So we took the plunge

[kmbyrnes]

So after years of talking about it, we decided to get a marine tank.
So much to consider, so many options, so many opinions.
We went to the LFS and looked around and talked to the folks there. No pressure, just good info.
We ended up purchasing a fully functioning display nano, thinking we would see if we liked the reality of day to day reef keeping vs. the dream.
If we can keep this nano alive for 6 months, a large tank is in our future, but for now we need to learn the basics without doing too much damage to other living creatures.

It didn't start well, losing a clown fish on the first night. We still aren't sure what ate it.
4 days later an anemone died. I hadn't even been able to identify it yet.
So, back to LFS and met the person who 'buillt' the reef and she helped us identify all the livestock and gave us newbie pointers. No losses since then.
Hoping this becomes a successful venture, because it's sure a lot of fun to watch!

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/Tank%20Pix/0814_11_zps24a18348.jpg

[pinhigh1886]

How long was the system set up before adding livestock? How many gallon?

[jimsflies]

I like that huge shroom!

[MizTanks]

I like that huge shroom!

I was wondering what that was-lol

[kmbyrnes]

Thanks for you comments everyone.
Hope to get a lot a of helpful info as we learn how to care for these guys ( and gals )

pinhigh1886:
Tank was on display in the shop. Not sure of the age

Tank is 12 gal,
10 lbs LR
2 filters 20 gal and 10 gal size on opposite ends
2x21 w t-5 10000k and actinic
Live stock:

Fish
3 Blue Eyed Chromis
1 Blue Damselfish Chrysiptera cyanea
1 True Percula Clownfish Amphiprion percula

Corals
1 Cauliflower Leather Coral
Zooanthids various
1 Mushroom Coral Amplexidiscus fenestrafer
Pagoda Cup Coral Turbinaria peltata

Invertebrates
1 Coco Worm Protula bispiralis
3 Feather Duster Sabellastarte indica
1 Blue Tip Seabae Anemone Heteractis crispa
1 Tan Sebae Anemone Heteractis crispa
1 Hermit Crab Anemone Calliactis polypus
3 Feather dusters unknown sp



Crabs and Snails
1 Hermit Crab Dardanus pedunculatus
2 Margarita Snails Margarites pupillus

[kmbyrnes]

jimsflies and MizTanks:
The shroom is the happiest camper on the reef! Always changing shape, size and color.
I am always wondering what new things are going to appear as I watch each night

[ETBReefer05]

Welcome to the hobby!
You have taken on a daunting task, but not an impossible one. One of the things that I see a lot of people try to do is run a nano tank on their first try. Again, this is not impossible, but I will say that most people who have a nano tank have had a larger tank concurrently or in the past, some may do so for the challenge. In all honesty, when someone is setting up a new tank and they tell me it is below 40 gallons, I immediately advise them that bigger is better in this case. YOU CAN DO IT! Water stability is one of the hardest things for a new reefer to get a hold on and the nano tanks water stability is the hardest to maintain. Best advice I can give is to take this adventure head on! Learn all you can and research your heart out. If this tank fails, don't take it as a sign that you shouldn't be in this hobby. Pick up the pieces and get yourself a 55 breeder or even a 75 or 90 gallon tank. And if this nano tank becomes a success, then take that as a sign that this is something you should consider doing for many, many years because you're a natural!

[pinhigh1886]

So they had the tank running in the store with everything that is in it including fish? You were able to just pick it up and move it home? I agree with ETBReefer05, kind of a hard tank to start with but you came to the right place for help. Can you post more pictures and equipment descriptions like what kind of filters and such? Others that have used similar or same equipment will be able to help you if you run into problems again.

[kmbyrnes]

pinhigh1888:
Yes that was exactly the case.
We went into the LFS for info and told the staff to 'talk us out of setting up a reef tank'.
They told us it was not as hard as it used to be and it could be done even by folks who had not kept even freshwater aquaria before.
After talking to various staff and getting info on start up requirements, we realized that we were not prepared to start out with the kind of investment required in time and money on something we we not at all confident in our ability to make successful.
But, on the front counter was a 12 gallon fully functioning nano with a sign 'Love it! Take me home!'
It had been up and functioning a couple weeks.
We both agreed it was a small price to pay to get our feet wet, so to speak, before making the real investment.
So the whole tank was packed up, water and all, and an hour later we had our own little reef.
The first night we lost a clown, and 4 days later and anemone died. Turned out the dead clown messed up the water ammonia level.
W followed LFS advice and did a 50% water change and things went well until late last nite.
We have ich and now the fish must go into a separate container for treatment.
I guess we will learn all the ropes in time.
Meanwhile we enjoy looking at things every evening after supper.
Even my cabbage leather coral seems to have found a comfortable niche finally and is starting to spread out.

