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View Full Version : Beginning of another but first to me 58G Reef tank


manishkasera
06/28/2009, 11:06 AM
I've been the regular visitor of reefcental for quite sometime now. I was in freshwater aquarium for few years then in 2006 I took a long leap forward and stepped in to salty world. Myfirst attempt was 46G bowfront with everything hang on. I started with FOWLR but I must say everytime you goto LFS it is really really hard to pass by all those beautiful corals and colorful creatures in reef world. So saying that I started introducing few softies and was happy with them.And yeah did I intenationally forgot or my memory is not with me but literally lost good amount of money in setting up the aquarium and pretty much repeating each step several times and nothing to say everytime you repeat steps in this hoppy is for better and in that process you loose brain, money, peach and notwhat else.
Anyhow finally maybe after 6 months I was able to stabilize the system and was happybut I just enjoyed a little less than a year and had to move out of USA TO Canada. So guessed it right now I'm in Canada.
No offense to my fellow Canadian reefers but things here are way more expensive, hard to find, not much variety and last but not the least almost negligible online stores who carry full range of products with reasonable price.
I was in the process of buying new home so upgrading the tank also before moving out of US so had following things bought and moved with me when moved from there. Following is the list of my eqipment:
58G AGA Reef tank
Current SUNPOD HQI FIXTURE 36" 2X150W14K 18 LEDs
AGA Overflow kit with 11/4" drain and 3/4" of return line
2 x Koralia 3 pump for water movement
Mag 7 pump for return
20+G sump (not so perfect as have only two chambers)
Euro Reef RS 100 Skimmer
Jager 200W Heater
ATO (http://www.jbjlighting.com/prod-ato.html)

I bought and moved to new home here in Sep'08, waited long enough and finally pulled trigger off and decided to dipped into the salty that I enjoyed alot and missed a lot.

I must say that I never kept log of anything, did not start any build thread. But reading so many build threads and learning so much from others mistakes and kind of what to do and what not to do I thought it will be a good idea to start my own thread so people can take the same pleasure as I had when reading other's threads. So fellow reefers it is your turn to chime in and through your honest opinion and provide advise that will help me being successful in the end, keeping in mind my limited capabilities with DIY.

This is my first attempt with SUMP and all the plumbing, and did I mention that I'm not at all handy person, so I wanted to keep things as simple as possible so I know what I'm doing and if needed I can redo things or fix them as things come on my way.

As of 23rd Jun 2009 I had my tank filled with saltwater, Sand and Rocks.

I bought 80 lbs of Caribsea reef grade material, this is not as fine as sand and have tons of snail shells and pieces of clams and other stuff from sea floor.

I bought 70 lbs of live rock from a fellow reefer here who took down a display tank in one shop (who went out of business), these rocks were in the main tank for 1.5 years and never exposed to any medications. He had scrub off all life from these rocks before selling them. So far only few brown polyps and few brown mashrooms that I can find on rocks after putting in tank. No hitch hikers thatI kind of like.

OK, before this single thread becomes very long and people start dumping I will stop here and stuff in other threads.

manishkasera
06/28/2009, 11:12 AM
OK, it's just started but I am already thinking as what will I keep in the tank.

I want to keep following:
1 Blue Regal tang
1 Purple Tang
1 Pair of clowns
1 Wrassse (not sure if sixline or somekinf of fairy, any suggestion?
1 Diamond goby
Few varieties of Zoas
Hammer coral
Few varieties of Ricordia
Pumping/Blue Xenia
Want to try some SPS but not sure.

What do you guys think.

How to post some pictures here?

manishkasera
06/28/2009, 11:34 AM
I think I figured out how to post picture...

Full tank with only night light:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/89514IMG_5963_s.jpg

Rockwork with night light:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/89514IMG_5954_s.jpg

Toddrtrex
06/28/2009, 01:15 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15270511#post15270511 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by manishkasera
OK, it's just started but I am already thinking as what will I keep in the tank.

I want to keep following:
1 Blue Regal tang
1 Purple Tang
1 Pair of clowns
1 Wrassse (not sure if sixline or somekinf of fairy, any suggestion?
1 Diamond goby
Few varieties of Zoas
Hammer coral
Few varieties of Ricordia
Pumping/Blue Xenia
Want to try some SPS but not sure.

