Kraqus Bowfront Tank FOWLR

[kraqus]

I searched and searched CL and finally found a great deal on all this equipment for $200

Benny

 

[kraqus]

Last week got some goodies at my LFS

This is dead rock as dead as it can be....LOL!
But that is the way I want it.

10 lbs of dead sand and 20 lbs of live reef sand

These are 25 gallons of Monterrey Bay Sanctuary natural sea water

Benny

 

[kraqus]

I soaked the Rock for 24 hrs and gave it a good scrub the day before.
I also stop at another LFS and saw a couple of flat rocks that I really liked.

Prepping the tank prior to setup.
I added a black background using oil and squeegeeing the bubbles out then sealing the corners with clear tape.

Benny

 

[kraqus]

FINALLY !!!

I really like this aquascape

But I ended up adding more =)

Benny

 

[kraqus]

This is my tank currently cycling:

I am also cycling and old 5 gallon tank at the bottom.

They are not connected at the moment but they will eventually. I am planning on running a sump for chaeto and pods to feed the crew whenever possible.


Benny

 

[kraqus]

I stared "Ghost feeding" the tank to spike the ammonia a bit.

And after a week.......finally some life..... the first algae break.
You can see all the Brown/Yellowish spots. They are everywhere now, including the sand.

 

[kraqus]

This is the "Man Cave" where my first tank of many to come will be.
Sorry it's kind of messy, I am still finishing up the room. I need to fix a drywall and paint some more.

Benny

 

[Rick778]

Nice tank thread. I always like following how a tank develops. As a newbie take my advice with a grain of salt, but it looks like your rocks are very vertical, which might limit places to place coral.

 

[Mr. Ugly]

Nice tank, cool room!

What kind of fish are you planning on?

 

[kraqus]

Yes, they are but again this will be a FOWLR tank.
The reason I am starting with fish only is because I want to prove myself a good fish keeper first. I am still reading and learning about how to keep a reef tank and I STILL have more to learn. I have not even started to read about corals yet so that will be another chapter in my journey.

Why rush? right?
I want to make sure I do it right form the beginning thoroughly researching everything, every fish and invertebrates that will go in, I am learning about their Habitats and living conditions, food sources, etc......

I also intent to go BIGGER eventually.
I can confidently say that I will stick to this tank for a year or more, let it mature with fish only.
I will then get a bigger tank and reuse all the stock and live rock, add some more rock and then tackle Corals.

Thanks for your comments !


Benny

 

[kraqus]

Well, not sure yet but whatever is going in, is going to be small as in really small.
I went to my LFS the other day and I saw the smallest Yellow watchman Goby I have ever seen. It was the size of a nickel. I also saw a couple of clowns under 2 inch.

Benny

 

[Rick778]

Yes, they are but again this will be a FOWLR tank.

I need to read the whole post before I comment :O
Totally missed the fact it was a FOWLR.
Great looking tank!

 

[kraqus]

Full water parameters:

I am puzzled.
I have "Ghost fed" the tank once and I don't see any ammonia whatsoever but I do see Nitrites and Nitrates....what's up with that? Should I up the feeding a bit more? If there is NO ammonia how can there be Nitrites?

I seem to have misplaced the Ph saltwater chart so I am using the Freshwater one.
How different the reading will be compare with the Saltwater one? Am I too far off?

Salinity.

Right now it reads 1.026 and from what I read it should be between 1.020 and 1.024....the Hydrometer I am using even has that comfort zone in red. The thing is that I am using Natural sea water from the Monterrey Bay Sanctuary in California, this is as natural as it gets but it's high.... isn't it?

Should this be a problem and if so How can I lower it? by adding distilled water?

Any input will be greatly appreciated.....Thank you guys!


Benny

 

[CookieJar]

Don't trust the hydrometer, a refractometer is the way to go. Hydrometers can be way off.
Good start with the tank, you have a rock wall, consider making a pillar or tunnel, it's nice seeing fish swing around and in the rockwork. I think you're on the right path with small fish, there are a lot of really cool small gobies that can make nice additions, plus their bioload is miniscule. I like the highfig goby (you can pair w/ pistol shrimp), striped gobie, clown goby (i.e. 'gumdrop') and blue cleaner goby to name a few.

 

[JAR]

Is the test kit new?
You could test a fresh salt mix for comparison.
You may need the salt water chart for PH but I think that blue color is in the proper range.

 

[kraqus]

Is the test kit new?
You could test a fresh salt mix for comparison.
You may need the salt water chart for PH but I think that blue color is in the proper range.

Yes it is Fairly new. I also use it to test my Daughter's Goldfish tank and I have also tested on Fresh water.
Yeah from what I read my Ph should be 8.0 and beyond and it seems like it's OK for now.


Thanks!



Benny

 

[kraqus]

Water Parameters WEEK 2
What do you think?

I now have green algae growing as well as brown. Some shots:

This coming weekend I will do a water change and if the parameters still look good I will add my first CUC, perhaps a couple of Hermit crab and some snails.....Shrimp too?

Ideas? Anyone?

Benny