[kmbyrnes]

Came home from the movies Friday night to find my anemone hermit crab finishing his supper of feather duster!!! :mad::mad:
Need to see if he is even safe for this tank.

Moved all the fish to a temp QT Saturday AM and started treatment recommended by LFS - NOX-ICH.
The 3 cardinals ( previously told they were chromis ) died within 2 hours. :angelsad:
This leads me to believe they were sick when we got the tank.
So far Damsel and clown doing OK.

Did a 40% water change in main tank, everyone seems pretty happy.
Bought my own test kit so I do not have to rely on the LFS.


Here's some more invert pix

Sebae Anemones
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20130817/IMG_0195_zps3b207ab3.jpg
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20130817/IMG_0181_zps1ab226fe.jpg

Zooanthids
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20130817/IMG_0183_zpsa4e4c715.jpg


Unidentified, anyone recognize these?
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20130817/IMG_0177_zpsfafe734e.jpg


Coco Worm
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20130817/IMG_0176_zpsba88ef51.jpg

[MizTanks]

3rd pic are Radio Active Dragon Eyes & 4th are Green Implosion Palys, which should green up with better lighting. Beautiful nem! :)

[kmbyrnes]

Thanks MizTanks. Trying to learn all we can.

[MizTanks]

Thanks MizTanks. Trying to learn all we can.

Your welcome and I'm glad I could help :)

[Tropicorium]

jimsflies and MizTanks:
The shroom is the happiest camper on the reef! Always changing shape, size and color.
I am always wondering what new things are going to appear as I watch each night
Actually, you'll be seeing less things. At least concerning fish. That "mushroom" forms a ball like shape, usually at night, with a small fish size hole in the front, which often tempts a fish to enter. The mushroom then closes the hole and eats the fish. Sorry.

[MizTanks]

Actually, you'll be seeing less things. At least concerning fish. That "mushroom" forms a ball like shape, usually at night, with a small fish size hole in the front, which often tempts a fish to enter. The mushroom then closes the hole and eats the fish. Sorry.

Oh no!!! Do you have a name for this fish eater? :)

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Oh no!!! Do you have a name for this fish eater? :)

The common name is a "hairy mushroom".

Tom

[kmbyrnes]

That might explain how I lost a clown the first night - $16.00 sushi for my new reef !

My QT fish are doing well. No more white spots.
LFS said 3 days but I am inclined to keep them out of the main tank longer.
Any thoughts there?

My Blue Tip Sebae is on the move. I guess he didn't like being on the rock

[MizTanks]

Well if your speaking of ICH then 3 days may be long enough to rid the fish of the parasite but NOT so with your display tank. Most allow their tanks to fallow for up to 8 weeks before adding fish back into it. This allows the ICH parasite to starve out by having no host to feed upon, and time enough for new ones to hatch and starve also.
FYI-beautiful Sebae but they too are fish eaters. Was that in your tank along with your clown?

[kmbyrnes]

Yes, the clowns were in the tank with the sebaes

Originally we had
3 Blue Eyed Cardinal
1 Blue Damsel
2 Percula Clownfish

Lost a clown the first night ( maybe the mushroom or the sebae )

The 3 Cardinals got sick first and died within an hour of starting the ich treatment
The damsel and clown are doing fine.
I think we overloaded the tank, fish-wise.
We will stay with just the 2 remaining fish for a while.

Thanks for the pointers. Time to read more on the ich life cycle.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

That might explain how I lost a clown the first night - $16.00 sushi for my new reef !

My QT fish are doing well. No more white spots.
LFS said 3 days but I am inclined to keep them out of the main tank longer.
Any thoughts there?

