Got my tank set up and I'm SO excited!

weld1jac · 06/24/2006, 09:11 PM

I am just so thrilled! I got my 55 gallon tank set up today and it's just about the coolest thing ever. Ha. I filled it the other day (using R/O water), let the tank "decompress" and today added my live rock. Everything is circulating and looking good! It was fun to rock scape and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Started a water chemistry log today and am looking forward to witnessing the cycle of the tank.

I am excited (but nervous) that I found a mushroom and a teeny-tiny red feather duster on one of the pieces of live rock....will they make it through the cycling process?? The feather duster is so small but I have watched it waving in the water flow. It retracted a couple times as I was moving the rock around but it comes back out rather quickly. I read that they need nutrients in the water to live....is there anything that I can do to keep it healthy for the next few months while the tank becomes stable enough to add other items? (my plan is to eventually add soft corals and then a few fish---my heart is set on a pair of true perculas...other than that I'm open!). The mushroom is SO pretty---purple with blue/green lines. It appears to have a baby starting underneath/next to it.

I've been looking at the tank on and off all evening....can't imagine how fun (and expensive!!!) this is going to be when I'm finally ready to add other critters!

carfac · 06/24/2006, 09:28 PM

Jackie:

I am just over a week into my first aquarium, and I am just as excited. Each new discovery in my tank- each new little creature (no matter how small), each little change is so much fun to witness.

I had a pretty quick cycle- I had cured rock already. I have a bunch of the red feather dusters- they all survived. Also some Zoos. I did not get lucky with shrooms, though.

Not too happy now, getting a LOT of algea, but once that is over, I will be in hog heaven!

Enjoy!

Dave

Kap212 · 06/24/2006, 09:31 PM

I wouldn't worry about the feather duster or mushrooms during cycling. I had several feather dusters and green star polyps make it through my cycling along with bristle worms and peanut worms. Get a red lens for a flashlight and start watching your tank an night. You will be amazed at the life you will find.

Keep us posted and good luck.

Greg

weld1jac · 06/24/2006, 09:42 PM

Thanks for the replies! It truly amazes me that there is life in the rock...just waiting to be discovered.

weld1jac · 06/24/2006, 09:43 PM

Dave and Greg---good luck to both of you also. I'd really like to hear about your experiences with your new tanks!! Keep in touch!

Bebo77 · 06/24/2006, 09:52 PM

congrats.. prepare to be broke... lol

Kap212 · 06/24/2006, 10:54 PM

Yeah I would have to agree with the being broke part!!! My tank is a 55gal that has been running about 3 1/2 months. Everything has been GREAT so far. Waterkeeper has a thread going called "So you got a new fish tank Noobie" that is a MUST read. I read it probably 4 times start to finish and it is perfectly accutare as to what to expect.

I am having a small problem with green hair alge, but nothing that I can't handle. I have been running Phosguard, and plucking every bit that I can. I can honestlly say I am winning the war of the GH.

So far my tank has a beautiful yellow tang and 2 false percs. Along with an emerald crab and sally light foot crab. ALL are very cool and have their own personalitys. I also have green star polyps, a 3 head frog spawn that is in the process of splitting into 6 heads.

Just take your time and be patient. Only bad things happen fast in this hobby. Feel free to ask any questions you might have and if I can't awnser them I will try to send you in the right direction.

Greg

mfisher2112 · 06/24/2006, 11:34 PM

I'm with ya on this one Jackie! Just set my 55gallon up last week, added my second batch of live rock today and all kinds of little critters and such were popping out. My favorite fish store really did well by me this time!

I can't wait to add fish etc, but for the time being, I'm like a wierd little kid in a candy shop staring at my empty tank seeing things only I can see! (my wife thinks I've lost it!)

EVERYONE on here has been EXTREMELY helpful! I wouldn't have gotten this far, this fast, this WELL had it not been for this forum!

