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Progession of a 46 gallon reef tank

Discussion in 'Freshwater Aquariums & Fish Photos' started by California Cowgirl, Jul 25, 2009.

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  1. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    that looks sorta similar to cpr backpak.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Aug 22, 2009
    #121
  2. kalebsdad21

    kalebsdad21 New Member

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    Tank is looking good. I have been reading your thread one sugestion I would make as far a food goes is to try and find Rods food it is great for reef tanks. It will cover the feeding for your fish and your coral. Also I would get rid of the glass top it does not let enough oxygen into the tank. I would suggest egg crate or an open top, but goby fish are known to be jumpers so the egg crate would prob be the better of the two. I am not sure what kind of coral you are going to get but that will help you decide on what dirrection you will need to go as far as flow and lighting for the tank. And take your time nothing good happens over night. I waitted 4 months before I put anything into the tank. But it looks like your headed in the right direction keep up the good work.
     
    kalebsdad21, Aug 22, 2009
    #122
  3. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    yup :) when i was searching the net i found that the ocoto backpack is just like the cpr but works better
     
    California Cowgirl, Aug 22, 2009
    #123
  4. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    thanks for the suggestion on food, i'm assuming Rods would have the meaty foods that i would need. And yea, i was planning on switching to egg crate, since i found out that the skimmer doesn't fit in the section anyways. For corals i plan on going softies and some lps. I know i for sure want to get zoas and polyps, but that's all i've decided so far. And this cycling process is a killer
     
    California Cowgirl, Aug 22, 2009
    #124
  5. kalebsdad21

    kalebsdad21 New Member

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    what do you have as far as flow now?
     
    kalebsdad21, Aug 22, 2009
    #125
  6. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    for flow i have 2 maxijett 1200 and the flow from the emperor 400, i have what seems to be good flow at the top and a decent amount towards the bottom, and i even see flow down on the subtrate
     
    California Cowgirl, Aug 22, 2009
    #126
  7. kalebsdad21

    kalebsdad21 New Member

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    So you have about 1000 gph flow in a 46 gal. I have about 1500 in my 20. If it was my tank i would ad more because you will have dead spots witch will cause red slime.
     
    kalebsdad21, Aug 22, 2009
    #127
  8. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    i was thinking i would probably need to add one more powerhead, i have room in the tank so it won't be to big of deal, i haven't had any red slime yet, and i'm hoping i wont
     
    California Cowgirl, Aug 22, 2009
    #128
  9. kalebsdad21

    kalebsdad21 New Member

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    I would go for a koralia 2 or 3 something in thoughs lines.
     
    kalebsdad21, Aug 22, 2009
    #129
  10. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    ok, i have a little to get list of things i still need to buy, so i'll put one of those on my list
     
    California Cowgirl, Aug 22, 2009
    #130
  11. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    Tests readings are going down!!

    Testing Week 2:

    Nitrite: .5
    Nitrate: 20
    Ammonia: .25

    Coralline is spreading everywhere! i've even noticed a very tiny teal spot on one of the rocks, i'm assuming it's one of the many colors of coralline
     
    California Cowgirl, Aug 22, 2009
    #131
  12. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    i think i found a hitchiker coral. It's in a really bad spot so i cannot take a clear pic, i've tried many angles, and different settings on my camera, and couldn't get a good shot. So these pics are the best that i have. I think it may be a mushroom
    005.JPG 012.JPG 014.JPG
     
    California Cowgirl, Aug 22, 2009
    #132
  13. DanBruv

    DanBruv New Member

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    sorta looks like it :)
     
    DanBruv, Aug 23, 2009
    #133
  14. buzz4520

    buzz4520 Well-Known Member

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    is your hitchiker a good or bad thing ?
     
    buzz4520, Aug 23, 2009
    #134
  15. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    I haven't found out what it is yet bit I think it's ok
     
    California Cowgirl, Aug 23, 2009
    #135
  16. buzz4520

    buzz4520 Well-Known Member

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    would just hate to see you come this far to have a set back like an unwanted/bad hitchiker.
     
    buzz4520, Aug 23, 2009
    #136
  17. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    yea that would not be cool if that were to happen
     
    California Cowgirl, Aug 23, 2009
    #137
  18. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    so my dad and i put together the skimmer, it did not come with the air valve so i emailed aquacave to see if they can send me one. i won't run the skimmer until i have fish in the tank.

    The lid is temporary until my dad can get the egg crate to fit on the tank
    014.JPG 015.JPG 016.JPG 017.JPG
     
    California Cowgirl, Aug 23, 2009
    #138
  19. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    you'll need to use the front of your glass canopy being it's a bowfront..or you can try to get him to cut the light diffuser to fit and in two pieces with zip ties that way you can open for feeding.

    Looking good kiddo!
    You'll be soo glad your taking your time and not rushing the "process"...so many problems can be avoided with letting it "adjust".
     
    MOD_Dawn, Aug 23, 2009
    #139
  20. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    interesting idea about using the the front glass part. that was one of my questions about using the eggcrate is how will i do water changes and feeding, and he said i'll just have to take off the egg crate. So i'll mention your idea to him to see what he thinks.

    Yea, the only thing that i've done to help speed up the process of cycling is putting a large raw shrimp in the tank, but that's it
     
    California Cowgirl, Aug 23, 2009
    #140
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