JBJ 28 gallon owners thread.

I can think of 2 ways,

1. Get the base rock and cycle it in a container like a rubber maid, all you need is powerhead and some salt and then change it all out at one time. Watch the parameters for a week and do a water change if indicated.

2. Just put all the base rock in the tank and sump area (account for displacement) and just cycle it that way, and remove pieces of your present rock over about a month just to be careful.

If this were a larger tank both those options might prove more difficult, but since it is a 28 gallons both options are easily done.

 

sorry for the late reply! Thanks for the help. I think I might go the first route. I have an extra heater and pump laying around.

I just cannot shake this algae problem. It is growing faster than I can clean it up. I was gone for a day and half and in that time algae had grown all over rock I had cleaned. I am going on vacation for 4 days and I might just do a blackout while I am gone. Although this is a temporary fix, I can do some research while I am gone.

I think one of my problems is being overstocked? I have two green spotted puffers and thats it. They are messy eaters and are recommended 30 gallons a piece. I would hate giving them up because they look happy and have not lost color over the past two years.

I do not have a reef water testing kit but Nitrates(ties) are at 0 and PH is 8.3, Ammonia is at 0. I use ro/di water from my LFS and have the lights on 9 hours a day. My tank has been up since january so it is relatively new.

 

hey guys! Some good news and some bad.
I got rid of my puffers. I just thought that the tank was overstocked. It was sad but the right thing to do for the fish.

The good news is that my algae is almost completely gone! I scrubbed all the algae off the walls and did a blackout. 4 days later my tank looks brand new and my torch coral is looking beautiful! I am going to wait a week or two to see if the algae comes back. In the mean time I have a question....

What fish should I get?! I know it is personal preference but I wanted to know what your stock lists are to get a good idea of what my limits are. I know I want a watchman goby. What else could I keep with that? Thanks again for all your help!

here is the torch progress:

two weeks ago


today!


The little grass algae is the only kind left. there is another patch on that one rock the torch it connected to.

 

Sorry to hear about the puffers, but it was the right thing to do if you want to take that size tank in the direction of corals.

Excellent news regarding the algae though, that has to feel good.

Currently I have a pair (large) of black and white mis-bar clown fish and a yellow watchman goby.

In this tank I have always kept some type of clown fish pairs. At different times I had a Royal Gramma, ( love that type of fish). Firefish and a yellow tail damsel.

Cardinals would be a good choice.
Dotty backs while beautiful turn into monsters, because the tank is not large enough for other fish to escape. Same story with 6-line wrasses.

Cherub angel, but mine turned into a clam nipper, so he got moved.


Torch looks good.

 

I LOVE the black and white mis-bars. Every time I see them I want one! So two clowns and a goby shouldn't be a problem? I always read to buy the clowns in pairs. Is this a good idea?
Royal Grammas are beautiful as well. So hard to choose!

 

I feel it is always best if you are going to get clownfish to get the pair at one time.

IME this tank can easily handle 3 fish.

Your right the choices are very hard, but I think you will be happy with a pair of clown fish to start.

 

could I add a pistol shrimp to the list?

 

Oh yes, not problem. If you go with the YWG try to a Tiger pistol and if you have to order them see if they can keep both in the same tank if you get them at the LFS.

 

So I will be going home this weekend to put in an order for some new fish! Here is what I was thinking (let me know what you think):
2 True Percs
1 Royal Gramma
1 Green Clown or Watchman Goby (cant decide)

oh and I wont be getting all of these guys at the same time obviously so which to get first?

 

Went to my LFS and got a watchman goby! Put him in there last night and was really shy, but when I turned the lights on this morning he came right out and has been swimming around all morning. It is odd because he has hardly been in the sand at all. Maybe he is just getting used to his surroundings. He is also the only fish in the tank.