[dinor2]

Advice/critisism welcome! Not much yet but, getting there slowly, and from what I hear on this site, that's a good thing!


My new lights, would they cause more algae growth than the old light set? (went from pcf 130w to t5 234w) If so, I think I may add a linckia star fish.... sound good? or should i just get a few more crabs and snails?


left side of tank, with my only fish, percula clown and yellow polyps.


right side of tank, kenya is at far middle right side and is almost finished attatching itself to a lr in my dt. Too much hair algae, have cheato and red lipped blenny on my list of things to add in May on my Bday.


Can't wait for these guys to spread! They'll eat reef plankton sometimes, unless my peppermint shrimp climbs on top of them first, little bugger!


My current favorite, the kenya coral. Very pretty I think.Looking forward to it filling out that side of the tank. You guys would have laughed at me when I first saw it close up for the night, I freaked out! Didn't realize they close that fast and that small! It's doing well though.


The hitchhiker responsible for killing one or two of the yellow polyps, sucked him out and flushed him. He's an aeolid nudibranch. Also found flatworms; lesson learned DO NOT underestimate the importance of dipping before placing!

Here are my water param in case you'd like to know. Please tell me how it looks:

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0-5ppm
Calcium 460-480
Alk 2.5-3.0
dkh 8 - 10
Ph 8.2-8.4
Phosphates 0
Magnesium 1200
Silicates ???? don't have that test kit yet...

Do weekly 10% or 5gal water changes and maintain equip about every 3rd or 4th week.

*btw, the lower numbers are what I see in the mornings, higher #'s are in afternoons, consistantly been like this for a few months now.

I'm assuming that my algae abundance comes from the new stronger lighting... am I right?...

Thanks for looking guys!

[pogodzib]

Dana - I edited your previous post so that the images show up instead of having links. In the future, you can have the images show up instead of links by clicking on the button.

Your tank is looking very nice. I like the rock arrangement.

My new lights, would they cause more algae growth than the old light set?

Your new light won't cause algae if you don't have any, but it will cause it to grow quicker if you have algae. For algae control, sticking with snail and crabs are usually your best bet, except in extreme circumstances. Assuming you have good tank maintenance and feeding habits, in those cases, you can try phosphate reactors or algae eating fish, along with trying to figure out why it is present.

[dfurbee]

Dana,
In your first pic., are those bubble algae on the rock, or snails? If it is bubble algae, you need to physically pick it out of the tank. Nice looking tank!

[Jeremy0322]

That is what it looked like from this angle. He may have gotten lucky though because it does not look like that rock is supporting anything. What you should do it take that rock out of the tank carefully so you dont pop the bubble, and then over a sink or something cut the bubbles off with a razon blade. Then wash the rock off real good with some saltwater and set it back in the tank.

Was this right? I have read alot about it on RB but have never had to do it myself.

[aquasalt]

Looking great, in my opinion! What are the white spots on the back of the aquarium? They look like they may be worms, possibly caused by overfeeding. I had the same thing in my tank. Can anybody comment on these?

[pogodzib]

No, you wouldn't want to cut the bubble algae off with a razor blade since it would pop the bubbles. For bubble algae that size and location, it is the easiest to peal the bubbles off the rock with your hands, or if your very careful, you can use a flat screwdriver to help pry them off.

[Jeremy0322]

I though that if you took the rock out of the tank though and then cut it off at the base you would not have any problems? Like i said, i am just saying what i have read so i could very well be wrong.

[dinor2]

Well, according to info I got from this site on the bubble algae 'Bubble' Alage: Selected Descriptions, Controls and Comments by Horge Cortes-Jorge, Jr. - Reefkeeping.com

it sounds like I can carefully peel them off the rock while syphoning the water next to them to help syphon out any nutrients they may release into the water. So, when I do my water change on Sunday afternoon, I'll remove those things, I know some people think they're cool but, I think they're ugly and would rather have a much prettier coral there! I'm also going to do more hand harvesting of the hair algae on the one rock on the right side.

As for the white tube worms, as I understand they're just filter feeders and harmless to have in the tank. They're not overrunning anything at all, just covering the back which they'll compete with some starburst coral, IF I decide to put the starburst there when i get it, can't decide if that's a look I'd like...

Ryan, thanks for editing my pics for me, I didn't know that about that little button there!

Thanks for the compliments too guys, I'm still trying hard to be patient in adding things, which, I really have no choice but to be patient! I told my husband as I set it up that since this hobby costs money, I'd only add fish and corals on my birthday and Christmas; they're about 6 months apart! Oh, and when I finish paying off my credit cards! More incentive to get that done quickly!

On the algae, I did always have SOME in my tank but my cuc always kept in under control until after I upgraded lights... and since my nutrients for algae are low to none (except maybe for silicates, can't test for that yet) I assumed it was from stronger lighting since they are a type of plant as well.

