Author |
Topic Search Topic Options
|
James
Guest
Joined: May 20 2010
Location: Stansbury Park
Status: Offline
Points: 124
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Topic: James' 55g build Posted: September 02 2010 at 10:20am |
Status update. Here are some recent pictures taken with my phone so quality isn't the greatest. I need to spend some time in the photography forum to figure out how to take some decent shots. I have about 20 snails with 2 turbo snails and about 18 crabs including 2 emerald crabs working to get my brown and hair algae down. They seem to be doing a decent job. Hope to add my first fish next week.
Above is a mushroom and featherduster that have not only survived the whole cycling period and my movements of the rocks but seem to have continued to thrive and grow.
One-armed crab with ?Kenya tree?
Neat looking zoas that have survived the cycling as well.
Overall pictures of tank at present.
Not sure if these guys are doing ok or not. Since the last time I rearranged the rockwork they have had a green color on them which wasn't there in the first couple of weeks. They were just a nice solid orange color originally.
Frogspawn that has really seemed to thrive over the past few weeks even with the tank cycling. The little one on the side has probably quadrupled in size since when I firts grabbed it with the LR when I started the tank. The top part didn't really have anything to it at first but has gradually been growing.
That's all for now.
Edited pictures on 9/3/10
Edited by James - September 03 2010 at 10:40am
|
55g display with 55g sump/refug 4 bulb T5HO light tank established 8/6/10
|
|
James
Guest
Joined: May 20 2010
Location: Stansbury Park
Status: Offline
Points: 124
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 19 2010 at 8:24pm |
Haven't seen anymore Majano's today (juiced three tiny ones yesterday with white vinegar and they are moving towards the light...not my T5's). I do have a large macro ball in my sump (thanks CapnMorgan). I came home from work and there is a brown film on my sand which I assume is algae and I also assume is a good thing. I checked my ammonia (0) and Total Ammonia (.1). Is it time to get a clean up crew?
Jackie, just read your thread. Bummer on the losses. I didn't rinse my live sand but then again, mine is a brand new tank so there is not much to lose yet. I'm pretty sure the Majano's came in on my LR, though, because I saw one (and even saved it from certain pump death because it was cool looking) before I had the LS.
Mark, thanks for the offer on the rock. I will take you up on it hopefully tomorrow.
|
55g display with 55g sump/refug 4 bulb T5HO light tank established 8/6/10
|
|
bstuver
Guest
Joined: April 17 2006
Location: Provo
Status: Offline
Points: 9379
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 19 2010 at 7:44pm |
Wow I did have forethought Mark and had read different reviews on whether to use live sand from a tank or buy new. But hey I guess I am a great example now!
|
Jackie Stuver
"wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart
|
|
Mark Peterson
Paid Member
Joined: June 19 2002
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 21436
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 19 2010 at 5:46pm |
Where is the Macroalgae? When I start new tanks or move tanks, one of the first things I add is a big clump of Macroalgae. With algae illuminated there is no worry about having a pollution problem that kills things. Did you see what happened to jstuver? With just a little forethought all that death is totally avoidable.
BTW, I just got a new load of good LBTR. If you can't reach me (because I'm at a family reunion in the mountains Fri. and Sat.), just go by and get what you need.
Edited by Mark Peterson - August 19 2010 at 5:49pm
|
Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
|
CapnMorgan
Guest
The Capn'
Joined: August 19 2009
Location: Tooele
Status: Offline
Points: 3537
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 18 2010 at 2:21pm |
With Majano's I wouldn't take the chance. Asterinas aren't really a pest, they are part of the CUC IMO. As long as their numbers don't get out of control just let them eat up the detritus for you. You can thin out Zoas with a razor blade or xacto knife by cutting the polyps off the rocks.
|
Steve My Old 180G Mixed ReefCurrently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8
|
|
James
Guest
Joined: May 20 2010
Location: Stansbury Park
Status: Offline
Points: 124
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 18 2010 at 9:54am |
So I have only had the system up and running for 1-2 weeks and already I believe I have Majano Anemones (I have removed or attempted to remove approx. 8 already) and Asterina Starfish (I have removed 5 so far). Does this mean I am going to battle these "pests" ongoing? Would it be worth just replacing all my live rock?
I have noticed on one rock at night I see what I believe are tentacles coming out in 2-3 places but I can't really see what they are coming from. I can only see the very thin translucent stems and a little bubble on the end. Do you think these are more Majano's just hidden deeper in the rock?
On the plus side, my LR came with what I believe is some frogspawn, a little mushroom, a number of tiny feather dusters, some very small colorful polyps and another rock covered in all-orange polyps which all appear to be thriving...although I am hoping the all-orange polyps don't continue to spread onto other rocks since the colony I have is not very colorful and probably as large as I want with that one right now. Can you manually thin these out off of the rocks?
