Ah Boy's Salty tank

[ah boy]

Hi All

I am admit that I have seen too many gorgeous marine tank set-ups regardless of size and type (FOWL or Reef, SPS tanks) since joining SRC. I uderstand that I have just got too much to learnt, and work within my manageable budget.

Finally I have plucked up my courage to showcase my tank for your kind comments...BTW, just shoot...so that I can learnt!!!

As an introduction some background:

I have actually bought my set-up 2nd hand for bro Rapalla in early-Dec 2005, thanks for your help in transfering the tank and LR...and the precious advice.

Spent 2 weeks transfering the tank:

1st week: Live rocks and water from the tank (took 3 jelly cans)

2nd week: Tank and equipment

My Story in a glance:

1. Mid Dec 2005: Bought an additional 15bags of sea water from Iwarna.

2. 23 Dec 2005: Started my LR scaping and poured in water from holding

tank.

3. Christmas: Added the leather and 2 rock of mushies that I took over from bro

Rapalla

In the meantime, weekly water test for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.

4. Mid Jan: Added 2 common clown fishes for observation. Feeding well, no itch, good condition overall

5. 22 Jan: Shopping trip to buy fishes at Pasir Ris farmway, had intended to keep a FOWLR set-up. Ended up with the following:

Hairy mushies, Green and brown

Star Poly

GREEN CARPET Anemone (stupid me, thought that it was a coral, btw, auntie said that this is a coral)

Purple tang

2 x Clarkii clown

Got rid of the anemone on 24 Jan. Heng ah!!!!!

6. 26 Jan: Added new fishes, powder blue, naso tang, powder brown, algae blenny

7. 29 Jan (1st day of CNY): White spots seen on some fishes

8. 31 Jan (3rd day of CNY): 1st casualty, Powder brown....followed by powder blue and naso....within the next few days...

9. 3 Feb: Got Chem marine"Stop parasite" from Henry...and saved my purple tang

10. Itch cured...more fishes and corals added....

My final product.......refer to link: http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226382

Pics of my latest update on 17/04/06:

Thanks for your patience.

[cdckjn]

Whoa, Impressive for a new tank - Great job for a new tank - I also bought a powder blue - lost them to itch - powder blue tends to bring itch into tanks. that's why i avoid them.

Keep pics coming.

[ah boy]

Hi

For the benefit of those who does not want to refer to my link earlier, here are the specs of my tank and LS.

My updated list of equipment is as follows:

Tank Specs

Main Tank: 3.5ft(l) x 20"(w) x 2.5ft (h)

Sump: 3ft(l) x 14"(w) x 16" (h)

Lights: 1 x 10000k 150w MH(on for 7hrs: 3pm to 10pm)

2 x HO 39W T5 2 x 3ft (10000k) (on for 5.55hrs: 6pm to 1130pm)

2 x T5 NO (coral blue) (on for 5.5hrs: 6pm to 1130pm)

Chiller: Resun CL650 (w Dymax 2000l/hr pump)

Skimmer: Reef Octopus (in sump: smallest model-only one that could fit

into my sump due to height)

Return pump: Weipro 6000 (I think)

Others: 2nd hand DIY Auto Top-up

Skimz FR w Rowaphos

1 x seio 620 (main tank)

1 x 1000l/hr pump (main tank)

1 x cheapo PH monitor

Livestock

Fishes: Blue tang

Purple tang

Yellow tang

Sailfin tang

Unicorn tang (I hope I got the name right..the one with blue spots)

Powder Blue

A pair of true percula

Chromis (1 only.... yes!!!)

3 x cleaner shrimp

1 x coral band shrimp

2 x sally foot crab

1 x sandstar

1 x cucumber

1 x "Hum" or clam (can anyone name this species???)

(BTW, I have a clown and a naso tang still in quarantine!!! no more fishes for me!!!)

Corals: Hammer

Octo

Brain

Zoos

Green hairy mushrooms

Elephant Ear

Brown hairy mushrooms

2 x open brain

Bi-colour prata

Leather

Misc mushies

Star poly

Yuma

Bubble

Elegance

Water Readings taken on 15/04/06:

NH4: 0

NO2: 0

NO3: <5ppm

KH: 12dKH

PH: 8.1

Calcium: 410

Temperature: Average 26.2 Deg C

Phosphate: Forgot to measure cos last time was 0 (after installing the FR for Rowaphos...)

[ah boy]

More pics

That's all folks!!!!!

[iantoh]

hi there ah boy,

great looking tank bro. the sarcophyton especially!

cheers,

ian

[barnacle]

nice tank..love your elegance..

can share your husbandry...any additives added??

