Keith’s Reef- Red Sea 350 G2

[Keko21]

Copper treatment started today in QT. Using cupremene but will prbably swithc to copper power in the future based on what I've read. All fish seem healthy and happy still- they will be happier once in the DT though!

 

[Keko21]

Diatoms starting to show up. Clean up crew time!

Update:
Ordered my crew from @reefcleaners.org - Impeccable customer service and prices. John is great and will answer any questions you have. Ordered:
- 16 Astraeas
- 50 Dwarf Ceriths
- 17 Florida Ceriths
- 18 Nassarius Vibex
- 15 assorted hermits

 

[kevgib67]

Great start! Following.

 

[Keko21]

So as this is a new tank with few inhabitants, overfeeding seems all too easy. Cutting frozen cubes into halves or quarters was kind of a pain. I took a bunch of mysis cubes let them thaw in a jar cap and refroze it. Now i can just take a knife and gently scrape off what the fish need. Much more controlled and less tedious!

 

[Keko21]

My tank is getting hit with the ugly stick…

 

[Keko21]

Clean up crew day!!!! No get to work you little buggers!!!

 

[ScubaFish802]

Looking good so far! Makes me wish I had gone up 2 sizes for the larger sump.. the 350 gets quite a bit more room to play it looks like

 

[Keko21]

Looking good so far! Makes me wish I had gone up 2 sizes for the larger sump.. the 350 gets quite a bit more room to play it looks like

Yea and no lol a bit of engineering went into getting all of that in there and its still tight. Im also still not 100% sure everything is how it needs to be as Ive dosed copepods twice in the fuge and there is no sign of them. Hoping they are just too tiny to see…

 

[Keko21]

Together at last!!

 

[Keko21]

The new QT crew Royal Gramma (aka “Queen”) and an Ornate Leopard Wrasse (aka “Leopardo Spots”- named by my 5yo).

Copper power put in this am and is already at therapeutic levels. Queen is shy but both fish doing well- the wrasse is peckish but i did see him take some nibbles. So hopefully his eating trends upward.

 

[Keko21]

Well I’m sad to say the royal gramma did not make it . Little guy just wouldn’t eat and i tried a lot! Mysis soaked in garlic, pellets worms flakes etc. Dude was just not well from day 1.

on the other hand my leopard wrasse aka “the expert fish” is a champ. Eats, burries in the sand for a few days, pops out, eats, buries again. Hopefully he starts staying out a bit longer but overall seems happy.

 

[khuchting724]

Keko21 great build. I recommend the two clown fish first as they tend to be the hardiest fish while cycling a tank. Usually need some fish in the tank for the cycle to complete so you can get them as soon as you wish.

 

[Keko21]

Keko21 great build. I recommend the two clown fish first as they tend to be the hardiest fish while cycling a tank. Usually need some fish in the tank for the cycle to complete so you can get them as soon as you wish.

Tank has been cycled for a bit now. I have two fire fish, a lagoon shrimp goby, ornate leopard wrasse, and picking up another gramma today. Clowns are on the list, but I plan on adding them last as they can be highly territorial if added before other fish. Stocking plan is as follows:

Lagoon Shrimp Goby	In Tank
Fire Fish	In Tank
Purple Fire Fish	In Tank
Ornate Leopard Wrasse	In Tank
Clean Up Crew (15 hermits 75 various snails)	In Tank
Scarlet cleaner shrimp	In Tank
Blood red shrimp	In Tank
Tiger Shrimp	In Tank
Royal Gramma	Start QT today
Pajama Cardinals x5	Future
One spot Fox Face	Future
Tang (TBD) Probably a Tomini or a purple	Future
Clownfish x 2	Future
Anthias x 4	Considering
Marine Betta	Considering
Mandarin	Considering

 

[khuchting724]

Tank has been cycled for a bit now. I have two fire fish, a lagoon shrimp goby, ornate leopard wrasse, and picking up another gramma today. Clowns are on the list, but I plan on adding them last as they can be highly territorial if added before other fish. Stocking plan is as follows:

Lagoon Shrimp Goby	In Tank
Fire Fish	In Tank
Purple Fire Fish	In Tank
Ornate Leopard Wrasse	In Tank
Clean Up Crew (15 hermits 75 various snails)	In Tank
Scarlet cleaner shrimp	In Tank
Blood red shrimp	In Tank
Tiger Shrimp	In Tank
Royal Gramma	Start QT today
Pajama Cardinals x5	Future
One spot Fox Face	Future
Tang (TBD) Probably a Tomini or a purple	Future
Clownfish x 2	Future
Anthias x 4	Considering
Marine Betta	Considering
Mandarin	Considering

Nice additions! We did a mandarin at one point in our 20 gallon that did not make it. Very hard with those, just make sure they are captive breed and before you buy go to your local fish store around feeding time and make sure you get one that is already eating frozen food.

 

[Keko21]

Royal Gramma 2.0 and a bonus fire fish came home. Both acclimated very well and are eating . Right to the DT as they had been in copper 2 weeks at the LFS. Best practice? Definitely no. Good enough for me to make my daughter happy after the other gramma choked? You bet lol.

 

[Keko21]

Plop*

 

[Keko21]

little before bed ritual.
Take the water out.
Get more water.
Take the chemicals out of the water.
Look at phone for 30 min.
Put the chemicals back in the water.
Put the water in.
Repeat x4

 

[khuchting724]

Plop*

Is that your sand sifter? Looks a little red?

 

[Keko21]

Is that your sand sifter? Looks a little red?

No its a red tile star (fromia sp)

 

[Keko21]

I think I'm giving up on Royal Grammas for now. For what is supposed to be an easy fish it has been anything but for me. 1st one came in sick wasnt eating in QT, died in the DT. 2nd one was doing awesome after QT- eating getting along with the other fish, then after 5 days disappeared and I found him dead. I am now on my 3rd which is not eating and I dont have high hopes.... All three from different vendors.

All of my other fish are doing excellent. Royal Gramma may end up being my white whale to get thriving in the system at some point. For now I'm moving on and stocking different species and I'll revisit this one when my tank is more established.

UPDATE: Shout out to @WWC who gave me credit on my gramma (now passed). They also tested my water and confirmed my parameters look great so that was also reassuring. Used my credit to grab a spotted mandarin who is already feasting on pods. Pics to come after I figure out my cloudy water situation...