kobustabus

Hello fellow reefers. I am about a week out from venturing out to Phuket, Thailand for my honeymoon for 10 days. I am still a newbie in the reef aquarium world, only having my 24-gallon aquarium set up since March. I was hoping some folks could help ease my worries while I am out of town by providing some vacation advice/tips in how I can keep things safe and sound while away. I do have an A.T.O. and I bought an automatic fish feeder... also a little battery backup airpump, in case crazy goes down and the house loses power (better than nothing). My in-laws live near by, but I do not trust them enough to do anything more than come by and monitor the tank (afraid the mother-in-law would not really know how to clean the collection cup to the protein skimmer... sad, but true). So that would be more of a visual inspection... maybe some dosing of reef essential elements and some invert food. I am going to see if a friend of mine would mind stopping over a few times during the week to check/clean the collection cup.The tank itself has only two clown fish, two blue\green chromis, an emerald crab, some snails and hermits, and my corals are simple (zoas, lobo, 2 monti caps). I am hoping things will be okay. Any advice or tips would be extremely helpful. Thanks for all of your help. Greg

Hey there! I have a cardiff 24-gallon reef system starting up (the odd AIO with the curved front). I am using an AI Sol blue and MP10, in addition to whatever came with the factory setup (factory skimmer, factory circulation as a secondary). I am curious what thoughts are out there on two factors: 1.) upgrading the skimmer to either a Hydor Koralia Slim Skim or Tunze Nano 9002 2.) putting together a CPR Aquafuge2 Refugium (probably a small or medium size) The AIO system has three chambers... one where the protein skimmer sits, one where I have rubble (clean water trickles down flows into the third, which is a circulatory chamber... blowing it back into the tank. I bought the setup because a store back by my parents had an amazing sale, so now I am trying to see what I am working with and what I can do with what I have. The stand it is on is just that, no cabinet, so I like the look and feel of having it all contained in the back or hanging on the back as out of sight as possible. My questions are: 1.) I believe the two skimmers I mentioned are the only ones that could fit into the predesignated space already designed and sound like they would be a definite upgrade from what I have. Through reading reviews, I have read that the Hydor is loud, but the performance of the two seems rather comparable. Or perhaps the one I have is okay and I am just out spending money I really don't have to. It does collect good microbubbles... and dark skimmate. I don't want to spend if I don't have to. 2.) Would it be possible to use one of the chambers as a refugium (or just put some chaeto in one). I think having a macro in the tank would help, but things have been going great. Once my tank cycled, I put in a CUC and my rocks were spotless. Now there is dark green/brown algae on them and the snails and crabs help contain, but they are not as clean as they were. Perhaps having a refugium with chaeto would help... and I can pick some out to feed my emerald crab as a treat once in awhile. Like I said, I am fresh to all of this and am still trying to understand how all of the parts and pieces go together and more importantly, what I can be doing to make sure I have a great setup. After the above questions, next is an ATO. Right now, the refilling every day does not bother me too much because I like monitoring everything closely and it makes me do it... but extended vacations worry me. Thanks for all of your help! Greg Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Hey there! I have a cardiff 24-gallon reef system starting up (the odd AIO with the curved front). I am using an AI Sol blue and MP10, in addition to whatever came with the factory setup (factory skimmer, factory circulation as a secondary). I am curious what thoughts are out there on two factors: 1.) upgrading the skimmer to either a Hydor Koralia Slim Skim or Tunze Nano 9002 2.) putting together a CPR Aquafuge2 Refugium (probably a small or medium size) The AIO system has three chambers... one where the protein skimmer sits, one where I have rubble (clean water trickles down flows into the third, which is a circulatory chamber... blowing it back into the tank. I bought the setup because a store back by my parents had an amazing sale, so now I am trying to see what I am working with and what I can do with what I have. The stand it is on is just that, no cabinet, so I like the look and feel of having it all contained in the back or hanging on the back as out of sight as possible. My questions are: 1.) I believe the two skimmers I mentioned are the only ones that could fit into the predesignated space already designed and sound like they are a definite upgrade from what I have. Through reading reviews, I have read that the Hydor is loud, but the performance of the two seems rather comparable. Or perhaps the one I have is okay and I am just out spending money I really don't have to. It does collect good microbubbles... and dark skimmate. I don't want to spend if I don't have to. 2.) Would it be possible to use one of the chambers as a refugium (or just put some chaeto in one). I think having a macro in the tank would help, but things have been going great. Once my tank cycled, I put in a CUC and my rocks were spotless. Now there is dark green/brown algae on them and the snails and crabs help contain, but they are not as clean as they were. Perhaps having a refugium with chaeto would help... and I can pick some out to feed my emerald crab as a treat once in awhile. Like I said, I am fresh to all of this and am still trying to understand how all of the parts and pieces go together and more importantly, what I can be doing to make sure I have a great setup. After the above questions, next is an ATO. Right now, the refilling every day does not bother me too much because I like monitoring everything closely and it makes me do it... but extended vacations worry me. Thanks for all of your help! Greg

