Building my 56 gallon Column reef tank
- Thread starter monsinour
- Start date
monsinour
Active Member
So here are 3 of the many many dusters in the tank. These 3 are in the various stages of emertion out of the worm tube. I so love watching these little guys.
We did find some other new inhabitants in the tank this evening. I spotted what appears to be a snail without a shell. Well thats what I am going to call it. It is green with 2 white "horns" on the head. The "horns" are soft and not hard. It appeared to be all green except for the horns. It moved like a snail/slug. I am going to assume this thing is harmless. We also spotted what appears to be small green worms the size of chin whiskers. They were hanging out on the macroalgea moving around. More harmless things, yes?
Wife got home late from work so no lemon juice attempt tonight. We will hopefully do it tomorrow. In the meantime, I performed another watertest as the "starting point" after the overflow. Since I had to add more water, I will be looking at this test as the "offical" first test.
80 degrees F
SG 1.024
Ammonia .5
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 2.5 (wife and I were guessing as it wasnt 0 and it wasnt 5 either.)
So tomorrow, before I get the lights on, I will test the waters again to see what the results are.
The little magnet cleaner i got at sprawlmart cleaned the glass really well. It was the only way I was going to get that pic of the dusters above. Those 3 are all the way at the back of the tank. I have one closer to the front, but he wasnt out when the pics were taken. It also appears taht I might have a CoCo worm in the tank. It has the pink and white on the feathers, but it hasnt come all the way out and I cant tell if it has that spiral look to it. Looks like, if they live, I wont need to get any of those items from a store for the tank, woo.
We did find some other new inhabitants in the tank this evening. I spotted what appears to be a snail without a shell. Well thats what I am going to call it. It is green with 2 white "horns" on the head. The "horns" are soft and not hard. It appeared to be all green except for the horns. It moved like a snail/slug. I am going to assume this thing is harmless. We also spotted what appears to be small green worms the size of chin whiskers. They were hanging out on the macroalgea moving around. More harmless things, yes?
Wife got home late from work so no lemon juice attempt tonight. We will hopefully do it tomorrow. In the meantime, I performed another watertest as the "starting point" after the overflow. Since I had to add more water, I will be looking at this test as the "offical" first test.
80 degrees F
SG 1.024
Ammonia .5
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 2.5 (wife and I were guessing as it wasnt 0 and it wasnt 5 either.)
So tomorrow, before I get the lights on, I will test the waters again to see what the results are.
The little magnet cleaner i got at sprawlmart cleaned the glass really well. It was the only way I was going to get that pic of the dusters above. Those 3 are all the way at the back of the tank. I have one closer to the front, but he wasnt out when the pics were taken. It also appears taht I might have a CoCo worm in the tank. It has the pink and white on the feathers, but it hasnt come all the way out and I cant tell if it has that spiral look to it. Looks like, if they live, I wont need to get any of those items from a store for the tank, woo.
monsinour
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311184
You'll need to CUC to clean up after the Urchins have "processed" the algae they eat.
They also will eat coraline but tend to help spread it around rather than destroy it.
But isnt it too early for a CUC in the tank? I mean, whats in there now is what came on the rock. I dont want to add anything since there is still ammonia in the tank. Believe me, I really want to get some of the CUC into the tank right now so I have more to watch than the urchins, dusters, and the coral. But since there is still ammonia in the tank, I have never once seen a trace of nitrite in any of my tests, and only lately have i seen nitrate, I dont think the cycle has finished let alone started.
Water test @ 11 am
80 degrees F
SG 1.024 (topping off with sw to raise it to 1.025)
PH 7.8 (it seems to go up with the lights and down when the lights are off.)
Ammonia .5
Nitrite 0
Nitrate Looks to be 0 as it is not 5
Is that what Stomatella look like with out a shell? I can honestly say that I have never seen one without a shell before.
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311184
You'll need to CUC to clean up after the Urchins have "processed" the algae they eat.
They also will eat coraline but tend to help spread it around rather than destroy it.
But isnt it too early for a CUC in the tank? I mean, whats in there now is what came on the rock. I dont want to add anything since there is still ammonia in the tank. Believe me, I really want to get some of the CUC into the tank right now so I have more to watch than the urchins, dusters, and the coral. But since there is still ammonia in the tank, I have never once seen a trace of nitrite in any of my tests, and only lately have i seen nitrate, I dont think the cycle has finished let alone started.
Water test @ 11 am
80 degrees F
SG 1.024 (topping off with sw to raise it to 1.025)
PH 7.8 (it seems to go up with the lights and down when the lights are off.)
