Orca Tl450 Nano Reef Log

[Buddyboy67]

Ello Stu me old green spikey headed supplier...

 

[daveo_irl]

Hey,
Was sick the past few days, so haven't been online. The sexy shrimp all seem to like hanging around the hammer for some reason!

 

[seffieuk]

Thanks, but who's Chris?

sorry Stu, was having a bad day at school - had Chris on the brain (or do I mean I wanted to brain Chris )

Seffie x

 

[mark 2]

hi im new to marine i wouldnt put any more live rock in yet till you get ammonia and nitrite down to 0 id problay give it a couple of weeks ar 0 before putting anything else in []I'm new to the forum, and new to marine aquariums! I got a TL450 from my brother and thought I would post my progress here as I have enjoyed readings other peoples experiences!

Basically I have had the tank running now for 5 days with about 5kg of live rock and live sand. I have some hitchhikers: so far 2 x turbo snails, 1 x Bumblebee snail 2(so far) x some sort of bristleworms and a crab of some sort I have failed to identify. It is about 1cm across, cream colored with red/brown blotches, hairy legs and blunt claws. Haven't decided what to do with him yet though!

My readings so far over the past 5 days are:
Nitrate: 0, 5, 5, 5, 5
Nitrite: 0.05, 0.05, 0.05, 0.05, 0.05
pH: 8.4, 8.2, 8.6, 8.6, 8.6 (last 3 days readings from late evening, maybe that is why they are higher?)
Alkalinity (meq/L): - , -, 2.8, -, 3.4
Ammonia (Toxic ppm): 0, 0.022, 0, 0, 0.04
Specific Gravity: 1.023, 1.023, 1.023, 1.024, 1.023
Temp: 26c every day

I am a bit concerned about the ammonia. I haven't see my bumblebee in a while and I wonder if the little fella died and that is why the ammonia is a bit up.
Will be doing first water change in a few days so maybe that will help.

Planning on getting another 2kg of live rock and adding maybe two hermit crabs and another 2 snails to CUC. Then thinking of a pair of clowns when things settle right down. Also might add 1 or two soft corals in the future.

What do you think?

Cheers!
Dave

PS: Will add some pics when my switchover to a new ISP is complete (right now stuck with no broadband and posting this via my iPhone)
[/quote]

 

[daveo_irl]

hi im new to marine i wouldnt put any more live rock in yet till you get ammonia and nitrite down to 0 id problay give it a couple of weeks ar 0 before putting anything else in

My tank has progressed a little since then Mark, but thanks!

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Any news or new photos

Just set my orca 450 up again over the weekend as well.

 

[daveo_irl]

Any news or new photos

Just set my orca 450 up again over the weekend as well.

I have a few updates.
I have a new small Torch Coral and some Candy Cane Coral now. Candy Cane is a little bleached so hoping the colour comes back ok (got it for €25 though, with 20 heads on it - so can't really complain). Will try and get some pics up tonight.
Really want an upgrade now though, but have to wait unfortunately. I person near me was selling a Rio 450 (which he used for marine), Deltec Skimmer (not sure the model), Good lighting (again can't remember specifics), a 50GPD RO Unit, Cabinet and Powerheads for €750...........hopefully I can find something similar next year!!

What are your plans for the 450?

 

[xxBarneyxx]

We are planning on a pair of H. kuda seahorses and the blue coral goby that is in my main tank at the moment (if I can ever catch him).

Going to have a few soft corals near the top of the tank and have macro algae around the bottom for the seahorses.

 

[daveo_irl]

We are planning on a pair of H. kuda seahorses and the blue coral goby that is in my main tank at the moment (if I can ever catch him).

Going to have a few soft corals near the top of the tank and have macro algae around the bottom for the seahorses.

Good plan. My new LFS (which is a bit of a drive away, but has amazing stock) got some lovely Sea Horses in last weekend, beautiful creatures!

Got to say though I think the funniest looking fish is the box fish.....I mean, they are like something out of a Pixar film. Very cute.

 

[daveo_irl]

Some pictures:
Candy Cane

Candy Cane at night

Torch Coral

Hammer Coral

Zoas

Green Zoas (Coming back to themselves after sustaining Aiptasia attack!)

 

[seffieuk]

Cracking photos as always Dave would you add your corals to the coral of the week threads, pretty pleeeese

Seffie x

 

[daveo_irl]

Cracking photos as always Dave would you add your corals to the coral of the week threads, pretty pleeeese

Seffie x

Oh yeah! Will do..