WMAS Discussion Forum : First time reefer http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:14:58 +0000 Sat, 10 Jan 2015 14:26:48 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=72966 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[First time reefer : I seem to have a pretty good...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=581297&title=first-time-reefer#581297 Author: colesnwbds
Subject: 72966
Posted: January 10 2015 at 2:26pm

I seem to have a pretty good population of pods in my refugium that are happy. I'm just hoping that they continue to feed my display.

So far he has good color, and looks well fed. Only time will tell.
I also squirt some frozen food his direction when I feed that way, hopeing he might catch on to that process, and learn to eat frozen food. That's hit or miss right now.
]]> Sat, 10 Jan 2015 14:26:48 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=581297&title=first-time-reefer#581297 <![CDATA[First time reefer : colesnwbds wrote: Thanks Mike....]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=581296&title=first-time-reefer#581296 Author: Molli
Subject: 72966
Posted: January 10 2015 at 2:19pm

Originally posted by colesnwbds colesnwbds wrote:

Thanks Mike.  After seeing the picture in your signature box of that dragonet, I decided to get one from Santa clause a couple weeks ago, and it's been a fun addition (not in the pico of course).  Active little fella!


What is your plan for keeping this fish from starving to death.  I'd love to have one, but there are no live pod farmers that I am aware of in the area so have avoided purchasing one for that reason.

]]> Sat, 10 Jan 2015 14:19:49 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=581296&title=first-time-reefer#581296 <![CDATA[First time reefer : Looks good! ]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=581294&title=first-time-reefer#581294 Author: jdinchak
Subject: 72966
Posted: January 10 2015 at 2:10pm

Looks good!
]]> Sat, 10 Jan 2015 14:10:06 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=581294&title=first-time-reefer#581294 <![CDATA[First time reefer : Thanks Mike. After seeing the...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=581291&title=first-time-reefer#581291 Author: colesnwbds
Subject: 72966
Posted: January 10 2015 at 1:30pm

Thanks Mike.  After seeing the picture in your signature box of that dragonet, I decided to get one from Santa clause a couple weeks ago, and it's been a fun addition (not in the pico of course).  Active little fella!

Edited by colesnwbds - January 10 2015 at 1:31pm]]> Sat, 10 Jan 2015 13:30:34 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=581291&title=first-time-reefer#581291 <![CDATA[First time reefer : Love that desktop pico! ]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=581267&title=first-time-reefer#581267 Author: Mike Savage
Subject: 72966
Posted: January 10 2015 at 11:40am

Love that desktop pico!]]> Sat, 10 Jan 2015 11:40:13 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=581267&title=first-time-reefer#581267 <![CDATA[First time reefer : I haven&#039;t killed anything...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=581165&title=first-time-reefer#581165 Author: colesnwbds
Subject: 72966
Posted: January 09 2015 at 10:55am

 
I haven't killed anything yet :)
 
And my addiction continues at work with my desktop pico reef:
 
 
Thanks for all the help so far!
 
]]> Fri, 09 Jan 2015 10:55:40 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=581165&title=first-time-reefer#581165 <![CDATA[First time reefer : The tank is looking very good....]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=575300&title=first-time-reefer#575300 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 72966
Posted: September 29 2014 at 4:18pm

The tank is looking very good. I like the aquascaping. Thumbs Up
Sorry I ran out of time that day you came over.

Bacteria in a bottle is relatively recent to the hobby, but I agree with its use for tank startup.  

I doubt any water changes will be required. In my experience, using well illuminated algae to clean the water of N pollution means the first water change isn't needed until about the second or third month and from then on, 10% monthly water changes do the job.

IMO, a new tank like that does not need a skimmer... at least not yet, so you will probably see very little skimmate for a while.

Have fun.
Aloha  Hug
]]> Mon, 29 Sep 2014 16:18:37 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=575300&title=first-time-reefer#575300 <![CDATA[First time reefer : This is where I&#039;m at so...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=575274&title=first-time-reefer#575274 Author: colesnwbds
Subject: 72966
Posted: September 29 2014 at 11:34am

This is where I'm at so far:
 
 
Talk about rock scape overload!  I know.  I will probably move the live rock I have in there which is seeding my "dead" rock, into a refugium down the road.  I have some algea and a couple corals chillin.  I got a pair of clownfish as a gift, so they are in there somewhere.
 
