Start me up: 30 gal

I'm starting a setup with the same size tank-where did you get the light fixture? I still need that and a skimmer.

 

I got the light fixture on eBay. It's a Coralife and I got it for $175 delivered, which is a super sweet deal. The reflector on one light was ajar, so it was cheap, but I just popped it back into place.

I'd watch out for the Odyssea fixtures, they've gotten really mixed reviews, and it's just not worth it to be unsafe with the light. Apparently that's how Tracy Jordan's (30rock, SNL) apartment fire started, with the light on his shark and eel tank. I wonder if he's on 3reef. . .

 

My people have suffered and I have heard their call. They were crying out for pictures when I was simply unable and unwilling to produce them. But I tell you this: We have pictures of my tank now. Oh yes, we have pictures. And of course we have questions.

Attached are images of the Pavona coral that hitchhiked on the rock (wasn't really planning on SPS coral but. . .), the overall layout (double island that will one day house and anemone, away from other coral, maybe, but at least allowing for separation of coral and if need be activated carbon filtering later on). Also a mini star and the some little filter feeders that are all connected on the rock via runners, id anyone?

More to come. . .

 

These are pictures of what I think is a chicken liver sponge, or some kind of sponge, a silhouetted little filter guy that I mentioned earlier. The third picture of the red tube things are an id question, any id?

I've also seen a small feather duster and a snail creeping around.

I threw in a raw scallop to kick start the cycle of the new tank, though I am not sure how good of an idea that is with the coral in the tank, but the cycle has to get started somehow, right? I can still take it out if this hasn't been a great idea.

 

It's been a week since the live rock was added and it looks like there are definitely some things happening. My ammonia levels have remained at 0 though the entire time, but my nitrite is .1 ppm. I should mention that I am testing the ammonia with a tetra test kit, and the nitrite with a red sea test. I think the Tetra kit is worthless, wouldn't nitrite indicate that ammonia is at least present in some small level?

 

Im using an odyssea 48 inch fixture with 2 12k, 2 actnics, moonlights at night. Ive not had any problems out of my fixture, and would recommend it to anyone who is wanting a Pc setup

 

Like I said, mixed reviews. Glad yours is working out for you. I would point out that by waiting I was able to get a Coralife fixture for less than an Odyssea one anyways.

Anyone with input on the tank related questions?

 

Hi Chicago reef one the bacteria species (several types) that convert Ammo to Nitrite are not the same species that convertc Nitrite to Nitrate - so when a tank cycles , the species that utilie ammo arrive 1st , and the other species arrive aftewards all your test reading indicate are that there is enough bacteria present to convert the ammo you have but you are not yet at the level required to convert all the nitrite to nitrate - give it another few days/week or so and the nitrites will be 0 also IMO

 

I wanted to update people on the tank and get some input.

There's a general outbreak of hair algae in the tank, which I understand is a normal part of the cycling process, but I am thinking I should add a CUC in addition to the several slugs I've seen on the LR. There's been a patch of coraline algae that died off. The pavona coral also isn't the happiest either, it seems to me. It appears to be bleaching along the edges, I think I have it too near the heater, plus let's look at water quality:

sg: 1.024
temp: 80F
DKH: 5.5-6 (Tetra)
Calcium: 480 ppm (API)
Nitrate: 0ppm (API)
Phosphate: 0 ppm (API)
Nitrite: <.03 (Tetra)
pH: 7.7-8.0 (Tetra)

Included a picture of the aquascape.

 

bump-- Any input from anyone about my hair algae outbreak, coraline bleaching, and unhappiness of the pavona?