Just wanted to tell My Story!

kcochran0010 · 07/07/2010, 10:17 PM

Okay well to start off I am still considered a newbie to the hobby being as I have only had a tank up and running for about 2 months now! I have been through three tanks though and none of them have had good luck untill this one!

Tank one. 120 gallon with overflow and sump and odyssea reef lights.. I learned the hard way that I do not care for odyssea brand what so ever! But heres the story! I was setting up my 90 gal sump and my friend siliconed the baffles in while I was at work. I came home and everything looked great so I let the tank cure! The next day I set the tank up and put everything I had in there along with 2 maroon clowns, orange spot goby, and a hippo tang and some CUC! Two days later everything was dead!! I had no idea what was wrong.. FRIEND USED SILICONE THAT WASNT AQUARIUM SAFE!! Ughh on to the next tank!

Tank two. 58 gallon with overflow and sump/fuge and hamilton technology 150watt halide! Well to keep it short and sweet I rushed everything and didnt wait and killed everything yet again! onto the good part!

Survival Tank Three. I set up a 75 gallon tank with overflow, reef octopus skimmer, mag return pump, and sump/fuge together in one! As for the lights I have a 2x 150 watt halide and 2x 130 watt actinics blue and pink bulbs! I set the tank up with my live rock that I saved and some friends water and sand.. Tank only took a week to cycle. I kept and eye on everything for 3 weeks and finally started with the fish.. I have had my yellow tang and 2 clowns now for over a month. I have had the corals for a week. All the params are where the should be and everything is going great!! I love it. I am getting a new camera soon and I Will teach my self how to add pictures!!

warbyd · 07/07/2010, 10:30 PM

You really think your first poor experience was your friend's fault? How about your not allowing sufficient time to cure (one day? You're dreaming..) and adding a whole heap of livestock so fast??

kcochran0010 · 07/07/2010, 10:35 PM

Not saying it was all his fault but using silicone that says on the back not aquarium safe has a big part to do with it.. And he said the silcione said 24 hours to cure.. Thats why I said I'm a newbie.. everyone makes mistakes.. thanks for the input though. good day and god bless!

kcochran0010 · 07/07/2010, 10:37 PM

And the live stock was in the tank before I even made that sump.. Just though you should know!

Arizonah13 · 07/07/2010, 11:01 PM

Third times the charm! What did you do with your old tanks?

I'm glad to hear #3 is coming around for you! My tank just passed the 1 month mark and I can't wait to start adding some nice hardy corals! (in another week or two)

kcochran0010 · 07/07/2010, 11:08 PM

That sounds great!! I just added some corals a few days ago.. small frags. I purchased some clove coral I think, kenya tree, star burst, and 2 types of leathers/mushrooms. Like I said I am new to all this and have PLENTY to learn. I wish you luck with your tank and corals! I will try to get pictures soon! But the first 120 I cleaned out with vinegar really good and sold the system. The second tank is sitting here waiting to be picked up by someone hopefully this weekend.! What fish do you have?

Arizonah13 · 07/07/2010, 11:11 PM

I cycled with live rock/sand and added 1 ocellaris clown after having my tank up for 1 week. (also added 3 hermit crabs); then just added a teeeeny little juvie ocellaris about 4-5 days ago along with a peppermint shrimp and green clown goby. So far, so good!

What other fish do you plan on adding to go with your tang and clowns?

kcochran0010 · 07/07/2010, 11:14 PM

Thats great to hear all is good so far. Its a scary thing waiting to make sure everything is going to live

I purchased two skunk cleaners but lost them due to slightly high salinity but I have that in check now but for now I know I for sure want 2 skunk cleaners. A blue hippo tang! Kind of deciding on maybe 1 or 2 more tank mates! Any suggestions. I also want to get a pistol shrimp/goby pair.

Arizonah13 · 07/07/2010, 11:53 PM

I love the relationship of the pistol/goby pairs

A flame angel might be a nice little splash of color for your tank as well.

