55 Gallon Journal

[jrossjr79]

So last night I bought a 55 gallon tank setup. Got a good deal out of it. This is what was included. About 20 lbs live sand, around 15 lbs live rock, 7 hermit crabs, heater, power head (the one that sits on back of tank in a box), amonia test kit, two antibiotics, 2 gallon bucket, lights, fish net, wood stand with glass that lights up, python no spill clean and fill vacuum, a big bag of unopened crystal sea reef, partially used instant ocean mix, as well as additional filters for power head. Got it all for $120.

picked up today a hydrometer and test set for ph, amonia, nitrite, and nitrate, about 35 gallons of RO water.

will soon start the cycle process and stabilizing tank. Big problem I noticed I need to deal with is lots of algae. Both green and red slime, and lots of other green algae.

Pictures will be uploaded later today. Not at my pc right now to do so.

[jrossjr79]

This is the tank when I got it in my house last night.


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This is how it looks right now:
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[jrossjr79]

This is the tank when I got it in my house last night.


19629196301963119632

This is how it looks right now:
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[Brickster]

The 'powerhead' looks like an Emperor 400 filter, which is pretty decent as far as that type of filter goes. Razor blades can remove algae PDQ from the glass. Any plans for how you want to set it up?

[jrossjr79]

Thanks Brickster for the tips. Actually I got an algae scraper included with this package. If the scraper doesnt get it, I will use the razors as you suggested. But this wont be done till this tank is done being cycled, and I do its first water change.

Actually not a 100% sure what direction I want to go with this setup. I know I want to add a protein skimmer, DIY LED light setup with a DIY Controller, more live rock (which will be cycled outside the tank), one or two wavemaker type powerheads, just a few fish (have not decided on what kind yet) as well as some corals (again have not decided what kind just yet).

Oh your the one with that tank as a room divider, love that tank, where did you get a LR that size and how much did it cost you, it is massive.

[Brickster]

Thank you! I don't know if they sell rocks that size at the pet store. It weighs about fifty pounds and its almost two feet long. I got it for free out of a friends rock pile. If you know anyone in Kendall or Comal county that has more than about 4-5 acres, they probably have a pile of holey rock they'd love you to pick through and haul off. To cycle the tank I used about a pound and a half of LR rubble in a HOB filter, and a good dose of prime to kickstart the tank. I left it lightly stocked, and added the macro once nitrates accumulated. As the big rock cycled, I slowly removed the rubble. Microfauna showed up as hitchhikers with the coral. I've been very happy with this approach, and will likely do it again. That big Emperor 400 would do nicely to jump start some dry rock.

With the tank being torn down, that live rock/sand isn't going to stay live for long. Given that the previous owner gave up on the tank and shoved it out the door for $120, there may be more bad than good in there anyway. Consider getting everything nice and shined up, and enjoying a good clean start.

[jrossjr79]

Thank you! I don't know if they sell rocks that size at the pet store. It weighs about fifty pounds and its almost two feet long. I got it for free out of a friends rock pile. If you know anyone in Kendall or Comal county that has more than about 4-5 acres, they probably have a pile of holey rock they'd love you to pick through and haul off. To cycle the tank I used about a pound and a half of LR rubble in a HOB filter, and a good dose of prime to kickstart the tank. I left it lightly stocked, and added the macro once nitrates accumulated. As the big rock cycled, I slowly removed the rubble. Microfauna showed up as hitchhikers with the coral. I've been very happy with this approach, and will likely do it again. That big Emperor 400 would do nicely to jump start some dry rock.


That sounds like a good way to go, sadly I dont really talk to alot of people, moved around alot, and I am not really the sociable type, guess has to do with not really trusting people in general. But wow, I would love to get my hands on a rock like that. How did you cure and or wash it before you put it in your tank to cycle, I imagine there was a lot of filth on it before hand.



With the tank being torn down, that live rock/sand isn't going to stay live for long. Given that the previous owner gave up on the tank and shoved it out the door for $120, there may be more bad than good in there anyway. Consider getting everything nice and shined up, and enjoying a good clean start.


He had the tank running, but by judging all the buildup everywhere I assume he didn't properly care for it, which I why I decided to cycle it. Says he was getting rid of it due to a move Florida, which I somewhat believe, lot of his and his wife's stuff were packed up. Some of the LR in this tank had some corraline. But the sand bed is in bad shape. At least I think it is. If you look in reefer cleaners ugly tank contest, you can the floor bottom, what I have not pictured is a build up beneath the and in the sand bed.

Forgot to mention, when I got it home around 10pm, it had enough saltwater to cover the rock and sand, however it was not enough water to keep it heated or to go through the filter. Had to wait till the next day to go get some RO water. Got that around 10am, as soon as I had the water mixed, I was pouring it in (2 gallons at a time). Salinity was a bit high at first, well alot high .028, but I got it cut down to .024 now. Had to take some water out and put more RO water in to do so. Sadly did not take notice that the heater was not working till later that night, so tank was cold, I would guess under 72 degrees F. Next day I got a heater, been fine ever since.

