Azfishgal New Tank Diary!

[azfishgal]

Well, I received my shipment of 100 lbs of live rock and 20 lbs of live sand. Sorry azaintcold (love that name by the way

), I didn't see this message until after I put my rock in the tank, but one box was wripped on the side, like it had been dropped or something and both boxes were a bit damp. There were LOTS of tiny flies when we opened the boxes, not really prepared for that, so we rushed them both outside to the backyard. Once we got the boxes both opened I was very pleased with how the rock looked. We did have to rinse the rocks in salt water and we did go over them with a toothbrush, as they literally looked like they were snatched from the ocean. The only thing I was disappointed in was there were not very many large pieces, but lots of smaller pieces. I need more rock anyway so will go to the lfs to hand pick some large pieces to finish my aquascape. Haven't seen any critters yet, but I do have a pretty good size sponge on one rock. Not sure if it will survive, but so far it looks fine. These pics don't show the actual color, but they really do look nice, and I have more spaces than what these pics show, for fishes to swim between rocks.

More pics coming in a few minutes........

 

[azfishgal]

Yes, water level is low because I ran out of saltwater, so I'm in the process of mixing more, but luckily it was enough to run the pump. Will also be adding more lr to sump when I get it.

I tried to get some close-up shots, but the battery in my camera died.

So as soon as it's charged I'll get some close-up pics.

 

[azfishgal]

Again, the camera could not capture the true color of these rocks.

SPONGE BOB!!! Does anyone know if these sponges are ok to have. If so I hope they survive.

 

[azfishgal]

 

[gnorman]

your live rock looks really good. great looking tank!

 

[goodwin9]

Rock looks great! Sometimes, smallers pieces are much easier to work with. Options are much more limited with the big boulders.

 

[bob_25]

Awesome setup.

What kind of sump/skimmer are you using? Also did you get the LR from SWF? Thanks for your input.
Nate

 

[azaintcold]

Looks good. Looks like I'll be ordering from SWF.com for LR. thanks!

 

[azreefgirl]

Rock looks good! Looks like there's a lot of nice coloring on them. Love the green coralline! :cheer:

 

[azfishgal]

Originally Posted by goodwin9
Rock looks great! Sometimes, smallers pieces are much easier to work with. Options are much more limited with the big boulders.

You do have a point. I knew I was going to need to get a few more large pieces, so I'm not worried, it will look great once I'm done. I really like all the color from these rocks, I just hope it stays. I'd definiltey recomend ordering rock from SWF, it does look very nice.

So what about the sponges? Are they ok to have?

 

[azfishgal]

Originally Posted by azaintcold
Looks good. Looks like I'll be ordering from SWF.com for LR. thanks!

I don't think you will be disappointed. Very nice rock, just open it in your backyard, so if there are flies you don't have a bunch in your house.

Be sure to post pics when you get them.

 

[azfishgal]

Originally Posted by BoB_25
Awesome setup.

What kind of sump/skimmer are you using? Also did you get the LR from SWF? Thanks for your input.
Nate
The skimmer is an ASM G2, ordered from SWF as well as the rock and sand. The prices were just to good to pass up. My lfs had this skimmer for like $100 more.

 

[azfishgal]

Originally Posted by AZReefGirl
Rock looks good! Looks like there's a lot of nice coloring on them. Love the green coralline! :cheer:
Thanks, and yes, the green is my favorite color. Is there anyway to insure that the color stays? Like add calcium or better lighting?

 

[bob_25]

Originally Posted by azfishgal
The skimmer is an ASM G2, ordered from SWF as well as the rock and sand. The prices were just to good to pass up. My lfs had this skimmer for like $100 more.

are you using the pump that came with it, or did you up grade? How many GPH is it too. Thanks and sorry for being a nag.

 

[azreefgirl]

I'm not sure exactly what the parameters are for good coralline growth, but I haven't done anything to my tank other than water changes and my rocks have all kept their color and I've noticed coralline creeping onto the back wall of the tank (I will probably be cleaning that off this weekend--I like the black background).
BTW, if you're getting more LR, About the Reef has a coupon flyer in their store that takes 20% off LR (among other things), and their LR selection is usually pretty good.

 

[saltn00b]

great rock that lime green is awesome. the sponges will likely stay there unless something you add eats sponge, of course.

 

[theappe]

azfishgal, how much did u pay for your fuge/sump?
And your powerheads are tunze nanostreams?

 

[kevin34]

Are those the Koralia powerheads in your tank? If they are how do you like them? Which models are they? Tank and liverock both look awsome!

BTW, how are your clowns doing?

 

[azfishgal]

Thanks so much everyone for your replies and looking at my pics.

I am SOOOOOO excited and having so much fun! :cheer: Let's see if I can answer all your questions.
Bob, I am using the pump that came with my skimmer (350gph). It works fine for what I need, no need to upgrade. It's already pulling junk out of my water and my hubby has emptied it a few times already.
theappe, I payed $300 for my sump/refuge. A lot I know, but we saved money by building the stand.
Kevin (and theappe), Yes, those are Koralia powerheads #3 (850gph) and I LOVE them. They don't flop around like the one I have in my QT, they stay exactly where I put them, and the flow is nice and wide.
Here are two more pics of my tank. I added a few more pieces of lr (AZreefgal, didn't see your message until I got home

) and I think I'm happy with the way things have turned out. I do want to add more, but money is a bit tight right now, so we'll just have to hold off for now. I will now sit back and wait for my tank to cycle (the hard part).

I really don't like branch rock much, but this piece seemed to stand out and I think it made a nice addition to my rock work.

Oh, Marlin and Nemo are doing GREAT! :cheer: They are eating very well now and gobble up Prime Reef and Brine Shrimp. I will try Myssis shrimp tonight as I know that's better for them. Nemo is very fasinated with the fake anemone and Marlin loves to go in and out of the PVC pipes. :happyfish So I think these boys are going to make it. They do have a strange habit at night though. After I turn off their light they both go up to the top and turn on their side very close to the surface of the water just above the return. :notsure: I was worried when I first saw this because in my experience with freshwater fish this was always a bad sign. But, both Nemo and Marlin come back down when morning comes and they swim around like normal. Has anyone else expereience this with clown fish.

 

[beatlesfan]

Well if you don't like that branch rock... I could take it off your hands.....

I love those kinds of rock but I can't find any. Also the sponge is already dead. If they leave the water .. even for a few second there dead. At least that's what i heard.