Chibi's First SW Tank 46 Bow

Hello everyone,

Figured I should go ahead and make my first tank post while I have a couple beers in me.

This is my first tank, ever. Well My girlfriend gave me a 4g BiOrb a few days before this, but this is the one I continue to research for hours and hours about.


As of now it is FOWLR until I can get a sump put together along with some other supplies. Let me hear what you have to think, bad/good, DIYs or anything really.

It went through a light cycle and all parameters have been good thus far. (I have literally spent over 300 hours reading posts and articles as well as talking to multiple LFSs and other hobbyist about making sure Im on the right track)

Equipment:
-46g Bow Front (started 12/21/09)
-Rena xP3 Canister Filter (In the slow process of removing bio stars, will prob just run carbon and use as a particle filter)
-AquaC Remora Protein Skimmer (MJ1200) w/ prefilter box
-2x MJ 1200s for circ
-Current USA Sundial T5 Lights (2 ATI Blue Plus, ATI Blue Special, UV AquaSun)
-250w Stealth Pro Heater
-50 lb LR
-30 lb LS
-30 lb Crushed Coral
-Tests- API Master Marine + Cal, Salifert Alk

Things that can die (I normally wont name something until it has survived for a bit):
Firefish, Purple (Purple Urple)
Yellow Watchman Goby (Too Fast)
8x Blue Legged Hermits (Dummy 1-8)

Mods, I guess you could call them that:
Egg Create top, to stop the jumpers (PC, you were the first to pop up on google, thanks)

Thanks for looking!
1/15/2010

 

Congrats on the new tank... just started mine too. The cycling is just a bummer... I hate having to wait

 

Yea it is. I giving credit to the LR because it was in top shape and was able to handle the ol' shrimp method well. Crabs have been going strong for over 1 1/2 weeks and the fish are on day 3.

I will say that the Watchman is a bit of a young one and really scared me today. I feed the new Instant Ocean Pellets, I guess he wanted to make sure to got his (I do light feedings for now), and I could of swore he was choking on the thing. I watched him for a good 20 mins. He seemed alright so I went into the other room for awhile and just turned the moonlights on. I havent been able to spot him since but I checked all the intakes and he isnt stuck to any of them, that was relieving!

 

I would of rather of posted this as a new thread in a different forum to possibly get more views but I am confident it is a normal beginner question that most people might be able to answer.

Over the past week or less I have noticed a quicker build up of algae 'film' on my glass as well as a type of fuzz growing on rocks/equipment. Also, there seems to be pods or nest (looks similar to a bee hive) growing on rocks. I have been extremely busy this week so I have not had time to research any of this yet. If anyone can answer me what they are directly that would be great, if not maybe you might be able to lead me in the right direction.

Here are some pics of what Im talking about



For better resolution I can post individual images


Test Show
1.024
pH 8.3-8.4
0A/02/03
9.2dKH
400 cal


Recent changes are:
-Added piece of LR from a local reefers 46g which he was taking down because he went to a larger tank. There were no signs of anything bad going on in the set up and still had livestock in it. I had it in a bucket with half tank water and half new salt water at 80C for 3 days and did WC to bucket once.
-Added Zoa colony. I did not QT this piece because a. still a noob and really wanted to get a coral in my tank b. figured it would be ok as nothing in his tank was showing signs of anything. (The Zoas look better now then they did a week and a half ago, when I added them)
-I may have been feeding a little too much.
---Recently started feeding Frozen Fresh Water Mysis Shrimp. (Thawed of course but not rinsed off because I really dont know how to do it when all Im feeding is very small pieces of a square.)
---Also using Kent Phytoplex and DT Oyster Eggs.
(All in small quantities but still possibly too much for what I have in there.)
-Swapped 2 MJ1200s for a new MP40w
-Have somewhat been running lights longer than normal, ~12+ hours a day. (4x39w T5s)
-Took out stock Rena xP3 Carbon bag and replaced with 100ml bag of Purigen. Also added a Rena progressive filter to the canister filter.
-I noticed my canister filter was spitting out some bubbles every so often so about 2 days ago I took it offline until I could investigate. I think it either has an issue with an O-ring or possible hose problem. Could it be that it is sucking up very small bubbles from my Remora Protein Skimmer return water via the pre filter box and the bubbles collecting in padding of filter pads in canister filter and then releasing back into system? I believe this because the intake for filter is very close to the return from protein skimmer.


In other news, I hope your still reading, Im looking into adding the Clown pair sometime in the next two months. I was thinking it would be best to add an anemone prior to the Clowns. I was reading about them and trying to decide which type would be best for them, care and looks. From reading graphs half way down the linked page you can see the few options I feel that I have. Would anyone care to add?

 

welcome to the 46 bow club K+ these tanks are awesome. Looks like your off to a great start, and glad my legg crate lid thread did some good Can't wait to see the progress of your tank

and im still new to SW so i cant really help ya out with the things growing on your rock, so maybe someone will be able to ID it for you

 

The tiny "bee hive" looking things are tunicate sponges. They are harmless filter feeders. As for the algae, there are so many kinds that it is hard to get a definite ID but your tank is still young so it will be occasionally going through algae blooms. Dont worry too much about it. Everything looks great so far.

 

Hi and welcome.
I have a 46 bow front too but am still in the process of getting the stuff.
Tank looks good so far.

Can't wait to see more pictures of your progress.