My Blue Tip Sebae is on the move. I guess he didn't like being on the rock

That's good news on the fish. I agree with Miz that an extended time out of the tank is necessary.

As for the sebae anemone... they are a difficult species to keep alive. Your chances of keeping one alive long-term is very slim. You're at a disadvantage because; 1) you have a nano tank 2) you probably don't have strong enough lighting. If you feed them you may slow their demise but expect them to slowly shrink and eventually die. My guess is the blue-tip is on the move trying to find more light.

Tom

[pinhigh1886]

kmbyrnes - Can you tell us what your parameters are reading? Nitrite, Nitrate, Ammonia, PH, Temp, Etc? Did the LFS take the water out or just put the whole tank water an all in your car? I wonder because it they took it out and you poured back in it might have caused another cycle killing fish right away? You said it was set up for 3 weeks. Should be enough for a nano to cycle but if not that could be what caused stress and ich?

[ReefTech]

kmbyrnes - Can you tell us what your parameters are reading? Nitrite, Nitrate, Ammonia, PH, Temp, Etc? Did the LFS take the water out or just put the whole tank water an all in your car? I wonder because it they took it out and you poured back in it might have caused another cycle killing fish right away? You said it was set up for 3 weeks. Should be enough for a nano to cycle but if not that could be what caused stress and ich?

I agree. If you don't have any test kits at home then taking some tank water to your LFS and have them test Nitrite, Nitrate, Ammonia is a great idea. I would agree that tearing the tank down and then setting it back up probably started a small cycle again since the tank had only been running for three weeks prior to the move which really isn't that long for a new tank to get established. Plus you might consider getting rid of the fish you have and starting over with one or two fish that would be better suited for a nano of that size. There are many different species of fish that stay really small that are perfect for your size tank. Or maybe just keep your clownfish in the hopes that it will create a symbiotic relationship with the anemone and that would help the sebae live longer. Not sure if your LFS informed you of this or not but a good rule of thumb is to allow 3 to 4 gallons of tank space per every inch of fish. For instince, if your clown is 2 inches in length then you should allow him 8 gallons of tank space to feel happy and unstressed, so with you having as many fish as you do now, when you do go to put them back in the nano, they may in time just stress each other out again bringing forth another possible ich outbreak or death of a fish. Your inverts look great though so keep your head up and remember to breath!!!:thumbsup:

[kmbyrnes]

Everyone,
Thanks for your continued interest and support!

Reeftech, I was expecting everything to be dead, 2 weeks into this. The fact that only 1 snail, 1 anemone and 3 fish have died and even my sick fish got better makes me feel good about my chances of at least keeping coral!

This tank looked good in the LFS display, but it had expert attention all day, everyday.
It was clearly overstocked and I would feel like a mass murderer without the groups re-assurance. This is confusing for a newbie, but you are really being helpful and keeping me from over-worrying like a first time parent.

The tank was dismantled, leaving about 2 inches of water in the tank. The rest of the livestock, live rock and existing seawater was packaged up and came home with us. When we re-added the water, we did it slowly and over the LR. Water didn't appear to cloud up much.

3 Days later we went to LFS and had our first water test.
Ammonia was off the color card. We did a 50% water change and waited a week
In that time we lost a cool tie-dyed looking anemone that I hadn't identified yet. But everyone else was seemed fine. Next LFS water test had high nitrates. Did a 20% water change on LFS recommendation.
Things looked good for a week. When we got ICH it was time for my own test kit.

Date pH Ammonia Nitrite Nitrate
08/17/13 8 0.25 2 20
08/18/13 7.8 0 0.25 10
08/22/13 8 0.25 5 5

Water temp is 78 or 79.

We like to look at the tank at night, but it is in a room that gets lots of indirect sunlight from 6a - 6p.
Had been running lights from 12p - 10p, but put them on a timer this weekend.
LFS said 8 - 10 hours, so I tried cutting back to 8.
That's when my sebaes started to become unhappy. Have changed back to 10 hours.
I also read I should be feeding them some bigger food by hand.
Tried some of my 'people' shrimp cut up into 1/4 inch pieces. They LOVED IT!
So did the mushroom coral!
In fact,he looked JUST LIKE HE DID THE MORNING MY CLOWN DISAPPEARED. :shake-head:

Both anemones appear better this AM. We found someone we thought was gone last night, hiding in the rocks.
He looks like a single parsley branch, only the stick part is beet red and the leaves are long. narrow and medium green. Can't get a pic of him. Any suggestions to start my search?

