BenJabb's 75 Gallon Reef

BennJabb · 07/31/2012, 04:39 PM

I just set up my tank today. Feel free to add input of any kind. I am new to the hobby so I do expect some rough comments.

Specs:
-75 gallon tank
-20 gallon Aquafuge Pro Refugium
-100+ pounds live sand
-Live rock will be added soon.

Day 1

Mhowes130 · 07/31/2012, 06:02 PM

Looks like your off to a good start. What kind of coral do you plan on keeping and what type of lighting do you plan on using?

BennJabb · 07/31/2012, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mhowes130

Looks like your off to a good start. What kind of coral do you plan on keeping and what type of lighting do you plan on using?

I have a TrueLumen Pro Led coming to my house but I plan on upgrading to a nicer LED in about a year. I have heard that I cannot have SPS with a lower quality LED fixture but I'll still try it.

BennJabb · 09/09/2012, 01:14 AM

Tank has been up for a little more than 6 weeks now. I had to change out the floor under it into a synthetic hard floor. I also upgraded my light to the Vertex Illumina SR260 LED(well worth the money). Once I added the LED's, the temperature in the tank had risen to 90 degrees plus, so I bought a coralife chiller(works great). My first fish, an algae blenny, came along with my large cleanup crew(varius snails, hermit crabs, and peppermint shrimp). The levels in the tank were stable so I added Frogspawn(doesn't look good), Fruit Loop Zoanthids, and Purple Death Palythoas. The purple deaths fell over and got covered in sand but they seem to be fully open. I am unsure as to why the frogspawn is not doing well. Shortly after the coral was added, small white sponges began to grow on the overflow and wall of the tank. I noticed a large number of copepods in my tank so I added a small female madarin who is doing great and eats all day. Yesterday, I added a McCosker's Flasher Wrasse, he is shy but eating well, a Favia, and a Red & Green Blastomussa. Just a quick update and bump. I hope to have pictures up soon.

Today I was watching my tank and noticed that my Fruit loops were gone off their frag plug. Just one hour before I had seen them fully open and healthy. Tank parameters are stable and normal. Could someone tell me what might of happened to them? Also is it too early for me to be adding corals?

screamingibis · 09/09/2012, 07:07 AM

If they weren't attached very well, a hermit crab or snail could have knocked them off. Are they still in the tank?

xmen0075 · 09/09/2012, 07:28 AM

Sounds like your off to a great start! Congrats! Looking forward to the pictures!

james30ct · 09/09/2012, 07:32 AM

Do you have a test kit? What are tank parameters?

BennJabb · 09/09/2012, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screamingibis

If they weren't attached very well, a hermit crab or snail could have knocked them off. Are they still in the tank?

They seemed to be but I guess not. I do have a few small coral eating starfish in the tank that came with the live rock, but they have never attacked my coral and I don't think they'd be able to eat it within an hour.

BennJabb · 09/09/2012, 01:17 PM

Pictures too big will be up soon when i figure out how to make them smaller.

BennJabb · 09/09/2012, 01:21 PM

Full tank shot:

BennJabb · 09/18/2012, 08:37 PM

I have some kind of outbreak in the refugium, can someone tell me what it is and how I can fix it?

Refugium:

It has been a week since it started and it has not spread to the display tank.

hernandezreef42 · 09/18/2012, 10:04 PM

Looks like maybe corline or redslime
Also I Highly recommend at least 6â€ of sand in your sump to keep nitrates low

Posted from ReefCentral.com App for Android

reef_keeper · 09/18/2012, 10:18 PM

Looks like a pretty deep sand bed in your DT. I like! I also have a 75. What type of lights are you using?

Lionfish666 · 09/18/2012, 10:44 PM

Looks great, I like the little rock in the background really ads depth.
The red stuff is cynobacteria. Don't worry it's a normal part of the initial tank cycle, it likes high nitrates and phosphates and prefers lower flow, which is why it is in your refugium only. It will probably go away on it's own once your tank develops more bacteria and the macro starts to grow, simply syphon out what you can see with your normal water changes and everything will be a ok.

Dexters Reef · 09/18/2012, 11:02 PM

When I setup my 75 about 6 months ago, I went through two algae outbreak cycles. Got green algae in the display, and then after that cleared up, my refugium went through its own cycle process and got the Cyno that you have. I added more live rock to the refugium, and after it started to decline on its own, I added a small clean up crew to the refugium. Its been clean ever since

BennJabb · 09/19/2012, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hernandezreef42

Looks like maybe corline or redslime
Also I Highly recommend at least 6â€ of sand in your sump to keep nitrates low

Posted from ReefCentral.com App for Android

I have a deep sand bed in my DT... do I really need more sand in my refugium?

