MY first post

[a sea k]

While Im waiting for my LR to arrive I have a couple of questions. What is the proper way to place LR on a DSB,when youre basically covering the major floor area of the tank I don't see how this will work without ill effects to the DSB. Also I am wondering if 1-2mm reef sand is too course for the smaller Fairy Wrasses. I'm not sure wich one yet but they all like to hide in the sand it seems. For a few details. 210 gallon AGA with W/D and 50 gal sump/fuge ASM G4+ skimmer Mag 18 for main return and Mag 18 for CL split to 3 returns. 240 lbs of LR on the way and possibly more if needed.
The fish/wish list in stocking order
group 1
3 neon gobies
2 firefish
group2
1 yellow assessor
2 bangghi cardinal
group 3
4 flasher wrasse
group 4
5 green chromis
group6
1 yellow coris wrasse
1 copperband butterfly
group 7
1 coral beauty
1 mandarin goby
group 8
1 chevron tang
1 bluespot kole
1 mimic tang Any input will be pondered, thanxs

 

[reefiness]

u are goung to want to get rid of the mandarin goby from that group... because they need a tank which is mature meaning that the LR has been in it for over 1 year. and by the sound of it you havent even put your rocks in the tank yet... so you are not going to be able to get it as soon as you would like.

 

[a sea k]

The rock wont be here till next week sometime, so I figure another 6 wks curing for the rock,jump start the fuge with storebought pods a couple more weeks for addition of cleaner crew before i start stocking with group #1 then another 7 months till I get group # 7 (mandarin & coral beauty)[I'll be stocking my groups at least 4 wks apart to allow time for the system to catch up]. All in all at least 9 to 10 months before the mandarin hits the tank , I believe this should do the trick.

 

[poniegirl]

You seem to have done some research! Or are you in the teaching or the accounting field? (Not a joke, I am!)
I don't know about the sand size. I got the smallest I could, because of seahorses, and really like the look. It seems to support everything just fine. You have the size sand that you mention in, apparently?
Placement of LR is 50/50 strategic/aesthetic. You want decent water movement throughout the tank, of course, so placement depends on the rock you receive and your personal tastes.
If the rock has coraline, keep the colors up toward light, if you care to keep it growing, and can place it that way!
IMO, I would switch groups 1 and 4, and would add the cleaning crew with the chromis. :thinking:

 

[a sea k]

I've been lurking around this board for the past 1.5 months(when i ordered the tank and stand). Have found tons of usefull info as well as uncovered some mistakes I have already made. Oh well, live and learn. Neither a teacher or acct.am I. Figured my spelling would give that one away.
I was afraid to use the really fine sugar size sand, I have 3 outflows for my CL near the bottom of tank driven by a Mag 18. sounds likely to be a sand storm for sure. Have enough 1-2mm grain for 2'' cover on bottom, but have serious concerns about gouing true DSB and then stacking 240lbs of LR basically covering up most of the DSB and creating dead areas of the sand bed.
OK with orientation on coraline algea as well as switching groups 3 & 4 ( was'nt really sure wich way to go with them) Thanks for the input. Lights out for now I'll check back tommorrow

 

[seasalt101]

you might want to put the lr in b4 the ls as to avoid an avalanche jmo

 

[reefiness]

Originally Posted by A sea K
The rock wont be here till next week sometime, so I figure another 6 wks curing for the rock,jump start the fuge with storebought pods a couple more weeks for addition of cleaner crew before i start stocking with group #1 then another 7 months till I get group # 7 (mandarin & coral beauty)[I'll be stocking my groups at least 4 wks apart to allow time for the system to catch up]. All in all at least 9 to 10 months before the mandarin hits the tank , I believe this should do the trick.
o ok... i figured that you would put them in wit only like a week or 2 inbetween which would only bring you like 4 months ahead which would have been way too soon... but the way you are doing it is perfect. Its great to finally find an new aquarist who researches before they start their tank

 

[reefiness]

o and another thing you may want to do is split up that last group... there are 3 large fish which will add a lot of stress on the tank if introduced at the same time.

 

[a sea k]

I'm not totaly new and made a lot of mistakes in the past. I finally have the tank I've always wanted and want everything to go as smooth as possible. Ive been away (neglecting my 65 gal for about 6 years would be more correct) and I am very determined to get this right this time around. I totaly agree on splitting up the last group.I never realized that as the last additions to what will be a fully stocked tank the 3 tangs will be a lot of stress to the system if added all at once. thanks for the tip.
seasalt101- understand what your saying about LR then sand, but there still wont be much exposed sand around the LR to be a effective NNR sand bed. I guess what I really should be asking is whether or not to use a DSB. I already have a 18x24 area in my fuge w/6'' sand bed and am not really sure to go DSB in my main tank? Also concered about the coarse sand and Fairy wrasse relationship, possibly irritating the wrasses. Does anyone have any input on the finer points of keeping these small wrasses?

 

[a sea k]

Does any one have any info on this subject? :help:

 

[bacia]

I have a 58 and a 75 running with a plenum and a DSB. I read about this set up on the GARF .org website and in some newer books on aquariums. It has been working very well for me so far. I have only had these tanks running for 3.5 months. When I stack my LR I try to make a lot of caves/bridges. In other words put three rocks to use a supports for one large flatish rock to create a cave/bridge. Then put in one or two pillar rocks, get onother large flatish rock and put it on the 2 pillars and the first cave/bridge. GARF has some ideas on how to stack rock also. Good luck, and keep us posted as to your successes, problems and whatever.