2 weeks in, some questions!

hawk1 · 10/30/2013, 03:13 PM

I started 2 weeks ago today. 4 live rock along with 30 lbs dry rock. I have some questions on some of the live rocks, I see stuff growing like little hairs, also I seen some on the glass, but couldnt get a pic of it. Here is the picture of the rock...

Next question, I think my protein skimmer is working the right way. Its a hob Reef Octopus BH-100. Its making floam good, and Ive emptied the cup twice in the past 2 weeks. Water in the cup is kinda greenish and I wiped a bunch of crap out of the inside of the cup. Here is a picture of what the skimmer is pulling out.

And from when I emptied it today...

Light question, I started with a 2 bulb t5, but was able to get a deal on a new 4 bulb one. Its an Odyssea with built in timer, and moon lights. The guy who sold it to me also gave me some ATI bulbs. In it right now I have 3 blue plus and 1 aquablue special. Is this combo ok? I have a few other bulbs to play with that I had laying around from my old light. I have 1 aquablue special, 1 actinic, 1 ge 6500, and a corallife 10k. Any ideas on the combos?

And last thing, Im not sure if Im still digging my aquascape. What do you guys think? Anyway I could improve my aquascape? I want it to look like real reef.
Tank shot of what if looks like now...

Sorry for so many questions! Its just all so exciting!

thegrun · 10/30/2013, 03:25 PM

1. Algae. I would not run the lights during the cycle to help keep it under control until you can add a clean-up crew.
2. You may get a little benefit from running the skimmer during the cycle, it looks like yours is picking up some die-off from the rocks. If nothing else it will be broken in by the time the cycle is complete.
3. I would try to arrange the rocks with some larger caves and arches to make it more visually appealing and interesting for the fish to swim around.

hawk1 · 10/30/2013, 03:27 PM

When is it ok to add the clean up crew?

btmedic04 · 10/30/2013, 03:27 PM

when i asked in the lighting section as to what order for a 4 bulb fixture, i was suggested this by ReeferBatman:

"With a 4 bulb system, I would do

2 blue bulbs (ATI Blue Plus, ATI Coral Plus, Aquatic Life 420/460, etc)
1 'white' bulb (Aquatic-life 10k, Aquatic-life 6k, ATI ABspecial, etc)
1 Actinic (ATI Actinic Plus)

In this pattern Back to Front:
Blue
White
Blue
Actinic"

Link to original post

hawk1 · 10/30/2013, 05:20 PM

Thanks for the tip on the lighting. I did this...
back to front:
blue +
blue +
aquablue special
actinic

I couldnt put the aquablue special in the 3rd slot because the bulbs are wired to the switch every other bulb. And I wanted the blue+ and actinic together for a dawn/dusk effect. So it goes

back to front:
blue+ (daytime)
blue+ (dawn/dusk)
aquablue special (daytime)
actinic (dawn/dusk)

10/30/2013, 03:13 PM	#1
hawk1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: South Carolina Posts: 146	2 weeks in, some questions! I started 2 weeks ago today. 4 live rock along with 30 lbs dry rock. I have some questions on some of the live rocks, I see stuff growing like little hairs, also I seen some on the glass, but couldnt get a pic of it. Here is the picture of the rock... Next question, I think my protein skimmer is working the right way. Its a hob Reef Octopus BH-100. Its making floam good, and Ive emptied the cup twice in the past 2 weeks. Water in the cup is kinda greenish and I wiped a bunch of crap out of the inside of the cup. Here is a picture of what the skimmer is pulling out. And from when I emptied it today... Light question, I started with a 2 bulb t5, but was able to get a deal on a new 4 bulb one. Its an Odyssea with built in timer, and moon lights. The guy who sold it to me also gave me some ATI bulbs. In it right now I have 3 blue plus and 1 aquablue special. Is this combo ok? I have a few other bulbs to play with that I had laying around from my old light. I have 1 aquablue special, 1 actinic, 1 ge 6500, and a corallife 10k. Any ideas on the combos? And last thing, Im not sure if Im still digging my aquascape. What do you guys think? Anyway I could improve my aquascape? I want it to look like real reef. Tank shot of what if looks like now... Sorry for so many questions! Its just all so exciting!

10/30/2013, 03:25 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	1. Algae. I would not run the lights during the cycle to help keep it under control until you can add a clean-up crew. 2. You may get a little benefit from running the skimmer during the cycle, it looks like yours is picking up some die-off from the rocks. If nothing else it will be broken in by the time the cycle is complete. 3. I would try to arrange the rocks with some larger caves and arches to make it more visually appealing and interesting for the fish to swim around.

10/30/2013, 03:27 PM	#3
hawk1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: South Carolina Posts: 146	When is it ok to add the clean up crew?

10/30/2013, 03:27 PM	#4
btmedic04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 256	when i asked in the lighting section as to what order for a 4 bulb fixture, i was suggested this by ReeferBatman: "With a 4 bulb system, I would do 2 blue bulbs (ATI Blue Plus, ATI Coral Plus, Aquatic Life 420/460, etc) 1 'white' bulb (Aquatic-life 10k, Aquatic-life 6k, ATI ABspecial, etc) 1 Actinic (ATI Actinic Plus) In this pattern Back to Front: Blue White Blue Actinic" Link to original post

10/30/2013, 05:20 PM	#5
hawk1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: South Carolina Posts: 146	Thanks for the tip on the lighting. I did this... back to front: blue + blue + aquablue special actinic I couldnt put the aquablue special in the 3rd slot because the bulbs are wired to the switch every other bulb. And I wanted the blue+ and actinic together for a dawn/dusk effect. So it goes back to front: blue+ (daytime) blue+ (dawn/dusk) aquablue special (daytime) actinic (dawn/dusk)