The Journal Of A Marine Beginner

[sophos9]

Some new additions (and final?), I think my reef now has enough fish so its dead mans shoes from now on... This weekend saw the purchase of a mandarin (yes another), a Torch Coral and a Sailfin Tang.

The tang makes a great addition, finishes the tank of nicely. The Torch coral looks great and seems to have acclimatised well and the new mandarin is doing great!

I noticed something last night with one of the clowns... Read here for more!

 

[Matthew5664]

Did you find you Urchin? might find its a rock boring one and is inside you LR eating away at it.

 

[sophos9]

Did you find you Urchin? might find its a rock boring one and is inside you LR eating away at it.

Yes, it was at the bottom/back of the tank - its moved around quite a lot, today it was at the top of the filter box. Luckily, the landmine urchin's worst traits is each pink algae, that's fine as I'm getting loads of it!!

 

[sophos9]

Pic of the Torch Coral (which today is looking amazing!)

Pic of the Sailfin Tang

Pic of the Mandarin

 

[idlefingers]

Nice

I've been thinking about getting a torch coral myself.. I look forward to seeing how you get on with the it with your lighting, etc. since mine's quite similar.

 

[sophos9]

Nice

I've been thinking about getting a torch coral myself.. I look forward to seeing how you get on with the it with your lighting, etc. since mine's quite similar.

Hi Idle...

Yea, its doing fine, early days but it is a low light LPS so should do fine. Its currently under 2 x 45w T5's. There may be a lighting upgrade in the next month, either an additional 110w T5 or a 150w Halide with 2 x 39w T5's

 

[alexlark]

Must say, looking quite amazing now! Its come on great!!! Your journal has really inspired me. This is exactly what I am aiming for

I've still got my light tubes and salt to buy before I can start anything so im looking forward to say the least!

Can I ask how your skimmer is going? Does is pull out a lot of gunk and is it quiet to run?

I will most prob be getting the same model. Just want to know if it's worth the cash!!

 

[sophos9]

Hi mate, glad the journal has added value - its good to know that people read it!

The MCE 300 is an excellent skimmer in my opinion, its quite reliable and does what its supposed to! The only comment I could make is that it would be nice to have a compartment for rowaphos or something - the MCE 600 has this.

The stinking brown stuff is ditched every few days, there is usually just under 1inch, I would expect more but if I did not have so much live rock, my stocking is also pretty average

 

[alexlark]

Can you tell me what rowaphos does. I've seen it mentioned a few times on the forum.

I have a spare basket in my external canister and was wondering if this was something that I could use for chemical filtration

 

[sophos9]

Can you tell me what rowaphos does. I've seen it mentioned a few times on the forum.

I have a spare basket in my external canister and was wondering if this was something that I could use for chemical filtration

Hi,

ROWAphos is used to reduce phosphates in a system. Phosphates can have a negative impact (dependant on your setup) so its best to reduce them as much as poss. The ROWAphos should be placed in an area of free flowing water, your basket sounds an ideal place, then reduce the flow until the canisters water output is at your target level

 

[alexlark]

Speedy reply!

So am I right in saying that a skimmer reduces the amount of phosphates too?

Im thinking along the lines of using the canister with LR rubble and ROWAphos until I get a skimmer

 

[sophos9]

This article from Frank Marini will explain the removal of dissolved organic compounds much better than I could attempt

Hope it helps!

 

[alexlark]

This article from Frank Marini will explain the removal of dissolved organic compounds much better than I could attempt

Hope it helps!

Interesting read! Thanks!!

 

[sophos9]

Well today I changed the flow of the tank again, I think I have found something that ALL the corals are happy with, the last time - the leather mushroom was getting a sulk on - cant have that can we!?

Anyway, it seems the torch coral is loving the new flow so though I would grab a quick video for you all to see (presuming people actually read this )

You can watch it here

Any feed back would be good....

 

[SkiFletch]

Bout as healthy looking of a torch coral that I've ever seen