55 gallon FOWLR Build converted from FW

[gpd605x]

I had this set up as a FW tank and decided to switch it over to SW. It's been up and running now since August, so far I haven't had any major issues.

Here's how it looks today with the exception of the filter, moved it behind the rock.

Here's my equipment so far... I have my Marineland Bio-Wheel 350 (for now),
200W Heater, Deep Blue SolarmaxHE double T5 light w/ moonlight LED's, Cheapo Hydrometer and a Marineland Powerhead (Unknown GPH, came with the tank).
200W Heater

Deep Blue SolarmaxHE Double T5 Light

Powerhead

I currently have 16lbs of LR and Crushed coral substrate. I plan on getting more LR, just have to get it a little at a time due to budget constraints.

I plan on getting a protein skimmer, an additional powerhead/wave maker, HOB overflow and to make my 10g tank into a sump.

Cleanup Crew:
A bunch of Turbo Snails and some hermit crabs. I want to get some cleaner shrimp and maybe a few different type of snails.

Fish:
I had 2 Yellowtail Damsels and 2 Blue/Green Chromis after the tank cycled. About a week after I introduced them all into the tank, 1 Damsel died. A week and a half later the other Damsel died. All of my levels checked out fine as you can see below so I'm not quite sure what went wrong w/ them.

 

[Khij159753]

Probably added too much too fast and don't have enough LR.

 

[Beengirl]

I had this set up as a FW tank and decided to switch it over to SW. It's been up and running now since August, so far I haven't had any major issues.

Here's how it looks today with the exception of the filter, moved it behind the rock.

Here's my equipment so far... I have my Marineland Bio-Wheel 350 (for now),
200W Heater, Deep Blue SolarmaxHE double T5 light w/ moonlight LED's, Cheapo Hydrometer and a Marineland Powerhead (Unknown GPH, came with the tank).
200W Heater

Deep Blue SolarmaxHE Double T5 Light

Powerhead

I currently have 16lbs of LR and Crushed coral substrate. I plan on getting more LR, just have to get it a little at a time due to budget constraints.

I plan on getting a protein skimmer, an additional powerhead/wave maker, HOB overflow and to make my 10g tank into a sump.

Cleanup Crew:
A bunch of Turbo Snails and some hermit crabs. I want to get some cleaner shrimp and maybe a few different type of snails.

Fish:
I had 2 Yellowtail Damsels and 2 Blue/Green Chromis after the tank cycled. About a week after I introduced them all into the tank, 1 Damsel died. A week and a half later the other Damsel died. All of my levels checked out fine as you can see below so I'm not quite sure what went wrong w/ them.

I'm not sure why your damsels died. Your levels in the pic there seem to be good. What's your temp at? Specific gravity? Is it ok if I'm nosey and ask what is the orange/yellow thing on sand on left side of pic?
You could add more rock if you want, the fish would probably appreciate more places to hide/sleep. The rock is not required, but makes it look more like a natural setting and gives fish places to hide and swim through.

 

[gpd605x]

Its a diatom bloom. The snails and hermit crabs seen to be taking care of it

 

[begginersluck]

Personally i think your nitrate looks a little high. Not by much but it may need a look at.

Are you running a protein skimmer?

 

[gpd605x]

Not at the moment. I need to get one but just waiting for funds to build up. They aren't cheap lol. What could I do to lower the Nitrates a little bit?

 

[begginersluck]

Water changes will reduce them. Start with a 20% then see how you go.

 

[gpd605x]

Well, my wife surprised me Friday and brought home 2 clown fish. One was a little bigger than the other but overall I was excited. I told her that I wanted to get rock instead but she really wanted the clowns too so she went ahead and got them.

Here's the smaller one:

Not even after 12hrs after being acclimated and in the tank, the smaller one has died. I kept looking at him about 6hrs after entered into the tank and he was staying in a corner and not really roaming around. I know that they sometimes do that because they are in a new environment and once they get comfortable they will start to roam. The larger Clown did that immediately which brought my suspicion to the smaller one. Around 7-8hrs in the tank I noticed that he kept "falling" on his side then getting back up then slowly doing it again. So I did some reading and saw that sometimes they sleep on their side so I figured that was it. I went to bed and turned off the lights. After about an hour with the lights off I went to check on him again and couldn't find him so I figured he went into some rock to "sleep". Woke up this morning and he was in a corner and the crabs were feeding on him. Checked my water parameters again and they all are reading like they are supposed to. I'm calling the LFS today to see if they can see if they know what could have happened. Also bringing them some water so they can double check my test results.