Edited by James - August 18 2010 at 10:14am
|
55g display with 55g sump/refug 4 bulb T5HO light tank established 8/6/10
|
|
bugzme
Guest
Joined: May 22 2004
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 4815
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 17 2010 at 10:26am |
I always get my fans at walmart
|
Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!!
|
|
James
Guest
Joined: May 20 2010
Location: Stansbury Park
Status: Offline
Points: 124
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 17 2010 at 9:16am |
Things are progressing. I need to put more rock in the system but everything is up and running. I see a film of what I am assuming is green algea starting to grow on the dry rock in the system. I assume that is a good thing. I definately need a cooling fan. Any suggestions on where to pick one up real quick. I would like one that I can plug into the power strip rather than having to splice wires into my light fixture.
|
55g display with 55g sump/refug 4 bulb T5HO light tank established 8/6/10
|
|
SGH360
Guest
Joined: April 04 2010
Location: Centerville, UT
Status: Offline
Points: 1786
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 12 2010 at 11:37pm |
Those thing on the live rock look like button polyps and lots. What i did to kick start my cycle is to add bunch flakes in a filter bag and let it rot. What can speed up the cycle if you can find someone with a HOB and let borrow like a sponge full of bacteria to speed up your own bio bacteria
|
|
James
Guest
Joined: May 20 2010
Location: Stansbury Park
Status: Offline
Points: 124
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 12 2010 at 10:21pm |
What should I have on hand to "dose" to my new system as I get it fully cycled and up and running?
|
55g display with 55g sump/refug 4 bulb T5HO light tank established 8/6/10
|
|
James
Guest
Joined: May 20 2010
Location: Stansbury Park
Status: Offline
Points: 124
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 09 2010 at 10:33am |
It's been fun looking at the live rock and seeing all the life on it. I believe I have 2 bristleworms (fireworm) and 3-5 little brittle starfish plus other bugs wandering around. I think there are also some SPS on my rocks but I have no idea what kind. Hoping to get the DT filled tonight and the whole setup circulating/cycling by the end of the day.
|
55g display with 55g sump/refug 4 bulb T5HO light tank established 8/6/10
|
|
bugzme
Guest
Joined: May 22 2004
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 4815
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 06 2010 at 9:58am |
Nice tank and cute family!
|
Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!!
|
|
James
Guest
Joined: May 20 2010
Location: Stansbury Park
Status: Offline
Points: 124
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 06 2010 at 9:54am |
Put some live rock in the sump yesterday. Finally...some pics.
The set-up...
With open cabinet doors...
The sump and refugium (with my new live rock)...
Close up of sump with live rock and ?things? on live rock...
my son and I fishing (across the street from our house)...
Taking the girls out on the lake...
...and, some ducks.
|
55g display with 55g sump/refug 4 bulb T5HO light tank established 8/6/10
|
|
bugzme
Guest
Joined: May 22 2004
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 4815
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 03 2010 at 5:49pm |
I would do them all at once. you will need the LR on the lbtr to make it live, Ls to help your sand become live, etc. You want to start building bacteria in the whole tank
|
Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!!
|
|
Shayne
Guest
Joined: May 13 2010
Location: SaratogaSprings
Status: Offline
Points: 522
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 03 2010 at 4:55pm |
I'm at about the same point as James and I was wondering similar things. When is the best time to add live sand and rock? (Is it best to let the tank cycle for a couple of days first?)
Also, at what point do you add your plant life to the sump?
Thanks!
|
21G Reefer Nano
|
|
James
Guest
Joined: May 20 2010
Location: Stansbury Park
Status: Offline
Points: 124
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 03 2010 at 4:41pm |
Thanks Steve, I appreciate it and will take you up on your offer. I think I will be ready for it once I filter enough RO water for my tank. Do I need to worry about about seeding the tank with live water? If so, what would be the best way to get 10-20 gallons (tank is 55g with a 55g sump).
|
55g display with 55g sump/refug 4 bulb T5HO light tank established 8/6/10
|
|
CapnMorgan
Guest
The Capn'
Joined: August 19 2009
Location: Tooele
Status: Offline
Points: 3537
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 03 2010 at 4:18pm |
I have tons of LS, and macro algae that you're welcome to. Just let me know when you're ready.
|
Steve My Old 180G Mixed ReefCurrently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8
|
|
James
Guest
Joined: May 20 2010
Location: Stansbury Park
Status: Offline
Points: 124
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 03 2010 at 10:43am |
Thanks Mark and Steve. I still need to sift and clean my oolitic sand but other than that, I am finally at the point to get this thing up and running (I tried loading some pics from my freshwater run but they wouldn't upload...first time I have had a problem with this). It sounds like I need to get some LR, LS, LW and macroalgea to get my tank seeded and going. I think I can find the LR easy enough on the WMS site.
|
55g display with 55g sump/refug 4 bulb T5HO light tank established 8/6/10
|
|
Mark Peterson
Paid Member
Joined: June 19 2002
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 21436
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 03 2010 at 9:56am |
Hard water spots from freshwater will go away when the tank is filled with saltwater and you start cleaning algae off the glass. Or you can wipe them off now with vinegar on a rag.
|
Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
|
CapnMorgan
Guest
The Capn'
Joined: August 19 2009
Location: Tooele
Status: Offline
Points: 3537
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: August 02 2010 at 5:24pm |
You can remove the old coraline/hard water with a sharp straight razor and vinegar. And as for your plumbing, it should work fine that way, I ran it like that for over a year. With my 32HF return pump there was TONS of flow.
|
Steve My Old 180G Mixed ReefCurrently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8
|
|