WMAS Discussion Forum : First Tank ^

WMAS Discussion Forum : First Tank ^_^ http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:58:12 +0000 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:31:43 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=45349 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[First Tank ^_^ : I see some Astrea Snails. I'd...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389848&title=first-tank#389848 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 45349
Posted: December 14 2010 at 4:31pm

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". Shocked

It's a bugger to get back under control.
]]> Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:31:43 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389848&title=first-tank#389848 <![CDATA[First Tank ^_^ : Welcome luisc344! Good to have...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389812&title=first-tank#389812 Author: Jeremyw
Subject: 45349
Posted: December 14 2010 at 10:56am

Welcome luisc344! Good to have you here! ]]> Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:56:12 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389812&title=first-tank#389812 <![CDATA[First Tank ^_^ : Thanks nick, those guys are doing...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389809&title=first-tank#389809 Author: Luisc344
Subject: 45349
Posted: December 14 2010 at 10:49am

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 ^_^
]]> Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:49:50 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389809&title=first-tank#389809 <![CDATA[First Tank ^_^ : You may notice that by coming...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389773&title=first-tank#389773 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 45349
Posted: December 14 2010 at 8:47am

You may notice that by coming here, you not only get pats on the back, but you get straight up, honest and forthright feedback to help you keep a better reef aquarium for the long term. Smile

]]> Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:47:15 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389773&title=first-tank#389773 <![CDATA[First Tank ^_^ : Looks good Man =) and it Looks...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389750&title=first-tank#389750 Author: Nick801
Subject: 45349
Posted: December 14 2010 at 12:39am

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

]]> Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:39:52 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389750&title=first-tank#389750 <![CDATA[First Tank ^_^ : Welcome to a wonderful club! ]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389727&title=first-tank#389727 Author: Turbostud653
Subject: 45349
Posted: December 13 2010 at 10:51pm

Welcome to a wonderful club!]]> Mon, 13 Dec 2010 22:51:16 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389727&title=first-tank#389727 <![CDATA[First Tank ^_^ : You are off to a good...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389620&title=first-tank#389620 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 45349
Posted: December 13 2010 at 8:51am

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]]> Mon, 13 Dec 2010 08:51:25 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389620&title=first-tank#389620 <![CDATA[First Tank ^_^ : Thanks for the comments, to answer...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389617&title=first-tank#389617 Author: Luisc344
Subject: 45349
Posted: December 13 2010 at 3:52am

Thanks for the comments, to answer your questions:

I have a Current light fixture with six 18w T5s 2blue and 4white.

My filter is just a penguin power filter with carbon, bio wheel and phosguard.

Any suggestions on how to improve on the system? I have thought a sump and skimmer setup might be good but idk with this small a tank if its worth the expense, etc.

Thanks ^_^

]]> Mon, 13 Dec 2010 03:52:28 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389617&title=first-tank#389617 <![CDATA[First Tank ^_^ : dang that looks better than my...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389613&title=first-tank#389613 Author: SGH360
Subject: 45349
Posted: December 13 2010 at 2:07am

dang that looks better than my first ever reef tank. congrats what kind of lights are you running?]]> Mon, 13 Dec 2010 02:07:41 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389613&title=first-tank#389613 <![CDATA[First Tank ^_^ : It looks pretty good. what kind...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389612&title=first-tank#389612 Author: Sculpin
Subject: 45349
Posted: December 13 2010 at 1:54am

It looks pretty good. what kind of light and filtration do you have?

Micah

]]> Mon, 13 Dec 2010 01:54:41 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45349&PID=389612&title=first-tank#389612