Grant W · 07/08/2010, 12:34 AM

All I can add is try to be patient and let the system mature some so it can keep up with the bio load you want to keep in it. slllllllllllllooooooooowwwwww down you will have more success and an easier time keeping your tank but it sounds like you're off to a good start

touhy · 07/08/2010, 12:35 AM

I don't really understand. Why would you get rid of the first two tanks? You acknowledged what the problem was; and it wasnt the equipment. So why get rid of them and get new equipment each time?

Palting · 07/08/2010, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcochran0010

Thats great to hear all is good so far. Its a scary thing waiting to make sure everything is going to live

I purchased two skunk cleaners but lost them due to slightly high salinity but I have that in check now but for now I know I for sure want 2 skunk cleaners. A blue hippo tang! Kind of deciding on maybe 1 or 2 more tank mates! Any suggestions. I also want to get a pistol shrimp/goby pair.

I love tangs!. Having said that, they are supposed to be in nothing smaller than a 100 gal. Good luck!

kcochran0010 · 07/08/2010, 08:20 AM

Alright thanks for everyones input! Appreciate it and thanks for listening!

cpl40475 · 07/08/2010, 10:37 PM

If you need some local help join LMAS.org i think Thats the Louisville Marine Aq Society. Some very knowledgable ppl there. As others have stated what did you do with the other tanks and why switch them out if only the sump was messed up?

Ethan_W · 07/08/2010, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palting

I love tangs!. Having said that, they are supposed to be in nothing smaller than a 100 gal. Good luck!

i disagree, i think certain types can be kept in tanks as small as 75. like yellow tangs. but to the OP i wouldnt add the hippo or any other tangs since there is a yellow tang already in there. also flame angels can pick at corals, so u gotta be careful with them. some people get lucky and get ones that never bother their corals. others... not so much

Ethan_W · 07/08/2010, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcochran0010

Thats great to hear all is good so far. Its a scary thing waiting to make sure everything is going to live

I purchased two skunk cleaners but lost them due to slightly high salinity but I have that in check now but for now I know I for sure want 2 skunk cleaners. A blue hippo tang! Kind of deciding on maybe 1 or 2 more tank mates! Any suggestions. I also want to get a pistol shrimp/goby pair.

pistol shrimp/goby pair is really cool imo. i think you should do 1 skunk cleaner shrimp and 1 fire shrimp. my cleaner shrimp is a pig and eats everything he can get his claws on... seriously... my arm is no exception from his cleaning wrath

good luck with the tank!

07/07/2010, 10:17 PM	#1
kcochran0010 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Louisville Kentucky Posts: 676	Just wanted to tell My Story! Okay well to start off I am still considered a newbie to the hobby being as I have only had a tank up and running for about 2 months now! I have been through three tanks though and none of them have had good luck untill this one! Tank one. 120 gallon with overflow and sump and odyssea reef lights.. I learned the hard way that I do not care for odyssea brand what so ever! But heres the story! I was setting up my 90 gal sump and my friend siliconed the baffles in while I was at work. I came home and everything looked great so I let the tank cure! The next day I set the tank up and put everything I had in there along with 2 maroon clowns, orange spot goby, and a hippo tang and some CUC! Two days later everything was dead!! I had no idea what was wrong.. FRIEND USED SILICONE THAT WASNT AQUARIUM SAFE!! Ughh on to the next tank! Tank two. 58 gallon with overflow and sump/fuge and hamilton technology 150watt halide! Well to keep it short and sweet I rushed everything and didnt wait and killed everything yet again! onto the good part! Survival Tank Three. I set up a 75 gallon tank with overflow, reef octopus skimmer, mag return pump, and sump/fuge together in one! As for the lights I have a 2x 150 watt halide and 2x 130 watt actinics blue and pink bulbs! I set the tank up with my live rock that I saved and some friends water and sand.. Tank only took a week to cycle. I kept and eye on everything for 3 weeks and finally started with the fish.. I have had my yellow tang and 2 clowns now for over a month. I have had the corals for a week. All the params are where the should be and everything is going great!! I love it. I am getting a new camera soon and I Will teach my self how to add pictures!!

