Malefactor
Membership Expired
So, got this going for the most part now. It's a 135G tank with the same footprint as a 150 (only 24 inches instead of 32 tall). Currently the lights are a Finnex Ray2 (10000K) and a FugeRay+ (6000K white / red with moonlights that turn for the extra blue and a little red added). Added sand tonight (not in pic) but only had about 50 pounds. So, enough for about 1/4 - 1/2 inch layer across the tank, but i switched it up so the sand is on the the two sides of my egg crate the rocks are on... Current setup
FOWLR - Will eventually be reef when more established. Already drilled and waiting for a 55G sump
The live rock and sand i have was from an existing tank that was broken down and the rock / sand kept circulated in a tub until i got it. There was a bit of die off, but after i got it and set it in two separate tubs and started adding light,it perked right back up. Running clean now with no die off and algae, micro fauna coming back in force and faster than i would have expected. The tank is half full right now, and has 2 clown fish (so about 70 gallons of water) and will be filled to capacity over the next week as i make 25G in my tub each night. Specific gravity of 1.024, glass covers with saran wrap to cover the gaps and prevent excess evaporation. 2 holes left for air intake / outtake + an airstone to add oxygen until i get the sump running. Filtration as of right now is strictly the live rock / live sand. Circulation is a Hydor 1500 in the center of the tank pointed to the opposite wall so it hits the wall and disperses to each side. Heater is a Eheim Jager 200W, i can add another 200W Hydor when there's more water
So, the tank Any suggestions on rock placement if i did ok or is there another way i should have done this?
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Some of the algae/ sponges (looks like a green sponge starting. It's textured and more firm like a sponge which is why i don't think it's algae). The red i know is algae, but no clue what kind. Some coralline algae is present, but started to die off and hasn't reestablished itself well yet. Should i be concerned about this algae or will a clean up crew once i start adding them take care of it. As well, until begin starting it as a reef, couldn't it help with filtration as long as i start pulling any overly excessive amounts?
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Better pic of the algae growing up close
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No idea what these guys are. Probably dead and this is the skeleton. They're hard and encrusted onto the rock. Hollow as far as i can tell and have seen no movement / growth from them. Worry about them or no?
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All these white worm things are all over some of the rock. It's hard and encrusted onto it. Worry about them or no?
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Finally, this interesting little thing. There's 2-3 that i've seen... The guy that i got the live rock from says he did have some bubble and bubble tip anemone. Wondering if it may be a very small one that propagates and is springing back up now that lights / nutrients have started back up. The rock / sand was kept dark for a few days before i got it, but i started the light and fresh saltwater the day i got them. That was a few weeks ago... The first one i noticed was about the size of a silver dollar and looked like a blob of mucus type substance. Moved VERY slowly, like... mm / hrs. So, i'm not thinking it's a slug, but maybe some type of creeping bacteria colony if not an anemone. Hoping anemone though... It followed the condensation above the water line and died though whatever it was. I've seen 2-3 other VERY small ones. About 1/5 the size of a penny...
The mystery blob that followed it's larger bit above the water line - used flash on camera, it highlighted bright white in the light.
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Without flash
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Here you can see it is just above the water line crawling up the glass. I did splash some water on it to get it back into the actual water in case it is beneficial. if i find out here that it is not. Next time i see it, i'll clean it up.
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I'll be upgrading my lights soon. The lights used were ok for the tubs, but on a larger tank i'll need more i know. I have 2X 48 inch 2 bar T8 Shop light strips and 4 actual covered 48 inch 2 bar T8 Ballasts. 4 sets of spotlight / trac lights. 2 sets support Metal Halide T6 and the other supports R46 / Par38 type lights. Each one of the sets has 4 lights in the set. Debating on using 1 set of the metal halide and 1 set of the Par38 and doing metal halide + a UV/Red/Blue/White reef LED combo. That should provide sufficient light i think? Or should i do a different combination with what i have?
