[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Yes.... a few HUNDRED pounds according to my husband! I am planning on getting more this weekend, have to do it in trips as store is in Gainesville. But YES, more to come. Also have a few fake pieces picked out. The fiji is nice, like the colors, but the Florida cultured is where everything seems to be 'popping' out of. What should I be putting in my tank at this time? Phytoplankton? I do not want to starve the feathers and starfish, and I really am curious to find out what that shrimp is. Also am making friends with a worm. Each time he pops out, I say "I see you.." and bye bye he goes! So far looks like none of the pics in the books I have, but will post when he is "ready for his close-up" for any thoughts if he is good/bad.

[thelastmucci]

Michelle I love your tank and matching stand. It really looks great. As far as that rock goes...if that is LR then OMG it is sooo cool. If it's fake it would still look cool in the tank...also if it is real you musttell me where you got it and if they ship to Rhode Island.

Tony

[e_baer]

i dont think you need to add any additives yet. as long as all your levels are good, you shouldnt worry about anything.

the only thing you might want to consider is the phytoplankton. just a small bit.

[Dustin1300]

I think before I put anymore liverock in that I would go ahead and get whatever substrate your planning on gettting....I went with crushed coral but it seems after all my reading I should have probably gotten "live" sand...then you can buy your 200-300 pounds of live rock, cause I really think it will take that much cause I'll have about 75 in my 55 gallon...That is why I went ahead and started a reef in my 55 so I would at least have a start for my 180 I plan on getting. OH, one other thing...have you thought of flow because there is one thread from cyberjester that is a great idea for flow! It is definately what I'm going to do in my 180 so take a look at the thread...

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Hey guys! Ok, first off- I do not think they ship to Rhode Island, but I am going back this saturday- I will be happy to ask them and let you know! If yes, then I will try to get some details for you. Yes it is live rock. And so far I am trying to peek at everything popping out, the baby critters are so cute!
Substrate: I have all I need. I bought bags and bags of samoa pink sand, and will be topping it off with carribean reef sand (with the mini shells).
I am not putting it in until about 2 weeks after I am done putting rock in. I printed out an article here, on setting up a tank, and it mentioned that doing it this way is valuable for 2 reasons: I am giving the diatom time to come and go without ruining my 'pretty' sand, and I am giving the creatures time to 'come out'. If I have any bad worms, mantis, aiptasia, etc- then I can easily catch them before they get into my sand and can do harm without me knowing they are there.
Phytoplankton: I have bought a bottle of the Marine Snow I wanted, and I like it. The feather dusters are literally 'stretching' to make sure they get it all, it's like they weren't there, and then POW! feeding time brings them out of the woodwork. (or should I say the rockwork!) And the baby starfish are seeming to like it as well. Ok, besides that, I am going to pick up my purple up to go with more rock picked up on sat. More pics to come (when there is more in the tank haha).
I am still trying to figure out what that tiny white guy is- but damn he's FAST!
Goodnight!

[e_baer]

I wouldnt get any purple up. It will make your ph drop.

[thelastmucci]

Sounds great Michelle thanks if you can but don't make it a point to try to remember, I'm sure you have a million questions for your LFS and you don't need my stupid ones in your head as well.

[dori9941]

nice good luck. i hope to be where u r now some-day. lol, my tanks r all on table. i took the dinner table for the 20g. no one used it so. its mine lol

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

* I thought purple up was to be used to 'help' build up the coraline algae in the tank. I will have to go back and read up on that- maybe I read it wrong. Thanks for letting me know about the ph. I will make sure I monitor that.
*I will let you know about the rock- I plan to bring my camera with me anyway so I will post some pics of what they have - that way you can judge if it would be worth the shipping. I like their products!
* HAHA the dinner table, huh? Well, not MY table! It took me forever to get the one I wanted (a huge pub style) BUT.......I do have plans to put one in my kitchen, a nano. I am getting different feedback on that,though, due to the oils/aromas in the kitchen. ???? not sure about it yet, I've seen the nanos in bathrooms, kitchens,etc- but focus focus focus ! I have a big project in front of me- (I may get my husband started with a nano to occupy him!) nite!