BennJabb · 09/19/2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dexters Reef

When I setup my 75 about 6 months ago, I went through two algae outbreak cycles. Got green algae in the display, and then after that cleared up, my refugium went through its own cycle process and got the Cyno that you have. I added more live rock to the refugium, and after it started to decline on its own, I added a small clean up crew to the refugium. Its been clean ever since

I put two hermit crabs in there as they are the only animals I know to eat cyanobacteria, is this efficient enough for the cleanup crew in the refugium?

BennJabb · 09/19/2012, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lionfish666

Looks great, I like the little rock in the background really ads depth.
The red stuff is cynobacteria. Don't worry it's a normal part of the initial tank cycle, it likes high nitrates and phosphates and prefers lower flow, which is why it is in your refugium only. It will probably go away on it's own once your tank develops more bacteria and the macro starts to grow, simply syphon out what you can see with your normal water changes and everything will be a ok.

My refugium light is currently turned off so the cyano will die. Should I leave it off?

BennJabb · 09/19/2012, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reef_keeper

Looks like a pretty deep sand bed in your DT. I like! I also have a 75. What type of lights are you using?

I'm using the 4 ft. Vertex Illumina SR260 Led Fixture. Quite expensive, but I believe it to be the best LED fixture in the hobby. I actually had to tone down the light for a few of my soft and lps corals because they didn't look too great.

BennJabb · 09/19/2012, 09:14 AM

Here's a few pictures from today:

Coral:

Frogspawn

LPS Frag:

Palys(need ID)

Fish(most of them are camera shy):

McCosker's Flasher Wrasse

Algae Blenny(great fish and great worker)

Yellow Tang(very camera shy)
I believe he has a minor case of HLLE and I noticed it first when he was acclimating to my tank. He has strange markings under his eyes and one long marking horizontally across his body. His fins are slightly eroded but it is not rot. He eats anything and everything including mysis shrimp. Can someone tell me if this is actually HLLE and how bad it is? Is there any hope of reversal? This fish has a great personality and I'd hate to give him back.

BennJabb · 09/19/2012, 09:19 AM

What kind of algae is in these two pictures? First algae is only on the rock and second seems to be only on the sand.

Is this nitrogen gas from the bacteria in my deep sand bed?

Mr.Tan · 09/19/2012, 10:42 AM

the bright green stuff on the rocks appears to be the start of coraline. My rocks got that way and then slowly turned to pink/purpleish colors. some stayed bright green which was cool.... You can know for sure by trying to brush it off, if it doesnt come off easy, its coraline.

The other stuff on the sand bed kind looks like diatoms, but I could be wrong on that one....

BennJabb · 09/19/2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Tan

the bright green stuff on the rocks appears to be the start of coraline. My rocks got that way and then slowly turned to pink/purpleish colors. some stayed bright green which was cool.... You can know for sure by trying to brush it off, if it doesnt come off easy, its coraline.

The other stuff on the sand bed kind looks like diatoms, but I could be wrong on that one....

If it were diatoms, would the tang be eating it?

Lionfish666 · 09/19/2012, 05:23 PM

Hi Ben, leave the light on or you will kill your macro. And you definitely don't need more sand.

My personal experience was diatoms, then cyno, then that green algae, then coraline.

Posted a before after pic so you can see that things will clear

Unfortunately the tang won't touch the diatoms.

I know it looks concerning but cyno and diatoms are the norm for tanks in their first 6 months and will clear without any intervention, your setup is spot on and it will clear.

BennJabb · 09/20/2012, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lionfish666

Hi Ben, leave the light on or you will kill your macro. And you definitely don't need more sand.

My personal experience was diatoms, then cyno, then that green algae, then coraline.

Posted a before after pic so you can see that things will clear

Unfortunately the tang won't touch the diatoms.

I know it looks concerning but cyno and diatoms are the norm for tanks in their first 6 months and will clear without any intervention, your setup is spot on and it will clear.

Love the tank and thanks for the input.

07/31/2012, 04:39 PM	#1
BennJabb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 63	BenJabb's 75 Gallon Reef I just set up my tank today. Feel free to add input of any kind. I am new to the hobby so I do expect some rough comments. Specs: -75 gallon tank -20 gallon Aquafuge Pro Refugium -100+ pounds live sand -Live rock will be added soon. Day 1

09/09/2012, 01:17 PM	#9
BennJabb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 63	Pictures too big will be up soon when i figure out how to make them smaller. Last edited by BennJabb; 09/09/2012 at 01:18 PM. Reason: big pictures

09/18/2012, 11:02 PM	#15
Dexters Reef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 730	When I setup my 75 about 6 months ago, I went through two algae outbreak cycles. Got green algae in the display, and then after that cleared up, my refugium went through its own cycle process and got the Cyno that you have. I added more live rock to the refugium, and after it started to decline on its own, I added a small clean up crew to the refugium. Its been clean ever since __________________ 75G RR, Trigger Systems Ruby 30S sump, 2x250 MH and 4x54W T5HO, Octopus Diablo XS160, 4" DSB, 2 x MP40wES, 85 lbs LR, 2 x BRS Dosing Pumps, Finnex 300w titanium heater, Surf2 Algae Turf Scrubber

07/31/2012, 06:02 PM	#2
Mhowes130 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 5	Looks like your off to a good start. What kind of coral do you plan on keeping and what type of lighting do you plan on using?

