How not to start a reef tank, my first reef tank build

Which light should I upgrade to after coral qt is done?

  • 2x ai prime

    Votes: 5 50.0%
  • Reefbreeders 24 in. Photon v2

    Votes: 2 20.0%
  • Stick with current orbit USA marine

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Viparspectra 165w

    Votes: 1 10.0%
  • 2x hipargero 30w

    Votes: 1 10.0%
  • Other

    Votes: 1 10.0%

  • Total voters
    10
  • Poll closed .

Why-Me

Been going against the grain since I was a sapling
View Badges
Joined
Jun 4, 2017
Messages
4,495
Reaction score
27,843
Location
Wisconsin/Minnesota Border
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Correct but I have all new dry rock and would like to get a good bio filter going before getting sps, it will be and stay more stable that way.
Clean water is great but you also want that stability that comes with the rock and sand having a bio filter able to help keep things from swinging wildly.
 
OP
OP
living_tribunal

living_tribunal

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 14, 2019
Messages
4,198
Reaction score
12,164
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Correct but I have all new dry rock and would like to get a good bio filter going before getting sps, it will be and stay more stable that way.
Clean water is great but you also want that stability that comes with the rock and sand having a bio filter able to help keep things from swinging wildly.


That’s smart. What are some of your favorite corals in your tank?
 

Why-Me

Been going against the grain since I was a sapling
View Badges
Joined
Jun 4, 2017
Messages
4,495
Reaction score
27,843
Location
Wisconsin/Minnesota Border
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
IMG_20190910_201240.jpg
IMG_20190913_122152.jpg
 
OP
OP
living_tribunal

living_tribunal

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 14, 2019
Messages
4,198
Reaction score
12,164
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I've had the frogspawn for 11 days and it seems to be fine.
I love feeding it, so cool to watch.
Great flow, they love light as well.

That’s a great looking frogspawn! A big colony too.

Your goby is lurking hard.
 

Why-Me

Been going against the grain since I was a sapling
View Badges
Joined
Jun 4, 2017
Messages
4,495
Reaction score
27,843
Location
Wisconsin/Minnesota Border
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Lawnmower blenny
My daughter named him Cooper.
I'd recommend an algae blenny of some sort, that thing won't even eat the algae wafers I bought because he's so busy all day eating GHA off of my one big live rock that was transferred from the 20 gal tank.
 
OP
OP
living_tribunal

living_tribunal

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 14, 2019
Messages
4,198
Reaction score
12,164
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Lawnmower blenny
My daughter named him Cooper.
I'd recommend an algae blenny of some sort, that thing won't even eat the algae wafers I bought because he's so busy all day eating GHA off of my one big live rock that was transferred from the 20 gal tank.

I’ve heard that they are hard to keep fed. Once they eat all the algae, it’s too difficult to get them to eat other foods.
 

erk

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 19, 2014
Messages
1,382
Reaction score
2,048
Location
DFW
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I’ve heard that they are hard to keep fed. Once they eat all the algae, it’s too difficult to get them to eat other foods.

Nah, typically they eat algae then find out you are feeding better food then never eat algae again.

If you want an algae eater, get a tang. For a 60 gallon, I'd stick with the smaller Ctenochaetus or Zebrasoma tangs.
 
OP
OP
living_tribunal

living_tribunal

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 14, 2019
Messages
4,198
Reaction score
12,164
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Nah, typically they eat algae then find out you are feeding better food then never eat algae again.

If you want an algae eater, get a tang. For a 60 gallon, I'd stick with the smaller Ctenochaetus or Zebrasoma tangs.

I don’t know if I’d feel comfortable putting a tang in a 60G. I haven’t thought about livestock since deciding on an upgrade.

I think I want a wrasse for my next fish. Any thoughts?
 

Why-Me

Been going against the grain since I was a sapling
View Badges
Joined
Jun 4, 2017
Messages
4,495
Reaction score
27,843
Location
Wisconsin/Minnesota Border
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
BRS does great series of videos...They suggested to those of us with smaller tanks, to get the bristletooth/tomini type smaller tangs and then re home them when they get larger.
You can start a rapport with your lfs or a local reefer and let them know what you're doing some of them will gladly take them back and sell ya another baby tang again, rinse and repeat.
I may actually do this in my 40b.
IMO 3ft of swim space is plenty for small young tang.
 

Why-Me

Been going against the grain since I was a sapling
View Badges
Joined
Jun 4, 2017
Messages
4,495
Reaction score
27,843
Location
Wisconsin/Minnesota Border
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Wrasse are beautiful BUT they are difficult to QT and you seem very thorough with your QT process (not a slight against you) make sure you do your homework on the wrasse you want and go for it.
I'll link a wrasse thread to help you out.

 
OP
OP
living_tribunal

living_tribunal

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 14, 2019
Messages
4,198
Reaction score
12,164
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Alright, I’ve gone from incredibly inexperienced to slightly less incredibly inexperienced.

New tank is purchased....

I feel reinvigorated, reenergized, reinvented. I am a new man, that now possesses something that’s four letters, starts with an s and ends in a p. And no, it’s not a ship and I sure ain’t drinking soup.

The plan is to bleach wash the tank, sump, and plumbing. Will then re-seal the seams and the scratches and retrofit some new plumbing.

After that, it’s game time.

A7DEB7C7-27A1-46E1-A038-F0120C49B5C5.jpeg
 
OP
OP
living_tribunal

living_tribunal

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 14, 2019
Messages
4,198
Reaction score
12,164
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Flabbergasted, the best word to describe the little pickle I’m in.

I’m not entirely sure how I plan to go about cleaning and re-sealing this tank.

I do know I’ve got 20oz of GE silicone one and a few gallons of white distilled vinegar/bleach I need to make use of.

I’ve never resealed a tank and am rather nervous about the whole thing.

I’ve popped many personal cherries on my reefing journey, might as well claim another.

The rough plan is to lightly clean all of the edges of the tank. I will then remove all of the old silicone, and quickly apply the new silicone. I’ll give this 24ish hours to cure before doing a water test.

In the mean time, I will be thoroughly cleaning the skimmer and sump.

Wish me luck.
5362CBAE-FD74-4F89-878A-C91016595043.jpeg
 
OP
OP
living_tribunal

living_tribunal

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 14, 2019
Messages
4,198
Reaction score
12,164
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
The point of no return...

One thing I can’t figure out is how to get the silicone out of the center without slicing the seam. There aren’t many videos out there to help with that.

If anyone has experience, I’d appreciate the knowledge.

1F8D490B-7E63-4B29-BCAA-5B41D677B247.jpeg
 

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

  • I currently have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 73 37.6%
  • Not currently, but I have had feather dusters in my tank in the past.

    Votes: 66 34.0%
  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 25 12.9%
  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 28 14.4%
  • Other.

    Votes: 2 1.0%
Back
Top