My fIrst marine build

[Scratch08]

For anyone thinking of using https://www.algaebarn.com/shop/aquarium-supplies/coralline-algae-bottle/ I am very happy with the results as of today. its only been about 3 weeks and I have spots of coralline all over my rock today. I started out with everything dry (even rinsed the live sand in RO so may as well have been dry). I have not added the CUC yet so its all from the bottle. I did order CUC and chaeto from reefcleaners today. I ordered the 20 gallon pack since the 65 seemed like too much for such a fresh aquarium.

I've been debating the purple/pink helix...geuss I'll pull the trigger and try it.

 

[Conovan]

I've been debating the purple/pink helix...geuss I'll pull the trigger and try it.

around the back side of the rocks has thicker spots but still impressed to have any growth considering I just added it 3 weeks ago.

 

[Conovan]

Just got the delivery from reef cleaners. looks like everything came in 100% live with a bit more than what I ordered. It was packaged in a bubble wrap bag with 2 cold packs. the hemits and snails bagged with wet papper towels and the emerald crab in water.

 

[Conovan]

If you buy nero 5's invest in some of those 3d printed guards. I lost my Royal gramma to one of the pumps today after one of the freshly added clean up crew scared him out of his cave.

 

[Conovan]

Wonder why the snails and hermits don't seem to like the rocks at the back or the left but constantly graze on the arch and front rocks.

 

[Conovan]

I added a carpenter's wrasse, a twin spot goby, a banded coral shrimp, and a porcelain crab. The coralline from a bottle seems to be encrusting just fine. I don't know if its my lighting or what but it doesn't look purple or pink; more like brick red to me.
I think I will be upgrading more quickly than I thought. When I got that yellow tang it was the size of a quater. The tang has already grown 3 times that size so early next year I will be buying a 5-6 foot tank.. I think, for now though, my next step is to either buy a seneye or rent a par meter and tune my lights to get ready for adding coral. I am leaning more towards the seneye since I could use it for lights and the next tanks cycle.

 

[Conovan]

Haven't posted in a while. I am dealing with dino. It's been a long haul but I see less every day. can't wait till I look at the tank and it is all gone.