So for now the plan is to
keep the 2 remaining fish QT'd
keep lights at 10 hours
regular water changes
no new livestock ( even though my wife wants MORE )

[ReefTech]

Trust me my friend, there's not one person on this forum that hasn't had a fish or coral die on them, so unless you were pouring bleach into the tank you are no mass murderer. I'm glad to hear everything else in the tank is doing good. Not trying to knock on your LFS store but I just wish they had set you up better seeing this was your first tank and im confused why they would stock such a small tank with so much livestock. But oh well, that's the past and now it's time to move on. One question I have is what kind of text kits are you using? I don't recognize the results you got so if you could tell is the brand of text kit that would help. My suggestion would be to hold off on the water changes for a little bit. When you actually set up a saltwater tank from scratch with live sand and live rock it's gonna run through a cycle. What happens sometimes newbies test their water and see that everything's really high and react with doing a huge water change, cause in essence that should bring the numbers down but when the tank is trying to cycle itself, the water change interferes with the cycle which can make the cycle run longer than normal. And since you don't have any really demanding corals in your tank water parameters can fluctuate a little but without causing any significant stress to the corals. If you check out my tank thread you'll read that I have 180 gallons of total water volume running through three tanks that are all connected. I only do a 5 gallon water change every weekend, it helps but some fresh saltwater in the system but is small enough so it doesn't have an impact on my water parameters. This approach may help you stabilize your tank. If you can fill up a 5 gallon bucket of saltwater from your LFS store and do small water changes more often this may help being down your levels of ammonia and nitrates but not shock your system overall. Maybe try this method while your fish are in qt and then when they make the move back to the display make the water change a little bigger to counter the waste the fish will release into your water. Just continue to keep an eye on your sebae, everytime that thing move your gonna worry that something is wrong with it, that's why people will wait to get one just because they can prove frustrating, but like most other corals they will give you visual clues that something is wrong so at anytime your unclear about what it's doing or why it looks a certain way, snap a pic and post it and someone on here will have an answer for you. But feeding them once or twice a week is a good thing for them like you mentioned with the shrimp. So for now I would just stick to your plan you listed above and stick with it, things will finally settle down and you'll actually be able to enjoy your reef, I promise. And yes, you need to convince the wifey that more fish= more death right now. I just remembered something that I didn't see in any of the previous posts. What are you using for top off water?

[ReefTech]

One thing to check as well is the salinity of the tank, when was the last time that was checked and what instrument was used to check it? A refractometer or a hydrometer? Changes in salinity can be nasty for your critters as well. That's why I asked earlier about what you were using for top off water. Even though the tank is small it's still losing water volume to evaporation in which you need to replace what's lost with clean ro/di water to keep the salinity stable. Most people seem to have their salinity between 1.024-1.026.

[kmbyrnes]

Matt,
Thanks for your comments.
I am not frustrated, Just a bit impatient. I expect setbacks, but I don't want to cause these creatures harm when I could have helped instead. Which is why I appreciate all the help

The test kit is API Saltwater Master Liquid Test Kit, from Petco. The pH is a standard reading, The others are in PPM.

I use RO/DI from LFS to top off, Usually every other day to a line I have marked on the tank.
It amounts to about 3 cups each time.

My saltwater is also from LFS, they say they keep it at 1.023. I take their word. Maybe I shouldn't?

LFS said I should now be doing about 1 gallon a week in water change

There is so much required equipment to do this right, I was hoping to acquire it a bit each week.
I couldn't prioritize them with what little I know, so I was relying on certain things being fairly constant, like my salinity.
I figured if I was getting premix from my LFS, that would remove the salinity varaible.
Since you think salinity may be an issue, what do you recommend as a tool?
Bear in mind that the long term goal is a 150 - 200 gallon DT, but we need to learn basics first.
On the other hand I have learned that a good expensive tool will provide better value than a poor inexepensive one, even if it is overkill for the current task.

