redsea's 125g Build

redsea01 · Apr 5, 2016

Hello! I am technically not a new member, but I haven't posted in about a year. I'm hoping to be logged on more often, and I think this new build thread will help with that! At this point, my 125g is set up with rock, sand, equipment etc. I don't have any fish yet, but hopefully will soon! However, I am having a little bit of an issue that I have to figure out first...Stay tuned for pictures and updates as they come!

Current issue:
I am currently doing tons of water changes to get the nitrate level down from the cycle (I have done about 90 gallons so far over the past week or so and have barely noticed a difference

)... how long do you think it is acceptable to not add ammonia to the tank? I just feel like I am taking steps backwards when I do it, as I am trying to get the nitrates down. I would have thought that at 90g changed, the nitrates would be much lower at this point.

Thanks so much for reading and following my new build thread!

Kershaw · Apr 6, 2016

Ok so let's see some numbers. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.
How long into cycle are you?
What kind of rock did you start with?
What ammonia source are you using?
Water changes won't hurt your cycle, but how many gallons at a time are you changing and how often?

revhtree · Apr 6, 2016

Welcome back!

redsea01 · Apr 12, 2016

Kershaw said:
Ok so let's see some numbers. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.
How long into cycle are you?
What kind of rock did you start with?
What ammonia source are you using?
Water changes won't hurt your cycle, but how many gallons at a time are you changing and how often?

Hi there! Sorry, my first post was a little confusing. My tank is already cycled...I was just adding the ammonia to keep the bacteria alive while the tank was empty. I started with dry rock, but moved over a few prices of established rock from my BioCube. I am just using regular old ammonia from the hardware store...it doesn't have any additives in it. I am going to retest tonight after I do another water change and will report back with parameters. I change a garbage can worth of water at a time, about thirty gallons or so. Thanks so much for the help!

revhtree said:
Welcome back!

Thank you so much!

redsea01 · May 6, 2016

So I have some exciting news I have not posted yet! I have had my first two fish for a while now! I have two Bangaii Cardinals! I am going to attach a picture soon. They have been doing great; super healthy, and love their frozen Mysis Shrimp.

redsea01 · May 6, 2016

Tada!

redsea01 · May 6, 2016

redsea01 · Jun 29, 2016

So, I have big news! I have purchased my third fish for this aquarium! I decided to go with a Checkerboard Wrasse (or Marble/Hortulanus Wrasse). Here is a link to the fish I am talking about: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1379+353&pcatid=353

I had actually never heard of these guys before, and was impressed when I saw one at the LFS. I did some research, and decided to pick the specimen up.

Mine is still fairly small too, so I will be able to watch him grow. I would post pictures, but the little fella darted right into the sand upon introduction...which was Sunday. So I am hoping I see him soon!

Thanks for following!

Kershaw · Jun 29, 2016

Oh man I have a marbled wrasse. He is awesome.

redsea01 · Jun 29, 2016

Kershaw said:
Oh man I have a marbled wrasse. He is awesome.

Cool! I'm glad you like yours! Does he behave okay?

I am soooo excited! Guess who emerged from the sand today? YOU GUESSED IT! My new Wrasse pal.

Kershaw · Jun 29, 2016

He is probably the least aggressive of my 3 wrasses. But he steals the biggest peices of food then goes to his to eat in peace. Never jumps. And was social fast.

redsea01 · Jun 29, 2016

Kershaw said:
He is probably the least aggressive of my 3 wrasses. But he steals the biggest peices of food then goes to his to eat in peace. Never jumps. And was social fast.

That's so great to hear.

BummersReef · Jun 30, 2016

redsea01 said:
So, I have big news! I have purchased my third fish for this aquarium! I decided to go with a Checkerboard Wrasse (or Marble/Hortulanus Wrasse). Here is a link to the fish I am talking about: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1379+353&pcatid=353

I had actually never heard of these guys before, and was impressed when I saw one at the LFS. I did some research, and decided to pick the specimen up. Mine is still fairly small too, so I will be able to watch him grow. I would post pictures, but the little fella darted right into the sand upon introduction...which was Sunday. So I am hoping I see him soon!

