First Reef Tank - 150g

[SudzFD]

Hello everyone,

So a little brief introduction. I've only had freshwater aquariums on and off since I was a child with the last tank about 25 years ago. About 3 months ago, I got inspired again to start an aquarium from watching a YouTube video on cichlids. I started to research into it and was set on doing a planted cichlids but while doing my researching on what I'll need, I started looking into saltwater and got even more inspired watching other reefer's YouTube. After comparing the two, I've decided to start a reef tank and then we'll see what it'll evolve into. I'm very new to the reefing hobby, so please excuse me if something doesn't sound right. Since I'm still learning, please offer any advices, suggestions, opinions, and comments also.

Originally I was set on a 36" length tank due to the limited space I have. Once thing led to another and before I knew it, I ended up going bigger and spending more than I wanted to :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:. My tank is on order and I purchased most of the equipment I think I'll need (want) during Black Friday.

Here's my aquarium system so far:

• Display Tank: 155g tank - 60" length x 24" width x 25" height (with 30" Modular Marine Overflow) built by @CDA Fish Tanks
• Stand: Laguna style stand constructed out of steel and gloss white laminate panels
• Canopy: Motorized floating canopy.
• Lighting: 2 x Orphek Atlantik iCon
• Rock: 50 lbs. of KP Aquatics' live rocks..
• Sand: 70 lbs. of Tampa Bay Salt Water's sand.
• Sump: 48 x 18 x 16 designed by Yury over at Poseidon's Creations
• ATO: 10 x 12 x 30 - 15 gallons designed by Yury over at Poseidon's Creations
• Mechanical Filtration: I'll be using filter socks for now but the sump is built to house a Red Sea ReefMat 1200 which I may switch over to later.
• Skimmer: Reef Octopus Elite 200-INT
• Refugium: I won't be running a refugium but instead will use the Clear Water CW-100 Algae Scrubber V2
• Pumps: 2 x Reef Octopus Varios-8 each to its own return line.
• Heaters: 2 x 350 Watt Helio PTC Smart Heater
• Wavemakers: 3 x Vortech MP40
• UV: Lifegard 3" Pro-Max 55 Watts
• System Control: Hydros X4 Pro Pack

I do not have any photos to offer now, but as soon as I can, I'll upload them.

This is what I have for now. I have not thought about what my stocking list will be but if you have any recommendations, let me hear it. Thank you.

Sounds like a very very nice setup. I can tell you did your research. Great choice to go reef vs chuck if in my biased opinion.

Go slow, set it up, let it cycle, start with some fish, after a couple months try a softy or two and then let it slowly grow.

Plan on an automatic dosing system for two part once you start in in SPS or LPS!

Welcome!

 

[SudzFD]

Byropsis is back in my tank and I dosed Reef Flux again. It is not as bad as the first time, but I'm surprised it is back. Other than that, the torch looks much better now. The pair of Picassos are also starting to eat a lot and the little one seems to be somewhat swimming upright. I'll give them another week in the observation tank before putting them in the main tank.

Now I'm trying to decide what fish to add next. I'll be honest, it gets a bit confusing when deciding and choosing what to add next. So far I'm leaning towards an Helfrichi Firefish. I also want to add some wrasses, but I'm not sure which ones to get.

I really like my six line wrasse. Look into that. I realize that my last post was to your first post almost a year ago! But I feel I’ve missed a bunch of posts. Sounds like you ran into trouble along the way.

 

[Brisk]

Sounds like a very very nice setup. I can tell you did your research. Great choice to go reef vs chuck if in my biased opinion.

Go slow, set it up, let it cycle, start with some fish, after a couple months try a softy or two and then let it slowly grow.

Plan on an automatic dosing system for two part once you start in in SPS or LPS!

Welcome!

Thank you. I'll definitely will be planning for automatic dosing. So far I have been dosing manually AFR, sodium phosphate, and ammonium.

 

[Brisk]

I really like my six line wrasse. Look into that. I realize that my last post was to your first post almost a year ago! But I feel I’ve missed a bunch of posts. Sounds like you ran into trouble along the way.

I thought about the 6 line but have been reading that they can be a bully?

 

[tbrown]

I thought about the 6 line but have been reading that they can be a bully?

They can. Usually a last fish to add.

 

[Brisk]

I am thinking of adding some small pieces of rocks to make crevices for the BTA's foot. I hoping this will be a good spot and it won't move. It's behind other rock structures to block some flow.