Beginner to the hobby and attended yesterday's meeting and I have to say it was great. The friendliness of everyone there and the knowledge shared definitely made me glad to be part of the group and excited to be getting into this as a hobby. Hearing Bob Fenner speak was also amazing... what a great personality!... and the opportunity to have him autograph my book... very cool. I just wanted to post a little message to say my many thanks to Jennylynn9579 for the assortment of colorful zoas and green-blue mushroom frags, Pacific East Aquaculture for the great pieces of reef covered in zoas, mushrooms, and star polyps ... all making an immediate impact as beautiful pieces and my first corals... and to everyone that has helped me start up and edge me closer to have a great reef system. Thanks also to the folks responsible for planning and execution of the meeting. As my first one, I thought it was great and am looking forward to Frag Fest and more posts and advice along the way. Thanks again and have a great week!

And should be doing anything to try and control the brown algae (diatoms I believe)?? Thanks for all of your help!!!

So I am cycling my first saltwater tank... going for a reef aquarium but taking my time. I have 25lbs of live rock and 20 lbs of live sand. The tank has been cycling for about 10 days and my parameters are moving along (0 ammonia, 1ppm nitrite, 20ppm nitrate). This past weekend, I had an explosion of life... mostly in the form of brown algae on the sand which is now starting to form on the rocks. Along with this, I have some new life... and the following pics I am hoping show what I am talking about. I will let the pics do the talking because me describing it may not help the situation. Thanks for any Leo you can offer. I am hoping it's not aptasia :(

Oh, I do have a skimmer, although it came with the tank so I am sure it is far from spectacular. Some folks have suggested other to purchase a nano reef skimmer, but I wanted to give the one that came with it a trial run, in hopes of trying to keep the clean look of all equipment contained in the back of the tank. From my findings, some posts have made it sound that if I keep up on weekly water changes then I may be able to get away with what I have. It is worth a try at first and I can surely upgrade if I feel the one I have is inadequate. I think I have decided to go with live rock. For the amount I need for a 24-gallon, I know dry rock or a mix would be cheaper and less hitchhikers, but I think it would be great to try and hope it doesn't come to bite me later. I went to several LFS this past week and none of them seemed to have a good supply of live rock and were awaiting shipments... or maybe I was still trying to psych myself up to buy live rock.... but I am hopeful to pick some up tomorrow and have the next phase of setup begin. Is it common for LFS to tell you that a dry rock cycle will take months and months to cycle in order to convince you to buy live rock for 3x the price? Ryan S' cycle was efficient... and now has me second guessing what I thought I figured out... hahaha. I will post some pics soon... right now it is just an empty tank in the corner of the room... but I am excited to start up and be part of the hobby. One question I did have... when you are cycling a brand new tank with live rock, would you leave your lights on in the same schedule as you would when it is stocked? I have seen both schools of thought (leave the light off during cycling to prevent algae growth or on for whats inside to get acclimated to the schedule), but my thought is that the live organisms on the rock need that light cycle to survive and multiply. I am far from an expert. Thanks again for all of your help.

