Only consolation is that they never went into my main tank.