STT to VT

[thesauce]

I don't think you'll have to worry about hitchhikers dying after they arrive. Most die-off consists of microorganisms that die in transit. I'm certain you have a fair sized colony of nitrifying bacteria already. I'd recommend testing daily for ammonia, NO2 and NO3 after you add the rock. Have some water ready to do a large water change once your ammonia and NO2 are undetectable. Also keep a lookout for bad hitchhikers. I had a gorilla crab that took months to catch, I suspect he was responsible eating a fish and picking at several corals. He was ugly as sin too...looked like a booger. The website that you purchased your rock from has a great index of hitchhikers to look out for.

[ScubaDrew]

Thanks for the reply Harv! I didnt get around to adding another shrimp, so hopefully this was enough of a cycle. I got the Salifert Ammonia Test Kit today which has a much more precise measurement - still tested for 0. I havent done the nitrates/ies yet tonight, but will in a bit.

Also got a better Calcium test kit which measured 410ppm. I think thats right on.

As far as LPS/SPS/Soft - I have no idea. I think someone mentioned that a) the light is centered and there is only one MH b) the tank is deep rather than wide c) aquascaping will provide levels of depth - that I should be able to research an animal and place it at a location that gets more of less light due to one of thoes reasons. I guess for now i'll keep the light because the last thing i want it to decide i need some animal that requires a ton and come up short. hopefully i can raise the fixture u pin the hood some also.

I'll be down soon to raid your tank.

Originally Posted by thesauce

ScubaDrew!

(ScubaDrew's buddy from NY here). Killer tank! Just a few things to address some of your concerns in previous posts.

1.) The shrimp: It is possible to have a 'weak' cycle. Basically the bacteria your after will colonize in greater numbers the greater its food source. There's no harm in adding additional food sources to buff your colony. Registering 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and some getting a nitrate spike is indicative of a complete cycle and you could introduce some critters after a large water change. Although you mentioned when we spoke that your live rock is being shipped in water, I would still expect some 'die off' which will trigger another cycle.

2.) Lights: Yes, too much light can cause bleaching and will likely make heat a major concern. It depends on what you want to keep. LPS, SPS, Softies? SPS are generally the biggest light hogs. If you want, return the lights and use my discount when you visit.

It looks great though! I didn't realize that you are synching the entire thing to your laptop, thats sick. There are also some probes on the market that can be incororated into your system that will allow for remote testing of nitrate, ammonia, ph, etc. They are pretty pricey though. When you get the rock, try to arrange it so that there is a good amount of water flow throughout the tank. This will avoid 'dead spots'. Keep those pics coming!

[ScubaDrew]

I think you probably saw the post from yesterday, I put together a big tub and am collecting probably 40gal of RO water as we speak. I should be ready to do the water change you recommend. One question just came to mind, because my CA/ALK is right on currently, will changing water with out adding the salt mix i've been adding reduce the concentration of CA/ALK? Not a huge deal since there is nothing in the tank yet, but since its where it needs to be now, seems like it might be easier to keep it that way than have to correct later. just a thought...

I did read about the gorilla, mantis, and others thanks for the heads up. I think I need to read more about the best way to deal with getting this rock into my new tank in terms of washing it or anything. I think I've read about someone "scrubbing" the rock also.

Going to be an exciting friday evening spearing gorilla crabs!

Originally Posted by thesauce

I don't think you'll have to worry about hitchhikers dying after they arrive. Most die-off consists of microorganisms that die in transit. I'm certain you have a fair sized colony of nitrifying bacteria already. I'd recommend testing daily for ammonia, NO2 and NO3 after you add the rock. Have some water ready to do a large water change once your ammonia and NO2 are undetectable. Also keep a lookout for bad hitchhikers. I had a gorilla crab that took months to catch, I suspect he was responsible eating a fish and picking at several corals. He was ugly as sin too...looked like a booger. The website that you purchased your rock from has a great index of hitchhikers to look out for.

[ScubaDrew]

Some imgaes of the RO storage thing were broken...

[bluespotjawfish]

If you ordered "the package", you may get your shipment in two parts. The first part is your base rock, live sand, etc. The second shipment will come when you tell him that your cycle is complete and includes the more sensitive stuff like the nicer rocks that have corals/sponges/veggies attached. Oh, and don't be surprised to find a few nice surprises included in the package. I got a sweet little fish (that I never saw again), an anemone (that died), a gorgonian, a tree sponge, etc.

