MikeDVB's First Reef Tank - From Day 1

[TinyChocobo]

Hey guys!

So I've been enjoying this so far and I'm only up to day 23 . Some pictures of the tank as it progressed over the first 23 days so far and will post new updates as I add/change things and as time goes on.

Day 1:

 

[TinyChocobo]

Day 2

 

[Chrisfish]

Welcome, looking really nice so far!!

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Welcome welcome. Off to a great start

 

[TinyChocobo]

Day 4

 

[TinyChocobo]

Day 6 - added black background.

 

[TinyChocobo]

Day 9

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Was patiently waiting on the background to be added. Much cleaner! Keep it up

 

[TinyChocobo]

Day 14

 

[TinyChocobo]

Day 16

Algae is growing really well where sunlight hits the tank. Put a cover on the left side to help keep it at bay.

 

[TinyChocobo]

Found a walking sponge on day 19.

 

[TinyChocobo]

Day 20

 

[TinyChocobo]

Day 21

Moved the ORP and Ph probes up so they weren't completely submerged after this picture.

 

[TinyChocobo]

Day 23 and BakPak 2r+ skimmer is making skimmate.

 

[TinyChocobo]

Picked up a couple of clown fish.

Doing TTM so they're in quarantine for at least 14 days.

Just noticed it looks like 4 due to the reflection.

Also picked up 3 soft corals.




They're all closed up from being transported and dipped and acclimated. The green one has already come back out and I'll take some new pics shortly.

 

[andrewey]

Looking good- keep the pictures up!

 

[TinyChocobo]

 

[TinyChocobo]

The clowns are young perculas. One is ever so slightly larger than the other. They were hosting a bubble tip anenome in the LFS tank.

The tank also has some Nassarius snails, nerite snails, dwarf ceriths, Florida ceriths, and a couple of blue legged hermit crabs.

Algae was growing pretty good but most of it looks to be turning brown and dying and comes off by hand easily. Also my Nassarius snails and stomatella seem to be making quick work of the GHA.

I just watched one of the Nassarius cut long GHA down at the base and devour it. They're actually making clean spots.

I've been putting a few sinking pellets in per day for the snails and crabs as I wanted to make sure they had food and didn't die. 30% water changes every week to help keep nutrients in check.

Had one rock completely covered in bryopsis and I took it out and boiled it and soaked it in peroxide. Rock looks nice and white now and bryopsis hasn't returned on it so far. Did have some on the glass but manual removal and siphoning has knocked it back.

 

[TinyChocobo]

Welcome, looking really nice so far!!

Thanks!

Welcome welcome. Off to a great start

Hope so. Trying not to be impatient. That said I'm fine with doing water changes to keep water parameters stable.

Was patiently waiting on the background to be added. Much cleaner! Keep it up

Haha yeah it looks much better. Thinking I may just get the next tank with the back already black or attach black vinyl outside before filling.

Looking good- keep the pictures up!

Thanks! Will do ;-).

 

[TinyChocobo]

Star polyps finally opened up and a couple of my hermit crabs are chilling.

Hard to get good photos at night.