[ReefTech]

As far as checking salinity, I would highly recommend a refractometer. Yes they are more expensive up front but 99.99% accurate. Hydrometer are cheaper but they can give false readings. For instance the LFS store I worked at, I measured the premixed saltwater with a hydrometer that was properly broken in and got a reading of 1.023 and then used a refractometer and the reading was 1.026!!! Not to say all hydrometers are bad but refractometer s are just way more reliable and as long as you take care of it it will last as long as your in the hobby. The biggest thing for you tank is consistency, so whatever you've been doing as far as water changes every week, just stick with it. The one gallon a week sounds pretty good so stick with that. CONSISTENCY IS KEY. As far as where to keep your salinity at, that varies. You'll always get different answers, some people might say between 1.022 and 1.026others may say between 1.024 and 1.026 just don't want to go lower than 1.022 or higher than 1.027. If it does nothing will happen spontaneously but it will cause stress among the inhabitants. Plus if you look on online retailers that sell fish and corals, the sight usually lists the salinity that that critter is more comfortable in. You may over time raise it slowly a point or two and see if your anemone looks/acts any better. Just make sure that the water from the LFS store matches the salinity in your tank.

[binford4000]

Good advice Reeftech. My concern is the water test. You should not put anymore livestock in your tank tell the ammonia and No2 are reading ZERO. You are going thru a cycle for sure. Ammonia is the quickest way to wipe out a small tank like this. Doing water changes in moderation will help replenish much needed trace elements and help your water column stabilize . I usually do 10% on a weekly basis. On my system that works out to 30 gallons. Small tanks like yours have a tendency to react very quickly. When things go bad they go bad fast. Unfortunately corrections take time! You might want to consider getting your own test kits and test frequently tell things calm down. Then get in the habit of doing it weekly to keep an eye on things. A lot of nano people use chem clean to help get things under control. It is a band aid but will help get things normal. As far as water is concerned if you do not have an RO system or a dependable source to get it distilled water is a fair substitution for top off. Good luck and welcome to the salt life . If your looking for a dependable reading source to help you understand and enjoy reefing I would recommend Anthony Calfo's book of coral propagation. The first several chapters are very good in structural advice on equipment,lighting and water conditions and explain just what you need to know from beginner to advanced. :oldman:


Post script : you say your running a ten hour light cycle. That is a very longtime. In reality if you have no dimming on your light cycle six hours of full power is the minimum you need,anymore then eight is really just donating to the electric company. With the species you have right now turning the lights on an hour before you come home from work will give you five hours of enjoyment and much less algae. To clean and fight.

[kmbyrnes]

So it's been a busy 12 days.

First the bad news. All my fish have died from the ich treatment and subsequent quarantine. It may have been the small pump I got from Petco was just too strong. My wife thinks the clownfish died from exhaustion. She could be right. So now we will just wait 8 weeks before getting any new fish, and set up a better QT system.

The good news is everyone else is very happy. Lights are now on for 8 hours.
The sebaes have moved and found spots to their liking and they all take shrimp from a baster.
My zoas are thriving and multiplying like crazy. Same for the palys.
Our hermit crab was very quiet for 3 days, no re-arranging the aquascape, barely eating.
We bought a gaudy new shell and he moved into it, anemones and all overnight.
Then yesterday, he molted. Very cool. So I guess he was just cramped.

I met a guy from craigslist that gave me great info on local clubs and swaps and mostly MORE LFS.
Wife and I will be spending our day checking some of them out.
He also gifted me a neon carpet mushroom from his 125.
It is now feeling very happy in its new home as well.

I found a used 110 gal tall on craigslist for $125. Has an HOB overflow, 850 gph Little Giant pump,30 gal sump system and all the plumbing. 2x 175w MH fixtures with ballast. and 2x65 PC fixture, plus a home made stand
Some it it is old and will have to be replaced before this can all be setup, but its a start.
The main thing is the tank and sump don't leak!
I guess the real reading and planning begins ........