It's pretty soon to have livestock, but after I used some bio-spira on day one, I saw the levels shoot up and then settle down, so it is what it is. I will monitor parameters closely with frequent water changes for the next few weeks to make sure everything is healthy and happy.
 
I might have to turn this into a tank thread, but I didn't take any pictures of the build itself.
 
My question now is in regards to a protein skimmer, I got a little coralife nano intank skimmer that's sitting in the rear compartment right now.
 
I hear it takes a few days for it to start getting some product in there, but It's been a few and I don't see anything yet.  The bubbles are foaming into the collection cup, but nothing else.  Any ideas?
]]> Mon, 29 Sep 2014 11:34:51 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=575274&title=first-time-reefer#575274 <![CDATA[First time reefer : colesnwbds wrote: What I&#039;m...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=574754&title=first-time-reefer#574754 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 72966
Posted: September 19 2014 at 12:47pm

Originally posted by colesnwbds colesnwbds wrote:

What I'm gathering, is it's a safe bet to vacume or push around the sand a little to immitate a storm of sorts, but it might not be a great idea to go crazy with it.

If I keep a good maintenence schedule, regular water changes, and testing... what is y'alls opinion.advice on getting a smaller hardy fish to add a little bio load to the system, and wait for any other additions for a month or more down the road?

Yes, you got the right idea about the storm, though vacuuming should not be done until the tank is at least six months old.

Regarding setup, cycling the tank by adding a fish and waiting for a month is an outdated and wasteful method. This method should have died long ago but it doesn't die because too many new hobbyists read about it, do it and never get any further in their understanding. Then within 2 years 80% of hobbyists get tired of the hobby and leave, never having learned the real secrets of keeping a low maintenance yet beautiful reef. I know this sounds kind of negative, but that's the way it is.

You are in luck. Both Bob Carlson and I have written here in this forum about the better way to set up a tank using as much live stuff as possible. My write up in the thread below, addresses this specifically and Bobs write up is first in my list of Reefkeeping Tips. 
Quoted here from page 1 of this thread:
Originally posted by Mark Peterson Mark Peterson wrote:

In an effort to help you and others enjoy this hobby, I created this resource thread - An Affordable Reef Aquarium and Reefkeeping Tips: http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244

Please come visit with me at MarksReef Coral & Fish Farm in Murray. I give away free LS, LR, Macroalgae [to hobbyists setting up a new tank] 
Aloha,
Mark  Hug
808-345-1049 (pls call/text ahead)
750 E. Lakepoint Dr.(~5550 So.) #4V  Murray
]]> Fri, 19 Sep 2014 12:47:10 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=574754&title=first-time-reefer#574754 <![CDATA[First time reefer : I&#039;m glad I didn&#039;t...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=574748&title=first-time-reefer#574748 Author: colesnwbds
Subject: 72966
Posted: September 19 2014 at 11:41am

I'm glad I didn't get major negative responses to the amount of sand I have now.

What I'm gathering, is it's a safe bet to vacume or push around the sand a little to immitate a storm of sorts, but it might not be a great idea to go crazy with it.
Thanks for the comments/links/support and welcome.
I am also curious about Bio Spira. I've heard a lot of great things, and many people swear by it allowing them to keep a fish before the complete cycle occurs. I have read a lot about experienced reefers advising against this, but then telling stories of how they did something similiar.
Due to my patience being tested with the shipping issues I had, I'm finding it very difficult to resist just putting one fish in there for some kind of viewing pleasure.
If I keep a good maintenence schedule, regular water changes, and testing... what is y'alls opinion.advice on getting a smaller hardy fish to add a little bio load to the system, and wait for any other additions for a month or more down the road?


Edited by colesnwbds - September 19 2014 at 11:41am]]> Fri, 19 Sep 2014 11:41:09 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72966&PID=574748&title=first-time-reefer#574748