What do you guys think.

How to post some pictures here?

Neither a blue regal nor a purple tang will work in a 58, let alone both. I tried it many many years ago (( only one each )) and it just didn't work. They got too big, stressed, and mean.

Nereaga
06/28/2009, 01:37 PM
I agree with Todd on the Tangs, try a smaller species...

I LOVE the rock work! Did you glue the rock together?

Brad

chasekwe
06/28/2009, 03:08 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15270511#post15270511 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by manishkasera
OK, it's just started but I am already thinking as what will I keep in the tank.

I want to keep following:
1 Blue Regal tang
1 Purple Tang
1 Pair of clowns
1 Wrassse (not sure if sixline or somekinf of fairy, any suggestion?
1 Diamond goby
Few varieties of Zoas
Hammer coral
Few varieties of Ricordia
Pumping/Blue Xenia
Want to try some SPS but not sure.

What do you guys think.

How to post some pictures here?

Ok, even the smallest tangs really aren't appropriate for a 58g. However, despair not, there are other "show" type fish that will work well with your tank. The dwarf angelfish being the most commonly recommended.

As for your wrasse, (could go with more than 1 btw) a fairy or flasher will be preferable as a sixline can be quite the tiny terror.

And for the clowns, you could go with most anything but Ocellaris tend to be the least aggressive and, personally, if I were in your shoes...

manishkasera
06/28/2009, 08:37 PM
Toddrtrex - I had the blue tang in my 46G bowfront and she was really nice and active and never felt she was stressed. She couldn't survive a power outage of few days in winter. And kids really want it, so I might try a small blue regal tang until she getsbigger then I will have her find new home. I can definitely not have both at the same time.

Nereaga - Thanks, no I did not glue them, I ust tried to fit them together and they are pretty sturdy.

chasekwe - I tried to keep Flame angel twice in my 46G but couldn't keep them, they never eat food and within few days/weeks they could not survive so I gave up. But I always love the bright color of flame, may be I can give it a shot in this new home. I like the idea of fairy wrasse, I always wanted to have that. Wht did you say sixline can be a terror? I had that with great success never saw her chasing anyone.

I had my water parameters checked yesterday and following were the readings with ATP testkit:
SG : 1.024
PH: 8.0
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0-5

I did not check my Calcium.

I'm using crystal reef salt.

Tank is up and running for almost a week what should I do? Let it run like this or feed the tank?
I have my halide run for 6 hours everyday (from 16:00 - 22:00).

Any suggestion how to cycle my tank? As most of my rock came from nice tank I doubt that I'll have any big cycle at all.

I already have watermelon Zoa and Orange Zoa and they are opening nicely without any issue. I'm feeding them phytoplankton.

Any good suggestions?

Toddrtrex
06/28/2009, 08:42 PM
Of course it is your tank, and you can do what you want. However I will drop the tang subject after this --- Back when I was married my wife bought me a Hippo blue tang for my 58. In less then 6 months it was over 5" long, and I was getting stressed watching it swim in a 3' tank. Ended up taking it out --- which was a huge hassle -- and sold it.

I currently have a Pink Skunk pair, a Potters angel pair and a golden algae blenny in my 58.

manishkasera
06/28/2009, 08:55 PM
Toddrtrex - How do you find potter angel? Would you rate Flame or Potter easy to keep?

Toddrtrex
06/28/2009, 09:08 PM
I found the male (( larger one )) in the Diver's Den section of Live Aquaria. The female (( small to tiny )) one --- I had my LFS order it so that I could pair them up.

I have always found Flames to be easy to keep. I have had two over the last 7 years. I lost the first one when I moved -- it was crushed by a rock during the move. The current one is doing great.

Potters can be easy, once you get past the 2 month mark. They are difficult to get them to start eating -- having a mature tank with a good amount of live rock for them to pick at helps. But, they have been known to die over night, eating fine and all that one day, and dead the next morning.

manishkasera
06/29/2009, 05:06 AM
Toddrtrex - What do you feed to your flame?

I still do not see any change in my water parameters, what do you guys think I should move, should I wait another week or two before putting any CUC as I really do not have anything in the tank. And then wait another week to put my first fish?

Toddrtrex
06/29/2009, 09:05 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15274139#post15274139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by manishkasera
Toddrtrex - What do you feed to your flame?

I still do not see any change in my water parameters, what do you guys think I should move, should I wait another week or two before putting any CUC as I really do not have anything in the tank. And then wait another week to put my first fish?

I fed it a mix of Rod's food (( 3 different types )) LifeLine's herbivore mix, Prime Reef, Angel formula and Spectrum pellets.

manishkasera
06/29/2009, 07:54 PM
Toddrtrex - Thanks, I'll try that.

Today I noticed some brown algae coming on some of the rock pieces. So I guess cycle has started. Tomorrow I'll be going away for 3-4 days so I'm sure by the time I'll come back things will change a lot, hopefully for better.

If I see a lot of algae coming I will put some CUC.

What is the ideal size of CUC for this size of setup? Also what should be there?

Toddrtrex
06/29/2009, 08:32 PM
I always like to use less of a CUC then more retailers recommend.

In my 58 I have one "turbo", 5 Cerith Snails, 3 Trochus, 6 nass (( 2 Tongan, 4 normal ones )). I may have a blue leg hermit or two in there, haven't bought any hermits in about 4 years.

IMO, it is better to start with with less, and add more if needed --- compared with starting off with too many, and having them starving to death after all the algae is consumed.

manishkasera
06/29/2009, 09:10 PM
I agree.
Most probably on Sunday I'll go and buy some.

Finally today I started seeing some foam in my skimmer, so far there was none, I guess finally it is breaking in.

OzarksReef
06/29/2009, 09:43 PM
Nice looking start - I love this size tank!

The water level in your sump looks pretty high - is there a reason you've filled it more than 3/4 full? Have you tried a power out test yet? Generally, the water level should be maintained at the height of the short baffle.

manishkasera
06/29/2009, 09:51 PM
OzarksReef - Thanks.
Yes I did try the power failure and still there was room in sump, no overflow.

Is there a reason that water should not be filled more than lower baffle? Since this my first sump setup any advise will be helpful.

manishkasera
06/29/2009, 09:53 PM
Can someone shed some light on how to tweak Euro Reef to get best out of it?

heard about gate mod but usually want to avoid as not sure how to do that and if i can do it.

OzarksReef
06/29/2009, 10:00 PM
That's good - water on the floor is no fun! It looks like you wouldn't need the stand for the skimmer if you lowered the water level in the sump. Keeping it at the baffle level keeps the water surface moving and prevents a "scum" buildup on the water - should also help with removing bubbles that make it back into your display.

You'll want to check into a couple of mods for the skimmer:

1. Mesh mod - this will increase the volume of bubbles in the skimmer dramatically, resulting in much better skimming.

2. Gate valve mod - this will allow you to adjust the water level much more precisely, while keeping your hands out of the water.

Both of these mods are easy to do and make a big difference in skimmer performance.

manishkasera
06/29/2009, 10:13 PM
how to do mesh mod?

OzarksReef
06/29/2009, 10:19 PM
Here's a link with some pretty good instructions:

http://www.newengland.reefbuilders.com/diy-fish-rooms-guts-reefing/3461-needle-wheel-mesh-mod-sedra-pump-euroreef-skimmer-100-a.html

manishkasera
06/30/2009, 05:22 AM
OzarksReef - Thanks for the link that is simple and with proper instructions and step-by-step pictures even I can do it.

manishkasera
06/30/2009, 06:49 PM
FULL FRONT TANK SHOT
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_5975.jpg

WATERMELON ZOA
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_5981.jpg

ORANGE ZOA
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_5980.jpg

MUSHROOM: CAME ON ROCK - ID PLEASE?
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_5991.jpg

Does anyone know what is that red feeder duster kind of thing next to mushroom?

BROWN POLYPS: CAME ON ROCK - ID PLEASE?
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_5993.jpg

TANK'S RIGHT HAND SIDE SHOT
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_5997.jpg

Toddrtrex
06/30/2009, 06:53 PM
Looking good.

Do you plan on having any corals on that top shelf/bridge rock? If so, you may want to lower it one level. The way it is now, there isn't a whole lot of room for upward growth of any corals.

manishkasera
06/30/2009, 06:56 PM
Thanks Toddrtrex.
So far I do not have plan on keeping anything on top of that bridge, it is purely from aesthetics purpose.

manishkasera
07/04/2009, 09:31 PM
4-Jul-2009

I'm back from my vacation to Ottawa, it was a nice trip, i really liked the city. Will post some picture from Canada day later with some aquarium pictures.

