Reds first sw tank

[Reddog170]

Well I am getting coraline growth again. This time the colors are different. It is yellor and red. I think it is kinda cool. I am also starting to get some algae blooms but will see if they burn themselves out. Have a hermit with a growth on his shell which is kinda funny. My params are looking good tonight Nitrates 5 nitrites <.20 PH 8.3 Ammonia <.25 (turns a little yellow but just a tint) Temp 82 (turned heater down) Sg 1.025 . As you can see it is looking good for what it has been through. Looking forward to seeing how it goes in the next few weeks. Shaun

[Reddog170]

well along with the coaline growth I now have copods all over the place. I have removed the bubble algae that was floating around. My ammonia has been 0 for a week now. Did a water change and now my test results are as follows:
Temp 78
SG 1.026
PH 8.3
Nitrites 0
Nitrates <5
Ammonia 0
Phosphates 0
Calcium 450ppm
ALK good (test does not give me a number just says low/good/high)
Will see how things go till the next water change in a week.
Am also looking at corals and fish to put in the tank. Not getting any yet just looking. I do not want any fish that get more than just a couple inches long and do not want aggressive fish either, yea I am kinda picky. Shaun

[BLAKEJOHN]

If you will be keeping coral get and alk teset that produces a number
Sounds like its all coming along well now

[Reddog170]

I will be getting a cleanup crew next week. I have heard good and bad about turbo snails so I am not sure about what snails to get but I want a peppermint shrimp, emerald crabs, hermit crabs(prefer blue legged). I really like lionfish and there are some dwarf types I can put in my 55 but I am still unsure, I do want other fish in there as well. Well will see what happens, Shaun

[BarbMazz]

Hi, Shaun... you've been through the mill getting this tank going! Glad to see you're ready to add some cuc guys. Now the fun begins!

Some good snails:
Nassarius; detritus, leftover food eaters. Burrowing, which keeps sand stirred.
Cerith; also burrowing, detritus, algae.. stir sand
Astrea; algae eaters
Turbo; good snail, but they are strong... I have them and I don't mind them.

Scarlet hermits are good for hair algae control. Zebra hermits are very hard workers, too. They're omnivores, so they help with algae and leftovers. Emerald crabs will help with bubble algae, but may turn carnivorous and eat your snails and shrimps. I had a decorator crab I just loved. He decorated himself with algae and bits of sponge. He was just for fun, but he's passed on.

Other cuc critters to consider:
serpant star; good creepy looking leftover food eater
common sea cucumber; detritus filter feeder
fighting conch; keeps sand bed clean, has great eye stalks that stick up out of the sand

The thing to remember! Diversity! Get a nice range of carnivore, omnivore, herbivore clean up guys and you'll be happy with their endeavors. Take a look at some of the RS sponsors website at premade cuc packages to get an idea of the makeup of what is good for a reef.

Good luck!

[Reddog170]

I have some hermits, blue legged and scarlet. I have some snails a friend gave me, no idea what they are. I also now have a new edition, a serpent star and he is awesome. He only comes out at night but always makes a run for where I feed the clowns at and starts scavaging for leftovers. I caught him climbing into my overflow and getting stuff out of there and I just waited and after a few minnutes he climbed back out and went on his way, always cruising around finding whatever he can. He is getting bigger so he must be finding plenty of food, only had him bout a week so it may just be that he is finaly streching out and not really getting bigger. I am trying to get my wife to let me keep this tank up and running after I get my 100 but she still wants it down. I think it would be a great QT and fragging tank, I mean I have a couple kenya tree frags that fell off of my 5 year olds kenys tree and they took right off and I have these neat mushrooms that are growing like crazy in there, they really are neat. They are purple with green lines coming out from the center and all twenty or so started from a single hitchhiker. I have also found bout a dozen feather dusters in there, no idea where they came from. This tank has taught me a lot and between this little 55 and RS I am feeling comfortable in this hobby that I am addicted to now. I will not be getting a lion fish just do not trust myself enough for that, yet. And I have three kids that all find the tank interesting, one (my nephew that lives with me) just likes the way it looks and grows but not the work, My 5 year old aka little John who has his own 6 gallon nano, and my 8 month old that will stop eating, crying and anything else if you move her to where she can see the tank. This little 55 has been a great school for me and I know that because of it my 100 will be awesome. Thank You, Shaun

[morbius18]

Do you have any new pics of the tank?

[Reddog170]

Not right yet. But should be getting a new camera in the next couple days and will be able to post some then. Shaun

[Reddog170]

Well as soon as I can get my computer to work right I will post some pics of the 55. Soon everything in the 55 will be moved to the 100. It is hard to turn away from the 55 but I know that my wife is correct, we just cant run three tanks. It is sad to see it torn down but it will all be good in the end.
One thing to remember is that reefkeeping is a journey. We take this journey not to arive at a destination but for the adventure and for me the adventure has taken me on to a larger body and though I will not just forget about the start I will carry it on. Shaun