On the Bright Side

shesacharmer · 06/27/2014, 07:38 AM

After struggling with so many of the typical problems that newbies to saltwater face (and getting terrific help here on this forum) I thought it might be beneficial to point out one of the benefits of choosing to allow my display tank to remain fallow for 12 weeks.

It continues to amaze me the diversity of life forms that continue to show up in my tank. I bought my tank used and moved it in it's entirety, water and all, two hours away and set it back up the same day. I had a few of the tiniest coral frags you've ever seen and three damsel fish that went on to be another whole story.

I purchased additional live rock from a LFS as I was fairly sure I didn't have enough and they assured me it was totally cured. I should have listened more closely when they told me the tank I selected the rock from came mostly from tear downs (I can hear you chuckling in the background.)

In any case, having no fish in my tank for three weeks now while they endured TTM and QT has allowed me to focus on my growing coral collection and study their likes/dislikes and plan the future growth. It's also allowed me to observe the amazing array of uninvited guests that have shown up from all this live rock...

Green bubble algae, Astarina Starfish, Montipora Eating Nudibranchs, Majanos, Aiptasia, Diatoms,

, Stomatellas, Pods, Random Corals, Brittle Stars, it's been an amazing adventure in learning.

So if you have been struggling with your new tank don't panic. Listen to those who have been there, done that, and succeeded in creating beautiful tanks that we only dream of emulating. It's an exciting thing that we have taken on...embrace it in all of it's challenges.

And don't forget to thank the marvelous people here on this forum that help us every single day! You guys ROCK!

shesacharmer · 06/27/2014, 07:53 AM

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photo IMG_20140429_161040_611_zpssbmxjfvl.jpg

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The Tank I Bought

And where I am now:

shesacharmer · 06/27/2014, 07:54 AM

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shesacharmer · 06/27/2014, 07:56 AM

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photo IMG_20140621_162335_275_zpscyw8x6w1.jpg

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Having trouble loading the video so hopefully the still pic works.

Pife · 06/27/2014, 12:18 PM

It is looking good.

shesacharmer · 06/27/2014, 01:52 PM

Thanks Pife!

06/27/2014, 07:38 AM	#1
shesacharmer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central NH Posts: 1,241	On the Bright Side After struggling with so many of the typical problems that newbies to saltwater face (and getting terrific help here on this forum) I thought it might be beneficial to point out one of the benefits of choosing to allow my display tank to remain fallow for 12 weeks. It continues to amaze me the diversity of life forms that continue to show up in my tank. I bought my tank used and moved it in it's entirety, water and all, two hours away and set it back up the same day. I had a few of the tiniest coral frags you've ever seen and three damsel fish that went on to be another whole story. I purchased additional live rock from a LFS as I was fairly sure I didn't have enough and they assured me it was totally cured. I should have listened more closely when they told me the tank I selected the rock from came mostly from tear downs (I can hear you chuckling in the background.) In any case, having no fish in my tank for three weeks now while they endured TTM and QT has allowed me to focus on my growing coral collection and study their likes/dislikes and plan the future growth. It's also allowed me to observe the amazing array of uninvited guests that have shown up from all this live rock... Green bubble algae, Astarina Starfish, Montipora Eating Nudibranchs, Majanos, Aiptasia, Diatoms, , Stomatellas, Pods, Random Corals, Brittle Stars, it's been an amazing adventure in learning. So if you have been struggling with your new tank don't panic. Listen to those who have been there, done that, and succeeded in creating beautiful tanks that we only dream of emulating. It's an exciting thing that we have taken on...embrace it in all of it's challenges. And don't forget to thank the marvelous people here on this forum that help us every single day! You guys ROCK! __________________ 75 gal, LR w/refugium, 79 deg, PH 8.0, sg 1.025, amm 0/nit 0/nit 0, Calcium 420, dKH 8.3, mag 1300, Phos 0 Current Tank Info: A work in progress...

06/27/2014, 07:53 AM	#2
shesacharmer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central NH Posts: 1,241	[IMG][/IMG] The Tank I Bought And where I am now: __________________ 75 gal, LR w/refugium, 79 deg, PH 8.0, sg 1.025, amm 0/nit 0/nit 0, Calcium 420, dKH 8.3, mag 1300, Phos 0 Current Tank Info: A work in progress...

06/27/2014, 07:54 AM	#3
shesacharmer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central NH Posts: 1,241	[IMG][/IMG] __________________ 75 gal, LR w/refugium, 79 deg, PH 8.0, sg 1.025, amm 0/nit 0/nit 0, Calcium 420, dKH 8.3, mag 1300, Phos 0 Current Tank Info: A work in progress...

06/27/2014, 07:56 AM	#4
shesacharmer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central NH Posts: 1,241	[IMG][/IMG] Having trouble loading the video so hopefully the still pic works. __________________ 75 gal, LR w/refugium, 79 deg, PH 8.0, sg 1.025, amm 0/nit 0/nit 0, Calcium 420, dKH 8.3, mag 1300, Phos 0 Current Tank Info: A work in progress...

06/27/2014, 12:18 PM	#5
Pife Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 7,408	It is looking good. __________________ Brandon I'm not saying let's get rid of all the stupid people.* I'm just saying let's remove all the warning labels and let the problem work itself out. Current Tank Info: 150g DT plumbed to an 80g frag tank and 220g sump in the basement. ~6-MP40s ~ 12 ATI powered t5s ~ Reefbrites and Radions supplementing ~ Custom GEO Skimmer ~ GEO CA Reactor 6x24~ Iwaki 70 Return ~

06/27/2014, 01:52 PM	#6
shesacharmer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central NH Posts: 1,241	Thanks Pife! __________________ 75 gal, LR w/refugium, 79 deg, PH 8.0, sg 1.025, amm 0/nit 0/nit 0, Calcium 420, dKH 8.3, mag 1300, Phos 0 Current Tank Info: A work in progress...