Jtnova's Marine Journal (Rip!)

Update:

Only was able to arrange pick up for 30 lbs of rock, so I threw that in the tank for now.

Stats are:

pH - 8.4
ammonia - 0.25ppm
nitrite - 0 ppm
nitrate - 0 ppm
SG - 1.025
phosphate - 0 ppm

I am using reef crystals. I didn't test pH after adding salt for that other post.

IMGP0471.jpg


I didn't scape yet, waiting for the other 70 lbs til I do that.

I plan on getting a black background so you won't be able to see the wires and hose in the back. I still have alot of bubbles because i just fired up the skimmer for the first time on thursday.
 
the powerheads seem to be really powerful (modded maxijets) they are only 1200gph, but some brittle stars got blown around the tank. where is a good location for them?

Since the rock is cured, cycle time should be very short right?
 
Since the rock is cured, cycle time should be very short right?

right :good: might not even get a cycle if the rock wasn't out of water long

Try having the pumps in the two back corners facing forward so that the flow meets in the middle :good: I also agree with the black background to hide the wires

seffie x

:fish:
 
I got a mini-cycle because today, the stats are:

ammonia: 0
nitrite: hard to tell, slightly above 0ppm
nitrate: 0 ppm
sg: 1.025
 
Update 8/22/09

Got the other 70lbs of rock in the tank and did a quick scape. Tank stats are:

ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0
phosphate: 0
pH: 8.3
SG: 1.025

It's off to the lfs for some CUC. I am thinking a combo of turbos, ceriths, 2-3 really small hermits, and some shrimp. any suggestions on snail quantity and shrimp species?

IMGP0488.jpg


I plan on building a long arch between the two "towers". Sorry it's cloudy, I just moved all the rock and kicked up some dust.
 
Start with 2-5 Turbos and see what they do. If algae explodes, get more, if not, leave it at that. Avoid Peppermint Shrimp and Cleaner Shrimp if your going reef, they knick all the food you put in for other stock... Dancing shrimp are fine IME, not bold enough to go for the food while your there, but you don't see much of them... I've had mine at least 3 months now, and never once got a photo good enough to show them clearly in my Journal...

All the best
Rabbut
 
Looks good I have a smaller aquarium but I also have a arch like yours a bit. I used milliput on that bit though because it had the potential to be a bit unstable.

Personally I have 2 cleaners and a peppermint in my tank I feel the peppermint is imperative since I had minute Aiptasia which no longer exsists.

Anyway I do except that they will be naughty to corals through people's experience as they do go mad during feeding.
 
Fortunately I am aptasia free since I bought all the rock from guys who meticulously took care of their tanks. Even got some free mushrooms :)

I bought 3 turbos, 3 ceriths

10 really small hermits (they had a really good deal)


What order should i introduce fish?

stocking is:

pair of clowns (undecided as to which one exactly)
watchman goby
6 blue-green chromis
yellow tang
powder brown tang, or hippo tang
mandarin (this is last since my tank is just set up)
 
Well the guy who I bought off said no Aiptasia but actually after a few days it did appear. Just for reference they are very good at dealing with it. CUC stocking sounds good see how they perform.

You may have to provide supplemental copepods for the mandarin but then again there are people who can help you more on this since I have never owned one.

IMO I have heard tangs can be most aggressive out of that list so add them towards the back and I have also seen especially in my fish book people add 2 tangs at once to reduce territorial aggression.
 
Hey quick question guys,

I put in sugar-sized sand... and then turned my powerheads and pump back on once settled and cloudiness gone. They blew the sand all over the place and it's all over the rocks and there is a spot where the sand is gone.

any tips for how to stop this? The powerheads are modded maxi-jet 9's. I put them all the way at the top facing the center of the glass. Maybe they are just too powerful for my 90 gallon tank?

Also, how do i get the sand off my rock or will the snails take care of that?
 
hold a powerhead and blow it off....could place a layer of coral rubble over the surface or try directing them onto your rock work, hitting the front of the tank will force the flow down the front glass and across the sand bed.
 
How many maximods do you have? Might want to just switch to one only if they really are too powerful? And remember the higher in the tank they are the less likely they are to mess up the sand bed
 
Ski,

I only have 2 maximods running. They are all the way up, like the magnet is at the rim of the tank. I will try pointing them at the back glass instead of the front maybe.

I think the majority of the problem is from my return pump. I am going to get a T and have 2 lines running into the tank instead of 1. maybe this will cut down on sand blowing.

The sand seems to have settled, maybe it just has to find it's place haha
 

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