36 Gallon Bow Front Reef Startup

[clownin_around]

Hey everyone. I have a 36 gallon bow front that I started the day after I graduated. It used to be a freshwater tank in high school.

I wanted to start a reef tank. I added the live sand and put about 25 pounds of live rock and 15 pounds of dry rock in June. I let it sit while I was vacationing and added 10 hermits (about 3 weeks ago/ two died). Once it was all setup and ready (about two weeks ago) I added two small clowns.

They're doing fine and I've been diligently monitoring the water levels. So far everything is golden. I feed them with frozen food from a dropper (quite fun) to prevent an excess to the bioload. But I slip some by them to keep the hermit crabs fed. Lastly, I started getting some algae growth on the glass so I added 5 snails. Everything is fine and dandy so far.

So I have a Octo Reef hang on the back protein skimmer and oceanrevive lighting. I'm wondering how many fish/inverts/corals I can keep in this tank.

So far my wish list includes:
- one fire fish (I'm thinking purple)
- two blennies (between a scooter, Midas, or tailspot)
- 1 pistol shrimp
- 1 goby (to go with the shrimp)
- 1 bubble tip anemone
- zoas

Is that too much to add? Remember I already have 2 clownfish. If it is what should I cut? If it's not, what order should I add them?

Lastly, what corals should I start with. I want hardy and colorful but usually they don't go together. Thanks!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Lastly, what corals should I start with. I want hardy and colorful but usually they don't go together. Thanks!

Lol I'll add this firstly then. ;) Congrats on the tank. I'm stoked it's doing well. For coral the best starter coral are the cheap ones. :) All corals have a learning curve to them and no two tanks are alike. Kinda word that way. My usual advice is look at the kinds of coral you actually like most and go in that direction. With that light you should be able to grow just another anything so your good there. Corals each have individual needs. Stony corals being the most note able as they use calcium so regular dosing is needed. Easy regular WC or A B supplements.
Fwiw not all SPS are that tough. Nor do all of them need high light. Yes acro prefer a more mature tank and some like a higher ligh but a Poclophora or stylo is not a bad choice. Birds nest are pretty popular too. I have a tyree ponape that grows in my tank in pretty much any spot.
So go with what you like. It is your tank. And do a bit of research.
Good luck.

 

[clownin_around]

Thanks! I was looking at some of the cheap ones... Then I see the really colorful ones [emoji30] I'll look into the poclophora and stylo!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

My tyre is four colors. Cost me $10. :)
And ugly Zoas are really pretty!

 

[clownin_around]

Update: the two hermit crabs didn't die, they molted and hid for a bit. I added some green star polyps, pulsing xenias, and a tailspot blenny. I checked my params yesterday.

pH: 8.2
kH: 12.0
Am: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0 (I'm a little concerned)
Temp: constant 79
Salinity: 1.0245

I heard no nitrates is bad for your tank. Is that true?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I heard no nitrates is bad for your tank. Is that true?

its a new tank. Just feed well. Not over, Just well. Dont be overly concerned imo. Its a hobby not a worry.

He can I see your fts. Im on a sumpless too and looking for inspiration on what to ne next. I pulled my skimmer and Mech filter. Cant fit an hob fuge or my trusty aquaclear..
So right now my cube has only the two power heads. And nothing else:eek:.........

 

[clownin_around]

Okay! And I don't know what fts means, but the hob skimmer works really well.

Is your tank doing fine?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

FTS full tank shot id like to see your hardware config.

Yes its beautiful. I need more gas exchange and i did strip the water a bit w macros and the coral bioload. some sps stalled some grew gsp is good zoas are grumpy and a little pale.

 

[clownin_around]

This is everything. I'm running this protein skimmer: http://m.drsfostersmith.com/product...dN_baOCVFpGzXaeUfjv6OR7R4f8y2CRVxtxoC3sTw_wcB

And oceanrevive t247 led lights.
Penguin bio-wheel 200 wet/dry filter.
Hydro something for current.

That's really it.



Also I added a yasha goby and a tiny candy cane pistol shrimp [emoji38]

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Nice! Im jealous, i really like bow fronts. Yup start feeding those fishies and if your on frozen foods squirt the zoas . and lps.

Whey what water are you using for top off and mixing. the onlu odd thing im seeing is your tank is super clean, (thats nice too but..) unless your cleaning well it can be a water indicator.

 

[clownin_around]

Here's some long green algae growing right where my wavemaker is blowing

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

K good in an odd way. A lot of bad water tanks I have seen an my experience. Algae growth is zero or just weird.

 

[skybears]

Okay! And I don't know what fts means, but the hob skimmer works really well.

Is your tank doing fine?

One of the smartest things I probably did was I printed out the acronyms cheat sheet for the Forum it has done me a wonderful job

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

One of the smartest things I probably did was I printed out the acronyms cheat sheet for the Forum it has done me a wonderful job

Cheater. :p


I didn't know there was a cheat sheet :oops:

 

[clownin_around]

I just don't know how to get rid of it.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I just don't know how to get rid of it.

tooth brush

 

[Diwrigh]

Do you have anything other than the HOB skimmer and lighting? Im about to start a very similar setup, and I'm trying to figure out if I should drill it and add a sump etc or not. Thoughts?

 

[kidgoshie]

light?

 

[adittam]

Do you have anything other than the HOB skimmer and lighting? Im about to start a very similar setup, and I'm trying to figure out if I should drill it and add a sump etc or not. Thoughts?

For what it’s worth (I’m an extreme beginner), but I just recently started my first saltwater tank in a 46 gallon bow front, and I’m using a Fluval 407 and 2 Hydor Koralia 850 powerheads. I swapped out the bio media that came with the 407 and filled 2 of the 4 trays with Maxspect Nano-tech Bio-spheres instead. Also have 40 pounds of dry rock and 40 pounds of “live” sand.

edit: just saw that this thread is several years old and was just revived from the dead! Sorry to add to the insanity by replying again...