Hey Guys,
Omar from Bowie, Maryland here.
Decided to keep a journal of some kind on a website so I can learn and keep track of my progress on this great adventure of reef aquariums.I know this hobby can be very rewarding if done properly so I made sure I had 100+ hours of research on the subject before diving in.After coming across may setups, some complicated and some rather simple, I decided bio cube 29 gallon in my bedroom would be a good choice for me.My father kept guppies when I was younger and I have always loved fish and the reefs.Being able to mimic this in my living room got me very excited and off I went to amazon.
Main Compartment
20 pounds dry rock
6 pounds live rock from shores of mexico
CaribSea Arag-Alive 20-Pound Special Grade Reef Sand, Bimini Pink
Temperature Control
EHEIM Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater 100W
Liquid Crystal Horizontal Aquarium Thermometer
HDE LCD Digital Fish Tank Aquarium Thermometer
Extra Lighting
2 of Coralife Energy Savers ACL15608 Biocube Led Light Bar, Blue
Cleaning Products
Biocube Algae Cleaning Magnet
KollerCraft Aquarius Aquarium Fish Net with Stainless Steel Handle, Medium
25 Foot - Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System
Water Maintenance and Circulation
Hydor Koralia Evolution 750/850 Aquarium Circulation Pump, 750-850 GPH
Coralife BioCube Protein Skimmer for Aquarium Filter
Biological Filter
Pura (Magnavore) APU00414 3-Pack 300-Micron Media Bags for Aquarium Filter, 6 by 12-Inch
Seachem Matrix Carbon 100ml
Seachem Matrix Bio Media 1 Liter
2 of Eshopps AEO19070 Square Foam Aquarium Filter, Large
Seachem Purigen 100ml
Poly Filter Pad 4 X 8"
Test Kits
API Saltwater Master Test Kit
Coralife Energy Savers ACLAF877 Deep Six Hydrometer
If you notice I went with a higher water flow and with a better filtration system then originally comes with this system in anticipation of adding future corals.When filling the tank I used nutri sea water and water from my lps (Tropicals in Glen Burnie)After finally setting up the tank with everything in it on 2/22/16 I was able to run the tank successfully but with temperatures as high as 83.3I then realized my water level was double the max line and lowered it to where it needed to be.This then dropped the temperature to 81.03 which is better but not optimal.I was able to achieve a constant salinity of 1.025 and a ph of 8.2.I am not worried about ammonia, nitrite and nitrate at this time.My primary concern was dropping the temperature, so after researching about 2 hours I came across a solution that a fellow reefer had tried with the same tank to achieve a constant temperature of 78.
Tank Cooling Addition
Sanatop Aquarium Cooling System Fan Chiller + AC Adapter (6-Fan)
Zoo Med AquaSun Aquarium Controller Timer & Power Strip
I was almost dreading the fact of having to buy a chiller for this unit as I felt it was a little overkill.With this attached and the back door removed, the unit looks very classy and stays cooler.The unit is also on a hinge to move up and down with the tank door.So I am currently waiting for this unit.
On 2/22/16 I also added 20 pounds of dry rock.
On today, 2/26/16, took a sample of water to my lps and test came out ok.No nitrites or nitrates and a little bit of ammonia.Decided to buy 6 lb of live rock and add it to the tank.Guy at the lps recommended some blue legged hermit crabs.Bought 12 for 8$.SCORED BIG TIME.Paid 100 dollars for rock.Came with following inhabitants: Torch coral, pistol shrimp,and some unidentifiable.
The lps did not realize the critters were inside but did mention that anything attached to the rock was included.I feel really excited about the surprise torch and shrimp.The shrimp is shy and lives in a small cave at the top of the rock.The coral the size of a dime is small but seems to like the water flow.It also seems to be moving closer to the light.
Now I have pictures and also need help identifying some things in the tank.
What I believed at first to be a pistol shrimp... then realized it was a mantis..... KIA
Unidentifiable white star
Another Shot of white star and another brown star in top right
2/27/16
Mantis shrimp now gone.... Everything else is good. Just keeping my eyes peeled for other nastiness
Will add more random pics
Omar from Bowie, Maryland here.
