My First Reef Build Journal - Follow along for the ride wave your hands and scream if I am driving off a cliff :)
- Thread starter cryptics
- Start date
cryptics
Member
That is what I was thinking but started to doubt because all the "CuC packages" I see on sites all have hermits.
What about Berghia Nudibranch? I have never heard of them but just started reading about them to control aiptasia. Has anyone used them? Is that all they eat? Will they starve after they control the aiptasia?
What about Berghia Nudibranch? I have never heard of them but just started reading about them to control aiptasia. Has anyone used them? Is that all they eat? Will they starve after they control the aiptasia?
btldreef
Moderator
I'm also not a fan of any crabs in a reef tank. I have about 3 hermits left in the 155, removed all the others and those that are left just haven't been caught yet. The kill snails for the sheer fun if it, and knock stuff over. I will never keep hermits in any of my tanks again. The only crab I like is my Porcelain Anemone Crab. The Pom Pom is ok, but he's in the refugium.
The berghias are awesome aiptasia eaters, but it is the only thing they eat. There was recently a group buy for them on MR back in January and I been trying to get zone from someone that no longer needs them, but haven't had much luck. You could see if you have better luck, remember, a lot of them don't like me because I mod here, lol
Stick with snails and shrimp for your CUC. Add in thirds so they do t starve in the beginning.
The berghias are awesome aiptasia eaters, but it is the only thing they eat. There was recently a group buy for them on MR back in January and I been trying to get zone from someone that no longer needs them, but haven't had much luck. You could see if you have better luck, remember, a lot of them don't like me because I mod here, lol
Stick with snails and shrimp for your CUC. Add in thirds so they do t starve in the beginning.
cryptics
Member
thirds? Any particular types of snails/shrimp? I grabbed something to kill aiptasia and got like 8 yesterday but noticed this morning one planted itself in that small Zoo colony you gave me. I will get him today. I have seen a few smaller ones floating around though. I am just looking for a better way to kill them than with chemicals but I hear pepermint shrimps are hit or miss on whether they eat them.
jerth6932
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/385310/my-first-reef-build-journal-follow-along-for-the-ride-wave-your-hands-and-scream-if-i-am-driving-off-a-cliff/20#post_3381065
peppermint shrimp have worked for me on smaller aptasia.....Joe's Juice has worked 100% of the time on the others....All you do is inject the aptasia with a small amount.....very little ...if any...gets in your tank, and it is not harmful
Joe's juice is Kalkwasser and salt water so its fine..... Just don't go crazy!
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/385310/my-first-reef-build-journal-follow-along-for-the-ride-wave-your-hands-and-scream-if-i-am-driving-off-a-cliff/20#post_3381065
peppermint shrimp have worked for me on smaller aptasia.....Joe's Juice has worked 100% of the time on the others....All you do is inject the aptasia with a small amount.....very little ...if any...gets in your tank, and it is not harmful
Joe's juice is Kalkwasser and salt water so its fine..... Just don't go crazy!
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by cryptics http:///forum/thread/385310/my-first-reef-build-journal-follow-along-for-the-ride-wave-your-hands-and-scream-if-i-am-driving-off-a-cliff/20#post_3381074
Joe's juice went out of business I was told
Have not heard that....I buy it online and have never had an issue finding it.....as a matter of fact I just googled it and quite a few places came up with it in stock
never heard of the stuff you used
Originally Posted by cryptics http:///forum/thread/385310/my-first-reef-build-journal-follow-along-for-the-ride-wave-your-hands-and-scream-if-i-am-driving-off-a-cliff/20#post_3381074
Joe's juice went out of business I was told
Have not heard that....I buy it online and have never had an issue finding it.....as a matter of fact I just googled it and quite a few places came up with it in stock
never heard of the stuff you used
meowzer
Moderator
Just read a little more....they did not go out of business, they were taken over as of March 2011 BY
D. van Houten (Import - Export) took over the manufacturing and worldwide distribution of JoesJuice since March 2011. We were one of the first distributors in 2003 who distributed JoesJuice outside of the USA. Read more about what changed and who we are by selecting one of the buttons above.
D. van Houten (Import - Export) took over the manufacturing and worldwide distribution of JoesJuice since March 2011. We were one of the first distributors in 2003 who distributed JoesJuice outside of the USA. Read more about what changed and who we are by selecting one of the buttons above.
cryptics
Member
Ok I got the rest of my test kits yesterday so I have numbers to share. Phosphorus, Nitrate, Nitrite, PH and Ammonia are API tests. ALK, Calcium, Magnesium and Ammonia (I know I rebought) are Elos. I hope I did the Elos correctly they sent me the Italian kits so I followed the UK instructions.
PH 8.0
Nitrate 5.0
Nitrite .25
ALK 7.5 k
Calcium 550 mg/l
Mg 1350 ppm
Ammonia 1.0 ppm (API) .1 mg/l (Elos) Why are these so different?
