My Progress - Please Comment

[sfoister]

Originally Posted by 9supratt4
Thanks for the suggestions!! Before I purchased the tank it was up and running for about 2 years. The LR does have algea growth and I have seen the tang eating off the rock. I also supplement it with algae sheets.
I do not currently have a QT and I know I should. I just haven't had the chance to set it up.
Don't feel bad, I don't have one either. I have a hard enough time finding room for my tank let alone a QT.

 

[9supratt4]

I took some new pictures and added some things to the tank recently. I added a black background which made it look ALOT betterII I have also added a sump. I had a problem getting it to work, but I ended up having to fabricate the pipes out of pvc and now it works great!!
The water parameters are excellent and I have some great coraline algae growth on my rocks!!
I've also added some livestock. I added 5 Nass Snails, a pearlscale butterfly and an Emerald Crab.
Here are some pics:
Full Shot of Tank

Pearl-Scaled Butterfly

Shot of Sump

Shot of Custom Piping

Pipe from Overflow to Sump

Close-Up Tank Shot

Close-Up Shot 2

 

[m0nk]

Looking good. It appears that you have an HOB filter on there still, but you have the sump going too. Now that you have the sump, I'd personally remove the HOB filter and maybe hang on to it for a QT if you set one of those up, but it's not necessary on this tank with the sump being there.

 

[9supratt4]

Originally Posted by m0nk
Looking good. It appears that you have an HOB filter on there still, but you have the sump going too. Now that you have the sump, I'd personally remove the HOB filter and maybe hang on to it for a QT if you set one of those up, but it's not necessary on this tank with the sump being there.
I know it isn't really necessary, but I figured I would keep it there just to suck up any crap floating around. I am also running carbon filter pads in there to keep the water nice and clear.

 

[m0nk]

Originally Posted by 9supratt4
I know it isn't really necessary, but I figured I would keep it there just to suck up any crap floating around. I am also running carbon filter pads in there to keep the water nice and clear.
Cool deal.

 

[azul1994]

Nice tank!

 

[9supratt4]

Originally Posted by azul1994
Nice tank!
Thanks!!

 

[sh00tist]

Your tank is starting to come along. I didnt notice if you have a new light yet? Get some good lighting and your calcium level up and you will have coraline growth everywhere. Was really glad to see the new sump,first thing lose the blue bio-balls and replace them with liverock/rubble. I would add a lot more rock to your tank as well,you really cant ever have too much,I would add some pieces slowly a little bit every other week,too much a once may cause your tank to cycle again. When you get new rock rinse it off really well with water from a water change and a powerhead this will help to prevent nitrates. Make sure you have good flow all around your tank so that uneaten food and fish poop dont collect in the corners and on your rocks you will be gald you did. Next stop buying difficult fish,I know they are just gorgeous and your water seems so good,but dont. Let your tank run get good and established and keep reading and learning and adding up experience points. Over time you will become a reefkeeper then you can start to flirt with the more difficult species. Never buy a single creature that you havent truly researched you wont regret it. You stillhave some work to do with regard to chemistry,google 'reef chemistry' and go from there. Keep reading until you have a general understanding of what you are trying to accomplish and the factors that are in play,good luck.

 

[sea keeper]

Your tank is really coming along! Looks like your hard work and lots of TLC are paying off!

 

[9supratt4]

I don't have a new light yet, but I am looking for one and I have been adding PurpleUp to speed the coraline growth. Ever since I started to add it, it has taken off!!
In regards to more LR.....I kind of like it how it is right now. It has enough open space for the fish to swim as well as enough rock space to put a few corals and stuff in there. I'm not looking to make this a full reef tank.....I'd rather wait until I have the money to buy the 300+ gallon tank I want for the reef tank.
Thanks to everyone for all the positive feedback!!! It's good to know that within 6 1/2 months I have been able to do a pretty good job for my first SW tank!!