New to Saltwater; started 18gallon Nov2023 and 10gallon Dec2023

JMBL

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Hi all

Just want to share my sorta new tank progression.
In Canada; started a venture into saltwater tank to try things out. Children kind of pushed me into the hobby haha. Wasnt really interested in it myself, Had started with guppies, tetras, neocaridina freshwater tank at first in late 2022 (actually was started by nanny) but wanted to try saltwater after.

started 18gallon Nov2023 and then 10gallon Dec2023. Lots of mistakes in the learning process unfortunately but had great help also.

18 gallon tank Equipment:
Ive been going without sump but will need one in future perhaps (so many nitrate issues), two clip on lights, hang on back filter, no protein skimmer (overheats my tank and never catches anything but I might be misusing it?), two small wavemakers, heater, thermometer. Used distilled water from grocery store then reverse osmosis water (RO only not RODI) from a drinking water treatment store. Water topoffs every 3days; lidless, water changes every 4weeks roughly. Additives have included trace elements+ for goniopora which just wont extend out fully anymore; algaemanagement NO3PO something few days/month if nitrates are high. Used some antibiotic stuff one time from local expert for brown jelly disease March2024. which successfully spared some of my hammers/torches from dying.

18gallon tank with live rock, sand, water purchased from local expert to quickstart stuff, especially as I have no clue what I'm doing -I'm looking to rely on others.
fauna as illustrated

I have had lots of deaths over time, havent written them down per se but off the top of my head-
Deaths:
sea urchin died almost immediately within a few days
also lost three (1-3head) colonies of torches, a candy cane, three small colonies of hammers (I think the hammer and torches died from brown jelly disease I was informed)
Lost three clownfish (as same larger one is always aggressive)
feather duster, royal gramma and mandarin dragonet died due to algae management (reduced phosphate too quickly)
Three GSP colonies
Small birds of paradise frag
Tonsss of various snails I believe due to two emerald crabs
-----
18gallon tank with live rock, sand, water purchased from local expert to quickstart stuff again Dec2023
simple setup with red bubble tip, purple tube, green tentacle and some fourth anemone i cant recall; small pulsing xenias and forest fire rhodactis
also a favia coral small frag that died at this time

IMG_8847.JPG IMG-20231025-WA0003.jpeg IMG-20231026-WA0020.jpg IMG-20231028-WA0002.jpeg PXL_20231028_205414847.jpg PXL_20231028_220202359.jpg PXL_20231029_013223568.jpg PXL_20231029_013232103.jpg PXL_20231029_013245429.jpg PXL_20231029_013301350.jpg PXL_20231029_013333533.jpg PXL_20231029_013406100.jpg PXL_20231029_014030085.jpg PXL_20231029_014046493.jpg PXL_20231029_014453918.jpg PXL_20231030_010419463.jpg
 
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revhtree

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Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D
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vetteguy53081

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cdemoss01

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Hi all

Just want to share my sorta new tank progression.
In Canada; started a venture into saltwater tank to try things out. Children kind of pushed me into the hobby haha. Wasnt really interested in it myself, Had started with guppies, tetras, neocaridina freshwater tank at first in late 2022 (actually was started by nanny) but wanted to try saltwater after.

started 18gallon Nov2023 and then 10gallon Dec2023. Lots of mistakes in the learning process unfortunately but had great help also.

18 gallon tank Equipment:
Ive been going without sump but will need one in future perhaps (so many nitrate issues), two clip on lights, hang on back filter, no protein skimmer (overheats my tank and never catches anything but I might be misusing it?), two small wavemakers, heater, thermometer. Used distilled water from grocery store then reverse osmosis water (RO only not RODI) from a drinking water treatment store. Water topoffs every 3days; lidless, water changes every 4weeks roughly. Additives have included trace elements+ for goniopora which just wont extend out fully anymore; algaemanagement NO3PO something few days/month if nitrates are high. Used some antibiotic stuff one time from local expert for brown jelly disease March2024. which successfully spared some of my hammers/torches from dying.

18gallon tank with live rock, sand, water purchased from local expert to quickstart stuff, especially as I have no clue what I'm doing -I'm looking to rely on others.
fauna as illustrated

I have had lots of deaths over time, havent written them down per se but off the top of my head-
Deaths:
sea urchin died almost immediately within a few days
also lost three (1-3head) colonies of torches, a candy cane, three small colonies of hammers (I think the hammer and torches died from brown jelly disease I was informed)
Lost three clownfish (as same larger one is always aggressive)
feather duster, royal gramma and mandarin dragonet died due to algae management (reduced phosphate too quickly)
Three GSP colonies
Small birds of paradise frag
Tonsss of various snails I believe due to two emerald crabs
-----
18gallon tank with live rock, sand, water purchased from local expert to quickstart stuff again Dec2023
simple setup with red bubble tip, purple tube, green tentacle and some fourth anemone i cant recall; small pulsing xenias and forest fire rhodactis
also a favia coral small frag that died at this time

IMG_8847.JPG IMG-20231025-WA0003.jpeg IMG-20231026-WA0020.jpg IMG-20231028-WA0002.jpeg PXL_20231028_205414847.jpg PXL_20231028_220202359.jpg PXL_20231029_013223568.jpg PXL_20231029_013232103.jpg PXL_20231029_013245429.jpg PXL_20231029_013301350.jpg PXL_20231029_013333533.jpg PXL_20231029_013406100.jpg PXL_20231029_014030085.jpg PXL_20231029_014046493.jpg PXL_20231029_014453918.jpg PXL_20231030_010419463.jpg
Welcome to Reef2Reef!
Start a build thread so we can see your tank and you'll get a spiffy build badge to go with it!
 
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JMBL

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Thanks - what a wonderful hobby

Yes cdemoss1 thanks, Ill start a build thread - separately? I am thinking of going ahead to build a 1100gallon next this year 10 length x 5 depth x 3ft high actually and will start a build thread for that for sure
(With help of course)

Cheers to all
 
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When to mix up fish meal: When was the last time you tried a different brand of food for your reef?

  • I regularly change the food that I feed to the tank.

    Votes: 32 27.1%
  • I occasionally change the food that I feed to the tank.

    Votes: 38 32.2%
  • I rarely change the food that I feed to the tank.

    Votes: 36 30.5%
  • I never change the food that I feed to the tank.

    Votes: 8 6.8%
  • Other.

    Votes: 4 3.4%
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