Rick's 15g

Ive been trying to start a marine tank for about a month and think i'm almost there. I got some t5 HO, a skimmer, 15lb of LR, argonite sand, and a Koralia 1. I read that 50x tank turnover is good, which means ill need another power head. I plan on buying another Koralia 1 with my next pay check. Red/Brown algea means my tank is cylcing right? I have really noticed it building up on the rock.

How would you stock a 15g?

Here are some pictures of my setup-

 

looking good
you might get more intensity and brightness into your tank if you move the lights closer to the tank, and less spill over.
algae usually means you are cycling might want to pick up some basic test kits like ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate
once they are all zeroed out you should be good to go.

 

Looks beautiful mate. Your really are on the right track. Love the rock work. Yes the cyano and diatoms are normal during cycling. 50X turnover is more than I've ever hear of. Normally 10-20X is plenty. So I think you should be fine with what you have. I think that tank definitely needs a firefish in it. I love firefish. You could also check out small gobies like a lawnmower blenny, yellow clown goby, neon goby, yellow watchman goby.

I also agree on moving the light down. You might want to move the filter and skimmer to the back so you can get the lights a little closer.

BTW, whats in the terrarium on the right?

 

*Bogie shudders everytime he looks at a Coralife skimmer now*

Nice piece of liverock.

 

I regret buying the coralife already....

 

Im probably going to move the lights down a bit. How far down would you advise I move them?

The little tank on the right has a beta fish in it.

I was thinking about a yellow watchman goby but every time I see them in LFSs they dont look very active

 

Here's my old firefish. Still only stays around the right side of the tank. Must be a republican.

 

Yeah they like to dig a burrow and poke their heads out. They will start to come out more when they feel safe, same with firefish.
I would move the lights down to 3 inches above the water if you can get them that low.

Oh, one thing about firefish is that they will jump out of your tank unless you have a lid or canopy. And it has to be cut to form fit around the filters, a 1/4" gap and they're riding carpet.

 

I can probably get it down that low. I have access to free acrylic cutting so before i get any fish im definitely gonna make a form fitting lid

 

nice aquascape! I have that same blue cup lol