An Introduction

[jeffs]

Hello all,
I'm Jeff. I live in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and I have just recently returned to the aquarium hobby. I used to have a freshwater tank but had to give it up in 1998 due to moving every couple of years, as is part of the military life. But now that I've retired from the military I decided to get back into the hobby, but this time as saltwater. I currently live in a second floor apartment so I have started out small scale with a FOWLR system, until I buy a house.
So without further delay here is my setup (any links are for reference only, and not an endorsement [edited to remove any retail links]):
The Equipment: (I know it's not the best, but it suits my current requirements)
The Marineland® 27 Cube set, with stand, glass canopy, and Double Bright LED lighting system. Additional equipment includes a Fluval 206 Canister Filter, two Aqueon Pro 100W Heaters, a Coralife Super Skimmer 65g, a Green Killing Machine Internal UV Sterilizer, and I just added a Marineland Maxi-Jet Powerhead to circulate a dead spot where detrius and food would collect.
The Environment:
I used a mostly black live argonite substrate about one inch deep (filled the tank to the top edge of the bottom frame/trim), and added "cultured" live rock (mostly sterile except for coraline algae) stacked to create a cave system,[strike] and some Caulerpa Mexicana[/strike].
The Livestock:
Over the last couple months I've introduced the following guys in order as the nitogen cycle allowed, two Ocellaris Clownfish, a Coral Beauty Angelfish, a Scooter Blenny, two Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crabs, and two Nassarius Snails. I also picked up some shells yesterday (June 29) from an El Paso fish store (free), for the crabs to take as needed, and it turned out two shells housed Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crabs; who will be given away as soon as possible (hopefully before they eat my blue legs).
I plan on adding one last fish, once I'm sure my tank can handle the load, and that is a Flame Angelfish, and if it can't handle any more, then the Coral Beauty will find a new home, because the Flame Angel is what I planned my community around.
7/1/2012 (Rearranged and added two small rocks to the forground to make it feel more natural)

6/30/2012 (Added a new rock and rearranged [hated this setup])

From build in April until 6/29/2012 (pic 6/23)

 

[woody189]

Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffS http:///t/392160/an-introduction#post_3480696
Hello all,
I'm Jeff. I live in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and I have just recently returned to the aquarium hobby. I used to have a freshwater tank but had to give it up in 1998 due to moving every couple of years, as is part of the military life. But now that I've retired from the military I decided to get back into the hobby, but this time as saltwater. I currently live in a second floor apartment so I have started out small scale with a FOWLR system, until I buy a house.
So without further delay here is my setup (any links are for reference only, and not an endorsement):
The Equipment: (I know it's not the best, but it suits my current requirements)
The Marineland® 27 Cube set, with stand, glass canopy, and Double Bright LED lighting system. Additional equipment includes a Fluval 206 Canister Filter, two Aqueon Pro 100W Heaters, a Coralife Super Skimmer 65g, a Green Killing Machine Internal UV Sterilizer, and I just added a Marineland Maxi-Jet Powerhead to circulate a dead spot where detrius and food would collect.
The Environment:
I used a mostly black live argonite substrate about one inch deep (filled the tank to the top edge of the bottom frame/trim), and added "cultured" live rock (mostly sterile except for coraline algae) stacked to create a cave system, and some Caulerpa Mexicana.
The Livestock:
Over the last couple months I've introduced the following guys in order as the nitogen cycle allowed, two Ocellaris Clownfish, a Coral Beauty Angelfish, a Scooter Blenny, two Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crabs, and two Nassarius Snails. I also picked up some shells yesterday (June 29) from an El Paso fish store (free), for the crabs to take as needed, and it turned out two shells housed Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crabs; who will be given away as soon as possible (hopefully before they eat my blue legs).
I plan on adding one last fish, once I'm sure my tank can handle the load, and that is a Flame Angelfish, and if it can't handle any more, then the Coral Beauty will find a new home, because the Flame Angel is what I planned my community around.
Hey Jeff. No pics?
I had a canister filter but stopped using it. They can be helpful, but make sure you maintain them properly because if you don't they can do more harm than good.
You definitely don't want to add the Flame to your tank with the Coral beauty. I'm not even sure you you should even have one of them in your tank, but definitely not two. Also, I think you are usually encouraged to have a more established tank before adding the Dwarf Angel (6 month minimum)
You should probably get a little more snails/crabs. Idk about those red tip hermits, but I'm not sure you need to remove them. I've had Scarlet hermits and blue hermits live somewhat peacefully.. Actually, I htink the blue-legs have a worse rep than the red.
Maybe you'll want to get some different crabs (emerald, SLF, etc) or a shrimp.
How big is your powerhead. They say you should have a minimum of 20x's flow, so in your 27 gallon tank, you should have about 600 GPH flow. And you should probably distribute it amongst 2-3 powerheads rather than just one. I just bought a few maxi-jets and I like them. Use it in Circualtaion pump mode rather than powerhead mode.