So you all think a couple more astrea snails and hermit crabs would help out with that? Or, should I give it a little more time since my snails are growing pretty quickly now? Three out of four of them are almost double in size since I got them 5 months ago.... I just don't want to overdo it on the cuc..... I would really like a linckia star fish too! But I want permission from the experienced guys (i.e. you all!) on whether that's a good move or not.

Again, thanks for all the info and compliments! I'm going to post another pic or two Sunday after the algae has been hand harvested to see if it looks any better.

[dinor2]

Originally Posted by dfurbee

Dana,
In your first pic., are those bubble algae on the rock, or snails? If it is bubble algae, you need to physically pick it out of the tank. Nice looking tank!

Hey, I just noticed you and I have the same light set! Did you notice any change in your algae growth after going to those lights?....

These are the fish I would like to have in my tank eventually, so far I have just the one percula but, would any of these be a good second fish that would help with the algae AND not pick at clam mantles? I LOVE the half black angel and I know they will graze on algae, not sure if I can trust him with a clam though..... suggestions of what fish to get next please out of the list? (I am trying to re create a shallow water indo pacific reef btw).

2 false percula clown (only need 1 more of these)
1 copperband butterfly?????(not sure about him, would he eat corals too?finding conflicting info about this)
1 half black angel???????
1 anthias
1 red lip blenny (eats hair algae?)
1 sleeper blue dot goby (sand sifter)
1 six line wrasse (eats pests)
1 green mandarin dragonet (these are just AWESOME! saving the best for last! Prob. yr 2 or 3).

These fish are in the order I would like to get them, does this look good?

[dinor2]

Some more pics of the dt. Did water change and hand harvested algae yesterday, looks better without those huge bubbles!

Now, which 2 corals and 2 fish to add next from my list?.... Thanks for looking!

[Jason L]

nice start

[stacef]

Looks great, starting off wonderful!

[WhatReef]

nice tank i had a 90 gallon running for a just under two years and I switch everything over to a 120 gallon and i went a lil over board on the lighting and alot of my purple coraline algae started looking white. i believe the term is bleaching your tank!!!!but i dunno does anyone know anything about testing light, i have a light meter it was my grand fathers any idea on how to read the measurements on a light meter? and how much light should a reef be getting, i guess i just have been lucky but im thinking of going all blue as far as bulbs go. The LFS has a reeef tank they have had it for 2 years and all they used is blue metal halides and there tank looks amazing any thoughts? but im running a3 bulb metal halide 750watt 2 day light 1 blue i have since stop running the two daylight for i think they are the reason for the bleaching but do you think if i went all blue lights or maybe 2 blue and 1 white im trying to figure this out, im think i might just buy a whole new unit i dunno if this light i have now is over kill or what? cause these bulbs are like $180 a pieceand i can buy a nice Metal halide unitof ebay for $400 and its a hell of alot nicer than my light i have now but im just looking for advice?

[dinor2]

Well, some of my coraline bleached but that was because I added elements early on in my set up when I shouldn't have. I believe that bleaching occurs usually when something is off in the water, not the lighting.

As for the other guys tank with all the blue lights, just remember that what looks good or works well for one tank may not be the same case for yours. Every tank is a little different, it's a matter of finding what works for YOUR tank! I believe that is the most challenging part of this hobby! Of course, I know there are general rules that everyone should go by, actually it's a little like parenting your child! We're all trying to raise our kids to be good, contributing members of society (general rules everyone (should!?) use) but HOW we do it may be different than someone else..... not sure if that's a good analogy but, there's my .02!

From what I understand about blues and daylights, the blues are one spectrum of lighting that corals do have to have to grow and be healthy but they also need the other spectrum or daylight as well. Both of these lighting needs comes from one source in nature, the sun. But we hobbyists can only try to re create the lighting the sun gives off in our tank, without boiling everything!

Personally, I like the blues and daylights together; I have 6 bulbs, 3 blues, 3 daylights. I may try something a little different later on but, I think (and others have told me as well) that the lighting looks good.

Let us know what you go with, and pictures please!

[dinor2]

Originally Posted by stacef

Looks great, starting off wonderful!

Thanks! It's SO hard to go this slow but, it's also motivating to see how expensive the livestock is! I told my husband that if he sent me flowers for VD instead of bringing me a fish, I'd be sorely dissappointed! Nemo keeps swimming thru the tank with this expression on his face that says "Surely, surely there's SOMEONE else with me in here!"

So, looks like Nemo will get a new friend for VD; probably a red lip blenny or lawnmower blenny. I've decided that my overabundance of algae came from my last lawnmower blenny's death. Didn't realize how much cleaning up that little guy did! But my angel grazed too much and starved him so, not sure what I'll do in the future for that.... any suggestions on how to keep the lawnmower with one angel and both fed properly?