Keep us posted! And show pics! I LOVE pics!

weld1jac · 06/25/2006, 08:04 AM

Thanks for the encouragement! I do plan on posting pictures soon. I know what you mean about the staring at the empty tank....but WE know it's not really empty! There's lots to enjoy even without the fish/invertabrates!! I'm going to take Kap212's advice and check out the tank with a red cover on a flashlight....can't wait to see what else is in there.

mfisher2112 · 06/25/2006, 10:30 AM

Just added 20 pounds more of live rock from my favorite fish store yestereday in mine and all kinds of neat stuff starting showing up! I have this really cool feather duster in the front of one of the rocks that I got to see come out of the rock today as I turned the lights on.

I'm going to try the flashlight trick too. That should pretty much confirm to my wife that I have REALLY lost it! Thank god she is supportive! She just sits and chuckles and shakes her head at me.

Good luck with the tank! I know I'm enjoying mine so far!

teddybear22482 · 06/25/2006, 01:43 PM

You guys are making me so anxious I think Im going to explode! I recently traded in my 20 yr old hobby of horses for saltwater and freshwater aquariums. (Although I have been doing FW for 10 yrs or so, this is my 1st SW tank.) I set it up over the weekend and am waiting for my rock to arrive...it should be here Tuesday. Im sooo jealous! All I can think about are tanks! My hubby is grateful I got rid of my horses and found a hobby that keeps me home a little more, but now Im rattling off about all sorts of things I want in my tank. And how to do this and that and TRY to get him involved but he has no real interest yet...I think that when I get the live rock he will find it interesting too! And HEY! I wanna see pics too...Ill try to post some when theres something to look at! LOL

teddybear22482 · 06/25/2006, 01:45 PM

As far as the flashlight trick goes ...if you go to you local Army surplus store (if you have one) they have flashlights that go from a regular flashlight to a red light in just one flip! Hubby has a few and Im stealing one! LOL

aquawolf · 06/25/2006, 01:51 PM

Just a word of caution here...

Yes, pulling out the flashlight will make your significant other (mine calls herself the reef widow) think you have totally lost it. It gets even worse when you tell them that you need to find a red lense for the flash light. LOL!

If you happen to set up a refugium, then you will be in for a whole other treat watching all of these tiny creatures moving about the rock and macro algae that you never even knew existed before. Once again, they will think you have gone nuts when they catch you pod watching at 3:00 am.

Good luck to each of you as you embark on this new, amazing, adventure known as reef keeping.

whiteshark · 06/25/2006, 01:54 PM

I'm glad to see so many people excited about this hobby. When I first started everyone thought I was crazy...

Anyway, you said you wanted some pics, so here is some what you have to look forward to...

Good luck to all of you! Remember, things will happen. Ammonia will spike, algae will grow. Annoying hitchhikers will find thier way into your tank, and rooms will flood. Its all part of the experience. Don't get disscouraged, just chalk it up to experience and move on. I wanna see some amazing tanks from everyone in the future!. Again, GL!

teddybear22482 · 06/25/2006, 04:53 PM

Thanks for the pics! I LOVE the clam...sooo pretty! I just cant stand the wait to get this show started! I know once I get my LR I will be content for several months!

mfisher2112 · 06/25/2006, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by teddybear22482
As far as the flashlight trick goes ...if you go to you local Army surplus store (if you have one) they have flashlights that go from a regular flashlight to a red light in just one flip! Hubby has a few and Im stealing one! LOL

Oooooo.... Didn't know about those. Will have to hunt one down!

mfisher2112 · 06/25/2006, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aquawolf
Just a word of caution here...

Yes, pulling out the flashlight will make your significant other (mine calls herself the reef widow) think you have totally lost it. It gets even worse when you tell them that you need to find a red lense for the flash light. LOL!

If you happen to set up a refugium, then you will be in for a whole other treat watching all of these tiny creatures moving about the rock and macro algae that you never even knew existed before. Once again, they will think you have gone nuts when they catch you pod watching at 3:00 am.

Good luck to each of you as you embark on this new, amazing, adventure known as reef keeping.