Ammonia .5
Nitrite 0
Nitrate Looks to be 0 as it is not 5
Is that what Stomatella look like with out a shell? I can honestly say that I have never seen one without a shell before.
bang guy
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311196
But isnt it too early for a CUC in the tank? I mean, whats in there now is what came on the rock. I dont want to add anything since there is still ammonia in the tank. Believe me, I really want to get some of the CUC into the tank right now so I have more to watch than the urchins, dusters, and the coral. But since there is still ammonia in the tank, I have never once seen a trace of nitrite in any of my tests, and only lately have i seen nitrate, I dont think the cycle has finished let alone started.
Water test @ 11 am
80 degrees F
SG 1.024 (topping off with sw to raise it to 1.025)
PH 7.8 (it seems to go up with the lights and down when the lights are off.)
Ammonia .5
Nitrite 0
Nitrate Looks to be 0 as it is not 5
Is that what Stomatella look like with out a shell? I can honestly say that I have never seen one without a shell before.
Yeah, don't add any livestock until the tank is stable and try to not let the ammonia level climb higher than it is right now. I tend to do a water change at 0.5ppm when I cycle but I'm very conservative.
I missed the snail picture, what post # is it in?
If it were me I would continue topping of with saltwater until SG is 1.026 or 1.027. 1.025 is fine though, I just prefer salinity at or above 35ppt.
That "tree coral" is a Gorgonian I think.
I think the Urchins are Rock Boring Urchins. Ophiura would know for sure.
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311196
But isnt it too early for a CUC in the tank? I mean, whats in there now is what came on the rock. I dont want to add anything since there is still ammonia in the tank. Believe me, I really want to get some of the CUC into the tank right now so I have more to watch than the urchins, dusters, and the coral. But since there is still ammonia in the tank, I have never once seen a trace of nitrite in any of my tests, and only lately have i seen nitrate, I dont think the cycle has finished let alone started.
Water test @ 11 am
80 degrees F
SG 1.024 (topping off with sw to raise it to 1.025)
PH 7.8 (it seems to go up with the lights and down when the lights are off.)
Ammonia .5
Nitrite 0
Nitrate Looks to be 0 as it is not 5
Is that what Stomatella look like with out a shell? I can honestly say that I have never seen one without a shell before.
Yeah, don't add any livestock until the tank is stable and try to not let the ammonia level climb higher than it is right now. I tend to do a water change at 0.5ppm when I cycle but I'm very conservative.
I missed the snail picture, what post # is it in?
If it were me I would continue topping of with saltwater until SG is 1.026 or 1.027. 1.025 is fine though, I just prefer salinity at or above 35ppt.
That "tree coral" is a Gorgonian I think.
I think the Urchins are Rock Boring Urchins. Ophiura would know for sure.
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311209
I missed the snail picture, what post # is it in?
I didn't see a picture, I was going by the description
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311209
I missed the snail picture, what post # is it in?
I didn't see a picture, I was going by the description
monsinour
Active Member
Now that I have all the rockwork, save 1 piece with what appears to be a bristle worm on it, into the tank, here is an updated picture.
And here is a video link to a video of the tank. http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j230/tomjonessinger/?action=view¤t=tankdone003.mp4
And here is a video link to a video of the tank. http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j230/tomjonessinger/?action=view¤t=tankdone003.mp4
bang guy
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311211
I'll bost what i have of the snail, its not very clear or good. Let me circle it and get it up.
It's a Haminoea sp., commonly called Bubble Snails.
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311211
I'll bost what i have of the snail, its not very clear or good. Let me circle it and get it up.
It's a Haminoea sp., commonly called Bubble Snails.
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311222
And dont those things eat coral?
Sorry....I didn't see this post....NOT ALL do....if you can get a better pic, it will help
The tank is looking great and so is Steve
Tell him your fish buddies say hi there
Looks like you got some interesting rock...GOOD DEAL
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311222
And dont those things eat coral?
Sorry....I didn't see this post....NOT ALL do....if you can get a better pic, it will help
The tank is looking great and so is Steve
Looks like you got some interesting rock...GOOD DEAL
monsinour
Active Member
Since no one else is guessing on how much I paid for the rocks, the 3 pieces with all the stuff on them were only $6.49 a pound. The one big one with everything on it was 15 pounds.
The problem with a pic of the green thing is that we only saw him that one night and not since. I am basing the health of the tank on the urchins. Since the urchins move around and appear to be feading, i saw one spit some stuff out, I am assuming the tank is relatively healthy. Oh yea, water test at noon:
80.1 degrees F (it was just over the 80)
SG 1.024 (not getting any closer as I dont have more water to top off with. gotta go to sprawlmart.)
PH 7.8
Ammonia .5 ppm
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
Since I am done adding rock and whatnot to the tank, I would imagine the 4 week wait starts now. Hopefully the ammonia starts to go down from here.
