Jim's 75

Pics of added corals

Pics of corals I have added to my tank:

 

More Pics

More Pics:

 

And more pics

Next five:

 

And five more

And five more:

 

more

next to last five:

 

Final five

Last five:

 

Tank settling in

Tank is finally starting to settle in. Did the tests before the water change. Results are (goal is in parens):

• Salinity - 1.026 (1.026)
• Nitrates - 0
• Phosphates - 0
• Calcium - 400 ppm [still adjusting my drip for this (420-450)
• Carbonate Hardness (KH) - 8.5dKH (8-11)
• Temp (last 24 hrs.) 77.9 - 78.3 (78 +- 2)
• PH (last 24 hrs. ) 8.09 - 8.29 Currently 8.21 (8.1-8.2)
• Magnesium Mg 1170 (1280) <- Looks like I need to increase my dosing.

To the top off water, I'm adding SeaChem

• Reef Builder
• Reef Buffer

I have a drip tank using SeaChem Reef Advantage Calcium.

I'm puzzled as to why the Magnesium is constantly low. Reef Builder/Reef Buffer/Reef Calcium all have Magnesium in them.

 

Moving to a larger tank

Now that I am satisfied that I can succeed in this hobby, I am faced with the dissatisfaction of not starting with a larger tank.

The only place in the house where the tank will work is a small corner in the living room. Because of all the codes in our town about so much window space per sq. ft. of living space, our house is riddled with windows. And the inside walls are already spoken for.

After much consideration and numerous discussions with the wife, I have a spot where the current tank is limited to 3.5'x3.5' - I would have liked a 4' tank, but it would stick out beyond the wall by 3", which would be really ugly.

After much shopping, I have selected the Marineland Deep Dimension 150 with the Marineland Monterey series canopy and stand. I wanted to order from my LFS, but after three days of the Marineland Sales Rep not responding to their request, I opted for the Foster and Smith Aquatics Marineland Deep Dimension Super System. I also ordered the 300Gal Marineland Marine Series Skimmer.

Don't yet have a delivery date - although they have charged my credit card already (normally this is not done until the item ships).

 

Congratulations. The pictures look great. Glad to hear your tank is doing well. I wish I had started bigger as well, but money is a huge factor in that decision. 150 gallons is alot of space to work with. Im sure you will be happy with your purchase.

 

Norg - thanks for dropping by. Yes, money is a real show stopper. I made the decision to go big while I'm still working and have the money.