That is about it
PH 8.0
Nitrate 5.0
Nitrite .25
ALK 7.5 k
Calcium 550 mg/l
Mg 1350 ppm
Ammonia 1.0 ppm (API) .1 mg/l (Elos) Why are these so different?
That is about it
texags2014
New Member
Cryptics,
Wondering if you could give the plans/dimensions for your sump, if you have them...
Wondering if you could give the plans/dimensions for your sump, if you have them...
cryptics
Member
Thanks to BTLDreef I it looks like my tank is pretty much cycled. Ammonia spiked then went away Nitrates and Nitrites are near non existant. Just did a 10% water change last night. I plan on hooking up the T5's tonight and the second MH soon.
I am having a few issues.
I have a bunch of snails on the way. Not going to do any crabs.
Going to add more live rock. Planning on contacting a member of a local reef group that is breaking down one of his tanks for the live rock. OK here is where you guys need to be my voice of reason. He is also selling 35+ heads of Duncan for $70. It is reeaalllyy nice. I want it! I am assuming adding this at this point would be a mistake right? I would love to have it but if I am just going to kill it because the tank is newly cycled then I won't get it. Is this something that I would be able to add or should I pass?
I plan on my first fish to be a pair of clowns. When should I be able to add these?
Thanks for the advice in advance.
I am having a few issues.
I bought a 300w Fluval heater that I don't think is regulating correctly. My temp is hovering around 81. I initially associated this with the MH and have 1 120mm fan running on it now and plan to add 3 more (when they arrive) this week. Thinking about this now though I don't think the MH is the issue. I believe it is the heater. The temp is consistant day or nite. I would assume if the halides were doing it then it would spike while they were on. I am going to play tonight with the reefkeeper in order to get it to turn off the heater when the temp rises.
This is purely annoying. No matter where i point the return from the sump (mag 9.5) it blows all the sand from a spot in the front of the tank. I am considering splitting the pvc right before the outflow and make two outflows. One in either direction. I read about a little device (name escapes me now) that does the split and works as a kind of wavemaker alternating the flow. Anyone know what I am talking about and if so do they work?
I have a bunch of snails on the way. Not going to do any crabs.Going to add more live rock. Planning on contacting a member of a local reef group that is breaking down one of his tanks for the live rock. OK here is where you guys need to be my voice of reason. He is also selling 35+ heads of Duncan for $70. It is reeaalllyy nice. I want it! I am assuming adding this at this point would be a mistake right? I would love to have it but if I am just going to kill it because the tank is newly cycled then I won't get it. Is this something that I would be able to add or should I pass?
I plan on my first fish to be a pair of clowns. When should I be able to add these?
Thanks for the advice in advance.
cryptics
Member
texags2014,
I didn't draw out plans for the sump but I can tell you what i did. The sump is a 30g that I divided into 3rds.
The first chamber is the intake chamber. In that I have the 1'' overflow from the tank emptying into a filter sock. I have the pump for the Protien Skimmer in this chamber (mag 7) and two maxi-jet 400 pumps feeding two TLF 150 reactors. One has Carbon and one has Phosban. There is also a maxijet 600 in there that feeds the third chamber (refugium).
Between the first chamber and the second i have 3 baffles 1st and 3rd are about half the height of the 30g (forget the exact dimentions but I can measure if you need) they are both attached to the bottom of the tank. The second sits and inch off the bottom of the tank and goes to the top. They are all approximately 1/2 apart. The second chamber is a return. It just has the return pump (mag 9.5) and the heater.
The third chanber is seperated by a piece of glass that goes from the bottom to about 3 inches from the top of the tank. This is the refuguim. I have approx 3'' sand bed, some live rock rubble, chaeto, red mangroves and Ulva (the mangroves and Ulva are on their way). This is fed from the maxijet 600 in the first chamber and trickles into the 2nd chamber for return. I have a clip on lamp I got from home depot with a 70w plant growth bulb on the refuguim. It is on 12 hours a day.
Let me know if you have any other questions
I didn't draw out plans for the sump but I can tell you what i did. The sump is a 30g that I divided into 3rds.
The first chamber is the intake chamber. In that I have the 1'' overflow from the tank emptying into a filter sock. I have the pump for the Protien Skimmer in this chamber (mag 7) and two maxi-jet 400 pumps feeding two TLF 150 reactors. One has Carbon and one has Phosban. There is also a maxijet 600 in there that feeds the third chamber (refugium).
Between the first chamber and the second i have 3 baffles 1st and 3rd are about half the height of the 30g (forget the exact dimentions but I can measure if you need) they are both attached to the bottom of the tank. The second sits and inch off the bottom of the tank and goes to the top. They are all approximately 1/2 apart. The second chamber is a return. It just has the return pump (mag 9.5) and the heater.