ROFL! I play an online game (World of Warcraft) and my wife calls herself a WoW Widow. LOL! But yeah, she already thinks I'm crazy sitting in the dark dining room staring at a big glass box of water with funny rocks and dirt in it. But, she is starting to show some interest!

She thought I was really going howling mad when I jumped up today and yelled for her when the feather duster popped out of the rock right in my face! She just shakes her head and walks away giggling...

mfisher2112 · 06/25/2006, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by whiteshark
I'm glad to see so many people excited about this hobby. When I first started everyone thought I was crazy...

NO FAIR TEASING!!!

Seriously, nice shots! I can't wait until mine looks that good!

Quote:

Originally posted by whiteshark

Good luck to all of you! Remember, things will happen. Ammonia will spike, algae will grow. Annoying hitchhikers will find thier way into your tank, and rooms will flood. Its all part of the experience. Don't get disscouraged, just chalk it up to experience and move on. I wanna see some amazing tanks from everyone in the future!. Again, GL!

To the point about flooding... I am currintly working some ideas around in my head for a means to handle that potential unfortunate event.

It basically involves a baffel that surrounds the tank somehow with a drain that runs down through the floor and into the basement sump pump.... Still working out the details, but my wife made a sideways comment about "sticking the whole da*n thing in a kiddie pool" so it wouldn't ruin her floors if it flooded... That got me thinking about a fail safe in the event of a flood......

Hmmmm.............. I know I could make it work, but how will I make it LOOK nice too!

whiteshark · 06/25/2006, 06:55 PM

Your on your own with that one! Mine is already in the basement so I really don't have to worry about it too much.

mfisher2112 · 06/25/2006, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by whiteshark
Your on your own with that one! Mine is already in the basement so I really don't have to worry about it too much.

hehe. I have some interesting ideas on how to do it, but I don't want to hijack someone elses thread! I'll move that discussion to my own thread.

06/24/2006, 09:11 PM	#1
weld1jac Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 59	Got my tank set up and I'm SO excited! I am just so thrilled! I got my 55 gallon tank set up today and it's just about the coolest thing ever. Ha. I filled it the other day (using R/O water), let the tank "decompress" and today added my live rock. Everything is circulating and looking good! It was fun to rock scape and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Started a water chemistry log today and am looking forward to witnessing the cycle of the tank. I am excited (but nervous) that I found a mushroom and a teeny-tiny red feather duster on one of the pieces of live rock....will they make it through the cycling process?? The feather duster is so small but I have watched it waving in the water flow. It retracted a couple times as I was moving the rock around but it comes back out rather quickly. I read that they need nutrients in the water to live....is there anything that I can do to keep it healthy for the next few months while the tank becomes stable enough to add other items? (my plan is to eventually add soft corals and then a few fish---my heart is set on a pair of true perculas...other than that I'm open!). The mushroom is SO pretty---purple with blue/green lines. It appears to have a baby starting underneath/next to it. I've been looking at the tank on and off all evening....can't imagine how fun (and expensive!!!) this is going to be when I'm finally ready to add other critters! __________________ Jackie Current Tank Info: 55 gal with 60 pounds live rock, zoanthids and mushrooms, xenia, GSP, 48" T5 lighting (4 bulbs total)

06/24/2006, 09:42 PM	#4
weld1jac Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 59	Thanks for the replies! It truly amazes me that there is life in the rock...just waiting to be discovered. __________________ Jackie Current Tank Info: 55 gal with 60 pounds live rock, zoanthids and mushrooms, xenia, GSP, 48" T5 lighting (4 bulbs total)

06/24/2006, 09:43 PM	#5
weld1jac Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 59	Dave and Greg---good luck to both of you also. I'd really like to hear about your experiences with your new tanks!! Keep in touch! __________________ Jackie Current Tank Info: 55 gal with 60 pounds live rock, zoanthids and mushrooms, xenia, GSP, 48" T5 lighting (4 bulbs total)

