The Beginning of my journey
- Thread starter bender77
- Start date
bender77
Member
OK, the guy emailed me back about the tank. I supposed to go look at it tomorrow. It comes with live rock and sand. If I take it I'm thinking about pitching all the sand and getting new and freshwater dipping all the live rock to make sure there are no unwanted hitchhikers. Then I can aquascape and go from there. Does that sound good? Any other thoughts?
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
probably a good idea with the sand. can't wait to see pics!
bender77
Member
So, I got my tank today. It came with a crappy filter, a huge protein skimmer that I have no idea how to use, tons of live rock, korilla 3 power head misc chemicals and a 18wattx2 T5 light with horrible salt creep (don't even know if it's safe to use). So I cleaned the tank, freshwater dipped the live rock and I'm working on cleaning the light and stand. The rock is now in a bucket with power heads circulating. I'm going to try and sell the filter and protein skimmer on CL and I have ordered better ones for the tank. DH is going to make some type of hood for it and I'll order a MH light. Just trying to decide between 150w and 250w. I'm thinking 150.
Do you think the korilla 3 and the korilla 1 I have for the tank will be too much flow?
As promised, pictures:
Before
After:
Do you think the korilla 3 and the korilla 1 I have for the tank will be too much flow?
As promised, pictures:
Before
After:
small triggers
Active Member
looks GREAT,,,, good job cleaning the tank
bender77
Member
Originally Posted by dingus890
http:///forum/post/3091790
Very nice tank. Man it had nice corraline algae on the backwall. But yeah it's never good to take chances with other peoples tanks. Clean and new is always better..lol
I look forward to seeing the progress of your horse tank
Actually the entire tank looked like that. I don't think he ever cleaned it.
http:///forum/post/3091790
Very nice tank. Man it had nice corraline algae on the backwall. But yeah it's never good to take chances with other peoples tanks. Clean and new is always better..lol
I look forward to seeing the progress of your horse tank
Actually the entire tank looked like that. I don't think he ever cleaned it.
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
Wow, you did a great job cleaning the tank up!
1st, I wouldn't recommend having a koralia 3 in that size tank with seahorses!! Two koralia-ones would be fine, but the K-3 might really blow them around. Sell the K-3 on ---- and get a K1. Better yet, I'[ll trade ya.... I have a K-1 laying around!
Seriously, you'll make a little bit of a profit I think if you ---- it.
Why do you think an Emperor 400 is a crappy filter? I have one one my horse tank, and it's sufficient for the bioload. I use that, a small skimmer, and I have no issues. Of course, a canister filter is also great, but considering the high bioload of seahorses, I would NOT recommend you just use your live rock and the skimmer.....you're gonna need a mechanical and chemical filter of some kind.
Great start on the project, look forward to seeing more in the near future!
1st, I wouldn't recommend having a koralia 3 in that size tank with seahorses!! Two koralia-ones would be fine, but the K-3 might really blow them around. Sell the K-3 on ---- and get a K1. Better yet, I'[ll trade ya.... I have a K-1 laying around!
Why do you think an Emperor 400 is a crappy filter? I have one one my horse tank, and it's sufficient for the bioload. I use that, a small skimmer, and I have no issues. Of course, a canister filter is also great, but considering the high bioload of seahorses, I would NOT recommend you just use your live rock and the skimmer.....you're gonna need a mechanical and chemical filter of some kind.
Great start on the project, look forward to seeing more in the near future!
bender77
Member
Originally Posted by novahobbies
http:///forum/post/3094702
Wow, you did a great job cleaning the tank up!
1st, I wouldn't recommend having a koralia 3 in that size tank with seahorses!! Two koralia-ones would be fine, but the K-3 might really blow them around. Sell the K-3 on ---- and get a K1. Better yet, I'[ll trade ya.... I have a K-1 laying around!
Seriously, you'll make a little bit of a profit I think if you ---- it.
Why do you think an Emperor 400 is a crappy filter? I have one one my horse tank, and it's sufficient for the bioload. I use that, a small skimmer, and I have no issues. Of course, a canister filter is also great, but considering the high bioload of seahorses, I would NOT recommend you just use your live rock and the skimmer.....you're gonna need a mechanical and chemical filter of some kind.
Great start on the project, look forward to seeing more in the near future!
It's a crappy filter because it's missing parts and doesn't work well
I didn't think about the K-3 blowing the poor horses around. I may look into finding it a new home. I bought a more compact skimmer and I think I have all the parts for the one he gave me. If I can figure out it's size and how to clean it properlly I'll try to find it a new home too. Not sure what it's "adoption" fee should be
On a great note, my DH said the wall should be painted today, so I hope I can get the tank set up with some water tomorrow and start the filter and skimmer running to make sure it all works OK and they tank still hold water after I cleaned it, and then I will drain it start the sand, rock and cycle
http:///forum/post/3094702
Wow, you did a great job cleaning the tank up!
