This is a test

I've started a new tank but seem to have problems posting here .

 

Ok - my test worked so here's more!

I'm new to this board and have been fish-tankless (is that a word ) for several years. In the past I had started with a 55 gal, progressed to a 75 gal, and eventually ended up with a 150. Due to a move I sold off my tank and felt I didn't have room for what I wanted. However after recently running across the Solana 34 gal, I loved the looks and decided to go for it again. Here's a short diary of what I've done so far.

Start - up - added 40 lbs of live sand (20 lbs of Carib-sea Reef Sand and 20 lbs of Aragalive), and 30 lbs of live rock. Turned my light on (14K metal halide pendant), added an extra power head and began the cycling wait.

 

Week two - diatoms show up

My rock is now beginning to be covered with the brown diatoms.

 

Week three - snail time

Water parameters are testing out just fine so throwing snails in to work on the diatoms. 2 turbos, 3 margarites, 5 astreas. Within 2 days they have cleaned the rocks off back to their original selves. Within a couple more days the green algae starts to show up.

 

Looks good

 

Week four - adding a few more rocks

Snails doing a great job, all still alive and well after a week. Water parameters still good - 1.024, ph 8.2, No2 - 0, No3 - 0, ammonia - 0, so put in about 5 more lbs of cured rock and a few mushrooms, buttons, and star polyps. Oh, and a fan worm.

 

Week 5 - water still doing great added fish

OK - water was still testing good so I added 2 clowns, 1 bi-color blenny, and a few more mushrooms. So here we are now.

 

Week 6 - all is still well

Everything seems very stable and in good shape. All the corals are opening well, the fish are eating and very active with good color. In the past I've always had good success cycling with live rock and live sand. It really seems to speed the process up. I may add one more fish if I can find a sand-sifting gobie that will stay small. Any suggestions???

I also have a video of my tank at this point if anyone is interested.

YouTube - My 34 Gal Solana Marine Aquarium