Tank Journal Archive

[chrisg_75]

Hi Guys,

Recently got my first marine tank. I purchased the tank 2nd hand and fully set up. It had been running for approx 12 mths. Here are a couple of quick pics. Nothing special at the moment however looking forward to slowly build it up with some more colour etc as I learn more.

The tank is an ORCA MT-50 80L. It has a PL24w 17000K globe in it (white and blue) and it had already had DIY LEDs installed. From what I can tell they look kind just standard LED lights probably 70% white 30% blue. I think they are just in there for additional light / look rather than enhance the corals and growth.

The tank came with 2 B&W clowns and a Golden Head Sleeper Goby.

After visiting LFS we also have bicolour Dotty Back and a Gonirporia coral.

I have also done more research to find that the goni not probably the best coral we could have got. I have it now and will see how things go.

Happy for any comments on my tank

 

[chrisg_75]

A little bit more info

We have had the tank for just over 2 weeks now.

The guy we got the tank from had been feeding the fish on frozen brine shrimp solely. I also know that this isnt good and have got pellet feeed and are using the brine shrimp as a treat every 2nd or third day.

We also lost the goby late last week. From what I understand and have read it is more than likely result of lack of food for him. Compared to a couple i have seen in shops now, he was a little under weight when i got the tank.

I am doing fortnightly 20L water changes although I have done once a week so far. I had water tested at the LFS and everythign was good although PH was very slightly low so I now have buffer to add to each water change.

Thats about all I have so far.

One other thing, Most of last week I notice a reddy colour algae growth on the glass happening and little bit starting on the sand. here are a couple of pics of it. After again speaking with LFS his opinion is that it is not "cyano" and is just comon red algae growth and nothing to be worried about.

I got two trochus snails to help with any clean up needed now also.


Cheers
Chris

 

[chimaera]

I think you are okay with that algae, it is more brown than red, but keep a close eye on it.

You should invest in some Reef Roids for that goni, they require target feeding (turn pumps off and use a syringe/baster to feed a reefroids mixture). Be careful with the reefroids feeding though, overfeed and you will cause algae blooms.

Looks pretty good so far, lots of useful rock space for corals.

 

[chrisg_75]

Thanks for the reply.

The main problem i am having now is that my Zoas wont open. The first week i got the tank, the only lights that were running were the DIY leds (which i am sure are just for light and not proper aquarium ones). This was because the PL24 was bad globe. During this time the zoas looked like they were fine. Around the time i replaced the PL24 globe and it start operating, the zoas stopped opening. At this stage they were and had been down on the sand in the front left corner. It has now been nearly 1.5 weeks. I have moved them around in two diff places.

They are now currently sitting in the spot where the left hand mushroom leather (think that is what it is) is situated inthe first overall tank pic. So about mid tank level.

ANy suggestions fo rthese guys or is it normal for them to shutup shop for a little while sometimes ??

cheers
chris

 

[chimaera]

What are your water parameters? Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate? I would be concerned that your tank is still re-cycling after being disturbed.

 

[aussieant32]

was going to say the exact same thing. Your tank is probably having a mini cycle, would also explain the algae appearing as well and possibly the death as well.

Do a full test and see what is in there

 

[chrisg_75]

I did a 20L water change on sat just gone and I took my water down to the LFS to get tested. According to them the only thing that was a stray was the ph was very slightly low and I have a buffer to add to water changes now. Everythign else was fine according to them. I do not have specific results i can add here though sorry.

 

[aussieant32]

next time I would see the results yourself and write them down, not take their word for it. What was the PH?

 

[chrisg_75]

Yeah i am not sure.
I know he was going of colour chart with slight change sin the colour etc

 

[aussieant32]

hmmmm. How do you know how much buffer to add if you dont know the ph?

Best thing you will do for your tank is get some decent test kits, lets you really see what is going on

 

[chrisg_75]

yeah ok.

What test kit should I look at ?

 

[aussieant32]

your basics first, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. Then for corals etc start off with phosphate, calc, alk and magnesium.

What is your LFS?

 

[chrisg_75]

THe one i go to at themoment is called All About Fish at Warners ay in Newcastle

Are there any kits recommended or better than others ?

 

[aussieant32]

I prefer Salifert or red sea

@chris1987 is up your way I think, may know of some good places

 

[chris1987]

only shop up hear worth really going tois hunter pets in thorton

 

[chris1987]

and that is cyno

 

[chrisg_75]

Ok,

So a bit of an update.

I have done a re scape with the rock work and moved some things around. I did this yesterday and then did 20l water change.

There are couple of additional corals in there over the last couple of weeks. Have also added Aquael 2600 power head for more flow.

 

[chrisg_75]

Oh I also have received my first lot of salifert test kits.

I test for my first time tonight and here are the results

Nitrates 10ppm
Alkalinity 3.02
dKH 8.45
Calcium 430 ppm
Magnesium 1275ppm

 

[chrisg_75]

Here are a couple of shots quickly with the phone form last night

Love it when trachy comes out to feed

Red Morphs

And can someone tell me if these are baby Xenia ??

 

[aussieant32]

they look more like a kind of star polyp.