06/24/2006, 09:52 PM	#6
Bebo77 Premium Nonpaying Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lost Posts: 14,377	congrats.. prepare to be broke... lol __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Envision Tank(98Lx30Wx26T) 120 Gal SoCalCreations Sump, Deltec TC2560, 2 LumenarcsMini 1 Reg on a light mover W Radiums 250& 400, Gallaxy ballasts, Red Dragon 10m3 return W/ 2 WavySeas, 2 6155 Tunze streams

06/24/2006, 11:34 PM	#8
mfisher2112 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South Jersey/Cumberland County Posts: 274	I'm with ya on this one Jackie! Just set my 55gallon up last week, added my second batch of live rock today and all kinds of little critters and such were popping out. My favorite fish store really did well by me this time! I can't wait to add fish etc, but for the time being, I'm like a wierd little kid in a candy shop staring at my empty tank seeing things only I can see! (my wife thinks I've lost it!) EVERYONE on here has been EXTREMELY helpful! I wouldn't have gotten this far, this fast, this WELL had it not been for this forum! Keep us posted! And show pics! I LOVE pics! __________________ If you make something idiot proof, someone will just produce a better idiot... Current Tank Info: 90 AGA mixed reef, 30 gallon FO clown pair, 210 in the works

06/24/2006, 09:28 PM	#2
carfac Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 362	Jackie: I am just over a week into my first aquarium, and I am just as excited. Each new discovery in my tank- each new little creature (no matter how small), each little change is so much fun to witness. I had a pretty quick cycle- I had cured rock already. I have a bunch of the red feather dusters- they all survived. Also some Zoos. I did not get lucky with shrooms, though. Not too happy now, getting a LOT of algea, but once that is over, I will be in hog heaven! Enjoy! Dave

06/24/2006, 09:31 PM	#3
Kap212 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 213	I wouldn't worry about the feather duster or mushrooms during cycling. I had several feather dusters and green star polyps make it through my cycling along with bristle worms and peanut worms. Get a red lens for a flashlight and start watching your tank an night. You will be amazed at the life you will find. Keep us posted and good luck. Greg

06/24/2006, 10:54 PM	#7
Kap212 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 213	Yeah I would have to agree with the being broke part!!! My tank is a 55gal that has been running about 3 1/2 months. Everything has been GREAT so far. Waterkeeper has a thread going called "So you got a new fish tank Noobie" that is a MUST read. I read it probably 4 times start to finish and it is perfectly accutare as to what to expect. I am having a small problem with green hair alge, but nothing that I can't handle. I have been running Phosguard, and plucking every bit that I can. I can honestlly say I am winning the war of the GH. So far my tank has a beautiful yellow tang and 2 false percs. Along with an emerald crab and sally light foot crab. ALL are very cool and have their own personalitys. I also have green star polyps, a 3 head frog spawn that is in the process of splitting into 6 heads. Just take your time and be patient. Only bad things happen fast in this hobby. Feel free to ask any questions you might have and if I can't awnser them I will try to send you in the right direction. Greg

06/25/2006, 08:04 AM	#9
weld1jac Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 59	Thanks for the encouragement! I do plan on posting pictures soon. I know what you mean about the staring at the empty tank....but WE know it's not really empty! There's lots to enjoy even without the fish/invertabrates!! I'm going to take Kap212's advice and check out the tank with a red cover on a flashlight....can't wait to see what else is in there. __________________ Jackie Current Tank Info: 55 gal with 60 pounds live rock, zoanthids and mushrooms, xenia, GSP, 48" T5 lighting (4 bulbs total)

06/25/2006, 10:30 AM	#10
mfisher2112 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South Jersey/Cumberland County Posts: 274	Just added 20 pounds more of live rock from my favorite fish store yestereday in mine and all kinds of neat stuff starting showing up! I have this really cool feather duster in the front of one of the rocks that I got to see come out of the rock today as I turned the lights on. I'm going to try the flashlight trick too. That should pretty much confirm to my wife that I have REALLY lost it! Thank god she is supportive! She just sits and chuckles and shakes her head at me. Good luck with the tank! I know I'm enjoying mine so far!