Today upon arrival i did perform my first water change of almost 12%-15% of total water volume.

Then this evening I did check my parameters:
PH: 7.8 (raised to 8.0)
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0-5

Today I also added my first live stock that consists:
4 Zebra hermit crabs
1 Turbo snail
1 Nassarius snail
1 Blood Red Fire Shrimp
1 Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
1 McCosker's Flasher Wrasse
1 Torch Coral (5 heads)
1 Multi color Ricordea Mushroom Rock

Milhouse
07/04/2009, 10:46 PM
Just out of curiosity, what are the dimensions of the tank? I thought only Oceanic made 58g. AGA makes a 65 with almost the same specs, except it's 36x18x24. Just wondering.

manishkasera
07/05/2009, 06:36 PM
Milhouse - my tank dimensions are 36*18*21.

manishkasera
07/05/2009, 06:41 PM
My SG: 1.026

Here is my McCosker's Flasher Wrasse, love this fish, very active fish:
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_6992.jpg

Torch Coral:
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_6994.jpg

Zebra Hermit Crab:
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_6998.jpg

My only Turbo snail munching on algae:
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_7028.jpg

Finally FTS:
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_7013.jpg

manishkasera
07/05/2009, 07:13 PM
I have 3-4 inches deep sand bed. I went with special reef grade substrate instead of fine sand.

Do you forsee any issue or even positive comments?

manishkasera
07/06/2009, 03:03 PM
Anyone?

manishkasera
07/07/2009, 06:56 PM
I checked my water parameters today.

SG: 1.025 - 1.026
PH: 8.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0-5 (couldn't decide if it was zero so somewhere in the middle)
Temperature: 81.6 (towards the end of light cycle, 30 minutes before MH goes off)

So everything looks great, touch wood.

For now I'm using tap water (except last water change where I bought water from LFS), maybe that is causing some hair algae that is growing all over. I know what you people will say, NO NO.

I'll buy RO/DI unit, which one you guys suggest? How is his one:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/RO/DI-Filters-&-Systems-RO/DI-Systems/c9_10/p366/Standard-75GDP-RO/DI-5-Stage-System/product_info.html

I want to be able to buy something from online shop that will ship to Canada me without having to pay for brokerage or any other overhead.

Also what do you guys suggest to feed my wrasse? Currently I tried flakes, new marine pellets and frozen brine shrimp, out of these she have eaten only shrimp. Does anyone have the same wrasse if so what do you feed them?

manishkasera
07/08/2009, 02:37 PM
Hmmmmmm.........seems no one is interested ;-)

Come on guys I have several question, need someone to chime in, counting..............

muddysr5
07/08/2009, 03:58 PM
I think it is a slow day here on RC. I'll bump you up :)

I feed Rod's to my tank. Everyone LOVES it! And - while it is a bit pricey, he seriously has something in his food for everyone in the tank. No joke, my anenome has literally doubled in size (last 3 - 4 months since I have had it) and it has been eating Rod's food.

As far as any of your other questions go, I am not sure I am your best resource. I am still a newb and would prefer not sounding stupid :)

manishkasera
07/08/2009, 04:32 PM
Hey muddysr5, with 300G setup you hardly is Newbie, atleast from my standards.

What is Rod's ? Could you please post me some link.

manishkasera
07/08/2009, 07:36 PM
Since I introduced my Nassarius I never saw it.

I took advise and decided to lower the height of my rock work so I can place more stuff and also it will give more swimming room for fishes. I moved two of my rocks to sump area.

Tomorrow when water clears up I'll post new pictures.

manishkasera
07/11/2009, 04:47 PM
OK, did not get the chance to click pictures and post as promised.

