Key West Reef

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

I've finally made it, I'm packing water from the LFS. I plan to fill up the tank and scape for the next week. Lucky my LFS is two miles away, easy money. My first wife loved Key West, kind of doing this little reef for her. She passed away fairly young 4 years ago. Don't mind if I bother you with a question or two. I have a few planted freshwater tanks, but always wanted to get a saltwater tank. Current equipment, picking it up by the week:

Red Sea 250 G2+
Red Sea LED 90 *2
Reef Mat 500
Reef Run 5500 Return
Reef Run Dual Controller
Reef ATO
12 gallons of salt water, LoL.

Moving slow with my adventure, just wanted to document my progress. Thanks for all the information shared on this site.

 

[Kingsley_Reef]

Sorry for your loss

Spent a lot of time down the keys beautiful place since your doing this theme maybe you get some rock and sand from Tampa bay live rock

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

Sorry for your loss

Spent a lot of time down the keys beautiful place since your doing this theme maybe you get some rock and sand from Tampa bay live rock

Thanks for the tip. I've been reading about TBLR. I will look at the site.

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

Picked up my custom made rocks with sand today. Don't ask what I paid. A little over priced but it works for me. I still need to add 5 gallons more water to finish filling the sump. First time having a sump. Any tips for lining it out?

 

[Ryan Souza]

Check out kp aquatics, family owned down in the keys, have great liverock and alot of their livestock is locally collected.

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

Check out kp aquatics, family owned down in the keys, have great liverock and alot of their livestock is locally collected.

Thanks, I plan on adding some live rock when I get the circulation going.

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

With the salt water tank settling, I'll share my Betta tank. It is a 15 gallon planted tank. My grandsons fish. He likes the ninja turtles, he named him Leonardo. He has blue and red shrimp in there also. Finally watching some football, the Sunday morning water changes take up most of the day. Aquariums are life, can't wait to get the salt life lagoon up and going.

 

[Peace River]

You may find some inspiration or information in the following thread, which is about collecting in the Keys:

Snorkeling & Collecting Discussion Group

Hello and welcome to what I hope will be an interesting and useful forum for talking about snorkeling and collecting of wild marine animals. I live in Florida and I’m able to go snorkeling in the Florida Keys several times a year. But I by no means want to limit this to just my snorkeling here...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

You may find some inspiration or information in the following thread, which is about collecting in the Keys:

Snorkeling & Collecting Discussion Group

Hello and welcome to what I hope will be an interesting and useful forum for talking about snorkeling and collecting of wild marine animals. I live in Florida and I’m able to go snorkeling in the Florida Keys several times a year. But I by no means want to limit this to just my snorkeling here...

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks for posting. I will check this out!

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

Finally connected all the equipment. Starting a 6 month cycle, maybe more. Working on the aquarium scape and buying more equipment until then. I like the patience it takes with this hobby.

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

Still doing the cycle, no rush. I need a skimmer, power head, and testing kit. No live rock, I will wait for it. Might be a while, LoL. I work all the time so it goes quick.

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

It hard watching a tank with nothing in it.

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

Going to Key West in April. I'm hoping the tank will be cycled good on my return. I'm ready to get to work!

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

Added a margarita snail, two astraea snails, and a hermit crab. Just made my last big purchase today, I hope!

Red Sea Skimmer 300
Hanna salinity tester w/cal packs
Red Sea Wave Maker 25
Hanna Nitrate colorimeter
Hanna Nitrite Colorimeter
Hanna Ammonia Colorimeter

Looking to add 5-6 fish after my Key West vacation in April. I will probably go with two clowns, diamond watchman goby, and two wrasses. More CUC too.

I need to find a lid for my reefer 250. I want the cheapest route for now. Any suggestions??

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

The ugly stage is here. I've dealt with this somewhat with freshwater tanks. There is almost always an algae bloom in the first year. Just waiting it out. I may add a small live rock to maybe aid the process.

 

[vlangel]

Good luck with your Key West tank! I applaud you for your patience!

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

First water test 1 month wet:

Ammonia .02 ppm
Nitrate .4 ppm
Nitrite.003 ppm

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

Diatoms are decreasing everyday. I found one empty snail shell yesterday, it seems to be helping removing it. I can't believe how much it stunk.

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

Diatoms decreased significantly over night. The water looked like it had sand flying around. Closer look on the glass, I have pods everywhere. I'm assuming.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Do you have pictures of the pods?