1st, I wouldn't recommend having a koralia 3 in that size tank with seahorses!! Two koralia-ones would be fine, but the K-3 might really blow them around. Sell the K-3 on ---- and get a K1. Better yet, I'[ll trade ya.... I have a K-1 laying around!
Why do you think an Emperor 400 is a crappy filter? I have one one my horse tank, and it's sufficient for the bioload. I use that, a small skimmer, and I have no issues. Of course, a canister filter is also great, but considering the high bioload of seahorses, I would NOT recommend you just use your live rock and the skimmer.....you're gonna need a mechanical and chemical filter of some kind.
Great start on the project, look forward to seeing more in the near future!
It's a crappy filter because it's missing parts and doesn't work well
On a great note, my DH said the wall should be painted today, so I hope I can get the tank set up with some water tomorrow and start the filter and skimmer running to make sure it all works OK and they tank still hold water after I cleaned it, and then I will drain it start the sand, rock and cycle
bender77
Member
DH was true to his word and when I came home from work my tank was up waiting for me to set up all the equipment fill her with water and give her a test run. This morning everything still looked good so I drained it and started adding sand and rock. I think I may have gone a little crazy with the rock and may have to take some out. I'll post a picture and get advice once the water clears, but here is a picture of the test run last night
bender77
Member
Originally Posted by TeresaQ
http:///forum/post/3095203
Looks good so far, cant wait to see pictures with the rock and sand. needs a blue background.
TeresaQ
Funny you should say that. I didn't paint to back because I like change every now and then. DH and I are debating over color, he says black, I say blue, and we both laughed at the idea of a pineapple under the sea.
The tank is almost clear, I added a cup of substrate from my 6 yr old tank and a shrimp. Let the fun begin!!
Front (does get a little light from the frosted front door window in the morning, I'll have to be on algae patrol, but my 55 was is the same place and I never had much of a problem)
Left side (looking at it)
Right side
Corner
The K-3 is in there to help move water right now, but will take out and replace as not to blow a horse away. Still need a light. Do you think I have too much rock, or is it OK?
http:///forum/post/3095203
Looks good so far, cant wait to see pictures with the rock and sand. needs a blue background.
TeresaQ
Funny you should say that. I didn't paint to back because I like change every now and then. DH and I are debating over color, he says black, I say blue, and we both laughed at the idea of a pineapple under the sea.
The tank is almost clear, I added a cup of substrate from my 6 yr old tank and a shrimp. Let the fun begin!!
Front (does get a little light from the frosted front door window in the morning, I'll have to be on algae patrol, but my 55 was is the same place and I never had much of a problem)
Left side (looking at it)
Right side
Corner
The K-3 is in there to help move water right now, but will take out and replace as not to blow a horse away. Still need a light. Do you think I have too much rock, or is it OK?
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
Looks pretty darned good! I don't think you have too much rock either....like Mrs. T said, just make sure you have enough open pathways through the rock so you can get good flow through. Having a powerhead pointed at the rock will also help keep detritus buildup down to a minimum. You might want to open up the structure a little bit, allow for a small cave or two. The Bangaiis are going to be in and out of the rock, and if you get a breeding pair, the male will want to hide in a corner while he mouth broods. Otherwise, it looks like you're off to a fantastic start!
One thing I want to caution you about, since I'm having a problem with it right now. Be on the sharp lookout for aptasia anemones while you're cycling. If you see some, definitely consider a pepperming shrimp or two to munch on them. I'm warning you about his now because once the horses go in the system, any and all shrimp are fair game....you wouldn't believe the size of shrimp that seahorses can kill and suck down!! If you make sure the aptasia is a nonissue now, you probably won't have to worry about it ever. Just be aware that the shrimp are probably going to dissapear when the horses get comfortable. I'm dealing with an aptasia outbreak now, and it's a pain in the butt because there's nothing I can add to the tank that will eat the buggers.....butterflyfish is too big, and peppermint shrimp are too tasty!
One thing I want to caution you about, since I'm having a problem with it right now. Be on the sharp lookout for aptasia anemones while you're cycling. If you see some, definitely consider a pepperming shrimp or two to munch on them. I'm warning you about his now because once the horses go in the system, any and all shrimp are fair game....you wouldn't believe the size of shrimp that seahorses can kill and suck down!! If you make sure the aptasia is a nonissue now, you probably won't have to worry about it ever. Just be aware that the shrimp are probably going to dissapear when the horses get comfortable. I'm dealing with an aptasia outbreak now, and it's a pain in the butt because there's nothing I can add to the tank that will eat the buggers.....butterflyfish is too big, and peppermint shrimp are too tasty!