47g Column Project - Tank Journal

[wolfsburgfanatic]

Started a thread over on AC, but figured since I spend most of my time here anyway it would make sense to post it here as well. This will be my first saltwater tank so I'm sure there will be some speedbumps along the way, but the goal is to create a low maintance, low impact reef/Zoa garden.

Planned Stocking:
2 Tank-Bred Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
1 Tank-Bred Neon Goby (Elacatinus oceanops)
1 Blue Spotted Jawfish (Opistognathus rosenblatti)
1 Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
?? misc hermit crabs & snails for "clean-up crew"
Mix of Various Zoas & Palys
2-3 ORA Aquacultured Long Polyp Leather (Sarcophyton sp.)
1 Aquacultured Neon Green Palau Nephthea (Nephthea sp.)

Equipment:
Skimmer - AquaMaxx HOB-1
Lighting - 20" Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 6x18W
Heating - Marineland 200W Stealth Pro
Circulation - (1) Koralia 2, (2) Koralia Nanos

The progression so far...

Some of my brittlestar hitchhikers

added a bit more LR and of course sand since those pictures. I'll get updated shots up in the next few days, but the total is ~50lbs of sand, ~44 lbs of LR, and 16.28 lbs of Base rock.

 

[Matt724]

very cool setup. Good idea adding the powerheads.

 

[wolfsburgfanatic]

thanks

Just installed my Aquamaxx HOB-1 skimmer tonight - not too sure about it yet. First of all, the hangers are way too short, which means the adjustment screws tighten into the tanks top trim instead of the glass. Seems like it was designed for rimless tanks, but they make no mention of that. Also the instructions state not to completely immerse the return tube, but thats impossible unless I lower the tank's water level a couple inches. I'm also getting a lot of bubbles in the tank, but I'll chalk that up to "break in" and hope it calms down. Skimmer seems nicely made and its reasonably quiet but maybe I should have listened to the LFS and picked up a Reef Octopus

 

[wolfsburgfanatic]

Still working on the skimmer, but I think the problem is due to my use of Aquastik epoxy in securing my rock pile. Live and learn. Here's a more up-to-date FTS (I have since cleaned the back glass and powerheads):

Spotted this guy in my tank the other night - Is it the dreaded Aiptasia?

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/wolfsburgfanatic/47g Zoa Garden/DSC_0992.jpg

 

[Tom LoFaro]

Lol, on a more serious note, nice tank. I love the lights.
And that could very well be Aiptasia, although, I'm no expert on the matter.

 

[wolfsburgfanatic]

nice

 

[Heathd]

Hard to tell from the picture if it is aptaisa or not, although it doesnt really look like it. Anyway you can get a better shot?

 

[BigO6687]

looks like some type of tubeworm to me

 

[FLESHY]

Dude...this could be sick! Cant wait to see development.

 

[k.tran]

You cant eliminate the bubbles comming out of the Aquamax skimmer if your water return is under water unless you drill a hole in the top and put some kind of tubing above the water so the air can escape before it goes out the tube.