So all in all, there was water in it the whole time, PH was a bit low, ammonia levels were ok, nitrite read 0, and nitrate was a bit high. "the readings were taken a day after I got all the water in there, well except the Salinity levels, that was taken an hour after I got all the water in there. No circulation for 12 hours, no proper heat for 36 hours. There are Scarlet Hermits in there, total of 8. They have not seemed effected much by any of this. I am hoping they will make it through a cycling process, only things my 3 kids get to really look at with excitement in the tank. :)

[jrossjr79]

Forgot to update this after I finished a small DIY project, which saved me about 20 dollars. On my python vacuum, it was not long enough to get from the tank to any faucets. Looked online for extensions, and was amazed by the price. $32 and up, for just 10 feet. Well I decided I was just going to make one instead. Visisted my local home depot. Bought 3/4 5/8 hose that was 10' long, paid $7 and some change, then bought 3/4 5/8 male and female adapters for a garden hose. Paid $1.99 each. So after tax I paid a little over $10. And my first DIY project for this hobby has been completed.

[jrossjr79]

Thanks to Jeremy I now have two powerheads, a koralia and a aqueon. I only have one of them in the tank right now, which is the aqueon. OR should I keep it off till the tank is done cycling? Didnt think of that till now.

But again, thank you Jeremy, well worth the price.

[jrossjr79]

Just a quick mention, picked up some oystercrete from Dan earlier today, got it all situated in my tank. Not sure if I am liking how I have it setup, may move it around again. But here is a photo of it.

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[jrossjr79]

While waiting for my tank to finish cycling, (still has a .25 amonia level), I have noticed a few things. One which is bizararre to me, is that when I got this tank, I counted 9 Scarlet Hermit Crabs, over the last 5 days, I have lost two of them. However I did a head count today, and I still have 9 live crabs. What gives?

Also noticed a bunch of little feather duster looking creatures, very small, have to squint the eyes to really see them.

Then today, I noticed what I guess would be a tube worm. Not 100% sure, cant seem to get a proper ID on it. But he is planted on one of my Live Rocks. He is very shy, the littlest bit of movement outside the tank and he shrinks very small where I cant even see him. But have noticed he stretches out to about 2 1/2 inches at least to grab some stuff off of my heater. Wish my camera was better so I could get a clear shot of it, so I could get help on ID it. If it matters it is a pinkish translucent color, literally I can see what it is eating.

Just to a closer look, when he shrinks himself all the way down, he looks like a white piece of the the Live Rock, like a clump of calcium or dead bleached coral.

[jrossjr79]

Still unsure of my API Test results, but here soon I will be taking a sample of my water to go get it tested at a LFS or LPS. If all is good, I will be doing a 50% water change and starting off with a few damsels.

[FireWater]

Do you want damsels for the long haul and have you researched them? Most can be really bad tank mates though there are some that have had luck introducing fish after damsels.

[jrossjr79]

Do you want damsels for the long haul and have you researched them? Most can be really bad tank mates though there are some that have had luck introducing fish after damsels.


For the most part they would be just introductory fish, Petco suggested I buy those first since they dont cost much to test the tank with, regardless of what parameters are. I narrowed down to 4 different species:
Azure Damselfish
Neon Damselfish
Similiar Damselfish

Which those 3 state they are semi-aggressive, I am guessing mostly territorial, but are reef safe, just not 100% community type fish.
But I also ran across Blue Sapphire Damselfish which states is Reef Safe and peaceful.

Once other fish are introduced to the type of community I want, and the Damsels are not in agreement, then I would find the Damsels a new home.

[jrossjr79]

Took a sample of my water down to Coral Cove to have it tested, and I am happy to say I am done with the cycling, yay, bout time. Now to figure out which fish I am going to introduce first. Here are my choices:
a damsel
2 or 3 firefish
or a powder brown tang

[Fracture]

Oh wow they are open when did that happen I gotta go by how was it. Congrats on cycle being done.

[jrossjr79]

Oh wow they are open when did that happen I gotta go by how was it. Congrats on cycle being done.

Yup, they been open for about a month now, a little over or under by a few days. First time I was in there was April 15th.

[jrossjr79]

Did my 50% water change, checked my levels with API Test Kit (I really need to get a different test kit), and got a peppermint shrimp, a firefish, and 2 small Blue Damsels. Everything seemed fine from the trip home, and during accilimating process. However all 4 livestock went hiding among my live rock as soon as they hit the water. So no pics just yet, will get some as soon as they come back out.

[jrossjr79]

Wife took these and uploaded to her FB page, so hopefully you all will be able to see them, if not let me know.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/941173_10201059690511602_196651177_n.jpg


https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10201059699791834

[jrossjr79]

Decided to take a video shot, since my camera sucks for still pictures of aquariums. This will be the 6th time I rearranged my LR, cants seem to get it the way I want. Sorry, as usual my Peppermint Shrimp was in hiding in some crevices, or rather exploring some where. So far everything is good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suk3DBabrWg&feature=youtu.be

[BattleAthletics]

Why not take a hammer to the rocks and bonding it together with some epoxy of how you want it to look like.

