New reef tank! 41 Gallon Fluval Osaka. Suggestions?

redearslider · #1 09-08-2012, 04:36 AM

Hi everyone!
I am Tasha and am starting a reef tank.

It is a Fluval Osaka 41G

I have in it so far:

30lbs argonite
50lbs live rock (Some is lava?)
2 powerheads, (1 small and one large)
A small fluval internal filter.
A Current USA SunPod 250W MH Fixture
5 hermit crabs
2 pink turbo snails

I also added some green zoos and green star polyps

All of my levels are now good and at zero, but I just got a bunch of brown algae all over my rock, pumps, and sand! it looks terrible, I am thinking this is a normal process though?

Anyways I know I will need to add more things soon, and figure out something for a skimmer/filter. and stocking help too

I am fairly new and have been doing a lot of research but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

Edmonton newbie · #2 09-08-2012, 05:08 AM

nice start better get to frag fest 4 at blue world on sunday lots of people there to answer questions

Nano · #3 09-08-2012, 05:53 AM

The Brown algae is Diatoms normal in a new set up. IMO you may want to beef up filtration or look into a sump this will clean the electronics out of the display and add to your over all water volume which is always a plus. Not necessary though if your on top of water changes.

gregzz4 · #4 09-08-2012, 06:21 AM

Any algae at startup is normal
You're going to go through some cycling before it calms down

Read, read, and read some more
There are SO many posts here to look through

Ditch the internal filter

I read for months before I started my tank and still had to ask questions ...

Aysha · #5 09-08-2012, 07:58 AM

I've heard mixed things on lava rock, the general consensus seems to be not to use it.
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6...tank-1754.html

another thing that helps is listing exactly what is in your tank
example powerheads, filters.
who makes them? what size?
example a maxijet 900 or 1200
or a tunze 9002 protein skimmer?
Information helps everyone help each other.

lpsreefer · #6 09-08-2012, 08:43 AM

Nice start!

redearslider · #7 09-08-2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aysha

I've heard mixed things on lava rock, the general consensus seems to be not to use it.
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6...tank-1754.html

another thing that helps is listing exactly what is in your tank
example powerheads, filters.
who makes them? what size?
example a maxijet 900 or 1200
or a tunze 9002 protein skimmer?
Information helps everyone help each other.

Thanks! I will certainly put more information up later on today.