[jimw369]

My tank turned 1 month old this week. Thought I would post some pics.
I couldnt have done this without RB. Thankyou. For those of you who answer my questions on a regular basis I give a special thankyou. I will ask many more Im sure.

Cleaner crew just about has everything mowed down and is going back over things REALLY cleaning things up this time. I like these creatures!

Getting a couple cleaner shrimp and a brittle star this weekend and maybe a fish to put in quaretine for week or 2. We will see how it goes.

Just after LR sand and fill up

Second week

Third week

Fourth week

[pyromaniac398]

Nice aquascaping looks good so far

[rstroede]

I think it looks great. All this is making me want a bigger tank.

[glampka]

Looks great Jim! Where did you find that awesome arch?

[glampka]

Hi Jim,
Tank looks great! Where did you get that awesome looking arch?

[dfurbee]

Nice aquascaping, and arch!!

[jimw369]

Thanks everybody! Its now week 6.

The arch was just luck by a newbie. It is made up of 2 pieces that fit like they grew that way. I liked it and Im sure the fish will too. 150 lbs live rock except the tonga on the left side came in the mail from International Marine. (Caribbean) I paid $3.50 a lb and that included shipping. They deliver show pieces per your request at no xtra charge.
Now that I have been around a little the Caribbean lr rock is not as porus as some of the others. Had no hitch hikers (to date). Came with a ton of die off on it and being new just put it in the tank. For 3-4 weeks I cleaned and cleaned, vacumned and cleaned till all the debris was just pretty much gone. Should have cured it in a rubbermaid tub for a couple weeks first. Would have saved a ton of work.

I will post a pic of the tank here but I guess they dont want pics of finished tanks here and RB probably would see this as a finished tank now. LOL

[RyanG]

Originally Posted by jimw369

Thanks everybody! Its now week 6.

I will post a pic of the tank here but I guess they dont want pics of finished tanks here and RB probably would see this as a finished tank now. LOL

I doubt anyone's tank is ever "finished" lol

NIce tank!

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

WOW- you did a really nice job! Thanks for the mention of the rubbermaid container, as I think I will try that when I get my rock. I have a question, though- I see what I think are xenia, brain coral and mushroom coral- ( have been reading up on alot trying to absorb it all!) - but what is the branch/tree growing directly 'above' the yellow coral? I think it is very nice.

[jimw369]

Thankyou Michelle. Look forward to seeing you more here at RB.

The branched tree thingy you refer to is a "Yellow Gorgonian". I am getting a new light soon and I will move this to the back of the tank as it does not need a lot of light. Some of the things in the tank are just sitting there. We are always looking at stuff and before we give everything a home we want to be sure we like it where it is. Its a lot of fun!

Here is a website you should know about if you are getting into the saltwater hobby (IMO). Click this link and they have some more info on the gorgonians.

GARF'S ALL ABOUT CORALS - GORGONIANS

[kolokefalo]

Jim,

Congrats on your first tank and it is looking good by the way.

The only change I would make is on the left side you either have a colony of Xenia lower than what appears to be either a Clauvaria, Pachyclauvaria or even possibly a Briarieum. I would switch their positions in the acuarium since the Xenia requires greater light intensity than the all of the others mentioned. Also it appears the power heads may even give a nice little current going by the top of that area and this would also facilitate the Xenia as well.

If I am wrong about any of the species I apologize, I am trying to make them out as best I can in your aquarium by the pictures alone. Give the star polyps (briarieum) room to go as well. With regular Kalwasser dosing and additives they will double in size very quickly. You can see their new growth as a white translucent tips which appear like the dripping wax on a candle. They can quickly smother your other corals if you arent careful.

All in all though hats off to you. For a first try you are doing remarkably well. Remember ALWAYS leave room for growth. So many reefers want to cram just one more coral in. Let it grow in a bit and admire what you have created.

Peace brother.

[jimw369]

I believe you are refering to that yellow fiji leather. There are only 4 things that are in place to stay right now. I have a new light coming in the mail as we speak. The yellow leather was something I aquired from my daughter. She went and bought it with her own money without me knowing. I was pathetic. I put it up in the tank with some strong current on it trying to help it along. The color is getting better but it has doubled its size in 2 weeks. Getting ready for the light this weekend and then we are going to get those star polyps going in a couple places and get the others placed a little better. Thanks for your advice. It is always appreciated!

[kolokefalo]

Actually hehe I was referring to the one below and left of the yellow leather and the star polyps. It appears to be either a large colony of pulsing Xenia or maybe it is Anthelia. I cant tell from the picture it may even be a clauvaria.

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Very nice - thank you! The colors are really pretty. I especially like the purple ribbon and the red finger. Purple is my color (february/aquarius) so I want to incorporate that color into my tank. Looking at perhaps the purple starfish (linkia I think it is called) or maybe a baby clam /purple mantle. Would like for one of them to be my 'focal' point- my star character!! Unless of course I decide to go with an octopus- then he is the main guy! Is it very hard to keep these? Should I wait until about 6months or so before attempting to purchase and keep gorgonians?