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WhiskeyCoffee
08/27/2016, 12:59 PM
Hello everyone. My tank is already approaching 4 months old but I decided I would go back and backdate some entries so I could share the progress! Fortunately I have been documenting the progress along the way. So here we go!

May 4, 2016

Started the tank with some Caribsea live sand (the really fine stuff) and about 15 pounds of cured live rock from my LFS. The rock was more expensive than I anticipated so I only bought half of the required live rock with the intention of buying more down the road.

At this point I just putting everything in and am letting the tank cycle.

https://i.imgur.com/cdGnp3wh.jpg

May 11, 2016

Added the rest of the rock so now I have just under 29lbs total of rock! Still letting the tank cycle with the addition of a few blue and red hermit crabs.

https://i.imgur.com/afJIzFZ.jpg
WhiskeyCoffee
08/29/2016, 01:11 PM
May 27, 2016

Rearranged rock. Added a hammer coral and a clownfish.

https://i.imgur.com/lPCB2te.jpg

June 13, 2016

Added a green star polyp. Having a pretty bad diatom outbreak so investigating adding a CUC.

https://i.imgur.com/SpADt6D.jpg
Esper
08/31/2016, 04:58 AM
The diatom outbreak is a perfectly normal stage in the cycle. Give it time, it will go away on it's own. Next you will get green hair algae. It will go away on it's own, too. Then you will get coralline algae everywhere. A clean-up crew can help with any leftover hair algae once you start growing coralline.

Just keep feeding the same amount, and your tank will adapt to that level of food. Keep doing regular water changes. You are off to a great start! Just give it time. Look into auto topoff systems to keep salinity stable, and then look into maintaining alkalinity. Great tank!
WhiskeyCoffee
09/01/2016, 01:00 PM
June 17, 2016

Bought a proper stand for my tank so it was no longer on the unstable dresser. Also upgraded my light to the Current USA Orbit Marine Pro and am configuring the settings. Picked up a Fighting Conch as LFS said it may help with the diatom problem. At this time also looking in to getting a new reef ready tank so I can have a sump with a protein skimmer

https://i.imgur.com/SzU2AEF.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hH6Rcw2.jpg
WhiskeyCoffee
09/18/2016, 11:47 PM
July 2, 2016

Bought a new 29 gallon tank and am having it drilled so I can have a proper overflow box and sump.

https://i.imgur.com/1mhh9P7.jpg
ramasule
09/23/2016, 02:59 AM
Very cool.
WhiskeyCoffee
10/31/2016, 05:13 PM
Upclose pic of my hammer coral.

https://i.imgur.com/8buof4J.jpg
WhiskeyCoffee
11/14/2016, 04:12 PM
Tank is all setup with sump on bottom floor. Didn't want the tank upstairs just incase I had any spill emergencies! Will be painting the stand white soon so it matches the decor better.

https://i.imgur.com/96faiMX.jpg
noob916
11/14/2016, 11:42 PM
Coming along nice!