90 Gallon Reboot

I've had my core system now for about 3 years, and decided this month that I wanted some different types of fish and coral, etc.
So, I traded/sold my livestock, and I'm starting over.

I used to have it set up as 3 islands, with space in the front and behind the islands.
This time, I wanted more of a rock-wall feel so they could have the entire middle and front to swim and the very back to hang out and go into caves and sleep.

I put all my LR in a tub with tank-water, heater, power-heads, and the only thing I changed out was the sand. The sand is still kind of settling, and everything has a sandy-film on it.

I'm using some model of a Reef Octopus skimmer, can't find the # on it.
I also added a Phosban 150 that I'm using for Carbon... I'm going to use this No3: PO4-X dosing for phosphates and such. Or, eventually use GFO in the 150

I'm in no rush to get fish or anything, but I'm wondering how much of a cycle I'm having. My system was only off for like 8 hours and it's all the same stuff.

But, what do you think? I wanted to go a bit higher, but it's not supported, just interlocked carefully ;D
Maybe 2 more branchy pieces on top for a final arch look.

 

Looks good, WH. Been thinking about adding a few more pieces to my tank.

Only testing will tell you for certain if you're cycling, but since you kept the rocks wet, warm, and aerated, my guess would be that you're not. Are you feeding your corals? If not, you may want to consider it; you'll need to feed something in there to keep your bacteria from starving.

 

I think it looks great! Did you use all new water? or use some from the tub? Did you use live sand or save a bit from your old to seed the new? I'm thinking along the lines with Mr. Bill in that you probably shouldn't have much of a cycle.

what type of livestock are you thinking of keeping now in your new set up?

 

I kept about 15% of my old sand in there, and 30lbs of new sand.
I kept as much water as possible, but about 30G got disgusting and I replaced it with fresh SW.
So, maybe just a big water change...

I tested it today, and everything seems OK. I might just put in a little Mysis or something to keep the ammonia going.

Now I'm thinking about what I want to get. I've owned this fish in the past, but he quickly died.
I think I want to try again.
Mimic Saddled Filefish


It seemed very finicky, and wasn't really eating at the store after a week. But, I took it anyway at that point.

I kind of want the File, and a Copperband Butterfly. I think 90 should be ok for a Copperband... But, I know they're also hard to get eating as well. Might be too much with the both of them.

The File is Peaceful, so it limits your stocking by so much. I want to make sure it's out and eating, so I don't want anything but "Peaceful".

 

I have never seen that particular filefish! I love it! I've kept a couple of filefish in the past and both of them ate very well a variety of food. I've read where they can be finicky eaters but that wasn't my experience. I really like the way they swim, remind me of triggers.

 

That's actually a photo of the one I owned...
It was awesome

I guess it sneaks in and schools with the Valentini puffers in the ocean.
Mimic Valentini

Tanks basically 100% clear now. Going to test tomorrow, see what it looks like.

I put 3 bigger corals I wanted to keep in with the LR.
1 isn't looking so hot; a green leather. It's just completely toppled over face in the sand. And it looks kinda gray...
The other 2 are out as normal

 

Nice looking tank! I personally like the look of the rock as it is

I've heard of those filefish but never seen one for sale, what is the price for them typically? BTW, beautiful picture, if you get one, hopefully it isn't as finicky.

For the Leather, try increasing flow to it, idk if this works for all leathers, but for toadstools, they usually slump over when they don't get enough flow.

HTH

 

Thanks, I'll try moving the powerheads closer to it. I'll post a photo of him when I get home.
I remember the File being like $25 or so only.
My LFS had one, and I saw it. They special ordered me one later

 

So here's the corals.
Again, they were in tank water, with the LR and a heater and power-heads for maybe 18 hours or so.
Then back into the tank, which had maybe 70% old original water.

The Devil's coral is out fine, the Xenia is out as well.
The 2 green leather corals look shot. They're all grey and gross looking... They were both greens
Not sure what I can do.

 

Leathers often shed their mucus layer, I'd point a powerhead almost directly at them. Are you running carbon, usually helps with the mucus and the toxin often released by leathers, especially toadstools.