[barnacle]

1 x "Hum" or clam (can anyone name this species???)

crocea

[jervismun]

Proper setup and amazing results!!! You sure u only been reefing for 4 months? Coz ur tank looks so damn cool All your corals look so so happy

[ah boy]

Thanks bro

For additives, I add the following:

Aquapharm Part A & Part B (twice a week)

Aquapharm Iodide

Aquapharm Trace Elements

Seachem Reef Builder and Buffer (for KH and PH if required)

Did I miss out anything??? I am still monitoring my water parameters, just hope that the current additives (based on recommended dosage per instructions) is sufficient.

I actually bought one clown surgeon and naso tang last sunday from Pasir Ris....put in quarantine tank, but both up lorry yesterday....damn...no more getting fishes from shops....will get from fellow hobbist instead...can safe the trouble of quarantine.

I would definitely love to have a few more clams in my tank and some red coloured corals...

Regards

Wai Yip

[marble]

Hi

For the benefit of those who does not want to refer to my link earlier, here are the specs of my tank and LS.

My updated list of equipment is as follows:

Tank Specs

Main Tank: 3.5ft(l) x 20"(w) x 2.5ft (h)

Sump: 3ft(l) x 14"(w) x 16" (h)

Lights: 1 x 10000k 150w MH(on for 7hrs: 3pm to 10pm)

2 x HO 39W T5 2 x 3ft (10000k) (on for 5.55hrs: 6pm to 1130pm)

2 x T5 NO (coral blue) (on for 5.5hrs: 6pm to 1130pm)

Chiller: Resun CL650 (w Dymax 2000l/hr pump)

Skimmer: Reef Octopus (in sump: smallest model-only one that could fit

into my sump due to height)

Return pump: Weipro 6000 (I think)

Others: 2nd hand DIY Auto Top-up

Skimz FR w Rowaphos

1 x seio 620 (main tank)

1 x 1000l/hr pump (main tank)

1 x cheapo PH monitor

Livestock

Fishes: Blue tang

Purple tang

Yellow tang

Sailfin tang

Unicorn tang (I hope I got the name right..the one with blue spots)

Powder Blue

A pair of true percula

Chromis (1 only.... yes!!!)

3 x cleaner shrimp

1 x coral band shrimp

2 x sally foot crab

1 x sandstar

1 x cucumber

1 x "Hum" or clam (can anyone name this species???)

(BTW, I have a clown and a naso tang still in quarantine!!! no more fishes for me!!!)

Corals: Hammer

Octo

Brain

Zoos

Green hairy mushrooms

Elephant Ear

Brown hairy mushrooms

2 x open brain

Bi-colour prata

Leather

Misc mushies

Star poly

Yuma

Bubble

Elegance

Water Readings taken on 15/04/06:

NH4: 0

NO2: 0

NO3: <5ppm

KH: 12dKH

PH: 8.1

Calcium: 410

Temperature: Average 26.2 Deg C

Phosphate: Forgot to measure cos last time was 0 (after installing the FR for Rowaphos...)

Nice tank bro....

Reali impress tat with so many LS n exp tangs inside ur tank n u manaage to keep no3 at less then 5ppm....

Wat equipmt did u use or method did u use to counter no3.Can share with us???

tks

[ah boy]

Hi

Cdckjn: Have to admit that powder blues are difficult, got the powder blue about a month ago, quarantine for about 3 weeks till it is totally cleared of itch....added in the fish to my main tank and now...some spots are coming out...

Looks like I need to make another trip to Henry to get another bottle of Chem marine stop parasites....It seems to work for me the my corals and clams are not affected (from what I have observed).

My nitrate level had been good so far...my method includes the following:

1. Deep sand bed of about 3inches for my main tank (with plenum)

2. Deep sand bed of 7-8 inches with macro algae at sump (grows too fast) and plenum

3. My Reef octopus skimmer NW110 (smallest in-sump model, seems to be doing well)

4. Water change of 3 jelly cans every 1.5months (roughly)

Probably my filtration also???? refer to the pic attached belong

1. overflow compartment filled with bioballs

2. 1st sump compartment (about 1ft by 14inch) filled with coral chips, 2kg red biohome. (blocked by the water container in the pics=> for my water top up).

3. 2nd compartment, refrigium stated above

4. return compartment where I house my skimmer, return pumps, chiller pump, FR pump.

Any comments of my filtration??? No material changes from the set that I have bought over from bro Rapalla.

[jervismun]

A truly TANG lover And ur tank doesn't look amateur at all!!! at least semi-professional

[ah boy]

Hi Jervis

Thanks for your comments....Still learning....

In fact, I like all marine fishes which are bigger in sizes (or grows big) like angels, tangs, triggers, even Lionfishes....would really luv to add a magestic angel, and clown trigger....but.....