FTS from last night:
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20130901/IMG_02002_zps45d85938.jpg

New Neon Mushroom:
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20130901/IMG_0214_zpsb9d1778f.jpg

Crab Molting Leftovers
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20130901/IMG_0213_zpscaa6ec7b.jpg

[Tropicorium]

Probably info you won't use, but a 110 is the difficult brother of the 90 which is the kind of bad brother of the 70 which is a kind of usable reef tank. All have an 18 by 48" base and heights of 20, 24, and 30". Light falling off by the square of the distance from the source to object being lit is a very difficult concept to grasp but the bottom line is that approximate twice the lumens will be needed for the 110 rather than the 70 for a given light intensity at the usual placing of the photosynthetic animals, not even considering the extra water need for exchanges with no advantage in tank and animal appearance. In my personal opinion, a reef tank should be wider than it is tall which prevents avalanches among other benefits, but they are hard to find. JMHO, Dick

[binford4000]

Probably info you won't use, but a 110 is the difficult brother of the 90 which is the kind of bad brother of the 70 which is a kind of usable reef tank. All have an 18 by 48" base and heights of 20, 24, and 30". Light falling off by the square of the distance from the source to object being lit is a very difficult concept to grasp but the bottom line is that approximate twice the lumens will be needed for the 110 rather than the 70 for a given light intensity at the usual placing of the photosynthetic animals, not even considering the extra water need for exchanges with no advantage in tank and animal appearance. In my personal opinion, a reef tank should be wider than it is tall which prevents avalanches among other benefits, but they are hard to find. JMHO, Dick

+1 the taller the tank the stronger the light source you will need. I like my tanks to be 18 to. 22 inches tall and now that I have set up a three foot wide tank I will never buy a standard width tank again!

[kmbyrnes]

I can always count on good info here.

I guess I will just have to see how this goes. The price was right.
The 20 gallon sump, and AquaC Skimmer alone were worth $100. And now with LED taking over, I guess I can probably fine some good deals on MH fixtures.
And if not, then the worst I am out is time and experience.
If I acquire all the things I need to run a 110 tall, then a switch to a different tank will be a PITA, but doable.

[MizTanks]

If your short like me a tall tank is definitely going to be a challenge. My 26g is 21" and I am up to my arm pits trying to reach the SB-lol.

[Tankster]

I can always count on good info here.

I guess I will just have to see how this goes. The price was right.
The 20 gallon sump, and AquaC Skimmer alone were worth $100. And now with LED taking over, I guess I can probably fine some good deals on MH fixtures.
And if not, then the worst I am out is time and experience.
If I acquire all the things I need to run a 110 tall, then a switch to a different tank will be a PITA, but doable.

The tank will be the inexpensive component. Get the right size from the start.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Ohub Campfire mobile app

[kmbyrnes]

Miz,
I'm 6'4", but still up to my armpits to reach the bottom. I'm thinking I will go with a deep sand bed.

[kmbyrnes]

Actually, you'll be seeing less things. At least concerning fish. That "mushroom" forms a ball like shape, usually at night, with a small fish size hole in the front, which often tempts a fish to enter. The mushroom then closes the hole and eats the fish. Sorry.

You were so right !!!
My wife bought some new creatures yesterday, one of which is a Fire Shrimp. He is very entertaining, jumping around all over.
She also bought some pulsing Xenia, which were nowhere to be found this AM. I read online that they sometimes get trashed but manage to survive. So while I was looking for the Xenia, I noticed the mushroom was in his 'eating' position, closed up with only about a 1/2 inch opening. What's inside? Bright red Fire Shrimp! I was able to save him by slowly expanding the mushroom opening with tongs until the shrimp was able to escape. I immediately fed the mushroom some shrimp, which he devoured.
The shrimp has not been near that end of the tank since!
Wonder how many other newbies I won't be able to save. I guess that's the price for reef keeping :stupidme::doh:

[pjr]

Nice use of the "jaws of life" to save the shrimp. Quite a story!

[MizTanks]

Woot woot for the shrimp! Way da go dad!! Lol

[kmbyrnes]

My Blue Tip Sebae died today. Not a surprise, really. He never found a home,stopped eating last week, and yesterday I found him face down in the sand, all shriveled up. Early this AM he looked like he had 2 mouths, and this afternoon was almost all liquid in the center. Got him out before he did too much damage to the water.
I will try to do my best to keep the tan one alive, and maybe even healthy. He seems to be doing well these days.
No more sebaes until I get more experience.

