275 gallon system. 180 gallon DT, 55g refug, 40g sump
- Thread starter tanked
- Start date
Great thanks. I was probably going to ask around for some. Just didn't know if the alge sucking up the phosphates and nitrates would interfere with the cycle.
I'll definitely get more pods too. I want a Mandarin dragonet and want plenty of pods around and about before I get it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Finally got the Radions hung. Went with the Rms rail and it was really the way to go. I can slid any of them done the 72 inch rail and rotate them 360 degrees. They're about 9 inches off the water right now. Still playing around with the height and orientation of each. Whay do you guys think?
alt="" />
alt="" />
alt="" />
alt="" />
alt="" />
alt="" />
alt="" />
alt="" />
alt="" />
alt="" />
alt="" />
alt="" />
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Looks AWESOME!!!
One thing I have learned in this hobby is to let nature take its course and GO SLOW. Let your tank cycle, don't rush it. Once it has gone though the cycle you are ready to start adding stuff. Do you have your QT tank cycled yet? If not, you want to make sure that whatever you are using for filtration is in your tank getting ready so you can use the water from a water change to fill it up.
Are you planning on QTing your fish before adding them to the display?
A mandarin needs an established tank so don't make that fish one. Many will tell you to wait a year. BTW, that is how long it takes t go though the number of phases your tank will naturally go though.
One thing I have learned in this hobby is to let nature take its course and GO SLOW. Let your tank cycle, don't rush it. Once it has gone though the cycle you are ready to start adding stuff. Do you have your QT tank cycled yet? If not, you want to make sure that whatever you are using for filtration is in your tank getting ready so you can use the water from a water change to fill it up.
Are you planning on QTing your fish before adding them to the display?
A mandarin needs an established tank so don't make that fish one. Many will tell you to wait a year. BTW, that is how long it takes t go though the number of phases your tank will naturally go though.
Nice looking build you have here. I wouldn't worry too much about starting up the fuge with pods and algae just yet. Pods reproduce at a ridiculous rate and algae grows super fast so it won't be a big deal.
The first year of the tank is going to be a year of "cycling". Sure the main cycle that everyone talks about will be over in the first 4-6 weeks, but it takes a little while for everything to balance out nicely to where algae of some sort won't be a problem in most cases.
Like others have said, mandarins are awesome fish, but they can be pretty finicky eaters (which is fine if you have pods) but it's just one of those things where you should probably try your hand at other fish first so you have everything down. The clowns will be an awesome addition, but they normally find a place to swim in the tank and then don't move from that spot. If you want some personality, check out a wrasse of some sort (yellow coris, mystery, carpenter), or my personal favorite, a foxface of some kind. They are beautiful fish and will spend most of their time exploring the tank.
Looking forward to seeing more!
The first year of the tank is going to be a year of "cycling". Sure the main cycle that everyone talks about will be over in the first 4-6 weeks, but it takes a little while for everything to balance out nicely to where algae of some sort won't be a problem in most cases.
Like others have said, mandarins are awesome fish, but they can be pretty finicky eaters (which is fine if you have pods) but it's just one of those things where you should probably try your hand at other fish first so you have everything down. The clowns will be an awesome addition, but they normally find a place to swim in the tank and then don't move from that spot. If you want some personality, check out a wrasse of some sort (yellow coris, mystery, carpenter), or my personal favorite, a foxface of some kind. They are beautiful fish and will spend most of their time exploring the tank.
Looking forward to seeing more!
- Messages
- 1,157
- Reaction score
- 0
Also, chromis are a peaceful addition that schools in the tank and provides movement
Thanks russ. Definitely doing a QT tank. I have one running now with my 2 clowns in it that have been doing surprisingly well for almost 2 months. They will be the first additions to the tank.
Did another test last night and Ammonia and nitrite were 0 and Nitrate 10. Still have all the lights off other than when I'm playing around. I'm still hesitant about adding the clowns for another couple weeks. I am feeding the main tank about twice as much as I do the clowns to beef up the bacteria colonies. And I'm sure right before I add them I will do a large water change.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Awesome feedback. Good to know about the pods and alge. I'm still trying to decide on what light to run on my fuge. I know it dosent have to be anything special but I don't really want something looking tacky up under there. I plan on showing off my sump room as much as the DT.