Other than that, is there anything i'm missing that i should focus on right now immediately? I have a skimmer in the works as well which i should have within the month, but have been told with only the 2 fish and a small clean up crew + the live rock and live sand, that i shouldn't need one for now. That the rock / sand / algae and such i have going on would even keep my nitrates non existent.
FOWLR - Will eventually be reef when more established. Already drilled and waiting for a 55G sump
The live rock and sand i have was from an existing tank that was broken down and the rock / sand kept circulated in a tub until i got it. There was a bit of die off, but after i got it and set it in two separate tubs and started adding light,it perked right back up. Running clean now with no die off and algae, micro fauna coming back in force and faster than i would have expected. The tank is half full right now, and has 2 clown fish (so about 70 gallons of water) and will be filled to capacity over the next week as i make 25G in my tub each night. Specific gravity of 1.024, glass covers with saran wrap to cover the gaps and prevent excess evaporation. 2 holes left for air intake / outtake + an airstone to add oxygen until i get the sump running. Filtration as of right now is strictly the live rock / live sand. Circulation is a Hydor 1500 in the center of the tank pointed to the opposite wall so it hits the wall and disperses to each side. Heater is a Eheim Jager 200W, i can add another 200W Hydor when there's more water
So, the tank Any suggestions on rock placement if i did ok or is there another way i should have done this?
alt="">
alt="">Some of the algae/ sponges (looks like a green sponge starting. It's textured and more firm like a sponge which is why i don't think it's algae). The red i know is algae, but no clue what kind. Some coralline algae is present, but started to die off and hasn't reestablished itself well yet. Should i be concerned about this algae or will a clean up crew once i start adding them take care of it. As well, until begin starting it as a reef, couldn't it help with filtration as long as i start pulling any overly excessive amounts?
alt="">Better pic of the algae growing up close
alt="">No idea what these guys are. Probably dead and this is the skeleton. They're hard and encrusted onto the rock. Hollow as far as i can tell and have seen no movement / growth from them. Worry about them or no?
alt="">All these white worm things are all over some of the rock. It's hard and encrusted onto it. Worry about them or no?
alt="">Finally, this interesting little thing. There's 2-3 that i've seen... The guy that i got the live rock from says he did have some bubble and bubble tip anemone. Wondering if it may be a very small one that propagates and is springing back up now that lights / nutrients have started back up. The rock / sand was kept dark for a few days before i got it, but i started the light and fresh saltwater the day i got them. That was a few weeks ago... The first one i noticed was about the size of a silver dollar and looked like a blob of mucus type substance. Moved VERY slowly, like... mm / hrs. So, i'm not thinking it's a slug, but maybe some type of creeping bacteria colony if not an anemone. Hoping anemone though... It followed the condensation above the water line and died though whatever it was. I've seen 2-3 other VERY small ones. About 1/5 the size of a penny...
The mystery blob that followed it's larger bit above the water line - used flash on camera, it highlighted bright white in the light.
alt="">Without flash
alt="">Here you can see it is just above the water line crawling up the glass. I did splash some water on it to get it back into the actual water in case it is beneficial. if i find out here that it is not. Next time i see it, i'll clean it up.
alt="">I'll be upgrading my lights soon. The lights used were ok for the tubs, but on a larger tank i'll need more i know. I have 2X 48 inch 2 bar T8 Shop light strips and 4 actual covered 48 inch 2 bar T8 Ballasts. 4 sets of spotlight / trac lights. 2 sets support Metal Halide T6 and the other supports R46 / Par38 type lights. Each one of the sets has 4 lights in the set. Debating on using 1 set of the metal halide and 1 set of the Par38 and doing metal halide + a UV/Red/Blue/White reef LED combo. That should provide sufficient light i think? Or should i do a different combination with what i have?
Other than that, is there anything i'm missing that i should focus on right now immediately? I have a skimmer in the works as well which i should have within the month, but have been told with only the 2 fish and a small clean up crew + the live rock and live sand, that i shouldn't need one for now. That the rock / sand / algae and such i have going on would even keep my nitrates non existent.