Tank Updates. 3 Months In.

[mutantbigman2000]

Hi just to let you know that i have my new tank up and running.

The details are...
Aqua medic Chromis tank.
Aqua medic ocean light 150w halide.
Red Sea Prizm deluxe Skimmer. (not yet switched on.
Fluval 305 external filter.
Hydor Koralia Nano.
10kg of live rock and approx 4kg of "dead" live rock.
Coral sand.
Instant ocean salt.

I would like to say a big thanks to the guys who weathered my questions and got me this far.
Even if you haven't contributed, i have been reading throughout the last few months trawling the forum for info.
I will be posting pics pretty soon too just to show some progression.

Heres to another few weeks of random questions, thanks again, Adam

Here is the first shot of round 1 of aqua scaping

 

[mutantbigman2000]

I have this growing on my live rock.

Please don't tell me its aiptasia.

I've got quite a few of those little feckers starting to show their heads now anyway.

Peppermint shrimp soon?

 

[mutantbigman2000]

By the way the first pic is what i see from my pillow in bed.

The tank is my bedside table, lol.

I've added a further 6kg of live rock today taking me up to 16kg.

Not really been seeing an ammonia spike or anything like that though?

Should i go with a raw prawn to kick things off or is it just a sign of well cured rock?

 

[kj23502]

It could very well be well cured rock and if the rock was already cured and you don't see an ammonia spike for a day or so I think you can go ahead and add your first critter(fish). Make sure your other amounts are fine ie. nitrite, nitrate too.

Tank looks good!

What size is it?

 

[nanocubeking]

sweet tank! It looks big and spacious too. Thats an aiptasia cook it now!

Make sure you add some power heads to get some flow in there.

 

[mutantbigman2000]

its a 30 gallon aquamedic chromis

 

[mutantbigman2000]

My readings over the last week have been.

26/07/08 ph - 8.4
ammonia - 0.25
nitrite - 0ppm
nitrate - 10

27/07/08 ph - 8.2
ammonia - 0.50
nitrite - 0ppm
nitrate - 10

30/07/08 ph - 8.2
ammonia - 0.50
nitrite - 0ppm
nitrate - 10

I don't want to jump the gun because it has cost me a lot to get this far. What would be your guys next step?

 

[SkiFletch]

Pull the rock with the aiptasia and either blowtorch the little SOB, or superglue it in it's hole...

 

[kj23502]

I don't want to jump the gun because it has cost me a lot to get this far. What would be your guys next step?

As far as adding livestock, I wouldn't add anything until you have 0 ammonia and nitrite. I thought you meant you weren't getting any at all.

 

[BigC]

Pull the rock with the aiptasia and either blowtorch the little SOB, or superglue it in it's hole...

Yeah blowtorch the bugger (overkill)
Regards
BigC

 

[tangokitty]

What are you plaining on putting in there?

 

[mutantbigman2000]

in the long run i would like a pair of clowns (yawn)
a goby and pistol shrimp combo.

Invert wise i will have the usual roster of snails and hermits.
Sand sifting starfish.

Then mostly hardy soft corals. this is my first foray into the salty side of things you see.

 

[nanocubeking]

Have you seen some videos of what people have done with these tanks? Unf---ing believeable!!!!! Google Aqua Medic Chromis and look for videos!!! These tanks are awesome Definetly get more liver rock and make an atoll shape you'll be friggen happy!!!!!

Also why not try a small active swimmer like a dwarf angel or a wrasse? My leopard wrasse is pretty sweet!

 

[mutantbigman2000]

Latest update.

6 more kg of live rock added.
Koralia 1 now added.
Koralia nano angled for surface disruption.
Halide has been modded to include 2 36watt actinic pc's with reflectors also.

All my water figures are ok except ammonia which stays at 0.25.
I will take a sample to my lfs just to see if it is my test kit being over sensitive.

CUC soon i hope. Need to get algae in check.

 

[BigC]

What do you think of the MH holders (sturdy, flimsy, what is the construction like)
Regards
BigC