Thomas the 45g Tank - First Build

[Cool Ethan]

So the time was finally right to realize a roughly 15 year dream and goal. I had been wanting to get into the hobby since I was about 22, but the rational part of my brain (however small) won out and I didn’t jump in before my life circumstances were ready.

Then about 2 months ago I suddenly realized that it indeed was something I could make work. Jumped back headfirst into research mode trying to figure out what type of setup I wanted (and could afford) along with everything needed to make sure I didn’t immediately kill it all.

Decided I was probably going to get as much of the equipment used as I could. it seemed like there was quite the buyer’s market allowing me to get a bigger/better setup than my budget would allow if brand new. Also I could spend more on fish and corals

Soon found a fully established tank nearby at a fraction of the cost with some very nice equipment and all the essential extras.Very clean and the owner clearly knew what he was doing but needed to sell due to a move. Although it had a couple of fish, it wasn’t “full” meaning I could still add the livestock I actually wanted.

Spent an entire Saturday breaking down the tank, moving it across town, and setting it back up. Every waking minute the following week was spent obsessively reading, researching and testing. Although there was certainly some parameter instability, nothing was too drastic.

Setup:

• 45 gallon JBJ all in one
• Kessil 360w LED
• Powerheads
  • Jabeo Wavemaker
  • Nero 3
• Far Left Chamber: AI16 hd over chaeto refugium
  • A little overkill, but came with when previous owner upgraded. I’m sure I’ll have some better use for it in future
• Inside Left: Eshopps Nano Skimmer
• Middle: Double return pump
• Inside Right: nothing at the moment
• Far Right: Carbon in a bag. Might upgrade to reactor soon

Current Livestock

• Bonded pair of Blackstorm clowns (came with setup)
• Purple tang, baby (came with setup)
  • I am aware he will outgrow the tank. Plan to sell or upgraded when it is no longer a good fit. In the meantime I am will enjoy the show
• Midas Blenny
• Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
• Peppermint shrimp

Current Coral:

• Rainbow BTA
• Hammer
• Highligher green Goni and small pink goni
• Zoas: Purple Monster,Radioactive Dragon, Scrambled Eggs, Starscream,
• Duncan
• Neon tipped Toadstool
• Blastomussa, standard red and green
• Bowerbanki, red

Most of the coral are starting as small frags due to budget, plus the fun of seeing them grow out! For the rest of the fish, I'm still trying to figure out what I want to add. Possibly 1-2 of flame hawkfish, dragonnet, orchid dottyback. One or more might have to wait until the tang is moved.

Regardless of what’s next, its absolutely been a blast so far. I'm absolutely enamored with the entire process; the learning, planning, creativity in creating this tiny little world.

Current FTS 7/9/22

 

[Cool Ethan]

I wish I started the build thread right away, but instead I’ll do some condensed updates from the past 2 months into one post along with the current situation

• Added random zoas from LGS and a local guy
• Added Toadstool, Starscream zoa, and Purple Pavona from Tidal Gardens sale
• Dealt with Cyano redslime outbreak. It started slow but then accelerated. Ultimately I dosed some ChemiClean and was gone in 2 days. No sign of it returning yet (knocks on wood)
• Added Rainbow BTA. Even though the tank has only been mine for a few months, it was fully established for over a year so I felt it was safe given that parameters had been quite stable. It really only moved once the first night and then has stayed put. One week after adding, it suddenly shriveled up and expelled junk giving me quite the scare. Research said it was likely just pooping and that turned out to be true. Was back to normal the next morning and has been looking great ever since!
• Added Midas Blenny. Picked a bigger one due to worry about possible aggressiveness of tang and clowns. Besides testing the boundaries here and there, no real fighting or chasing.
• Added big Hammer, both gonis and the bower from a local guy

The current situation is dealing with some nuisance algae that has been identified as Lyngbya with the help of @vetteguy53081

I had noticed some increased film on the glass and rocks, but wasn’t thinking too much of it since I had increased feeding perhaps too much. My family was also in town so wasn’t quite as diligent in keeping my eye on everything. After they left I really took and look and noticed how much it had actually taken over some the backglass and was starting on the rocks as well.