I also have a 55g non reef ready tank with external overflow. Never again will I buy anything thats not RR. Or at least know I can drill.

[jrossjr79]

I thought about doing that, but honestly, I just dont really want to resort to that, even though the oyster crete is easily done that way.

Ya, this is my first time with a reef tank, and never again will I have a tank that is not RR or something I am sure I could drill. Will end up doing a DIY overflow type PVC pipe to get it down, but another problem I have is the stand itself, but I am sure I will figure it all out.

[Fracture]

I love to rock scape so if ya need any help or advice I am available :) I redid southern flames tank a few weeks ago.

[jrossjr79]

naw, think I somewhat got it the way I want it. Fish are happy.

Today I just added a Flame Scallop as well as a small clean up crew: 5 Blue Hermit Crabs, 5 Astrae Snails, and 5 Nassarius Snails. Here is an image of the Flame Scallop.207872078820789

[jrossjr79]

Went to Dollar Tree to pick up some tank goods. Picked up a generic dust mop to use to clean the glass on the inside, as well as a turkey baster for feeding the scallop as well as later on the corals, also picked up a bag of nylon pot scrubbers to use as bio-filters.

[jrossjr79]

Been awhile since I did an update on my tank. SO here it is, picked up a Falco Hawkfish, another Firefish Goby, lost 1 Blue Damsel, also added a Raccoon Butterflyfish. So now wifey is a bit happier now, since she got two fishes she wanted in the tank. Bad thing is although I do not have corals in there, but I do have hermit crabs and a peppermint shrimp. Will be having to watch closely.

Oh and so far, the Flame Scallop is doing ok. Although he stays hidden in the back, he is still alive and kicking.

[jrossjr79]

Ok, now dealing with my first Ich breakout. So far only one fish has ich. My Butterfly fish. No way to QT him. So tomorrow I will be goign to the LFS and picking up some garlic infused food and some garlic extract and start boosting up all the livestock's immune systems.

Would a Skarlet Skunk Shrimp help with this as well?

[jrossjr79]

Just a few bad shots of the new fish.
On the 4th image you will see the Peppermint shrimp in his favorite cave, but if you look closely you will also see both of the firefish.


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[jrossjr79]

ok picked up some stuff to take care of the little ich problem, hopefully this will do it. SInce it is just a minor outbreak I am only going to be using garlic additives to boost up all the livestocks immune system. Also picked up a Skunk Shrimp for good measure.

[jrossjr79]

ok, I have sold the butterfly fish and the scallop, skunk shrimp had been killed by the hawkfish. But today we have added a Horseshoe Crab to help aerate my sand bed, one White Ghost Ribbon Eel (wife loves him), and two Dispar Anthias.

Pictures will be up later, thet are currently accilimating, and the eel will be acclimating for a long while, got out of LFS stores hands and onto the floor for a bit.

[jrossjr79]

wifey not to happy with me, screwed up acclimation and lost both of the Anthias :(

[Zack]

What happened?

[jrossjr79]

not 100% sure, but everything leads to me acclimating the eel and the two fish in same bucket. Checked on them after going to the bank and the two fish were dead. Either from shock of ammonia from the eel, or stress level got to high for them being in the same bucket acclimating with the eel. Either way its my fault. $60 down the toilet. Which wifey paid for, so now I need to replace with my money. Guess that will be done in a week or two.

[MARKIS210]

Sorry for the loss man, what kind of anthias if you don't mind me asking

[jrossjr79]

Purple Queen and a Dispar (think that is how you spell the last one)

[jrossjr79]

here are a few quick shots of the eel, had taken more, but with this stupid camera cant get clear shots very easy, grr I hate auto focus.

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[jrossjr79]

ok, a few more updates. The eel has eaten both of my firefish, which I was pretty upset about. Waited for a bit to replace them. But the other day we went ahead and got a new Purple Queen Anthias and a new Dispar Anthias. Decided to also pick up a Porcupine Puffer as well. I will be adding pictures later of everything.

Peppermint Shrimp has been molting alot lately, roughly once every 3-4 weeks, which I think is a bit odd since I dont have any calcium supplements being added to the tank.

Sand Bed is getting thoroughly aerated due to the horseshoe crab.

Forgot to add, seems that my Turbo Snail has started making alot of scratches on my glass tank. Is there any safe way of fixing this with out emptying the tank?

[jrossjr79]

Finally getting my skimmer in. Not exactly what I was wanting, since I am trying to prepare for a bigger tank. But really needed one due to the waste of the eel and the messiness of the puffer, that I could not wait any longer.

Just ordered last night, should be here in about a week:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4392+4400&pcatid=4400

[jrossjr79]

MY skimmer came in today, already have it all set up, now just waiting for the break in period. Not really liking the amount of microbubbles that end up back in my tank though.

[jrossjr79]

This is the last night my 55Gallon will be operating, here is its final moments

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