 

[SudzFD]

I am thinking of adding some small pieces of rocks to make crevices for the BTA's foot. I hoping this will be a good spot and it won't move. It's behind other rock structures to block some flow.

I’ve never had a BTA stay where i planned. That said, once they anchor in, I have had luck relocating the rock they attach to. They are animals and do what they like.

Also be aware, a healthy anemone will reproduce. I started with one and it has split into over 50. I took 20 out of my 60g over the period of about a month. I still have about ten. Try to stay up on removing unwanted ones so that they don’t take over too badly.

 

[Brisk]

I woke up in the middle of the night and took a look at the tank. I noticed a 2" long flat jelly like thing moving on the sand. I think this is a flat worm. I never knew they can be this big.

 

[SudzFD]

Yes looks like a flat worm

 

[tbrown]

Any Euphyllia in the tank? Not yet, right?

Looks like a possible Polyclad which can be predatory on hammers, torches, frogspawn, and the likes.

 

[tbrown]

Oh, you do have a couple. Keep an eye on those puppies.

 

[Brisk]

Oh, you do have a couple. Keep an eye on those puppies.

Yea. Just did a quick search on the forums on Polycads. Chances are there might be more since it can lay eggs?

 

[tbrown]

Yea. Just did a quick search on the forums on Polycads. Chances are there might be more since it can lay eggs?

Probably, yes.

 

[Brisk]

Update for this week -

• I have been checking the tank every night for any more Polycads and so far I have not seen any.
• I'm on my 2nd week for Byropsis treatment again. I'm still not sure why it came back since from what I'm reading on the forum is that after dosing with Reef Flux, it shouldn't. Another week and I'll do a water change and brush off any remaining Byropsis stems.
• I have been dosing AFR and testing almost every day. I will say testing is a lot of work. Here are my parameters:
  • Alk - 8.5 dKH
  • Calcium - 430 ppm
  • Magnesium - 1275 ppm
  • Nitrate - 8 ppm
  • Phosphate - 0.039 ppm
  • pH - 8.25
  • Salinity - 1.0264
• I received my Avast Marine Plank, just need to get that installed.
• Ordered a CSB to be delivered on Friday.
• Worked on my Hydros controller cabinet to install some shelving.

 

[tbrown]

Update for this week -

• I have been checking the tank every night for any more Polycads and so far I have not seen any.
• I'm on my 2nd week for Byropsis treatment again. I'm still not sure why it came back since from what I'm reading on the forum is that after dosing with Reef Flux, it shouldn't. Another week and I'll do a water change and brush off any remaining Byropsis stems.
• I have been dosing AFR and testing almost every day. I will say testing is a lot of work. Here are my parameters:
  • Alk - 8.5 dKH
  • Calcium - 430 ppm
  • Magnesium - 1275 ppm
  • Nitrate - 8 ppm
  • Phosphate - 0.039 ppm
  • pH - 8.25
  • Salinity - 1.0264
• I received my Avast Marine Plank, just need to get that installed.
• Ordered a CSB to be delivered on Friday.
• Worked on my Hydros controller cabinet to install some shelving.

I think you saw my post about the Plank, but keep an eye on the flow and make sure you keep it clean so it doesn't start running over.

 

[tbrown]

I love my Plank.

 

[Brisk]

I think you saw my post about the Plank, but keep an eye on the flow and make sure you keep it clean so it doesn't start running over.

Definitely did! I couldn't pass on the 30% off deal last week from BRS. I have to redo one of the DIY lids to fit the Plank. Also considering getting a custom lid.

 

[Brisk]

I was supposed to get my CSB on Friday, but it got delayed due to weather. It got to the UPS facility here in the city, but from what I understand, it missed the cutoff by a few hours to put it on a separate truck for delivery. What confuses me is I thought I've seen UPS deliver on Saturday's but the next delivery for the CSB will be tomorrow, Monday. I don't think the CSB will be alive.

I finally saw my Randal's pistol shrimp after 2 weeks. It was digging a tunnel at the front glass. I still haven't seen my Yasha Goby. I know they did pair up before, so it makes me wonder if the Yasha is dead since it's not with the pistol shrimp.

I'm still looking into what fishes to get. There's so many options and conditions like compatibility, invert safe, coral safe, aggression, etc. I'm leaning towards a Helfrechi and a wrasse or two.

Does my torch look happy?

 

[Brisk]

My anemone just got delivered after being delayed for 3 days.

 

[tbrown]

It doesn't look happy. Not dead yet, but not happy. Is it holding on to the bag?