What do they feed seahorses? It looks like white shrimp to me. Some of those things were attached to the macro algea in the sump and are now in the system. I also see some small things stuck on the glass in the sump. I would imagine that since the macro algea came from the sump at the LFS that was feeding the coral tank, its all good. The coral looks better closer to the light. Lets give it a day or 3 to make a better judgement.
The problem with a pic of the green thing is that we only saw him that one night and not since. I am basing the health of the tank on the urchins. Since the urchins move around and appear to be feading, i saw one spit some stuff out, I am assuming the tank is relatively healthy. Oh yea, water test at noon:
80.1 degrees F (it was just over the 80)
SG 1.024 (not getting any closer as I dont have more water to top off with. gotta go to sprawlmart.)
PH 7.8
Ammonia .5 ppm
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
Since I am done adding rock and whatnot to the tank, I would imagine the 4 week wait starts now. Hopefully the ammonia starts to go down from here.
What do they feed seahorses? It looks like white shrimp to me. Some of those things were attached to the macro algea in the sump and are now in the system. I also see some small things stuck on the glass in the sump. I would imagine that since the macro algea came from the sump at the LFS that was feeding the coral tank, its all good. The coral looks better closer to the light. Lets give it a day or 3 to make a better judgement.
monsinour
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311602
It's a Haminoea sp., commonly called Bubble Snails.
If what you say is accurate, then these herbivores should be ok to have in the tank.
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311602
It's a Haminoea sp., commonly called Bubble Snails.
If what you say is accurate, then these herbivores should be ok to have in the tank.
monsinour
Active Member
If you would like to see more of whats inside my tank, take a look here -> https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/380512/lots-to-id-please-no-rush
edit: forgot to post the water test readings:
80.1 degrees F
SG 1.024
PH 7.8
Ammonia .25 ppm
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
Ammonia is going down, lets hope it stays low come morning.
edit: forgot to post the water test readings:
80.1 degrees F
SG 1.024
PH 7.8
Ammonia .25 ppm
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
Ammonia is going down, lets hope it stays low come morning.
bang guy
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311609
If what you say is accurate, then these herbivores should be ok to have in the tank.
Yep
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311609
If what you say is accurate, then these herbivores should be ok to have in the tank.
Yep
monsinour
Active Member
Water test this morning
80 degrees F
SG 1.024
PH 7.8
Ammonia .5 ppm
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
The ammonia is going up and down. That seems to be odd to me. Does anyone have their test results from when they first setup their tank to see if the ammonia went up and down? So far I have not done a water change, only top offs.
edit : I tested the source water and these are the results
PH 7.4 (but probably lower but the test cant determine lower
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
So i feel good about the source water. I am also aware that the more source water I use, the lower the PH will be. If I were to premix some saltwater and let it sit for a day or 3, will that raise the PH?
I also visited a local LFS and saw their "acclimation" method that they used. They got their stock shipment in and were placing the fish into the tanks for both fresh and salt. Needless to say, I was speechless at what I saw. The "acclimation" method is as follows:
open box that has the fish in it
Take bag out and place it on the tank that the fish is going in
Take razorblade to open bag
Pour out majority of shipping water
Pour the rest and the fish/invert into tank
OMG I am so not going there for anything alive.
80 degrees F
SG 1.024
PH 7.8
Ammonia .5 ppm
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
The ammonia is going up and down. That seems to be odd to me. Does anyone have their test results from when they first setup their tank to see if the ammonia went up and down? So far I have not done a water change, only top offs.
edit : I tested the source water and these are the results
PH 7.4 (but probably lower but the test cant determine lower
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
So i feel good about the source water. I am also aware that the more source water I use, the lower the PH will be. If I were to premix some saltwater and let it sit for a day or 3, will that raise the PH?
I also visited a local LFS and saw their "acclimation" method that they used. They got their stock shipment in and were placing the fish into the tanks for both fresh and salt. Needless to say, I was speechless at what I saw. The "acclimation" method is as follows:
open box that has the fish in it
Take bag out and place it on the tank that the fish is going in
Take razorblade to open bag
Pour out majority of shipping water
Pour the rest and the fish/invert into tank
OMG I am so not going there for anything alive.
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparty059 http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311891
Should I be testing my water every day for the first few weeks? Or is once a week good enough?
are you meaning after you add livestock??? If so I would test after 24 hours...then 48 hours....maybe after another 48 hours.....then a few days (or right before you are wanting to add something else)
Originally Posted by Sparty059 http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/60#post_3311891
Should I be testing my water every day for the first few weeks? Or is once a week good enough?
are you meaning after you add livestock??? If so I would test after 24 hours...then 48 hours....maybe after another 48 hours.....then a few days (or right before you are wanting to add something else)