I'm will be sure to take it slow the first year. Now that things are moving forward my girlfriend is really excited to get some livestock in the tank. I hate to be a buzz kill all the time and tell her it's going to be a slow process.
As far as the Mandarin goes you and Russ mentioned they're tough fish to keep. I've read pretty much all I can on the little guys. While I would love to have one now. I'm definitely waiting until my tank matures a lot more. I look into your other recommendations too. This will be a fowlr so I will want a variety of fish I can't have when I start coral.
Any ideas when I should add the cleanup crew? Like snails and hermits?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
I add the cleanup crew about a week or more after I need it. You are going to get algae this is not the time to get crazy trying to keep it under control.
Also don't go crazy with the size of your crew. They will eat the algae, die, and add to your bio load. Slow and easy is your friend fright now.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Also don't go crazy with the size of your crew. They will eat the algae, die, and add to your bio load. Slow and easy is your friend fright now.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Mandarins aren't tough to keep. Their food is. If you have a fuge, you shouldn't have any issues.
The tank will take a while to "establish" but there is so much changing in the first year that you won't even notice the wait. You can add a clean up crew once your cycle is over and they are a lot of fun to watch, especially if aquariums are a new hobby. It won't feel like a slow process. You could add something to the tank every 3-4 weeks and when you think of it that way, it's easy.
As far as fuge lights, I would recommend the reef breeders light. I'm not sure what it's called off the top of my head, but I can send a link later. It's not expensive and the growth is crazy.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
The tank will take a while to "establish" but there is so much changing in the first year that you won't even notice the wait. You can add a clean up crew once your cycle is over and they are a lot of fun to watch, especially if aquariums are a new hobby. It won't feel like a slow process. You could add something to the tank every 3-4 weeks and when you think of it that way, it's easy.
As far as fuge lights, I would recommend the reef breeders light. I'm not sure what it's called off the top of my head, but I can send a link later. It's not expensive and the growth is crazy.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
OK. It's funny you mentioned that. I have read a number of things that says to get an insane amount of the guys but I watch the BRS TV guys on YouTube and he said exactly that. And it makes sense. I mainly want some guys in there sifting sand and touching things up. I know they are the first line of defense. Just an extra precaution.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Tanks Crew. I actually want to make my fuge a little spotligt of my system. its a 55 gallon tanks so i plan on having some critters in there that may not survive in the main like a starfish or something. But im glad to hear if the fuge is stable i shoudnt have many problems with the pods for the mandarin.
Ive been talking with with my girlfriend and had some thoughts about cutting out a porthole or 2 that will be up under the bar. the idea behind it i can flip a switch and cut on some LED strips that will light the refugium
here Is another question i can run by you all. I know i want a black covering of the back of the tank. I bought a couple cans of the Plasti Dip. Its easy enough to peel off if needed.
What i would really like is something removable so can clean and make changes to the scape and show off the tank if need be.
Any Thoughts?
What i would really like is something removable so can clean and make changes to the scape and show off the tank if need be.
Any Thoughts?
I just spray painted the back of my tank black, but it's against a wall, so i can't really get to it anyway. Plastidip would definitely be the way to go in your situation.
Here is the fuge light I use and I know Brett (bcavalli) uses it too. We both have success with it.
https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/fuge-lite-led/">https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/fuge-lite-led/</a>
I run mine for about 16 hours/day on an opposite schedule of my display lights, You could put an LED strip or something in the fuge if you wanted to look at it, but in my experience, they all tend to look the same - green. :)
With your clean up crew - figure out however many of whatever critters you want and divide it by 4 and then add a group each time you notice the algae outpacing your CuC.
Here is the fuge light I use and I know Brett (bcavalli) uses it too. We both have success with it.
https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/fuge-lite-led/">https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/fuge-lite-led/</a>
I run mine for about 16 hours/day on an opposite schedule of my display lights, You could put an LED strip or something in the fuge if you wanted to look at it, but in my experience, they all tend to look the same - green. :)
With your clean up crew - figure out however many of whatever critters you want and divide it by 4 and then add a group each time you notice the algae outpacing your CuC.
