Newb and his 38g Ocean
 

Nothing superb, mainly pics of me starting up. I'll most a few just to give a story line, however all my other pics are located here.

Quick specs: 38g, 36x12x20, 36" 1x96W 50/50, 200w ebojager, 802 powerhead w/ filter. 12lbs figi LR, 30lbs sugarsand. started dec 27th, restarted jan 2nd.

day 1 - 12lbs of LR. 30lbs of sugar sand. filled up the tank with some water and salt. cloudy? yes.
http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/alb...l_DSC03672.JPG

day 2 : dec 28th - filled all the way up. still cloudy
http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/alb...l_DSC03712.JPG

jan 2 - couldn't take the cloudyness, wasn't getting any better. got a filter for the powerhead, removed all the water, and sand. gave the sand a rinse, and started again. (pic from jan 3rd) difference made from the filter, and rinsing the sand.
http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/alb...-cleanup03.JPG

first diy - wanted to make something while I wait for my cycle. made a cover for my tank at work. more pics
http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/alb...l_DSC03731.JPG

jan 5 - tank as of today. got one little shrimp in there for the cycle (cocktail stuff).
http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/alb...l_DSC03738.JPG

And thats it for now. Again check out my gallery for more pics.

nice pics
wohhooo gj on the cover
hey your lighting, is it two 65w pcs? how much?

I guess putting my lighting down would help ;)

http://store2.yimg.com/I/lamps-now_1772_581442

Coralife Aqualights : 36" 1x96W Coralife Aqualight CF hood w/ 50/50 -Square Pin

looking good, but you are right, you need more rock :)

Great pics, I would love to have some pics like that to post :cry:
Starting up a new tank is always so much fun.
I like the lights too.
Can't wait to see it slowly fill up.
Great job :biggrin:

Thanks everyone for their comments!

I know, I just wish it wasn't so expensive!

Nice lights. I still have the exact same one for sale with a pretty new bulb if you need another canopy.

Its snowing in my tank!
 

http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/alb...l_DSC03747.JPG

Okay, so maybe its not snowing. I thought it looked cool.

(and before anyone asks, the location of the tank is only temporary, till my stand is built).

So my tank has progressed a little. I got some LR from emptymind, and lostmind gave me a cup of LS from his tank with a Spaghetti Worm. Wow is that cool to watch when you got nothing in your tank! Over the next few days I noticed a few Amphipod's, and during the last 2-3 days I've noticed a fair amount of Algea (diatoms?) growing on the sand, glass, and rocks.

My tests are still the same from day one, .25 NH3, and the rest 0.

I went by JL today, and picked up a few Invertebrates's. I got one Red Scarlet Hermit Crab, one Blue Leg Hermits Crab, three Astrea Snails, and two Cerith Snails.

The red scarlet crab is awesome to watch. It's the biggest (about 1"), and likes roaming around. I can't wait till tomorrow to turn on my light to really see them. I've kept it off ever since I got them.

http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/alb...l_scarlet1.JPG

Took some pics today.

My batteries were dead earlier on however, and I missed out on a good photo op. One of the Cerith snails had found its way onto my floating thermometer. He was surfing the waves for quite a while.

I am wondering if your lighting will be enough. I myself have the double 96W Aqualight on my 50. My tank is only 18" deep as compared to your 20" :question:

All the corals in my tank are living pretty well with only 1 96w actinic, so I doubt he'll have any problems. I've got a 10,000k too, but it causes too much algae growth when I leave it on for the day. Maybe I'll use it again after I wipe out those hair algae.

My tank is going to be mainly FOWLR for a while. If anything one or two mushrooms. Before I do get some serious corals, I'll look at upgrading my lighting then.

So I dropped by Fin-Omenal today to pick up some LR. I saw some sweet LR about a week ago, and thought I'd go by and pick up a big peice for my tank, as I don't have enough yet.

Spoke with Kate & Dawn while I was there! Super nice! Anyhoo, so I got a nice 8lbs LR, which is a nice new addition to my tank. Its nice and big compared to what I have in there, and looks awesome!

http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/alb...l_DSC03837.JPG

So they were packing up my rock for me, and while talking to them about my setup, they said they have something for me to take for free for my tank.

A Fish!! It is a damselfish (I forgot the name, hopefully someone can recognize it). About 3-4" in length.

http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/alb...l_DSC03843.JPG

They said that one of their customers gave it to them, but its putting to much of a bioload on their tank. Since my tank has been running for about 3, almost 4 weeks now, with no changes in my tank readings, they said this would help out. Sweet!!

Anyhoo, I wrote more on my site, check it out here.