No Longer a Newbie? Day 101: An update on my Reef Tank + Pictures & Video

dutchswan

dutchswan

Member
Today is Day 101 since I first poured water into my new reef tank. Before yesterday, I had not tested my water nor performed a water change in about 6 weeks. Yesterday I performed a 10% water change with distilled water purchased at Walmart for $0.88/gallon. This is how I have performed my last two water changes, and my pH is noticeably lower now. For the first two months, my tank never swayed from a pH of 8.4. Today is the first time it tested different at 8.2.
I lost a couple of red legged hermit crabs when the largest one attacked two others. My Clown and Coral Beauty seem to be doing very well with no problems since their addition. A blue legged hermit crab hitchhiked into my tank when I added the Anthelia colony a little over a month ago. The Anthelia colony has spread quickly over the rock it was purchased with, and the base of the colony is just now starting to touch adjacent rocks. I must say this Coral's "stalks" grow taller than I expected. My water tests look good and I plan on adding my second Coral in the upcoming week.
I have not really had any problem with pests, but have now identified about 5 bubble algae. 3 are on one rock and 2 on another. They are not clustered and are about the size of a large BB. One is the size of a marble. Suggestions on how to get rid of this issue is greatly appreciated!
Below is a list of what animals I currently have, my most recent water test, a before and after pictures of my Anthelia, and a short video tour of my tank. Feedback is always welcome!
47 Gallon Column Tank (20Lx18Wx30H):
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Phosphate: 0
pH: 8.2
Calcium: 380ppm
KH: 125.3ppm (7 Degrees dKH)
Gravity: 1.0217
Salinity: 29.2
Temperature: 78.1 Degrees F
Animals (Purchased):
1 Anthelia Colony
1 Coral Beauty
1 Ocellaris Clown
4 Red Leg Hermit Crab
1 Peppermint Shrimp
2 Turbo Snails
1 Astrea Snail
Animals (Hitchhikers):
1 Blue Leg Hermit Crab
1 Brittle Star
Several Feather Dusters
Several Stomatella Snails (Black & White)
Several Brislte Worms
Several Pineapple Sponges
Several Asternia Stars
Pests:
5 Bubble Algae (Need Resolution)


 
hunt

hunt

Active Member
cool tank.
How fast would you say that the anthelia grows? Ive been debating on weather or not to add it in my tank, i like the look, but i dont want it taking over.
I just found red bubble algea in my tank, just pull it off with your hand like Geoj said, just make sure not to pop them or youll have more comming your way.
 
dutchswan

dutchswan

Member
Quote:Originally Posted by Hunt http:///forum/thread/380870/no-longer-a-newbie-day-101-an-update-on-my-reef-tank-pictures-video#post_3315591
cool tank.
How fast would you say that the anthelia grows? Ive been debating on weather or not to add it in my tank, i like the look, but i dont want it taking over.
I just found red bubble algea in my tank, just pull it off with your hand like Geoj said, just make sure not to pop them or youll have more comming your way.
I would say it has grown about 2 inches taller in 36 days. Just look at the before and after pics, you can see how much bigger it is now.
 
dutchswan

dutchswan

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///forum/thread/380870/no-longer-a-newbie-day-101-an-update-on-my-reef-tank-pictures-video#post_3315645
Ummm....you have yet to make it to the one year mark for starters. I'm consider myself to be a newbie and I have been at this longer than you.
My apologies. I am not accustomed to skill being associated with time. Education and experience perhaps, but not everyone learns at the same rate. I have met people that have been doing the same "day job" for 20 years, and do so poorly. I'm just say'n.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Well, I think the tank is looking pretty good! Newbie or not....
Is that aipstasia I see growing on the rocks?
 
btwk12

btwk12

Member
def not an insult just answering your ? i still feel like im a newbie and i have had my tank or tanks for 3 years now (just upgraded from 55 to 110 in march) im sorry if i upset you, i still learn something new almost everyday on here
 
dutchswan

dutchswan

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by btwk12 http:///forum/thread/380870/no-longer-a-newbie-day-101-an-update-on-my-reef-tank-pictures-video#post_3315654
def not an insult just answering your ? i still feel like im a newbie and i have had my tank or tanks for 3 years now (just upgraded from 55 to 110 in march) im sorry if i upset you, i still learn something new almost everyday on here
No doubt everyone retains the capacity to learn something new everyday....even experienced persons. :) I am just happy to have an ecosystem that seems to be doing well with little or no intervention.
 
oneradtek

oneradtek

Active Member
im on the 5 year mark, and im still a "newbie", tank looks good for only being 101 days into it though
 
deejeff442

deejeff442

Active Member
man i have been at this since i was 14 now i am 41,it is a never ending learning process.everytime you get a different fish,different coral you will learn something.wish i had a forum like this when i started.hell not sure the internet was around when i started.
 
deejeff442

deejeff442

Active Member
looks mostly sps.which dont move around.those monti's are fricken sweet i am trying to find an orange but only thing on the internet iare small 2-3 inch.
 
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