First Tank ^_^

Hoping to learn lots from everyone around here ^_^ I just started a 16G bow-front reef tank and have acquired a good number of coral, i will have to take some more time to list them all and post pictures (still need to figure out how to get them on here from my ipod) But so far my local store owner has been awesome (I have gone to Aquatica in orem) ad i am learning lots. I am just hoping i didnt overdo the coral in the tank, so far they all look really good, but i have lots to learn. 

Welcome!!! And yes Shawn at Aquatica is awesome and always helpful!

Some pictures of my tank... I must also say i have had help from a great friend to set it all up. I have a different flow pump and have moved things around a bit but you get the idea ^_^

dang that looks better than my first ever reef tank. congrats what kind of lights are you running?

You are off to a good start. Is the friend that helped you also on this MB?

In response to the question about filtration, you indicated a HOB(Hang On the Back) filter. In time you will learn that 85%, or more, of the filtration of a reef aquarium is the LR, LS, LW and Algae.
LR=Live Rock, LS=Live Sand, LW=Live Water - see "Reefkeeping Tips" below for more on this.
It appears that you added some LR from another established tank. Am I right? Did you also use some LS from another tank?
When did you set up this aquarium? If I were to guess, I'd say it looks like 3-5 weeks ago.

Take a look at the main rock that came from another tank. Especially visible near the base of the close up pic of the Finger Leather Coral is the beginning of an algae problem. You may already know this, but see that green fuzzy algae starting to grow there? That's Hair Algae. It is the beginning of a problem. It has already covered most of that rock. If you act now, you can get control of that before it gets out of hand. Here's how:

Are there at least 25 snails and 10 Hermit Crabs in this aquarium? If not, I would suggest adding that amount ASAP. The best snails are Astrea, Margarita and Cerith. Red or Blue Leg Hermit Crabs are the most common and both work very well.

I assume that the Phosguard is to try and stop the growth of that hair algae. That's helpful but not enough. A reef tank needs herbivores, especially snails, to keep things in check/in balance. Phosban should not be used continuously but Snails and Hermits always need to be there, just like in the wild. Later on in the life of the tank, only about 5 Hermits will be needed, and more or less snails will be needed depending on other conditions.

Below, in my signature line is a link to some very good reading on how to keep a healthy and beautiful reef aquarium.
Again, welcome to the WMAS.


Edited by Mark Peterson - December 14 2010 at 8:44am

Looks good Man =) and it Looks like those Nuclear Green and Purple Death frags are doing well too

Thanks nick, those guys are doing great ^_^

To answer your questions, i am not sure if Taylor is on this MB, i will have him sign up if he isn't!

I do have a hang on back filter, and i have about 10 snails and 10 hermit crabs, its what came in a cleaner pack along with a blue crab and a "sand sifting" cucumber that hates being on the sand, haha.

The snails are eating the algae up pretty well. Should i be getting like 10 more snails then?

I did set my tank up with LR, LS and water from my friend's well established tank (i think 1+ years) But i still waited about 4 weeks to get my first fish in (six line wrasse)(2 weeks for 2 green chroma) And i just added a b/w clown at the 5 week mark, so I'm at 6 weeks now.
(Sadly the wrasse and one chroma were caught on the power head, like weeks apart, so i ended up getting a different kind)

A will always welcome tips and suggestions, here to learn ^_^

I see some Astrea Snails. I'd get at least 5 more, plus 5 Margarita and 5 Cerith Snails. There's nothing worse than a new hobbyist being surprised with "hair algae gone wild". 
It's a bugger to get back under control.