As for the crabs and mantis, please do not under estimate where these can hide. I've had my rocks out for inspection/cleaning several times and still have the little buggers!

Have fun!

[ScubaDrew]

Not too interesting but here is a copy of the main menu on the power controller. I didnt know it had the RMS current - which is useful for not blowing circuits and also lets me know what this baby is going to cost me per month!

True RMS current: 2.2 Amps
Maximum Detected: 62.1 Amps

Internal Temperature: 26.5 C

Circuit Breaker: On

Selection Outlet Outlet Power
Number Name Number Status
1 MainPump 1 On
2 Outlet 2 2 Off
3 FugeFan 3 On
4 FugeLight 4 On
5 LowerLight 5 On
6 UpperLight 6 On
7 SkimerPump 7 On
8 PowerHead1 8 On

[ScubaDrew]

I had sand in the tank already, so I didn't get the package. Now that I look back, I'm not sure the mix of 50% crushed coral, 50% aragonite was the best way to go. I probably should have done the package... I have a couple more bags of aragonite so I might try and take more crushed coral out tonight.

The reason I went with tampabay was for all the hitchhikers! I'll probably eat those words after a few weeks of gorilla hunting... Half day at work, 18 holes of golf, then the rock goes in! Lots of pics to come.

thanks bluespot!

Originally Posted by bluespotjawfish

If you ordered "the package", you may get your shipment in two parts. The first part is your base rock, live sand, etc. The second shipment will come when you tell him that your cycle is complete and includes the more sensitive stuff like the nicer rocks that have corals/sponges/veggies attached. Oh, and don't be surprised to find a few nice surprises included in the package. I got a sweet little fish (that I never saw again), an anemone (that died), a gorgonian, a tree sponge, etc.

As for the crabs and mantis, please do not under estimate where these can hide. I've had my rocks out for inspection/cleaning several times and still have the little buggers!

Have fun!

[bluespotjawfish]

Your power controller sounds so cool!

[thesauce]

Yeah he's got a sick set up...and he's not even to the fun part yet. As far as Calcium and Alkalinity, I wouldn't worry too much about that just yet. Its an issue when corals are added, particularly LPS and SPS (growth, maintenance and regeneration.) And yes, the large water change will have an effect. You are on top of it though which is great! Once you have coral, another consideration (and this comes with regular water changes) is replinishing trace elements. Using quality sea salt will take care of this. Corallife or Redsea are my recommendations. When you come down, we'll frag a few of my corals and you can take em back with you. Lots of sick fish stores here as well.

[ScubaDrew]

Live rock arrived today. Took about 4 hours to get it in with minimal cleaning.

Picasa Web Albums - Drew - Salt Tank - L...




black tips on the claws - this guy didnt make it into the tank.


washing area


I washed the rocks in this tank and also rinsed the bags the rocks were shipped into it. I then picked every living thing out including 7 crabs, 10+ snails, 3 starfish, lots of small white crustations. Many of these were clung to the plastic bags the rocks shipped in after I had removed the rock.



the white shell is alive, along with thousands of barnicles which all started to filter water today.





crab w/ white claws very small. the purple lump its holding onto seems to 'breath' out of the tube on the top right.



anyone know what this red 'worm' is - the skin is transparent and you can see what looks like blood flowing inside...



the strange blood worm in the tank...









skimmer produced a 1/2 cup in 5 hours

[ScubaDrew]

Water tests today right after adding live rock:

ammonia w/ two different test kits - 0
nitra/tri - 0
ph - 8.2
temp - 80

[goldenmean]

Your TBS Rocks!!!
Where is the FTS?
Lets see your whole tank now!

[ScubaDrew]

ID'd the red worm:

Cirratulid Worm







Learning something every... minute today.

[Melanie]

I'm really enjoying your chronicle!

[ScubaDrew]

Water tests this morning:

Ammonia - .5
Nitrite - .25ppm
Nitrate - 10ppm

TBS indicates water change at >1ppm ammonia. Should I wait till 1ppm or change now?

Thanks,

Drew