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Ok- new update: came home to find there had been a leak ..... I freaked out. Turns out it is my wet/dry, the part where the motor connects, apparently whoever drilled it had cracked it more than I thought. There was a SMALL crack line at the opening of where the motor and acrylic meet- so I used the aquarium sealant...worked good, followed directions in the beginning and waited 3 days before I had filled with water(even though it said only 2 days). But apparently the crack 'cracked' even more, because there is a slow drip. DROP..........DROP....... ..DROP.........DROP...... ...that is the extent of the leak, but it had managed to get under the wet/dry and began to make a puddle which in the short time I have had it running ended up coming out of the cabinet and onto the floor. No biggie, I have it being replaced this weekend) I am having SO MANY starfish coming out of my rock! I can't tell what they all are yet- but am making a list. More to follow........

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Yeah! Leak is fixed and things are back to where they should be! Found a worm, will post a pic if I can get him to see if anyone can tell me if he is a good/bad worm.

[thelastmucci]

Michelle can't wait to see some pics.....I found a great Ebay guy for LR that I'm probally going to buy from..the rock looks excellent but I'll obviously wait till he has some feedback. Then I'll let you all know if he's good or not when I get my tank up and running.

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Cool! I have found ALOT on ebay, but kind of hesitant about it. I buy from ebay- but never anything LIVE. I found a seller/store that sells inverts....even a gorgeous upside down jelly fish that is reef safe!! NICE!!

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Ok, I am trying to pop in real quick----please someone get to me!
Sorry-have been away with parents / ER...things are good so I am back.
LIGHTING: my ICECAP660 still not working...called up on it and was told to send it to ICECAP for $65 + repair fee.
QUESTION: should I change my ballast? I want to get a brand new light/ballast (new is only $150 and I have no idea how old this is that came with the tank)
OR..should I change the thought of ICECAP 660 for a metal halide retro kit that can be placed into my hood? Have heard ALOT of good things about ICECAP--- what to do?
Sorry with all happening with parents didn't make it to the LFS for more rock/price quotes on shipping.
And I am trying SO HARD to take pictures of my starfish and this worm ....they are there when I take the picture, but as soon as I download it to my computer it is like they've disappeared! But I am going to get those little guys! Also !! I got so excited only a fishlover would get this.....I have copepods coming out of my rock!!! ahem! OUT OF MY PEBBLE!!! They are popping out and jumping everywhere! I put in a silverside tonight as I ran out of my marine snow, to see what the stars will do.....tried to watch but the minute I turned my head they took the fish and moved it under the sand! Maybe I will do it again and tri-pod my video camera for the night! haha....
Ok...back to light question....anybody?
Please also give opinions as to what watts, how many bulbs, AND how far off the water should the bulbs be sitting so as to not break with splash of water????? luv ya all! nite!

[mw2095]

Michelle,
That's going to be a very nice tank..
Good luck with it.

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Thanks Marty! Do you have any pics yet?

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Image of My Dream....begins! - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

MAN! It's about damn time I got this- I know you all were giving advice and info, on how to use the photobucket, but I swear the IMG code has not worked up til now...and again, it's about damn time! I was driving myself crazy trying to figure out why I couldn't post my pics here! I know, stupid....but I am happy now!! As long as the IMG works- pics will be more often

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

My barnacle cluster

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

1 of the rocks from Aquatropics, Gainesville FL

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Another rock, same store- lots of stuff coming out of such a tiny rock!

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

A picture of my Samoa Pink Sand- I love this sand, can't wait to get my gobies in there!

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Ok- leaving for tonight as I am having way to much fun now that the img is working in my favor!! haha!!
Tomorrow my husband is going to relook at my wet/dry- it is leaking AGAIN. I am stumped as to why! But will post a pic anyway.

[e_baer]

perhaps it is not the wet dry, but some plumbing.