 

[jeffs]

The power head I added was the Maxi-Jet 600, but I added a Hydor Rotating Water Deflector to its output. But I am thinking i have too much flow now, my clowns won't come down off of the back wall from behind the equipment. As for the Coral Beauty, I don't understand why; he keeps to himself, ignoring every other thing in the tank. As for the picture I didn't know how to post them on the first post, but now I see the insert image button above, doh!
I just added a new rock today, and rearranged, but I'm not happy with the outcome. I'm going to leave it alone though, I'm sure I stressed everyone out enough for now. I hope I didn't hurt the snails, because I haven't seen them since before the new rock. I'm sure I'll know at feeding time tonight, they should pop-up from the substrate then.
Here's the newest pic:

P.S. I added a package of Kopods, and a bottle of Tigger-pods late last night, to hopefully suppliment the Coral Beauty's and Scooter's nutrition.

 

[woody189]

hows your skimmer working. When I had mine in my display tank it wouldn't work well. It was a pain to get it to function consistently, if it ever did.
Once I added it to my sump where the water level doesn't fluctuate, the skimmer works much better. I also don't have to look at it hanging on the tank. I have pics of my setup on my build thread.
Also, IDK about your specific type of caulerpa, but I know some take over the tank. People usually recommend keeping them in a sumpto prevent them from going crazy. Also, I'm not sure if you're aware, but they can go sexual and destroy your tank. I think what happens is all the bad nutrients they absorb get released into the system. They will begin to look clear. You may want to check out a thread I recently started to learn more about caulerpa.
where you get your live rock? was it fully cured?
I wouldn't worry about the snails

 

[jeffs]

The skiimer worked better in the first three hours than the SeaClone 100 did that I had on it for three weeks, once the coralife actually "broke in"; I happen to be leaving for work when I noticed it was full (lucky I was still home). I havent had a problem with it's level, I'm attempting dry skimming and it sure does pull out some nasty gunk, just have to find that right setting.

As for the Caulerpa, yes, I know. I check it all the time and snip any parts I think are becoming a problem. I had one stem go "clear" when I added it a couple weeks ago, and have not had any reoccurance. I have a planted Fluval Chi with an Amazon Sword, Betta, and three ghost shrimp; so keeping up on the "vegitation" (used loosely) is not a hassle for me. Fortunately Caulerpa uses a runner system so it is relatively easy to keep in check.

The live rock I get from *****, my only choice where I live, so like I said it's actually a sterile, fake, live rock. The only thing on it is algae.

 

[btldreef]

Welcome!
Woody has touched on a few things.
Definitely do not put two dwarf angelfish in this tank. They WILL fight. I hate a flame and a coral beauty in a 155 that fought, in that small of a setup, it's definitely not recommended. The tank is also not large enough for a flame angel, let alone a flame and a coral beauty. Flame angels can reach 5-6" and a tank less than 55G really can't support their swimming habits.
And absolutely make sure you stay on top of that caulerpa. It is one of the invasive species, and one it gets out of control and onto your rocks, it's really hard to keep it cut back. Trust me, it's in my refugium and I hate it! But, it is a great plant for reducing excess nutrients from the water.

