[grendel]

Actually, it's sort of ironic. I just went looking for local people around me, to borrow sand to seed my tank and found a whole society.

I just bought a 65 gallon set up with 90lbs of sand and 65lbs of live rock, with lights in a poorly made hood (got to break out the aluminum to make one) and some other odds and ends, including test kits, etc. I am going to use my tank and stand, the live rock and sand, build a new hood for the lights and I should be set. Equipment also includes a cpr backpack protein skimmer with brand new pump which I will probably swap out for the Aqua unit once things are up and cycled.

[grendel]

Well, 50lbs of live rock, 80lbs of sand and 30 gallons of water from a fully functional tank is in.

I bought another 12gallons of "magic" water with super nutrients, supposedly no cycling required.

Got a filter on the back with carbon and ammonia cartridges and a power head for flow.

Remora Pro C skimmer will be picked up and installed tomorrow.

Doing aquascaping now and then topping off with mixed water.

Going to cycle it for a month or two then add fish.

Cool thing is that the sand already has live "bits".

bits=worms and a few soft items I can't ID.

[BubbaWPB]

Originally Posted by grendel

I bought another 12gallons of "magic" water with super nutrients, supposedly no cycling required.

?????? magic water with super nutrients ??????

[grendel]

Originally Posted by BubbaWPB

?????? magic water with super nutrients ??????

Yep:

"Nutri-Sea Water"

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...gory_Code=Salt


I also bought 40lbs of "Nation's Ocean" live sand.

[Reefland]

Don't know about "magic" but the water is fine for setting up a tank and doing water changes. I wouldn't allow the marketing of this product to change any of my husbandry to differ from what I would using other artificial saltwater.

[grendel]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Don't know about "magic" but the water is fine for setting up a tank and doing water changes. I wouldn't allow the marketing of this product to change any of my husbandry to differ from what I would using other artificial saltwater.

Notice how I said I was waiting?

I don't believe in snake oil, so I am taking a "wait and see" approach.

The LFS did seem credible in their pitch. They use it for the customers that want "fish now" in their set ups they provide for their customers.

They also use cured live rock, live sand and this water.

[BubbaWPB]

I saw that product when I was setting up my tank, and no one had heard of it at the local LFSs... even though it is "produced" just down the road in Ft. Liquordale. Since then I found a source for filtered natural sea water for 50 cents a gallon... add a few milliliters of Es

[grendel]

Obligatory pictures...

I also have life, what is it? I have quite a few of them. I am also wondering if I should keep the ammonia filter in??? My thought was that I didn't have to cycle as most of my tank is from another previously cycled tank. I want to run and monitor it for a month before I stock it but the critters seem to be doing well. I've seen little shrimp and whatever those softies are...

Will aluminum cause a problem in my set up? I am making an aluminum hood to house the lights I am running. Actually, since the water won't be touching it, will the splash cause much oxidation and pitting?

175W MH with 2 24" VHO's.

[BubbaWPB]

Looks nice, grendel! Ammonia filter? When you remove it, try to do it slowly (can you take part of the filter or some of the media out?) over a week or two.

I think that soft critter is a majano anemone (at least it looks that way from here)... not a good tank member.... they sting everything (including the tank owner) and breed like the plague.

[grendel]

Originally Posted by BubbaWPB

Looks nice, grendel! Ammonia filter? When you remove it, try to do it slowly (can you take part of the filter or some of the media out?) over a week or two.

I think that soft critter is a majano anemone (at least it looks that way from here)... not a good tank member.... they sting everything (including the tank owner) and breed like the plague.

Yes, I have a back pack filter going right now with carbon and an ammonia cartridge as I "think" I can avoid a full on cycle.

I have a few of them in there... How tough is it to get rid of?

I mean, I think it's a good sign that they're prospering? Perhaps I should leave them until I go with something I like?

Will the Tangs I plan to run eat 'em?

[BubbaWPB]

Well, yes, life in your tank is a good sign!

I don't know of any organism that eats majanos. Get some Joe's Juice and follow the directions... it works great for majanos.. the stuff sticks to them like glue! ...and don't put it off! I'm telling you, if you do, one day there will suddently be hundreds of the little illigitimates in there.

[grendel]

Originally Posted by BubbaWPB

Well, yes, life in your tank is a good sign!

I don't know of any organism that eats majanos. Get some Joe's Juice and follow the directions... it works great for majanos.. the stuff sticks to them like glue! ...and don't put it off! I'm telling you, if you do, one day there will suddently be hundreds of the little illigitimates in there.

Looks like I'll be throwing in a Copperbanded Butterflyfish or Emperor Angelfish as they both eat 'em, as soon as I am comfortable with the tank water.

Per: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3...mpressions.htm

I also plan a few invertebrates.

This works well for me, as I don't have a plan for the tank beyond watching it and maintaining it. So if I get a food source, I'll get something to eat it

[BubbaWPB]

Your tank isn't big enough for an emperor anglefish. Copper bands need a well-established tank. I'd recommend the Joe's Juice for now.

[grendel]

Now that I have the protein skimmer, do y'all think I can skip the HOB filter? It's taking the room the protein skimmer will fit in nicely, then I can re-landscape for like the 100th time...

[grendel]

HOB filter removed... ammonia filter now in the surface pre filter of the protein skimmer.

Moved some rock around, found the lights (250W MH with two 75W t5's) I am going to buy, thus supporting my LFS. I've also decided I am going semi-reef, so all fish have to be small and reef compatible. I found a clam I want.

So far:
Salt is 1.024 gravity
Alkalinity is 220ppm
Ph is 8.2
Nitrites are 0ppm
Nitrates are 0ppm
Ammonia is 0.5ppm

Ammonia was1.0ppm last night and it seems to be coming down. Looks like my mini bloom may be over. I did a partial water change today.

Plan is to run it empty for another month. I then add Berghia Verrucicornis (Berghia Nudibranch) to eat the Aiptasia. Should take a bit to eat them then I can go with other reef safe fish and critters.

As a demo today, the LFS dropped an Aiptasia tube into a tank with Berghia's in it... and turned out the "daylight".

Was like watching a horror film

I have no doubt that Berghia will wipe out the nasty little anemones. Might be fun to watch, too.