As time passes, I am beginning to realize the LFS kind of set me up for failure, and I took the bait.
The tank looked really great there. But they have expert caregivers and all the right tools at their disposal.
So now a few creatures have died, and have learned some lessons.
More research before attempting to keep anything that everyone says is for experts only.

On the bright side, all the mobile gang got together for a group shot last night:


http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20130904/IMG_0252_zps72bd6340.jpg

[ReefTech]

How long have you had the blue linkia? Those are usually pretty hard to keep alive, even for advanced aquarists. They usually don't live that long.

[MizTanks]

What is that yellow ball thingy on the left? Sad that some LFS would do that but not uncommon. Personally I'd return the Linka Star a.s.a.p!

[kmbyrnes]

That was one of my wife's purchases this weekend. She is impulsive. But I can't say no to her :shrug:
I think we have different goals here. But I will do my best to make everyone happy.
Meanwhile, I keep reading to prepare myself to build the 110 tank in October

[kmbyrnes]

That yellow ball thingy is my wife's new purchase for our tank destroying hermit crab. He doesn't seem to care that he looks ridiculous!
We missed him moving himself and his anemones, but they have been in the new shell for 10 days now.
The shell was boiled before we put it in the tank

Hmmm 2 replies that the star is a bad idea.
I'll have to take that up with the missus! Not sure how that will fly. :mouth_zipped:
Thanks goodness the big tank will be my domain

[MizTanks]

Show her this info on the Star. Taking the decision out of both your hands. ;)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+528+568&pcatid=568

[kmbyrnes]

We started this journey a month ago yesterday. Its has been a month of ups and downs.
A lot of the creatures the LFS sold me as part of the functioning nano, I now believe were not suited to a newbie.
Nonetheless, we have made it this far with a good looking tank.
Some losses, and some that I feel are on the way out.
I guess its all part of the learning curve.

On the plus side:
Water tests are good
Livestock are mostly thriving.
A number of new zoa colonies are forming.
A successful QT setup for fish until the ich is truly dead.
New additions are doing well.
I am learning a lot from THE GOOD FOLKS HERE!!!!
Thank you everyone for keeping me sane while I got through the first 30 days!

Dinner time at Byrnes' Nano.
Did the weekly tank maintenance and fed the family.
Neon carpet mushroom put on a show.
It likes shrimp and Rod's Reef Food

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20130907/IMG_0266_zpsf1af5087.jpg
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20130907/IMG_0273_zps0bac9bc0.jpg

Narissus Snail came to the party too
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20130907/IMG_0278_zps1356de6e.jpg

[kmbyrnes]

Help!
My wife is out of town for a few days now.
Showed her some pics of her kidlets and she commented that there is definitely more 'green' than when she left.
Looking back, I see she is correct. Is this good or bad???
If it's bad, what is the solution?

Note the bright green tips of the rock.

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/IMG_0303_zps03b8e66b.jpg

[MizTanks]

I still think it's normal for a new tank. Have you tested water parameters of late? If so can you post the readings please. Especially nitrates & phosphates.

[ETBReefer05]

I still think it's normal for a new tank. Have you tested water parameters of late? If so can you post the readings please. Especially nitrates & phosphates.

+1 on that. You're going to have all sorts of colors the first few months. Browns, Greens, just hopefully not reds. You'll be on the right track when you start seeing purples and pinks on that rock :thumbsup:

[kmbyrnes]

I have not tested for phosphates.
Tested 9/6:
PH - 8.0
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - .25 ppm
Nitrate - 0
Temp 78 -79

Thanks for the tips!
I will just keep plugging along then.
Everyone still seems to be doing well except my remaining sebae. He has moved to the bottom and seems to be hiding. But at least he isn't pushing his insides out anymore.
The zoas are multiplying like rabbits, new polyps daily.
The torn up Xenia fragments are showing up in strange places. Only one or two at a time, but still there.

[MizTanks]

Personally I'd pull those Xenia from wherever they're showing up. You really don't want them ALL OVER your tank or they will take over you tank :)

[ETBReefer05]

You're actually still cycling, which would explain a lot of the problems you're having. Look for that nitrite level to zero out and the nitrates to start to rise. The cycle is very hard on stony corals and anemones so lets hope your sebae makes it through!

