55 gallon reef tank diary, my first tank!

[matt b]

Originally Posted by matt2364
http:///forum/post/2492985
I will definitely do some tests. Earlier in the set up, I forgot to put little wholes in the top of the returns...all the water started to syphon down into the sump. luckily, I had a very strong power head attached to a tube and was able to drain most of the water out into a trashcan. Still lost a gallon or two to the floor...It was pretty scary!!
Adding the baffles, I should just put one to the right and one to the left of the one that is already there right? and have both of them elevated so the water can go under both of them and then over the middle one?
that should be fine. just make sure they are high enuf for water to flow good. and 8" to 7" is good for the halides. but I cant help you with the covering them cause ive never had MH befor.

 

[lordlocks]

hay whats up

.the tank and sump look good. your live rock i suggest grouping it all more to the middle of the tank try to fit them together like legos, were the rocks fit tight together it will give it a more naturel look,and also you should cover your lights or put allglass lids on your tank to keep water and salt out. and if you use any water conditioner it seems to trap air in the water but that should go away after a few days

 

[browniebuck]

From my experiences with my 55, I would try to arrange the rock so that there is enough room to get a MagFloat around the front and sides (it looks like on the sides, the rock is against the glass). I like the caves that you have formed, though.
The more you play with your rock, the more comfortable you will get with it. I will say that I have moved mine around at least 5 times since I started (either because of new LR additions, new livestock additions, or to rescue a fish).
When you start buying corals, ask your friend OSUAquarist about the place he got his clowns from...that place is SWEET!!!

 

[matt2364]

When you start buying corals, ask your friend OSUAquarist about the place he got his clowns from...that place is SWEET!!!
Haha, I want with OSUAquarist to get this clowns! He lives in the room below me
From my experiences with my 55, I would try to arrange the rock so that there is enough room to get a MagFloat around the front and sides (it looks like on the sides, the rock is against the glass). I like the caves that you have formed, though.
I will try to get the rock off of the sides and post some more pictures once it is rearranged.
cover your lights or put allglass lids on your tank to keep water and salt out.
Thanks, I will definitely keep the acrylic cover on the lights. I could have sworn I have seen people that do not cover the lights when they have canopys, maybe they use glass lids though. Thanks again.

 

[osuaquarist]

I think you should leave the halides uncovered. If they are 8" off the water there is no way it will splash onto it. Whats the point of having halides if your just going to kill the light with glass, then 8" then another 15" of water.
I might be wrong I don't really know but I think 8" is fine without a cover.

 

[matt2364]

Here is a full tank shot after OSUAquarist and I rearranged the tank. None of the rock is touching the sides or front anymore, I think I should be able to get a mag float around now....just need to get one now, lol. Let me know if anyone has any further suggestions.

New Brain Coral

Small Xenia frag courtesy of OSUAquarist. Seems to has attached to the cup and not the small pieces of rock I had in there originally...o well.

Some kind of aropora, let me know if anyone knows the exact identity.

Another acro

]

 

[browniebuck]

Nice brain!
I like the rock better this way, is there enough room around the front and sides to clean (still looks a little close?).

 

[matt2364]

I like the rock better this way, is there enough room around the front and sides to clean (still looks a little close?).
I think there should be, I can definitely get my fingers between the glass and the rock. The mag float is probably a little thicker than my finger so we will just have to wait and see until I get a mag float...but I think it should be fine.

 

[matt2364]

I already have:
5 mexican turbo snails
5 blue leg hermits
Thinking about adding this to my clean up crew. Any suggestions? I have had my halides on a lot lately to try to get some nice algae growth, everything is getting nice and brown so there will be plenty to eat when everyone arrives!
Cleaner Clam
Jade Hermit - Group of 10
Nassarius Snail Group of 10
Turbo/Astrea Snail - Group of 10
Hawaiian Zebra - Group of 10
Emerald Crab - Group of 3
Decorator Crab
Cleaner Shrimp
Copepods - Group of 200

 

[matt2364]

Got my first fish today! A scopus tang. I will post some pictures later, he is kinda camera shy right now.

 

[matt2364]

Here is a picture of the Scopus Tang. Probably 1-2''

 

[matt2364]

An Umbrella Mushroom, it is colored in dark and light greens with tan colored speckles and lines. I ordered this off of this site, only $10, check it out!
Anyone know how to get one of these to attach to something? Do they wait to attach until they have optimal light and flow or does it just take awhile?

 

[veni vidi vici]

Great looking tank Matt.

 

[matt2364]

Great looking tank Matt.
Thanks! I will try to get a nice FT shot again sometime soon, I have moved things around a little bit.

 

[veni vidi vici]

LOL i love the coffee cup light stands.

 

[matt b]

It looks great!!! just keep it slow

 

[clownfish11]

did u already get more sand or are you gonna do that?

 

[matt2364]

It looks great!!! just keep it slow
I know...it's just so hard! I am definitely going to wait a little while before getting another fish or anything big. Let the system adjust for awhile.
LOL i love the coffee cup light stands.
Haha, the cups are a nice touch right? Something to hide me over until I get the lights hung.
did u already get more sand or are you gonna do that?
No, I do not plan on getting much more sand. A couple of extremely knowledgable people have talked me out of it. They said there is too much room for bacteria to grow undisturbed and the deeper the sand beds the more problems people usually have.

 

[clownfish11]

ya then i would stay away form the diggers or burrowers which is most crabs, starfish, conches, clams, some gobys and blennies, umm and some other stuff....but ist up to you

 

[matt2364]

Anyone have any recommendations for my next fish purchase?