Tank Arrived today

James Hammett · Mar 14, 2018

Thinking through what we want to do we want coral of course but the kids want a pair of clowns and a nem for them to pair with. It was suggested that I put the nem in before anything else and let it settle where it wants to be so it doesn’t conflict with Corals . Thoughts?

Reef Box · Mar 15, 2018

James Hammett said:
Thinking through what we want to do we want coral of course but the kids want a pair of clowns and a nem for them to pair with. It was suggested that I put the nem in before anything else and let it settle where it wants to be so it doesn’t conflict with Corals . Thoughts?

That’s not a bad idea. I’ve added nems in the past that mowed down corals or hid in the back of the tank. Since then I’ve all but sworn off nems altogether. They are fun to watch clownfish swim in and out of. Great for the kids!!

Tanks looking like it’s coming right along.

JBKReef · Mar 15, 2018

A box of goodies will be on their way to you this weekend. Hopefully delivered on Monday!

James Hammett · Mar 15, 2018

.THanks so much for your help and support My students are truly excited

James Hammett · Mar 15, 2018

Well we got the little clowns in the tank this evening... Kids will be excited in the Morning....

Mikedawg · Mar 15, 2018

Coming together well

James Hammett · Mar 16, 2018

Looks like the Diatoms have found us. It's not horrible yet but I am sure over this weekend and spring break next week it will grow. Of course i needed to put up one more picture of our two "CLass Clowns".... I have three hermits like i've said, debating adding more along with snails and a couple shrimp in the next few days to stay on top of this diatom stuff. Just don't want to over populate and have CUC dying because of lack of feed. The kids also want a little fish that filters the sand through its gills??? not sure what its called.

Fudsey · Mar 16, 2018

Sand sifting goby

Mikedawg · Mar 16, 2018

Small diamond watchman goby would be good, although they can grow under ideal conditions to 6".

Diatoms appearing will give your students some more insight into cycling, etc. You picked a great teaching "method"

James Hammett · Mar 16, 2018

Thanks I am planning to pull some Diatoms when they get heavy and make some slides for the kids to look at it closely. I hear it is quite pretty under the microscope.

Tiger-Paws · Mar 16, 2018

Things are looking great. Be VERY careful of any livestock from Petco they are not the best place to get your fish and corals.

When your tank is ready put a call out for some fish first, then in a few weeks ask for some coral frags, I am 100% certain any number of vendors/members will be more than happy to help slowly fill your tank.

If all else fails pm me and I will get you started.

James Hammett · Mar 16, 2018

Tiger-Paws said:
Things are looking great. Be VERY careful of any livestock from Petco they are not the best place to get your fish and corals.

When your tank is ready put a call out for some fish first, then in a few weeks ask for some coral frags, I am 100% certain any number of vendors/members will be more than happy to help slowly fill your tank.

If all else fails pm me and I will get you started.

Thanks, I added the Clowns to keep bacteria alive. Think I am going to put some Hermits and Snails in this weekend from the LFS ( we have 3 close two are bright and clean the 3rd is always dark and tanks are full of aptasia and dirty) I am not sure how to determine which is safest or best I lean toward bright and clean tanks. Not sure how many fish we should put in the tank. Kids are researching and making lists of ones they like now. We are on spring break so won’t see kids for a week. I assume by the time the kids come back we will be ready for fish.

James Hammett · Mar 18, 2018

Just installed this morning. Does the level this skimmer is set at look right? I debated installing it at all because I was told by some this skimmer doesn’t work well and by others it is great for this tank, but then saw that if I want to do corals with my kids it is needed.

JBKReef · Mar 18, 2018

James Hammett said:
Just installed this morning. Does the level this skimmer is set at look right? I debated installing it at all because I was told by some this skimmer doesn’t work well and by others it is great for this tank, but then saw that if I want to do corals with my kids it is needed.

It will take awhile to dial it in, it will overflow, it will be too dry, once you get it working for your water level it will be just fine it just takes a lot of fine tuning to get it there... patience is key. In the long run the skimming will really help keep the water clean.

James Hammett · Mar 19, 2018

This also came with the reef tank kit from Marine land. I hadn’t added it but see that silicates are one cause for the Diatoms. I added it this morning and the tank instantly became cloudy. Maybe dust on the PhosGuard from packaging? Will this stuff hurt my clowns or hermits?

hecterma · Mar 19, 2018

I've never used this but I think some people rinse it before adding it to their tanks to avoid the cloudiness. Your live stock should be fine.

JBKReef · Mar 19, 2018

That stuff suggests to rinse before putting it into the tank, I would think it should settle out eventually. I dont think it will harm the livestock.

Make sure wherever you put it into the tank that it has high flow but not enough flow that it would be tumbling within the bag.

Some good news from Amazon...