New here/Unconventional setup/new to hobby/LOVE IT

rudy3 · Jun 2, 2022

cgripp256 said:
Welcome!

I’m no expert but I’m what I would consider an advanced beginner. I’m a voracious consumer of information and data. I tend to go overboard a bit.

You’ll find that you will receive a plethora of recommendations on how to approach growing out your tank here and elsewhere.

I found the BRS series very helpful.
They have a few; 52 weeks of reefing, 5 min series, and the newer beginner series. I watched them all. Lol

Instead of telling you what to do I’ll share what has so far worked for me.

I have a 32 gallon Biocube. I started with live rock and sand for an “instant” cycle on 3/12/22.

I began with a clown and then a damsel 2 weeks later. I didn’t QT the clown (which I completely stressed over). I did a two week observation QT on the damsel that I acquired from a solid LFS. Then a week or two later a small clean up crew of snails and crabs. That was it initially. A few weeks later with no issues showing I began adding some Zoas, then a hammer, then an RBT anemone. I added 2 cleaner shrimp too.
Now I have Xenia, lepto, cyphasteea, birdsnest and goniopora.

I watch my parameters like a hawk and am religious about water changes weekly. I even picked up a used Apex because like I said, I’m a data nerd.

Good luck and welcome again!

Thank you so much for all the great information! very much appreciated, Ill let you know how it goes.

Bucs20fan · Jun 2, 2022

rudy3 said:
well that's not assuring but honestly none of the seals seem to have expanded or have any additional stress on them. That being said, I don't know what to look for in terms of identifying a potential failure other than a leak. Will a leak always happen before a catastrophic failure or could one of the sides just blow out randomly? What's the thought on euro bracing?

A blowout could in theory happen. Typically youll see bubbling in the silicone where the glass edges are starting to pull apart. A leak does not always happen before a failure but are common indicators one is coming. Neither top fin, or aqueons rimmed tanks are designed to be rimless unless they are braced another way. A euro brace would help prevent this issue for sure, and theres a ton of DIY videos on youtube if interested.

rudy3 · Jun 2, 2022

90's reefer said:
Did you brace the top after removing the rim? Those tanks are not designed to have the rim removed.

Thank you, looking for a glass cutter now to cut euro braces

rudy3 · Jun 2, 2022

Bucs20fan said:
A blowout could in theory happen. Typically youll see bubbling in the silicone where the glass edges are starting to pull apart. A leak does not always happen before a failure but are common indicators one is coming. Neither top fin, or aqueons rimmed tanks are designed to be rimless unless they are braced another way. A euro brace would help prevent this issue for sure, and theres a ton of DIY videos on youtube if interested.

Thank you!

X-37B · Jun 2, 2022

rudy3 said:
well that's not assuring but honestly none of the seals seem to have expanded or have any additional stress on them. That being said, I don't know what to look for in terms of identifying a potential failure other than a leak. Will a leak always happen before a catastrophic failure or could one of the sides just blow out randomly? What's the thought on euro bracing?

All the above could happen. I would put the rim back on or some form of euro bracing to prevent any issues.

rudy3 · Jun 2, 2022

90's reefer said:
All the above could happen. I would put the rim back on or some form of euro bracing to prevent any issues.

got the glass cut and now in home, going to drain the tank into some buckets and silicone it over the weekend. Thank you so much everyone for the fantastic welcome!

G Santana · Jun 2, 2022

Welcome to R2R, as a good starter coral, these beauties can't be beat

X-37B · Jun 2, 2022

rudy3 said:
got the glass cut and now in home, going to drain the tank into some buckets and silicone it over the weekend. Thank you so much everyone for the fantastic welcome!

Fast response and good job!
Oh and.....

Fred2482 · Jun 2, 2022

Welcome! I second clowns and firefish. Just make sure to have the top covered. I also think zoas and gsp are a great starting point, just know they will grow over every inch of you tank if not properly placed.

Sebastiancrab · Jun 2, 2022

Welcome! I started out with 2 clowns and mushrooms. Best advice is to go slow until you start to get a "feel" for your tank and the chemistry. Suggest you watch Bulk Reef Supply videos on Youtube on all things reefing. Salifert and Hanna test kits are reliable. Stay away from API. You will want to quarantine your fish. Good luck.

Miami Reef · Jun 2, 2022

Welcome to the forum!!

CoralB · Jun 2, 2022

Welcome!!!

rudy3 · Jun 2, 2022

G Santana said:
Welcome to R2R, as a good starter coral, these beauties can't be beat

Haha. Thank you!

rudy3 · Jun 2, 2022

90's reefer said:
Fast response and good job!
Oh and.....

Got that Bracing on during a slightly extended lunch break. I went with another style other than euro because of my HOB setup. Thanks again to everyone for the comments and welcomes!

Bracing: 2x 3"x12"x1/4 low iron glass

rudy3 · Jun 2, 2022

Fred2482 said:
Welcome! I second clowns and firefish. Just make sure to have the top covered. I also think zoas and gsp are a great starting point, just know they will grow over every inch of you tank if not properly placed.

Great! thank you so much!

X-37B · Jun 2, 2022

rudy3 said:
Got that Bracing on during a slightly extended lunch break. I went with another style other than euro because of my HOB setup. Thanks again to everyone for the comments and welcomes!

Bracing: 2x 3"x12"x1/4 low iron glass

That will work. Nice job!

rudy3 · Jun 2, 2022

Sebastiancrab said:
Welcome! I started out with 2 clowns and mushrooms. Best advice is to go slow until you start to get a "feel" for your tank and the chemistry. Suggest you watch Bulk Reef Supply videos on Youtube on all things reefing. Salifert and Hanna test kits are reliable. Stay away from API. You will want to quarantine your fish. Good luck.

Great! thanks! i have been watching BRS for a few months now, that is what got me into wanting to go salt LOL. is it true that Tomato clowns are more aggressive than Ocellaris?

Sebastiancrab · Jun 2, 2022

rudy3 said:
Great! thanks! i have been watching BRS for a few months now, that is what got me into wanting to go salt LOL. is it true that Tomato clowns are more aggressive than Ocellaris?

Post your question in the clownfish forum please. I have no idea but there is bound to be someone who does!

rudy3 · Jun 2, 2022

Sebastiancrab said:
Post your question in the clownfish forum please. I have no idea but there is bound to be someone who does!

Oops, sorry, been a long time since i've been a part of a forum. I forgot the etiquette. Thank you!

vetteguy53081 · Jun 2, 2022

rudy3 said:
Great! thanks! i have been watching BRS for a few months now, that is what got me into wanting to go salt LOL. is it true that Tomato clowns are more aggressive than Ocellaris?

Tomato and Maroon clowns are very nasty and will in time , Not hesitate to bite your hand and move stuff around in the tank