New reef tank! 41 Gallon Fluval Osaka. Suggestions?

[MKLKT]

I'd recommend adding the rock but holding off on the corals... if you add too much livestock too quickly you aren't giving the biofilter enough time to adjust, this can cause water quality issues since the tank is so new.

Biggest issue with lava rock is the fact that it contains a large proportion of silicates, which are nice perpetual algae/diatom suppliments. It can also have other trace elements that you don't want.

Live rock is old calciferous skeleton. Dry rock is generally okay as well. Honestly with "new" live rock, used and dry rock it's good to have a very close look at it to see what you're getting. When you're new to the hobby it's easy to miss potential problems as everything is so new to you.

Education and patience.

[redearslider]

Thanks for the suggestions! Maybe I will hold off and do some more research. Yes, the lava rock is gone, but the tank looks oh so empty now lol..

The rock I am getting used to be live, but has been dried out.

I have been using aiptasia-x and think i have gotten most of the little buggers.

[redearslider]

Update on my Fluval Osaka 41G

I haven't posted in a while but wanted to come and share the progress on my tank. I will get some pictures right away!I now have:

30lbs argonite
2 powerheads:
Active Aqua pump 250GPH
Laguna pt 8100 80GPH
Current USA SunPod 250W MH Fixture
18 blue LED's
Aquaclear 10 submersible heater 50W

15 ish hermit crabs
5 pink turbo snails
Brittle sea star
tuxedo urchin
2 paradise snails
2 cerith snails
1 cleaner shrimp
green bta

gsp
kenya tree
green zoas
orange and green zoas
various small zoas growing on rocks
featherdusters (hitchhikers)

tomato clown
yellow tang
lyretail anthias
bangaii cardinal
2 blue chromis