Newbie looking for a mentor and ID

Glennrf38 · #1 07-26-2006, 02:18 AM

Here are some pics

Before adding the actinic and removing the eheim

fishie

Glennrf38 · #2 07-26-2006, 02:24 AM

full tank with DIY T5 hood

albert_dao · #3 07-26-2006, 02:53 AM

Hey Glenn, I see a couple of problems with your tank ATM:

The rock-rubble placement encourages accumulation of detritus. With the sandbed and all, you're already going to have a hard time keeping the tank clean. The low number of access points under your rock will only compound that problem. Bringing the rock structure higher will also allow you to bring the corals closer to the surface and to the light, which is a problem here.

Next, take out the dead scallop as soon as you get a chance, it's only going to trap more detritus.

Last, you gotta pull the man-eating shark outta there. Those things get HUGE! I don't think you have a properly sized tank for it. It would be cruel of you to leave it in there.

Edit: Next time you're by, ask me and I'll show you some hand pointers on stacking rock.

Edit #2: Watch out for those green serpent stars! They are notorious fish eaters.

andrewsk · #4 07-26-2006, 03:09 AM

I was just about to post something similar to Albert about the rocks-sand.

I think you said your sand bed is 2" right.

A shallow sand bed should really only be about a 1/2" of sand that you can clean with a siphon to remove any detrious on a regular basis.

A deep sand bed should be 4 - 8 inches deep to get any of the benefits of the nitrifying bacteria.

Since you are in the middle, you get none of the benefits and all of the problems.

As for the rocks, I would check with albert and take his advise on stacking them. If you went with a deep sand bed, it would not be as big of a problem though.

Anyway. My 2 cents.

andrewsk · #5 07-26-2006, 03:10 AM

Oh, one more thing. Have you tried this website:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/

Simply the best resource on the net.

Glennrf38 · #6 07-26-2006, 03:28 AM

Was 2 inches. Did a 30% water change last night and cleaned out a lot of the sand on one side. It s down to about 1/2 inch on that side. Plan on changing the other side in the next day or two.

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewsk

I was just about to post something similar to Albert about the rocks-sand.

I think you said your sand bed is 2" right.

shallow sand bed should really only be about a 1/2" of sand that you can clean with a siphon to remove any detrious on a regular basis.

A deep sand bed should be 4 - 8 inches deep to get any of the benefits of the nitrifying bacteria.

Since you are in the middle, you get none of the benefits and all of the problems.

As for the rocks, I would check with albert and take his advise on stacking them. If you went with a deep sand bed, it would not be as big of a problem though.

Anyway. My 2 cents.

andrewsk · #7 07-26-2006, 04:41 AM

Good work.

That will help reduce the nutrients in your tank quaite a bit. You will need to keep it clean. I actually have a good LONG vaccum you can have. It does an amazing job of washing the gravel.

I chose to go Bare Bottom with my new tank and already see the advantage of grabbing a powerhead and just blowing all of the crap out from under the rocks.

Glennrf38 · #8 07-26-2006, 04:42 AM

That would be great. Thanks

Glennrf38 · #9 07-26-2006, 03:37 AM

Wanna give me some pointers on here tonight? I have a post into the guy in Dewinton selling some rock for about another 15 lbs. he has some live mushrooms on his that go with the rock @ $4/lb.

Lee-Anne wants to know if you wanna buy a "slightly used" flame scallop LOL.

Is it safe to move the rock while the critters are still in or should I try to get them out?

She says the shark stays. He has been in there and happy for 1 year now.

I was told the green serpent was a bristle star and was safe and friendly??

Thanks

Quagmire · #10 07-26-2006, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glennrf38

I was told the green serpent was a bristle star and was safe and friendly??

Depends on the definition of safe.They dont eat corals so in that reguard they're safe.But in my experiance,they eat fish and will knock corals over.All the other bristle sarts are great additions from what Ive read and been told.(haven't tried one again after getting rid of the green one about 5 yrs ago)Good luck and enjoy the new hobby.PS take the Wife out for dinner now while you have the cash