Today I went on shopping spree and bought various livestock:
Small colony of duncuns
Some Neon polyps
Purple pumping xenia
hammer coral
Some kind of sponge
Little Blue tang
Flame angel

Here are some pictures:

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_7116.jpg

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_7052.jpg

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_7070.jpg

Can someone tell me what kind of sponge is this?
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_7129.jpg

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_7093.jpg

Can someone tell me what kind of Ricordia is this:
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_7131.jpg

FTS that shows flame angel:
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_7034.jpg

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_7135.jpg

manishkasera
07/11/2009, 04:57 PM
Some pictures from Ottawa trip:
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_6163.jpg

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_6196.jpg

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_6338.jpg

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_6351.jpg

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_6358.jpg

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_6491.jpg

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_6493.jpg

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_6120.jpg

That's all for today.

manishkasera
07/13/2009, 05:39 AM
Yesterday I went and bought the 20G brute container for water change and when going out for extended period to take care of auto topoff for prolong period.

My skimmer still is producing absolutely zero froath, doyou think something is wrong here or is it just thatIhave very light bio-load o nthe tank?

I would really appreciate any help here.

OzarksReef
07/13/2009, 07:06 AM
Looking good - all the fish look healthy and the coral looks like it's settling in. The shot of your skimmer looks like it's not foaming at all. Is the end of the air hose open and sucking plenty of air in? What kind of impeller are you using - is it a pinwheel or mesh mod? You have plenty of bioload to be getting skimmate full time. Let's explore what's going on there a bit more...

The sponge is Trikentrion flabelliforme or "Spider Sponge." The white "lines" on it should open up to form zoanthid-like polyps...like this:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c45/Stoneyscoral/CherryApril0068.jpg

manishkasera
07/13/2009, 11:20 AM
Thanks for replying OzarksReef (finally someone looked at it after long time).

Skimmer is really bothering me. It is running with it's original pump it came with. Yesterday even I opened and checked the impeller for any broken needle but everything seems to be all right, did not see anything abnormal. On one or more occasions air hose took a dip in sump, do you think that might have choked the tube and that is causing it not to be able to suck a lot of air? Should I remove the air valve and see if that makes any difference?

That is a beautiful picture of that sponge. Is that you have in your tank? If so could you tell me how are you taking care of it like light, water flow, food etc?

OzarksReef
07/13/2009, 12:18 PM
On the skimmer - are you getting any white foam at all? If not, then no air is getting injected. It is either the impeller (not moving) or the hose is blocked. I would take off anything that is on the line - if you have an air valve, definitely remove it. You want as much air entering the venturi as possible.

If you do that and still don't have luck - and you want to pursue further, I'd suggest taking the impeller out and photograph it. When you place the pump in a bucket of water and power it on, does it circulate the water well?

I had a piece of this sponge in my system that was doing well, but it was very small and disappeared under my reef. I just kept it on the bottom (lower light) and it did really well. Seemed to like moderate, but indirect flow...

David

manishkasera
07/13/2009, 12:50 PM
No, I don't see any white foam at all, there are micro bubbles but nothing that creates white foam or look in skimmer.

I'll try to remove the air valve when go back to home this evening and then see how does the Skimmer do.

In order to avoid any possibility I also ran this skimmer in Vinegar water also but no luck.

Skimmer is brand new.

I was reading some info on that sponge and seems won't live longer, I hope it is not poisnous.

manishkasera
07/13/2009, 06:52 PM
Forgot to mentioned since yesterday I have switched off my left side Koralia pump as it was too muchflow for my Duncun and Torch to handle, duncun's were not opening up properly.

Looking at FTS from previous pictures do you think, there is better place to place that pump?

manishkasera
07/13/2009, 06:55 PM
Hey OzarksReef, I opened the pump again and dsamble the whole skimmer in pieces and to my surprise there was a piece of styrofoam that got stuck in pump right where it suck air from that was blocking the whoe air.
Finally removed that piece and did put the skimmer in and Ahhh. it's working.
I can see a lot of bubbles coming and also foam is getting created.
Finally mystry solved.

OzarksReef
07/14/2009, 04:26 PM
Glad you got the skimmer running properly! That will make a big difference - your livestock will appreciate it :)

manishkasera
07/14/2009, 09:50 PM
Thanks Ozark.

Today i tested the water parameters:
PH: 7.9
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10

I am assuming since my skimmer just started working that will help bring down the nitrate level.

I have 3"-4" deep sand band so was hoping that will help me keep my nitrate level in check.

Last two water changes were RO/DI and even top off is with RO/DI so that should also help, until I do not have RO/DI I am trying to buy it from LFS.

