Originally Posted by
rizzamatic
Your tank does look great. I have the exact same set-up and it's been running for a couple of months with Zoos, green star polyp, clown, cleaner shrimp, etc. I haven't upgraded the lighting, just the stock pump. Are you still using the factory lighting? How often should I replace the bulbs?
You mentioned earlier that you may get an anemone. What kind would do well in this size tank with the factory lighting? My BF wants one badly, but I'm nervous to add one.
Rizz, I haven't touched the lights yet. I don't think I will either. Everything you see is doing great under the stock lights. I run about 11 hours of daylight every day. I am using the stock pump in this one as well. I haven't touched anything....it's a completly bone stock setup. I figure I should replace the lights pretty soon. They seem to be doing a great job as it is, but if you think about it, they are coming up on 9 months.....it's prolly time real soon.
You know, I havent really found an Anemone that I like just yet. Honestly, I think I have changed my mind because the Clowns have taken in the Colt. They just love that thing. The last few time I have taken it out to frag, they just swim around in the spot that it was in. They just looked lost. If they had expressions on their faces, I would figure it would be either a sad, sad look or one of those "Your gonna Die" looks.
To be honest, I wouldent put an Anemone in your tank until it's at least 5 or 6 months old. You want it mature enough to be able to support it.
Originally Posted by paintballer768
Do I see a clam next to that Colt?
Yes you do. He likes it way up there by the light. He has been in this tank since the first of May. He is doing awesome. The first two to three weeks was a real nailbiter because he wasent doing good at all. Always closed up and wouldent stick his foot down. I just kept doing the normal and he just got better and has been great since.
Originally Posted by Mach03InFront
can you please tell me what you keep you water par at i'm having trouble with my 12 gallon nano also curious if you add any chemicals
What sort of problems? I have a few, but nothing bad. I don't use ANY chemicals to treat anything in this tank. All I use is what it takes to keep things happy. I watch out for anything that might make trouble like a dead snail or dieing corals. I haven't had any of those problems in this tank, but I do have an issue like that every so often in my 30 gallon.
Mach, lol, to be honest (this may sound like I don't know what I'm doing here), but I have no idea. I dump in a teaspoon of calcium every other day-ish, add the same amount or maybe just a little bit more superbuffer on the same days I add calcium.
Then once a week, I'll add in 1-1/2 teaspoons of Red Sea "Calcuim+3", two teaspoons of Kent "Tech-M", one teaspoon of Kent "Essential Elements", 1-1/2 teaspoons of Kent "Strontium & Molybdenum", and one teaspoon of Kent "Iron". Also, I'll add one half a teaspoon of that "Purple-Up" once or twice a month.
Whenever I feed the fish which is twice a week, I'll add in some Reef Nutrition "Phyto Feast"....about 1/2 teaspoon. BTW....dont get that stuff on your hands.....that crap STINKS!!!!!!
As far as water changes....this tank has gone at least a month without seeing a water change a time or two. (I was busy OK) I usually do a 3-1/2 gallon water change once every two weeks. Along with filter cleanouts every water change. I pull out the dirty filter (again, stock with the charcoal in it), then change to a clean dry that I previously cleaned two weeks earlier. Make sense??? Good.
I used to do water testing at the LFS, but it seems every time I get a sample and take it to them, everything is in spec. So I just kept doing what I was doing and watch out for anything that could mean trouble.
One more final thing, this may be the keey to my sucess......DON'T OVERFEED. I only feed as much as my fish will eat. I feed frozen Mysis until they quit eating. I only put in a little at a time so they eat all of what I put in. This keeps nitrates (or whatever) down. I also feed the large type shrimp (can't remember) to the inverts......again, only what they can eat. I usually pull apart the shrimp and spot feed the three hermits I have along with the Purple Lobster and the Brittle Star.
The way I keep this tank may not be the best way of doing it, but the way I am doing it is working well......and it seems to show.
Hope this helps
Originally Posted by
Coral Keeper
Very nice set up! What happend to the xenia?
I fragged out some to my other tank, then sold some to another local guy. That stuff simply grows too fast for this tank, so I put what I had left into my big tank.
Thanks for the comments guys.....I am trying to do my best.
Joe