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4

[kmbyrnes]

You're actually still cycling, which would explain a lot of the problems you're having. Look for that nitrite level to zero out and the nitrates to start to rise. The cycle is very hard on stony corals and anemones so lets hope your sebae makes it through!

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4

Thanks for the tip ETBReefer05 and everyone else.
So I guess that the move from LFS to my house started everything over again.
Because on 8/17 my nitrates were at 20 and have slowly fallen to zero.
Is it worthwhile to buy a phosphate test kit? or just have LFS do it for me. They charge $2.00

[ETBReefer05]

Thanks for the tip ETBReefer05 and everyone else.
So I guess that the move from LFS to my house started everything over again.
Because on 8/17 my nitrates were at 20 and have slowly fallen to zero.
Is it worthwhile to buy a phosphate test kit? or just have LFS do it for me. They charge $2.00

I guess my only problem with testing for phosphates is that there is no easy way for a hobbyist to reliably test them in a home or even LFS environment. Boxed testing kits can be thrown off by pretty much any contaminates in the water. Including salt (I hope that's in your water) nitrates nitrites ammonia. The last three contaminates I mentioned all react reliably to those color changing reagent tests they sell at every lfs, but you need lab grade equipment to test phosphates. I would say the best way to test for phosphates is to watch for hair or carpet algae, and cyanobacteria. Keeping magnesium high also stops phosphates from binding and lets your protein skimmer or water changes remove them. I've seen high mag treatments kill algae in a matter of days. Just my .02.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4

[kmbyrnes]

So now we have been reefers for 3 months.

Lots of learning,tank ups and downs and evenings watching our little drop of ocean.
First, thanks to reefers everywhere for your advice and help.
I am realizing this hobby is not just about the tanks, but also about helping others become successful and sharing hard earned knowledge.
I hope to return the favor someday.

With a bit experience, I no longer worry about every little thing that goes on.
I pay attention, but don't freak out. I just go read about what I am observing and take appropriate action.
I now have 4 LFS that I visit regularly. All have different philosophies, but all strive to make the hobby enjoyable.

Lots of changes.
Sadly, the linkia starfish died, as you all predicted.
But my better half learned to not be quite so impulsive, and listen to me once in a while ( at least in the LFS! )
That big hermit crab died one nite in a QT ( timeout for wrecking the aquascape again ). Never did find out why.
However, his shell and the Calliactis polypus symbiotes are thriving!
The big Amplexidiscus fenestrafer had to go.
He ate 2 more fish, a debelius lobster, and attempted murder on our fire shrimp.
Traded him for a nice 6-line wrasse and a frogspawn polyp.
I discovered I can keep acans, and I am addicted! Loving ricordeas and rhodactis mushrooms too!

The tank parameters are settled in, some coraline is starting to grow, and the tank is out of infancy and into toddlerhood!

Current Livestock

Cabbage Leather Coral
Candy Cane Coral
Orange Sun Coral
Blue Sympodium
Neon Carpet Corals
Frogspawn
Green Star Polyps
Yellow Polyps
Ricordea and Rhodactis Mushrooms
Pulsing Xenias
Acan Lord
Acan Echinata
Pipe organ Coral
Zoas
Palys
Orange Tree Sponge

Debelius Reef Lobster
Fire Shrimp
Yellow Cucumber

Yellow Tail Damsel
Fiji Devil Damsel
Barberi / Tomato Clownfish
Small Yellow Tang (I know! But she is headed for the 110 that is under construction)



Some current pix
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20131106/IMG_0421_zps5bcf90bb.jpg (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/kmbyrnes1960/media/20131106/IMG_0421_zps5bcf90bb.jpg.html)


http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20131106/IMG_0429_zps262bd181.jpg (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/kmbyrnes1960/media/20131106/IMG_0429_zps262bd181.jpg.html)


http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20131106/IMG_0428_zps9da7a9e3.jpg (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/kmbyrnes1960/media/20131106/IMG_0428_zps9da7a9e3.jpg.html)
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/kmbyrnes1960/20131106/IMG_0420_zps837429d3.jpg (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/kmbyrnes1960/media/20131106/IMG_0420_zps837429d3.jpg.html)

[MizTanks]

Looks like you can grow more then just Acans :) Tank looks wonderful!


Sent from my iPhone 4s via Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1).