Decided to keep a journal of some kind on a website so I can learn and keep track of my progress on this great adventure of reef aquariums.I know this hobby can be very rewarding if done properly so I made sure I had 100+ hours of research on the subject before diving in.After coming across may setups, some complicated and some rather simple, I decided bio cube 29 gallon in my bedroom would be a good choice for me.My father kept guppies when I was younger and I have always loved fish and the reefs.Being able to mimic this in my living room got me very excited and off I went to amazon.
Main Compartment
20 pounds dry rock
6 pounds live rock from shores of mexico
CaribSea Arag-Alive 20-Pound Special Grade Reef Sand, Bimini Pink
Temperature Control
EHEIM Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater 100W
Liquid Crystal Horizontal Aquarium Thermometer
HDE LCD Digital Fish Tank Aquarium Thermometer
Extra Lighting
2 of Coralife Energy Savers ACL15608 Biocube Led Light Bar, Blue
Cleaning Products
Biocube Algae Cleaning Magnet
KollerCraft Aquarius Aquarium Fish Net with Stainless Steel Handle, Medium
25 Foot - Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System
Water Maintenance and Circulation
Hydor Koralia Evolution 750/850 Aquarium Circulation Pump, 750-850 GPH
Coralife BioCube Protein Skimmer for Aquarium Filter
Biological Filter
Pura (Magnavore) APU00414 3-Pack 300-Micron Media Bags for Aquarium Filter, 6 by 12-Inch
Seachem Matrix Carbon 100ml
Seachem Matrix Bio Media 1 Liter
2 of Eshopps AEO19070 Square Foam Aquarium Filter, Large
Seachem Purigen 100ml
Poly Filter Pad 4 X 8"
Test Kits
API Saltwater Master Test Kit
Coralife Energy Savers ACLAF877 Deep Six Hydrometer
If you notice I went with a higher water flow and with a better filtration system then originally comes with this system in anticipation of adding future corals.When filling the tank I used nutri sea water and water from my lps (Tropicals in Glen Burnie)After finally setting up the tank with everything in it on 2/22/16 I was able to run the tank successfully but with temperatures as high as 83.3I then realized my water level was double the max line and lowered it to where it needed to be.This then dropped the temperature to 81.03 which is better but not optimal.I was able to achieve a constant salinity of 1.025 and a ph of 8.2.I am not worried about ammonia, nitrite and nitrate at this time.My primary concern was dropping the temperature, so after researching about 2 hours I came across a solution that a fellow reefer had tried with the same tank to achieve a constant temperature of 78.
Tank Cooling Addition
Sanatop Aquarium Cooling System Fan Chiller + AC Adapter (6-Fan)
Zoo Med AquaSun Aquarium Controller Timer & Power Strip
I was almost dreading the fact of having to buy a chiller for this unit as I felt it was a little overkill.With this attached and the back door removed, the unit looks very classy and stays cooler.The unit is also on a hinge to move up and down with the tank door.So I am currently waiting for this unit.
On 2/22/16 I also added 20 pounds of dry rock.
On today, 2/26/16, took a sample of water to my lps and test came out ok.No nitrites or nitrates and a little bit of ammonia.Decided to buy 6 lb of live rock and add it to the tank.Guy at the lps recommended some blue legged hermit crabs.Bought 12 for 8$.SCORED BIG TIME.Paid 100 dollars for rock.Came with following inhabitants: Torch coral, pistol shrimp,and some unidentifiable.
The lps did not realize the critters were inside but did mention that anything attached to the rock was included.I feel really excited about the surprise torch and shrimp.The shrimp is shy and lives in a small cave at the top of the rock.The coral the size of a dime is small but seems to like the water flow.It also seems to be moving closer to the light.
Now I have pictures and also need help identifying some things in the tank.
What I believed at first to be a pistol shrimp... then realized it was a mantis..... KIA
Unidentifiable white star
Another Shot of white star and another brown star in top right
2/27/16
Mantis shrimp now gone.... Everything else is good. Just keeping my eyes peeled for other nastiness
Will add more random pics