Thanks for following!

Oh I've seen those and think they are soooo pretty!

redsea01 · Jul 1, 2016

I posted this over in the Wrasse thread, but wanted to document it here in my build thread as well if that is alright.

Okay so I was able to get some pictures of my new little guy, though not great ones, lol. Please excuse the algae on the glass...I confess I leave some of it there for the copepods. [emoji15] I decided to get some frozen brine last night, and I think he may have eaten a little bit. It was a little hard to see because I was trying to stay away from the tank so he wouldn't get scared and go back into the tank.

so here he is! Cool, huh?

It almost looks like he has a little belly...do you guys see it? Or is it just my imagination? I think he has been eating some copepods in the tank...is that something they usually do? I really hope that is a belly...I want to make sure the little guy isn't starving.

I love this new addition! Such a fun fish to watch!

jsker · Jul 1, 2016

Just my view, he looks a little beat up? and he may be a little stress and that could be the reason he is not eating

redsea01 · Jul 2, 2016

Oh no I hope not!

I just googled some photos to see what others look like and this is what came up...I think it mostly resembles mine...maybe they just have that look?

He did appear to eat a bit, I guess I just wish he was a little more voracious. Lol

Thanks for following.

redsea01 · Jul 7, 2016

Hey guys! It's time for a little update.

So, I have been on vacation this week and have had one of my best friend caring for the tank's inhabitants. She has informed me that everyone is doing well, including our new little Wrasse pal.

I asked her specifically if he is eating and she'd yes! Apparently he has been out and eating. So it looks like I have nothing to worry about. And of course I never worry about the Bangaii Cardinals...they gobble food up for me all the time, and are always begging for more.

redsea01 · Jul 9, 2016

BummersReef said:
Oh I've seen those and think they are soooo pretty!

I'm sorry, I went to check out my build thread and am just seeing your comment now. Thank you! I am excited to see him/her grow. Based on the coloring and size now, I'm thinking the fish is still mostly juvenile.

redsea01 · Aug 2, 2016

Okey dokey! I haven't updated this thread in a while and believe me, I have some updates.

Bad news first; I am going to have to return the Checkerboard Wrasse. While I am a big fan of the little guy, I didn't realize how much of a terror he may become on crustaceans down the road when I bought him. I did do research prior to buying the fish, but obviously not enough...(hides under chair

) He will probably be going back within the next week. It's sad, but for the better.

The good news; I picked up a Foxface Rabbitfish a little over a week ago and he is doing great! The fish is actually really small, in fact, the fish shop owner said he usually doesn't order them this small but his dealer convinced him to since it was a good batch that was healthy and doing well. He seems pretty happy, other than changing into his "stress colors" every now and then. Interestingly, he doesn't really care at all for any frozen food that I feed the other fish (mysis, brine). But he does really dig flakes.

I'll be honest, I never imagined I would own a fish that would gladly accept marine flakes but turn down mysis and brine, but hey, that's okay! He also picks at the seaweed I attach to the clip. Maybe the reason he doesn't care much for the shrimp stems from their preference for vegetable matter, but herbivorous fish I have had in the past all enjoyed frozen shrimp too.

I will be ordering my official lights soon too. I know that I want the SBreeflights...but I am holding off because I am still torn on the size I should order. I kinda want to get the two 36 inchers, but three 16 inchers would fit better.My probalem is that my tank has two braces, not just one. However, the 16 inchers are weaker and I kind of want the more powerful ones in case I choose to keep some more light intensive coral species down the road. Someone brought up a really good point though in my light thread, if i did decide to go with the two 36 inchers, I may have a shadowing effect due to having two braces.........so that is why I still haven't picked out my official lighting system yet....I am so torn! ahhhhh

Thank you so much for following and reading this update. I am going to post some pictures of the Foxface in a second.