7 months into hobby - questions for the group (1 Viewer)

[Cina05]

So I got into reefing and set up this 90 Gallon in December. I just stumbled onto this group today. I have some newb questions:
Does everyone use strictly RODI water?

What's your favorite fish and why?

What's the best sand sifting fish that aren't too messy ( don't bury corals in sand)?

What do you feed your corals? Any DIY recipes? And has anyone tried or heard of using egg yolks? I came across a forum discussing potential benefits from people who had raised discus and betta fry on egg yolks and I've done this too myself, so I wondered if it seemed outlandish or problematic for feeding corals.

Finally, any tips or sage advice for beginners?

Thanks

 

[Bullitt519]

Does everyone use strictly RODI water?

I use a 7 stage RODI filter and make my own water always have. In emergencies, I will use distilled.

What's your favorite fish and why?

Don't really have a favorite, but I like yellow coris wrasse.

What's the best sand sifting fish that aren't too messy ( don't bury corals in sand)?

Sand sifters need finer sand to do well. Super course sand isn't ideal. Finer sand is more of a pain when dealing with high flow. Blue Jawfish or Watchman Gobies are usually my go-to.

What do you feed your corals? Any DIY recipes? And has anyone tried or heard of using egg yolks? I came across a forum discussing potential benefits from people who had raised discus and betta fry on egg yolks and I've done this too myself, so I wondered if it seemed outlandish or problematic for feeding corals.

I feed a mix of frozen coral foods you buy in packs, acro power, and redsea ab+

Finally, any tips or sage advice for beginners?

Be patient and keep things stable.

 

[Bullitt519]

Also, the light on the glass is really freaking me out. I would definitely elevate it.

 

[frankc]

Your tank looks nice, especially considering its age - often a tank at that stage has some sort of bad algae problem. But then, I am the self-proclaimed algae king, because I always seem to have some sort of weird algae issue.

I have used only RODI water since 2012 (when I joined MARSH and saw that "everyone was doing it"). Before that I used dechlorinated tap water. I had a mostly FOWLR tank, but I had one coral that lived the first 10 years of its life in the tap water, growing from a tiny unseen larva or polyp to a pretty substantial size in that time.

It's really hard to pick one favorite fish. I still love the yellow tang because it's like having a bit of sunshine swimming through the tank. I enjoy the longnose hawkfish because of their personality - when I have my face next to the glass trying to look at a coral, he will swim right in front of my eyes as if to say "Look at me - I'm way cooler than that stupid coral".

I haven't tried any sand sifting fish due to worry about them burying coral. I like fighting conch for this.

I use a mixture of things for corals. Reef Roids, Oyster Feast, fish egg products, and the two part Red Sea Reef Energy. I used to breed freshwater bettas and angelfish using a product called Liquifry, which as I recall was largely made of egg yolk.

I agree patience and stability are key. Also, if you don't have a top for your tank, stay away from known jumpers like wrasses, firefish, hawkfish and some others.

 

[Cody]

So I got into reefing and set up this 90 Gallon in December. I just stumbled onto this group today. I have some newb questions:
Does everyone use strictly RODI water?

What's your favorite fish and why?

What's the best sand sifting fish that aren't too messy ( don't bury corals in sand)?

What do you feed your corals? Any DIY recipes? And has anyone tried or heard of using egg yolks? I came across a forum discussing potential benefits from people who had raised discus and betta fry on egg yolks and I've done this too myself, so I wondered if it seemed outlandish or problematic for feeding corals.

Finally, any tips or sage advice for beginners?

Thanks

Those lights are way too close to the water level. They need to be at a uniform height about 12-14” off of the water surface level.

 

[Cina05]

Also, the light on the glass is really freaking me out. I would definitely elevate it.

Good idea.