 

[Beengirl]

Sorry to hear about your fish. It's sad when one of these beautiful fish die.

 

[gpd605x]

Well a little update...

Tank is still doing good, no problems. Haven't added any more LR yet, found a guy (3hrs away) that has about 80lbs for $1 per lbs. Hopefully I will get it soon. Still have the 2 Chromis and the 1 clown. I got a gift card for xmas to my LFS so I went in and got a beautiful Flame Angel. They said they just got him in on a trade so it's used to the tank life. Acclimated him for an hour and so far he is doing great. I just love the colors on him/her. My next plan is to get the LR, hopefully soon. Not many other plans for the tank right now.

 

[Kimlafeiet]

Your angel is beautiful!

 

[gpd605x]

Thanks! I've wanted one since the first time I saw him/her.

 

[gpd605x]

Found a good deal on Craigslist. 2 Clowns, 2 Chromis, 30lbs of LR and Seaclone 100 Protein Skimmer for $130.

New rock on the Left

I've heard things about more than 2 clowns but I've been watching them closely and they aren't chasing each other or anything. They larger 2 are keeping together while the smallest (one I had) is keeping to himself. They are ranged pretty much small, medium and large. I want to get 2 or 3 nems to help out the separation. The 2 chromis are a bit larger as well and everyone seem's to be getting along. With the new rock, I created a lot of hiding spaces and small spots. If they start to become aggressive with the smaller Clown, I will just bring him back to my LFS and get something else.

 

[gpd605x]

A little update, the 3 clowns are doing fine. Every time I see them they aren't chasing each other or anything. If I see anything like that, I'll move the smaller clown to my 10 gal tank. Also noticed a small bit of green hair algea growing, just need to get some inverts to clean that up. I've also noticed a lot of red stuff growing on the LR. It looks a little stringy. Not sure what it is, if anyone could help me out...

 

[gpd605x]

While looking at the tank, I noticed my Flame Angel's right eye looked to have some white over its eye.... I just noticed this within the past few days. Here's some pictures of its eye. It's hard to get a good still shot of it. It's constantly on the move.
Here's its left eye

and now the right

 

[Dmann]

The red growth looks like cyano bacteria

 

[Crystal A]

Yup that's cyano. More water changes and less feeding is really the only cure to cyano.

 

[gpd605x]

Well I'm moving sometime next week and get to break the tank down and clean it really well. I found a few tips/techniques on how to move it and all. Any suggestions? Since I have this Cyno Slime outbreak, what could I do about it? Can I take the rock and lightly scrub the cyno or what? From what I've read, it's best to get new water for the tank but wouldn't getting new water have to be cycled just like starting with a new tank? Should I keep some of the old water and mix it? My substrate is crushed coral, do I need to re-rinse it or just leave it? I read that with Live Sand its best to throw out the old sand and get new... Just want to make sure I do everything right and whats best for the tank and the fish.

 

[amanda_marie]

Well I'm moving sometime next week and get to break the tank down and clean it really well. I found a few tips/techniques on how to move it and all. Any suggestions? Since I have this Cyno Slime outbreak, what could I do about it? Can I take the rock and lightly scrub the cyno or what? From what I've read, it's best to get new water for the tank but wouldn't getting new water have to be cycled just like starting with a new tank? Should I keep some of the old water and mix it? My substrate is crushed coral, do I need to re-rinse it or just leave it? I read that with Live Sand its best to throw out the old sand and get new... Just want to make sure I do everything right and whats best for the tank and the fish.

I can't answer all your questions as I've never dealt with moving a tank but will try and help out with what I can.

Since you are moving it though I would suggest maybe switching to sand. Crushed corals is bad for trapping debris which can lead to high nutrient problems. Also, because sand is more fine it offers more area for beneficial bacteria to reside.

When it comes to moving substrate I believe the problems would usually occur when the substrate is stirred around releasing what were once trapped nutrients. This can cause a mini cycle and other issues.


Now, the questions about the water. The bacteria that are present in your tank after the cycling are on the surfaces; live rocks, substrate, etc. Replacing the water won't affect your cycle.
I'd use what water is in the tank for transporting the fish but otherwise start out fresh. That should also help in removing some of the nutrients that are present and causing the cyano. Just be sure to match the parameters; salinity, temp, pH, etc. when it comes to the new water.

 

[gpd605x]

Well finished the move. A bit of a pain but overall not too bad. Got all the rock and tank all nice and clean. Added new water, new salt and several hours later, the fish.

Temp was right around 77ish degrees.