Pacific Reefs
07/14/2009, 10:20 PM
Love your 58g! That was my very first tank and when I sold it I realize how much I liked it that I bought another one. Its great because there is no center brace and you can run a since halide over it. I was drooling at the Oceanic rimless version at the LFS the other day.

manishkasera
07/16/2009, 09:31 PM
Thanks Pacific.
It is coming along nicely.

Tangweed
07/16/2009, 10:05 PM
Nice set up :D I had a 58 gal Oceanic for over a year. Very cool size tank. I miss mine, I'll be tagging along.

I think Toddrtrex has the coolest 58 on RC :)

manishkasera
07/17/2009, 11:47 AM
Thanks Jeremy.

I'll check Toddrtrex's setup, I'm sure I will get a lot of ideas that I can incorporate in my tank.

Today I was suppose to pickup my RO/DI but that guy sold it to different person for little more money that kind of sucks.

RO/DI is the most critical piece of equipment that I'm lacking at this time.

Sitarangi
07/17/2009, 01:28 PM
Love the tank and the dimensions and I love that sponge. That Hippo will be fine in there for a long time. Hippos are more rock dwellers and grazers than some of the other surgeonfish. Once hes too big to hide in the rocks it may be a good sign to let him go.... but that won't be for awhile. Also keep your eyes peeled for aggression between him and the other fish

I'm done beating a dead horse, this tank is rad!

Toddrtrex
07/17/2009, 01:31 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15366139#post15366139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tangweed
Nice set up :D I had a 58 gal Oceanic for over a year. Very cool size tank. I miss mine, I'll be tagging along.

I think Toddrtrex has the coolest 58 on RC :)

Wow, thank you very much. Not sure I agree, but that is really nice to hear.

Here is the most recent picture, the white balance is a bit off.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/Fish%20stuff/RadiumFlash.jpg

manishkasera
07/17/2009, 04:06 PM
Todd, great clean setup and rather very well maintained.
How much rock do you have and which kind of, also what is the biggest fish you have?

Toddrtrex
07/17/2009, 05:35 PM
Thanks a lot.

I want to say I have around 65 pounds in there. 45# of it is the "Drs. Foster & Smith Select Fiji Premium Live Rock", the other 20# is random stuff I picked up from an LFS.

Currently the largest fish that I have in there is my female pink skunk clown. I have the pair of pink skunks, a small female Potters angel and a golden algae blenny.

manishkasera
07/18/2009, 11:23 PM
Thanks Todd.

Today I wanted to do weekly water change but due to other important stuff like daughter's birth day party could not do it, tomorrow I've to work so won't be able to change it tomorrow morning either, hopefully before end of day tomorrow.

I tested my water parameters today:
SG: 1.025
PH: 8.0
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10

Somehow my nitrate is not getting zero, any ideas?

Today I added two black&white clown fishes with Blue Carpet Anemone. I'm hoping they will become the pair, I would hate to see anyone suffering, I'm crossing my fongers. So far they are doing great and they are not showing any agressiveness, they have already started hosting the Anemone right after I introduced them in the tank, I also checked during the night and they are sleeping in the Anemone like small kids sleeping with their moms, worry free.

Does anyone have any experience with these clown fishes.

Today I also added:
3 Blue leg hermit crabs
3 Nassaurius snails

Finally some updated pictures.

One of the clown fish hosting the Anemone.
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_7138.jpg

So far I'm loving my sponge with white polyps, they aall are extending.
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_7149.jpg

Latest FTS.
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/manishkasera/IMG_7158.jpg

Since I could not make Refugium in the sump I decided to add some Macro algae in the container and put that in the same chamber where my water falls and skimmer is sitting. I'm hoping that it will help to grow coppods. Algae is Caulerpa. I got the algae from my LFS and he told me this is a great stuff and never exposed to any medication.

Does anyone think it might be an issue?

manishkasera
07/19/2009, 05:56 AM
Anyone who knows how to pair my clowns please chime in and share some ideas/experiences, I want to be ahead in the game.