The third chanber is seperated by a piece of glass that goes from the bottom to about 3 inches from the top of the tank. This is the refuguim. I have approx 3'' sand bed, some live rock rubble, chaeto, red mangroves and Ulva (the mangroves and Ulva are on their way). This is fed from the maxijet 600 in the first chamber and trickles into the 2nd chamber for return. I have a clip on lamp I got from home depot with a 70w plant growth bulb on the refuguim. It is on 12 hours a day.
Let me know if you have any other questions
btldreef
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by cryptics http:///forum/thread/385310/my-first-reef-build-journal-follow-along-for-the-ride-wave-your-hands-and-scream-if-i-am-driving-off-a-cliff/20#post_3382412
Thanks to BTLDreef I it looks like my tank is pretty much cycled. Ammonia spiked then went away Nitrates and Nitrites are near non existant. Just did a 10% water change last night. I plan on hooking up the T5's tonight and the second MH soon. We picked up our LED's, so whenever you're free, we can set up a time that I can bring the MH to you.
I am having a few issues.
I picked up two peppermint shrimp for the tank (Hopefully they will nam nam on the Aptasia). They are doing well. Always hang out together and stand in areas of high flow and look like they are dancing I have a bunch of snails on the way. Not going to do any crabs. They should. You have no fish right now, so don't feed them at all, they'll start to munch on the aiptasias.
Going to add more live rock. Planning on contacting a member of a local reef group that is breaking down one of his tanks for the live rock. OK here is where you guys need to be my voice of reason. He is also selling 35+ heads of Duncan for $70. It is reeaalllyy nice. I want it! I am assuming adding this at this point would be a mistake right? I would love to have it but if I am just going to kill it because the tank is newly cycled then I won't get it. Is this something that I would be able to add or should I pass? Honestly, I'd do it. I'd frag a few heads off, and keep the rest as one large colony. Better odds with more pieces. If you feed the Duncan and leave it under your lit side of the tank, you should be okay. That's a ridiculously good price, considering what they go for around us locally.
I plan on my first fish to be a pair of clowns. When should I be able to add these? After your shrimp and snails seem fine for 2 weeks. You probably could do it now, but if you want the more "professional" answer, wait two weeks.
Thanks for the advice in advance.
Originally Posted by cryptics http:///forum/thread/385310/my-first-reef-build-journal-follow-along-for-the-ride-wave-your-hands-and-scream-if-i-am-driving-off-a-cliff/20#post_3382412
Thanks to BTLDreef I it looks like my tank is pretty much cycled. Ammonia spiked then went away Nitrates and Nitrites are near non existant. Just did a 10% water change last night. I plan on hooking up the T5's tonight and the second MH soon. We picked up our LED's, so whenever you're free, we can set up a time that I can bring the MH to you.
I am having a few issues.
I bought a 300w Fluval heater that I don't think is regulating correctly. My temp is hovering around 81. I initially associated this with the MH and have 1 120mm fan running on it now and plan to add 3 more (when they arrive) this week. Thinking about this now though I don't think the MH is the issue. I believe it is the heater. The temp is consistant day or nite. I would assume if the halides were doing it then it would spike while they were on. I am going to play tonight with the reefkeeper in order to get it to turn off the heater when the temp rises. One Halide shouldn't be doing that. I'm not a fan of Fluval Heaters. The reefkeeper should help get this straightened out.
This is purely annoying. No matter where i point the return from the sump (mag 9.5) it blows all the sand from a spot in the front of the tank. I am considering splitting the pvc right before the outflow and make two outflows. One in either direction. I read about a little device (name escapes me now) that does the split and works as a kind of wavemaker alternating the flow. Anyone know what I am talking about and if so do they work? You might need to change the angle, like blow more diagonally across the tank. I had this issue in my 40G and I ended up putting the return pump in a corner and aiming it diagonally across the tank towards the other corner.
I picked up two peppermint shrimp for the tank (Hopefully they will nam nam on the Aptasia). They are doing well. Always hang out together and stand in areas of high flow and look like they are dancing
I have a bunch of snails on the way. Not going to do any crabs. They should. You have no fish right now, so don't feed them at all, they'll start to munch on the aiptasias.Going to add more live rock. Planning on contacting a member of a local reef group that is breaking down one of his tanks for the live rock. OK here is where you guys need to be my voice of reason. He is also selling 35+ heads of Duncan for $70. It is reeaalllyy nice. I want it! I am assuming adding this at this point would be a mistake right? I would love to have it but if I am just going to kill it because the tank is newly cycled then I won't get it. Is this something that I would be able to add or should I pass? Honestly, I'd do it. I'd frag a few heads off, and keep the rest as one large colony. Better odds with more pieces. If you feed the Duncan and leave it under your lit side of the tank, you should be okay. That's a ridiculously good price, considering what they go for around us locally.
I plan on my first fish to be a pair of clowns. When should I be able to add these? After your shrimp and snails seem fine for 2 weeks. You probably could do it now, but if you want the more "professional" answer, wait two weeks.
Thanks for the advice in advance.