135.4 Waterbox build chronicle and trials

[crazysun]

First rockscape and adding water. 75 pounds of Reef Saver rock. Room for live rock from LFS if I want, haven't decided yet

 

[crazysun]

Tank is filled with water and salt. Going to run about a week without the skimmer. Testing the flow, heater, return, ATO, etc. while it cycles. Plan to do a ammonia test in a couple of days and continue untill it is level. Ghost feeding every once in awhile to build up bacteria.

 

[crazysun]

Just dumped 60# of CaribSea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink sand.

 

[crazysun]

Started the skimmer - Reef Octo classic 150 INT. And replaced the filter socks with filter media cups. I think

it will be better to replace cut filter pads then washing socks every few days. I will be able to run carbon and GFO in each cup when needed.

 

[pecan2phat]

Are you using filter floss or blue filter pad cut outs? Are they collapsing into the bottom of the cup and clogging quickly?
TIA

 

[crazysun]

Are you using filter floss or blue filter pad cut outs? Are they collapsing into the bottom of the cup and clogging quickly?
TIA

I am using filter floss. I cut about a 4x4 inch square and stuffed it in the buttom of the cup. I also have a strip cut over the top of both cups. I will be placing carbon in one cup soon. The tank is new with mainly ghost feeding daily and not collecting fish waste. The brine shrimp is being collected on the first strip of floss. I see replacing that one more often. When the tank matures I will be increasing the replacement cycle. I am hoping it is easier to trash the floss every so many days and place new ones in than cleaning socks. I will update the progress in the future if I change from the cups, just right now to early to tell.

 

[crazysun]

h

Added the first livestock to the tank. Green Chromis, I had five, but already lost one in holding. I didn't quarantine very long and one died. Need to research a little on what is was that took him. Placed the other four in the tank. Thinking since the tank is Young that I could treat anything that's in the tank if necessary. Planning on quarantine longer with treatment and observation as the tank matures. Might be taking a gamble, who knows. Starting to get brown algae and green algae in the tank. Added a couple snails and one ruby red mithrax crab. I have been testing ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate. I have zero ammonia, 1.0 PPM nitrate and .08 phosphate. Water change this weekend and quarantine the next fish for the display tank.

 

[Fudsey]

Chromis are known to kill each other until there is only one left.

 

[crazysun]

Chromis are known to kill each other until there is only one left.

Possibly, they do seem to nip at each other. It looks like a pecking order be established. The Green Chromis also looks like it had Uronema marinum (Uronema). If that's the cause it is in the DT. Not good.... I need to QT better.

 

[crazysun]

Tank update. It's been a while.

Added total of Six fish. Four Green Chromis and two Black and White Ocellaris Clownfish. Clean up crew consists of two Astraea snails, two Margartia snails, two Banded Trochus snails, three Nassarius snails, three small Hermit crabs, and two Emerald crabs. The CUC are doing the job and it seems that amount I currently have is good enough for the tank. Time will tell if there is not enough food to keep them happy.

Added two mushrooms, one Discosoma and one Rhodactis type. Placed them on a Mushroom Island.

Added two types of Zoanthids. Placed them on a Zoa Island.

Placed one Green Star Polyp in the back next to the over flow. I am hoping they will spread up the over flow box

 

[crazysun]

One Tomini Tang in QT

 

[crazysun]

I am only doing at this time is three water tests. I do an ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate. On the last water change the levels were 0 ammonia, .75 nitrate, and 0 phosphate.

 

[crazysun]

I am doing weekly 10% water changes, but thinking about bi weekly. I want to find the balance. Ordered a PH and Alk tests, plus kalkwasser. Would like to dose Kalkwasser in the ATO. Starting with a small amount and see how it goes. Wondering if I am required to test current levels or just start kalkwasser small and simple.

Last water test.
Temp: 78.8
Salinity: 35
Alk: --
CA: --
MG: --
Nitrates: 1.25 red sea test
Phosphates: 0.00 hanna checker UL

Want coraline algae. I still have a good balance of CUC and hair algae. Thinking Kalk will help speed up coraline and I would like to add a few Chalice corals.

 

[crazysun]

Found Asterina Starfishs on one of my Zoa plugs, I think they are Asterina. I believe they were snacking on the Zoas. Pulled the frag out and removed the two stars. Placed them in a bowl and let my girls play with them until I toss them out.

 

[Fudsey]

Look like asterina to me

 

[crazysun]

Look like asterina to me

Thanks. The LFS that I bought the Zoas at has a lot of tanks with these stars. I will have to dip the corals and then dip them again. I am torn on Asterina stars. I like them and think they would help clean the tank, but don't want them taking over the tank. I also believe they were bothering the Zoas.

 

[James Mikell]

Let them take over and then add a harlequin shrimp to eat them.

 

[crazysun]

Let them take over and then add a harlequin shrimp to eat them.

I think that would fun and the Harlequin shrimp are cool looking.

 

[crazysun]

Found another hitchhiker. This one is a good one, a Brittle Star. Small and hard to photograph. How do they replicate or multiply? Wouldn't mind a couple more. Hitchhikers I do not want are Bristle Worns.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Chromis are known to kill each other until there is only one left.

Do you know what causes this? Is it that too small a quantity is obtained by the hobbyist to start with?