Will be attempting to tackle this today with some manual scrubbing before my weekly water change. Also going to add to my CUC which I’m suddenly realizing has slowly dwindled.

 

[blaxsun]

I bet your midas blenny just thumbs his nose up at the algae growth - am I right?

 

[Cool Ethan]

I bet your midas blenny just thumbs his nose up at the algae growth - am I right?

Is he "supposed" to work on algae? Cause I haven't seen him even look at it lol

Good news is that I've all but solved the algae problem no thanks the the lazy freeloader.

Did as much manual removal as I could with a tooth brush, taking the rocks out whenever able and siphoning what i could. Followed that up with water change and daily dosing @SunnyX 's Coral Snow. That seemed to help remove more of the floating stuff plus "dusting" the rocks with the Microbacter7. Also added some extra cerith and trochus snails since I realized my CUC had likely dwindled. That all seemed stop the growth and was making slow progress on removal.

However the cherry on top was adding 3 mexican turbo snails 2 days ago. They have been absolutely plowing through the last of it. I hadn't seen them specifically mentioned for lyngbya before, so maybe I had a few types growing or maybe they are a less documented solution. Either way they seem to be providing the finishing blow.

Also did a little re-scaping. Probably not totally finished and still figuring out coral placements.

 

[blaxsun]

Midas? Nope. Lawnmower blenny, yes.

 

[Cool Ethan]

Midas? Nope. Lawnmower blenny, yes.

Yeah certainly didn't get him for his work ethic haha

The combination of the turbos, emerald crabs and other various cleanup crew have essentially cleared the tank of all algae. I didn't even realize how might light all the algae was soaking up. Suddenly the whole tank is brighter and more "sparkly".

Even though all the snails and crabs keeping knocking over frags (until I get them glued), I also realized that I love things crawling around the rocks. So decided to add a Blood Fire Shrimp. Always wanted one and found a great deal at a LFS a little further away from me.

In addition to the shrimp, got a great deal from a local reefer on some Utter Chaos, Rainbow Infusion and Aquaman Monti. Also pictured is a sweet rock that was exactly what I wanted.

The emerald crab tried to photobomb but was too tiny

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

Very Nice tank! LOVE the tang enjoy it while you can. Tangs are beautiful fish! What do you feed your tang? What are you tank dimensions?

 

[Cool Ethan]

Very Nice tank! LOVE the tang enjoy it while you can. Tangs are beautiful fish! What do you feed your tang? What are you tank dimensions?

Yeah she's gorgeous. Never would have bought it she didn't come with the setup (both due to retail cost and effort size), so happily enjoying in the moment. I can see using her as an excuse to upgrade rather than re-home when the time comes haha.

Feeding pretty simple, everyone gets flakes twice a day and then frozen mysis ~3/week. I keep meaning to get some nori sheets but never think about it at the store. Should probably get on that now that algae source is drying up.

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

How big is your Purple Tang? and how long have you had it? I need to use a tang as an excuse to upgrade

 

[Cool Ethan]

How big is your Purple Tang? and how long have you had it? I need to use a tang as an excuse to upgrade

About 2.5" inches? I've only had the tank for about 2 months with the tang and clowns coming with the setup. I know the original owner set up the tank about a year prior to that, but I'm unsure when the tang was added.

There are other reasons I'll want to upgrade. Besides the obvious more space = more stuff, I also realized don't love the cube design when it came to aquascaping. Athough I'm generally happy with how it turned out, I'd prefer a little more length and not be required to be so vertical.

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

They're really uncommon but I have a Clarity Plus(yes I know ancient) flat back-hex. Aquascaping in some ways better than a standard rectangle in other ways not. I personally like the scape. Its a little hard to see but here is a really old photo of my tank.

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

Watching can't wait to see how your tank goes! Here is mine My first tank as well

 

[Cool Ethan]

So kinda randomly ended up buying someone's entire livestock and setting up a quick 40g "QT". Felt it was a good deal, had a few things I wanted, and decide it would be fun to either sell the rest and/or just have a 2nd tank.

Too much to go type out tonight, but wanted to share the one piece that I did add to my DT so far. A nice 21 tails torch with roughly 3 full heads. Definitely making me realize I'm never going to be an SPS guy, I love the movement too much.