NexDog
07/19/2009, 06:53 AM
There is no way to pair them, they'll just naturally pair. Watch out for submissive behaviour. One clown will approach the other and the other will start to twitch on its side. When they both twitch at each other they are basically paired. My first Clarki pair paired within a few weeks while they were in QT. I lost the male (jumped) so got another and when I introduced it to the main tank it paired with the female and was in her anenome within 10 minutes.

manishkasera
07/19/2009, 08:39 AM
Thanks Lawrence. I hope they will pair up quickly too. As they were in the same tank at LFS for more than a month and are still swimming nicely together.

manishkasera
07/20/2009, 04:50 AM
Does someone know any good online site from where I can buy RO/DI unit on good price in Canada?

manishkasera
07/20/2009, 08:33 PM
Today finally I got time and performed 10-15% water change.

Tangweed
07/20/2009, 09:07 PM
Not in Canada but this the place I picked up mine at. An RC sponsor. Fast shipping, and and everything I need to keep my RO/DI up to date.

http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/index.html

Tangweed
07/20/2009, 09:08 PM
Oh yea! Tank looks great so far :thumbsup:

manishkasera
07/21/2009, 08:39 AM
Thanks Jeremy.
When you orders from "http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/index.html", who pays tax, brokerage fee or any other import charges from custom?

manishkasera
07/23/2009, 05:29 AM
Yesterday I added:
5 - Nassaurius snail
5 - Cerith snails
1 Conch

I'm hoping this should be enough for my cleanup crew.

I also added some PH buffer and then Kent coral builder to help maintain the PH level.

Tank is looking nice and white polyps on my sponge are extending perfectly.

I'm feeding "NutraPlus Complete Feed" from http://www.nutrakol.com/ornamental.htm for my coral and plankton need in addition to phytoplankton that I put. Does someone use them and what is your opinion?

manishkasera
07/25/2009, 09:41 PM
Today I performed my weekly 10-15% of water change.
Before changing the water I performed water test and following were the readings:
PH: 8.4
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20
Ca: 360 (Added some Ca, will need to check what is the value now)

I'm not so happy about Nitrate value, as I went with DSB just because I wanted to keep it really low like 5<.

Any ideas guys?

manishkasera
07/27/2009, 03:23 PM
I tested my Calcium and again it is very low only 340.

Today I replaced my Carbon and added a lot more than last time. Hopefully it will make water nice and crystal clear.

I was noticing a bad wound on top of my Regal tang and in two days it got worst I can almost see through it, so I caught it and put it in my smaller FOWLR tank.
I am going to treat her and see if I can help her at all.

Any idea what's going on here?

jhawkor
07/27/2009, 04:26 PM
Tank looks good.

manishkasera
08/02/2009, 08:09 AM
I never mentioned that the night I did put my regal tang in a smaller tank it disappeared. It was swimming with other fishes but never saw it next morning after. I'm suspecting my CUC had a nice dinner and I could not find even her remains.

This is my casualty.

manishkasera
08/03/2009, 04:10 PM
Today I added few new tank mates:
1 Purple Tang
1 Desjardini Sailfin Tang
4 Astrea Snails
3 Black turbo snails

I'll add most probably blue tang and that will be end of fishes in my tank.

Will post some pictures soon.

Toddrtrex
08/03/2009, 05:21 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15466530#post15466530 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by manishkasera
Today I added few new tank mates:
1 Purple Tang
1 Desjardini Sailfin Tang
4 Astrea Snails
3 Black turbo snails

I'll add most probably blue tang and that will be end of fishes in my tank.

Will post some pictures soon.

I hate to say it, but none of those tangs will work in a 58 for more then 12 months -- at the most. And adding a blue tang is just adding fuel to the fire. The sailfin and blue tang can easily get over 12" in length.

manishkasera
08/03/2009, 06:47 PM
Thanks Todd.
I know, if they grow very fast I'll either switch to the bigger tank ;-) or will trade them for smaller.

manishkasera
08/27/2009, 09:27 PM
On 26-Aug-2009 I replaced my old light fixture with new ATI Sunpower.
It is 36" with 6 Bulbs.
I have following bulbs
2 ATI Blue Plus
2 ATI Aqua Blue Special
1 Geissman 15K
1 UV 75.25

This light is amazing.

Colors in my Zoa are showing as unbelievable.

IridescentLily
08/27/2009, 10:33 PM
I like your aquascaping. I'm not new to sw fish, one of the fish I kept for many
years was a Flame angel. I am new to corals however and will be getting a tank soon,
so it's good to watch your progress.