07/07/2010, 11:01 PM	#5
Arizonah13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Arizona Posts: 443	Third times the charm! What did you do with your old tanks? I'm glad to hear #3 is coming around for you! My tank just passed the 1 month mark and I can't wait to start adding some nice hardy corals! (in another week or two) __________________ ***Carolyn*** Current Tank Info: 29g Oceanic Biocube

07/07/2010, 11:11 PM	#7
Arizonah13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Arizona Posts: 443	I cycled with live rock/sand and added 1 ocellaris clown after having my tank up for 1 week. (also added 3 hermit crabs); then just added a teeeeny little juvie ocellaris about 4-5 days ago along with a peppermint shrimp and green clown goby. So far, so good! What other fish do you plan on adding to go with your tang and clowns? __________________ ***Carolyn*** Current Tank Info: 29g Oceanic Biocube

07/07/2010, 11:53 PM	#9
Arizonah13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Arizona Posts: 443	I love the relationship of the pistol/goby pairs A flame angel might be a nice little splash of color for your tank as well. __________________ ***Carolyn*** Current Tank Info: 29g Oceanic Biocube

07/08/2010, 12:34 AM	#10
Grant W Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Petaluma,Ca Posts: 2,840	All I can add is try to be patient and let the system mature some so it can keep up with the bio load you want to keep in it. slllllllllllllooooooooowwwwww down you will have more success and an easier time keeping your tank but it sounds like you're off to a good start __________________ Really honey, I'm not going to buy anything at the fish store I'm just going to have a look. The Other Pres. at Wine Country Reefers. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon SPS dominant tank, custom lighting, etc, etc

07/07/2010, 10:30 PM	#2
warbyd Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 23	You really think your first poor experience was your friend's fault? How about your not allowing sufficient time to cure (one day? You're dreaming..) and adding a whole heap of livestock so fast??

07/07/2010, 10:35 PM	#3
kcochran0010 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Louisville Kentucky Posts: 676	Not saying it was all his fault but using silicone that says on the back not aquarium safe has a big part to do with it.. And he said the silcione said 24 hours to cure.. Thats why I said I'm a newbie.. everyone makes mistakes.. thanks for the input though. good day and god bless!

07/07/2010, 10:37 PM	#4
kcochran0010 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Louisville Kentucky Posts: 676	And the live stock was in the tank before I even made that sump.. Just though you should know!

07/07/2010, 11:08 PM	#6
kcochran0010 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Louisville Kentucky Posts: 676	That sounds great!! I just added some corals a few days ago.. small frags. I purchased some clove coral I think, kenya tree, star burst, and 2 types of leathers/mushrooms. Like I said I am new to all this and have PLENTY to learn. I wish you luck with your tank and corals! I will try to get pictures soon! But the first 120 I cleaned out with vinegar really good and sold the system. The second tank is sitting here waiting to be picked up by someone hopefully this weekend.! What fish do you have?

07/07/2010, 11:14 PM	#8
kcochran0010 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Louisville Kentucky Posts: 676	Thats great to hear all is good so far. Its a scary thing waiting to make sure everything is going to live I purchased two skunk cleaners but lost them due to slightly high salinity but I have that in check now but for now I know I for sure want 2 skunk cleaners. A blue hippo tang! Kind of deciding on maybe 1 or 2 more tank mates! Any suggestions. I also want to get a pistol shrimp/goby pair.

07/08/2010, 12:35 AM	#11
touhy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 59	I don't really understand. Why would you get rid of the first two tanks? You acknowledged what the problem was; and it wasnt the equipment. So why get rid of them and get new equipment each time?

07/08/2010, 08:20 AM	#13
kcochran0010 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Louisville Kentucky Posts: 676	Alright thanks for everyones input! Appreciate it and thanks for listening!

07/08/2010, 10:37 PM	#14
cpl40475 Just hanging out Join Date: May 2007 Location: ky Posts: 786	If you need some local help join LMAS.org i think Thats the Louisville Marine Aq Society. Some very knowledgable ppl there. As others have stated what did you do with the other tanks and why switch them out if only the sump was messed up? __________________ Im just a redneck in a city slickers lifestyle Current Tank Info: WORKING ON IT

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