34 Gallon System

[spaceman_mike]

Been a while since I updated this thread. Tank is still running. About a year ago my heater malfunctioned and the tank warmed up into the mid 90s. Lost everything but a clown fish, royal gamma, a couple snails and hermit crabs. Lost all my anemones except for a rock flower that seems to be doing good.

Tank was getting pretty dirty due to neglect but now it is turning around as I have been taking much better care over the last couple weeks. I will update in again soon about the newly added fish.

also from NWI, just about to start my first dive into the reefin world. was glad to stumble across your thread. sorry for your loss. i will be following along

-SMM

 

[regionreef219]

So I recently moved and was able to move my fishtank as well. Still in Valparaiso. Tank was in very bad shape, high nitrates and lots of brown algae. My yellow goby did not survive my neglect but the clown fish did along with a snail.

• Before the move
  • 1 clown fish, 1 turbo snail, 1 royal gamma, 1 rock flower anemone, GSP (very bad shape due to overgrown brown algae, 1 unidentified coral, a few blue leg hermits
  • I took out most live rock and put them in fresh SW in blackout
    • Changed the water every 3 days in hopes the algae would die off into the water
    • Not really sure if it worked, but after scrubbing I was able to get it mostly
• The move
  • Put all remaining live rock from display and sump in buckets along with fish and coral
  • I siphoned all the water out of the tank and tried to vacuum the sand as best I can. I used the same sand and did not add any new sand. No sand washing was done like detailed in some RIP cleaning threads on this site
• New House
  • Added everything back into the tank with 100% new SW
  • Over the next month I did 2-50% water changes. Will be doing 25% (10 gallons) change every 2 weeks.
    • I cant seem to keep nitrates down under 40ppm unless I do big water changes, phosphate gives the slightest blue tint (All salifert testing)
    • Brown algae grows really fast, have to turkey baster the rocks almost every day to prevent the brown algae from overrunning the tank
    • I have had this issue from day 1, cant seem to get this brown algae under control
  • Other then algae growth tank is doing good.
  • GSP and other corals are opening back up again and showing growth.
    • Added 2 SPS acro corals and they seem to open up properly and starting new growth
    • Rock flower anemone is doing good along with the 1 unidentified coral I have (this actually has split into 4 pieces during my neglect)
  • 1 clown fish, 2 cardinal fish, 1 royal gamma (very rarely comes out, swims weird but looks healthy in color), 3 turbo snails, 6-10 blue leg hermits, 1 coral banded shrimp
    • Dont plan to add anything else other then a few nassarius snails and then a bubble tip aneome once I find one local. Maybe a few more corals depending how my tank is going in a few months.
  • House came with a really nice water softener system (kinetico). That along with my 6 stage RODI system, it looks like I am getting really good water. I do go through the DI resin pretty quick tho.

Thanks for reading again. I hope to be more active now that I am trying to turn my tank around and get it looking good constantly. Any questions and I will do my best to answer.

 

[mjszos]

Just catching up on this and reading; I noticed in your OP (and follow up) that you're in NWI. I used to live outside of South Bend. I was pretty underwhelmed by the selection of LFS in the surrounding area and found myself coming back to the Chicago area for most everything...

You should be about 45-60 minutes away from Aquatica in Tinley Park, IL - they're the ones who got me started, and while I've felt their selection and hygiene drop a little over the last 5 years, the staff there have always been knowledgeable and kind. If you're willing to drive a little further, Aquatic HQ in Bolingbrook is a fantastic place; arguably the cleanest and most competitively priced in the area. Both of these should be within 60-90 minutes of Valpo.

Best of luck on the turnaround, don't lose hope and always remember that this hobby is a test of patience - stay diligent with your tank tasks and it will reward you.

Cheers.

 

[regionreef219]

Thanks for the reply, I am motivated now with my new setup so I plan to stay on top of things.

I go to The Ark for most things. Pet Haven did have a SW section but they closed. The Petco in Portage is horrible in regards to the SW section. Sometimes they have corals in such bad shape, listed for $$$, that I think I could haggle the price down since its obvious they dont do much care.

I have been to Aquatica, they have that huge shark tank. Never been to AquaticHQ but would be worth a stop if I am out that way.

 

[mjszos]

Thanks for the reply, I am motivated now with my new setup so I plan to stay on top of things.

I go to The Ark for most things. Pet Haven did have a SW section but they closed. The Petco in Portage is horrible in regards to the SW section. Sometimes they have corals in such bad shape, listed for $$$, that I think I could haggle the price down since its obvious they dont do much care.

I have been to Aquatica, they have that huge shark tank. Never been to AquaticHQ but would be worth a stop if I am out that way.

I am not sure I checked out The Ark, but I recall Pet Haven.

AquaticHQ is a new store, opened within the last 4-6 months. I've only been there once so far, but I'm a big fan. It's a little far from my house, but I intend on stocking most of my tank with their coral.