06/25/2006, 01:43 PM	#11
teddybear22482 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lagrange GA Posts: 144	You guys are making me so anxious I think Im going to explode! I recently traded in my 20 yr old hobby of horses for saltwater and freshwater aquariums. (Although I have been doing FW for 10 yrs or so, this is my 1st SW tank.) I set it up over the weekend and am waiting for my rock to arrive...it should be here Tuesday. Im sooo jealous! All I can think about are tanks! My hubby is grateful I got rid of my horses and found a hobby that keeps me home a little more, but now Im rattling off about all sorts of things I want in my tank. And how to do this and that and TRY to get him involved but he has no real interest yet...I think that when I get the live rock he will find it interesting too! And HEY! I wanna see pics too...Ill try to post some when theres something to look at! LOL __________________ "When life hands you lemons...throw them at the mean people!!" Current Tank Info: 10 gallon nano.. Mixed reef...two clown fish, one damn damsel, and one arabian pseudochromis... Lots of snails, some damned "bull in china shop" hermit crabs, brittle star.

06/25/2006, 01:45 PM	#12
teddybear22482 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lagrange GA Posts: 144	As far as the flashlight trick goes ...if you go to you local Army surplus store (if you have one) they have flashlights that go from a regular flashlight to a red light in just one flip! Hubby has a few and Im stealing one! LOL __________________ "When life hands you lemons...throw them at the mean people!!" Current Tank Info: 10 gallon nano.. Mixed reef...two clown fish, one damn damsel, and one arabian pseudochromis... Lots of snails, some damned "bull in china shop" hermit crabs, brittle star.

06/25/2006, 01:51 PM	#13
aquawolf Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Martin, South Carolina Posts: 343	Just a word of caution here... Yes, pulling out the flashlight will make your significant other (mine calls herself the reef widow) think you have totally lost it. It gets even worse when you tell them that you need to find a red lense for the flash light. LOL! If you happen to set up a refugium, then you will be in for a whole other treat watching all of these tiny creatures moving about the rock and macro algae that you never even knew existed before. Once again, they will think you have gone nuts when they catch you pod watching at 3:00 am. Good luck to each of you as you embark on this new, amazing, adventure known as reef keeping. __________________ Most good judgment comes from experience. Most experience comes from bad judgment. Current Tank Info: 75 Reef, CPR CY294, Home Made Refugium, Coralife Aqualight Pro 48" Dual 150 MH / 30 Gallon Sea Horse Tank / 40 Gallon FOWLR

06/25/2006, 01:54 PM	#14
whiteshark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 3,024	I'm glad to see so many people excited about this hobby. When I first started everyone thought I was crazy... Anyway, you said you wanted some pics, so here is some what you have to look forward to... Good luck to all of you! Remember, things will happen. Ammonia will spike, algae will grow. Annoying hitchhikers will find thier way into your tank, and rooms will flood. Its all part of the experience. Don't get disscouraged, just chalk it up to experience and move on. I wanna see some amazing tanks from everyone in the future!. Again, GL! __________________ Deep Blue 60 gallon cube: Setup in progress.

06/25/2006, 04:53 PM	#15
teddybear22482 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lagrange GA Posts: 144	Thanks for the pics! I LOVE the clam...sooo pretty! I just cant stand the wait to get this show started! I know once I get my LR I will be content for several months! __________________ "When life hands you lemons...throw them at the mean people!!" Current Tank Info: 10 gallon nano.. Mixed reef...two clown fish, one damn damsel, and one arabian pseudochromis... Lots of snails, some damned "bull in china shop" hermit crabs, brittle star.

06/25/2006, 06:55 PM	#19
whiteshark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 3,024	Your on your own with that one! Mine is already in the basement so I really don't have to worry about it too much. __________________ Deep Blue 60 gallon cube: Setup in progress.