Aquatop Recife Eco 40 AIO Build

[shorton]

Hey everyone, I bought and set up the Aquatop Recife Eco 40 about a week ago. This is my first saltwater/reef build so I am still learning. Any advice would be appreciated!

Build list so far:
- Aquatop Recife Eco 40 AIO (Stock filtration/return pump)
- Jebao SOW-4 wave maker
- AI Prime 16 with tank mount
- Aqueon 150w heater
- 40lbs Caribisea reef sand
- roughly 20lbs of live rock
- 2 Black Cap Damsels
- 1 Coralline Margarita Turbo Snail

 

[shorton]

 

[shorton]

Moved the heater to the bottom of the return compartment to clear up the tank

 

[shorton]

Noticed that sand is turning brown. Will this go away on its own? Skimmer is not currently running

 

[Bushman]

Looks like typical new tank stuff to me. I have the same tank. Maybe cut the lights off for a few days will help with it, but to me it looks typical.

 

[Conchman]

Looks like typical cycle, adjustment in lighting will help, I like the aquascape...

 

[shorton]

Looks like typical cycle, adjustment in lighting will help, I like the aquascape...

Thanks! I initially had this set up but didn't like how small it was for the tank

 

[shorton]

Bought a clean up crew a on Wednesday:

- 5 Trochus snails
- 4 Scarlet hermits
- 1 Halloween hermit (My fiance named it Micheal Myers)

Also got a small sea star which was attached to one of the shells of the snails. I think its a nuisance starfish. Thoughts?

 

[shorton]

 

[shorton]

 

[bigdeeezyyyy]

Bought a clean up crew a on Wednesday:

- 5 Trochus snails
- 4 Scarlet hermits
- 1 Halloween hermit (My fiance named it Micheal Myers)

Also got a small sea star which was attached to one of the shells of the snails. I think its a nuisance starfish. Thoughts?

those asterina starfish will multiply like crazy. I had an abundance i had to suck out and during water changes and at one point purchased a pair of harlequin shrimps to get rid of them. Can be a nuisance IMO