09/09/2012, 01:14 AM	#4
BennJabb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 63	Tank has been up for a little more than 6 weeks now. I had to change out the floor under it into a synthetic hard floor. I also upgraded my light to the Vertex Illumina SR260 LED(well worth the money). Once I added the LED's, the temperature in the tank had risen to 90 degrees plus, so I bought a coralife chiller(works great). My first fish, an algae blenny, came along with my large cleanup crew(varius snails, hermit crabs, and peppermint shrimp). The levels in the tank were stable so I added Frogspawn(doesn't look good), Fruit Loop Zoanthids, and Purple Death Palythoas. The purple deaths fell over and got covered in sand but they seem to be fully open. I am unsure as to why the frogspawn is not doing well. Shortly after the coral was added, small white sponges began to grow on the overflow and wall of the tank. I noticed a large number of copepods in my tank so I added a small female madarin who is doing great and eats all day. Yesterday, I added a McCosker's Flasher Wrasse, he is shy but eating well, a Favia, and a Red & Green Blastomussa. Just a quick update and bump. I hope to have pictures up soon. Today I was watching my tank and noticed that my Fruit loops were gone off their frag plug. Just one hour before I had seen them fully open and healthy. Tank parameters are stable and normal. Could someone tell me what might of happened to them? Also is it too early for me to be adding corals?

09/09/2012, 07:07 AM	#5
screamingibis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Maysville, GA Posts: 375	If they weren't attached very well, a hermit crab or snail could have knocked them off. Are they still in the tank?

09/09/2012, 07:28 AM	#6
xmen0075 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 107	Sounds like your off to a great start! Congrats! Looking forward to the pictures!

09/09/2012, 07:32 AM	#7
james30ct Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Groton, Ct Posts: 1,218	Do you have a test kit? What are tank parameters?

09/09/2012, 01:21 PM	#10
BennJabb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 63	Full tank shot:

09/18/2012, 08:37 PM	#11
BennJabb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 63	I have some kind of outbreak in the refugium, can someone tell me what it is and how I can fix it? Refugium: It has been a week since it started and it has not spread to the display tank.

09/18/2012, 10:04 PM	#12
hernandezreef42 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 3	Looks like maybe corline or redslime Also I Highly recommend at least 6â€ of sand in your sump to keep nitrates low Posted from ReefCentral.com App for Android

09/18/2012, 10:18 PM	#13
reef_keeper Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 292	Looks like a pretty deep sand bed in your DT. I like! I also have a 75. What type of lights are you using?

09/18/2012, 10:44 PM	#14
Lionfish666 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 166	Looks great, I like the little rock in the background really ads depth. The red stuff is cynobacteria. Don't worry it's a normal part of the initial tank cycle, it likes high nitrates and phosphates and prefers lower flow, which is why it is in your refugium only. It will probably go away on it's own once your tank develops more bacteria and the macro starts to grow, simply syphon out what you can see with your normal water changes and everything will be a ok.

09/19/2012, 09:14 AM	#20
BennJabb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 63	Here's a few pictures from today: Coral: Frogspawn LPS Frag: Palys(need ID) Fish(most of them are camera shy): McCosker's Flasher Wrasse Algae Blenny(great fish and great worker) Yellow Tang(very camera shy) I believe he has a minor case of HLLE and I noticed it first when he was acclimating to my tank. He has strange markings under his eyes and one long marking horizontally across his body. His fins are slightly eroded but it is not rot. He eats anything and everything including mysis shrimp. Can someone tell me if this is actually HLLE and how bad it is? Is there any hope of reversal? This fish has a great personality and I'd hate to give him back.

09/19/2012, 09:19 AM	#21
BennJabb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 63	What kind of algae is in these two pictures? First algae is only on the rock and second seems to be only on the sand. Is this nitrogen gas from the bacteria in my deep sand bed?

09/19/2012, 10:42 AM	#22
Mr.Tan Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: York, PA Posts: 734	the bright green stuff on the rocks appears to be the start of coraline. My rocks got that way and then slowly turned to pink/purpleish colors. some stayed bright green which was cool.... You can know for sure by trying to brush it off, if it doesnt come off easy, its coraline. The other stuff on the sand bed kind looks like diatoms, but I could be wrong on that one....

09/19/2012, 05:23 PM	#24
Lionfish666 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 166	Hi Ben, leave the light on or you will kill your macro. And you definitely don't need more sand. My personal experience was diatoms, then cyno, then that green algae, then coraline. Posted a before after pic so you can see that things will clear Unfortunately the tang won't touch the diatoms. I know it looks concerning but cyno and diatoms are the norm for tanks in their first 6 months and will clear without any intervention, your setup is spot on and it will clear.