 

[jeffs]

Ok, so I took your advice, and dumped the Caulerpa. but also the layout of the rock was getting to me so I rearranged again. This time I like the outcome, but it looks barren with out the Caulerpa. [LATE ADDITION/EDIT] I added two more small rocks to the foreground to give it a more natural feel, it looks less barren now also.
I feel it needs something green in there. Maybe I can find some fake algae, made from something that looks real and flows with the current. There's nothing more tacky than a fake-looking plant that stands still.
I still think I may have killed a snail during yesterdays rearranging, as I have only seen one snail durring the last two feedings. Well, if I don't see the second one within the next week or two, I guess I'll have to get another. I really hate it when I accidently kill things.
Also, are you guys certain the red tip crabs will leave the blue leg crabs alone; and, isn't the clean-up crew overstocked with four crabs? I read that you sould only have one crab for every 10 to 15 gallons, thanks.
New pic:

 

[btldreef]

I like the new rock work!
There are other, far less invasive species of macroalgaes than the caulerpa you had. Caulerpa prolifera is one that doesn't grow as fast, and is very easy to maintain and keep under control. There are some red macros as well. I'm a big fan of macro algaes and have a bunch of different varieties in my tanks. Different tanks will grow different species better. It depends on the conditions, some need more calcium, some need more iodine and iron, etc. Prolifera is one of the easier ones. I've found Gracilaria to be fairly easy as well, but it is a slow grower and your Coral Beauty may eat it. Grape caulerpa, which is also very invasive, is very easy to keep under control. It doesn't spread the same way the mexicana does. I can't keep it with my coral beauty because she absolutely loves grape caulerpa, but I have it in my refugium, and it is one of my favorites.
The big thing with grape caulerpa, and really any macro algae, especially caulerpas, is that you MUST harvest them. They can go sexual. Which means they release their gamates and pollute your water. I've had it happen and nothing bad has happened. I've seen others claim that its crashed their tank when it happens. There are warning signs to look out for though. If the caulerpa is turning white or clear, it needs to be pulled and a water change should be done, and carbon replaced if you're using it. With grape caulerpa, you definitely can see when it's about to go. It turns pale a day or two before it fully goes sexual, and when it does go sexual, it turns white and gets mushy.

 

[jeffs]

Well I definately don't want to crash my system, but if I had some that the fish loved to snack on, I don't think I'd be too upset; I like it when the environment can suppliment some of the food (but I won't allow mice to enter the house for the cats, thats just crazy!), you just have to ensure they dont over eat it. I have decided that I'm going to add a hang on back refugium, but they seem expensive so it may be a month or two down the road, I've already spent twice the budget I planned on my current set up.

I just have to decide on whether to get one with a built in skimmer, or keep my current skimmer, any recommendations are welcome. One thing I look forward to is getting the heaters and UV kit out of the main display tank. I also just added a GFCI as recommended/commanded in another thread, I thought that my surge protection was good enough, I'm glad I joined this community (this old dog is learning new tricks).
Additionally, are there any featherdusters that can thrive in a FOWLR setup like mine? It would be nice to add one, but as I previously mentioned, I don't want to stress and kill stuff, thanks!
P.S. I added two small foreground rocks so I updated the pictures and comments above.

 

[btldreef]

Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffS http:///t/392160/an-introduction#post_3480887
Well I definately don't want to crash my system, but if I had some that the fish loved to snack on, I don't think I'd be too upset; I like it when the environment can suppliment some of the food (but I won't allow mice to enter the house for the cats, thats just crazy!), you just have to ensure they dont over eat it. I have decided that I'm going to add a hang on back refugium, but they seem expensive so it may be a month or two down the road, I've already spent twice the budget I planned on my current set up.

I just have to decide on whether to get one with a built in skimmer, or keep my current skimmer, any recommendations are welcome. One thing I look forward to is getting the heaters and UV kit out of the main display tank. I also just added a GFCI as recommended/commanded in another thread, I thought that my surge protection was good enough, I'm glad I joined this community (this old dog is learning new tricks).
Additionally, are there any featherdusters that can thrive in a FOWLR setup like mine? It would be nice to add one, but as I previously mentioned, I don't want to stress and kill stuff, thanks!
P.S. I added two small foreground rocks so I updated the pictures and comments above.
I would keep the skimmer you have. Look around here and on the internet for DIY hang on back refugiums. They're fairly easy to build, you don't need to spend a ton of money on them.
I've kept feather dusters and CoCo worms in FOWLRS. My Coral Beauty eats them on me, so I can't keep them in the reef tank with her. Most people don't have this issue though, mine is just a big jerk and knows how much I love CoCo worms and wants to torture me.
The new rock work looks nice. Your coral beauty will thank you for more grazing areas as well.