[aquasalt]

From what I remember reading you should hold off on angel fish until the tank has had several years to become established.

Nemo needs a mate!

[sundaybum]

It looks like it is coming along very well...

[WhatReef]

Originally Posted by dinor2

Well, some of my coraline bleached but that was because I added elements early on in my set up when I shouldn't have. I believe that bleaching occurs usually when something is off in the water, not the lighting.

As for the other guys tank with all the blue lights, just remember that what looks good or works well for one tank may not be the same case for yours. Every tank is a little different, it's a matter of finding what works for YOUR tank! I believe that is the most challenging part of this hobby! Of course, I know there are general rules that everyone should go by, actually it's a little like parenting your child! We're all trying to raise our kids to be good, contributing members of society (general rules everyone (should!?) use) but HOW we do it may be different than someone else..... not sure if that's a good analogy but, there's my .02!

From what I understand about blues and daylights, the blues are one spectrum of lighting that corals do have to have to grow and be healthy but they also need the other spectrum or daylight as well. Both of these lighting needs comes from one source in nature, the sun. But we hobbyists can only try to re create the lighting the sun gives off in our tank, without boiling everything!

Personally, I like the blues and daylights together; I have 6 bulbs, 3 blues, 3 daylights. I may try something a little different later on but, I think (and others have told me as well) that the lighting looks good.

Let us know what you go with, and pictures please!

Right now im using an 750watt Aquaspace 3 bulb metal halide 2 day light s and 1 blue should i use 2 blue and one day do you think?

[dinor2]

Originally Posted by aquasalt

From what I remember reading you should hold off on angel fish until the tank has had several years to become established.

Nemo needs a mate!

Hmm, that's good to know! Here is my fish list, any suggestions on what to get after the blenny? (one that doesn't graze as much as the angel I guess?)

2 false percula clown
1 copperband butterfly?????
1 half black angel???????
1 anthias
1 lawnmower blenny
1 sleeper blue dot goby
1 six line wrasse
1 green mandarin dragonet

Right now, these fish are in the order I'd like to get them but, I'm moving the butterfly and angel to right before the six line wrasse....

Thanks for the nice compliments guys! Hoping to add another fish and/or coral in another month or so. Will definitly have a mostly stocked tank by June, after my BD!

[WhatReef]

Originally Posted by dinor2

Hmm, that's good to know! Here is my fish list, any suggestions on what to get after the blenny? (one that doesn't graze as much as the angel I guess?)

2 false percula clown
1 copperband butterfly?????
1 half black angel???????
1 anthias
1 lawnmower blenny
1 sleeper blue dot goby
1 six line wrasse
1 green mandarin dragonet

Right now, these fish are in the order I'd like to get them but, I'm moving the butterfly and angel to right before the six line wrasse....

Thanks for the nice compliments guys! Hoping to add another fish and/or coral in another month or so. Will definitly have a mostly stocked tank by June, after my BD!

sounds pretty good to me I have an Koran angels fish right now and i kinda wish i didnt, its nice to look at be he nips at my open brain coral which when its full size is about 9" and this fish keeps nipping at it and it wont go to full size anymore i have a fish trap established in the tank right now hopefully he goes in there, but im also trying to catch my powder blue tang cause its got ich but these fish aren't dumb so its hard to catch them and i dont want to rip apart my 120 gallon tank you know i would rather the fish die than me have to rip everything out but does anyone know if a cleaner shrimp or two would eat the ich of its body or a cleaner wrasse?

[WhatReef]

i also have a knock off nemo and all he does is swim up and down the glass its very anoying watching him do this all day and all night, if i got another clown do you think they would play together? I'm also reallyt considering getting real clowns that play in the anemones

[dinor2]

Well, from what I researched on the skunk cleaner shrimps, they do a great job of cleaning fish, but the fish has to let them! Also, the cleaners do not like the bright lights so most of the day they'll hide in their cave. Or mine does anyways. My clown is not interested in being cleaned so far....

Speaking of clowns, I do want one more and hoping they'll pair up. He just seems sooooo lonely in there!

I'd really like an anemone as well, looking at the sabae's but unclear as to whether false perculas will host those or maybe do a frogspawn coral instead? What do you all think?

Oh, the koran angel, BEAUTIFUL fish! If my tank was bigger, would want that guy in my tank! If I were you, if that brain coral is hte only thing he nips at, I'd see if you could trade the brain coral for some other coral or fish at a good lfs.... or maybe another reefer here that's local?... I'd love a brain coral!

[WhatReef]

well honestly i think i like my brain coral more that the koran angel i have had it for over 2 years and it has grown very big and id like to keep it so i dunno what im going to do

[dinor2]

Well, I wonder if you could hold a net right over the coral he nips at, and wait till he goes to do that nipping then BAM, scoop him up? Course, that could take a while, and success is not guaranteed..... let us know how you get him out!