New tank build 90 ProStar

[hillbillybran24]

Hi everyone, I’m Brandon and I’ve wanted a saltwater tank for years and I finally got the nerve to go ahead and buy one. I bought a 90 ProStar from my local fish store. I have the tank filled and starting its cycle I purchased live rock and live sand to help with the cycle. I’m looking for suggestions on equipment for the tank. I want it to be successful. Here’s a picture of what I have so far. I will be purchasing more rock I plan on getting about 45 to 50 more pounds of rock this was just a starting point for me. I have a 700 gph pump I can’t remember the brand and a heater that’s all the equipment I have so far. Any suggestions are welcomed.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Hi everyone, I’m Brandon and I’ve wanted a saltwater tank for years and I finally got the nerve to go ahead and buy one. I bought a 90 ProStar from my local fish store. I have the tank filled and starting its cycle I purchased live rock and live sand to help with the cycle. I’m looking for suggestions on equipment for the tank. I want it to be successful. Here’s a picture of what I have so far. I will be purchasing more rock I plan on getting about 45 to 50 more pounds of rock this was just a starting point for me. I have a 700 gph pump I can’t remember the brand and a heater that’s all the equipment I have so far. Any suggestions are welcomed.

Cool! I'll follow along!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[hillbillybran24]

First update I have lights now! I bought 2 AI prime 16’s. Starting to look better already! And I’ve bought 2 brute trash cans to make me an RO DI storage and salt mixing station for easy water changes. Stay tuned for pictures of that when I get finished with it.

 

[hillbillybran24]

Update : I have added a flame angelfish and 2 yellow tail damsels to my tank and a GSP and a zoa. Also added a Nero 3 power head

 

[PoseidonsReef]

Fish need oxygen in the water so start there , i havent gotten one yet but a refugium with cheto in it and a protien skimmer are a must have. I havent dug into reactors yet but i dont have sump system so it just hang on back systems until i level up

 

[hillbillybran24]

Got a new center piece for the tank.

 

[hillbillybran24]

Added in snails and hermit crabs and have my saltwater mixing station all put together

 

[NautiTang]

I will second the skimmer and refugium although not essential. They do certainly help with pH and nutrient removal.

I would recommend you wait on lighting the refugium until you get a few more fish but rock in the sump can help with breeding area for pods.

Speaking of pods, IMO they are the MVP of the clean up crew (CuC). I like to order from @Reef By Steele you will get them naturally as you add stuff but IMO getting them in the beginning will help you stay ahead of the “ugly stages”.

 

[Reef By Steele]

I will second the skimmer and refugium although not essential. They do certainly help with pH and nutrient removal.

I would recommend you wait on lighting the refugium until you get a few more fish but rock in the sump can help with breeding area for pods.

Speaking of pods, IMO they are the MVP of the clean up crew (CuC). I like to order from @Reef By Steele you will get them naturally as you add stuff but IMO getting them in the beginning will help you stay ahead of the “ugly stages”.

Hey @NautiTang tha is for the shout out. Yes the addition of copepods early in the set up (after ammonia cycle complete) is a great method to lessen or eliminate the uglies. Dosing live phytoplankton will also assist by consuming the nutrients the nuisance algae use to grow.

 

[hillbillybran24]

A little build update. Fighting GHA. Have added a protein skimmer and a carbon reactor. Got a new gyre. Stocked up on some CUC have 2 urchins and 10 snails and 5 hermits. And have added a new hammer coral. Fish stocking is 2 clowns, 1 flame angel, 2 pajama cardinals, 1 royal gramma, 1 tomini tang, and a yellow tail damsel.

 

[hillbillybran24]

A little tank update
Stocking
2 clowns
1 blue tang
1 tomini tang
1 blue tail damsel
1 flame angel
1 fire fish
1 mandarin
1 royal gramma
2 wrasse
2 pajama cardinals
1 diamond goby
2 urchins
3 peppermint shrimp
1 cleaner shrimp
Chocolate chip star in sump

Tank parameters
Salinity 1.026
Phosphates 0.36
Nitrate 15
Alk 9.6
Mag 1450
Cal 450

I have overcome the gha and now starting to dial in all my parameters have been steadily decreasing my phosphates and have been adding new corals to the tank and watching my alk drop currently it’s dropping about .3 a day with my current corals I haven’t setup a dosing regime yet I’m just handling it with water changes. I’m using Red Sea black bucket. Here’s some pictures of how things are going.

 

[MushroomMan101]

Great looking tank! Really enjoy your rock scape.

 

[hillbillybran24]

Great looking tank! Really enjoy your rock scape.

Thank you. It’s took some work to get where I’m at with it I hope it remains this way!