What Have I Gotten Myself Into???

[lazarus]

ok, so i sold my wife on the notion that a larger tank would be more stable and would require less work than our 29g FOWLR tank. i wanted to reclaim my bar and build a dream tank within an existing wall unit, made originally for a big screen tv. whose got time for tv anyway?
so here i am...could not have built this without your help. its 115g and gorgeous but man o man...this is ALOT of work! i got red/brown sand growin, you tell me its cryano. i got algae on the glass growing so fast its replaced as soon as i scrape it off. i got temperature problems too (as high as 85 some days, usually around 81.5), and absolutely no place for a chiller. i think i can control this by leaving my top open a few hours.
i am spending WAY MORE time on this than i expected....and pls dont tell me that if i dont got the time i should not have started. i bet alot of you are thinking the same thing!
now that i am done with my whining...can i get some help with this...what is the best way to get the growth down to a manageable level...can i reduce the lighting? i got nearly 350w of T5 power on this tank and maybe that is promoting the growth? If I reduce bright lights and just leave on acnitics would that help? Is the high temp the problem too? The tank does not get much ambient light so I am at a loss to explain this.
Are there some ideal snails I should get to tame this growth?
Thanks in advance....i have tried to attach pics of the tank and the wall unit but my file size is too large. Pls advise how to upload these pics and you will love the look we created!

thanks for looking in.

 

[nygel]

for the uploading pics, go to Paint (everyone has it) and load the pic in there, and go to 'edit' then 'select all' then go to 'image' then 'stretch/ skew' then resize it from there, i'd like to see pics. and also TURBO SNAILS do a great job, i have margarita snails currently, but they only do stuff at night... turbos though... they will help u out

 

[dogstar]

I dont know the details of your system but a large refugium with macro algeas and reduceing other introduced nutriants is how you reduce the algea in a display.

 

[symon]

A couple of questions how long has the new tank been up , has it cycled, what kind of water flow are you working with!
And yes a refugium would help you out greatly!

 

[teresaq]

81.5 is not all that high. Most keep thiere reefs about 80. a small fan blowing across the surface of the water should take care of the extra temp. you might cut your lights down an hour or so. also how much flow do you have?? might add an extra powerhead

 

[fishy7]

Hey Laz I feel your pain.
I did not have to sell any thing to my wife but to myself.

I have/had "0" experience with salt but did a bunch of reading before I set up a 215.
The list of issues I have resolved and currently working on is pretty long but is rewarding. I often get that feeling "what have I got myself into" but just remind myself that keeping a reef is not easy and takes time to get it just right. Kind of like painting a picture. :thinking:
My current issue.....mantis shrimp problem, pretty much killed my 150 hermits over the past several months.

Good luck and hang in there.

 

[kingzeus]

I'm not sure how long you've had your tank setup, but keep in mind the amount of time required will decrease as the tank ages. The tank will stabilize and require less monitoring/tweaking, and your skills will also improve.

 

[maeistero]

Originally Posted by LAZARUS
ok, so i sold my wife on the notion that a larger tank would be more stable and would require less work

you're right, a larger tank is much more stable and requires less work than a woman. i can't sell off the wife in the U.S. though. :thinking:

 

[trainfever]

Originally Posted by LAZARUS
ok, so i sold my wife on the notion.
What's "the notion"? Is that like E-bay---- or something? I'm just curious, "cause I'd like to sell mine too.

 

[my way]

One thing to keep in mind, the longer your tank is set up, the less work is needed to maintain it. The first 6 months are the hardest. Now for the guys selling their wives, got pics? I might have some frags to trade for them!

 

[lazarus]

you guys are funny...would trade some of my local friends for you guys! i am still trying to send pics to the site.
here is the tank within the display...if it posts properly, i will post a close up next, with more questions....

 

[lazarus]

OK...i figured out how to post pics! here is another shortly after liftoff.
Since then, i have had problems with temp, algae, and cyano. I did get temp under control by removing acrylic lids and running fan over the top 24x7.
What I hear you say is:
1. Reduce the light by an hour or so (right now the brights run noon - 9:30P)
2. Lightly vacuum the cyano or dust it off to keep from accumulating
3. Get snails (what kind are best?)
4. Get another powerhead (and point it where? to the sand?)
5. Get a refugium (i forgot to tell you...I got one. It is underneath the DT but i have not put much in it yet....just chaeto and a couple of hermits).
So, questions are:
1. What is min. amount of light fish and corals need?
2. What snails do you recommend to consume algae?
3. Powerhead...point to the sand? Are there brands that are best for this application that wont be so damn intrusive to the DT?
4. What else to put in the refugium?
Thanks...hope you like the pics! :happyfish

 

[pat713]

Gut the fireplace and put in a fish tank!

 

[lt34]

That looks great.

 

[lazarus]

sorry i forgot to mention as you all have asked. the tank has been up since late May.
Other particulars:
115g with 30g refugium
45Wx24Dx24H
350w T5 lighting (50/50 w. acnitics)
Temp is 81-84.5
All parameters OK
Livestock: percula, 2 YT, damsel (carryover from last tank...wont die), coral beauty, CBS, serpent star, 12 hermits and a red fish i have no clue what it is

 

[lazarus]

let me know if you want me to post pictures of the ugly stuff...but i am pretty sure you know what cyano and algae look like
pls help with the questions! thanks much

 

[ryanhayes9]

post a pic of the red fish and we will try to id

 

[laxzach]

About your powerhead question I would put a hydro flo at the end of yours. I spins around and deflects the water all around the tank. It all allows the water to reach the top and help in gas exchange.

 

[lazarus]

hydro flow - is that a manufacturer? i have heard the rotating PHs are a pain as they are subject all the time to breakage?

 

[hot883]

Lazarus, thats a very nice set up. Man when it gets established 6 months.-1 year and worry free, you will be the hit to visit for sure.