35 gal reef (with pics)

[Rainman]

AGA: 36x12x14 inch tank (~20 gal)
lights: 1 x 30W 10000k, 1 x 30W 65000k, 1 x 30W actinic
skimmer: Queen 2000 (~1500l/hr)
substrate: 2 1/2 inches reef sand (not live at start up)

sump: 30x12x12 inch (~15 gal)
plenum: 5-6 inches of CaCO3 sand (bit bigger than sugar grain size) sitting on egg grate with 1 inch gap below.

return: Rio2400 (~1500 l/hr)
heater: 150W

tank established 1/9/03
two pieces of live rock added 2/9/03

parameters 16/09/03 All Aquasonic test kits, apart from Ca which is different.
sg: 1.022-1.024
temp: 26-30 C
ph: 8.4
Alk: 80 ppm
Ca: 480 ppm
Ammonia: 0.5-1.0 ppm (was 1.0 ppm a few days ago).
Nitrite: ~5ppm
Nitrate: 40-80ppm

photos: http://tsv.rebroken.org/photos/albums/aquarium/

 

[Rainman]

Parameters 13/10/03
sg: 1.023
temp: 27 C
ph: 8.1-8.4
Ammonia: 0.1 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 5-10 ppm

I've added a green chromis, a couple more pieces of liverock and a couple of frags. All doing o.k.

The plenum has still not changed at all! The nitrates were reduced with a 66% water change.

I'm thinking removing some of the sand (1-2 mm) and replacing it with some very fine sand on the top.

 

[Rainman]

Parameters 25/11/03
sg: 1.023
temp: 30 C
ph: 8.4
Ammonia: 0.1 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 10 ppm
Ca: 840-880ppm!
Alk: 80ppm

The Ca and Alk need addressing. It's a component of the water quality that I haven't really focused on since setting up my tank. I'm going to re-do the Ca test to make sure that it's right too.

Added Sailfin Tang, Coral Beauty and a box of live rock.

Adjusted plenum and added denitrifing coil as well.

 

[Algae Blenny]

The tank looks good, I like the aquascaping and the sump came out great.

BTW, A 35G is way to small for a Sailfin Tang they need at least a 100G.

 

[Rainman]

Really? I haven't heard that about the tang. *surprised* But I also haven't asked She (it think it's a she) is doing ok so far, just a small case of white spot from a coral beauty that I added the other week without QTing it.

 

[Reef Guy11]

That is a Great little set you have. Nice Job.

Oh do I hear Sirens the tang Police is on it's way hehe lol.

 

[Rainman]

Removed biological filtration matrix from sump

 

[Rainman]

All going reasonably well 12/3/04.

Tank parameters:
ph: 8.4
sal: 1.023
nitrate: 5-10ppm
Ca: 580ppm
Alk: 100ppm (need to start dosing)

Added: bicolour blenny, denitrifying coil (hasn't kicked in yet), tuned skimmer to a bit wetter.

Updated pictures.

 

[Rainman]

 

[Cruiznblue]

Very nice tank...but dont add anymore fish!

 

[Rainman]

Thanks, not going to.

At the moment the fish population is:
1x blue chromis
1x bicolour blennie
1x small sailfin tang
1x coral beauty

All doing fine and not eating too much, so params all within acceptable ranges

 

[cliffrouse11baseball]

dont know how long that salfin tang is going to make it in that small tank..

 

[reewik]

Great looking 30... I thought it was a 90 at first glance... Very nice aquascaping and some grat coral placement.