My 46 Gallon Oceanic Bowfront

[Kerchakone]

This tank, though new is more of a step up from my 12 gallon. I transfered everything from it to this one because the crappy Eclipse system 12 was faulty and cracked on a seam after only 6 weeks.

I've got So little in it right now because it was spur of the moment.

Setup:
2 False percs
3 LARGE turbo snails
4-5 smaller snails
6 or so red leg hermits
1 3" Crocea clam (I now almost absolutely have to get rid of though he looked happy 4" from the light in the previous tank)
1 Red bullseye coral
5 ricordia floridas
1 green mushroom
15 lbs live rock
25 lbs. live sand.

24" 2x40 watt PC dual daylight, dual actinic (yes, it looks stupid on the tank, but I'm stuck right now)
300gph powerhead

Obviously I haven't aquascaped since I've got a pathetic amount of rock in there and regardless it's only been in there for 3 hours now. I just want it to be clear. Anyway...
Pics:
OLD:

NEW:

Plans:

36" MH or T5 lights
More live rock
10 gallon sump/refuge
Skimmer

Before the switch (which happened today) Water was:

pH: 8.0
Ammo: 0.1 (spike from just adding more crabs/snails)
'trite: 0
'trate: 5
Phos: 0
Alk: 12
Calc: 520
Salt: 1.0248ish

Besides raising the pH, what should be my first target? Can I get by with the low amount of rock since the setup is the exact same as it was for the 12 gallon tank or...?

What would you guys do? And what do you think?

-Scott

[Kerchakone]

Just Tested:

pH: 8.2
Ammo: 0
'trites: 0
'trates: 0
Salt: 1.025
Temp: 80º and dropping

[blue_eyes53813]

Tank looks great.. It will fill up quickly..

[lcstorc]

Sorry you had to do an emergency tank swap. Those are never fun.
Yes you will need more rock in the bigger tank at least if you want too add more fish anyway. The rock provides a home for the bacteria that breaks down waste in our tanks.
Sounds like your tank was pretty new to begin with if you had amonia from adding a few crabs.
Sit it out and wait a while so the bacteria can get established. If you can, get some more fully cured live rock. If you can only get uncured, get it and start curing in a separate container.
Then add it to the tank before you add any more livestock. This way the baceria is there waiting and ready when you add a new fish.
HTH

[Kerchakone]

Originally Posted by lcstorc

Sounds like your tank was pretty new to begin with if you had amonia from adding a few crabs.

That's not normal for a tank that small to react like that?
I added 3 1.5" turbo snails and 6 crabs or so. I figured it was normal for how much I added. But I'm still a noob so I don't know.

[Kerchakone]

You are all jealous...

Aquascaped:



THE MONEY SHOT

Full tank:

[AQTCJAK]

glad to see it looking better now lets get it full of LR corals fish etc...

[blue_eyes53813]

Is that clown in the first picture in the clam? I hope it doesnt snap shut on it.

[Woodstock]

Looking good!

[Kerchakone]

Originally Posted by blue_eyes53813

Is that clown in the first picture in the clam? I hope it doesnt snap shut on it.

No, it just looked like it. I've never seen them even close to it.

Thanks for the replies ya'all. My tank is so impressive.

[GeeWizzItsMe]

Awesome clam and can't wait to see it a bit more developed!

[Kerchakone]

Found my lighting fixture.

Aqua Medic Ocean Light T5 Fixtures - Salty Critter - Your Saltwater Specialists

It's the 36" 6 bulb. I figure that'll make the clam happy. Any comments on this light?

[Kerchakone]

Girlfriend brought home some presents today.

12 more pounds of REALLY cool looking rock. I was amazed how cool the shape were. I have it finishing it's cycle in a 10 gallon tank. It is supposedly fully cycled, but I'm not even going to think about putting it in my tank until I've seen it with my own eyes.

...and a skimmer. Finally. Aqua Remora HOB. It's rated for 75 gallons so I figure that's just about perfect for the 46 gallon. Started skimming out nasty stuff immediately, then I did a water change and now it looks like it stalled. Hopefully the tank will be much happier now. Damn it's loud at first. I've already noticed a drop in decibels. But that's probably me getting used to it.

[lcstorc]

Glad things are moving along.
Smart thing to watch the LR for a bit.
My Remora was also loud at first. It definitely got quieter after running a couple of days.

[Kazzy]

Originally Posted by Kerchakone

Girlfriend brought home some presents today.

12 more pounds of REALLY cool looking rock. I was amazed how cool the shape were. I have it finishing it's cycle in a 10 gallon tank. It is supposedly fully cycled, but I'm not even going to think about putting it in my tank until I've seen it with my own eyes.

...and a skimmer. Finally. Aqua Remora HOB. It's rated for 75 gallons so I figure that's just about perfect for the 46 gallon. Started skimming out nasty stuff immediately, then I did a water change and now it looks like it stalled. Hopefully the tank will be much happier now. Damn it's loud at first. I've already noticed a drop in decibels. But that's probably me getting used to it.

You are the first person I have ever seen to have the same tank AND skimmer as me. Anyways, keep that skimmer, they work. And leave a good sized emergency spot for any coral that you just HAVE to have but you don't have a spot for. And 1 last thing: Are you willing to frag one those orange ricordea? My dad never has time to go to the fish store with me now so I don't get to check for ricordea very often and I would love to have a frag or two of orange rics.