Fish Think Pink
5000 Club Member
Hi everyone,
Been following all the good info for a while and finally joined. Haven’t had a saltwater tank since the mid 90’s and decided to dive back in with my first reef tank (Marineland 5 gal Portrait). I have been full time RVing in my motorhome since 2020 so it created a few good obstacles to figure out.
The initial setup consisted of live sand, dry rocks, and LFS water, 25 watt heater, NICREW 30w LED. It was placed on the dining table and kept out of direct sunlight. A small chiller was on hand in case I had a temp spike which was needed twice while in the CA deserts. On travel days 1 gallon of water was removed and stored in a salt prep jug, tank placed on the floor in a plastic storage bin. The power remained on and a small fan was facing it just for good measure. I was surprised how well this worked and rarely had any water splash out around the glass top. The light was removed during travel so the weight of it wouldn’t break the tank. Soft corals were added after cycling probably more rapidly than one would suggest and they all thrived. 90% water changes were done every week and I made the salt water using distilled water and Coral Pro Salt. A shark nose goby and then a tiny ocellaris clownfish became residents.
After 9 months of traveling the US with this tank we have put the RV away for a good rest and moved back into bricks and sticks. The only casualty during the trek was a discosoma mushroom that lost its color and shriveled. After the fish were added I did struggle for a while with GHA from over feeding and bio waste. A female emerald crab was added but I waited too long to do this. It had spread so quickly that I decided to risk it and bath all the affected corals and rocks with a diluted hydrogen peroxide using a pipette during a water change. Each area got a quick splash of the HP and then I refilled the tank after 5 minutes. The next day all the GHA was gone.
The montipora digitata and the birdsnest looked dead for two days but came back 100%. Phew!
Now I’m looking to start a Waterbox Cube 20 in our home once I figure out a good stand for it. If anyone has a good suggestion for a stand other that what Waterbox sells I would appreciate it.
Welcome! Glad you joined. WOW!! HOW COOL!
Have you considered starting your build thread? I found its a great place to document my tank's evolution for myself. I started tank first then joined, so I'm still finding myself going back collecting pictures & updating historically as well as current state. Once you create your first post in your thread and link it to your account, they will give you build badge (look left, under my ID). LOVE your photo and LOVE your story! You might even consider just taking everything above and starting new thread over in Member Aquariums area of Forum - just copy & paste.
This might help you find people local to you in Ft Lauderdale, and helpful next time you are traveling US in RV with reef tank:
Local Reef Club Discussion
Looking for some locals to share frags and info with? This is the place! Find a local club that meets in your area! If you want to add your club just contact us.
www.reef2reef.com
This might help you find people local to you:
Global Local Reef Club Discussion
Looking for some locals to share frags and info with? This is the place! Find a local club that meets in your area! If you want to add your club just contact us.
www.reef2reef.com
This is a good reference book type online article I still review:
The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium
This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is no...
www.reef2reef.com
No need for wave pumps in an RV. Bet the tank got lots of wave action. Welcome!
revhtree
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Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! 
urgolden
New Member
Great idea. Thank youWelcome! Glad you joined. WOW!! HOW COOL!
Have you considered starting your build thread? I found its a great place to document my tank's evolution for myself. I started tank first then joined, so I'm still finding myself going back collecting pictures & updating historically as well as current state. Once you create your first post in your thread and link it to your account, they will give you build badge (look left, under my ID). LOVE your photo and LOVE your story! You might even consider just taking everything above and starting new thread over in Member Aquariums area of Forum - just copy & paste.
This might help you find people local to you in Ft Lauderdale, and helpful next time you are traveling US in RV with reef tank:
Local Reef Club Discussion
Looking for some locals to share frags and info with? This is the place! Find a local club that meets in your area! If you want to add your club just contact us.
This might help you find people local to you:
Global Local Reef Club Discussion
Looking for some locals to share frags and info with? This is the place! Find a local club that meets in your area! If you want to add your club just contact us.
This is a good reference book type online article I still review:
The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium
This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is no...
urgolden
New Member
Congrats on your RV purchase. It’s a great lifestyle. I’d say go for it and try a small Pico tank. Then you can easily carry it in/out using a plastic storage bin. Should work well as long as you don’t have temp spikes inside the RV.Welcome! My wife and I bought an RV last summer. I jokingly have mentioned we need an RV aquarium. The difference though is that we don't live out of the RV. Just use it for vacations. So, it would have to be a movable tank that moves easily from my office to the RV office. Ha! It may be fun for me, but probably not for the tank inhabitants. . .
ScubaShane
MENTAL REEF DISORDER!
Hmmm RV tanks............$$$. Oh ya, welcome to R2R!
.......$$$. Oh ya, welcome to R2R!
Welcome to Reef2Reef!!
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