New 46g BowFront Reef Tank

[ChiefRon]

Well, I finally got around to getting this tank setup. So far, so good.
Here's my setup:
46g bowfront with in-tank sump/skimmer/filter/auto top-off, Sea Swirl, Stealth heater, Sundial T5HO lights
50 lbs live rock, 40 lbs live sand

Water quality is good, the live rock from LFS was cured so it didn't take long for the tank to cycle.

Salinity – 1.024, Ammonia – 0, Nitrite – 0, pH 8.2, Calcium – 400, KH – 10, Nitrate – 5ppm.

So I decided I could probably stock the clean-up crew:
4 Turbo, 4 Astrea, & 5 Nassarius snails, 1 peppermint shrimp
And of course, I couldn't resist: 1 Randall's Pistol Shrimp & 1 Yasha Hashe Goby. Both of which promptly disappeared.

One critter that has crawled out of the rock is a small worm about 8" long, with black/white stripes. Not sure what that thing is.

Next step will be to add a couple cleaner shrimps and a star or two and monitor the water quality while I plan the reef.

I'll have to get some pics posted soon...

This will be fun!

[mg426]

Be looking for the PIcs !!

[ChiefRon]

Front View

[ChiefRon]

That pic is from the wife's camera, sorry it's kinda crappy...

[EvMiBo]

looks cool so far. what kind of sand is that?

in what direction are you planning for the tank? what types up fish & corals?

more pics needed !!

[jenglish]

looks good

[Acan Addict]

Looks good, Is that a aiptasia in the reflection on the right hand side?

[ChiefRon]

I've added 2 skunk cleaner shrimp, a blood fire shrimp, a Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse for some swimming activity, and an Orange Linkia Star.

That's probably it as far as the initial stocking for now. Next, I plan on waiting a week or two to make sure my water quality stays ok.

For stocking, the RBTA will be the next purchase so he can get settled before adding the other corals. Not sure if the clownfish pair will go in with him, or after he's settled.

After that, I'm not exactly sure of the rest. I welcome all suggestions!

[ChiefRon]

Originally posted by EvMiBo
looks cool so far. what kind of sand is that?

in what direction are you planning for the tank? what types up fish & corals?

more pics needed !!

Thanks. The sand is 20lbs Ocean Direct Caribbean - Aragonite, very fine white substrate and 20lbs Ocean Direct Caribbean - Aragonite white & black substrate, denser (mostly for bigger rubble particles for the pistol shrimp to burrow with).

I like the look.

And yes, I know I need more pics, working on that, stay tuned...

[ChiefRon]

Originally posted by Acan Addict
Looks good, Is that a aiptasia in the reflection on the right hand side?

No, that's actually the suction cup holding the thermometer probe in place. But I do have some aiptasia in there. That's why I got the peppermint, although he hasn't eaten any yet.

Do I need another peppermint?

Any other clean-up crew needed for this (no crabs, as I've heard they can be a pain in a reef-tank...)?

[ChiefRon]

Can anyone tell me if I should be adding any supplements to the tank to prepare for the corals? Calcium, strontium, magnesium, etc? I guess I need to test for the strontium & magnesium levels? These aren't part of either of my test kits...

The next purchase will be the RBTA, and once it settles I will probably stock with some various polyps, soft corals, mushroom corals, and sps hard corals.

[G&NSalty425]

Joe's Juice will get rid of those pesky aiptasia

[FranktheTankTx]

Oh boy - I hope I'm wrong, but this tank is off to real fast start. Sounds like failure waiting to happen.

Only a suggestion - go sloooooooowwwww.

[ChiefRon]

Originally posted by FranktheTankTx
Oh boy - I hope I'm wrong, but this tank is off to real fast start. Sounds like failure waiting to happen.

Only a suggestion - go sloooooooowwwww.

Well, you're right. I know this tank is going a little fast, and I need to slow it down. Easier said than done.

Guess I'm just so impatient because I ordered the big tank (280g) a couple months ago, and am waiting for it to be put together. And of course, with the water params checking out good for several days in a row made it worse. I'm hoping you're wrong, but I guess I'll find out soon.

Which water params should I make sure to maintain nutrient-wise (calcium/strontium/magnesium/others?) before I can start thinking about putting in the RBTA?

[FranktheTankTx]

Are you going to keep the 46 going when you get the 280?

I just wouldn't put a RBTA in a tank that is less than 6 months old. Anenomes are very sensitive and need prestine water conditions. My .02

You should test for:

Nitrates < 10
Phosphates 0
Calcium 400 - 480
Magnesium 1300ish

[spw4949]

I have to agree with Frank, I speak from personal experience.

[ChiefRon]

Yes, the 46 will be the reef tank. The 280 will be the aggressive FOWLR tank. Both will be running shortly (280 should be delivered next week).

All of my water params have been meeting those numbers for several days, except Magnesium which I don't have a test kit for yet. So I need to find a test kit to check out the Magnesium level.

So even if I have the right params, I still need to wait 6 months? Well, that's a major drag since I wanted to add the RBTA first, before I added the other corals, then the other fish...

[E.intheC]

I would definitely hold off on adding other fish for a while.. as well as the RBTA.. they are VERY sensitive. also, the orange linkia was a bad idea IMO.. they require a much more mature tank, and unfortunately will probably starve to death.