My 45 Gal. Reef Build - First Timer

[rdnelson99]

Amazing build so far! Just finished reading through it and I have a few questions.

Is it fine to keep a tang in that size of a tank? How long will it be before you need a larger tank?

This is inspiring for another first timer, like myself, who is going to attempt a reef tank as well!

The tang is a Kole which doesn't require as large of a tank as a normal tang. I will need to upgrade within a year or two or find him a new home. I have been keeping my eyes open for a good deal on a bigger tank. Thanks for your comments. I have been very happy with the progress so far.

 

[rdnelson99]

Ok, two more videos. The first is the full tank video with all the corals open. the hammer is going to have to move because it just doesn't seem to like that spot much but the frogspawn seems to really like it's new home.

The second is another video of the fire shrimp. He doesn't come out much so I try to catch him whenever he is out.

Tank update 10-30-11 - YouTube

10-30-11 Fire Shrimp - YouTube

 

[User]

Wow it looks good! Cant wait to get mine started! I do not know if I will be able to upgrade so I think it would be better if I did not get one. Thanks for letting me know!

 

[rdnelson99]

I thought long and hard about getting him. Talked to a lot of LFS and several people on this site who I trusted. He seems to be very happy so far but I just have to remember it won't stay that way forever. Looking forward to seeing your tank. Have you started a build thread? Is so, send me a link, I would love to follow it.

 

[User]

I have a thread on another forum right now. I am going to start on here soon and condense a lot of the information so it will be cleaner. The tank will not be set up until spring so it will be quite boring until then lol.

What test kit do you use? Also, how often do you clean out your canister filter? You do not have a protein skimmer right? Sorry for all the questions I am really curious!

 

[rdnelson99]

No problem on the questions. I do not have a prottein skimmer. I am waiting until I build my sump (just finished building the overflow) then I will get one I can put in the sump. I have cleaned the canister only one time. I put some carbon it at that time but it has been over a month now. I really need to do it again. LOL So far though, my readings have been on the money so I am just keeping an eye on it.

I have the API Saltwater Mater and Reef Master test kits. After I bought them I found out the are not the best but for now I am going to use them up. I knew I was a bit low on Magnisium but refused to dose until I could test for it. A couple weeks ago I bought an Elos mag test kit. I was at the low end of what is acceptable. I did the epson salt method of dosing twice but so far it seems to be maintainin since then.

 

[redsea]

Very nice! I got myself a Fire Shrimp yesterday! Your tank looks wonderful, the Frogspawn and the Goby looks really nice. I like how he "scoots" along the bottom. Maybe I will get one someday.

 

[Jlsardina]

Looks awesome!

 

[User]

Nice I will look into different test kits then. I only have the sw master kit. I was going to get some Elos ones as well or the reef one.

Finally condensed all my into onto a thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f71/40-176368.html#post1618624

 

[rdnelson99]

Very nice! I got myself a Fire Shrimp yesterday! Your tank looks wonderful, the Frogspawn and the Goby looks really nice. I like how he "scoots" along the bottom. Maybe I will get one someday.

You are going to love the fire shrimp. The deep red color is amazing.

 

[rdnelson99]

Looks awesome!

Thanks. I appreciate it.

 

[User]

What size sump are you making? Any plans on anything specific for it yet?

 

[rdnelson99]

What size sump are you making? Any plans on anything specific for it yet?

I am working on a design right now. The foot print I have available is 30" x 15" but I can go as high as I want. I have access to 31 x 31 x 1/2 milk white acrylic for $10 a sheet so I am designing around that. I think I have it figured out but want to mull it over for a day or two. May try to build it next weekend.

 

[User]

Ok I will definately be watching this then. Good luck!

 

[coffeetwitch]

looking good rd.

 

[rdnelson99]

Thanks Jessie. I appreciate it.

 

[rdnelson99]

When I fed the tank tonight my Frogspawn caught a few pellet. Made for some cool looking pictures.

 

[coffeetwitch]

very cool pictures.

 

[Jlsardina]

Lol. That is cool looking!

 

[rdnelson99]

Thought I would update some coral pics. On the Monti you can see a verticle ridge running down the left side. Everything to the left of it is new growth over the past 4 weeks.