Plans for my new setup

Hey Guys,

I just wanted to share my plans with your guys regarding my new tank setup. I would also appreciate some opinions on anything you might consider detrimental to my setup or helpful. Well any way here go.

I am going to receive 60 lbs of live rock next week I plan on using a rubbermaid tub and cure the rock. I am not going to do any water changes and let the curing process go through it;s natural phases. After the rock is cured I am going to aquascape as best I can and put it in my tank. I am going to fill the tank up with saltwater made with RO\DI unit and Instant Ocean salt mix. I am then going to connect my lighting system (2x250 24k, and 4x 54w T5's(2x420nm & 2x460nm) and begin testing all parameters in the tank.

Now, seeing that I am going to get diatoms first, then green algae second, I plan on setting up my auto top off system and use kalkwasser to get rid of phosphates and bring up my calcium and alk. That way with the lights I will start growing coralline algae that will hopefully over take the green algae. I will also add a crew to help with the green algae consumption. I would like to maintain my tank as such until 3 months later where I will add my first Clam.
Hopefully I won't run into to many problems.

I guess my question is what do you think about what I am planning on doing with my new setup, do you see anything that I could change, do differently, or not do at all? Any and all opinions are welcomed. Thanks everyone for your time.

 

Your plans seem sound and well thought out. I think you may be too optimistic on the appearance of coraline algae and also too optimistic on the time before you can add the clam. Everything else sounds good, though.

 

Hey Saw39,

Thanks for your thoughts and opinion, can you tell me more about your thoughts about my corraline and clams?

 

Any other thoughts are greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

I don't have any personal experience with clams. From what I've read here on 3reef, they demand high-quality water. A new tank (less than 6 months) doesn't provide an environment that is stable enough.

As for coraline algae, based on my experience I wouldn't expect any in 3 months after set-up. I didn't get any for almost 2 years, probably because I had a protracted battle with high nitrates and fluctuating pH. I had green hair algae problems for almost 18 months.

So, go slow. Keep your nitrates down with frequent water changes using filtered water.
Good luck!

 

To add to what Saw39 has already stated, coralline algae prefers very low light to grow so I would keep my lights off for the first 2 months while your tank cycles then only run blue actinic lighting until you're ready for corals.

 

Ok, with regards to clams, I have five Tridancna's presently and have been successful with them for years now, I can tell you that lighting is very important!
Also, nitrates in your water are also great to have! I run my tank at 10-15ppm nitrates as they are food for filter feeders, yes this includes anemones!
The placement of your clam is crucial as is water flow, calcium and the reduction/elimination of predatory organisms.
The inspection and purchase of a healthy captive raised clam is ideal in enabling you and your clam the best chance of success long term.
With the depth of your tank, and only having the 150halides, you may not be able to keep Crocea's and Maxima's, plus they are the most demanding in terms of husbandry requirements and ease of maintaining.
I would start with a Squamosa, Derasa or Hippopus, Hippopus clam!
They are more forgiving, less light tolerant and easier for the novice reefer as well.
I would also wait till your tank has become better conditioned and matures further before attempting a Tridacna and this holds true for one wanting to purchase and attempt keeping an anemone!
Hope this helps

 

Thanks guys, just want to make a change to my setup in regards to coral reefers statement about my lights, sorry that I didn't update my tank setup specs. But do you think I should be able to get any clams with these lights? I have 2x250 mh with 4x54 T5's.

So it will be a while til I am able to get a Clam huh, I really wanted to start out with one. How long should I wait as far as the maturing of my tank until I get a clam? and how loing should I wait til I can put anything in my tank? what needs to happen in order to get a Clam , and what kinds of things can I start out with once I am ready? I like corals and other colorful stuff. any suggestions?

As far as the coralline algae should I just use the T5's for the first few months to help the coralline to grow, or just let it be on it's own?

 

Just let it be on its own. Like I said, coralline prefers low (and actinic blue) lighting.

Don't rush the clam. I've known far too many people who have lost alot of money by putting delicate inverts like clams in a new-ish tank. I would wait 6 months or more before adding one. I don't find that any tank is completely balanced and stable until it's at least a year old so while your water may test fine after a few months, there are still alot of things going on in there that you can't "see". I have had new tanks have ammonia/nitrite/nitrate spikes and drops as quickly as overnight.

You should be able to start adding hardy corals (like zoanthids, ricordea and such) about 3 months after your initial cycle is over.

 

cool, thanks