JBJ 12g with LEDs Build

[scubaethan]

Hey guys I'm back in the hobby finally after a hiatus for a couple of years. Here's a photo of what this tank used to look like in it's prime.

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I had let the corraline algae get out of control so my first step to getting the tank back up was to remove it all with vinegar. I put vinegar soaked paper towels on the wall then scrapped it off.

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Then I cleaned some corrosion from the top, took out all the stuff for the PC bulbs, and installed a Panorama Pro LED strip I got from Jenn at Imagine Ocean. Their display tank was the deciding factor.
http://www.ecoxotic.com/aquarium-led-lights/panorama-modules/panorama-pro-module.html">http://www.ecoxotic.com/aquarium-led-lights/panorama-modules/panorama-pro-module.html</a>

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I added aragonite sand and great live rock from Imagine Ocean. I've counted as many as 13 mini brittle stars at once! The first one I found was crawling along the sand. Love those little guys.

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Now here's a current image of the tank and I plan to get some more inverts this weekend and one or two clowns. Sorry for the bad image quality, my Nikon SLR and equipment bag was stolen so I'm left with my Droid phone :mad2:

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Last water test. The tank has been running for almost 2 months.
pH 8.1
Ammonia 0
Nitrate <10
Nitrite 0
Alkalinity 2mEq/L <--- Is this okay for starting out? Should I bring it up before adding livestock?

Also, in the back chambers I just have some charcoal and rubble. What do you recommend I add and when? I used to run purigen but wasn't sure if I should have it in there when cycling the tank. Thanks!

 

[jimknutson]

I would get the alk up to 3 or more. Just my opinion.

 

[scubaethan]

Yup. Just LEDs.

 

[scubaethan]

Update:
I got livestock! :thumbs:
I got snails and hermits for my clean up crew. Those nassarius snails are ravenous! Then I got a couple of clowns from James in Athens. I learned a lot and enjoyed seeing the breeding set up. They settled in well and paired up then gave me a scare one day when they wouldn't eat. But now they seem fine and the little one is doing the seizure-looking dance. My girlfriend named them Bozo and Bailey.

Then I got a few ricordeas. Anyone have some cheap stuff to throw my way? GSP, kenya tree, leather, pulsing anything, etc.

The only issue I've had is keeping the temperature steady when we have cold snaps. It does fine day/night. I love those LEDs.
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[scubaethan]

Here is a more recent photo of the clowns almost two weeks later. Look how much darker the bigger one is!
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[todd03blown]

Looks good! I am getting my Elos Mini back up and running taking a break for well over a year.

 

[scubaethan]

Thanks. Isn't it great to be back in the hobby?

I have a hitch hiker crab. Hasn't done any harm yet but everywhere I read says I should get it out of there. I've read about putting a piece of shrimp in an upside down half of a coke bottle. Any other ideas?

What do I do with the crab once I catch it? I don't have a refugium... yet... anyway want it?


Also, can someone identify that algae? You can see more of it in the photos above. I don't care about the vine-like stuff cause I can easily trim it. But the stuff that grows really close to the rock is impossible to trim and it's growing pretty fast. Does anything eat it?
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[scubaethan]

I got three new corals last week. Blastos, green pinwheel palys, and some orange bam bam zoas. I think my LEDs might actually be too bright for the zoas as they are losing a bit of their brightness. I'm going to try putting them more in the shadows.

I'm in the market for some upgrades. Looking for a maxi-jet 900, koralia nano, and filter media basket to hold floss, chaeto, and chemipure elite in the future. I'm picking up a JBJ ATO tomorrow!

The clowns are doing great. They've given me a couple of scares as I was acclimating to their antics. Like the one time I thought the little one was having a seizure :doh: They are just lovey dovey. The darker one is almost completely black now.
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[db366]

Looks like a great start! Can't wait to see more!

 

[scubaethan]

I got new corals!

Monti cap

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Blue cloves

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The blastos are getting bigger

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The green pinwheel palys are getting bigger too

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The mocha clown is all black now

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