Possibly starting first ever small FOWLR SW tank and looking for info

[Kevotron]

One of the most important thing I learned about this hobby is that you cannot cheap out on certain things....
in the end it will cost you more than you would save.. thats how I was taught the lesson lol
judging from the pics it looks like a pretty sweet lil set up !

[CGY_Betta_Guy]

Thanks everyone for the advice... Ok... so I gotta go out and get me a real lemon or lime... dont suppose something like hydrogen peroxide would work? Just curious since it can be used in a fresh water tank to kill algae when squirted onto it directly and I have a bottle of it on hand. Since it breaks down to water in light I figure it would not hurt to give it (the aiptasia) a shot?

I figure I will go with the skimmer... put the investment into it I might as well use it. I does add a little bit of noise though. I will also probably remove the scrubbies and foam after I start stocking the tank... right now I hope its picking up some of the junk floating off the LR and will monitor it.

@reefwars actually there are not much bubbles in my sump... the picture above has an acrylic lid on the sump which is getting lots of condensation... kinda looks like bubbles. The white PVC portion at the drains actually sits just under the water level by design since I knew splashing would be annoying. The water level just happens to be perfect height for the skimmer to do its job too. A filter sock sounds like it might be a good idea vs the foam and scrubbies.

@kevotron thanks for the compliment. I hope that I can reduce the costly mistakes by referring to more experienced people on this board. My first mistake already occurred. Someone told me to go with a refractometer vs a hydrometer and I went the cheap route... not even sure this thing is giving me a correct reading. I just ordered a refractometer online since it was on sale, however it is the cheaper one so fingers crossed!

[CGY_Betta_Guy]

Been staring at the tank and found me some critters... here are some pics of what I have spotted so far.... please help me identify and let me know if they are good or bad to have...

1) Copepod? right in the middle of the shot.


2) a couple little white tubey arms/worms sticking out right in the center of the shots



3) a little sponge? translucent cylindrical shaped tube pointing downwards just below the red dot located in the middle of the shot


4)some sort of starfish... right in the middle of the shot.



5) This one kinda spooked me a bit... saw it peak out and duck back in several times... guessing a crab of some kind?

[Kevotron]

Maybe you have urself a Mantis Shrimp

[CGY_Betta_Guy]

I think the guy pictured above is a shrimp of some kind... heard 2 small snap/clicks (like static electricity) coming from the tank so either a mantis or a pistol shrimp?

1) I did also find 2 crabs in my tank as well.. can anyone ID these? This first crab will now be relocated into my sump.




2) bad picture but can just make out the legs dead center of the pic.


3) and after taking a pic with the flash of the second crab I also noticed this little black pod located just to the left of center of the picture right next to the bottle I used to trap the first crab. Kinda looks like a shell and has since dissappeared.