Hi everyone! New to the saltwater world... looking forward to start up a mini-reef aquarium very soon. I currently have a 24-gallon half cylinder Cardiff tank and stand. I think I have things in order...bought an AI sol blue and controller, a vortech mp10w es, heater, ATO, refractormeter, test kits, RO/DI unit, and some odds and ends. Currently the tank is lonely and wants some water to go in with that said, I'm looking for some advice when it comes to two questions: 1.) the classic live rock vs. base rock debate. Because I'm new, I'm trying to learn what would be the best move. I have read about the advantages and disadvantages of each. I am nervous about the pests that will inevitably come with live rock, but also understand that is part of the hobby. Is it possible to purchase LR from a LFS that is high-quality and already cured to the point that I could just fill my tank, drop in and begin cycling? One issue I have is ly the lack of space at the townhouse to put rock in tubs and cure over time. I can deal with paying bit more to know I can drop right in to cycle my brand new tank... Or should I purchase base rock, put that in my tank and cycle, seeding it with possibly a couple lbs of live? Or over time, and I know it would take several months, would clean base rock become as bacteria filled and a solid biological filter as cured live rock. I am in no hurry to cycle, just wanted to start this thing up. 2.) live sand Benefits of live sand? If I were to put in live sand and base rock, would that help in the cycling? I was originally planning to put in live rock and live sand, but folks on-line seem to mix a lot. I know my tank is small and that is why I was originally going to go the all live route, but have been thinking in circles the past week and thought I would ask the advice of some true experts. Anything else I am missing??? Much appreciated!!! Greg Falls Church, VA

Thanks for all of your help. This has been great! The amount of knowledge on the forums amazes me and I appreciate the inputs you have provided to help me out. I am sure to bug the group more in the future

Oops. Location would be helpful info. I live out in Falls Church, VA. A friend gave me a list of LFS that he thought have good live rock (Aquarium One, Roozens, or Blue Ribbon Koi). He is the one who pointed me to WAMAS... definitely a good move. But now you have me researching base rock and the options to run with. Looks like I have things to google tonight

Hey there! New to WAMAS and first would like to say thanks for all of the great information to help me prepare my first reef aquarium set up. I currently have a 24-gallon Cardiff all-in-one (comes with a protein skimmer, ATO, and filtration built into the back... got the aquarium and stand brand new for an amazing price). Because of the deal on the setup, I spent a little more for a Vortech mp10wES and AI Sol blue. Over the past month, I have been reading up from the forum and numerous books to learn the in's and out's. I think I am to the point of starting it up. I am tracking a few concerns: 1.) Buying good cultured live rock so I don't have too many unwanted hitchhikers. Because the tank is smaller, I am willing to pay a bit more to not have that worry. Or is it even necessary? Unique pieces... perhaps thinking the new style of ceramic (http://cerameco.com/) 2.) Aquascpaing - of all things, right? haha. But we have all seen those set ups where it just looks off. I am hoping to get a natural feel that will impress myself and others (of course). 3.) Age old debate on reef salt mix - I have read so much and it sounds like Reef Crystals, Red Sea, Coralife, or Seachem are all good... and knowing myself, I will over think this for quite some time... thinking of parameters in NoVA and reading message board after message board to see what others have found. 4.) How with the Vortech respond to the unique shape of the tank (more of a half cylinder)? Because the front is curved... could make for some interesting water flow perhaps. Other than that, I think it will be an exciting time and am looking forward to the challenge and commitment. I am sure you will begin seeing more of me on the boards... perhaps looking to see if anyone has a cup of sand to help me seed or rubble rock to sit in the filter. If you do have any advice, suggestions, or words of wisdom, I am definitely listening. I want to do this right. Thanks again for the great content. I hope to see you at the next quarterly meeting (which I plan on attending for sure). Have a great week!