Malcolmfish First tank

[MalcolmFish]

Well haven't copied and pasted my whole build but thought would start now .

So got myself two clowns.

Current set up, anything you would change? Scape? Power flow positions.

Keep getting a slap noise due to these stupid glass bits

Want new lights as the strip light is annoying but no idea where to start?

 

[penzo]

Looks a good start.I would in time build up your rock work,my tank has a blue background,are you going to paint yours?and you could perhaps add another power head for flow lower down.

 

[CEECH]

As said i would add a backround and add some more rock as yo have lots of room to do so. You could adjust the power heads so one will do the middle and lower half of the tank and the other the upper and top.Is there a sump on this tank ? Any other pumps ect ? Do you have an atu ? How long is the tank running ?
More details you can give about your tank the better . Have you tested your readings ?
For lights there are lots of options. It depends if i time you want to have corals or fish only tank.
From the looks of the picture you are running an external filter. So i am guessing you dont use a skimmer ?
It could be an option for you to consider getting a sump or o hang on skimmer for insid your tank.

 

[MalcolmFish]

Looks a good start.I would in time build up your rock work,my tank has a blue background,are you going to paint yours?and you could perhaps add another power head for flow lower down.

I was thinking about doing the background but not sure, if I did I probably would just go black.

Yeah I thought about getting some more rock, how would you scape more in?

As said i would add a backround and add some more rock as yo have lots of room to do so. You could adjust the power heads so one will do the middle and lower half of the tank and the other the upper and top.Is there a sump on this tank ? Any other pumps ect ? Do you have an atu ? How long is the tank running ?
More details you can give about your tank the better . Have you tested your readings ?
For lights there are lots of options. It depends if i time you want to have corals or fish only tank.
From the looks of the picture you are running an external filter. So i am guessing you dont use a skimmer ?
It could be an option for you to consider getting a sump or o hang on skimmer for insid your tank.

its not sumped no , it runs an external filter system which is underneath in the cabinet (Oscellaris external filter).

Yes it gets tested daily still, its about 6 weeks in now. Ammonia 0, nitrite 0 and nitrate 10. Looking to do another water change this Thursday.

No skimmer, feel like it would just be another unit on the side like an eye sore to be honest. Was tempted by a hang on sump but then been told they normally aren't the best?

I said I would do fish only... like everyone said but looking to get some corals too now!

 

[372xp]

As far as scaping goes dont just pile a load of rock up against the back, its a tired and boring scape and doesn't alow for decent flow. Other than that its up to you, be creative and provide some cover for your fish to hide. As for positioning the powerheads you want to create a current and undertow, so as you put the food in it should flow across then down then across the bottom and back up again, this flow should reach all areas of the tank. Dead spots, no or little flow, are where gunk accumilates and nuisance algae starts.
Avoid the slap by lowering the water level.
If you buy an overflow box, lots to choose from, you can have a sump and skimmer. Sumps are simple to make out of an old fish tank and can be as simple and elaborate as you like.
For corals in your current set up I would say stick to hardy soft corals, mushrooms leathers etc.
Good luck

 

[penzo]

Build some columns,get some LR plate,and have a play around.:thumbup1:

 

[CEECH]

I think an overflowbox would be perfect on your tank and then you can have a nice sump and add a skimmer in there. I am adding one on my tank soon and if i had a tank of your size i would for sure to give me more water volume. You need around 1kg of rock per 10 litres is the rule.
For scape i would add more rock and make some towers and arches and caves. Being honest this is really down to personal taste.

 

[MalcolmFish]

Yeah think I'll smash out some more live rock and build up. Need some inspiration on scaling!

Any recommendations for good overflow boxes?

Would I need several glass tanks or just use an old tank in he bottom? Most have like 3 sections?

A quick up of The lads (till one turns into a lady).

One is a lot lighter

 

[MalcolmFish]

Cheers.
Got this green stuff on my rocks, should I be worried?

 

[McPikie]

Welcome Malcolm

 

[MalcolmFish]

 

[MalcolmFish]

Update time

 

[nodster]

Nice start there [MENTION=23672]MalcolmFish[/MENTION] liking the little arches in your rockwork , if you haven't done so already grab some empty shells for you hermit , bit of soft corals you've got look healthy and thriving just watch the xenia as this will soon spread all over your rockwork when it does though makes for a really nice movement , so far so good mate , keep it up Big Thumbs Up

 

[MalcolmFish]

Thanks a lot .
Yes got several spare shells in there dotted about varying in sizes. Struggling to find anywhere good to buy them from as most places are rubbish.

Yes was advised it likes to spread so once it settles and grows I can always doing some pruning!

 

[nodster]

Yeah most shells are rubbish look for empty conch shells on ebay as these are what Halloween hermits like to live in just look for sizes a bit bigger than he's in , I've seen a lot of tanks with xenia that's spread a lot and they do look good , they have a tendency to disintegrate if they take a dislike to your tank all of a sudden or if they like it cover your tank alltogether , have you thought of any more additions coral or fish ?

 

[MalcolmFish]

yes want a mushroom coral or similar next I think. Then a few other colourful ones. Maybe a Zoa.

Fish wise not sure, thinking maybe a royal Gramma. Suggestions Welcome

 

[nodster]

Sounds good [MENTION=23672]MalcolmFish[/MENTION] a good useful addition is a chalk goby really does clean and turn sand bed over , think every tank really should have one , not best looking fish being white in colour but really great characters

Yes I'm same as you thinking zoa corals ,started to collect them now myself

 

[MalcolmFish]

Is this aiptasia?

 

[nodster]

Yes [MENTION=23672]MalcolmFish[/MENTION] it is aiptasia get some aip x and drown the thing

Also see red Cyano on top of rock

And also green bubble algae about two inch down from aip and a bit to right , two small bubbles , tease them off without bursting them

 

[MalcolmFish]

Not recommend peppermint shrimp?

How do I get rid of red cyano?
What's green bubble algae? How do I tease them off?