In mid October I acquired a 55gallon tank and thought a family project with an aquarium would be great for my girlfriend and two kids. Something we could work on together and learn from. I started studying up on saltwater aquariums and the more I read the more excited I became. I frequented 3 LFS's and started asking questions and learning. I did a lot of reading and decided in November to start an aquarium. I figured between $700 and $1400 for my first fish. SO we are all set to start, but while cleaning the tank with vinegar I noticed it was a reptile tank! OOPS!!!
Oh well... We came this far and felt the tank was smaller than it should be so I purchased a 75 gallon and continued... Once I felt I was all set, I started mixing water on 11/20 and purchased live rock and sand on 11/22. I continued to add sand and rock while waiting and watching for my tank to begin to establish.
I am using 2 powerheads, a marineland 400 and hydro heater as the tank cycled. All of these will be back ups once I complete the tank. I decided the safest way to go for water stability is to add a sump so I bought a 55gallon tank and started baffling it 2 weeks ago. I have a Reef Octopus 150INT (I think, but could only determine based on dimensions because it was purchased used) I acquired a reef octopus 1495GPH return pump and hope to finish the sump this weekend. I did end up with an emerald crab hitchhikers on one of my live rocks on 12/14. I called the store immediately concerned my tank was not established enough and would only harm the critter, but it had been 3 weeks and they said to keep it. (that was a sleepless night) We call him "butter" butter the crab. He has been doing great! I added 3 turbo snails and 6 hermit crabs on 12/20 and they seem to be doing fine as well!
When my nitrates finally dropped to >2ppm on 12/22 I felt it was OK to try fish. I waited one more week and on 1/1/2016 I purchase a pair of clowns. I had set up a 20 gallon quarantine tank, but after lamenting back and forth I decided to drip acclimate them and put them directly into the display tank. I went back and forth on this, but they were the first fish. (and were approximately $700 a piece so I went ahead and put them in the display tank) They seem to be doing nicely! I had also added a second emerald crab and a coral banded shrimp. We call the crab "lemon" and the shrimp is "keke" That is what our 3 year old son says for candy! Everything seems to be going well. I have seen a few bristle worms... so I am watching closely so nothing gets out of control and weighing good vs bad and possible control options. (I am probably over feeding) I use a red sea test kit for phosphates and nitrates and since adding the fish I have a kit that test ph, ammonia, alkalinity, nitrite and nitrate and have also added a seachem ammonia monitor just to be safe. I change 20 gallons of water once a week.
We call it "TobysReef" and we want to take our time and build a happy reef community over the next couple years. All the stuff you have to know and study and learn...AMAZING!!! I am a chemist, biologist, plumber, landscaper, vet, technician and worried father!!! It is GREAT! I am really excited about finishing the sump this weekend. Who knows I might even add another fish after that!!!
For anyone else considering the hobby... everyone is right... bigger is better!!! I already feel 75 gallons is smaller than I should have went!!! well I am off to play some more. Thanks to everyone's posts on this site it was hugely informative!!!
Oh well... We came this far and felt the tank was smaller than it should be so I purchased a 75 gallon and continued... Once I felt I was all set, I started mixing water on 11/20 and purchased live rock and sand on 11/22. I continued to add sand and rock while waiting and watching for my tank to begin to establish.
I am using 2 powerheads, a marineland 400 and hydro heater as the tank cycled. All of these will be back ups once I complete the tank. I decided the safest way to go for water stability is to add a sump so I bought a 55gallon tank and started baffling it 2 weeks ago. I have a Reef Octopus 150INT (I think, but could only determine based on dimensions because it was purchased used) I acquired a reef octopus 1495GPH return pump and hope to finish the sump this weekend. I did end up with an emerald crab hitchhikers on one of my live rocks on 12/14. I called the store immediately concerned my tank was not established enough and would only harm the critter, but it had been 3 weeks and they said to keep it. (that was a sleepless night) We call him "butter" butter the crab. He has been doing great! I added 3 turbo snails and 6 hermit crabs on 12/20 and they seem to be doing fine as well!
When my nitrates finally dropped to >2ppm on 12/22 I felt it was OK to try fish. I waited one more week and on 1/1/2016 I purchase a pair of clowns. I had set up a 20 gallon quarantine tank, but after lamenting back and forth I decided to drip acclimate them and put them directly into the display tank. I went back and forth on this, but they were the first fish. (and were approximately $700 a piece so I went ahead and put them in the display tank) They seem to be doing nicely! I had also added a second emerald crab and a coral banded shrimp. We call the crab "lemon" and the shrimp is "keke" That is what our 3 year old son says for candy! Everything seems to be going well. I have seen a few bristle worms... so I am watching closely so nothing gets out of control and weighing good vs bad and possible control options. (I am probably over feeding) I use a red sea test kit for phosphates and nitrates and since adding the fish I have a kit that test ph, ammonia, alkalinity, nitrite and nitrate and have also added a seachem ammonia monitor just to be safe. I change 20 gallons of water once a week.
We call it "TobysReef" and we want to take our time and build a happy reef community over the next couple years. All the stuff you have to know and study and learn...AMAZING!!! I am a chemist, biologist, plumber, landscaper, vet, technician and worried father!!! It is GREAT! I am really excited about finishing the sump this weekend. Who knows I might even add another fish after that!!!
For anyone else considering the hobby... everyone is right... bigger is better!!! I already feel 75 gallons is smaller than I should have went!!! well I am off to play some more. Thanks to everyone's posts on this site it was hugely informative!!!
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