Jbarrera
New Member
Hello everyone!! I've been around here for a couple of years ever since i started my tank. Haven't posted anything, but have been reading a lot of threads to learn and even get inspired. I figured I could also introduce myself.
Im Jason or just J from Austin. I have always wanted a reef aquarium for as long as i can remember. I finally got a tank almost 3 years ago i found cheap on craigslist. For $80 i was able to get a 29G tank with a black wood stand, canopy, (cheap) T5 light, Red Sea Prism skimmer and an HOB filter.
After stripping the stand and canopy and re-staining it to espresso to match the furniture in our home I quickly got it up and running as fast as i could, started with some rock and a clown named Caymen.
Then added some more rock and a midas blenny named Benny :)
Added a green BTA and some zoa's about a month in and a Yellow Belly Hippo named Specks
Fast forward a couple of years to now, we lost Benny 1 & 2 and Specks. Unfortunately my fish store hasn't been able to find any more yellow belly hippos so haven't replaced her. We've added a lot of coral. My RBTA has split into 5. Everything else is growing fast and healthy for the most part. I cant seem to keep any acropora's. Not to long after starting my tank I upgraded the lights to Aqualife 4 bulb T5's, got rid of the filter and upgraded my skimmer to the AquaMaxx HOB.
Current set up
A shot of the 5 rbta's
Anyways, I still have a lot to learn which i enjoy learning from everyone on here. I've been wanting to upgrade to a larger tank for quite some time but I think I will wait until we move at some point since a smaller tank will be easier to move.
I am having trouble with green hair algae. It keeps growing towards the lower rocks. My urchin and crabs don't do a good job. I had a couple of nudibranches a while back that took care of it and it was gone for a long time but has come back. You can see it on my frags and the rocks at the bottom. Any suggestions on how to take care of this?
Im Jason or just J from Austin. I have always wanted a reef aquarium for as long as i can remember. I finally got a tank almost 3 years ago i found cheap on craigslist. For $80 i was able to get a 29G tank with a black wood stand, canopy, (cheap) T5 light, Red Sea Prism skimmer and an HOB filter.
After stripping the stand and canopy and re-staining it to espresso to match the furniture in our home I quickly got it up and running as fast as i could, started with some rock and a clown named Caymen.
Then added some more rock and a midas blenny named Benny :)
Added a green BTA and some zoa's about a month in and a Yellow Belly Hippo named Specks
Fast forward a couple of years to now, we lost Benny 1 & 2 and Specks. Unfortunately my fish store hasn't been able to find any more yellow belly hippos so haven't replaced her. We've added a lot of coral. My RBTA has split into 5. Everything else is growing fast and healthy for the most part. I cant seem to keep any acropora's. Not to long after starting my tank I upgraded the lights to Aqualife 4 bulb T5's, got rid of the filter and upgraded my skimmer to the AquaMaxx HOB.
Current set up
A shot of the 5 rbta's
Anyways, I still have a lot to learn which i enjoy learning from everyone on here. I've been wanting to upgrade to a larger tank for quite some time but I think I will wait until we move at some point since a smaller tank will be easier to move.
I am having trouble with green hair algae. It keeps growing towards the lower rocks. My urchin and crabs don't do a good job. I had a couple of nudibranches a while back that took care of it and it was gone for a long time but has come back. You can see it on my frags and the rocks at the bottom. Any suggestions on how to take care of this?