Decided to go for tangs after knowing that they could co-exist with corals...but they are not easy to keep (from the comments of the others bro so far). My casuaties so far includes:

1 naso, 1 Powder blue, 1 Power brown, 2 clarkiis and 2 common clowns (from 1st itch attack)after my tank was set-up

1 naso, 1 clown, brown tang, blue tang (from quarantine) tank

Really sad cos they are all very beautiful fishes that I took time to select and source..

But I am NOT ready to give up!!! will now buy from fellow reefers...if possible...and if needed improve my quarantine techniques and monitoring.

My dream is to have separate big tank housing angels if I redo my set-up in a couple of years...

So far...."Touch wood" corals seems easier????? at least my record only shows in dead open brain compared to the numerous fishes...

Weird!!!!

Regards

Wai Yip

[shootsimon]

Nice tank you have here bro. Noticed that your probe is immersed fully below water level. You might want to consider leaving only the probe tip in the water and the wire part above water level. Think its safer that way so won't have leakage

[ong2ah]

Hi bro ah boy, yours is an amateurish tank ?? U got to be joking...

Dnt be so modest, bro... Really a very nice tank.. i think i got to call my tank,

a super amateurish tank..

Learn a bit more from ur thread

[jervismun]

Bro saw u using the pH monitor that AM trying to sell me... how is it? How long have u been using it? I very concern the monitor can quickly go inaccurate then have to readjust again Your pH of 8.2 is good... keep it up!

[Qxnviolet]

Hrmz, wht is the brand of the Ph meter Am is selling? any comparisons between tht and PinPoint brand Meters?

[jervismun]

My only comments on your sump are:

1. The Chaetomorpha are way too little to make a difference to the biotope. However, it's a good start. Try to speed up their growth by 24 hours lighting. You need to fill the entire compartment with Chaeto in order to have significant benefits. Mine still growing, 24 hours lighting.

2. What's that stocking bag in the refugium? Looking at the size (fully filled) and position, don't think it will function effectively. Whatever the content, the tank water can only touches the surface layer of the filter media.

More pix pls

[jervismun]

Hrmz, wht is the brand of the Ph meter Am is selling? any comparisons between tht and PinPoint brand Meters?

It's a Taiwanese made product, no brand (I think). AM selling around $90+. The Pinpoint of course is double that price And doesn't come with light-up digital panel (I think). So this Taiwanese version is so much easier to read. Can consider coz testing pH using Salifert is so so not fun

[Altantis]

It's a Taiwanese made product, no brand (I think). AM selling around $90+. The Pinpoint of course is double that price And doesn't come with light-up digital panel (I think). So this Taiwanese version is so much easier to read. Can consider coz testing pH using Salifert is so so not fun

How about using those Weipro PH tester

[jervismun]

I'll go look for more more options (since getting paycheck very soon, lol).

Bro... I really really like ur Elegance!!! The pink tips are so nice I wanna look for one too.

[ah boy]

Hi All

Ong2ah: Thanks for your compliments....let's learn and make our tank super!!!!

Shootsimon: Thanks for your advise....Will try to stick(find a way) the probe higher.

Jervismun: I got the PH monitor 2nd hand...less than $50 I think...from seller to me, it had been used for about 6months. So far the readings had been pretty accurate as I do check occasionally to my PH test kit.

I heard from the seller that the probe cannot be changed so that's why it is cheap compared to the other types of PH monitor....so gotta start looking for a better monitor before this gives way. Saw AM's set that they used for the display tank...you could probably check with them the useful life if the probe cannot be change, and the price of the replacement probe if it can be change.

As for the macro algae, that is the what I have started with about 2 to 3 months back (sorry that this is an outdated photo, forgot to take some updated photo of my sump). Now the refrigium is completely filled with macroalgae....damn fast growers (I have a tendency to forget switching of the light everytime I turn it on at night.)

As for the filter bad, it contains Seachem matrix carbon, forgot to put it in to the first compartment so I just left it in the 2nd....lazy me. Anyway, I have already taken out the carbon and another packet of (Phosguard+carbon) as I am currently administering treatment for possible itch (residue from previous outbreak I think). Using my trusted Chem Marin Stop parasite form Henry. (as least it worked for me but super ex. for a medication).

I love my elegance as well, got it from seletar farmway T95 (from old uncle), in fact got most my corals from him....used bought a dieing or lousy cynarina last weekend....stupid me....even though at a cheaper price. I think I still saw one elegance at his display tank, so can check out when you are free.

Will try to take some more photos within this few days.

Regards

Wai Yip

[ah boy]

Added the following LS:

2 x crocea

1 x Squamosa....

and some minor rescape!!!

[ah boy]

An overview...not much changes except for the right side.

[ah boy]

The croceas