My first SW tank

[hodge]

Thought I would a post few pics of my first SW adventure. I spent 2 months researching and then started in Aug. It's a 34 gal RSM. I'm glad I went with an all in one, being a newb. There is more to learn with SW but the rewards have been worth it. The most important aspect is the commitment to daily upkeep compared to any FW tanks I've maintained. That and being diligent with research and not making impulse purchases with fish or corals. I made one impulse buy (yellow banded coral shrimp) and got off lucky that it hasn't attacked or ate anything (have read since it may not be completely reef safe)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/firemansmith/Picture220.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/firemansmith/Picture242.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/firemansmith/Picture211.jpg

[CACAdmin]

Very nice indeed. :yes: It looks like it's doing very well. Just curious. What'sall involved in the 'daily upkeep' of a S/W tank?

[Slipstream]

Yah, it looks great for a First :)

Basically the same kinda things ya gotta do in a FW tank, except be a bit more careful.. LOL.. like water top-up, make sure everything is working good, clean off any salt creep (when salt creeps over everything.. :laugh:).. Hmm. Make sure all the filters and pumps are working good,
make sure nothing is eating your corals.. Hmm.. thats all i can really think of at the moment.

[hodge]

Thanks,

For me its:
Fresh water top up.
Clean skimmer cup.
Clean filter pad (possible nitrate trap otherwise)
Perform at least one test (right now I'm monitoring Calcium, phosphates, PH)
Tip Astrea snails back over (they always fall over)
Add supplements if required (calcium right now)
Feed twice per day (fishes)
Clean glass (gotta love mag float)
Last but not least, spend an hr or so just watching/making sure corals and fish are happy

Other stuff:
Spot feed corals (2 x week)
Make salt water (1 x week)
15% water change weekly (have not missed yet)

[Shelley]

Really nice looking tank. I see your monitoring calcium.. if your having trouble keeping your calcium and KH up start checking your magnesium. Until your mg is up there is no way your calcium or kh will stabilize.

[Melody]

Beautiful tank & pic's. Looks like the research paid off :smile:

[hodge]

Thanks, I'm really enjoying the experience so far.
I'll have to post some new pics...just received 3 new corals from J&L

[Katalyst]

Beautiful tank! :swoon: Very impressive for a first tank or otherwise, you look like a pro to me! :yes: Good on you for not letting impulses get the best of you which is usually harder then maintaining the tank iteself. Look forward to seeing more pictures of your new corals and as you go along. Shelley gave you some great advice as she is a salt water guru. :wink:

[Shelley]

ohhhhh dont you just love getting one of those J and L packages!! I would really like to see your new corals:yes:

[hodge]

Yeah, this is my third order from J&L and the packaging has been great, except a broken Montipora Digitata I received today. It was packaged well, suspended in the bag from a foam float, but looks like the the coral poked a hole in the inner layer bag and deflated enough to let the coral get beat up. I've glued all the pieces back onto the rock and will probably be ok, just not as elegant looking as it once was.

My tank is pretty much full now (allowing for growth). So now I have time to sit back and enjoy... until I set up the prop tank I've been thinking about (Looking forward to this part of the hobby).

[Shelley]

Im sorry to hear your digi got broken.. digis grow really fast, especially the orange. I have one pretty good size colony that everytime I stick my hands into the tank I break off a big branch:mad: ... now I have 8 frags of it in my growout tank!:yes:

[Slipstream]

Yah, thats one good part of 'accidentally' breaking a peice off. :laugh:

[hodge]

It is an orange digi. I should have mounted all the pieces separately I think. I'll probably grow like a birds nest now.

I also got a Randall's pistol shrimp and it paired up with my Hi-fin goby within an hr. They've built an impressive borrow/tunnel already...

[Shelley]

I have ALWAYS wanted a shrimp/goby combo. It is so cool the way they interact. I have always wondered tho.. what do you do if they make thier tunnel on the side or in the back of the tank where you cant see them? Knowing my luck thats what would happen:wideeyed:

[CACAdmin]

Shelley, if you ever do a shrimp/goby combo, I think you should try some reverse psychology and explain to them that you really want the tunnel at the back or on the side, then for sure it'll be at the front where you can see them. :wink: :laugh:

[Slipstream]

LOL.. haha.. too funny, or do some research and find out why they choose certain places and not others, like what kinda things influence their decisions, that way, u can try to duplicate that best u can at the FRONT of your tanks, or the opposite at the back :yes:

[hodge]

I went home for lunch to find the pair had moved to a new location?? When I fed the fish the pair came out together and took turns grabbing any food that came near them. Ive been lucky so far, the first burrow was in the front and the new one is on the side. The Goby looks like he found a long lost pal, happier than a clam.

[hodge]

Hey Slipstream, I noticed you're from PG.
I was at a reef tank tour last weekend in PG. Met some nice folks and ended up buying some great sps frags from one of them.

[Slipstream]

Really?.. damn.. wish i could get a hold of some people here in town with reef tanks.. Id LOVE to go on a reef tank tour.. but cant find anybody in town with reef tanks, not easy to find.. lol.. Got any suggestions?

[hodge]

Slipstream,
I stumbled onto the group thru an ad in the bargain finder. There were 2 ads selling corals, both of which are members of the group. I'll send you a pm with the email address of one guy I've corresponded with (nice guy) he can probably set you up with the group there. We may get the chance to meet at the next tour (Jan)

[Slipstream]

Sweet.. Thanx :notworthy: