My 30 gallon(reef to be)

[Razza Nuova]

Well first of all, I'd just like to introduce myself. This is my first post on this forum.

I set up this tank in July. I'm currently saving to buy some better lights so I can try my hand at some corals. Well first things first. My tank just finished cycling a little while ago so all I have in there right now is 3 blue legged hermit crabs(Hulk, Rocky and Arkuz) and 1 ocellaris clown(Giraffe).

Giraffe:

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/3037/1001027ti8.jpg

Full tank shot:

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/4736/1001036uz2.jpg

Small video of Giraffe:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=z5XvAOjh5U8

[happyface888]

Welcome to Reefcentral, sorry I dont have that cool blue fish welcome lol.Looking good any plans on getting a skimmer? And what lighting are you looking forward to?

[Razza Nuova]

Yes, I'll get a skimmer sometime before I start adding the corals. I also want to have a sump/fuge built before I start actually making the reef.

As for lights, I will most likely go with just Power Compacts. Not a lot I know, but being 17 it's hard to come by $500 for MH lights. :p

I'm wondering if I could grow some mushrooms with just the regular hood that came with the tank(20 watts). Any input?

[happyface888]

Hmmm Let me try this thing again lol
http://reefcentral.com/images/welcome.gif
I read that shrooms dont need much lighting but I am not sure to how much light they need. I agree MH's are pricey I dont even run them myself, I'm cheap. You might get lucky if you browse on craigslist and you might find some eq or even freebies that you can get for your tank. If you are planning for a sump a pretty good low cost skimmer would be the ps160 from odyssea with a few mods it works like a 150 dollar skimmer. Any plans on building a stand? If you have time stop by the New to hobby thread, its really helpful over there. One last thing check out the club forums near the bottom of the index page, find a club close to you and I am sure they can hook you up with shrooms.

[Razza Nuova]

No plans for a stand. I love where it is right now. It's right at the bottom of my bed so I can just look at it and relax.

[happyface888]

I see, where are you from? I think you can find some helpful reefers around where you live. Go check out the club forums located in more forums in the index page.

[Nano Chris]

You'll want to upgrade in the future to a bigger tank :D Welcome to RC!

[Razza Nuova]

Haha yes, I know I will. My birthday and Christmas are coming up though ;)

[reefing102]

WELCOME TO RC!

Tank is looking good. However the pics would be better without the flash - just a suggestion

[Kannin]

you can get a nice little P/C fixture from Current that will fit nicely on your tank for around a hundred bucks. you'll be able to grow shrooms, softies and some lps with less than 100 watts. Welcome to the hobby and get your wallet out.

[Razza Nuova]

Actually the flash is off for both pics. My camera is just strange.

And yeah, I think I found a light fixture that I'm going to go with. 130 watts, so that should be good to grow what I like.

[Razza Nuova]

So I went upstairs and my clownfish has Ich :mad2:

I guess I will put him in QT and let the tank run fishless for now. I have a question though. Fish are the only thing that can get Ich, right? So I can still add things like hermits, snails, stars, shrimp, etc.? What about corals?

[Tyler.L]

not that i know of but inverts can't get ich...but live you display tank fish free for about a month and also...go with t5 lighting worth every penny...

[Tyler.L]

not that i know of but inverts can't get ich...but live you display tank fish free for about a month and also...go with t5 lighting worth every penny...

my clowns and my yasha goby all have ich i am only down to one clown now...so..good luck with the process my man

[Razza Nuova]

Well bad news. The clown didn't make it. :(

That's what I thought. I'm still not sure if it would be ok to add more inverts while I'm letting the tank get clear of Ich? Anybody know?

[happyface888]

Its fine to add inverts, sorry to hear the clown didnt make it. What are your parameters right now?

[Razza Nuova]

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5
SG: 1.023
pH: 8.1
Temp: 80

[Razza Nuova]

I think I might pick up either some peppermint shrimp or a feather duster in the next few days.

[happyface888]

How long did you have the clown for? How did you pick him out? Usually clowns are pretty hardy and can handle alot. Oh where are you from again????

[unda_da_see]

to early for any corals. dose some purple up and get those rocks goin.

[Razza Nuova]

I had the clow for about a week. I didn't pick him out...my girlfriend bought him for me.


And I wasn't planning on having any corals yet. I don't even have the lights I need yet.