Shwabber's First Reef Attempt (75 Gallon)

[Shwabber]

Hey Everyone!

Brand new to the S/W side of the hobby, (I've had a few F/W setups in the past).

I decided this fall to finally attempt a mixed reef, as it is something I have always wanted to try!

So I started my setup around Halloween....had all the basics up and running by the end of the first week of November.

Initial Equipment list:
75 Gallon Corner Overflow
Aqueon Proflex Model 2 Sump
2x Aqueon 950 Circ Pumps
Mag 9.5 Return Pump
Coralife 125 Super Skimmer
Aqua Illumination Sol Blue (Will add a second later)
Aqua Illumination Controller

Here are some pics.....

November 5th
(Base Rock in, Temp and SG stabilized)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/rowbots/Aquarium-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/rowbots/Aquarium-2.jpg

November 10th
(Cultured Live Rock added)

December 1st
(2+2 Heads of Frogspawn, 12 Astrea Snails & 3 Peppermint Shrimp added)
(Initial Cycle Complete/New Tank Algal Bloom)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/rowbots/Aquarium-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/rowbots/Aquarium-4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/rowbots/Aquarium-5.jpg

December 8th
(Paired set of A. ocellaris & 2 Turbo Snails added)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/rowbots/Aquarium-6.jpg

So, I`m up and running, almost 2 months in.

Learning the in`s and out`s of feeding, (Circ pumps on or off....rinse or not rinse....use a turkey baster or let it float on the top ....questions ...questions!!

Any help here would be appreciated!

I'm Using P.E. Mysis and a bit of Cyclop-eeze....thanks to advice from Fishoholic!

The LFS had them on Hakari Brine...but after reading up...wanted to go with something a little more nutritious.

Still have a bit of algae forming...looking into a Phosban Reactor maybe..

So, there is the beginning of my new passion... again any help or suggestions would be much appreciated!!

Tanks for looking!
Shaun (Shwabber)

[Aquattro]

Looks good Shaun. No real advice, it looks like you've got a great beginning there. I would have painted the back pane of glass, it's a personal thing with me, but easily dealt with any time. :)

[Reef Pilot]

Welcome to Canreef. Looks like a great start, and I can see a beautiful reef tank in the making.

You came to the right spot. Lots of very knowledgeable people on Canreef, and I'm sure you will get lots of great advice. You can search the archives on any topic and also see what others starting up with SW have gone through.

My personal piece of advice is get a quarantine tank. You will get different opinions here on this topic. But for newbies to SW, I think this is essential. Marine Ich is not the same as FW Ich, and very difficult to get rid of, if it gets into your display tank with corals and inverts.

Best of luck, and enjoy. And oh..., hope you have a fat wallet.

[reefgirl189]

Looks very nice and clean! Why did you decide to get a pair of clowns? Do you want to breed?

[DCDN]

Welcome to Canreef
It looks like you have a great start. Looks good so far

[Bill@IA]

Looking good Shaun. I think you have come to the right place to start your tank journal. Definitely a good way to track the progress. :biggrin:

[Shwabber]

Thanks Everyone!


Looks very nice and clean! Why did you decide to get a pair of clowns? Do you want to breed?

Not planning on breeding.... just thought it would be easier on their transition if they were already paired. If they do happen to mate that's ok too!:biggrin: