Balf's First Reef Tank (550 lt - 5' x 2' x 2')

aidanmary · Post by **aidanmary** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 10:50 pm

MmmmBalf wrote:
aidanmary wrote:looks great. this is the size Mary and i would love to upgrade to one day.

I thought we worked out you could fit at least 6'...

MmmmBalf · Post by **MmmmBalf** » Sat Nov 12, 2016 2:44 pm

Started the Dr Tim's cycling method yesterday. Added the nitrifying bacteria and then 195 drops of Ammonium Chloride (it says 1 drop per gallon, so estimated total allowing for rock displacement). This should result in 2ppm ammonia in the tank. Tested ammonia & nitrite this evening - both zero (Salifert). SG is 1.026 and temp 26˚. I wasn't expecting Nitrite, but thought there would be ammonia. It says to add more on day 3, so I'll update in a couple of days.

On an aside - my Salifert test kit for the Nitrite didn't come with a spoon! It says one level spoon... From images I googled, it looks like the spoon is the same as the Nitrate test kit, so I used that one. Can anyone verify that's correct?

Roy · Post by **Roy** » Sun Nov 13, 2016 9:54 am

Yep same sized spoons, just clean it between uses.

MmmmBalf · Post by **MmmmBalf** » Wed Dec 28, 2016 9:34 am

Time for an update! Hope you all had a great Christmas. My tank finally has fish! :clap:

They've been in for 4 days now (got them xmas eve). Diatom bloom has hit hard over last few days as well. My sand and rocks are covered with tiny bubbles which float up to the surface, which is annoying - is that a product of the diatom algae?

My skimmer has only been in operation for the last couple of days after the replacement pump arrived. My Nitrates are still high (around 50ppm) so hope to get those down soon. Fish are doing fine, eating well (frozen mysis & pellet) and the one coral I bought also looks good. So all in all going well and as planned.

Current stock:
Ocellaris Clownfish x 2 (M + F pair tank bred)
Blue Tang
Blue Chromis (got him free when he hitchhiked in the net at the store)

Long Tentacle Plate Coral (Heliofungia)

And now for some pics (excuse the unclean glass - the Flipper magnet cleaner hasn't arrived in the mail yet)

Thanks for looking.

Black X · Post by **Black X** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 12:29 pm

Not a smart move getting a Blue Tang when your tank is only a month old. They need a well established tank. Usually older than a year.

MmmmBalf · Post by **MmmmBalf** » Sat Dec 31, 2016 2:20 am

Black X wrote:Not a smart move getting a Blue Tang when your tank is only a month old. They need a well established tank. Usually older than a year.

My original plan was indeed to add this fish last, or near the end at least. I got talked into it being ok by the LFS, who said it was fine as a first fish. A well respected LFS too, one of the only dedicated reef shops in Melbourne. I guess I'll just have to hope he/she goes ok. So far eating well, but definitely looks a little thin to me. Has ignored the nori on the clip so far, but takes pellet and mysis.

MmmmBalf · Post by **MmmmBalf** » Sat Dec 31, 2016 2:23 am

Added 10 snails. 5 cerith, 3 nassarius and 2 turbos. I plan to add more progressively.

A better shot of the heliofungia

Current FTS

MmmmBalf · Post by **MmmmBalf** » Thu Jan 12, 2017 9:03 am

Have a couple of new additions - a Foxface and a Firefish.

The Foxface and the Blue Tang swim everywhere together.

Skimmer, which was purchased as part of the MASOV Orphek group buy (by another member).

Diatoms are receding, but starting to get into the green algae phase.

Cheers
Balf

MmmmBalf · Post by **MmmmBalf** » Wed Jan 25, 2017 10:48 pm

Tank is in the major ugly phase now! It's quite depressing, even when expected. I'm not sure what it's suffering from as far as diatoms, cyano or dinos - I've had differing opinions by LFS when shown photos. Most of my snails seem to have vanished. Thinking of blacking out for a couple of days to see if it has any affect. Fish are all fine. Nutrient levels are low when tested, but that may be because the algae is getting it first. Tests 2 days ago showed Nitrate 1.0 ppm and Phosphate 0.04ppm, yesterday Nitrate wasn't detectable and Phosphate was 0.02ppm.

I've done 2 water changes this week and vacuumed most of the algae out, I'll see how it goes. These photos are prior to cleaning:

On the plus side, bought some new gear. :-D

Balf

aidanmary · Post by **aidanmary** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 9:15 am

oh no that looks like dino's somehow our little pico got them really early on from what i'm thinking might have been a frag.
Im still battling it although it's mainly on the back wall so it's not too annoying.
Not exactly sure how to cure it, i did the black out which put a dent in it but it came back.
i think Dion was able to get rid of it in his tank maybe ask him what he did. i think you have to manually remove as much as you can and then black out and also treat with hydrogen peroxide.
Haven't read up on it fully but all i know is with the new tank im going to be very careful of what i put in to minimize any pests or unwanted algaes.
Good luck

yourdomain.com

Balf's First Reef Tank (550 lt - 5' x 2' x 2')

Re: Balf's First Reef Tank (550 lt - 5' x 2' x 2')

Re: Balf's First Reef Tank (550 lt - 5' x 2' x 2')

Re: Balf's First Reef Tank (550 lt - 5' x 2' x 2')

Re: Balf's First Reef Tank (550 lt - 5' x 2' x 2')

Re: Balf's First Reef Tank (550 lt - 5' x 2' x 2')

Re: Balf's First Reef Tank (550 lt - 5' x 2' x 2')

Re: Balf's First Reef Tank (550 lt - 5' x 2' x 2')

Re: Balf's First Reef Tank (550 lt - 5' x 2' x 2')

Re: Balf's First Reef Tank (550 lt - 5' x 2' x 2')

Re: Balf's First Reef Tank (550 lt - 5' x 2' x 2')