Straasha's New Beginning

count krunk · May 4, 2020

hmm that is a #reefsquad q I think, but I would think plain ammonia of any sort would do. You could also toss in some food, flake, frozen, or pellet. It would have the same affect.

Straasha · May 12, 2020

Finally got my first residents. An Engineer Goby, female Yellow Watchman Goby, and a Pistol Shrimp. Getting excited.

Straasha · May 27, 2020

Sorry for the delay. I did build a canopy for the tank. It was hard seeing the lights out of the corning of your eyes while watching TV. Wife likes the look better as well.

I did add a CUC from reefcleaners.org. Great service and would recommend them if you haven't used them.

Last week I added another clownfish, a yellow tang, a royal gamma who likes to hide, and a brittle starfish.

I have a Coral Beauty, a Vrolik's Wrasse, a female Whip Fin Fairy Wrasse, and one starter coral, a Grape Cristata Coral, coming in on Thursday from LiveAquaria. One question: I have read multiple conflicting pieces of advice on adding corals to the tank. After I dip the coral in CoralRX, should I remove the coral from the frag plug and glue it to a rock; or simply clean the plug and glue the plug to a rock? Please help guide the noobie.

count krunk · May 31, 2020

You can do either. I would hit the brakes on new additions and let the tank stabilize for a few weeks as well.

Straasha · Jul 13, 2020

Unfortunately had Ich that killed my Coral Beauty and two clownfish. I plan to take out all the fish, treat in copper, and go fallow for 76 days. Ugh.

count krunk · Jul 13, 2020

unfortunately ich/disease is most likely to strike in newer tanks when adding multiple fish in a short period of time.

Some will disagree but disease is always lurking for your fish and good food and slow additions are a great fight against it.

I had a single YWG in a 10g for about 3 months, then added two clowns, moved them to a 40 breeder for about 3 more months then added a trio of pj cardinals.

Corals you can certainly add much faster, you just need to watch your big 3 for corals: mg, ca, and alk.

Adam Schindler · Jul 13, 2020

Welcome to the reef!! Beautiful stand and setup!!

Straasha · Jul 27, 2020

I didn't like the Fiji Cube AIO setup for a 55 gallon...so reboot has begun.

count krunk · Jul 30, 2020

Is that a UV mounted on the return? Looks pretty slick, is the GPH in the correct range for the UV?

BobT · Jul 30, 2020

Pure ammonia from Ace Hardware worked for me!

Love the stand - great carpentry skills!

Straasha · Jul 30, 2020

That is a Vecton 600 UV filter. To treat ich, it must flow at most between 10-12 GPH/watt with at least at least a 2.5x rate . This is a 25 watt system so it must flow at most 250-300 GPH. I measured mine flow between 240-250 gph. I have about 48 gallons of total water volume between tank and sump which gives me about a 5x turnover.

revhtree · Jul 30, 2020

Looking good!

Straasha · Jul 31, 2020

Tank setup and going well. I do like the Seapora tank better than the Aqueon. The glass is clearer and is 5/16 inch thick versus 1/4 inch. I also like the black silicon look as well.

Straasha · Oct 11, 2020

It has been a while since I have posted. I finally was able to move my corals up from the Frag tank after 76 days going fallow. Also, I quarantined and moved in a Melanurus wrasse and two clownfish(snowflake and onyx). Things are finally looking good.