My first tank...

[Gaia]

I set up my first tank in June, and am taking it slowly as I don't want to go wrong! My set-up is as follows:

180 litre/39.5 gallon tank
100cm long x 40cm deep x 45cm high.

The tank came with 2 x 36in fluorescent tubes in the canopy. It also came with an external filter but paid a bit more to swap it for a bigger filter - Fluval 205.

I have coral sand on the bottom, and a mix of artificial rock and live rock.

So far I have:
2 clownfish
1 lemon watchman goby
1 cleaner shrimp
1 sea cucumber
1 starfish
1 leather coral
6 hermit crabs
4 turbo snails.

I don't have a protein skimmer yet, but hope to get one when I get paid at the end of the month. However, I'm testing the water regularly, and doing my water changes and everything seems fine so far (touching wood!) Also hoping to save up for some star polyps and mushroom rock - I've been told my lights aren't good enough for most corals but my leather coral seems to be growing well atm.

 

[Anonymous]

Post pics, we love pics!!

Get your protein skimmer ASAP. That will be the best money you ever spent.

:welcome:

 

[Gaia]

I took some photos last night, so I'll see if they're any good when I get home from work tonight, and hopefully post a couple.

Any tips for taking photos of tanks, as kept getting problems with glare, and tried with both the living room lights off and on?

 

[Anonymous]

Turn flash off, clean glass and put camera right up to glass and you have more stability with your camera.

That's about all I have for advice. Others can give better.

 

[Gaia]

Okay, not great, but gives you an idea of my set-up...

 

[Gaia]

And another...

 

[Gaia]

And lastly, a picture of leather coral, as he was one of the last items we bought for the tank, and we're very proud of it!

 

[Anonymous]

Nice!

 

[Gaia]

Thanks! Got paid yesterday so bought a protein skimmer today. Makes things a little noiser now, but hopefully worth it....

Was tempted by a fish I saw today (bluestripe rabbit I think it was called), but as it was £35 and protein skimmer was £90 I resisited, plus husband didn't seem convinced.

 

[Gaia]

Update:
Have added some pink star polyps (think thats what they're called!)
a pair of green chromis
A fire fish

Oh, and went back for the bluestripe rabbit only to find it had been sold. They expect to have more however, so have took our name and number, and will call us when one comes in...

 

[Anonymous]

Careful with the Rabbitfish, most of the species requires a minimum tank size of 300-400liters as they can grow to around 10" (25cm). The last thing you want to do is have to remove him when you have grown attached to him after some time. Couldnt find that specific one on a quick search, could it be either a 2 striped or a blue spotted? Ask on the site with the scientific name and see what the smarter folks say before parting with your money.....

 

[Gaia]

Thanks for the advice. The first thing I do before buying any fish is to go away and look them up, and couldn't find bluestripe rabbit anywhere myself which was rather disapointing, and all the pictures I turned up under rabbitfish didn't help. Was a beautiful fish though!

However, the lady in the shop seemed to think this species was fine for my set-up, and she's been a mine of information so far. I'll try and find out more details from them next time I go in - I haven't paid up front or anything!

It was black and blue striped if that helps...? :lol:

 

[MyMonkey]

Looking good.

Never heard of a bluesthripped rabbitfish. Odd.